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Re: Kaisers article - How I Lost 150 Ibs. thanks to Max/MSP!
***********************
http://www.jeffkaiser.com/papers/spark_2007.pdf
>I`ve just read Kaiser article. This is very interesting. I would like to
>understand more on this and relating topics. So I aks;
>1. what about the sound when one goes from pedals to software (analog v.s
>digital sound)?
-Are the results of this (sound) also related to the instument one plays?
I think it can, but not necessarily...meaning it is not absolutely true
that
one or the other must be the case, and it is relative to many factors.
The
intent of the artist is one of many factors. Some guitarists in the purist
camp of schools will only play through a tube amp, and they may not do
well
with the change. Others guitarists have been playing through digital amps
and effect processors for years, so moving to the computer may not be as a
shift. McLaughlin is a good example of this. It may not be as big a
factor
for an electro-acoustic musician playing the piano or sax, or in Jeff's
case
the trumpet. Jeff had no problem with the shift of sound from pedals to
max/msp. If anything, the clarity and control of his effects in max
improved
his sound. Again, too many factors to answer yes or no to that question,
in
the absolute sense.
> -Will the guitar sound as good going digital
Depends on the artist. The questio is entirely relative. This is somewhat
of an un-answerable question unto itself, without considering the intent
and
nature of the artist. For me the answer is yes. In fact, I now like the
sound of my guitar better through my amp VST sim and max/msp, then through
traditional guitar amps. I have more control over my tone, rather than
being
stuck with a one trick pony amp.
> 2. How/why is it better or easier to work with knobs on the software
> compared to the pedals? Whats really the difference?
I don't personally think it is easer or harder either way in the end.
Though
for me it is physically easier to control my effect parameters with a foot
controller or MIDI controller, than by bending down and manually tweaking
a
nob. The difference is variance of control and diverse accessibility.
> 3. What does this changes means for the audience? Is the movement made
>by
> the player in the digital domain as realistic regarding the relationship
> sound-movement that people are used to with acoustic instrument?
Good question. If we are talking the sonic output I don't think there is
any
fundamental difference for the audience, especially non-musician
audiences.
I would be highly skeptical that a non-musician could tell the difference
beween a max/msp delay effect and an Ibanez footpedal delay effect. That
is
with sound, of course. Visually, an audience might find it more
entertaining
to watch a musician manually tweak pedals on the floor, vs. staring at the
computer, or at his MIDI footpedal. This would be relevant of someone
considers entertaining a requirement of performing or being an artist. I
don't. On the positive side, by going computer and more automated, it
allows the artist to try different modes of entertainment that aren't gear
related, but more engaging with the audience. For instance, if I am
controlling my delay time with a foot pedal, I can look at the audience
and
engage them; whereas if I an hunched over and focusing on a tiny nob, it
is
not as easy to engage the audience.
> 4. How come that still many well known musicians still uses hardware?
> (Hassel - Molvaer - Bugge - Aarset)
My option only: Because they are creatures of habit and/or don't have the
time or motivation to move to laptop. Or, they are paying someone to lug
their gear around, so it makes no difference what they use so long as they
get their sound. I guarantee, if some of these premadonna rock stars had
to
setup their own 20-space racks, tons of Marshall stacks, and countless
pedals strung across the floor, they might consider streamlining their
setups. :) Moreover, I think it is a matter of time when everyone
converts...not an IF, but when. Maybe 10 years? 20 years? I'm not sure,
but
in the future I believe analog effects will be mostly in museums, replaced
by digital effects that can emulate them beyond the ability for human
senses
to tell the difference.
> Are there more articles like Kaisers on topics like this?
Good question. I have not searched.
Kris