jicarc_02

Well, I should probably have waited longer but didn't.

http://jointintelligencecommittee.bandcamp.com/album/jicarc-02-chirpy-thumptums

Did I tell you the story of Bob and Geoff yet? If not, I should. Pat thought Bob needed a companion (actually he showed no signs of it). Anyway, Geoff is a little dwarf cutie, we thought it best Bob get to be alpha male. In a world where the alpha male humps any other rabbit he meets, that is. Poor Geoff just looked startled and we hoped Bob would get it out of his system. Not so far and we had to step in.

Pat can sort 'em I'm sure. He's Geoff a short while after his first meeting with Bob. Bob was smoking a cigar by this time and gazing blearily into space.

Started new tune, have 5 to master and upload but wanted to do more. Amusingly they want no vocal versions at all. Won't even get chance to show them the other tracks I have in preparation, it's almost like they don't want many tracks. Ah well.

jicarc_01

No thoughts for today (except "a sunny bank holiday, WTF???!!!"), just a link to the freebie download of the first of the JIC archives. No editing or tidying or ordering or owt, just a straight grab from a CDR made at the time. Future archives may receive some attention but this was such a pleasant surprise I wanted to let it free "as is". It's from May 2005 and there are parts I barely recognise or remember. I'm sure the archive will show there are a LOT of tracks we never did 'finished' versions of, and by that I mean "neatly performed from start to finish", or something. Actually I have no idea what it means. :)

http://jointintelligencecommittee.bandcamp.com/album/jicarc-01-the-missing-dimensions

There's a lot of Headshock material to listen through also but the JIC pile is, by far, the biggest.

Sun on a Sunday

Glorious day. I found some more pix of Phil and gathered together as many CDRs as I can see without really digging. There's enough to keep me going, way more than Headshock and after that my own stuff and Ideation trail far behind. Phil left me a lot of treasure..

... and if he'd got his way we'd have recorded even more. Maybe "record everything" is the best way - but only if you multitrack. Otherwise it's just so many frustrating might-have-beens. IMHO.

I put on one at Random, from May 05, and already it's wonderful. A dubby track with a weird voice sample. I'd forgotten about this yet listened to quite a bit at one time.

Colin left me a P3 and I'm so glad to play it again. I think you can forget the speed compromises over time as you're tempted by more features and other fripperies. In fact less functions but a good set - doesn't have to be perfect or exhaustive, in fact quite good to leave out something you have to devise cunning solutions to. Like the thing I did with Scenes in Cirklon/Octatrack that is really quite darn useful.

So why is the P3 still so cool? Only 8 tracks, limited? Small screen, only 8 fixed Parts...etc.
It's fast, really fast with those buttons - so much faster to hit several in succession than push a small round encoder. Playlists rule! Simple Part chaining works as you'd want. Have restricted it to Perfourmer, think they're perfect together so far. May include ESX sample tracks as yore, we'll see. Probably won't take ESX to Awakenings but interesting things done with the Octatrack might be fun. Can prepare all tracks for Cm in advance. That thing needs a pattern transpose option.

An odd Friday

Odd it was but we got through it. We were almost late for the funeral despite setting off in good time. The satnav took us to a closed road but we managed to get past that only to struggle with the idea that Cemetry Road is split into two and entering just a postcode and a random street number got us at the wrong end. We got there with a few minutes to spare and it started a bit late. Lots of people there, surprising number of family and as soon as it was obvious it would be a religious service, we headed for the back and maintained a respectful silence. These things are sometimes more about the family than the deceased and at least my t-shirt went down very well, Phil's mum asked about it so I'm going to get one done for her. We talked about doing a party for his party friends and of course I agreed to play. Will be odd playing to these guys without Phil with me.

So that was it really and I still feel, I don't know how to put it, dislocated. Probably the wrong word but maybe there is no right one. I'm gonna throw myself into work, which I can do as there's two new reviews suddenly lined up, plus having Colin around I was able to get the drum machine upgraded (and get some in-depth thoughts about its construction). I think the soldering is quite small and I might have buggered it up had I done it myself.

Colin left me an early production P3. It's fitted with a brill yellow PLED and it should satisfy my needs for a P3, plus we talked more about the alternate OS where the P3 can double as a controller for Cirklon and give the best of both worlds.

Pat's been doing lots of overtime, I really will be glad when she cuts back.

The seasons roll on and we're all in transit ourselves. RIP mate, you'll be dearly missed.

Under the Dome

Not an amazing invention by Stephen King but a device I used in my novel Future Art Factory, almost in passing really. Still I like SK and would even forgive him if he'd deliberately nicked the idea from me, which I'm sure he hasn't. The day he needs to poach ideas from me will be the darkest days of his writing career. :)

Sent review in this morning, still could've messed around with some of the wording for a while yet but it says what I wanted to say. I left out the cool info about the filter in the end because it seemed to overbalance it slightly. Sadly had to have a boxing session just now as they're going back for more pix so I'll have to wait in line for when one comes available for real. Hey ho.

Spoke to Utd Utils again about the leak. Told them it was repaired until their guys filled in the hole. I really hope this won't run and run as in theory they could keep digging it  up, saying it's up to us to repair, we repair it then they fill in again carelessly and the process begins afresh. I daren't mention this to neighbour Gareth who is the working-in-a-hole part of my "we".

No blackberry picking today as Pat really needs to relax before her long shift tonight. Yesterday's trek took it out of her and I dearly hope she won't be doing more.

Have secured a P3, old-stylee like my very first. Quite chuffed although will keep Cirklon obviously.

After spending a while working on Pat's Win8 laptop she still won't actually take a look at it but keeps going back to the old one. Ah well.

You can tell I haven't got much done today can't you? This evening is my long evening in the studio though. I will endeavour to make good use of it. Or bad.

Could work on getting The Last Day ready for Bandcamp. Could surf mindlessly for a bit. Tough choice.

This evening I chilled and recorded some simple stuff

https://soundcloud.com/smokyfrog/thelittlebarr

Well bugger me!

Obviously not an instruction our Russian friends would be comfortable with but I'm talking figuratively not literally Vladimir you big hunk of manhood you! Sorry, Pat's got athletics on and I'm feeling weary with the subspecies of the human race and their pettiness.

So this is strange. It seems I no longer need my lovely Yamaha mixer. The ADA8000 works a treat, so far at least, and I can monitor with the Mac turned off by simply saving the monitoring config to the hardware. There have been some issues with it not always setting the sync source back to ADAT after a power cycle but it's really fast to solve and not a showstopper. Blimey, something worked! Multi-tracking in Logic kicking along real nicely on my first tests at least, after I turned off software monitoring to prevent the weird chorusing.

Oddly, the Pro24 calls its digital inputs 5&6 which rather disrupts my naming of ports. Logic is supposed to let you rename the inputs but oddly they don't show up in the program after that, or at least they didn't earlier.

May be worth moving some submixers to make best use of them and the available I/O.

I can't escape the front room tonight as Pat's aunt staying with us and kipping down in library. Bob still with us, no idea when he's going back although neighbours have returned. Ah well...

Watched a good film today - Valhalla Rising. Looked fab and soundtrack was great even if film was a bit ponderous. Shit, bloody Harry Potter on again. Dare I slope off to studio???

Gone, the week that is

I'd like to be able to report a string of successes this week but sat at my laptop now nothing springs to mind.

Installed the Behringer ADAT interface today, haven't turned it on yet but I do have an issue with monitoring with the computer off. As it stands I've connected my four (!) submixers to the 8 ADAT inputs which should be inputs 5-20 on the Saffire. So I can still use my group inputs from the main Yamaha mixer as I do now.

Shame the Yamaha doesn't have track direct outputs like the little Behringer but maybe the inserts can work that way with a standard lead inserted, will investigate later.

This week I've not heard owt about the new tracks so next week it's time to make a fresh start. Or find a job. Or continue with the whole inertia plan. Colin's coming Thursday and I've decided to get another P3 as I've been pining for it too much. So many things I want to do feel slow and cumbersome on Cirklon, mainly due to the reliance on display and those encoders. Knobs are better, simple as. Still keeping Cirklon though on the offchance Colin gets round to the fun/clever stuff one of these years.

Here's pix from this week's walks:

Today we had a nice lunch at a near-deserted pub and picked more blackberries. Jam so far is fab. I'm relaxing with Baumann/Koek and some beer. Dear old vinyl.

Made a joke mockup of potential new album cover. Still deciding if it's worth releasing my last solo album.

Ho ho. Should work on novel. Can I even remember what it is about?

Well, Monday

Oh dear, I was restless in bed last night, poor Pat retreated to the settee, apparently. I slept uneasily until around three after which I woke and remained awake on and off. Weird, not like me.

Vet happy with Jasper's ear. I ordered Behringer ADAT thing so extend the inputs on my Focusrite audio card, well I dearly hope so! Didn't do much review stuff today. Went into studio this evening and did this instead.

http://soundcloud.com/smokyfrog/imobia


I think imobia may be the plural of imobium but, frankly, I wouldn't swear to it and neither should you.

And

Therapy

The studio works as expected, no obvious cabling errors yet. Some spare capacity on various desks but no space for many more synths. Still, got modular going, connected to Cirklon BOB and instantly got something groovy happening. Have used MIDI patch bay now exclusively for clock since there's so much to pass around. Had a noodle and just kept messing until I felt done.

Still to do: Synthi (always takes ages cos I start making noises on it then a day goes by), chase up Space Delay sync and make sure I connected it, sort an input for Repeater and decide where Moogerfoogers should go for now if anywhere and if I want to use DE etc. Nothing crucial to do. Consider getting more inputs on Mac though, could now in theory do one per sub mixer, which would be 8 channels.

Now time for Beethoven Piano Concerto no 4 and more beer. Tony came round earlier and we chewed the fat about Phil. Posted loads of JIC tracks to FB last night just so people can listen to some of Phil's cool stuff. Doesn't feel in any way an adequate way to celebrate the man.

Slept last night. Pat too.

Dazed

Well Pat did a nightshift last night and I barely slept (again). Not entirely sure what's doing it or why I'm getting dry skin around my mouth. I suppose stress is a possibility although I don't feel stressed, I'm not sure what I do feel though.

I got a text first thing telling me Phil has gone. I told Tony later in the day once he'd got home from his hols.

Nick R came round and we had a very pleasant lunch and chat, been too long we both agreed.

I mostly got the studio back together, it looks fine anyway but I haven't powered up yet. I seem to have retrieved about 20 unused MIDI cables and goodness knows how many audio leads.

OK, I took a quick couple of photos of the affected areas. I'll do better ones but not today. Pat just rang to say she wasn't feeling well so went to pick her up, gonna go cook tea now, once she's recovered a bit. Worrying.

Studio rejig

I didn't sleep a wink last night, couldn't seem to shut off. Stupid tune going round my head like a worm eating the grey soggy tissue. Pat the same. She's volunteered to do a nightshift tonight too, hope she makes it through!

I finally decided to tackle the studio move around I've been half-contemplating for a while. No response to my new tracks so guessing they don't like 'em, and instead of being in limbo decided to occupy myself this afternoon after coming back from a pleasant lunch with Pat. 

So it started innocently enough. I moved the modular and the large Behringer submixer. And its box. Having cleared that corner, next came the next box with all my Moogerfoogers, Biscuit, Restyler, ER1, MIDI patch bay. It was starting to look messy but the space looked promising - the Yamaha SK20 should fit at last. I was thinking the modular will go on the wall, once I found the two shelf brackets I knew were around somewhere. Next I swapped the two Behringer submixers around, putting the large one in the place where the Perfourmer 2 was. Yes, I was now taking everything out of that vertical rack, pulling cables like a maniac and dearly regretting starting. And yet, I really do like reorganising the studio, I admit it. It's like therapy or something but at the end there's something tangible, like getting new gear because it's in new places. 

There's a large pile of rack kit floating around now, I'm gonna trip over something, especially as I've started on the red wine. I get the main rack reassembled and a fair proportion of gear plugged into the large Behringer. Briefly contemplate robbing the Spirit mixer all Tim's gear is connected to but that's a step too far - for today anyway. Plus all its connections are at the top, which would be awkward in the sloping rack. Out comes the drill and the modular is on the wall, the SK20 under it and a box next to it for all my little pedals (and later the MS20 mini I suspect, if it ever comes). At this point I give up for the day. Oh yes, I moved the Freebass to make space for the Repeater in the sequencer box. I'll take photos, but tomorrow. Gonna listen to the proms recording, which is Mahler's second symphony I think. Caught some of it on the radio as I worked. 

Lack of sleep starting to catch up on me. Had shower cos I stink, Nick R dropping by tomorrow on his way south, been a long time so will be good to catch up. Incredibly talented guy, gonna enjoy hearing what he's up to. 

This is a picture of Bob the bunny when he was stuck on the front of his cage. You can't see the long tooth on the top as it was curled right round, poor sod. He's getting quite tame now, came when I called today. Gonna miss him when he goes back. 

Right, bed calling... night night campers!

 

Downer Day

Well, looks like the time has passed for conversation, my dear old pal is on what's known as the Liverpool Care Path and waking up is now unlikely. From the start of this it's a matter of days, I believe. I've held off telling Bammy cos there's nothing he could do anyway and he won't be back until Saturday. Maybe we'll go together then.

It's left me a bit lost and directionless. I've achieved nothing today except tidying a few clumsy parts of the current review but my heart isn't in it and it's best I don't write a lot in case my mood filters through. Instead I've been listening through old JIC recordings, including one when Bammy came and played with us. I know I should do something with the best material but have no idea what.

Pat's working and I'm catching up on my Proms recordings. Prokofiev's second violin concerto is up next and it's not a work I'm familiar with. Have broken my fast with a bit of rice left over from last night's takeaway. The pie from Garstang had grown white fur and I decided it was best left to its own devices.

Jasper's ear is, finally, starting to look like parts of it are healing. He was stressed beyond belief (soft bugger, had eyes like saucers) when we fitted the funnel collar and he kept deliberately walking into things to demonstrate how upset he was. I'm getting fed up of finding bits of black dog around the house though but he has not scratched so much today after we constantly told him off. Bob the rabbit actually came when I called this afternoon, which was nice. He seems so lonely though, can't be right keeping a rabbit by itself.

Today I played with drum machines and silently wished Colin would pull his finger out and get his drum thing done. Again, not really able to concentrate on what I was doing so quickly gave up. It's started raining.

Slow healing

Well, made slow because poor Jasper can't stop scratching the scabs off. We're going to have to take some action or it'll be permanently manky!

Wondering if I'll get a bug-free version of the cool thing I'm reviewing (and seriously considering buying)? Annoyingly, OS fixes are return to bass which is really old school! Both reviews coming on well, can afford to take afternoon to work in the garden as it's going crazy. Also need to find a builder as the roof is still leaking slightly at the far end and it won't get better by itself.

This morning I uploaded two of the new tracks, the two that are closest to the brief. Neither are totally close but I have to start somewhere and if they hate them then I'll try something totally different. Finding it increasingly hard to relate to Logic X and its many annoyances. Think I'll be going back to LP9. Wish I could downgrade the OS too. Can't get Mail to work on Mountain Lion even though I didn't change anything.

Would love some time for me, just to potter in the studio on my own stuff with real hardware. Or work on my novel, heck it's been too long... moan moan, I know. Hey, writing this is supposed to be catharsis innit?

Hospice busy, hopefully ringing back. Want to see the man when he's awake, which seems quite difficult.

Hoofing it down

Rained very heavily overnight and continues this morning. Looks like the action taken plugging that leak may have helped as the end of our avenue (touch wood) isn't showing signs of flooding. I really must find out about the responsibilities of Utd Utils when it comes to providing adequate drainage. I bet there will be some rule or other than frees them of all responsibility somehow. Have to keep those shareholders happy.

Bob the rabbit booked into the vet for this evening. Hopefully only a small interruption to work schedule as tonight is my long night where I typically get my greatest throughput (Pat works until midnight).

Reviews progressing well, both shaping up and fleshing out with detail. Korg guy seems to be getting fed  up with me keep asking stuff but since he's steered me wrong in the past in terms of accuracy I don't want to miss owt. Starting to wonder if I'll ever see my MS20 mini, or indeed whether the man in France really has sent my theremin back as it's been weeks since he said it was en route. Must be something about me, too bloody easy-going.

The "Prodigy" tracks progressing OK I think, I have a few of them now in various stages of construction and this morning will be perfect to nail a few final mixes I think. Still weird having Mondays free, feels like I can actually hit the week running. Let's hope we don't peter out like last week though (I blame Tim of course and his wonderful smokes :)).

I deliberately didn't drink any beer last night even though the studio was warm. My gut has lost its "fasting taughtness" and has resumed its "wibbly wobbly" shape and I'm pretty sure beer has played a major role.

I should really release The Last Day before I forget it and lose interest altogether. I know it seems pointless but so is sitting on it and letting it fade away. Can I even be arsed getting the cover done properly and it mastered? Does anyone care or even notice? Oops, miserable weather getting to me already, time to brave the elements and take Jasper for a quick poo. Then work!

http://soundcloud.com/smokyfrog/i-say

Shit day yesterday

Bad news about the brain tumour, it's back and with others. Rapid deterioration. Going to hospice this evening. Not something I can try to put in words here.

People... words fail me. The rabbit we're looking after got his face stuck on his cage today. Now at least I know why he's not been eating too much - he can't! His bottom teeth are long, but one of his top teeth has turned on itself forming  a circle! I'm bloody furious - how the hell could you not know the basics about the pets you imprison? I cut the cage to free it (let them dare complain) and will take him to vet to get his teeth sorted. In the meantime he's drunk a load of water (we went to Garstang show, goodness knows how long he was stuck) and is munching dandelion leaves which, unlike the food they supplied us with, he can eat.

Needless to say I've not been productive today and doubt I will be this evening. Jasper has been scratching his ear and it looks terrible.

Painting done

A bit of a change this week, I finally completed the painting I'd promised to do. Came out OK, would have been better if I'd been able to use my original drawing but for some reason could not make any indentation on the wall. In the end did it freehand. 

Week started well, a bunch of tracks for the new brief started  but didn't get chance to progress. Began latest review, cracked on well with that and had some email exchanges trying to find out details that don't seem reachable from here. Gonna take day off with Pat tomorrow, do something together. May go look at the mixed martial arts club I noticed is just round the corner, will see how they are and what my chances of getting injured are. Don't wanna get into that again but do need to get fitter. I think I've said this before. 

No time for novel, no time for garden but must make some as the rain has made it go mad. We're minding someone's bunny for two weeks and Pat's smitten already, bless.

Jasper's ear still looking ugly but the honey is helping a lot. He's been bugged by flies though, probably after the honey. He has started scratching it though and giving me pathetic looks. Tim dropped by and we chilled for a while, very pleasant. Would've been great to have more time and do music as I really feel in the mood to do something that isn't Prodigy ripoffs (mind you they're starting to become Chilled Prodigy now, which is an unexpected turn of events).

If I write must work harder a hundred times, will I do it?

Pat's discovered Gladiators on some digital channel. A lot of them are quite freaky, is my observation so far. 

This ends my thoughts for this evening. They ain't great but then I can never write stuff about review gear and there ain't much else to say. Oh, I put the extra RAM into the Mac and it seems to be behaving, no crackles etc. That's it maxed out until I start chucking RAM away and replacing with larger. Getting fed up waiting for my MS20 mini. Fancy a trip to Amsterdam but dunno who else would fancy going...