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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

1438.0. "Orchestra Hit Regulations" by NAC::PICKETT (Do the voices in my head bother you?) Wed Jun 08 1988 18:01

    Proposed Legislation
    
    HR #8701234
    
    Restrictions on 'Orchestra Hit' timbres
    
    Section 1, DEFINITIONS: An 'Orchestra Hit' shall be defined as a
    sound made by, but not limited to, a synthesizer, sampling synthesizer,
    or other such device capable of generating such timbres, that is intended
    to resemble a unison note played by an orchestra.
    
    Section 2, LIMITATIONS: Effective immediately, the use of an 'Orchestra
    Hit' shall be illegal, punnishable as provided in section 3 of this
    statute. Recordings, including, but not limited to, phonograph records,
    magnetic tape, compact disc, digital audio tape, video tape, and
    motion picture soundtracks, which already contain 'Orchestra Hits'
    may continue to circulate freely, however, the owners of the copyrights
    may not make further copies of the same.
    
    Section 3, PUNNISHMENTS: Persons found guilty of violating this
    statue shall be subject to a prison term not less than 2 years,
    and not more then 10 years. In addition, the convicted shall receive
    music history lessons, with concentration on Baroque, Classical,
    and Jazz music. Additional punnishments for repeat offenders include,
    but are not limited to, studying the recorded works of Barry Manilow
    with a 1st generation CD player, answering Slim Whitman's fan mail,
    serving as Joe Cocker's barber, and doing Prince's laundry.
    
    
    Call your state rep now, this bill needs quick action. The listeners
    of the world need to be saved from the weenies that over-use the
    Orchestra Hit!
    
    ;^)
    dp
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1438.1IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!JAWS::COTEAre you buying this at all??Wed Jun 08 1988 18:1412
    The Senate is also pushing a bill prohibiting the use of
    FM Rhodes patches.
    
    ...'bout time!!!
    
    Something has to be done. The youth of today have no morals
    or ability to puctuate properly due to these evils. 
    
    I think they should enforce capital punishment for any band with
    the word "White" in it's name.
    
    Edd
1438.2What about the 707 tom?PANGLS::BAILEYConstants aren't, variables don'tWed Jun 08 1988 20:245
    They should put a rider on that FM bill to prohibit the D-50 Fantasy
    patch.  Also they could say that it was gonna get the asbestos out
    of our schools if they wanted to really get it through in a hurry.
    
    Steph
1438.3and COMMUSIC V 8-)PLDVAX::JANZENTom LMO2/O23 296-5421Wed Jun 08 1988 20:300
1438.4FGVAXZ::LAINGJim*261-2194*DEC MemorabiliaCollectorWed Jun 08 1988 20:3910
1438.5Oh, not *that* point again . . .BEOWLF::BARTHWed Jun 08 1988 20:4720
    re .1 >
    
    	O.k., so a particular synth produces such a good patch that
    sounds so good, is so expressive, and can be applied in so many
    situations that everyone condemns it because it is so popular. 
    Sounds just like the top 40 syndrome:   everyone else likes it,
    and god forbid, I don't want to be like everyone else, so I'm gonna
    hate it just for that point.
    	What if, in pre-DX days, a company built an acoustic instrument
    that sounded as nice and was as reliable and practical as the DX
    rhodes sound, but it was its only sound?  It would just be accepted
    as a good sounding instrument that makes one hell of a good sound.
	
    	Ron 
    
	(with sarcasm)
    	- who is pushing a bill to punish anyone using those damn round
    things with heads on them -- drums! -- sure, they make great sounds,
    but, gad, they're overused!
    					;^)
1438.6Sounds good --> use it!FGVAXZ::LAINGJim*261-2194*DEC MemorabiliaCollectorWed Jun 08 1988 21:1110
1438.7SALSA::MOELLERSome dissembling required.Wed Jun 08 1988 21:166
    Gosh, there was a LONG time there when all I played in public was
    the 'Rhodes' patch.  I believe the unit was made by Fender and
    was designed by one Harold Rhodes.. heavy sucker though. Now that
    I have a KX88 and a big rack I'm MUCH more portable (wink)
    
    karl
1438.8ANGORA::JANZENTom LMO2/O23 296-5421Wed Jun 08 1988 21:257
    I didn't mean to ban COMMUSIC V.  I was cut off at the pass by 
    a net disconnect.
    I said ban flanging.
    But that would end the easy-listening of yuppies, new age.
    and commusic V
    8-)
    Tom
1438.9For; those who, missed the point"NAC::PICKETTDo the voices in my head bother you?Wed Jun 08 1988 23:2143
    The ESQ-1 has a patch that is destined to be tacked on to this bill
    as a rider. The DIGPNO (db will back me on this ;^) patch is a tad
    over used. DIGPNO seems to be the ESQ-1 'signature' patch. It
    proliferates Comusic IV.
    
    For those of you who missed the point of the topic (most of you
    did, so pay attention here), humor was used to ridicule those who
    cling to timbres which were original in their conception, but have
    become timeworn in their use. 
    
    Those of you who would compare this criticism to criticizing the
    time-invariant tone of a Steinway or Stradivarius are missing an
    important point. Stienway has yet to add things like envelope
    generators, filters, and LFOs to their pianos. They don't have to.
    The only timbres you can get out of it come from your hands, and
    the placement of the piano on your room. SYNTHESIZERS, on the other
    hand, have all those funny buttons on them so you can create >NEW!<
    sounds.
    
         Some creative person once made an Orchestra Hit. The group
    Yes used it in 'Owner of a lonely Heart'. Within months, (or so
    it seemed) the effect showed up in the most unusual places. That
    effect is highly limited in its scope, and yet there is a current
    flop-40 song that actually doubles the melody line with Orchestra
    Hits. It doesn't work. But then, flop-40 music has never known the
    bounds of good taste.
    
    Let us review the major points, so there is no confusion:
    
    1) Pianos and Violins are not programmable instruments, and should
       not be viewed as such.
    
    2) Synthesizers are programmable (by some people) and should be
       used as such.
    
    3) Try creating a new timbre for each new song you work on. Hmmm,
       what would a magic-marker writing on ice sound like... you get
       the idea.
    
    I almost never flame in this conference,
    dp
    
    
1438.10PLDVAX::JANZENTom LMO2/O23 296-5421Thu Jun 09 1988 14:073
    The tone of an acoustic piano is
not time invariant.
    Tom
1438.11Thoughts on cliche timbres.PANGLS::BAILEYConstants aren't, variables don'tThu Jun 09 1988 21:5617
    There is something different, in my mind, between a piano sound
    and a cliche synth patch.
    
    Actually, I think that it has to do with if a timbre is used
    ``expressively'' versus ``texturally''.  In other words, if the
    D-50 fantasy patch is used in a massive solo, that's fine, because
    the performer is imparting motion upon the sound (I hope).  On the
    other hand, if it is used as a ``lets put a little swish in here
    by just pushing a key'' sound, then it really smacks of cliche.
    
    Of course, any sound, not just synthesized, is subject to this type of
    clicheing. Post-production strings and Carpenter style backing vocals
    evoke the same wave of nausea as the D-50 Fantasy patch.  It is just
    much cheaper to get cliche textures with a synth. 
    
    Steph
    
1438.12Can't get away with anything around here...DRFIX::PICKETTDavid - Utility Muffin Research KitchenFri Jun 10 1988 02:3712
    re .10
    
>         The tone of an acoustic piano is
> not time invariant.
>    Tom
    
    I knew I was going to get in trouble for saying that. You're quite
    correct, Tom. For that matter, neither is the tone of a violin.
    
    Thanks for keeping me honest ;^)
    dp

1438.13What, you use the 12 note scale - too common for meTYFYS::MOLLERVegetation: A way of lifeFri Jun 10 1988 17:4810
    I don't know, the Fantasy Patch (also on the MT-32) is so good,
    I use it for everything, even as a drum machince. If course, the
    previous sentance is pure BS, but, as far as I'm concerned anyone
    can use any patch that they like. I'd love to illegalize Rod Stewards
    Voice (Immidately causes me to change channels on the radio), and
    quite a few other non-synth sounds, why, cause I don't like them.
    Since other people do, then I guess it's ok, amy maybe should be
    legal.
    
                   Jens_who_uses_orchestra_hits_when_he_feels_like_it. 
1438.14I'd like to know what you're talking aboutTWIN4::DEHAHNFri Jun 10 1988 17:588
    
    Could someone please tell us non-d50 owners what the Fantasy patch
    sounds like? Maybe cite some obvious examples?
    
    Thanks
    
    CdH
    
1438.15HPSTEK::RHODESFri Jun 10 1988 18:047
As far as I'm concerned, most popular music is filled with untolerable cliches.
Which is why I no longer listen to mainstream radio.

Is it true that the BSO sometimes employs 'Synth Hits'?

Rhodes (not the patch).

1438.16GIBSON::DICKENSSurfing with my BuickFri Jun 10 1988 19:5613
1438.17Do I owe her royalties???JAWS::COTELook!! Eeet eees BASSOON!Fri Jun 17 1988 12:5515
    Orchestra hits scare me on the Mirage....
    
    I just *KNOW* that someday, somewhere, I'm gonna load up the disc
    that I'm *sure* has my ORCHESTRA HIT on it. THen right at the 
    crucial moment I'm gonna SLAM that one key and everyone will
    hear, in full 50khz sample rate splendor....
    
    
    
                   "This is a blank formatted diskette...."
    
    
    
    Edd