Английская Википедия:Analog revival
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The analog revival is a period in synthesizer history when analog synthesizers returned to commercial production and popular usage. The revival has its roots in the late 20th century but began in earnest during the early 21st century, prompted by the release of several analog synthesizers by companies such as Korg and Moog. This followed a spell of companies producing digital synthesizers after the release of Yamaha's DX7, which was less expensive than analog synthesizers and led to many analog manufacturers going out of business in the 1980s. The emergence of electronic dance music in the late 1980s gave a boost to analog synthesizers, which saw use due to their availability on the second-hand market. The growing demand for analog created by this movement was not capitalized on fully for some time: it took until the early 21st century for major manufacturers to begin producing analog synthesizers again.
Background
Analog synthesizers have been produced since the 1960s, when Robert Moog created his the Moog synthesizer. Synthesizers became widely popular with the release of the smaller and more affordable Minimoog in 1970. Artists such as the Beatles, Rush, Lipps Inc. and Michael Jackson used analog synthesizers. In 1983, Yamaha released the DX7 digital synthesizer, which was cheaper than its analog counterparts. Studios and producers increasingly used digital synthesizers over analog synthesizers into the late 1980s and 1990s.Шаблон:Sfn In the 1980s, many analog synthesizer companies, including Moog, ARP and Sequential Circuits, went out of business in the 1980s.[1][2]Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn
History
20th century: dance music revival
Despite the boom in digital synthesizers and their effect on analog manufacturers, analog synthesizers maintained some relevance throughout the later 20th century. The mainstream emergence of electronic dance music in the summer of 1988 is cited as contributing to the "evolution of analog synth aesthetics" by Gaute Barlindhaug. Through the form of clubbing and raves, this movement relied on analog synthesizers and drum machines created by the Roland Corporation several years prior. Roland's TR-808, TR-909 and TB-303 were commercial failures at release due to their analog sound at a time when realistic sounds were wanted by musicians. Already seen as outdated, units of these machines were available for resale at low prices on both sides of the Atlantic, making them an attractive entry point for amateur musicians.Шаблон:Sfn These musicians would go on to use these instruments in house, techno, hip-hop and other genres, creating a wider interest in analog synthesizers.Шаблон:Sfn However, during this period mainstream music was still using digital synthesizers and samplers.Шаблон:Sfn Analog synthesizer manufacturers were unable to capitalize on this demand anyway since most were out of business; those that remained had embraced digital synthesis and did not want to return to analog.Шаблон:Sfn
By the 1990s, some companies tried to appeal to the growing analog revival by releasing virtual analog synthesizers. Roland released their JD-800 in 1990: while digital, it marked a return to analog-like controls, oscillators and filters.Шаблон:Sfn Tom Oberheim returned in 1993 to release the Marion Systems MSR2, a rack-mount synthesizer with digitally controlled analog oscillators.Шаблон:Sfn In 1994, Doepfer and Novation released their analog synthesizers: Novation's Bass Station was one of many TB-303 inspired synthesizers released in this period.Шаблон:Sfn Others entered the market towards the end of the century, with virtual analog offerings from Waldorf, Quasimidi and other smaller manufacturers appearing in lieu of major companies.Шаблон:Sfn
21st century: mainstream revival
The analog revival began in earnest during the early 21st century;Шаблон:Sfn its beginning is attributed to multiple events, including the release of the Minimoog Voyager in 2002 by the reformed Moog Music,[3] the release of the Korg Monotron in 2010[4][5] and the re-release of several manufacturers' vintage synthesizers.[6] Prior to this date, analog synthesizers enjoyed a small amount of use in the second-hand market that existed during the period of digital prominence in the late 20th century.[7] During the early 2000s this was still the case, despite the increasing availability of new analog synthesizers.Шаблон:Sfn
Modular synthesizers, specifically Eurorack, played a part in the analog revival by causing major manufacturers such as Moog, Roland and Korg to start making new analog synthesizers.[8] Trade shows such as the NAMM Show reported large increases in the number of modular synthesizers in 2015, when there was a 20% increase in synthesizer offerings at the show.Шаблон:Sfn The manufacturing switch to surface-mount technology also contributed to the analog revival, as new analog synthesizers were able to be made faster and for lower costs.[4] The mass production of small analog synthesizers was another factor, as previous designs suffered due to being costly and unwieldy.Шаблон:Sfn
This analog revival began due to a number of perceived advantages that analog synthesizers have over their digital counterparts. Sound on Sound stated that one of these reasons was the imperfections present in the sound of an analog synthesizer, which can make the instrument feel less "sterile".[4] Tom Oberheim said that "there is a warmth to analog", and compared the analog–digital divide to LPs and CDs.[6]Шаблон:Efn They also suggested that the simple layout and "one-knob-per-function" design help to make a more instant connection with the player.[3][4][9] Oberheim and Dave Smith both theorized that the demand could be due to a cohort of younger musicians discovering analog synthesizers.Шаблон:Sfn Steve Oppenheimer of Electronic Musician suggested that a factor was that musicians wanted digital and sample-based synthesizers over analog because they could emulate acoustic instruments better, but a new appreciation of analog by electronic musicians caused an "analog renaissance".Шаблон:Sfn
As well as the production of new analog synthesizers, the analog revival has manifested in other ways: vintage synthesizers are now being sold for large amounts due to demand from modern producers. Digital synthesizers are also beginning to display traits associated with analog, such as more hands-on controls.Шаблон:Sfn
Notes, references and sources
Notes
References
Sources
- Шаблон:Cite journal
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite journal
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite journal
- Шаблон:Cite book
External links
- Feature on MusicRadar
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