Uploaded January 2016 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In 1983, when Dave Smith wrote the MIDI 1.0 spec, synthesizers, sequencers, and controllers, could now communicate with each other. This made synths very practical for use in live performances, since patches could be changed instantly, and pre-sequenced parts could also be used. As a vast array of new polyphonic synths were now available that not only sounded better than previous synthesizers, but also were more stage-friendly, they started to play a much bigger role in the sound of rock and pop music.
Even though most bands still had a guitar player, music in the 1980s tended to feature both FM digital synthesizer sounds, which were very new at that time, and sampling-synthesizer sounds, which were a big improvement over the Mellotron and analog synthesizers of previous years. With MIDI routers and multiple synths, one musician could play multiple parts on stage.
Some manufacturers started making guitar synthesizers, so that guitar players could play synth sounds using their guitars. Even Guitar Player Magazine was wondering if the guitar would eventually disappear from rock and pop music.
Then in the 1990s, the alternative rock and grunge genres which prominently featured guitar, started to become popular, and once again established the guitar as the featured and defining instrument of rock and pop.
In 1983, when Dave Smith wrote the MIDI 1.0 spec, synthesizers, sequencers, and controllers, could now communicate with each other. This made synths very practical for use in live performances, since patches could be changed instantly, and pre-sequenced parts could also be used. As a vast array of new polyphonic synths were now available that not only sounded better than previous synthesizers, but also were more stage-friendly, they started to play a much bigger role in the sound of rock and pop music.
Even though most bands still had a guitar player, music in the 1980s tended to feature both FM digital synthesizer sounds, which were very new at that time, and sampling-synthesizer sounds, which were a big improvement over the Mellotron and analog synthesizers of previous years. With MIDI routers and multiple synths, one musician could play multiple parts on stage.
Some manufacturers started making guitar synthesizers, so that guitar players could play synth sounds using their guitars. Even Guitar Player Magazine was wondering if the guitar would eventually disappear from rock and pop music.
Then in the 1990s, the alternative rock and grunge genres which prominently featured guitar, started to become popular, and once again established the guitar as the featured and defining instrument of rock and pop.
