The Synthesizer
- by Carson Barker, Open Labs Staff Writer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument that produces different electronically produced audible tones, most of which are manipulatable by the user via control devices. Unlike an acoustic instrument, tones from a synthesizer are produced digitally or by analog, as an acoustic instrument produces sound from the reverberations of it's wood, brass or metal housing. Consequentially, synthesizers require speakers to be heard, whereas acoustic instruments need no electricity to produce audible tones. Modern synthesizers work by using a microprocessor to create a series of mathematical equations that produce digital tones. The earlier, analog synthesizers produce sound by means of transistors and potentiometers rather than using a microprocessor. Synthesizers are grouped into three different categories according to their schematics, sound-producing abilities and time line in which they were invented. The three categories are analog, digital and software-based. All three categories are significantly different from each other, and though some of the older analogs are no longer in production, they are still widely used by professional musicians today on account of the uniqueness of their sound and capabilities.
Analog Synthesizers
The first synthesizers ever made were the analog synthesizers, breaking ground as early as 1876 by telephone prototype inventor Elisha Gray. Gray invented the first controllable single note oscillator when he discovered by mishap a self-vibrating electromagnetic circuit during his telephone experiments. Though the invention never broke into mainstream popularity, his "musical telegraph" could transport sounds via steel reeds through a telephone line, and set a milestone for others to follow. As history pursued, other inventors across the globe spun off Gray's discovery and attempted to make synthesizers themselves. In 1937, Russian engineer Evgeny Murzin created the ANS synthesizer, which had the ability to produce 720 microtones at individual times. Numerous synthesizer models were continually produced by other designers and manufacturers from the early 1900s on, but most of the synths were very large, complicated in design, unpredictable, difficult to play and produced a minimal amount of sounds. It wasn't until 1964 that former RCA Mark II engineer Bob Moog invented a synthesizer that would be commercially viable to the music industry. His first model was featured on the Monkees album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones LTD. in 1967, and was the first synthesizer to be featured on a number 1 selling album. Consequently, the Moog business increased in popularity, and by 1970 Bob Moog had invented the Minimoog, which was the first portable synthesizer, and featured a small keyboard, pitch-control wheel, and other innovative designs. Moog's popularity increased through the 1970s, bands like Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk, Rush and Jeff Beck all featured Moogs on some of their best-selling records. Moog models are still frequently used by musicians today for their unique sounds and sonic quality. Other companies followed up on Moog's success, including the popular Jupiter 8 by Roland, which was also used on several successful albums.
Digital Synthesizers
As the digital era replaced analog computers and machinery, the music business followed suit. The next generation of synthesizers were of digital make, and voltage-based synths were replaced by microprocessors, which were smaller, weighed less and more user-friendly. Another problem many of the analog synthesizers faced is that they were only able to produce a few tones at a time, forcing musicians to use multiple synths simultaneously or use studio overdubbing practices if they wanted to create polyphonic tones. The new digital synthesizers were the first that possessed the ability to create polyphonic tones, and quickly replaced the outdated analog synthesizers during the 1980s. The first of these next-gen synths was the Sequential Circuits Prophet - 5, first introduced in 1978. It was the first synth to have polyphonic capabilities and ability to store sounds in its microprocessor, another advantage that most analog synths didn't have. Another popular and affordable model was the Yamaha DX-7, which was very compact compared to the earlier synth models, had programming and storing abilities as well as a sleek design. Notable DX-7 users include The Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Madonna and The Cure. Digital synthesizers were also the first to include MIDI capabilities, which served as an imperative bridge between musical instruments and computers. As the digital synth models progressed, many musicians preferred the old analog models for their physical sliders and knobs, which enabled musicians to create real-time changes in their sounds.
Software Synthesizers
As technology continued to expand, synthesizers became even more affordable, more portable and more functionality expansive. With the advent of software synthesizers, the sounds and abilities of a synth turned from a physical machine in a hardware format to a computer program, or software. Sounds from virtually any synthesizer can be sampled, downloaded into a computer and performed from a qwerty keyboard rather than a set of piano keys. Plug-ins, VSTs, emulators and other programs provide the user with the sounds, functionalities and perks of any synth model and more. Though software synthesizers have enabled synth users to produce virtually any sound available, many musicians still prefer older synth models for their physical features and audio nostalgia.