As the year winds to a close, we learn more and more about Osmose

Well, I learnt that it has 500 presets you can't overwrite (?) and that the left/right motion is primarily for pitch bend. Dunno why but I'd hoped you could do other things with it. I fear a glut of keyboard players doing terrible things to pitch for a while! The two pressure parameters seem interesting though but I'll wait and see how it all handles. Just 128 user sounds initially though, wtf? Hmm, it seems if I get a free version of Max I can run the Eagan Matrix editor and overwrite presets, so all may be well. Still predict the DX7 effect though in which most users won't program anything.  

Right, it's Saturday and Pat ain't back until Monday. Another curry tonight and probably tomorrow too as they say they're open. Have the odd experience of taking Margaret to my mum's in the morning instead of Pat. 

Judging by my photo of last night's curry, I was not as in charge of my faculties as I thought. 

Last night's naga has paid a tearful eventual farewell. Tonight I'm going easier with a pathia, my favourite dish. First, Synthi and Soma Pipe! I love how you set up the Synthi with lots of feedback loops, then a fraction of a degree movement of a single knob can slip you into another dimension. No other synth I've ever played with does that. Spared taking Marg anywhere as mum not feeling too bright. Gotta take her for blood test in the week. 

It's Tuesday now, looks like being a rainy week. Pat had long journey back and brought chocolate and whisky, so that's nice. It's been grand having the place all to myself though, best christmas ever. Saw a mouse in the kitchen - yes, that's as exciting as my life has become. Went to see the extent of the hedgerow damage before filling in my council future plan survey thing - bastards! I seem to have no plans for today so will maybe try the latest BB firmware on setup 3. Got an update for the Osmose but basically just an invoice. Strikes me how odd it is to wait for a keyboard-based synth when I'm such a shit keyboard player. Will I take to it? 

Been reading Tim's Wendy Carlos book. It's a bit of a slog. Like a lot of books with no involvement from anyone near to the subject, it's a sort of creative collage, a pasting together of existing writing and interviews, inevitably more focused on Wendy's troubled personal life than the more interesting technical side, presumably because the book's author had no idea about all that stuff. Never been a huge Carlos fan (Switched On Bach left me cold) but I did like some of her work, especially Clockwork Orange - would love to hear the more extensive versions of that - they apparently exist. As I type this I'm listening to Sonic Seasonings and thinking that there's a reason I don't play it very often. Seem to recall either Steve Schroyder sent me it or I sent it to him, I remember him being into it.

Pottered with my Cirklon setup today and achieved very little, maybe cos Pat is back home or just feeling creatively empty generally. I've considered giving Colin my Cirklon back a fair few times over the years, especially if he could find me another P3, but I hold onto it even though I barely use it any more. Maybe the Osmose will work well with it. The Ck setup would be better if it had an RC-505 included, possibly, but then Cirklon patterns wouldn't be necessary. I got nothing good out of the V-Synth and Minimoog too, which suggests the problem is me. Pissing down and not sure we'll get a walk this week.   

Wednesday, took mum for her blood test. Pat seemed grumpy that I hadn't gone shopping even though she had told me she was going (and I texted her to ask if she needed owt). Feels like I've done something wrong but not sure what. She'd left some water in the car for Broc and, presumably, forgot about it. Mum knocked it over so the passenger side is now soaking, so that's lovely. Dunno what I'm going to do this afternoon, not so easy to relax until I know the source of the atmos. 

My Osmose has shipped!

Right, it's Friday afternoon and I'm going to sign off. NYE tomorrow, a time good recordings sometimes get made. I did something reasonable yesterday, will see what today brings. Feel a bit sick after eating a box of liqueurs, hopefully Desperados will fix.  

Reorg of setup 3, DRM-1 not powering up. Osmose coming!

Yeah, starting to lose faith that thing (DRM-1) will ever work properly or reliably. Will take a look again tomorrow when less pissed off and see what Tony thinks. Perhaps get it fixed then move it on, frustrating because I really like it when it's working. Need to get the jack on Colin's blue box replaced too as that's gone buggered, meaning I can't sync my 101 from it. Might take the 101 out and put the XD in its place for now. 

Makes me wonder if I should get a Drumbrute Impact - added advantage of a clock output that might drive the 101. Guess I should try the Microfreak's clock output to see if that does. Hah, what am I talking about? I just put the 101 back on the Cirklon setup, meaning I have clock coming out of my ears from the CVIO! Will fire up the Sampling Electribe too and trigger it from Cirklon because it sounds great, it's just the sequencer that's too basic. Had a sesh, realised I'll have to make the input louder to the BB though. 

Shite, no walk tomorrow cos Tony's had a leak. Hope it's not too bad - he's going to try and fix. Will walk out with Pat in the morning then retire to the studio. Still contemplating treating myself to something, will chase Tom re: Minifreak.

Yeah I actually paid for the Osmose - someone on Facebook mentioned to look in Spam for the 'ready' emal and there it was! Today was meant to be curry but Longridge gridlocked, or Fell Brow anyway (due  to burst water main). Started a new tune and immediately happy with the first thing. Using Cosmos rhythmic (looper) firmware and the Jupiter 8plugout which I rarely use but a nice synth. Back in Gm the favourite key of my youth. 

Saturday, Tim and I did a thing that was most agreeable (Uunarteq) and now it's Sunday and I've done very little all day. It's cold and I can't be arsed going into the studio. 

Hmm DRM-1 fuses seem OK, unless it's those weird ones inside. Anyway. can't be arsed with it, played piano a bit instead and guessing my technique going to be a disappointment when Osmose comes. Left that little radiator on all through Sunday and just noticed it today (Monday afternoon). Idiot! Feel in some kind of limbo, which ain't normal for me. This has been a truly shit blog entry. 

PRS again, some frost... RIP Manuel Göttsching

 We walked Wednesday this week due to the St Catherine's meal thing on Thursday. Meal meant I missed the planning meeting, should probably go look at Youtube and see the outcome, not that it's in much doubt. Had some communication with the council - LCC this time - but UU are ignoring me, at least so far. 

Anyway, going to be chirpy today as it's Friday and I fancy a good studio noodle, even though I expect it to be cold. Gonna cheat the dice and make sure I'm in the warmer, darker half, fancy an MS20/Synthi day actually. 

Did a nice sequency one with P3 and JD on Saturday. Then on Sunday I got a payout from one of my US publishers - not a huge amount but better than a kick in the dick. It's my part of the sync fee not writer royalties.

Monday and Tim, John and I are going to Lancaster to see Mick. Will maybe get a 3/4 Oasis photo or something. Manuel Göttsching has died

Well, that seems to have slipped me into a funereal mood. Another hero and way too young, makes me wish I'd gone to see him play E2-E4 in Hebden a few years back, even though it's the only Ashra album I don't like. Oh well.

Was good to see Mick yesterday, hope we can get together again in a more relaxed environment where travel isn't a thing.

Today I have no plans at all, which is nice. I should chase the council and UU but it's already feeling like it's going to be a long and drawn-out campaign now the only leverage we had (objecting to housese) is gone. Twin Peaks composer died too - Angelo Badalamenti - so Tim will be in mourning I expect. Hmmm, think I'll take a walk out to get some bread. Yeah, that kind of day. Think I'll bring my Reface piano downstairs for some noodletime in the relative warm. Also had a great idea for reorganising the Cirklon setup, putting it in the old P3 flightcase with a few essential things while still keeping all the cable access open. A job for when it's warmer. 

November Nomore, BlackBox version 2.0.5 - the error-free version?

 And it's been a good one, I think. Pat away on Friday so the usual nonsense coming up, no doubt. Recorded another The Hidden Camera piece today (Tuesday) so should be most of our third album done now. With Pat away I might get some writing done as I've done a lot of music lately - mind you I still fancy a day of P3/JD-XA so will do that Friday. Jeez this is a rubbish blog, isn't it?

What might you want to know, dear reader? I started the new Frankie Boyle novel today (Meantime) and it's going to be very good indeed, can already tell. He writes brilliantly and I'm already hooked after just a morning. 

Hope I didn't upset Mike - I pointed out a small issue with one of his explanations in the Minifreak manual (people who know me can probably guess the topic) and I dunno if he's good with that sort of thing. Sometimes I don't add enough sugar to such things, especially with people I know, so here's hoping. I should just butt out and let the world continue to be confused about envelopes. Edit: all good, he'll take another look at the wording when possible. Phew. I kinda expected he'd want it right first and foremost but I've had so many difficulties explaining this to people I tend to expect the worst now.

It's Sunday and I've had a good few days pottering in the studio. Tim and I did a good thing yesterday, Ikeq, which had some inspired MPC work and not from me either. Used some of the cave noises recorded in the Lakes in a piece and generally finding lots of ways the 404 can be useful. Also, 1010music sent me 2.0.5 and I didn't see one 'Error with Recording' message. So it might be directly attributable to the black line version and I might just put all my boxes back to this one. Pat hopefully heading home soon, I've done a bolognese type thing. Broc's foot still swollen so Pat can get on with the pink pills she didn't trust me to administer. 

That'll do for this entry I think. Didn't work much on the novel, seemed to get drunk and watch telly more than usual. 

Wartiness and 404 decision time

 Well the things on my face are seborrhoeic keratoses - basically warts and very common. Even though it damages my great beauty I'll keep 'em. Also keeping the 404. Juno had generously offered to refund me since they don't have any more and Roland's fix time is 6-8 weeks. They also offered knocking a bit of cash off if I wanted to keep it - and I think I will. Despite it being a very odd thing that I've struggled with, I think it has real potential and maybe Roland will address some of its obvious weaknesses - they did fix a couple of things already. Struck me that if I had a gig next year, it would be handy to have compared to the BlackBox - can be an FX processor and useful for triggering spot effects and longer ambient passages and doesn't have the BB's minijacks. Just a shame you can't name the samples you make on it without using the app!

Thursday, rolled a 1 and decided to move the 101 away and put in the JD-XA in its place. Means adding P3 to the same power strip as the mixer, so it's available to setups 1&2, sorted! Started a thing on P3/JD which sounded potentially good, caught a snapshop in the BB. Will progress tomorrow as it's Friday. 

Good afternoon, finished the track from yesterday, sorted Ibiza booking cockup - a hotel they now partner with has a similar name to the one they used to. Anyway, full refund and full marks to TUI. Pat in odd mood, talking about immigrants - this time in context of booking our pre-Ibiza hotel. The daily mail effect continues. 

Hmmm, I just watched an episode of Rick & Morty that basically did my novel. How depressing. 

Sunday now and I've had a pleasant few days pottering about. Friday did some 'Scootswind' - using recordings made in Scotland. As if summoned Tony appeared mid-afternoon so it was a shorter session and recording than usual, still goog though. Good, even. 

https://soundcloud.com/smokyfrog/s2-scootswind-120

Have done a few cool things with the 404 now I'm learning its limitations. Saturday Tim and I did a fab ambient sesh with it, or mostly it anyway. 

Random pix time

Hauntology or Ontology? Oh, and a week in Scotland

 Been thinking about hauntology for a while, well this morning, well this last hour or so. I reckon a lot of my stuff and Headshock stuff is a good fit - but who do we tell and are we welcome into the club? If not, I propose we start an offshoot, ontology. Then, instead of doing music about the nature of being miserable, wistful and backwards-looking, ontology will cover the nature of being. This means we can cover multiple moods and style and, well, do what we always do. Genius eh? I expect someone more dynamic will beat us to or possibly already has and, again, we won't be welcome. 

Makes you think eh? Nah, me neither. 

Still struggling to know what to say to Dave's widow, if indeed I should say anything. Feels lame of me but really has knocked the wind out of my sails and I'm dealing with it by not thinking about it. I know I'll dig out our poetry and music collab Earth & Sky Sequence quite soon and then maybe I'll start to know what I feel. I told Andy G as CDS/Lotus will have known Dave well over the years. Andy wrote a lovely review of the new album, makes me think I should probably send it to other reviewers but I've rather lost track of all that. 

Realised all my MIDI/TRS adapters are type B, except the Korg I haven't been able to find for ages. Guess what - the 404 needs type A. Why they fecking well didn't include one to make it a genuinely MIDI compatible device I don't know but, shit, there's room for full-sized real MIDI jacks too and they penny-pinched that. Bastards. Anyway, ordered one off eBay as Amazon wanted over £16 for the same thing. 

My emergency 2-week referral is actually an expected 6-week stretch due to stress on the system. Let's hope this little thing on my face doesn't eat me away before it's even looked at. Goodness knows when the scan on my foot is gonna happen but hard to be optimistic. All part of the great tory plan to grow the private sector and screw the NHS.

Well now, back from Scotland so I guess I should post a few pix - even though I've put a ton on facebook and google and even flickr. It was great although the last few days were rather damp. Long drive means that a week doesn't feel long enough. While there I noticed the bank A button on the 404 doesn't work and it's just over the month limit for returning the thing, which I had been tempted to do. Will stick with it though, just not totally sure why. The MIDI adapter arrived and proved that the 404 is pretty shit when it comes to sync - only the pattern sequencer syncs up, not the BPM-synced effects or audio loops. 

Rain forest frogs, actual rain, October goes out warm and wet. David Hill RIP.

Sober Saturday and I'm rejoicing at yesterday's recordings. Rolled a 2 so it was MS20 and Synthi, which are turning out to be an excellent marriage. No BlackBox on setup 2 so all I have are the 5 tracks of the 505 but that's more than enough for me these days. Sequences by MS20/P3 - P3 probably overkill and I'd really like to get it paired back with the JD-XA, but for the time being, all good. Still the Blofeld to put back, in position the Soma Cosmos currently occupies (that'll go back with System 8, the floor position was effective). I also think we have THC3 A, B and C pretty much done. The Synthi rain forest frog chorus from yesterday, plus MS20 drone should be a good start of D, will see what today brings. 

Should tidy up the last chapters of novel draft #1 so it can sit and stew a few weeks until I pick it up for the quick/ruthless run-through, which will make draft #2. Have some readers who will look at it before publishing this time, which may help make it a better creation. I'm back using semicolons again, have to admit I can't do the abrupt style quite as well as Kurt. Oh well, there's even a gag about it in the text, although I suppose it'll pass most people by, as most of them too due to my ham-fisted writing style.

Sunday, gonna try the original write mode for the BB as 'compatible' is not working well. Guess what - turn off compatible mode and no more errors, at least so far. Progressed THC3D yesterday and will do more today using 404 also. Reading Kim's Korg book I couldn't help notice an error in a diagram explaining multi-triggering. At least assume the ARP2600 doesn't work that way - maybe it does. I can also safely assume he's never played a Korg Delta ;)

Heard that my old friend the poet Dave Hill has died. I can't think of anything worth writing, I don't have the words, maybe later. 

 

Something's afoot

 Yes, my foot lump sage continues. Got a gel thing that might make walking possible as otherwise doomed to be couch potato. In that vein, I finally wrote the dragon fight chapter and it was pretty straightforward in the end, although didn't go quite the way I'd expected. Still, I think it works as I've written it so that's a result. I have a new section to write because of something that caught me (and my sword chick) by surprise but it gives me an opportunity to tie up one more loose end than I usually would. Soon I can write the sections I've missed, add a tidier ending and it'll be ready to let stew a while before I begin draft #2. It's rare to get to this stage and not fear there's extensive work still to do - more description as usual and I'll attempt to reduce some of the dialogue but hey, all good. 

Got written apology from Westchurch Homes today. On a scruffy bit of paper, much-folded. You can almost smell the bile. Anyway, that's that as far as I'm concerned, we have bigger fish to fry, such as discovering the truth about the drains and culverts and checking the date of the next meeting. I don't know if I should speak again but suspect Pat's itching to have a go. 

Can't remember if I posted owt here but the new album is online. I don't know if anyone likes it but the art looks incredible. Darn, just did a wordcount and the novel is around 94,000 words even as it is now. Hmmm, that's getting back to FAF levels, shows I was into it. ;)

Pat meant to be away a couple of days this week. Should be able to get studio tidied and writing done.

Good response from 1010music today suggesting some specific cards to get to improve performance. Could be my ignorance in just looking on Amazon for the fastest I could find is to blame, hope so. 

Recommendation is the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB A2 V30. The A2 and V30 are the real difference here, can opt for the 64GB cards depending on preference.

Tuesday and a good one. Pat went south and Broc and I remain. Assembled new bike shed, wrote some novel stuff, did something for first section of THC3B. Finished spagbol for tea and evening promises to be genial. No Matt, maybe he forgot but worked out OK. Only recorded four parts on BB so not sure yet but fingers are crossed, will work it harder tomorrow. Must get some new samples into GR-1 - maybe from 404. 

Need to put a movie somewhere, demonstrating the lack of long attacks on the Udo Super 6. This is a synth that uses the whole first half of its travel to do subtly different fast attacks, all of which are wasted on me. I either want instant and snappy or I want very slow. Yeah, I know, old man problems....

let's try here....

Right, Pat home tonight but it gives me another full afternoon in the studio. I may be some time...

Old man troubles

 No, not that type, chance would be a fine thing. After the triumph at the dentist this week I had the foot lady tell me I have a neuroma on my foot (steroid injection or surgery needed) and the nice doctor this morning looked at my face and booked an urgent appointment with someone else. So maybe it's not a skin tag after all. Apparently my calcium is slightly down, so must order some from Amazon and start eating more of it. Ho hum. 

Depressed to see one of the few areas of trees nearby has had a visit from the hackers. I seriously wonder if the council is setting out to sabotage its own climate and diversity document or it's just part of the general hatred of trees. Sent videos of misbehaving BlackBox and will continue exploring the 404.

Well, what can I tell you? Had another meeting with Westchurch - discovered the guy who swore at Pat was actually the MD! I know. He wasn't there and I think the atmos was good, if hampered by some woman who had not attended the planning meeting but was trying to make up for it by being unhappy about everything. Progress would have been better without her. We did see map of drains which I really want UU to confirm. Some questions over many parallel culverts which they believe not connected but us not so confident. However, way forward looks positive and they are willing to move a few things to make Alec happy - will tell him tomorrow.

Waited almost an hour for my blood test today then worked on THC3A and had a blast. Hope Paul likes. Used the BB and the 404 in similar roles. Also 505 doing its stuff and contributing to an ambient delight. 

Released my new thing, working on novel and the dragon fight reading well. DFAM clock advance stopped working though which is a nuisance. Sending BB back to States, although would have liked to talk about alt firmware and better messages first. Thanks to Tim made some good progress with 404 including easy pad select and recording in sync with existing audio. MIDI sync still suspect.

I quite liked that. No idea why. Coffee cake and pizza, just a few more days of two dogs, foot still not great.

 

Synthfest, SP-404 mk2 & Great Gable

Synthfest was fabulous - sold out too despite travel issues. Snake Pass shut so my trip was a bit shit. Got the Roland book but didn't sort payment, will probably just ask for copies of books I don't have rather than cash as they edited my bits as to be almost unrecognisable. Spent some nice time chatting with lots of people I haven't seen properly for ages, went to a great gig (Quadros) in which my old Oberheim Two Voice got to play. Lovely idea of randomly pairing 4 musicians with a synth from a pool of 8 and great music, as always from Dean. Saw very little gear except the Eric drum machine, which I liked, and their mk2 Syntrx, which I was less impressed by. Completely failed to go see the 12-voice Polybrute with poly AT but did at least have a nice lunch with the SOS crew and may have agreed to a gig or two.

So, yeah, a busy time. Tuesday, Tim brought his SP-404 mk2 round and I almost immediately ordered one with my latest PRS. Then I started finding things about it I was less keen on (fortunately some are fixed in most recent firmware so hope Tim puts that on). I think it may still prove to be an interesting piece of kit - much more limited than an MPC and therefore more likely to slot into my system. Its workflow has some interesting pros and cons compare to other gear but as I write this it's Friday afternoon and I am hoping for a bonding sesh, once I make the BB video explaining its problems. 

Album finished, mastered and ready to go. Using some of the fab artwork Tim made and the theme of 'AI' is implied but never stated. Going with main title of Ambrosia Incarnate as it has a nice ring and the pic Tim has of girl looking away is perfect. 

Yesterday we did Green Gable followed by Great Gable - foot held up quite well but knees sore, really must start strapping up the left one too. Sad old git eh? This morning was dentist (he was happy with me, yay) and doctor - they reckon the appointment was for yesterday. I never miss appointments so can only conclude reception girl told me wrong day - apparently they only do minor surgery thing on thursdays. Oh well.

Next week we have the next round of planning battles - did I put any of that in here? We even made the local paper but, oddly, all the people who should object and stand up for themselves are inexplicably busy, but very happy for us to go in to bat for them. Sigh. I could write a rant about the state of the country and speculate about why people are so rubbish, but I won't. Pat and I (and Alec, old guy who lives nearby) will stand up and be counted. 

Anyway, here are some of the pix I didn't put on Facebook. 

Righty ho, stuff to get on with...

Happy birthday to me! To DAW or not to DAW?

 The nurse doing my blood test said it this morning and I realised that tomorrow is indeed my birthday. Golly. Sixty One years old and still alive. OK, I'm writing this on Tuesday so counting chickens I suppose.

After the drama of the wedding, have a few days before Synthfest. Sadly Eddie not able to make it as he's looking after his parents but I'm sure there will be lots of other cool people to hang with. Kim wants to pay me for the work on the Roland book so I may get him to chip in towards a Bliss Habit pedal. 

Have spent a few days assessing Digitakt and its new song mode as well as MPC and its probabilities. It struck me that the Digitakt doesn't really do anything that Octatrack doesn't - indeed considerably less and with a poxy 1Gb of storage to play with compared to the limitless CF card capacity of the OT. It's fun but really just another distraction. Working with the MPC again this morning, I find it pretty good in some respects, hate the touch screen and some of the laborious operations. It seems that I either go back to using a DAW for the structured stuff and keep my pattern-based gear for jamming and fun or I keep trying to make these things do the tricks that Logic does effortlessly. It's all a matter of how much pain I want to give myself. Makes me think about the simplicity of structure in Berlin school and old-style step sequencers and just playing and how much more enjoyable it is not to keep battling machines. If only Colin would work on Cirklon and make it the machine it was always meant to be.

You know, all those people working with Ableton Live and a cool controller, they're the wise ones. Stubborn, pointless old men deliberately making their lives hard, they're just nutters. That's my thought for the day. Think I'll drink beer and make drones and loops and poops.

I'm supposed to speak at the council planning meeting on Thursday evening so will have to work out a script - not much of one though as I get 4 minutes! And the housing company gets the last word. Rearrange these words to make a sentence: stitch what up a. 

Think we may not be walking this week - weather forecast is grim. Hope not too bad for my drive over to Sheffield. I vented my spleen a bit on the Udo beta testing forum about the various annoyances that just keep on being there, probably shouldn't but I suppose this council thing is affecting my mood.

Hmm, they want another blood test in 2 weeks...

Spent Thursday going through my points to get over. The more I do it the better it sounds. 

Well now, a very good experience at the council meeting - council members standing up for us, including the leader who spoke very well. My spot overran slightly but I got all the points over I wanted - and it seemed to make a difference. Disappointed no neighbours but Alec turned up but I guess that's people. We won a deferral, which is actually better than throwing it out due to the vagaries of the appeal process and what happens when the client wins an appeal. Came out quite emotional for all the support and thanked a lot of them personally. Meanwhile Pat was outside getting grief from someone on the other side, he swore at her. Did their case no good and council dudes will insist he doesn't come back. 

Feel pretty good.