Decided to have a bit play with some of the sounds in Absynth. I can't make up my mind with Absynth. It can produce some interesting sounds but getting a more traditional synth noise out of it is not really it's forte.
Some doodling later and I have a track that may or may not go someplace. I will just have to work on it.
Absynth 4 is about to be released. The update/upgrade doesnt seem too costly so I will probably go for it. Live 6 first however.
Meanwhile Native Instruments are about to release Massive which looks more like the kind of thing I would like. Of course what I really want is the Virus TI but that will have to wait a wee while. Next year I hope. Early next year. The Virus is quite simply awesome. It delivers on several 'needs': a nicely sized keyboard (61 keys) and provides a immensely powerful voice & fx generator. It is a must have. Did I mention it can do all its audio over USB? That it plugs into your DAW via VST?
Knowing my luck they will discontinue it just before I can buy it.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
The Mouse Wheel
Once in a while I get seriously frustrated attempting to make fine adjustments on some VST/DAW or other music software. Sure I could spend some time binding my Axiom to the damn thing but I would rather be writing than programming.
The quick and easy solution is right there. On most of our rodent pointers. Its called a mouse wheel. Why oh why oh why isnt the wheel used for control?
Well first up it seems that most instruments dont allow sliders, knobs and the rest to take 'focus'. And those that do ignore the wheel anyway.
Or maybe this is a Logitech mouse user problem since that is what I point with.
Sigh.
Are you listening DAW & VST makers?
The quick and easy solution is right there. On most of our rodent pointers. Its called a mouse wheel. Why oh why oh why isnt the wheel used for control?
Well first up it seems that most instruments dont allow sliders, knobs and the rest to take 'focus'. And those that do ignore the wheel anyway.
Or maybe this is a Logitech mouse user problem since that is what I point with.
Sigh.
Are you listening DAW & VST makers?
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Bloody tired
Having got all excited about the OP-X, I have not even got near it to make a noise.
I am so damn tired at the moment. Not a good feeling for creativity.
It is easy to write about negative stuff. And tired as I am, that is what is foremost in my mind. Work. Life. The Universe. Everything.
I need some serious downtime and relaxation. No hassles and stresses. Of course that is not going to happen. You just have to get on with it and weather spikes of 'bad things happening'.
I am so damn tired at the moment. Not a good feeling for creativity.
It is easy to write about negative stuff. And tired as I am, that is what is foremost in my mind. Work. Life. The Universe. Everything.
I need some serious downtime and relaxation. No hassles and stresses. Of course that is not going to happen. You just have to get on with it and weather spikes of 'bad things happening'.
Monday, September 11, 2006
OP-X: Virtual Oberheim
A VST simulation of the classic OB-X:
This is such an awesome synth - I simply cannot wait to get tweaking!
This is such an awesome synth - I simply cannot wait to get tweaking!
Better beta?
Time for something new. The beta blogger is now the underlying tech for my blog and I am going to be 'playing' a little with the new features.
Please try not to notice.
Please try not to notice.
Revolution State 2
Now that I have had time to listen to the album all I can say is wow. 'Ec0-Terror' must be a classic whatever the case, it is now on my favs list.
Do yourself a favour and buy this album!
More info here: revstate.com
I would post you an iTunes link but they never seem to work.
Do yourself a favour and buy this album!
More info here: revstate.com
I would post you an iTunes link but they never seem to work.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Revolution State
Well how could I resist with VAC screaming check them out? So I did.
And lo and behold their album Revolution State vs NoiseKatt is on iTunes.
If you like a heavy, dark techno-industrial sound, you will surely like this.
And lo and behold their album Revolution State vs NoiseKatt is on iTunes.
If you like a heavy, dark techno-industrial sound, you will surely like this.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Audio Recovery
I am gradually recovering some material I recorded with Frank what must have been around 1989? 1990? I really can't remember.
It brings back memories. That was a fun time... all the struggles with dodgy MIDI cables. Dodgy PA systems that could never quite cope with our backline. A terrifying trip in high winds to Frank's hometown and the desperate run home.. desperately trying to stay awake!
The tape has lots of sentimental value for both Frank and myself. Happy days.
I am also learning more about Sony's SoundForge 8. It seems a rather complex piece of kit and I have much to learn methinks. Oh well. Better get on with it.
It brings back memories. That was a fun time... all the struggles with dodgy MIDI cables. Dodgy PA systems that could never quite cope with our backline. A terrifying trip in high winds to Frank's hometown and the desperate run home.. desperately trying to stay awake!
The tape has lots of sentimental value for both Frank and myself. Happy days.
I am also learning more about Sony's SoundForge 8. It seems a rather complex piece of kit and I have much to learn methinks. Oh well. Better get on with it.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
xdrive
I have just set up an account with xdrive. First 30 days free.
I am hoping this service will provide the means to share material with Frank so we can get this collaboration thing moving.
As ever, time will tell.
I am hoping this service will provide the means to share material with Frank so we can get this collaboration thing moving.
As ever, time will tell.
The Goth test
Hrm... could be right...
You scored as Industrial/Rivet-Head. You're a rivet-head. You like industrial music, warehouses, and you are a minion of the machines. Click on my name to take my other tests if you liked this one.
What subcategory of Goth best fits you? created with QuizFarm.com |
MySpace Chug
I have a MySpace entry but boy is that site overloaded. Or at least that is how I read the incredibly long load times and malfunctioning web toys.
I suspect that the site will suffer an exodus unless they deal with the poor performance.
And they want to sell unsigned bands music? I can't see it working unless they get serious about some kit to support the activity. Watch this space eh? Well. MySpace.
I suspect that the site will suffer an exodus unless they deal with the poor performance.
And they want to sell unsigned bands music? I can't see it working unless they get serious about some kit to support the activity. Watch this space eh? Well. MySpace.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Guitar woes
Not that I ever liked the damn thing, but my Washburn KC70 is knackered. No sound so I guess something 'technical' is broke. I suppose I could get it fixed. Or. I could just explore using samples. Hey if its good for the Young Gods its gotta be good for me. Right?
Meantime I am starting to explore some of the other 'soft' synths. Lets talk Reason.
Reason is my workhorse. My musical Swiss Army Knife. I use it all the time and I use it first. It is so easy to use and is pretty much all I could use if I were so inclined. There is one small chink in Reasons armour. The sound quality just isnt quite right. It is hard to put my finger on it but it lacks that sparkle. That something special that makes it stand out.
I do feel a bit of a nit picker saying this. It is SUCH a good tool. And you cannot argue with how very little it costs your PC in CPU cycles. But the sound isnt quite there.
So I have started to use Absynth 3. I first used it on a bass sound for a track and that change rescued the track. It really lifted the whole thing. Absynth loves CPU though so use sparingly. The quality of its sounds encourage you to go overboard but do that and your system will be brought to its knees.
Oh and 80% of the supplied sound libary is junk. Why do they assembly libraries full of demo cak?
Next up: Kontakt 2 and guitar samples.
Meantime I am starting to explore some of the other 'soft' synths. Lets talk Reason.
Reason is my workhorse. My musical Swiss Army Knife. I use it all the time and I use it first. It is so easy to use and is pretty much all I could use if I were so inclined. There is one small chink in Reasons armour. The sound quality just isnt quite right. It is hard to put my finger on it but it lacks that sparkle. That something special that makes it stand out.
I do feel a bit of a nit picker saying this. It is SUCH a good tool. And you cannot argue with how very little it costs your PC in CPU cycles. But the sound isnt quite there.
So I have started to use Absynth 3. I first used it on a bass sound for a track and that change rescued the track. It really lifted the whole thing. Absynth loves CPU though so use sparingly. The quality of its sounds encourage you to go overboard but do that and your system will be brought to its knees.
Oh and 80% of the supplied sound libary is junk. Why do they assembly libraries full of demo cak?
Next up: Kontakt 2 and guitar samples.
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