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Post subject: What was that sound?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 2:36 am
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There was a sound that was popular in the late 70’s/early 80’s that was use on several recordings. It sounded kind of like a drum but it had a “pew pew” sound. I can think of 3 recordings that us it.

Linda Ronstadt - Poor, poor pitiful me

Bad Company – Rock N Roll Fantasy

Entertainment tonight opening them, circa 1980

Does anyone know what I’m talking about?

If so, what is it and how was it created?

8)

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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 4:57 am
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Could it have been a "Syndrum"?


http://youtu.be/PW099nmUAKk

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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 5:53 am
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I think that the sound is the Pollard Syndrum, a kind of percussion synthesizer that was developed in the 70s.



I believe this device also created the "beeooouuw" sound heard in Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street"



It's a cool sound -- would love to hear it in some new recordings :)


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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:49 am
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Bingo! You guys were right. Syndrums with drummer Rick Marotta were used for Linda Ronstadt’s Poor Poor Pitiful Me.

You’ll find them under Personnel here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Dreams

Simon Kirke of Bad Company/Free is reported to have used syndrums. Not surprising since his past kit, although primarily Ludwig, was a desired mixed set including Gretsch and/or, perhaps, a Slingerland snare, later a set of Pearl, and so on. It’s the overall sound that works for him. Adding syndrums would have been a logical move. (I don’t feel bad about my mixed kit now. ‘66 Premier dual toms/kick, 60s Rogers Dynasonic snare, newer LP Street Can for a floor Tom, vintage Zildjians, and vintage Paiste). :P
As for Baker Street it sure sounds like Syndrums; but, it could be some other electronic wonder even from a keyboard. Can’t say, except I couldn’t find drummers like session percussionist Henry Spinetti using Syndrums wth Rafferty live for Baker Street (not that they would be used in that environment since the recorded sound appears to be blended as a separate entity over the drum kit tracks and, perhaps, keeping the original gear around could be prohibitive, both of which could explain the live play. Cue the backing track). That said there are some possibilities which I never found. So anything is possible. Session keyboardist Tommy Eyre also used a synth for Baker Street.

Here’s a similar circa 80s sound though:



Perhaps. both instrument/electronics and tape playback come into play for certain songs in question.

I mention this because sometimes the industry is privy to these tools before public release to gather development and/or interest. Therefore, availability dates can vary. (For example, I played Tetris via a Hollywood firm before release. It was part of an early digital audio editing hardware/software educational promotion like Bill Gates’ Hearts to teach and promote Windows and the PC). At other times the process is a well kept secret; however, drummers are keen to share because they can’t keep a secret, and like to talk. (Guilty) :lol:
Synare was also competitive. Unfortunately, Syndrums struggled financially. Others would follow, and others came earlier, but Syndrums and Synare (with some distinct differences design wise) were mainstream acceptance amongst the pros at the time.

Ronstadt’s “pewww” sound is unmistakeable and documented. :D
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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 4:03 pm
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Thank you everybody, that's been bugging me for a long time.

I would like to hear some new recordings with it.

I do remember that it was used a lot back then and everybody got sick of it.

8)

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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:11 pm
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omar59 wrote:
Thank you everybody, that's been bugging me for a long time.

I would like to hear some new recordings with it.

I do remember that it was used a lot back then and everybody got sick of it.

8)
I think that’s the Disco Fever. Ooee. Ooee, Peww Peww. :lol: Naw. Just kidding. Actually, if you weed out the bleh from the cool factor, there’s actually some funky stuff there. Note the difference in how the synthdrums were used in those two videos. Cool effect if it’s not overdone methinks. YMMV.

Then again there’s always Linda Ronstadt’s example Poor Poor Pitiful Me (not unlike Knock On Wood) it sneaks up on ya when you least expect it.

Have fun with it, omar59. :D
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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 2:47 am
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Bingo! You guys were right. Syndrums with drummer Rick Marotta were used for Linda Ronstadt’s Poor Poor Pitiful Me.

You’ll find them under Personnel here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Dreams

Simon Kirke of Bad Company/Free is reported to have used syndrums. Not surprising since his past kit, although primarily Ludwig, was a desired mixed set including Gretsch and/or, perhaps, a Slingerland snare, later a set of Pearl, and so on. It’s the overall sound that works for him. Adding syndrums would have been a logical move. (I don’t feel bad about my mixed kit now. ‘66 Premier dual toms/kick, 60s Rogers Dynasonic snare, newer LP Street Can for a floor Tom, vintage Zildjians, and vintage Paiste). :P
As for Baker Street it sure sounds like Syndrums; but, it could be some other electronic wonder even from a keyboard. Can’t say, except I couldn’t find drummers like session percussionist Henry Spinetti using Syndrums wth Rafferty live for Baker Street (not that they would be used in that environment since the recorded sound appears to be blended as a separate entity over the drum kit tracks and, perhaps, keeping the original gear around could be prohibitive, both of which could explain the live play. Cue the backing track). That said there are some possibilities which I never found. So anything is possible. Session keyboardist Tommy Eyre also used a synth for Baker Street.

Here’s a similar circa 80s sound though:



Perhaps. both instrument/electronics and tape playback come into play for certain songs in question.

I mention this because sometimes the industry is privy to these tools before public release to gather development and/or interest. Therefore, availability dates can vary. (For example, I played Tetris via a Hollywood firm before release. It was part of an early digital audio editing hardware/software educational promotion like Bill Gates’ Hearts to teach and promote Windows and the PC). At other times the process is a well kept secret; however, drummers are keen to share because they can’t keep a secret, and like to talk. (Guilty) :lol:
Synare was also competitive. Unfortunately, Syndrums struggled financially. Others would follow, and others came earlier, but Syndrums and Synare (with some distinct differences design wise) were mainstream acceptance amongst the pros at the time.

Ronstadt’s “pewww” sound is unmistakeable and documented. :D
FSB

Thanks for the info, FSB! I'm also not really sure about the effect on "Baker Street". I tried an online search but couldn't find anything definitive. Some people seemed to suggest it was a guitar slide/glissando but it sure doesn't sound like one to me (I guess the sound could have been put through some type of effect or 70s-era guitar synth). I agree it could also have been just a plain ol' keyboard synth effect, but to me it sounds mostly like a Syndrum.


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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 8:35 am
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schnepf13 wrote:
Thanks for the info, FSB! I'm also not really sure about the effect on "Baker Street". I tried an online search but couldn't find anything definitive. Some people seemed to suggest it was a guitar slide/glissando but it sure doesn't sound like one to me (I guess the sound could have been put through some type of effect or 70s-era guitar synth). I agree it could also have been just a plain ol' keyboard synth effect, but to me it sounds mostly like a Syndrum.
My pleasure.

Can’t rule out the guitar either or a custom keytar. The glissando theory I think is a stretch. :P But, hasn’t been disproven either. I’ve looked to recording and mixing resources and drummer resources (it’s even doubtfully been suggested the sound is bongo(s) with Glen Lafleur contributing) amongst the others, and nothing about this specific Baker Street pewww has turned up. :?:
Sure a lot about that marvellous saxophone. Obviously, drummers get no love. :lol:
Many don’t think of the keyboard as being a percussive instrument; but, in fact, it is. I don’t recall where, but I’ve heard similar keyboard effects, and with a little studio tweaking who knows what the geniuses can do? I think syndrums are the likely answer though. I’ll go out on a limb to simply say whatever the source it’s percussive. :P
FSB

Now, look what you made me do schnepf13. I’m on the hunt; but, I have the feeling it’s gonna get away.

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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 5:10 pm
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
schnepf13 wrote:
Thanks for the info, FSB! I'm also not really sure about the effect on "Baker Street". I tried an online search but couldn't find anything definitive. Some people seemed to suggest it was a guitar slide/glissando but it sure doesn't sound like one to me (I guess the sound could have been put through some type of effect or 70s-era guitar synth). I agree it could also have been just a plain ol' keyboard synth effect, but to me it sounds mostly like a Syndrum.
My pleasure.

Can’t rule out the guitar either or a custom keytar. The glissando theory I think is a stretch. :P But, hasn’t been disproven either. I’ve looked to recording and mixing resources and drummer resources (it’s even doubtfully been suggested the sound is bongo(s) with Glen Lafleur contributing) amongst the others, and nothing about this specific Baker Street pewww has turned up. :?:
Sure a lot about that marvellous saxophone. Obviously, drummers get no love. :lol:
Many don’t think of the keyboard as being a percussive instrument; but, in fact, it is. I don’t recall where, but I’ve heard similar keyboard effects, and with a little studio tweaking who knows what the geniuses can do? I think syndrums are the likely answer though. I’ll go out on a limb to simply say whatever the source it’s percussive. :P
FSB

Now, look what you made me do schnepf13. I’m on the hunt; but, I have the feeling it’s gonna get away.

Happy hunting! It's kind of remarkable how the answer to this particular question isn't readily available online somewhere. It was a very distinct effect on a very popular song. I guess not every piece of useless trivia known to man has been posted on the Internet just yet! :D


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Post subject: Re: What was that sound?
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 5:45 pm
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schnepf13 wrote:
FSB wrote:
I’m on the hunt; but, I have the feeling it’s gonna get away.

Happy hunting! It's kind of remarkable how the answer to this particular question isn't readily available online somewhere. It was a very distinct effect on a very popular song. I guess not every piece of useless trivia known to man has been posted on the Internet just yet! :D
You’re right there, and even what’s online is questionable at times. It also pertains to music. I don’t believe we’ll ever have all the recordings in existence available in digital, and many that do will not be original. Thankfully, others will be recovered and improved. More useless trivia, huh? :lol:
Cheers!
FSB

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