BBC Tomorrow’s World Fairlight CMI from 1980 Kieran Prendiville
Not seen this before on YouTube so I’ve put it up for the Fairlight video collectors out there.
Kieran Prendiville bashes out a tune on a new synthesiser that can sample real sounds! Revolutionary for 1980 and now so main stream. One of TW’s hit predictions.
He’s wrong when he says the Fairlight (well he never actually mentions it’s a Fairlight) “mathematically works out” the sound. It doesn’t synthesise the sound which is the impression Kieran Prendiville is giving. He’s also wrong when he says “those aren’t recordings”. They are of course, sounds sampled into memory as we all know and love.
Although the tape based Mellotron from 15 years or so earlier than this was used to play back sound effects 😉
I’m not so keen on his mugging to camera though. Probably a struggling actor coming out of him. Maybe that’s why he wrote “Ballykissangel” 😀
Ion Discovery Keyboard + CCK + iPad 2
Background info to this video:
Trying the very portable USB controller Ion Discovery connected to my iPad 2, using only the Camera Connection Kit and an USB Cable. The Ion Discovery can work perfectly without external power.
Petri – sample player that generates its own sequences
Sineqube has released Petri, a sample player that generates its own sequences and selects up to eight random samples from a folder of your choosing.
It was designed to create glitchy, IDM-inspired drum patterns very quickly. More than simply creating randomized sequences, Petri uses a series of probability algorithms that respond to however sparse or dense you would like the patterns to be, simply by dragging a slider.
If you prefer, all randomization can be turned off, and Petri can instead be used as a traditional sample player with sequences input by hand using a familiar 8×8 matrix editor. With a quick-start guide built into the program, mouse-over hints over most features, and a full manual, you’ll be creating patterns that rival your favorite electronic musicians in no time.
Petri v1.0 features
- Probabilistic randomization — control how sparse or dense you want your randomized sequences to be.
- Randomized pitch, sample choice, sequencing, and granular playback makes creating unpredictable percussion loops an effortless walk in a serendipitous park.
- Load a folder of aif or wavs to populate 8 channels of sequencing.
- Disengage all randomization to use Petri like a traditional sample player.
- Familiar 8 x 8 sequence grid enables quick sequence building on the fly.
- Hot keys for most-used functions allow for easy live performing.
- Extensive mouse-over hint system, quick start guide, and full manual makes Petri very easy to learn.
- Signal-rate synced tempo provides accurate timing.
- Tap-tempo.
- Auto-filtering with randomization features.
- Preset saving.
- Record to disk.
Petri for Mac is available to purchase for $30 USD.
Ableton Live Tutorials: Audio Interface
This tutorial walks the brand new Live user through the necessary & basic steps of setting up and connecting your Audio Interface to use with Ableton Live.
Part 1 of a new series featuring Ableton’s lead clinician Huston Singletary
Bowed Bucket Bass library for Kontakt
Tonehammer has announced the release of a new custom Bowed Bucket Bass library for Kontakt.
This is what happens when you build an instrument out of a 5 gallon plastic bucket, a wooden 4×4 and some cello strings. The bucket was fitted with tuning lugs and drilled out to allow individual strings to pass through, using the bottom wall as the bridge, so that sound projected outward and down. Then a 4×4 wooden beam was affixed to the bucket and the strings were then stretched up the heavy wooden neck, roughly nailed in place and hand-tuned. Remember that old string and paper cup trick from when you were a kid? Think bigger.
Bowing the strings produces a surprisingly clean, yet rich and beefy sound, with plenty of growl and low end and a nice bite. It’s perhaps a little similar to an electric cello, but with a special rawness and plenty of body. For the percussion elements, Tonehammer simply banged on it like an idiot, producing sounds exactly as you’d expect – plastic bucket drums. They captured various bowed articulations from both inside and outside of the bucket and also plugged in custom polyphonic Sim-legato and Uberpeggiator systems in a number of the articulations, just for kicks. And of course, as a bonus, they’ve also created a variety of very cool lead, pad, ambient droning and unique special effect presets to take it to the next level.
The library includes 29 instruments, 545 MB, 568 Samples and bonus custom convolution reverb impulse files.
This is a standard open-format library, so the full retail version of Kontakt 3.5 or later required. The Free “Player” does not support it.
It’s available for an intro price of only $24 (price goes to $29 on May 12th).
Visit the Bowed Bucket Bass product page here.
Suzy Q – Computer Music (Club Mix) 1985
http://youtu.be/85ACdDORapo
♫♪ Classic HI NRG ♫♪
MPK49 Pads Mod Tutorial -Increase sensitivity and accuracy
AfroDJMac quickly takes you, step by step, through his customization of his prized Akai MPK49. This will increase sensitivity and accuracy. The principles here are the same as the MPD 32 upgrade seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZViS288WH4 and here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mI4SutQJpQ. Big thanks to these guys for sharing their knowledge!
In this video, I placed a rectangle of duct tape and then 6 rectangles of painters tape on each pad. The result is a MUCH sturdier feel and more accurate pads. It now feels comparable to an MPC 1000. Highly recommended and easy mod. Totally makes me want to do more finger drumming, Plus you’ll learn something about the insides of your gear!
Circuit Bent Coleco Talking Teacher
First demo of my Circuit Bent Coleco Talking Teacher showing some of the sounds and mods available.
For all lucky people in Los Angeles – Yellow Magic Orchestra
The biggest names in Japanese pop music gather for this once-in-a-lifetime concert spanning genres and generations. Electro-pop pioneers YMO return for their first L.A. show since 1979, plus a Cibo Matto reunion, rare U.S. appearances by Buffalo Daughter and DJ Towa Tei, traditional kabuki dance, taiko drumming, visuals, and more!
Time
Sunday, June 26 · 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location
Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Avenue
Hollywood, CA
Moog Voyager meets Electro-Harmonix Vocoder
Check out this setup. When using the Voyager’s Mixer Out/Filter In jack with a vocoder like this, the vocoder’s mic input becomes a portal for injecting rhythm into your Voyager patches. When that rhythm is MIDI Clock Synced, things get really fun, really fast.
DATAMASKIN
