Automatic Gainsay
@automaticgainsay.bsky.social
Hi, I’m composer, synthesizer historian, and apologetic pedant Marc Doty. I’ve worked for the Bob Moog Foundation and Buchla, and am the creator of the very old and comparatively weirdly successful synthesizer education YouTube channel Automatic Gainsay.
Such a great song that I have almost forgotten so many times since I first saw the video on early MTV
January 27, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Such a great song that I have almost forgotten so many times since I first saw the video on early MTV
When I saw this song posted, I was like “I wonder if they know that Pr- oh, yep!”
One of the cool seemingly-unlikely pairings!”
One of the cool seemingly-unlikely pairings!”
January 25, 2025 at 6:39 PM
When I saw this song posted, I was like “I wonder if they know that Pr- oh, yep!”
One of the cool seemingly-unlikely pairings!”
One of the cool seemingly-unlikely pairings!”
That’s fantastic! Thank you!
January 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
That’s fantastic! Thank you!
I have a 2-hour documentary on the history of polyphony in YouTube that I largely created in order to address that term!
January 21, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I have a 2-hour documentary on the history of polyphony in YouTube that I largely created in order to address that term!
But I am an unbearable pedant, and it isn’t really relevant to your great post!
January 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
But I am an unbearable pedant, and it isn’t really relevant to your great post!
As a synth historian, I struggle with the term “semi-modular,” as it USED to describe a modular synthesizer that relied on SOME connections that were not modular. Which is important. In the early 2010s, Eurorack inspired usage that meant “doesn’t have separate modules,” which isn’t as practical.
January 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
As a synth historian, I struggle with the term “semi-modular,” as it USED to describe a modular synthesizer that relied on SOME connections that were not modular. Which is important. In the early 2010s, Eurorack inspired usage that meant “doesn’t have separate modules,” which isn’t as practical.
Thank you for saying this. The notion that the value of art is dependent upon approval of the character of the artist does not serve art. As an artist, I insist that most of us are intolerable.
January 19, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Thank you for saying this. The notion that the value of art is dependent upon approval of the character of the artist does not serve art. As an artist, I insist that most of us are intolerable.
Price has always been a challenge in regard to the synthesizer as a product. Of course, the synthesizer benefits from the most control possible, it the viability of it as a product has always meant that it was less controllable.
December 9, 2024 at 5:41 AM
Price has always been a challenge in regard to the synthesizer as a product. Of course, the synthesizer benefits from the most control possible, it the viability of it as a product has always meant that it was less controllable.
When I mentioned vitriol, it was more about the people who personally hate it, and instead of assessing it objectively, are basing their measurement of the validity of the song as a Christmas classic on that. Also: most “classics” are less than 100 years old.
December 8, 2024 at 6:30 PM
When I mentioned vitriol, it was more about the people who personally hate it, and instead of assessing it objectively, are basing their measurement of the validity of the song as a Christmas classic on that. Also: most “classics” are less than 100 years old.
My point is that his early adopting of the Minimoog was far more influential at the time than some of the synth-only artists currently cherished by enthusiasts, is all.
December 7, 2024 at 7:23 PM
My point is that his early adopting of the Minimoog was far more influential at the time than some of the synth-only artists currently cherished by enthusiasts, is all.
It is absolutely not a music Al masterpiece despite being a catchy pop tune with a rather important implementation of a CS-80… Irving Berlin it is not. But it IS popular and oft-played.
December 7, 2024 at 7:21 PM
It is absolutely not a music Al masterpiece despite being a catchy pop tune with a rather important implementation of a CS-80… Irving Berlin it is not. But it IS popular and oft-played.
Ultimately, I think what defines a Christmas Classic is up for examination.
December 7, 2024 at 7:20 PM
Ultimately, I think what defines a Christmas Classic is up for examination.
For many, it does!
December 6, 2024 at 5:46 AM
For many, it does!
Hi! I’m specifically not a bot, but I am a synthesist, synthesizer historian, composer, songwriter, and synthesizer educator. While I can totally understand why some may not enjoy this song, I find the vitriol and unfounded musical criticism a little silly. Glad to engage in discourse about it.
December 6, 2024 at 3:58 AM
Hi! I’m specifically not a bot, but I am a synthesist, synthesizer historian, composer, songwriter, and synthesizer educator. While I can totally understand why some may not enjoy this song, I find the vitriol and unfounded musical criticism a little silly. Glad to engage in discourse about it.
As a synthesist, synthesizer historian, and composer, I find this meme slightly amusing, but largely offensive.
Keep in mind that Band on the Run was exponentially more influential and present than anything Kraftwerk ever did!
Undoubtedly unpopular view… however accurate. :)
Keep in mind that Band on the Run was exponentially more influential and present than anything Kraftwerk ever did!
Undoubtedly unpopular view… however accurate. :)
December 6, 2024 at 3:48 AM
As a synthesist, synthesizer historian, and composer, I find this meme slightly amusing, but largely offensive.
Keep in mind that Band on the Run was exponentially more influential and present than anything Kraftwerk ever did!
Undoubtedly unpopular view… however accurate. :)
Keep in mind that Band on the Run was exponentially more influential and present than anything Kraftwerk ever did!
Undoubtedly unpopular view… however accurate. :)