From: E. Shaun Russell (e_shaun@extropy.org)
Date: Wed Dec 12 2001 - 18:22:29 MST
Robert Coyote wrote:
>They sound organic because the imperfections in timing come from
>anticipation, emotional reactions (tend to speed up to transitions etc.),
>interplay with other musicians, drum head --> stick --> arm --> brain
>interactions etc.
>so the timing imperfections are non-random.
>sloppy MIDI timing sounds "sloppy" because they do not have as yet a
>'perfect' algorithm to emulate the natural errors,
I'll concede that you have a bit of a point there. For example, some
drummers are (or were) notorious for playing "on top" or "below" the
beat. This is *very* common in jazz, with the progenitor of this style
being the late Tony Williams (an early example of playing "on top" of the
beat can be heard on Miles Davis' _In A Silent Way_). This is something
that most programs currently on the market can't allow for --we're talking
128th notes. Yet, it is still perceptible to anyone who listens for
it. Though I am not positive, there are most likely more sophisticated
programs which will allow for 128th note quantizing.
The more critical difference between organic and electronic drum sounds (in
my opinion) is that of the pressure put on the drum heads and the way a
particular drum is hit. So far, if I use my Korg's kit sounds, I can have
an assortment of drum sounds which I can play at any volume...but the feel
of the attack is exactly the same each time. On the other hand, when I sit
down at an acoustic kit and play a paradiddle or a simple beat, the attack,
volume and overall *sound* will fluxuate with each hit. Sometimes it will
be barely perceptable, and others it will be noticeable. However, the only
ones who are really going to care about the nuances of organic vs.
electronic drumming are either extremely finicky audiophiles or acoustic
drummers themselves (those poor folks...).
I have enjoyed this thread so much that I have gone ahead and created a new
yahoogroups mailing list for transhumanists who are interested in both the
technical and non-technical discussion of music. To join, please send me
an email, or go to the following address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trans-music/.
________________________________________________________
E. Shaun Russell Operations Officer, Extropy Institute
e_shaun@extropy.org http://www.extropy.org
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Hear my music at: http://www.mp3.com/eshaunrussell
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~K i n e t i c i z e Y o u r P o t e n t i a l~
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