I didn't develop or build synths. I had my technicians modify them for my live stage performances.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
By the time I got to building synthesizers, I had perhaps 20 years' experience building electronic musical instruments.
I was never worried that synthesizers would replace musicians. First of all, you have to be a musician in order to make music with a synthesizer.
If you make it sound too much like a synth, it will just sound like a guitar part played on a synth.
In New Order, I played about 95% of the synths. It's not much fun for the other guys in the band when I'm playing my synth parts.
Nearly all the synth work on Heathen is mine and some of the piano.
I think I was first to do live performances on a modern electronic sound synthesizer.
If you're a guitarist, you should not be intimidated by using your instrument as a synthesizer, but you shouldn't feel that you have to own one, either.
My training as an engineer has enabled me to design the stuff, but the reason I do it is not to make music but for the opportunity to work with musicians.
The most obvious thing you can't do with a guitar synthesizer is to really sound like a guitar.
Well, I'm known as a guitar-rock guy, you know? You're not supposed to play with synthesizers. This is not in the rulebook.