And . . .

A chilled week, sunny and without urgency. Managed a module review (easy one to write) and even started work on the 2 modules I've neglected for a while (foolishly as it happens). Sunned myself, read 3 books, wondered if I might get bored. Then wised up!

I'm 10 chapters into book 2 of FAF editing. Horrible feeling I'm adding new typos and mistakes as I go, which would be sad but typical. I could edit this book forever.

First sketch of base idea for Wiley E Peyote album, still wondering about doing that given I really planned no more solo stuff. Spose Wiley isn't me in a sense.

Also thinking of using OT cue output to send tracks to small Eurorack. Taking that instead of 101 might be a nice idea and give me some indulgent processing options as well as Tonestar bass. The case I already have would be fine too, think it might even leave cables in place.

New CD player fab. Finally I can play mp3s directly and the net nonsense I avoided so far. Denon did good.

Next week: finish the module reviews, Tim around mid-week, think about gig and whether to get an audio I/O module to make my cue idea work better.

Actual Retirement

Yes, I think this is it. I'd been supposedly winding down for a while yet the review work has gradually increased and the library music decreased proportionally. Well, as of now I'm going to do it - just a trickle of modular reviews (because they don't take long and are still hugely enjoyable) and even there, hopefully, replacement writers will let me off the hook, eventually. They say if I want to do more or come back, I can, which is very kind.

Sound On Sound has been very good to me over the years and it's wise that I retire while they still like what/how I write and before my world weariness spills into the text. Maybe one too many 303 clones has speeded this up but I've been ready to do something new for a while. For now this means finishing the editing of Future Art Factory for paperback, writing the new one, exploring the Lake District (as I always planned) and other projects bubbling around in my head. I have lots of ideas but little urgency. Spending time with Pat without having to schedule it between review writing or learning some new piece of gear for the next review, that will be bliss. Heck, we might even buy a camper van. I'm a lucky guy and I know it.

Superbooth taught me that I hate airports just as much as ever. More. Good to see everyone though, the people are always more interesting than the gear. I missed Steve Schroyder and Spyra though, which is a shame. Hadn't known Steve was there until too late.

Today I began reading 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' again. It's not a book I get bored with.

I should cut the grass. But I like the dandelions. They are bright and cheerful and bring many bees. So I'll let it grow.

Approx 1 month to the Frome gig. I have a vague idea what I'll do, which is more than enough. Basil is going to join me on stage with his Synthi, so that's nice. And today is sunny.

Some random new shots just because I like pix.

DSI very kindly sent me 2 replacement pots for free even though synth no longer in warranty. Thanks guys!

Mike, master of the highbrow eyebrow

And I didn't even tell you my tale of the Berghain and my invitation to join a 6-man orgy, did I?
Probably for the best...

Oto Bam, Superbooth, Push Turn Move

Yes a new toy

The kind of reverb I always dreamed about actually, can't leave the big ambient setting alone ;)

Off to Berlin for Superbooth tomorrow. Have packed black t-shirts, iPad, camera, portable recording device. Can't think of anything else to fill my little bag so I might put another bag inside. Cunning eh?
Looking forward to the gear but more to the people this time, many of whom I've not seen in too long.

And of course Mike, Kim and I can talk about this:

http://www.pushturnmove.com/

Which reached its target in about an hour!

Fun, fun, fun ahead!

Podcast and odds and sods

I didn't pick the tracks but I quite like the collection. Seems to be more coherent than a list I'd have picked. It's a collection that highlights my Berlin roots I guess, which is fair enough.

It is further evidence that I am better in collaboration than solo.

https://www.mixcloud.com/DrExistenz/electronic-oddities-47-paul-nagle/?play=fb&fb_action_ids=354251594971674&fb_action_types=mixcloud%3Aupload

Thought for the day: thoroughly exploring a small setup is infinitely more fun and worthwhile than simple plate spinning. Why did I not dare this before? Actually worth a mention here that I always work best when I am deprived of resources. Splitting studio into sections or identities makes so much sense. Amazing it took editing my own novel to see that. Heh!

https://soundcloud.com/smokyfrog/aitches-and-spleen

Pootling along

A landmark of sorts, I'm exactly half-way through the edit/rewrite of Future Art Factory. Ruthlessly deleting (most of) the embarrassing parts is proving to be energising. Even enough to put the new novel to one side mentally. I think writing Bogus Realities has helped a lot. Amazing to think I started FAF in 2003. I also wonder if anyone will ever suss what it's about?

Things going well generally. I have a week alone soon to get lots done (I hope) and have more ideas now than for a long time. Must have been getting in a rut.

Swapped my CS30 for a Pro2. Very happy too. The Pro2 has a jittery knob which I'll have to get sorted sometime. Hope I get time to learn it properly soon but what I've discovered so far is very promising.

Poor Jasper has blood dripping from his willy. More arse troubles apparently. Antibiotics but other things can be done if that doesn't work. Vet says he's in good nick for 15yo and puts it down to keeping his  bollocks. Hasn't helped me...

Typical (ambient) recording session.

Tim in full flow lit in Kryptonite - sorry Aira - green. Less ambient.

Sunny weekend of beer and noodles

Sunday night, another drunken video. This was before the shrooms kicked in!

As a contrast, here's some of the last batch of library tracks I did. I really must do more - and hope to have time soon.

http://ht.ly/eRHg30adA11

I'm about 25 chapters into the 6x9 version of Future Art Factory. It's taking a while because I'm not just reformatting I'm tweaking. And by tweaking I mean editing, deleting the most cringeworthy phrases, improving the language. Seems I've learnt a lot since 2003, which is actually a good thing I think.

Must knuckle down to reviews I have in. Taking too long cos it's sunny.

Swapping CS30 for Paul's Pro2 this week. May seem a foolish thing to do but I think the Pro 2 will be more of my type of thing. We'll see anyway.

Probably not my most exciting set of pix. OK, scrub the probably.

Is it that time again?

Well, I now have a complete Octatrack/A4 combined project with banks A-I having something of value in. The last two banks, as they break my 'bank=key' rule, are noise or percussion and select percussion patterns on the A4.

Here's a brief part of Bank E.

I am now going through the OT adding program change events for likely ES2 patterns since it's a small thing and easy to include. Throw in a DD20 delay for the Lyra or 101 to do ambient bridges with and I think that's my gig sorted. Won't need the KS4. Actually, might swap the 101 for a DSI Pro 2 as have agreed to swap my CS30 for one with my pal Paul. Everyone says I'm nuts and that may well be true, it's been demonstrated before today. He'll do better stuff with it than me, it is more a player's synth than a funny noise synth. Look, I'm making excuses to myself even before parting, quel idiot!

Pat was away last night so I had a few drinks and made my little vid. Alas, I turned my phone off overnight and my mum tried to get in touch, not feeling well. Darn! She didn't ring Pat knowing she was away too so was proper miserable this morning.

More review stuff arrived Friday, never seems to end these days. More fecking clones. Retirement can't come soon enough!

Here's a crap picture of some frogspawn. Afraid I've not been inspired lately.