Caribbean Steel Drum – Effectology
Electro-Harmonix Effectology, Vol.20 “The Caribbean Steel Drum Effect.”
By Bill Ruppert
Welcome to Electro-Harmonix’s “Effectology” series, in which we create a remarkable collection of impossible sounds using just a regular guitar and EHX effect pedals!
No keyboards, samplers or midi pickups were used.
In this episode I show how to turn a regular guitar into a Caribbean Steel Drum.
For pedal settings for this video visit the user forum at :
http://www.ehx.com/forums/viewthread/…
glitchmod – glitchDS in Reaktor
This is a cellular automaton sequencer in Reaktor based on the original “Life” sequencer, but simplified. It’s now available in the Reaktor user library. By Bret Truchan, the original GlitchDS author.
Credits:
– Co-author: Justice Emge
– Drum sounds from rhythm-lab.com
– Some samples from sampleswap.org
– Based on the original Life cellular automaton engine
Drums in the cloud – browser based machine
Patternsketch is an HTML5 and Javascript audio sequencer and drum machine.
Patternsketch is an HTML5 and Javascript audio sequencer and drum machine. With it, you can create audio patterns, play them back, adjust playback tempo, volume, and change the audio kit. You can also save, export, and collaborate with your friends.
Patternsketch is an excercise in imagining what browser based music tools could be, and an exploration in the possibilities of new web technologies. It was built with Javascript (no frameworks) and HTML5 (no flash).
The goal of this project was to create a tool that musicians and casual music fans could use to create music patterns and collaborate on rhythmic ideas with friends. We recognize the performance is currently unacceptable for serious use, but look forward to updates in browser technology to make tools like this a viable option for music lovers.
Interview with Swedish electro pop queen Emmon
Stereoklang got an interview with Emmon, real name is Emma Nylén, who has been very active in the Swedish and Scandinavian electro synthpop scene since several years back. She has been dubbed the title “Electro pop queen of Sweden”. Now the rumors are hot on the net that there is a new album on its way and Stereoklang caught up with her to ask her if this is true and also took the opportunity to talk about music production, DJ-ing and of course synthesizers, hard and soft. To find out more about her go here >>
There are frequent rumors that a new album is on its way, true or not?
That is true, and if all goes as planned, the third album with Emmon will be released on Wonderland Records in Sweden in the spring of 2011. “I am just now completing the final mixes to disk.” First single “Distance” from the album will be released in March. “In parallel we will head off to Berlin to record a video for single number two, which will be released later this spring.”
Will we recognize the sound from the previous album, or will it be pretty much the same?
“It will still probably sound very much Emmon but with some new influences. From the responses I received from people who have heard the new material, says the sound is a little darker and harder in the production. All songs emanates from what I think is exciting and inspiring. And since I’m most active in my music making during the darkest time of year so I think even that will to some extent color the music.”
Your last album was very much a classic synth pop record with all the right basses and melodies. What do you use in your music production process, the work in the studio and who is involved.
“Trying to describe a creative process is extremely difficult. There is no exact formula for creating music, it usually happens just by itself. For me it’s about finding the focus of a mood or feeling that you want to portray and then try to convey this in a good manner.
Previously I have done everything myself during the entire process, from writing songs, record, produce, mix and fix album art.”
This time Emmon has chosen to involve Jimmy Monell (mixed the album for the indie-op act Paris some time back). “He is extremely skilled and have worked a long time as an experienced musician and producer. We work very well together and we have the same taste when it comes to music and influences. He complements me incredibly well in many areas and is very easy to interpret what kind of feeling it is that I want to convey with my music and manage to enhance it further.”
What are your inspirations and how is your relationship to today´s electronic music scene?
“What inspire me the most are movies and pictures. As long as I can remember I have always related my creativity and music to images. A creation of a song probably works in much the same way as when directing the screenplay for a movie sequence. It’s all about feel and timing. Currently I am also very keen on horror movies, which probably also is reflected in some of my recent works. The dream would be to ever get the opportunity to make music for a really good film.
I listen to and find inspiration from many different genres of music but of course my heart beats a little extra hard for electronic music. I often seek music that is somewhat dark, and experimental and like bands and artists such as Crystal Castles, Salem, Simian Mobile Disco, The XX, Pj Harvey, The Cure and The Parallax Corporation etc
My vision for the new album has been to create a kind of epic horror film script of warped and mysterious music events while I at the same time wanted to come closer to the music, which once made me want to start creating electronic music.”
Craig Padilla Live at State Theater 1 – State of Mind
STATE OF MIND – This is the opening song to Craig Padilla’s February 2000 “Music for the Mind” performance at the historical State Theater in Red Bluff, CA. This benefit concert (for the State Theater and Red Bluff Skate Park) featured Padilla’s vintage analog and digital synthesizers, as well as a cool light show from Morpheus Lighting.
Modular Evila synthesizer – an evil girl
This is my modular Evila synthesizer I built in 2011. I finally had the time to record an audio demo of the evil girl. She is capable of some very wicked sounds.
Via bluelantern320
New Erasure album to be released in Autumn
In a tweet Vince Clarke announced that the new Erasure album is going be released in the Autumn and not in Summer like previously announced. Clarke got the news from ‘the record company’, Mute that is. But before that the Erasure camp needs to sort out which producer they are going to work with and that seems to be a hurdle at the moment so it seems. Says Vince Clarke in a tweet: “Erasure producer negotiations are stalled. The ‘manager’ is having hemorrhoid issues…I really need to get to the bottom of this!”. We reached out to Vince Clarke for more info.
Sara Noxx and Mark Benecke – Where the Wild Roses Grow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afYAAszb6bY
The new official video from Sara Noxx:
“Where the wild roses grow” is a highly emotional mix of electronic music and charismatic whispers, a musical epos that leads us into hidden parts of our desires – we hope and dream and suffer with our two protagonists in their addictive round dance.
www.saranoxx.com
www.benecke.com
Cool Music Hackday Project – Invisible Instruments, Made with Gestures
Invisible Instruments, the winning hack by Tim Soo, began at the Boston event. Using Max/MSP and OSCulator, a Wiimote, and iPod touch, the instruments emulate a violin, drum pads
Human Contact Synth
This is my second take on this type of device. It is played by bridging the connection between the two plates. The more contact made the higher the pitch. You can experiment with friends by making a human chain of resistance.
With a very minimal design this synth is carved into a single piece of salvaged wood with an aged looking stain. Aside from the two contact plates you have a power switch and indicator light. There is 1/4″ output so it is easy to connect to amps, effects, or recording equipment.
It is powered by an internal 9v battery that is hidden under the left plate. Although the battery will last extremely long it is important to be sure to replace all washers and the contact wire around one screw when changing the battery.
DATAMASKIN
