Computers gaining ever bigger role in making music

[Billbrpt@AOL.COM]

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What will they think of next?  Gee, I always thought it required music 
lessons, the study and understanding of music in order to create it.  But 
according to this article, soon, anyone will just be able to sit down at the 
computer and out it will come, no prior experience necessary, even "teens and 
old people" (sic) will be able to, so they say.

Bill Bremmer RPT
Madison, Wisconsin
 <A HREF="http://www.billbremmer.com/">Click here: -=w w w . b i l l b r e m m e r . c o m =-</A> 

Computers gaining ever bigger role in making music

By Adam Tanner

  
FRANKFURT, March 15 (Reuters) - The great musical instrument of the future 
may already be sitting on your desk: your home computer. 

For years already, the computer has aided synthesizers in editing and 
recording music, much akin to a word processor for sounds. But experts at the 
Musikmesse, the world's largest music instruments show now meeting in 
Frankfurt, say the computer is gradually becoming the instrument itself. 

The reason is that a computer's insides are basically the same those of a 
synthesizer. New software programmes can tell ever faster computer chips to 
emulate a B-3 organ, a flute or act as an echo or vintage amplifier for the 
guitar or voice. 

"In the beginning it was very hard to convince people that software was 
proficient for professionals," said Daniel Haver, chairman of Native 
Instruments, a Berlin-based firm whose software enables computers to make 
music. 

"Now having a complete synthesizer with a computer, this vision has been 
realised," he said, adding that professionals like those in Madonna's band 
used software to make music. 

Top manufacturers are warily monitoring the transformation, with opinions 
varying on how fast it will take hold. 

"The change will happen, but it will not be 100 percent," said Tsutomu Katoh, 
chairman of synthesizer maker Korg. "People will still play and perform 
synthesizers in front of audiences." 

Those not needing easy mobility could attach a simple piano-style keyboard 
near their computer, install some software and speakers and start playing. 

"If people want to create music in the home, a software synthesizer is a good 
solution," said Katsuyoshi Dan, president of synthesizer firm Roland 
Corporation. 

"But hardware sythensizers have a big advantage over software synthesizers 
when it comes to live performance." 

COMPUTER SYTHS STILL COMPLICATED 

Kensuke Sato, an official with Casio Europe, says all-in-one-box synthesizers 
remain easier to use, a feature which will ensure continued market demand. 

"The people's tendency is to try to get a product in which they can have fun 
without complicated learning," he said. 

Ben Finn, chairman of British software maker Sibelius, said the link between 
software and hardware must improve for more people to make computers their 
all-in-one instrument. "How technology links up is pretty complex," he said. 

The potential expansion of sophisticated technology may not lead to better 
music or musicianship. In fact, sophisticated software programs that make it 
easy to edit out a bad note enable mediocre musicians to make decent 
recordings. 

"In some ways there has been a decrease in professional musicianship," said 
Dan of Roland. "But it has increased the number of people playing and 
popularised the product." 

"It's like cars. When there were only manual drives, there were not so many 
people on the road. But with automatic even teens and old people can drive 
easily." 


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