What are your thoughts on Synthesizers and music created by Synthesizers.

[Gray]

All this old stuff is just old.

...and all the new stuff is just new Ian.
As long as you like it, that's all that matters 👍

 

[Gray]

Penguin dance!

I can only dream about being as cool as them......seriously 😆

 

[AJM1981]

I like the blend of a synthesizer with non synthesizers as a good middleground. What a track like the original 'Chase' by Moroder sets apart from its fully "synthesized" remakes (like on these 'synthesizer greatest' albums recorded by others) is the 'human touch' on the drums. Subtle shuffle and expression difference on the snares and hihats etc.

What is written online about the origins of the drums here is actually a bit vague. Some sources state tape loops were used, some mention a drum computer, though it might have been an actual drummer. Whatever it was, the main point being is that the final result feels less like a clinical conveyor belt drum pattern, which elevates it.

 

[Rodolfo]

Depending on your level or breath of interest, and if you would especially appreciate a musician/producer's perspective, I can recommend two CDs by Bob James: Rameau, and The Scarlatti Dialogues. I specifically recommend the liner notes in the CDs in which the Rhodes Scholar describes and reflects on his synthesizing experiences and production --interesting heady thoughts on "authenticity" and creativity. The Dialogues notes, in particular, are a creative, fascinating, and fun technique wherein he simulates a dialogue with Domenico Scarlatti on the subject.

I much prefer listening to wonderful Tharaud and Horowitz recordings of Scarlatti, of course. (Rameau, I don't even recall what I might have.) But, I've surely reflected more on James's notes over the years, including whenever synthesizer queries like yours surface.