String synthesizer
A string synthesizer or string machine is a specialized synthesizer designed specifically to make sounds similar to that of a string orchestra. Dedicated string synthesizers occupied a specific musical instrument niche between
The development of the string synthesizer was originally motivated by the need for a cheaper and more portable alternative to the Mellotron, which was itself a cheaper alternative to human string ensembles.[2] The availability of string synthesizers was influential in adding string orchestration to popular music that would not otherwise be able to afford the use of a human string ensemble, and their characteristic sound, which was almost, but not quite, like that of a real string ensemble, was one of the distinguishing sounds of the era.
To keep costs down, string synthesizers typically used a
See also
- Mellotron, an analog tape-replay keyboard also used to imitate string ensembles
References
- ^ a b Laughton, Jay (21 March 2016). "A Brief History of String Synths". reverb.com. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
- ^ Reid, Gordon (February 2007). "Ken Freeman & The Birth Of String Synthesis". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
- ^ Reid, Gordon (May 2007). "Eminent 310 String Synthesizer". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
- ISBN 978-1-136-12278-1.
- ^ A Tale of Two String Synths, Sound on Sound, July 2002