Need opinions please synth production or live?

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:18 am

Hello this is my first post here, love the forum.

I'm starting a new band and am in the preliminary stages of writing new songs. This is the first time I have used midi sounds in my songs, i dont use alot except some pad stuff and some sounds for creating ambience and different feels, and on rare occasion a piano played part . Like I said the synth is not overpowering and will not be in every song. Question is this: would you in my situation get a synth player for the live show or just leave it as a sugar coating for songs on the disc? I know of big bands that only have guitars but on there cd there are wacky synth effects, do they recreat this alive or is it a production thing, it would be kinda weird getting a synth player for a few small parts I don't know.

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:25 am

I was in a band with very few synth parts and we Either had the bassist or someone do them or on occation we had had a friend that hung around a lot. We let him jump on stage and rock out.

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:37 am

Played for 18 years on the road. I ran a big rack of synths and samplers. Worked as much as I could physical endure, and got paid top dollar from start to finish.
I never compromised production quality or playing the little music parts. Do what you can afford and definitely give your audience the best you are capable of doing. If your synth parts are done professionally, and the band can play on time if they need to be sequenced, take the time to be everything you can be. Learn how to use tools and how not to boil songs (clutter) or become too plastic. The world is going that direction, learn how to use the gear that is on the cutting edge. A song is a song and all the rest is like adding accessories to music. Much like adding: old belt, new shoes, leather or cotton fabric along with emotional effects and so on. Does it work or is it out of place.

On the flip side... A single act with a guitar can move a crowd every bit as a 6 piece band. Its not about how many sounds and instruments are in a song. It all comes down to how we can move the listener and make them remember us.

Hope that helps,

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:57 am

I had thought already about sequencing but then you have to play live to a click which in my opinion can take that "live" or "human" feel away from the show. Also you'll need to either run a computer live which can be a pain and sketchy, or have to buy a relatively expensive keyboard, sequencer, so I don't know I'm still torn but everything you say is correct it's really a matter of taste and how well you want to recreate the record, I more just looking for multiple expierences just to try and form an average. Thank you for your replies.

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