Eurotunnel Thoughts

It occurs to me, the more I build up my Eurorack, that I've been here before. Memories of the large black Digisound, the large-ish Analogue Systems modular, the other small boxes, twin ARP sequencers, MacBeth M3 (one of the first), my Roland System 100, the patched-out Odyssey... I had a lot of patch cords slowing me down once upon a time and it's happening again.

You see, I like to work fast. I always have to an extent. It's why I have reverted to the P3, finding Cirklon great for structured stuff but just not suited to my spontaneous style. I haven't given up hope that we might further refine its operation but that depends on the usual constraints. Anyway, modular, especially Eurorack, is slow. At least I find it slow compared to the larger, simpler instruments I've spent years acquiring, learning, positioning in the studio so they are exactly where I need them to be.

I don't know if this can be resolved but what I do know is I plan to ease off on the modular growth until I can absorb what I have into my headspace. Adding more and more takes me past the tipping point and I'm afraid I may already have gone too far. It wouldn't be an issue if I was working exclusively with modular - but I get such pleasure from turning to the Minimoog or Prodigy or Juno 6 and the reason is I can instantly get what I want. The Synthi has always been a special case because I don't treat it as a servant but rather as another personality in the studio, one I interact with but have no intention of ever mastering. And if that seems a weird approach, it's one I find very suitable to that particular instrument. Eurorack is different. It has this capacity for eternal growth that I know I must resist. Adding the Vermona QMI has been a good thing because it puts the P3 back in the driving seat and knocks the Beatstep Pro back to what it's best at - percussion programming. But I plan to get the Morpheus filter and maybe some kind of mixer module before putting on the brakes.

The reviewing thing makes it harder. But my plans are progressing towards retirement and at some point during this year, well, we'll see. Changes are afoot.

I have had a good idea for a novel (I think). The fantasy angle was proving difficult to work into my style and I was in danger of slipping into a kind of twisted merging of Pratchett and Vonnegut, when I really aspired towards Gemmell. My idea will let me play to my strengths as I already have 3 fully-formed characters, a scenario, some background and a vague direction. But I will hammer out a plot before I begin writing it all down. Honest. I won't just get hammered one day and start. OK, I might.

Happy New Year!

Oh, apparently some of my library stuff is available on iTunes. I wonder if I get paid extra for that?

Today's noodle
https://soundcloud.com/smokyfrog/emory-cabundicle