Arranger vs Sequencer vs keyboard vs synthesizer
zr...@nicholsgroup.com
Could you tellme what are the differences between a keyboard, arranger
and sequencer.
Can a sequencer or arranger have preset styles in addition to patch? Is
arranager easy to use for entry level pros as compared to synthesizer or
sequencer?
Thanks.
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Ranjan Biswas
keyboard - sequencer - synthesizer - arranger
A keyboard literally is a keyboard - the set of keys. All keyboards
nowadays are capable of generating sound as they have a tone module
(a sound engine) inside. Tone modules are available separately and
are often referred to as 'rack mounts' and can be used as an
expansion to an existing keyboard. A tone module would be used for
additional tones/sounds/programs/patches - in simple words -
'additional instruments that the keyboard _imitates_'.
A sequencer is responsible for recording notes/events produced by a
keyboard, and playing it back when triggered. In very simple words -
suppose there are ten instruments playing along together to accompany
a vocalist. Each instrument has a different role/part in the music -
some play continuously throughout the song, some come and go as
required. Sequencing all these instruments on a synth/sequencer
would mean playing/recording each of the 10 instrument's part/score
(one by one) on different tracks of the sequencer. Even a small
flute interlude can be recorded on a track. Sequencer tracks can be
merged to free up tracks for other instruments. After all these
tracks/pieces are individually recorded, comes the important part
of triggering them off. On some keyboards each sequence/"pattern"
could be assigned to a key and the press of that key could activate
the sequence. Else you can always specify which pattern fires off
on which beat/bar/measure and also "loop" some sequences or patterns.
Software based sequencing is possible on a PC - Cakewalk, for
example, is very popular. And of course, with software and
visual capabilites, sequencing becomes easy. Many keyboards have
an on-board sequencer. Sequncers are also available separately
(as rack-mount units) and cost anywhere starting around 400-500
USD.
A synthesizer is essentially the device that generates/synthesizes
sound. For example, if you do not like the factory-preset flute
sound on your synth, you can edit it, change the attack or decay
of the waveform or add some hiss...You can even start from a basic
waveform and build upon it. There are some sampling synthesizers
available, with which one can "sample" sounds. With this, the
synthesizer has the capability of "listening" to any sound,
creating a sample of it and reproducing the same. I once read that
in a studio, they sampled the sound of a falling_and_breaking cup,
and then edited the sample changing octaves/frequencies and other
parameters to make it sound like a huge crash ! They do this in
the movies.
Arrangers have the primary function of accompanying your music.
You can program your styles of accompaniments, chords, rhythm
patterns, etc and then it provides some sort of auto-accompaniment.
There are arranger keyboards (Roland G800/600) and arranger modules
(rack mount, just module, no keyboard, like Roland RA800) available.
I have not dealt with any arranger keyboards. Prabhakar posted
a nice write-up on the Roland GA800.
The terms 'synthesizer' and 'keyboard' are often used
interchangeably and there are many keyboards/synths with on-board
sequencer and an arranger.
- Ranjan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adam Levin
In rec.music.makers.synth zr...@nicholsgroup.com wrote:
> Could you tellme what are the differences between a keyboard, arranger
> and sequencer.
> Can a sequencer or arranger have preset styles in addition to patch? Is
> arranager easy to use for entry level pros as compared to synthesizer or
> sequencer?
Not sure about an "arranger", but you're mixing different categories.
A synth is a synth -- it makes noise. A sequencer can record the events
that you input that make the noise. A sequencer can then play back those
events to reproduce the noise. You can usually edit events in the
sequencer. Some synths have sequencers, some don't. Most folks seem
to agree that computer software sequencers are better and easier to use
and more powerful than any sequencers found in a synth, so if you can
find a synth with great sounds for less money because it doesn't have a
sequencer, buy it and learn how to hook it up to your computer. If you
want a sequencer in the synth, expect to pay a bit more for what's usually
called a "workstation".
-Adam
--
Rutherford, NJ USA Free speech online! _/ Cuius testiculos habes,
http://zen.advance.net/~alevin/________/ habeas cardia et cerebellum.
<*> __________________________/ Or, "When you've got their full attention
-O / in your grip, their heart and mind will follow."
Vallury Prabhakar
In article <6a2jd4$j88$1...@mycroft.westnet.com>,
Adam Levin <NOSPAM...@SPAMNOwestnet.com> wrote:
>In rec.music.makers.synth zr...@nicholsgroup.com wrote:
>> Could you tellme what are the differences between a keyboard, arranger
>> and sequencer.
>> Can a sequencer or arranger have preset styles in addition to patch? Is
>> arranager easy to use for entry level pros as compared to synthesizer or
>> sequencer?
>
>Not sure about an "arranger", but you're mixing different categories.
>
>A synth is a synth -- it makes noise. A sequencer can record the events
>that you input that make the noise. A sequencer can then play back those
>events to reproduce the noise. You can usually edit events in the
>sequencer. Some synths have sequencers, some don't. Most folks seem
>to agree that computer software sequencers are better and easier to use
>and more powerful than any sequencers found in a synth, so if you can
>find a synth with great sounds for less money because it doesn't have a
>sequencer, buy it and learn how to hook it up to your computer. If you
>want a sequencer in the synth, expect to pay a bit more for what's usually
>called a "workstation".
>
>-Adam
Another important concept of sequencing - and a limiting one to me - is
that sequenced music requires the vocalist and other accompanists to know
the timing precisely, i.e., how many bars of introduction and interlude
music before/after vocals. This can be obviously mastered with a few
practice sessions, but to me it's a rather dry way of presenting - I
rarely orchestrate exactly the same way twice. It's a personal choice
I guess, but I like to change interludes, explore alternate scales, etc.
in a live setting - just makes it so much more challenging and FUN, which
is what live gigs should be all about. I use custom arrangements on the
G-800 to gain the all-important "flexibility" of performance, something
that I have not seen in most sequencers.
Having said that, it is entirely possibly to infinitely loop a rhythm
section via sequencers and that'll give you the "dronal" quality of most
remixed and/or modern Punjabi music. But it's quite difficult (and I
speak from a considerable number of bad experiences!) to synchronize
live accompaniments with sequencers, and a bit less difficult to do so
with arrangers.
Just half-a-buck's worth.
--
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