Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

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Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by Aaron2 » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:30 pm

If you're a fan of Kavinsky, as I am, you'll be super surprised to know that he doesn't use vintage synths in his music. Or ever. Here's a snippet from a recent interview in Spin:
[Spin] Your sound is to some degree nostalgic for a pre-computer electronic era. Have you come to collect vintage gear since?

[Kavinsky] No, I just have a computer and a lot of things inside. I don't have analog keyboards. Plug-stuff I hate.
I can't believe it! He's a VST guy! :lol:

Here's a link to the interview: http://www.spin.com/#articles/kavinsky- ... -interview

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by silikon » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:48 pm

What's not to believe?

I'm not surprised, quite honestly. I think the odds are far in favor of someone being 'a VST guy' than vintage gear in terms of more popular music.

... and does that mean the argument that a record can sound vintage but not use heaps of "real analogue" be over?
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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by Aaron2 » Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:03 pm

silikon wrote:I'm not surprised, quite honestly. I think the odds are far in favor of someone being 'a VST guy' than vintage gear in terms of more popular music.
True. For some reason, I just automatically assume somebody like Kavinsky is a huge analog gear hound, since his music has so many '80s-throwback elements to it.

But in the end, you're probably right. We're way more into vintage gear than the people who actually make music for a living! ;)

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by Infinity Curve » Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:47 pm

Thanks for the link, interesting read.

I really, really liked his tracks on the Drive OST; pretty much made the movie for me. His style is very interesting , very laid back drums and simple yet incredibly catchy melodies. I didn't even realize until listening to the actual OST with headphones, he barely uses any cymbals, and it's mostly just kick, snare, kick, snare.

Kind of surprised he is a totally ITB guy, considering his style, but sound is sound, regardless of what is generating it.

Really looking forward to checking out the album this evening when I get home from work. If it's anything like what he did on Drive, I know it's gonna get some heavy play for me.

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by balma » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:11 pm

You can use whatever, the real concerning is how do you use it.

Vince Clark was an analog purist once...
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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by calaverasgrande » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:17 pm

Aaron2 wrote:
silikon wrote:I'm not surprised, quite honestly. I think the odds are far in favor of someone being 'a VST guy' than vintage gear in terms of more popular music.
True. For some reason, I just automatically assume somebody like Kavinsky is a huge analog gear hound, since his music has so many '80s-throwback elements to it.

But in the end, you're probably right. We're way more into vintage gear than the people who actually make music for a living! ;)
well except for Moby.
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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by Aaron2 » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:48 pm

Infinity Curve wrote:I didn't even realize until listening to the actual OST with headphones, he barely uses any cymbals, and it's mostly just kick, snare, kick, snare.
I realized the same thing when I was listening to "Nightcall." It's not even a "four on the floor" beat, either. It's literally, kick on 1 & 3 and snare on 2 & 4! There are barely any fills, either (and none at all on "Nightcall," IIRC). It's so minimalist, yet it works.

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by Aaron2 » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:49 pm

calaverasgrande wrote:
Aaron2 wrote:
silikon wrote:I'm not surprised, quite honestly. I think the odds are far in favor of someone being 'a VST guy' than vintage gear in terms of more popular music.
True. For some reason, I just automatically assume somebody like Kavinsky is a huge analog gear hound, since his music has so many '80s-throwback elements to it.

But in the end, you're probably right. We're way more into vintage gear than the people who actually make music for a living! ;)
well except for Moby.
Right, and maybe deadmau5, too. :D

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by Infinity Curve » Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:10 pm

Aaron2 wrote:
Infinity Curve wrote:I didn't even realize until listening to the actual OST with headphones, he barely uses any cymbals, and it's mostly just kick, snare, kick, snare.
I realized the same thing when I was listening to "Nightcall." It's not even a "four on the floor" beat, either. It's literally, kick on 1 & 3 and snare on 2 & 4! There are barely any fills, either (and none at all on "Nightcall," IIRC). It's so minimalist, yet it works.
Exactly. Seems odd, but it works.

Slightly OT, but if you like Kavinsky, you will probably dig this guy, if you haven't already heard:

http://lazerhawk.bandcamp.com/

Definitely check out his 'Redline' album; music inspired by......Outrun. Great stuff

Also, this guy:

http://soundcloud.com/powerglove

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by nogginj » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:15 pm

He also claims that he made his entire first ep on a DX-7.

So take it as you would an RDJ interview (props to both these guys).

Last edited by nogginj on Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by glassofwater » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:36 pm

How did you get into electronic music?
I was listening to rap and funk mostly, nothing electronic. One day my friend Mr. Oizo came to my home to try to get me to listen to electronic stuff from Arpanet, an American [from Detroit] living in Germany. Arpanet was the first time I could hear electro music as not too techno — it was almost like rap, but very cold. I liked it.
best part about the interview!

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by danbroad » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:35 am

....armchair warriors get too hung up on the tools and lose sight of the talent. Don't let that happen to you!
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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by calaverasgrande » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:44 am

danbroad wrote:....armchair warriors get too hung up on the tools and lose sight of the talent. Don't let that happen to you!
However I can buy tools...
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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by Aaron2 » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:42 am

glassofwater wrote:
How did you get into electronic music?
I was listening to rap and funk mostly, nothing electronic. One day my friend Mr. Oizo came to my home to try to get me to listen to electronic stuff from Arpanet, an American [from Detroit] living in Germany. Arpanet was the first time I could hear electro music as not too techno — it was almost like rap, but very cold. I liked it.
best part about the interview!
True! Now I've downloaded Arpanet's 2002 album, Wireless Internet. Classic! Lots of sequencer, that's for sure.

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Re: Kavinsky says, "No analog gear"

Post by tekkentool » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:42 am

I've said it a million times but I couldn't care less what's in an artists studio, I just want to know what's in their brain.

Sometimes I make music that is supposed to sound a little bit vintage in its aesthetic too and I'd like to believe I'm semi successful even if it's entirely itb.


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