Synth recordings in "rock" music from the 60s

Rather, USA used ring modulators and oscilators; the latter are the primary signal generator in synthesizers and were readily available. They supposedly had a primitive synthesizer built for them by Richard(?) Durrett. I have never seen much info on the Durrett though.

Stockhausen (at least his classic 50s and 60s recordings) used oscilators as a sound source that he recorded to tape and then manipulated by editing, pitching up and down and layering.

I think this is true also. The vocals for example on "Love Song for the Dead Che" are really lovely. This is helped by the fact though that lyrics are for the most part the only passable ones on the record...

I'm not understanding the emphasis on "melodically."

I guess that is why you define the electronic tools USA used as synthesizers then.

The Moog was the first ever synthetic instrument that was able to play melodies.

Never mind the fact that the RCA could damned well play melodies too, if you're gonna go with that really rather partial definition.

geir doesn't really read

-- Michael Daddino, February 19th, 2006.

And indeed, you'd be right. :) Thanks for the info; at the very least I owe you a drink in Seattle if you'll be up there for the EMP.

Definitely sounds like Moog at the end of "Sing This All Together (See What Happens)" (actually sequenced as the beginning of "She's a Rainbow" on the CD). Someone mentioned "2,000 Light Years from Home" upthread, too - main keyboard part is Mellotron, but there's Moog in the instrumental section.

Weren't snthesizers big old room sized thingies back in the 1960's

??? I thought you said above "a synthesizer is is an oscillator", oscillator being singular rather than plural. I'm also not sure the above clarifies anything regarding your use of "melodically" to define a synthesizer, as opposed to, say, rhythmically. And uh I said USA used a Durrett.

Shamefully, I've never listened to a whole Jefferson Airplane record, but based on an admittedly sketchy listening of the After Bathing at Baxter's (via er iTunes snippets) I hear maybe a clavinet on "Two Heads" and possibly "A Small Package" unless that's a real harpsichord.

After doing some Slsk research I also hear possible Moog action on "2,000 Light Years from Home" and would love to get some independent confirmation via liner notes or what have you.

also not sure where Mother Mallard fits in, later? But always mentioned in this context, perhaps as much because they were a rock band who came out of arty synthesizer backgrounds and not the opposite?

Sure. But to be pedantic, that tune wasn't really released until the 90s, even though it was recorded in 1967.

Geir: Sure. But to be pedantic, that tune wasn't really released until the 90s, even though it was recorded in 1967.

Geir, what part of "not-released-in-its-time" do you not understand?

-- Geir Hongro (geirhon...), Today. (later) (link) (admin) (userip)

Oh come on Geir, I'm sure I saw a pic of you on your site playing a synthesiser, so there's no excuse for this! Surely you have heard of the Ondes Martenot, aptented 1928?

http://www.obsolete.com/120_years/machines/martenot/

It's not that obscure! Orchestral works by Messiaen, Hohenegger, maurice jarre. It had an equal-tempered keyboard, so you could, if you wanted to, play melodies on it. Beautiful, haunting "singing" tone as well.

Not rock or "rock" of course but, since this seems to be the main thread the Novachord is mentioned on, came here to note its use on Vera Lynn's 1939 recording of "We'll Meet Again." I think the one used in Dr. Strangelove is later, maybe the one from the film of the same name.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1xrofiEa4w