Are synths/keys in EVERYTHING

[Hope209]

OK, well they're probably not in everything, but lately I've been hearing a lot of synths/keys in songs that I never noticed before . It seems like a LOT of pop/rock stuff has rhodes, wurlitzer or some kind of synth in it somewhere. But most of the time my ears aren't good enough to pick these out .

So what are some popular songs that have come out in the past few years that have synth/keys in them that might not be super distinguishable or noticeable?

[Tim Farrant]

Oh yeah, I notice it too, it adds thickness and a wash, it's been done for years and years really. Try to imagine what the track would sound like if you turned them off!

[Santiago]

Well, Wurlitzer and Rhodes are not really synths, they are electroacoustic instruments much like an electric guitar.

So maybe you mean keyboards rather than synths?

Santiago

[chymer]

I use my Rhodes and Wurlitzer to "glue" elements of my mix together,
This is why you dont notice them there at first because "tonally" they fill the gaps perfectly. Ill often layer my rhodes with a guitar part which is super nice with the right part.

Chymer

[vespiz]

Originally Posted by chymer

I use my Rhodes and Wurlitzer to "glue" elements of my mix together,
This is why you dont notice them there at first because "tonally" they fill the gaps perfectly. Ill often layer my rhodes with a guitar part which is super nice with the right part.

Chymer

Interesting! I know it's song dependent, but do you double the guitar parts or do a counter-melody or...? What have you found that works? Any examples?

[gsilbers]

i honestly dont why there arent more songs with synths/keyboard/sequencing.

i remember like 10 years ago i went to europe and in regular radio stations (non-techno) the ratio over there is way more computer/synth/sequcned oriented than "traditional" pop/rock. i think the US gets the stuff from europe that has more traditional approach. (maybe the EU chaps wanna chime in on this one)

with that said, here in the US its hiphop which is top seller and that is mostly if not all computer/synth/seq dependent.
(well, to be accurate, adult contemporary is the genre that sells the most, followed by hiphop/r&B and then rock/alternative.)

im not saying bring on the tecno viking music but man, i think label/A&r exec need to catch on with more of the sequenced/electronica stuff here in the US. i dont think there something done with a guitar/rock band that hasnt been done 20x already.


but i dont know if u are just noticing more synths/keyboard/sequcned on rock/pop music or there is more of it cause producers always have tried to get a new sound. even since elvis producers try to use technology or things that are "new" to create a more contemporary sound. or it depends to what u listen to.

I for example love junkie xl's new album "need for speed" its mostly all sequenced but still very aggressive.

[James Guitar]

i usually have to write a lot of songs very quickly for tv and i almost always start on my trusty wurlitzer. more often than not, it remains in the final mix, sometimes really quiet, sometimes prominent, sometimes straight, sometimes effected, but almost always in the mix.
-J

[chymer]

Originally Posted by vespiz

Interesting! I know it's song dependent, but do you double the guitar parts or do a counter-melody or...? What have you found that works? Any examples?

I usually just double up the guitar part.
the guitar part is usually just one or 2 notes played togther with the rhodes layered in.
Check this track out. MySpace.com - Liz Hodgins - Newcastle, AU - Pop / Rock - www.myspace.com/lizhodginsofficial
I have layered the guitar and rhodes together in the pre chorus. Its the ascending melody. Its a cool sound and I can hear it all over records.
BTW...only a real rhodes works best, I have tried the plugins and they sound a bit cahhhhhhh:-)
Chymer

[Kiwiburger]

Keys/synths/samplers of some sort are often responsible for the drums, percussion and even basslines and some vocals on a lot of successful commercial music. So it's not necessarily just padding.

My usual technique for building a song is to start with midi drums, bass and keys. That defines the structure, tempo and tuning for subsequent overdubs. I could then replace absolutely everything with real guitars and drums, although usually some midi stuff remains.

The extensive use of samples in modern music really blurs the edge between real and fake sounds.

[kadeemusic]

The Killers are a rock band that uses synths. Maroon5 is another one.

A lot of pop music uses them, but they are used more to fill space and add texture, rather than as a prominent element of the mix. Guitar is the instrument that is most prominent in pop music nowadays. Unless, as someone already mentioned, we are talking about urban/hip-hop flavored stuff which is almost all synths and sampling.

And Rhodes and Wurlitzers are not synths--they are electric pianos. Although there are definitely synths that can emulate electric pianos very convincingly, so it's possible some records you are hearing could be using them as well.

[popmann]

I have no interest in music made with organs, pianos, and EPs...none really "synths" per se, but...keys.

[kadeemusic]

Originally Posted by popmann

I have no interest in music made with organs, pianos, and EPs...none really "synths" per se, but...keys.

Well, good for you.

[ptbarnum]

weren't there some Queen albums that had "made entirely without synthesizers" in the linear notes?
i remember being amused by that

[Kiwiburger]

Originally Posted by ptbarnum

weren't there some Queen albums that had "made entirely without synthesizers" in the linear notes?
i remember being amused by that

Yeah - Brian May was a bit pissed at spending hours layering up those gorgeous guitar parts, only to have some record company jerk say "love the synths!".

They got over it.

[Hope209]

Wow, I completely forgot about this thread! I love how the first few responses are on the subject, but the rest will slowly derail from the topic (even though its in the heading) in response to the other posters

The slash between synths/keys was meant as "and/or." So yes, I do realize that wurlis and rhodes are in fact not synths

Chymer hit it right on the head with his response. This is a technique Ive been trying to use a lot lately. The synth/keys are indistinguishable from the other elements in the mix. They merely double up or thicken another part like electric guitar or vocals, by providing "depth" or "atmosphere" but you cant particularly pick it out in the mix. I've been hearing it a lot in pop stuff like Avril and Pink, but also a lot of use of organs in "rock" stuff. I especially like Native Instruments' B4 and Absynth, the Abbey Roads refill, and although I use Elektrik Piano its not QUITE there...

[alexp]

Originally Posted by gsilbers

i honestly dont why there arent more songs with synths/keyboard/sequencing.

i remember like 10 years ago i went to europe and in regular radio stations (non-techno) the ratio over there is way more computer/synth/sequcned oriented than "traditional" pop/rock. i think the US gets the stuff from europe that has more traditional approach. (maybe the EU chaps wanna chime in on this one)

with that said, here in the US its hiphop which is top seller and that is mostly if not all computer/synth/seq dependent.
(well, to be accurate, adult contemporary is the genre that sells the most, followed by hiphop/r&B and then rock/alternative.)

im not saying bring on the tecno viking music but man, i think label/A&r exec need to catch on with more of the sequenced/electronica stuff here in the US. i dont think there something done with a guitar/rock band that hasnt been done 20x already.


but i dont know if u are just noticing more synths/keyboard/sequcned on rock/pop music or there is more of it cause producers always have tried to get a new sound. even since elvis producers try to use technology or things that are "new" to create a more contemporary sound. or it depends to what u listen to.

I for example love junkie xl's new album "need for speed" its mostly all sequenced but still very aggressive.

Wait another couple months and you will be in for a treat

[jmarkham]

You say it likes it's a bad thing ;-)

jeff

[A LaMere]

am I missing something? Did you mean.... "you've been hearing more subtle keyboard layering work than you'd noticed in the past"?

Saying you've noticed a lot of keyboard work in pop or rock music is almost like saying... "I've noticed a lot of guitars in rock n' roll recently" isn't it?

I realize that this is an older, revived thread...
but I still don't get the original question exactly.

[alexp]

Originally Posted by A LaMere

am I missing something? Did you mean.... "you've been hearing more subtle keyboard layering work than you'd noticed in the past"?

Saying you've noticed a lot of keyboard work in pop or rock music is almost like saying... "I've noticed a lot of guitars in rock n' roll recently" isn't it?

I realize that this is an older, revived thread...
but I still don't get the original question exactly.

Ya but synths are cool..... Most guitars.... not so much.

Yeah I said it This blizzard must be getting to me.

[vernier]

Synths are in today's pop ..Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, etc, etc. The trend was started by Abba in '74.

[Hope209]

Originally Posted by A LaMere

am I missing something? Did you mean.... "you've been hearing more subtle keyboard layering work than you'd noticed in the past"?

Saying you've noticed a lot of keyboard work in pop or rock music is almost like saying... "I've noticed a lot of guitars in rock n' roll recently" isn't it?

I realize that this is an older, revived thread...
but I still don't get the original question exactly.

Reread post 15

[chymer]

I recently tried this on a heavier rock track and it worked beautifully......

After all the thick (power chord) guitars were tracked I found a synth pad with the right tone and depth which worked with the tone of the guitars, you need to listen carefully and play along with the guitars.(on its own it will sound pretty cheesy but dont worry).....

Anyway, when I found the right synth I played each chord under each guitar part in separate takes and then edited the synth so it was tight with the guitars and had no decay into the next chord type of thing.

this is excellent and is virtually impossible to hear unless you take it out.

It gives the guitars a depth and fullness without washing them out.

I highly recommend it.
Chymer

[Sqye]

Are synths / keys in EVERYTHING?

Are synths / keys in EVERYTHING?

Are synths / keys in EVERYTHING?

.


well, they're not in THIS.
.

[Sqye]

or THIS.
.

[A LaMere]

Originally Posted by Hope209

Reread post 15

I read that one...

Didn't catch that you were the OP.

My bad... !

[Zep Dude]

Or this...

Oh wait, there is a synth next to the cat. Damn, maybe keys ARE in everything!

[A LaMere]

Originally Posted by Zep Dude

Or this...

Oh wait, there is a synth next to the cat. Damn, maybe keys ARE in everything!

hahaha... Nice!!

[popmann]

I have no interest in music made with organs, pianos, and EPs...none really "synths" per se, but...keys.

Ha, ha...this was the KING of my typos. I play keyboards!! I meant "without"...HA!

[edcampos]

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