I missed some emails this weekend as POP email crashed for my provider (I aggregate). So if there was something crazy interesting/important/similar – resend! I will be going backwards through emails.
On other news – we are having fun! I will be releasing a review** of the NIIO Analog Iotine Core in the next week. We teamed up with Chase to get some instructional videos on the unit. We are currently editing.
We got some good tape from Darwin on Max, I am open to ideas on how to get them online. YouTube limits are 10 minutes. The 10+ minute videos are a special feature I just don’t see how to get! Vimeo? Hosting on my server will probably get me some heat (because the bots will trigger mass bandwidth, plus there is not sharing/embed).
I have been spending time with Final Cut and Celemony DNA. Nothing too impressive to talk about in Final Cut, just another software package. But DNA is SICK!
As for the summer – thoughts (feed back very welcome!). Our summers in Denver/Colorado/Boulder are some of the best anywhere in the world. I am looking to scale back the meet-ups after April (through the summer) so we can enjoy our evenings. Hell, even I want to ride around town with my wife on our cruisers. Instead of larger formal meet-ups I would like to invest in smaller gatherings all over and include our community in festivals (supporting) and do various levels of out-reach before shows and to similar groups.8
**On the topic of review – the term “review” is not totally correct. As there are a few companies looking to work with Ableton Colorado already, another round of “cleaning the air” is called for…
Our goal is to extend the use, functionality, and overall exposure of gear that is not on the radar (cough***Guitar Center***). There is a certain “departure” from journalistic integrity (if that is still a thing anymore). Our goal is to build community and knowledge in an academic manner with users (producers) and producers (of gear in this instance). The policy is simple:
If it is crap, send it back
Don, in the context of this “review” has a “filter” that is so freaking cool we need to help get the word out (I am using some bass sounds I generated in my standard set). So great.
Ableton Denver invites you to join us on November 22, 2009 at the Walnut Room in NoDo (Denver) to go to a special place where Reason flows like wine from the Lake of Ableton. We will make a quick stop in the land of Rewire and focus on cross program collaboration with a focus on Reason under the control of Ableton.
The evening demonstration and discussion will highlight the power of the Ableton sequencer and the sound engine of Reason working in perfect harmony.
Who is James Tobin? Besides sharing his name with a great American economist he is a premier Ableton guru, Reason ninja, electronic musician, and audio artist.
With old school roots in warehouse parties in and around Chicago James is a consummate vinyl connoisseur (with time spent at Wax Trax here in Denver), established DJ, recording technician for film and audio, and currently enjoying work with Alien Logic providing sound design for game development.
James is weeks away from completion of a masters with Berkley Music after already gaining a specialist certificate in Composition and Production in New Media.
Musically James Tobin is 1/2 of Sound Logic Sound Logic, also known as DJ Radioactive, and the man steering Dorje Records since 2003.
Reason (wiki link) is a powerful product for music production produced by Propellerhead that accepts control from external devices as well as other DAW and similar programs. Ableton, as many agree, has taken sequencing to a new level with one of the most amazing MIDI sequencers and editors on the market. With these 2 programs combined you go somewhere special. (enter James)
We have included time for questions and answers from James and a demonstration of the new Novation Launchpad.
Novationformally launched the Launchpad November 4 2009. That very morning, at 10:05am local time I put one on hold. As of this writing I still need to pick it up and learn the sucker. No complaints here! I will do my best to get a grip on the device and provide time for everyone to mess around on this great new device.
There should be quite a bit of shop time after our hour + of talk and demos, so we would love to get everyone trading tips and and cards.
Dr Rex: a loop playback device, which slices prerecorded samples into manageable, bitesize units (parallel variant for Ableton warp markers)
NN-19: a simple sampler, which loads pre-recorded instrumental and vocal sounds
NN-XT: an advanced sampler, which features the option of tweaking the various modulation, oscillation and filter parameters of a preloaded sample or patch
Well, I have returned form my wonderful international travel and other assorted excitement and I am proud to take credit for all 10 of the free Live packs available now at http://www.ableton.com/able10-artist-packs. Like is hinted, I have had nothing to do with these free live packs, but I will take credit.
Regardless of my (temporarily displaced) ethos click on over and get your free packs.
As for meet up #2 – James Tobin will be presenting us with information on using Ableton as a sequencer / controller with reason (via rewire). Reason is NOT my forte, but I will be dropping a formal release on James (who has a great resume and experience and is super knowledgeable) and details.
Also – I will be presenting the Novation Launchpad for all to geek out on. If there is anyone out there who has mastered this unit please contact me, I just got mine on hold yesterday (the day of release) and have a big hill to climb.
I have been in contact with various people who want to collaborate and fin help, so be sure to socialize!
We will also talk about Colorado Music Lab’s (pre) birth – where Ableton Denver will find an official home (OMFG we have an office with a studio, lab, and stage).
Get excited and stand by for more…
And, I am summing up all the week+ news (holy crap I got a lot of feeds to eat up).
Week of 19October2009 “Bring the Cold” Edition : The weather is chilling up out there and that means my tube amps and power supplies will turn into heaters instead of the summer sweat lodge.
Events:
Next Meet Up is 22November2009 at the Walnut Room. Watch for the official Post! Put it on your calender right now!
Friday 23Oct2009 at the D-Note [[[http://dnote.us]]] Darren Kramer is live with Live (Ableton). Darren’s site. Here is a snippet:
“ELECTRIC QUARTET” Latest Release! FEATURING “Electric” Horns and B3 Organ. PERFORMING Original Funk, Jazz & Soul A brand new 4-piece DKO group that primarily features improvisation and the use of high-tech electronics and loops to create innovative sounds and unique textures.
Beta 23Oct2009 : Mochipet @ Beta BPL w Spectre & Ale Fillman – info at Facebook
Via Gear Junkies : At this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), 365LIVE and Media Satellite present a series of workshops and audiovisual jam sessions, including an introduction to Ableton Max for Live, a fully integrated tool kit for making your own instruments, effects and extensions in Ableton Live 8. More info is available here.
Various
If you are not aware of http://www.remixcomps.com you should be. If you are an infected mushroom fan there is a remix comp going on right now.
2010 Bent festival calling for performers – goto Matrixsynth for information.
Matrix Synth has this link on how to build a synth. I looked over some of this and found it slow moving but interesting. The content is hard to move along without either getting boring or wooshing by too quick. Why do I mention this? Because there are so many people pushing synthesis with no idea of the roots or principles of synthesis (Did you know that a Hammond organ tone wheel is a mechanical synthesizer or additive synthesis)
What is a vocoder? Here is the answer, vocoded of course.
There is a video titled “Mickey Mouse Abuse” I placed here. Well, here is an interview of Kamoni (the artist) on Phuq Radio
Beginning Max Demo (vimeo) “How do you make an application in Max” – Get yourself ready. The Fed’s or duct tape ain’t gonna help you! (Only you can prevent large bears from wearing park ranger hats).
Editors note on Max for Live: There is going to be a lot of fun out of the box stuff available, but I want to say that we are entering a world of programming with this application. Please send me notes on this topic. I am seeing traditional programming ideas in Max more so than any other software packages. I work in this field and I would love to talk more on the topic where it gets deep.
Flame, uhh. Get ready. Well, first off, these are the cats who make the “Talking Synth” (it uses a vocal processing chip instead of a traditional oscillator – way cool). Well, they have some amazing MIDI gear also. Start here the site is harder to navigate than it should be, but there are some real gems.
Live Block control surface (demo) by Livid. Really good stuff! Info via Syntopia.
Is this hardware, hard wear, software, or soft wear? Regardless – This is cool, jump into your own (damn) control surface. . ***Not recommended for anyone with bladder issues***
Music "soft wear" - more here.
New midi controller series from M-Audio. From what I see, this is more like an update of the Oxygen series. I am not too clear on the changes – my use of M-Audio products is almost none. I welcome input or reviews! Send me a message.
Elextro Harmonix has released the Memory Boy “AnalogDelay – 550ms of delay time with Chorus and Vibrato” . Fun stuff. These guys have a warm place in my heart.
Tascam, the steady hitters in the audio interface game have dropped another solid unit – the US-2000
the quote:
TASCAM has announced the US-2000, a new one rackspace 16-input audio interface that’s expected to sell for under $500.
Super major FYI here – Touchprone make a bunch of fringe MIDI and similar items. The ebay store – one handy unit is the In line sync start-stop – here is an auction link . This is somethin every MIDI person should know about. There are several companies out there producing, this is but one option for inline start-stops.
Free SPL attacker plugin (via gear Junkies) “SPL celebrates one year of Analog Code and give away one Attacker per computer.” Direct link.
Free Jazz Guitar pack for Knotakt via Synthopia. Pettinhouse has released WarmJazzFREE, a jazz guitar sample library for Kontakt.
Another case of “show your age” – Remember the Korg M1? In our part of town this keyboard was the total “cat’s meow” for live Latino music in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Well, here is a link for a free sample pack via Synthipoa.
Circuit Bent Sounds library via Synthopia here is the quote:
Loopmasters has introduced Circuit Bent Sounds 2, a collection of bastardized electronics, twisted circuits, rewired technology and warped audio.
Pretty cheap and tons of sounds. Check out this page also.
I do not think I posted this – “The Future of Ableton Live” – interesting twist that came via Synthopia:
Well – I finished my Ableton Rig. This has been going on since February. My goals:
Fit into a “DJ Coffin” amount of space
Push Ableton harder than most – but do much of it in the analog / non-digital / out of Ableton world.
10 minute set up
Minimal wires (about 15 connections split evenly between power / USB – Firewire -MIDI / audio)
Ability to pick up the entire set up and move it on/off stage easily (this gets to be pretty important when playing live)
I have a ton of photos, I will be posting more information soon. This is one of my specialties – I mod gear, cases, controllers, etc and get TIGHT rigs together. My gigging key rig was always a total blast! My Ableton rig is even more killer. Here is a link to a Tumblog I keep regarding audio peripherals and technology. Watch for more links.
Finally – a minor blow to Denver. I am from NY also and aree with Oliver. However, there are a bunch of us whoare pushing the envelope.
This comes from Native Instruments but has a lot of generic “how to” tips for Vista (same tips different version) – If you use Vista / Windows you should go through this.
Akai is sponsoring Tresor Award contest (with Numark – the sister company with Alesis and others…). Editor note : I smoked the crossfader in a Numark mixer in 10 days. The contest seems to be “kid” orientated. The contest states “Open to 18-22 year old…”.
File under cool or fun?
Side Note:
I am sure everyone heard that Propeller Head’s Record is live (out of beta / need to pay for it now). Here is a post I bumped into on Synthtopia. For the record Record is “an electronic system designed to record, edit and play back digital audio”. Okay, movin’ on…
Synths and Gear:I am a synth head, more physical and less virtual. As much as this site is Ableton, synths really do make the world go ’round.
Either this will blow your freaking mind or you already know! The idea is simple – use images to synthesize sounds / music. I first ran into this through a friend of a friend here. (should we call him into Denver to demo some sick shit?) It was this Synthopia article that pointed me to http://photosounder.com/ and the flashback ensued.
Mix Cloud – the YouTube of Radio – did you know? Mark from Modulate This did! (They need to work on UI imho – took 5 clicks for a dumb user to get any results (youtube = 1 click) and buffering is not programmed correctly – no play while loading without click -GREAT START how ever!)
The 64 bit stuff is coming in for the Mac world such as the Gear Junkies report. Now remember, Windows was WAY ahead on the 64 bit curve. The problem was simple – few companies would write for XP 64 (with good reason) or for Vista 64 (with good reason). Keep your fingers crossed that Microsoft is not going to FAIL on version 7. I am seriously considering a move to Mc for all my mastering in studio (tracking os moving to Linux).
Faderpro.com is getting into re-mixing instruction.
And DNA has been ALL OVER the net this week, worth the mention because it really is amazing! DNA is Direct Note Access – allowing you to edit single notes in polyphonic recordings – sound like a dream, not any more. Info
Gearjunkies reports that the Voxengo Polysquasher version 2.1 update is now available for download here.
The end is near? DJ Hero? I have never played any of the *hero games (not my thing) – In fact, I jumped on Call of Duty on Friday to “Kill some Nazi’s” and only lasted 5 minutes before I decided to practice Ableton. So, here is a brightly colored Daft Punk DJ Hero spot!
I had 2 days of meetings making a post very difficult this week, I aim for a Monday review of the past week, so I am a little late! We did get out meet up begun!
NEWS and EVENTS:
Our FIRST meet up is announced: Sunday September 27 2009 at the Walnut Room (Denver) 6:30-9:00 pm FREE EVENT 21+
Here is a link to the event post on our site and a link meetup.org
Thanks for your support – go confirmif you have not already!
The New Deal is making 3 stops in Colorado. TND is a killer 3 piece House band – 90% improv and on top of my inspiration list. For information goto the band site. The stops are 9/24/2009 @ FT COLLINS, HODI’S HALFNOTE, 9/25/2009 @ BOULDER, FOX THEATRE and 9/26/2009 DENVER, GOTHIC THEATRE.
Friday the 18th – Boulder – Bring your support! VibeSquaD “Joyful Noise” CD Release Party @ The Fox Theater w/ EPROM & S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Tickets
Hope the Monolith Festival was fun for anyone who went. There were a few acts that seemed like a blast.
Here is a totally off topic article showing the stribe in use for non-musical needs.
Any Brian Eno Fans out there? Here is a Synthopia article with Brian Eno discussing composing. There are some other great links if you are into this sort of thing.
New video for the Wacom Nextbeat on YouTube.This looks cool, but the video did not sit well with me. Not my music possibly?
FREE STUFF
Reason Free-ness : For those who have Reason already and just purchased Record, the Record + Reason FX - a collection (download page) of insert and send effect patches, such as Auto Panning, Vocoder Effects, EQ Sweeps and many other desirable effects not obtainable in Record alone.
Free NOISE.SOFT Industrial VST plugin YouTube Video (sound only). The download is on the home page of NOISE.SOFT.
NI Traktor version 1.2. update available : Lots of new features for this well established platform. Download and information go to the NI site . Via Gear Junkies.Gear Junkies reports Snow Leopard Mac Operating System (version 10.6) device drivers for the V-Studio 100 are complete. Also from Gear Junkies – Tascam is Snow Leopard ready (US-122L, US-144, US-1641, FW-1082 and FW-1884, and others). Good Job Tascam!
I am a Leslie freak (I have a 122 that is mod’ed with speed control (custom UI – shocker I know) using a restored Fender Bassman head (1969). Now for all you synth-heads out there who have NOT run your favorite analogue synth through a (real) Leslie – it is bliss! So, check out this doo-dad the popped up in from Sweetwater. (approximately 24″ cube that weights 92 lb – ouch)
Heard of Ardour? Well you should. Floss Weekly gave it an episode. In brief Ardour is Linux based (and OSX) DAW software. Yeah, I am part Linux geek.
I just bumped into the genoQs Nemo, a rather interesting sequencing and MIDI device. The genoQs product page shows the product line. This Synthopia article gets to the point rather quickly.
This is interesting (via Sweetwater originally) – The Mackie Onyx-i series is taking some steps forward. This board really changed the landscape on DAW interfacing. I was really close to getting one, and still might. Oh, by the way, Mackie is reporting M-Powered compatibility, go to CDM for details
This was the week of Korg announcements. I have had a bunch of Korg gear over the years and I have always enjoyed the product line. Here are a few highlights of the new gear:
Korg microSampler : iPod ready (is this good or bad?) KAOSS+ effects included (read the articles for details). Seems to be a step forward for Korg (like some other releases), check it out, this looks like some fun! Synthopia article with un-boxing video.
Okay, this looks sexy the Korg SV-1 Stage Vintage PianoT : Depending on the build quality (super important for a performance board) this could be killer. I use a Nord Electro for performance and it is so amazing. The unique form certainly is cool, but this can also be a drawback. Wait and see on this Korg board.
This also looks super cool, thanks Gear Junkies! The next generation of Korg WAVEDRUM is on the way! January 2010 is the delivery date. Watch this item!
The Synth Glove – a modd’ed Nintendo Power Glove. I get confused watching the video. I don’t exactly like the music, but i *think* I like the potential.
Well, that is is for now. See you soon and keep tweaking your warp markers.
Wacom is entering the market with nextbeat (slow page load) – an “instrument for creative DJs” source Gear Junkies
Open source sequencer based on Arduino (and other) chips – I ran the page through a translator, here are the bullets (more on Arduino below):
1.Hardware Step Sequencer
2.8 marks a 8 patterns each with 16 steps
3.Each track can have its own MIDI channel (input, output)
4.Internal resolution of 24 pulses per 1 / 4 note (PPQN)
5.Inclusion of external MIDI devices
6.External and internal synchronization (play, stop, resume, clock)
7.Modifying the sequence during playback
Open-source software concept
Programming by Arduino IDE
Based on Atmel ATmega1280
USB interface for communication with the PC / MAC
MIDI interface (MIDI input, MIDI output)
Silicon 28 buttons, 2 rotary encoders with confirmation and an LCD display
Apparently this bag is APC40 friendly – how do you transport your APC?
Okay – this is just plain cool! Do you know Otto? Hardware for real time slice sample control – take a look…
Mark Mosher from Modulate This found a great video on how Depeche Mode is using Ableton to real time process the drum needs. Forget about the performance and DJ types of things you can do for a minute. This is enabling more “studio trickery” to enter the realm of live music.
Have you seen the “Squarepushin on the APC” video? This is fun:
New friends? I hope so – I was selling a blade server this past week and the buyer turned me onto a company in Boulder named Spark Fun. In short – they are a technology company and offer free (online) and pay-for classes (in person) classes on a lot of circuit technologies. Do you need to get your soldering chops up? Are you about to enter the Arduino chip programming area (like me)? This looks like a great local resource!
Arduino is a physical computing platform based on a simple open hardware design for a single-board micro-controller, with embedded I/O support and a standard programming language.
Well, here is a simple starter project from Spark Fun for a MIDI controller. This unit allows you to control MIDI how ever you want. I am not sure if this guy (next video) is using such a controller, but this is essentially the building block. (beware, this will freak you out a little):
Until next time – spread the coolness and thank you.
Don’t forget that you can remix Crystal Method http://www.indabamusic.com/featured_programs/show/tcm – I also put up my working skeleton version here http://content.abletondenver.com/5/crystal_method_come_back_clean.zip (Works is licensed source http://www.indabamusic.com/featured_programs/show/tcm : “Creative Commons Non-Commercial 3.0 license. This means you are free to promote your mix for non-commercial purposes. For more information on this license, go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/”)
More feeds coming! Let us know of any news feeds.
We are actively looking for a new FTP server.Right as we were kicking this live our server screwed us big time. I will not go into the details, but they lost all my business and caused many breaks in the site. Amazon / AWS is one consideration.
