Vintage Synthesizers: Pioneering Designers, Groundbreaking Instruments, Collecting Tips, Mutants of Technology [Paperback]

Mark Vail (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

This new edition is the ultimate exploration of the upstart instruments - and their unique analog growls and screams - that paved the way over the last four decades for todayÕs fast-paced electronic music world. Explores the development of the modern synthesizer from 1962 on, with in-depth interviews with pioneering designers Bob Moog and Alan R. Pearlman of Moog Music and ARP Instruments fame. These and other designers reveal their initial ideas, reflect on their hits and misses, and discuss how star performers have used their creations. Histories of groundbreaking instruments examine modular, analog & digital synths and samplers, plus more unusual instruments like the Mellotron. Noted synthesist Keith Emerson and composer Wendy Carlos ("Switched-On Bach") offer musical insights and performance techniques. Includes fully updated pricing and production info, and more than 200 photos and a stunning color section.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For anyone interested in synthesizers, Vintage Synthesizers is a fascinating read. Be careful: it may fuel a lust for yet more equipment that would be fun to own." -- Computer Music Journal

"Informally anecdotal, yet packed with great info and historic detail. I couldnt put it down." -- Wendy Carlos, composer and synthesist, Switched-On Bach

"Mark Vails book could be the most entertaining and useful synth book yet." -- Sound On Sound

"The most comprehensive guide on this technology ever written. Highly recommended." --Mix

About the Author

Mark Vail is the senior associate editor of Keyboard. He joined the magazine in 1988, and assumed responsibility for the "Vintage Synths" column (now called "Vintage Gear") from Bob Moog in 1990. Vail is also the author of The Hammond Organ: Beauty in the B, and has performed with numerous San Francisco Bay Area bands.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Miller Freeman Books; 2 edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306033
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306038
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but Scattershot, June 26, 2006

By 

jd (Harrisburg, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vintage Synthesizers: Pioneering Designers, Groundbreaking Instruments, Collecting Tips, Mutants of Technology (Paperback)

This book doesn't read so much like a book as it reads like a collection of essays or old magazine articles (which is what it is, actually). It therefore doesn't have a coherent focus. I would much rather have a book that was written as a book, that follows a thread all the way through - like maybe a chapter pn the development of the oscillator, describing how it works, tracing it's development, pointing out the differences between the various makers, etc. Followed by a similar chapter on filter sytems, whatever. This book in no way does that. But, it is an interesting read anyway. Take note - the Second Edition does cover Japanese synths - Korg and Roland, although, again, in a typically scattershot manner.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Retread, April 1, 2002

By 

"synth72" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vintage Synthesizers: Groundbreaking Instruments and Pioneering Designers of Electronic Music Synthesizers (Paperback)

I already have most of the chapters in the book via articles published in Keyboard Magazine in the late 80's and 90's, so the majority of the info was redundant and just re-printed from those articles. There are some glaring omissions, such as leaving Roland out of the book except for a few pics!(?) Also, Korg received short shrift as well. I preferred Keyfax Omnibus Edition from Colbeck, although it had it's own errors as well. If you're a novice or didn't have access to those earlier Keyboard articles, this isn't a bad place to start.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ahh the Memories!, October 24, 2000

By 

RoryM (Camarillo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vintage Synthesizers: Pioneering Designers, Groundbreaking Instruments, Collecting Tips, Mutants of Technology (Paperback)

What a FUN book! If you were around when these synths were king, then this is a true trip down memory lane! Tons of pictures, including a color section, and chapters on Moog, PAiA, Buchla, Korg, Yamaha, ARP etc (Roland could use more coverage, and my beloved Yamaha CS-60 is not mentioned, though the CS80 is well covered). Most of Mark's information is fun and non-technical. This is not a how-to book, but more of a capsulation of the technologies, companies, and people surrounding the synthesizer revolution. A few factual errors and street prices that seem low since the analog synth resurgence are the only reasons I give it a 4. Also great pics of extremely rare synthesizers and lots of background stories on the companies. Highly Recommended (but dont believe the prices listed)