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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Why People Love Vintage Synthesizers

By Michael Clakson

A synthesizer is an electronic instrument that produces a wide range of sounds. There are several different types of synthesizers. Over time, the appearance and quality of synthesizers has changed greatly. Older synthesizers were larger and did not feature as many instrumental sounds as the newer, more advanced synthesizers of today.

The first synthesizer, dubbed a "musical telegraph" was invented accidentally by Elisa Gray, inventor of the telephone, in 1876. Through the serendipitous discovery that one could control sound via a self-vibrating electromagnetic circuit, Gray developed a single-note oscillator. From this simple invention as well as primitive analog computers, early musical instruments, and laboratory test instruments, others created many different types of early synthesizers.

A microtonal electronic keyboard oboe was invented in 1937 by Ivor Darregg. Following this, an ANS synthesizer was invented by Evgeny Murzin. In 1958, a large Mark 2 Music Synthezer was invented and kept at the Columbia Princeton Electronic Music center in New York. This synthesizer could only be played after the machine had been fully programmed. There was a vacuum tube system which had to be manually handled while creating any type of new sound.

In 1958 Daphne Oram also invented a synthesizer. It was invented at BBC radiophonic Workshop. She used a method called Oramics method to invent this instrument. BBC used this synthesizer for many years. In the late 1940s and early 50s many automated music controllers were made. Raymond Scott, John Hanert, Hugh el Caine and few others invented these kinds of controllers.

Synthesizers that could be played in real time were available by 1960, but were so enormous that they filled entire sound studios. Most had limited features, which sometimes included a simulated tone similar that that of an acoustic piano, but usually very little else.

Vintage synthesizers were specially made devices that were very experimental. The mechanics were very much dependent on the concept of modularity. Robert Moog created a synthesizer which became a big hit with pop musicians at the time because of its small size and instrument-like appearance.

Micky Dolenz of the band the Monkees was the first one to purchase this synthesizer. They made use if the synthesizer in their fourth album, which was named as Piscus, Aquarius, Capricon and Jones Ltd. This album was sold in 1967. This was their first album in which they used the synthesizer. The instrument became very famous after their album was sold.

Though modern synthesizers have eclipsed their vintage counterparts in usability, function, and features, early synthesizers must be recognized for the vital role they played in the develop of this unique musical instrument. - 18424

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