What Kind of Synth Do Psychedelic Rock Bands Usually Use?

Psychedelic rock bands use all sorts of different synths to create their unique sound. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what kind of synths are typically used by psychedelic rock bands.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. Psychedelic rock often uses new recording techniques and effects and draws on non-Western sources such as the ragas and drones of Indian music.

Psychedelic rock bands usually use electronic keyboards, especially synthesizers, to produce their sound. Synthesizers can create a wide range of sounds, so they are perfect for creating the strange and dreamlike sounds associated with psychedelic rock.

Some well-known psychedelic rock bands who use synthesizers include Pink Floyd, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys.

What is a Synthesizer?

A synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals that may be converted to sound. Synthesizers may imitate traditional musical instruments such as piano, flute, vocals, or natural sounds such as ocean waves; or generate new electronic timbres. They are often played with a musical keyboard, but they can be controlled via a variety of other input devices, including the mouse on a personal computer, touch screens, and voice-controlled systems.

What is Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psyrock or psychedelic pop, is a type of music that emerged in the mid-1960s that was influenced by psychedelic culture. Psychedelic rock is characterized by a distorted, electronic sound, often created with the use of feedback and heavily distorted guitars. The genre often explores themes of mind expansion, drug use, and social commentary.

What are the Characteristics of Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It often uses new recording techniques and effects and draws on non-Western sources such as the ragas and drones of Indian music. Psychedelic rock emerged during the mid 1960s as writers sought to replicate the experience of taking LSD. The earliest examples are considered to be the songs “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)” by The Electric Prunes and “The Trip” by The Count Five.

The genre developed further during the late 1960s with bands such as the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Cream, and Jefferson Airplane experimenting with longer, more improvised jams incorporating elements of jazz and Indian music. By the early 1970s, psychedelic rock had passed into mainstream culture with bands such as Santana, The Doors, and Led Zeppelin merging elements of psychedelia into their existing sound.

What are the Different Types of Synthesizers?

Analog: Analog synthesizers generate sound using electronic oscillators and filters, which are then modulated by amplifiers and envelope controllers. Because they use physical components, they tend to be larger and more expensive than digital synthesizers. They are prized for their warmer, more organic sound.

Digital: Digital synthesizers generate sound using computer-coded algorithms. They tend to be smaller and more affordable than analog synthesizers. They often offer a wider range of sounds, as well as the ability to recreate the sounds of other instruments.

Hybrid: Hybrid synthesizers combine features of both analog and digital synthesizers. They usually have digital oscillators and filters, but also include analog components such as amplifiers and envelope controllers.

Which Synthesizers are Most Popular Among Psychedelic Rock Bands?

As with most genres of music, the type of synthesizer used in psychedelic rock can vary greatly from band to band. While some may prefer analogue synths for their warm, organic sound, others may opt for digital ones for their greater versatility and range of sounds. In general, however, there are a few types of synthesizers that are particularly popular among psychedelic rock bands.

One popular type of synth used in psychedelic rock is the Moog synthesizer. Originally invented in the 1960s by Bob Moog, the Moog synth is capable of produced a wide range of sounds, from deep bass notes to high-pitched squeals. Its versatility and distinct sound has made it a favourite among many iconic psychedelic rock bands, such as Pink Floyd and The Doors.

Another popular type of synth used in psychedelic rock is the Mellotron. The Mellotron is a tape-based keyboard instrument that was first developed in the early 1960s. It became popular among psychedelic rock bands in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to its unique sound, which was created by playback heads that would trigger recorded sounds from magnetic tapes when keys were pressed. The Mellotron was used extensively by The Beatles on their 1968 album ‘The Beatles’, as well as by other notable psychedelic rock bands such as King Crimson and Yes.

Finally, the Theremin is another type of synth that has been used extensively in psychedelic rock. The Theremin is a unique instrument that does not require any physical contact to be played; instead, it uses two metal antennas that pick up electromagnetic waves emitted by the player’s hands to generate sound. This hands-off approach to playing an instrument often resulted in players creating wild and unpredictable sounds, which made the Theremin popular among experimental psychedelic rock bands such as The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.

Conclusion

After looking at the above data, it seems that the most popular synth used in psychedelic rock is the Moog synthesizer. This is followed by the Roland Jupiter-8 and then the ARP Odyssey.