Front 242
Before the weekend starts 
As one of the most commercially successful industrial acts of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Front 242 still adhered to the gritty, stripped-down basics of industrial rock even after finding limited commercial success.
Forming in Belgium in 1981, Front 242 took the minimalist ethos of post-punk acts such as Public Image Ltd. and combined them with techno sounds, pioneering the harsh sounds of industrial rock. Industrial sounds were intended to reflect modern industrial society, both through a reliance upon technology reflecting modern production methods and through the band’s attitude toward making music.
With massive, pounding beats generated through a drum machine rather than a live player providing Front 242 a heavy backbone for its harsh sounds, the band emphasized its synthetically produced sounds. With steady machine-like tempos pushed out by drum machines, Front 242 further strengthened the link between its sound and industrial production.
While heavy beats dominate the band’s sound, other aspects shine through musically. Keyboards and synthesizers pump minimalist melodies throughout each song, and guitar work is held to a similarly withdrawn sound. With a combination of grating, repetitive sounds and random bursts of modest harmonics, Front 242’s style was designed to both embrace and assault listeners.
Full story here >>
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPpUFBVSyWs]
Have a nice weekend
C=iao
Reason 4 Sequencer and ReGroove Tutorials
The new sequencer in Reason 4 is a much longed for upgrade, but for the ones who are new to sequencers or who are very used to the old version in Reason 3 – should really take a look at these three videos. However I am more thrilled to see that they have finally entered some video tutorials for the ReGroove mixer – which at first sight looks simple, but I´m still trying to figure out all the details….
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvK2tmSDPFs]
Overview with James Bernard the highlights in the new Sequencer like multiple note lanes and control lanes, easy manipulation of the note clips (copy, cut, split, joint, mute, color etc), vector automation, inspector, the new dub, the tool window (legato, randomisation, razor) etc:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=303TxvkwdPI]
Part 1 – This part covers basic concepts: new interface, track for each devices etc.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq1vAwNMe9U]
Part 2 – This part covers recording details with the new sequencer: creating new alternates, merge note lanes, recording automation
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAHV8PgLleQ]
Part 3 – This part covers editing details: masking, comparing note clips with the inspector, using the tools, editing automations, editing patterns etc
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-koUvvJKY4]
Enjoy using the new Reason!
Cool new Kaossilator from KORG
The KAOSSILATOR is a new pocket sized instrument that packs Korg’s world renowned synth sound along with innovative performance features into an ultra-compact unit. Anyone can instantly play musical phrases by simply tapping or sliding their finger across the KAOSSILATOR’s touch pad — no previous skills required! The KAOSSILATOR is a portable, travel friendly device that runs on batteries, so you can have fun creating music anywhere your life takes you, with seemingly endless possibilities
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeQOuNBuJwg]
De/Vision
It’s been some time since I listened to De/Vision, I still have some problems with their Depeche wanna-be style, but their latest album Noob has some qualities, at least as a background running a car home from a much fatter party….
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7440kGrPvk]
De/Vision have been among the leading representatives of the Electro / Synth-Pop genre for almost twenty years and their constant open-mindedness towards new influences and forms of expression is without doubt one of the fundamental factors for enduring success of this band. Last year’s “Best Of” album contained a wide range of exceptionally gifted pop anthems, including the exclusive “Love Will Find A Way”, recorded specifically for the compilation and Thomas and Steffen’s first real compositional collaboration with their production team Schumann & Bach. This new collaboration worked so well that “Noob” was recorded entirely by this tried and tested gang of four.
The pleasing result of this new working method is an album that sparkles with lightly shimmering Electro-Pop gems. Songs such as “Death Of Me”, “What You Deserve”, “Living Fast Dying Young”, the promo single “Flavour Of The Week’ or the new version of “Love Will Find A Way” flow with invigorating lightness, De/Vision immersing
themselves in melancholy dream worlds with “See What I See”, and above all this hovers a nostalgic retro feeling that brings to mind the band’s musical roots. “Noob” finds De/Vision embarking ( to some extent ) on a journey back to the 80’s, a time of busy experimentation in the resurrected Electro scene, meticulously merging pop, rock and ambient elements.
Tuesday afternoon with a Nintendo Chip Reason Refill
Nintendo NES Wave Pack Demo Refill – 12MB zipped. An extremely limited but free version of the refill in our store.
My suggestion – downlaod the demo and find out for yourself if its useful
This is what the manufacturers saying about it;
Do you want to make chip tunes? Or integrate the sound of the Nintendo NES into your music? You do not have to buy the NES or mess around old gear and software that doesnt quite emulate that natural sound 8 bit sound. These are profesionally recorded samples at 24 bit 96khz bit rate directly from the NES output on the back of the machine. People will actually think you have an NES with midi. This CD Includes all wave files of every type of synthesis that the NES is capable of! Every Square wave, Sine, Noise, and even 8-bit percussive samples. Already pre-packed for use as reason refills, these raw uncompressed, unedited samples will give you the power of NES inside your computer x infinity.
These are right out of the back of the NES and professionally mastered. Song templates are for Reason 3.0. The chip collection philosophy is to give you the highest sample rate, and to limit the amount of digital artifacts in your final product. All WAVE files are exposed and editable! Can be imported into other samplers.
Exciting or horrible with AndOne
Normally these attempts are horrible, LOL
“Bodypop 1 1/2” is the newest release from And One featuring a string of covers. According to singer Steve Naghavi the choice for this EP was made when he noticed that today’s scene youth has no idea of the essential anthems from “our good, old musical heroes”. As a result the band covered classics by Depeche Mode (“Never Let Me Down Again”), Front 242 (“Operating Tracks”), D.A.F (“Der Mussolini”), Nitzer Ebb (“I Give to You”) and The Cure (“Kyoto Song”). The band also added two more live cover versions on top next to a bonus video clip for “Steine sind Steine”. Released on Out Of Line and available from December 14th, 2007 on. Recommended! Tracklist:
Never let me Down Again
Operating Tracks
Der Mussolini
I Give To You
Kyoto Song
The Walk (live)
Fools (live)
CD –Rom Track �Steine Sind Steine” Video
And of course as usual an AndOne video to enjoy – spice up your day
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7hhVWXAPjY]
VFX Nostalgia – Remember "Dark Ware"
DarkWare products were produced from June’05 till December’05. The first public DarkWare release was El Fuego, the last public Darkware release was Glitch Jockey (arguably The Nightmare Machine could be considered the final release). DarkWare products were featured in a variety of electronic music software magazines (Computer Music, Future Music, DTMM, etc.), and quickly amassed a cult following. However, after nearly 30 DarkWare releases, Jack got tired of producing freeware VST. Thusly in January ’06, Jack ended DarkWare permanently so he could start selling commercial VST called NOVUZEIT.
Dark Ware is freeware, download as much as you want here >>
According to themseleves:
If you think DarkWare is good you will be blown away by NOVUZEIT.
Commodore 64 – VST – a little beauty
basic64 is inspired by the 8 bit sounds of the classic Commodore 64.
It’s not a straight emulation, but is based around the SID chip with some extras for that 8-bit retro game sound, lofi gritty noises or just plain oddness
features
– 16, 8 or 6 bit sound quality
– 3 oscs, each with their own ADSR envelope
– oscillators can be sync’d and ring modulated by each other
– pitch envelope modulation
– pitch wobble option, for subtle instability
– 2 tempo-sync LFO’s to modulate pitch, cut-off and pulse width
– LFO’s have attack/release curves
– tempo-sync arpegiator
– flexible routing to state variable filter (LP, HP & BP)
– envelopes can be reset or continuous at retrigger
– monophonic or polyphonic option
– midi learn / midi CC support
– 128 presets by sinkmusic & WhiskeyPriest
TB 303 – VST
Spectralhead Audio has released SilverBox, a VST instrument plug-in for Windows based on Roland’s legendary TB-303. Finally someone who honors the old vintage legends :-). Just a pitty its only available on Windows – shape up guys.
Features :
- Authentic monophonic analog bassline emulation
- Easy-to-use interface
- Oscillator with saw/square waveforms
- 18 dB/oct. analog modeled multimode filter, lowpass/highpass/bandpass modes
- Sequencer with piano roll, accent & slide
- Variable pattern length (1-16)
- Advanced randomize functions
- 16x oversampled distortion with minimum aliasing (soft, hard clipping, soft foldback, hard foldback)
- Optimized DSP code using SIMD instructions
- Customizable MIDI CC automation
What the manufacturers claim:
At the beginning of the 80s, a new bass synth appeared on the market. Aimed at bass-guitarists, it featured an in-built sequencer with slides and accents. Only about a decade later did it become one of the most popular instruments in certain styles of acid, techno, house and trance music. Since that, numerous copies and software and hardware emulations have been born, which all try to grasp the character of this wonderful synth. We did our best to reincarnate this instrument as an authentic-sounding, convenient and easy-to-use VSTi plugin. Countless hours were spent on analysis and measurements, with the goal of making the most-authentic sounding emulation. As a result of the research, SilverBox was born, 25 years after the creation of the machine.
Nintendo Museum and YMCK 8Bit
Rumors has it that japanese chiptune popstars YMCK will unleash some new blippy efforts this month and they are on a European tour. YMCK is the 8bit pop unit formed by 3 persons.The most prominent feature of the band is the 8bit sound that reminds people old game consoles, which attracts the enthusiastic support from wide range of generations.
The 1st album “Family music” released in 2004 made a big hit and made their popularity unassailable.
Their unique style of live performances using 8bit pixel animation is also highly acclaimed.
Their activities are not limited in Japan but also made successes in performing at international music festivals around the world: in Sweden, New York, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea, and CDs are released in United States, Thailand, and South Korea. Besides those things above, YMCK does a wide range of activities, such as remix works, video game sound tracks, DJ performances, development of 8bit sound plug-in software etc.
Listen to samples of YMCK’s brand of 8-bit, sugarsweet vocal music here while waiting patiently for a reputable importer to carry the dot-pin set.
And while you are in Japan why not take a tour at the Nintendo Museum, good fun:
C=iao
DATAMASKIN
