Is a Computer an Instrument?

Mark Will · 02-01-2012, 04:37 AM

Yeah computer is definitely instrument. Yes, it basically models existing instruments but it has got that own unique "digital" sound on it. No, you don't need strings to get sound out of it, you can play it with keyboard. In my opinion the whole thought is bit over dated.

YourFlyIsOpen · 03-12-2012, 03:59 PM

A computer is an instrument in the very same way it is (or rather HAS BECOME) the television, your newspaper, video game, cinema, jokebook and personal diary. The answer does not lie in the realm of music, it lies in the intellect of the musician.

Neapolitan · 04-13-2012, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YourFlyIsOpen

A computer is an instrument in the very same way it is (or rather HAS BECOME) the television, your newspaper, video game, cinema, jokebook and personal diary. The answer does not lie in the realm of music, it lies in the intellect of the musician.

Can't see how, I don't have a computer thrown on my front lawn everyday.

ThePhanastasio · 04-13-2012, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YourFlyIsOpen

A computer is an instrument in the very same way it is (or rather HAS BECOME) the television, your newspaper, video game, cinema, jokebook and personal diary. The answer does not lie in the realm of music, it lies in the intellect of the musician.

While I'd not ever say that a diary, televison, newspaper, or computer is an instrument per say, I'd have to agree with you on a few points.

Firstly, I'd highly doubt that something considered predominately archaic, e.g. a newspaper, would actually be considered an instrument. I've majored in print journalism (along with theatre) but it's not especially instrumentally sound.

When one is writing, that's one thing.

When one is producing media, that's another.

As a person who has produced video, audio, musical, visual, and theatrical footage over the course of my life, I'd have to say that this is kind of weird.

The vast majority of people I've known can produce perhaps one, two types of enjoyment. These types of entertainment are disctinct.

Ultimately, I'd have to say that all are different...although I'd definitely venture that computer production falls under music.

Howard the Duck · 04-13-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YourFlyIsOpen

A computer is an instrument in the very same way it is (or rather HAS BECOME) the television, your newspaper, video game, cinema, jokebook and personal diary. The answer does not lie in the realm of music, it lies in the intellect of the musician.

i do not belong in the PC gaming master race, i'd still take a games console over it any day

rushingavengedtheaters · 04-22-2012, 12:02 PM

Not a chance, the best element of music is the human interaction. The skill, the feel, the talent needed to produce a sound of a musical instrument. That is lost with a computer. Anyone can press buttons, but not everyone can strum a string to make a guitar solo, and not everyone can keep beat one a drum set, and that's the beauty of music. Probably why I'm not the biggest rap fan, it's computers.

GuitarBizarre · 04-22-2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rushingavengedtheaters

Not a chance, the best element of music is the human interaction. The skill, the feel, the talent needed to produce a sound of a musical instrument. That is lost with a computer. Anyone can press buttons, but not everyone can strum a string to make a guitar solo, and not everyone can keep beat one a drum set, and that's the beauty of music. Probably why I'm not the biggest rap fan, it's computers.

"Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate, and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination." - Albert Einstein.

Also, I have to say, this post is just flat stupid. I'm a guitar player. I know all about the human element of feeling in music. I'm also not a luddite, so I've actually tried to make music with a computer, something you clearly haven't.

It is every bit as difficult and complex as creating music with your hands, and its entirely possible to wring as much feeling from a computer as from a human being if you spend the time to do it properly.

Reducing computer based music to "anyone can press buttons" is stupid. Yes, anyone can press buttons, but anyone can hold down a key on the piano too. Anyone can hit a drum. Anyone can strike a guitar string. Those are not complex tasks for which a measure of innate talent is needed. You don't even need a working pair of HANDS to do those things, you could hit them with your face if you wanted to and the tasks I've just listed would be achieved.

You're comparing "keeping beat on a drum set", which is a significant and deep advancement from the basic element of "hitting **** with sticks", to "pressing a button", which is not a sigificant and deep advancement of anything.

A more worthwhile comparison would say "Here is this thing that on drums takes practice. Does making music on a computer, as a process, necessitate elements that would take a commensurate amount of practice?"

The answer is blatantly yes. People don't spend decades of their lives learning how to mix and master properly because its easy. People aren't born with some kind of innate knowledge of what MIDI is and how it works and how to create tones from an FM synthesiser as opposed to additive or subtractive synthesisers. Nobody bursts out of the womb knowing in their blood the proper way to sidechain instruments to a kickdrum and compressor.

All of those above things take time, effort, and skill to perfect. Amateurs are not capable of doing them. And thats barely even scratching the surface of how many things a really good electronic music producer needs to know how to do and be able to do.

None of them, none whatsoever, are just "pressing a button", and you reducing them to that in your description is absolutely ridiculous.

**Janszoon** · 04-22-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarBizarre

"Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate, and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination." - Albert Einstein.

Also, I have to say, this post is just flat stupid. I'm a guitar player. I know all about the human element of feeling in music. I'm also not a luddite, so I've actually tried to make music with a computer, something you clearly haven't.

It is every bit as difficult and complex as creating music with your hands, and its entirely possible to wring as much feeling from a computer as from a human being if you spend the time to do it properly.

Reducing computer based music to "anyone can press buttons" is stupid. Yes, anyone can press buttons, but anyone can hold down a key on the piano too. Anyone can hit a drum. Anyone can strike a guitar string. Those are not complex tasks for which a measure of innate talent is needed. You don't even need a working pair of HANDS to do those things, you could hit them with your face if you wanted to and the tasks I've just listed would be achieved.

You're comparing "keeping beat on a drum set", which is a significant and deep advancement from the basic element of "hitting **** with sticks", to "pressing a button", which is not a sigificant and deep advancement of anything.

A more worthwhile comparison would say "Here is this thing that on drums takes practice. Does making music on a computer, as a process, necessitate elements that would take a commensurate amount of practice?"

The answer is blatantly yes. People don't spend decades of their lives learning how to mix and master properly because its easy. People aren't born with some kind of innate knowledge of what MIDI is and how it works and how to create tones from an FM synthesiser as opposed to additive or subtractive synthesisers. Nobody bursts out of the womb knowing in their blood the proper way to sidechain instruments to a kickdrum and compressor.

All of those above things take time, effort, and skill to perfect. Amateurs are not capable of doing them. And thats barely even scratching the surface of how many things a really good electronic music producer needs to know how to do and be able to do.

None of them, none whatsoever, are just "pressing a button", and you reducing them to that in your description is absolutely ridiculous.

Great post, especially because it comes from someone who's more on the "guitar guy" side of the fence.

Oscar · 04-22-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarBizarre

"Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate, and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination." - Albert Einstein.

Also, I have to say, this post is just flat stupid. I'm a guitar player. I know all about the human element of feeling in music. I'm also not a luddite, so I've actually tried to make music with a computer, something you clearly haven't.

It is every bit as difficult and complex as creating music with your hands, and its entirely possible to wring as much feeling from a computer as from a human being if you spend the time to do it properly.

Reducing computer based music to "anyone can press buttons" is stupid. Yes, anyone can press buttons, but anyone can hold down a key on the piano too. Anyone can hit a drum. Anyone can strike a guitar string. Those are not complex tasks for which a measure of innate talent is needed. You don't even need a working pair of HANDS to do those things, you could hit them with your face if you wanted to and the tasks I've just listed would be achieved.

You're comparing "keeping beat on a drum set", which is a significant and deep advancement from the basic element of "hitting **** with sticks", to "pressing a button", which is not a sigificant and deep advancement of anything.

A more worthwhile comparison would say "Here is this thing that on drums takes practice. Does making music on a computer, as a process, necessitate elements that would take a commensurate amount of practice?"

The answer is blatantly yes. People don't spend decades of their lives learning how to mix and master properly because its easy. People aren't born with some kind of innate knowledge of what MIDI is and how it works and how to create tones from an FM synthesiser as opposed to additive or subtractive synthesisers. Nobody bursts out of the womb knowing in their blood the proper way to sidechain instruments to a kickdrum and compressor.

All of those above things take time, effort, and skill to perfect. Amateurs are not capable of doing them. And thats barely even scratching the surface of how many things a really good electronic music producer needs to know how to do and be able to do.

None of them, none whatsoever, are just "pressing a button", and you reducing them to that in your description is absolutely ridiculous.

everything is just a tool, except music itself.

Dr_Rez · 04-22-2012, 05:06 PM

So in review for everyone reading rushingavengedtheaters just got pwned.

02-01-2012, 04:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mark Will Groupie Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Very secret Posts: 28	Yeah computer is definitely instrument. Yes, it basically models existing instruments but it has got that own unique "digital" sound on it. No, you don't need strings to get sound out of it, you can play it with keyboard. In my opinion the whole thought is bit over dated. __________________ Second warning: self promotion is prohibited to new members of Music Banter.

04-22-2012, 05:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dr_Rez Registered Jimmy Rustler Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,370	So in review for everyone reading rushingavengedtheaters just got pwned. __________________ Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew Always Checks Credentials Crew nba > nfl crew Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew

03-12-2012, 03:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
YourFlyIsOpen Groupie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 5	A computer is an instrument in the very same way it is (or rather HAS BECOME) the television, your newspaper, video game, cinema, jokebook and personal diary. The answer does not lie in the realm of music, it lies in the intellect of the musician.

04-22-2012, 12:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
rushingavengedtheaters Groupie Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 16	Not a chance, the best element of music is the human interaction. The skill, the feel, the talent needed to produce a sound of a musical instrument. That is lost with a computer. Anyone can press buttons, but not everyone can strum a string to make a guitar solo, and not everyone can keep beat one a drum set, and that's the beauty of music. Probably why I'm not the biggest rap fan, it's computers.