Battle of the Beat-Makers
Drum machines vs. live musicians
Monday, May 3rd, 2010
In most genres of modern music, a rhythm section consisting of a drummer and bassist is essential in providing a steady beat for an instrumental track. But over the past two decades, drum machines have increasingly replaced actual instrumentalists. Popular groups such as Daft Punk, MGMT, and Justice use programmed tracks for most of their material. Drum machines are harmless and easy on the ears, but the communication among live performers working together is far more organic, more gritty, and genuinely musical. New School musicians Abe Maneri and Sam Miller openly oppose the use of programmed tracks in place of real musicians. "While the drum machine might dance with perfect moves, I'd always rather dance with a real girl, even if she steps on my feet," said Maneri.
Illustration by Suzanne Exposito
Sam Miller, a freshman at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, expressed his feelings about the relevance of jazz drumming today and said he feels that a musician's job is to connect to a vast audience. "A drum is the loudest instrument played during jam sessions and has a large command over the other instruments," said Miller, who's been working as a jazz musician in Los Angeles for 14 years. "Having control over the drums allows me to add energy and control the tempo of the other musicians surrounding me." The sound of a live drum allows the rest of the musicians performing to build a stronger connection to the rhythm and build of the piece. Musicians can't have that kind of connection with a machine. Miller went on to say, "I'd like to be able to perform pieces that not only appeal to younger people like my sister, but also older ones like my grandparents." Live musicians have the ability to create a common ground among listeners of all ages. Synthesized rhythm tracks hinder a person's ability to enjoy the music—especially if they're used to a traditional song structure.
Programmed tracks and drum machines will never recreate the quality of Phish's improv-oriented live performances. We go to concerts to feed off of musicians' energy and creative input. All of that is more valuable to the music than any advanced form of technology will ever be.
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