Cool

Well, the new library liked the tracks, which is always a relief. I think I'd have given up by now if it weren't for Paul keep encouraging me. Looks like I can keep sending stuff to these guys, will have a go at some more in the week.

Recorded a quick and basic video about getting started with scenes to put together a song structure, on request of someone on the Cirklon forum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwFpTG3lyeg&feature=youtu.be

Got some strange grief from Pat for not hearing the phone ring in the afternoon as I was recording it. She left no message on the house phone or my mobile yet I was in the wrong for not being instantly available (this from the woman who frequently leaves her mobile at home). I dunno she'll ever understand how the music thing works. She also didn't ask to hear any of my new tracks. Hehe, I'm doing the "my wife doesn't understand me" routine! When, of course, she understands me all too well! :)

Had to go pick up the tile paint cos the courier got lost. Might have been able to get the roof done today if we'd had it yesterday as they promised. Should've ordered it myself as I'd have noticed it was in Leyland and therefore just driven there at the start of the week. Idiot! Also, was expecting a 5 litre tin and this is 20! Not entirely sure it's the right stuff as it's the same price as the 5l ones I was sure about. Ah bugger it.

Right, things to do, couple of software reviews to crack on with, some alternate mixes to do of the library stuff, probably won't get chance to do another tutorial vid today but we'll see.

Must've been a busy week...

It's possible anyway. I've been working on tracks for the new US library, have four that are pretty much finished. They may be actually finished but I just lack confidence they're absolute killers and know in my heart of hearts that more work won't make them substantially better. Will run by Paul later. Also finished the  biggish review I'd been doing and sent it off, then started two new ones (softsynths). I say "started" but that may be overstating it. :)

What else? I used my new Rode NT1a in a track - worked well but the track was eventually discarded. Did a little proofreading of Cirklon manual and played with new step input mode, pointed out a bug and one thing that's a bit wonky, but it's released into the wild now anyway. Step input poly and mono is really cool actually and even though a work in progress I'll be using it a lot. In fact, I have half-promised to do a new beginner's video today because someone's struggling with basic workflow. It really depends on whether I complete the library tracks and can get the video set up easily for a one-take, one camera quickie. Don't want to get into complexity as it's Friday after all.

Oh, I ordered an Arturia Microbrute. Dunno why really but the sequencer was probably reason enough. Have got a bit fed up waiting for the custom BS2 OS that adds the changes I need. I really do prefer non-programmable stuff so the SH-101's reign is not threatened. Speaking of which I now have the 101 through my Moogerfooger ringmod and it's proving a nice combination. Ditto for the Xone filter which is sweetening up the Microwave 2. Wouldn't mind another of those as it was also pretty effective on the Octatrack. Shame it takes so long to set stuff up on the Octatrack, I sometimes think it's only stubbornness that makes me keep it - I've put too much time into it to admit it's really a PITA much of the time. Rambling now, sorry.

Part of the pile of old cassettes I'd planned to transfer to the computer, project currently stalled as I broke my cassette deck!

Oh and I agreed to help out my mate's band as they're doing a full live version of Dark Side of the Moon. I guess I'll have to learn how to do "On the Run" on the Synthi :)

Friday, new delay, some plusses

Well a good plus being that the US company do want something. Paul once again directing and helping me along, he's really been great from the start. Believes in me more than me sometimes. Email lost or in spam filter but received now.

Roof tile saga continues, well it became a tile saga due to concreteish sticking of ridge tiles. Had to order the special paint, but also have to get a set of reclaimed tiles cos ours are so old you can't buy them new.

Played with the new delay, very good. Recorded some loops with it, I love the tap tempo and the dual delay setting brill, sound on sound recording also good, it has a very long 23 secs max.

This evening the sky is clear, we'll watch some telly, drink mulled wine...

Not a recent photo but it cheers me up to see it.

N1GI

Aye, not one good idea today although I laboured with three songs in Logic and even tried one in Maschine to break the monotony. So that's a shame. Trouble is I just didn't get in the mood, perhaps my dislike of large sporting events makes me unsuitable to write music for one.

SOS came today, just one review and two apps. News about Pat's tax code rather a downer. She'll be giving up her job sooner rather than later, which may mean I need to get one. Arse.

Novel seems to be energised again, still getting little details for some of the gaps I left with those large brushstrokes.

Got cheque from US publisher today. Similar to the usual and actually makes me think I should have done more for them. They got the real good CSI stuff and I'd love to do more. More up my street.

This evening I may work on novel or review, not decided. No sign of my delay, hope he remembers to send it.

New mic

Well, I don't buy microphones very often and I've been meaning to ever since our aborted violin recording. So I ordered the same one Tony had and which I used to record Mr Feng Shui that time, a Rode NT1a. I really do know nothing about these things so it's very possible something else would've worked better. The Roland delay should be here sometime this week too.

Today I attended to a few things with the latest review and fired up the "other review thing" just to have a first look. Even though I'm not saying what it is, cos of my "no spoilers" rule, I will say that my heart sank...

It's Monday evening and Pat works until midnight. I will crack on with some proper work. Library company wants some music on a theme a little out of my usual comfort zone, but then they always are. Nobody wants endless depressing drones, or if they do there's someone they always call on first. :)

Decided to sell the Copycat I got off Nick, just not using it as the sound is too dark and muffled and someone with skills needs to look at it. Passing it on same price I paid to a friend, as you do.

Good evening, shows what even the idea of doing some work does! Made very good progress on review, like the way it's looking and reading. Then worked on novel, fired on strangely enough by news that FAF can't be unpicked after all. Maybe it's just too darn layered, complex and ridiculous to tamper with any part,. The whole lot could so easily fall. Anyway, the various strands of Eternity Program suddenly feel more resilient. It gained a degree or two of reality, thanks in part to the magic shortbread. And beer. Tomorrow, I have some ideas for music to try out, another rarity. Shows I could still do something if I wanted, just a matter of attitude... silly old git! :)

jicarc04 squared roots and shared toots

Yes another silly title but what do you expect? :)

https://jointintelligencecommittee.bandcamp.com/album/jicarc-04-squared-roots-and-shared-toots

I should have had this out before but I've been busy. I look at the huge pile I have yet to even listen to and wonder if I'll ever finish. Especially as there is a LOT of Headshock material now stacking up.

So today I didn't achieve much except getting this out. Listened through Radiopticon 2.1 and now I think it's ready for a few more ruthless edits. It's still basically 70 mins long and I've done the main tweaking, tamed the acoustic guitar slightly. I really like the sound of that guitar and I think it works well. I also removed some of my overdubs because they were unnecessary. There's one mad rhythmic section I'm going to prune also and then it's just down to top and tailing each individual track and seeing what we have left. Pretty good for what's essentially one day's creation, one day's overdubbing and one day's editing.

Sent some review gear back today, one of which I'd like to have kept a while. Always the case.

Now I understand some of those emails and general questions "what synth do I need to make xxxx?" as I really want a microphone and have no idea which to get. Not a dynamic one is about all I know but next time I borrow Tony's I'll make a note of what it is and just get the same. ;) Would've been handy for the violin the other day, plus I need to get some cymbals and gongs. I think it's time Headshock branched out a bit.

No time for novel, should press on with next review although it's really almost written in my head. No use up there of course. Some interesting synths just cropped up for sale including Korg 700S which I do fancy. May not be able to afford it, or at least justify the cash which isn't quite the same thing. Should make more practical purchases.

Listening to Moebius/Plank and loving it. Have not done any work chasing library companies but I did make a lovely chilli. What, I'm supposed to make sense now? :)

Darkness!

A fantastic few days away in Galloway Dark Sky Park, reminding myself how awe-inspiring the Milky Way is.

Sorry, no idea why blogger randomly decides some pictures should be rotated. I looked for an option to rotate them but so far have failed to find it. Hey ho.

Now I'm back to light-polluted skies I should get some work done. One review almost complete, another in progress, the third not started. We recorded some more Headshock stuff instead, plus did some production work on "Radiopticon" which has a lot of good bits.

Reading Dave's book and it's every bit as good as I expected it to be. Poignant, perfect. He very kindly sent me a dedication insert and one of the Mike Moorcock inserts also.

Here's a pearl of wisdom you can have for free: there's no true random but plenty of random truth

HS Radiopticon

That was this afternoon. Very lovely and of the hour of music, the first at least is good. Blimey, almost wish we'd had more time.
Right, stuff to do. Almost finished one of the two reviews I have to do, makes it easier to take a few days off.

November's here

And still fairly mild, although we've had some heavy rain these last few days.

Michael Nyman was pleasantly odd, it was basically him, some simple but nice films, and a few sheets of his music strewn across the piano. He didn't say a word as he occasionally turned to face us, came out and bowed. Anyway, I enjoyed it despite the awful journey - fortunately he was almost late too. I bought a boxed set of three CDs, one of which is good, one naff, one excellent.

Been working on two reviews at once, not something I'd usually do but wanted to make a good start on both, plus both are proving to be fun. Always nice when that happens. The third thing that arrived I haven't switched on yet.

Meant to be going away next week, Tim also coming down to do some music so will have to juggle. At the astronomy thing got some posh new binoculars and they're really good - not the best optics maybe but great for stars and clusters. Contemplated flogging the etherwave plus, I still don't get on with that bass mod even though it sounds much better. Some days I can't seem to get it tuned at all and I've just lost interest. The Lostvolts will do me. Bought a Roland delay pedal with 23 seconds of delay. Well, why not? :)

Nowt else much to report, been busy but not done much music. Have yet to send the Tanzbar back. It sorta annoys me to have to as I've spent enough on it and who's to say it'll come back working properly after another journey.

From my walks this week, in case you were wondering.