{"id":446,"date":"2018-09-19T11:06:14","date_gmt":"2018-09-19T16:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/?p=446"},"modified":"2018-09-19T11:06:14","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T16:06:14","slug":"music-in-the-digital-age-the-op-1-and-other-new-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/2018\/09\/19\/music-in-the-digital-age-the-op-1-and-other-new-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"Music in the Digital Age: The OP-1 and other New Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The OP-1 is an instrument but, it\u2019s probably unlike any instrument you have ever seen or played. In technical terms the OP-1 is a portable synthesizer, sampler, and controller. It is also one of the most popular instruments you\u2019ve never heard of. Musicians such as Bon Iver, Radiohead\u2019s Thom Yorke, Trent Reznor, and Childish Gambino have all used this instrument and its sound can be heard on countless records. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Created and manufactured by Swedish electronics company, Teenage Engineering, the OP-1 was first released in 2011. Teenage Engineering calls it an all in one wonder synthesizer and to a certain extent they are correct. The OP-1 is about the size of a small keyboard and is easily portable and has more features than a traditional synth + controller at a fraction of the size. It\u2019s features includes: 10 unique synthesizer engines, an instant sampler, 4-track tape, and a full mixer with effects. This rich feature and portable design is changing the way artists make music. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bon Iver\u2019s, Justin Vernon, would frequently carry this synth with him everywhere while he was recording his latest album <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">22, a million<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. He tells a story of singing improvisations into the OP-1 and cutting up the track and hearing a distinct \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">two..two\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and that sample became the eureka moment for Vernon. He says \u201cSo that was kind of the beginning of that. And really it was still months until I had any other song ideas, so it was really annoying to have to listen to those 11 seconds of sampled music for that amount of time, but that\u2019s when I figured out that the album was going to be numbers, and 22 is my thing, and it kind of grew from there.\u201d(boniver, 2016)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eNqCVfC4oj4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.youtu<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bon Iver - 22, A Million - Official Press Conference\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eNqCVfC4oj4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eNqCVfC4oj4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">be.com\/watch?v=eNqCVfC4oj4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Here Vernon talks at length about the creation of his new album and how he got inspiration from the OP-1, go to 6:30 to here Vernon talk about the OP-1)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vernon uses the OP-1 to capture segments from his favorite songs, the radio, and small melodies. The OP-1 has it\u2019s fingerprints all over Bon Iver\u2019s new album <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">22, a million, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and Vernon credits it as his creative kickstarter. He has said he can no longer sit down with a guitar and get inspiration, he has changed his creative workflow. The OP-1 one has allowed Vernon and many other artists change or enhance their creative process. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-448\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/gettyimages-455951944-e1436299435213-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"387\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/gettyimages-455951944-e1436299435213-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/gettyimages-455951944-e1436299435213.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 387px) 100vw, 387px\" \/>(Here Vernon is seen performing with an OP-1 and acoustic guitar Source: http:\/\/grantland.com\/hollywood-prospectus\/lost-in-the-world-justin-vernon-on-his-new-music-festival-and-the-uncertain-status-of-bon-iver\/)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The key feature that has led to the OP-1\u2019s popularity is its size and portability. In the world of synthesizers, the OP-1 is far and away the best in class for its size and has more features than larger synthesizer + controller combos. Portability allows musicians to bring the OP-1 pretty much anywhere. Having this powerful instrument available anywhere gives musicians the ability to create music outside of the traditional studio setting. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-447 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/OP-1-300x107.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"519\" height=\"185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/OP-1-300x107.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/OP-1-768x274.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/OP-1-1024x366.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Another noteworthy component of the OP-1 is it\u2019s design. It looks much like a child\u2019s toy but the design is intuitive, easy to use, and clean. The OP-1 has won multiple design awards and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has an OP-1 included in its permanent collection. It has received praise for its lasting design. French composer, producer, and performer, Jean Michel Jarre said \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since I\u2019ve seen something as interesting, flexible and creative as this. after my tour in sweden, the whole team came back-stage and we jammed together. I chose this synth to show that any instrument, from no matter what time, can have a completely timeless value. I\u2019m sure that musicians will still be using the OP-1 in 50 years.\u201d (Thevenin, 2012)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Computers and technology in general have changed the way music is recorded and sampled to such an extent that people are now longing for analog sound and purchasing physical albums at a historic pace. There are virtually no albums released within the last 20 years that haven\u2019t used a computer or some piece of software during the recording process. This trend of musicians and producers alike turning to digital tools is no accident. Programs like garageband give amateur musicians the power to record and produce their own music in their own home. Some type of music production software is used in the production of virtually every album released today. Artists are now renowned for shirking digital tools and going back to analog recording methods. <\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-449 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_373495819_recording-studio_mezz-1024x576-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"346\" height=\"195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_373495819_recording-studio_mezz-1024x576-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_373495819_recording-studio_mezz-1024x576-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_373495819_recording-studio_mezz-1024x576.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>(Source:\u00a0https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/seven-tips-to-make-your-recording-studio-computer-run-faster)<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Digital tools in music are likely to remain a part of music creation for the foreseeable future. Classic instruments may never be replaced by the likes of the OP-1 but digital instruments are rapidly becoming a new medium for musicians. Digital tools open up a new avenue for creativity in musicians. Digital tools often offer a blank slate for musicians; they can create new sounds, new instruments, and new ways to perform music. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How music is created is often just as important as the actual music itself. Consumers crave authenticity, take for example Bon Iver\u2019s first album <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For Emma, forever ago<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Legend states that Vernon completed the whole album while locked in his father\u2019s cabin in remote Wisconsin one winter. Listeners loved the idea of a musician by themselves in the woods far away from professional studios and the album was a huge success. Compare this with how Vernon\u2019s newest record was made and the differences are overwhelming. Musicians such as Vernon are changing the way they create music by embracing digital tools and in doing so are creating a different kind of music. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Musicians and the music industry are embracing digital tools whether they be: The OP-1, autotune,or software like ableton. This change is affecting the way music is created. Music is now at a point where almost anything is possible. Artists can create novel sounds and pioneer new production techniques with the help of digital tools. Many will contend that digitally produced music, computer music, or music made with digital instruments isn\u2019t \u2018real\u2019 music, however I believe that music in the digital age is just a natural progression of the artform. As Kurt Vonnegut once said \u201cNo matter how corrupt, greedy, and heartless our government, our corporations, our media, and our religious &amp; charitable institutions may become, the music will still be wonderful.\u201d I believe this holds true no matter how the music is created. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">References<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">boniver. \u201cBon Iver &#8211; 22, A Million Press Conference.\u201d <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">YouTube<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, YouTube, 27 Oct. 2016, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eNqCVfC4oj4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eNqCVfC4oj4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thevenin, Patrick. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Red Bull Music Academy Daily<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 3 May 2012, daily.redbullmusicacademy.com\/2012\/05\/jarre-synth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The OP-1 is an instrument but, it\u2019s probably unlike any instrument you have ever seen or played. In technical terms the OP-1 is a portable synthesizer, sampler, and controller. It is also one of the most popular instruments you\u2019ve never heard of. Musicians such as Bon Iver, Radiohead\u2019s Thom Yorke, Trent Reznor, and Childish Gambino&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":179,"featured_media":451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-446","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/89\/2018\/09\/54bd4283632a270300880ca5_original.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/179"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=446"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":454,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446\/revisions\/454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.cs.vt.edu\/ccs2018f\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}