MusicRadar
The place for music makers
Ask MusicRadar: who's the ultimate synth icon?
Name your favourite designer, programmer or player
The MusicRadar Team, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 12:12 pm UTC
Image: © Michele Asselin/Corbis
UPDATE: Nominations are now closed. VOTE HERE ------------->
The history of the synth has been written by a wide and varied cast of characters. As well as the geniuses who designed the great models of the past, we also have to consider the programmers who tamed these beasts in the studio and the stars who brought them to the stage.
What MusicRadar wants to know, however, is who you think deserves to be crowned the ultimate synth icon?
Should the honour be bestowed on Bob Moog, the man whose instrument helped to popularise the synth, or do you think a producer – Giorgio Moroder, perhaps – should take the award. Alternatively, maybe you're of the opinion that we should recognise a great performer - a synth virtuoso.
Don't think that we're excluding more contemporary synth icons, either. If you believe that a modern-day producer (or even software developer) has changed the course of synth history, let us know. We'll even allow you to nominate a band (so yes, Kraftwerk are eligible).
What to do now
Decide who you think is the ultimate synth icon, then give us the name and reasons for the nomination by one of the following methods.
Via MusicRadar (log in and leave a comment below with a link as usual)
Via Twitter (follow @musicradar and tag your submission with #askmusicradar)
Via Facebook (become a fan at http://facebook.com/musicradar and post suggestions on our wall)
Or via ask@musicradar.com (just send an email the old-fashioned way)
Once we've got all your nominations, we'll count them up and reveal who MusicRadar users have declared to be the ultimate synth icon.
User comments (26)
-
"I would say Kraftwerk, Herbie Hancock, and probably moog himself!" (From @rockengi via Twitter, thanks)
-
"How could I forget Herbie Hancock on my list? Oh, I didn't have enough room!" (another from @hollavacui, thanks)
-
"Synth Icon: Keith Emerson; Devin Townsend; Depeche Mode; Karlheinz Stockhausen; Moby; Aphex Twin; Venetian Snares" (From @hollavacui via Twitter, thanks)
-
"Personally, I think it's a band. Depeche Mode are synthicons to me." (from @Sjusovaren via Twitter, thanks)
-
"Kraftwerk , Keith Emerson" (from Philippe via Facebook, thanks!))
-
"Jean Michel Jarre,Vangelis,Kraftwerk,Herbie Hancock and number one should be Dr.Robert Moog!" (From Peter via Facebook)
-
Walter Carlos started it all with his J. S. Bach covers!
-
Delia Derbyshire was a significant pioneer of early electronic music before the days of Moog. She was recording electronic sounds onto tape and sequencing them from a barrage of reel to reel machines.Classic example being the theme to Doctor Who, composed by Ron Grainer who was himself to become a composer of electronic music along with everyone else at the BBC Radiophonic workshop. I don't think any of really understands the massive amount of work putting that theme together was.
http://www.delia-derbyshire.org/index.php -
Dave Smith for the prophet 5 and prophet 8, Bob Moog for Moog.
-
Tony Banks. Ok, he may not have pioneered the development of the synth but he is certainly one of the early innovators of it's use in popular music. He's quick too, love his solo in Cinema Show.
You need to be logged in to post a comment. Login or Register to post a comment.
Poll
Blogs
-
Convert Rex files to MPC format for under £5
Good news for those using Akai MPCs alongside their computer music set-ups.
-
Guess who?
Guess which tattooed Trance producer we've been visiting for our world famous 'In The...
ReviewFinder
Click to find gear in the following categories:
- Guitars (2983)
- Amplification (787)
- Computers & Software (1390)
- Recording (370)
- Keys & Synths (131)
- Drums (641)
- DJing (22)
- Publications (47)
- Clothing (2)
- Gadgets (13)
Buy here
MusicRadar Marketplace
If you're looking for great deals on gear, tuition, mastering, education or kit hire, click here for our new and improved marketplace.
musicradar
3 weeks ago.