| I sometimes don't like to admit it, but I am nostalgic. I like | | | | slightly. These are pretty cool. The only problem is that |
| 80s music, old type computer games (Street Fighter, | | | | you get the samplers idea of a good sample. Also you |
| Defender..come on!) and classic techno making | | | | don't get all the dials being twisted together- too |
| machines. | | | | restricted. However as a free source of nostalgic |
| Why? | | | | sounds they can't be beat. |
| I think they forged through and made todays music | | | | So we have identified one sound source (for free), |
| what it is. Machines like the TB303, TR909, JD800 and | | | | however we have also noticed some problems- a |
| the famous Moog- what an effect they have made | | | | lack of freedom, and because we are a creative |
| on dance and techno music! The rise in popularity of | | | | bunch, we have to find another way. |
| techno, i.e, with the makers and in the audience, was | | | | 2) VSTs. Wow, what a revolution to the music world. |
| down to the cool sounds and the general compatability | | | | A fantastic resource that should help musicians who |
| (sound wise) between the machines were the key. | | | | are looking to make music with little, or no cash. VSTs |
| In some cases limited numbers were made and the | | | | are either effects (like distortion) or they are some sort |
| increase in popularity only meant two things. 1) An | | | | of music sounding device (like synths (called |
| increase in the same old songs, rehashed versions that | | | | softsynths), drum machines etc). Some are stand |
| sounded similar in everyway, and 2) The price went | | | | alone programs, or some need a host program. The |
| into overdrive. Machines like the TB303 were selling for | | | | most well known softsynth has got to be Rebirth, the |
| silly money. This trend is still being seen today. You can | | | | TB303 and TR909 emulator. It is really cool, emulating |
| buy one of these machines for between $600-$1000. | | | | the machines really well, however, the best thing about |
| And why? | | | | this softsynth is that it is free. Now there are plenty of |
| The old favourite answers are "because you can see | | | | VSTs out there that are free, offering great synth |
| the lights moving", "Its just great twisting those dials"- | | | | sounds or great effects. |
| and so on. This is where to me nostalgia stops, | | | | The possibility of sound creation using VSTs has now |
| especially when you want to make techno. Sure they | | | | become infinite. The actual sound of the sounds has |
| were great sounding machines, sure if you didn't have | | | | become endless, so now there should be unique |
| their sounds in your music you were classed as old | | | | sounding musics out there. Are there any |
| fashoined...but for $1000! | | | | disadvantages? Well not really. Some sound the same, |
| This isn't ravings from a person who never had one at | | | | and some of the pay for ones are expensive, they |
| all. I have a Roland MC202. I love the little box of tricks. | | | | are cool, but too expensive. |
| The little rubber keyboard is novel and the sliders are | | | | So what you can do, is add VSTs together, add an |
| cool. However, once all the fiddling is out of the way. | | | | effect plug-in over a synth VST. The cool thing is. |
| Once you have gone oooOOhhh...there isn't really | | | | Nostalgic sounds can be processed through these |
| anything left. Thats the problem for me. | | | | plug-ins to bring them more up-to-date, and to add a |
| Once the coolness has worn off, you have to go | | | | flavour of your desire. |
| through extra work to hook it up into your set-up. Do | | | | So, going back to our original question do we need a |
| you sample the loops off the machine? Do you buy a | | | | $1000 techno machine. Well as every diplomat states, |
| synch box? Do you MIDIfy it (costing extra cash)? I | | | | yes and no. If I had a TR909 I would keep it, sample it, |
| don't mean to be all doom and gloom, and if you do | | | | and then add VST effects to give the sounds more |
| have one, keep it- they are cool to work with. But if | | | | spice, because they are good, no doubt, but music |
| you don't...well, look at the other options. | | | | moves on and you have to follow. If I didn't have a |
| There are two great alternatives out there in Internet | | | | TR909 I wouldn't be upset, I would search out the |
| land that can help us out. | | | | samples from the various sample sites, add again the |
| 1) Sample sites. Nowadays they house great sample | | | | VST effects and get the sound that I want...for free. |
| loops, and single hit sounds from the various machines. | | | | If you have a low budget (or no budget), there are |
| Housed in sample packs, you will notice that the | | | | now no obsicles to stop you recreating those sounds |
| sounds sound similar to each other because the | | | | that make your music sound like it was made with a |
| sampler has twisted the dial a little and then sampled | | | | $1000+ set-up. |
| the sound. Now you have loads of sounds altered | | | | |