Awakenings done and Synthfest to come

 Yeah, we did Awakenings and a good chunk of it was good. I thought we'd lost sync once, possibly due to lack of vibe or quirks of the monitoring but, on listening back, I don't think it was out after all. Pete did suggest, at the start, not syncing and alternating instead and that would probably have been better/simpler/easier. A lesson for the future. Anyway, I'm still not 100% convinced by the MPC for live but more work neede. Fewer tracks/instruments/loops but more focus needed. In contrast, I did really enjoy playing the Atrium. 

No escaping the fact I've still not done a flawless gig at that venue and can't quite work out why. Sound's OK, lighting's great and people come and clap with genuine appreciation. Just can't seem to feel it myself. Should I have stuck by resolutions such as "never again"? Should I work through it?

Got home after a nice breakfast (did the curry thing with the Airsculpture guys) and reckon that the drive is bearable if I do it that way. Enjoyed meeting Mark (FLC) and swapped CDs with him, although not sure where I put the one I got. Probably left it like the idiot I sometimes am. Good that someone else appreciates Mick (Armistead) and his skills and I was well into his set, done on a couple of little boxes and that Intellijel mixer. I should extract some of my pix from the phone...

I do admire neat modular cabling....

My setup:

OK, I listened to the recording. Had not planned to today but as I'd put everything back, it's basically one switch for the speakers and Zoom so I hit play and, by the end, was much cheered up by what it sounded like. Sure there were a few points where it was less than perfect but as a live improv, nothing to be ashamed of at all. Phew!

This week I've got stuff most days. Estate agents were asking if the buyers for mum's house could go in and clean the carpets - I may need to attend to sorting a suitable day for me or Pat to go. Got flu jab, Pat's off to return Benji and we have money man chat too. Must see if I can get out with Tim for a beer and catch up too. Eddie mentions he might not make Synthfest after all - after I sorted hotel specifically to meet up. But he has shingles and it's incredibly painful so totally get it. Life sucks etc. 

Right, that's it for this one. 

Getting review off and starting Awakenings prep

 Have enjoyed reviewing the ODD-1 very much after a shaky start complaining about the UI. Should get the last of it done in the next day or so then I can concentrate on Awakenings. PRS day tomorrow.

Thursday was a good ODD day as I went over the areas I felt thin in the review and had a lot of fun doing so. Decided to pay extra for no adds on Now TV. If we're gonna watch that Dragon thing I don't wanna be moaning every 5 mins. 

Wow, PRS back up again, bizarrely enough. Don't know if that tempts me to buy the ODD-1 in spite of its UI but the idea has occurred. Wet today and no studio time due to blokes ripping up the hallway and putting down new boards ready for replacement lino (or whatever it is) on monday. 

Getting my cancerous conk looked at on Monday at Chorley. 

Edit: no I'm not. The appointment was for 2027 - so I turned up 12 months early. Seriously. I've booked a private consultation for next month, woulda liked sooner but hey. It's the place my mum went. Off to Grange with John and Mick tomorrow. Oh and sent an updated review - didn't like my conclusion and hopefully improved it now. 

Nice day with John and Mick in Grange over Sands. A dull place but we did our best. My cold was getting worse and continued Wednesday. Had a go through the stuff for the gig, all sounded OK. Added a few tweaks but don't want to put too much in there. Pete reckons he feels unprepared but we'll be fine. Will mean more spontaneity. I don't think I'll go back to it, perhaps a last whiz through but hopefully can have a proper Friday sesh even though there's an early start Saturday. 

My tree (from Sunday)

Friday and I'm gonna pack up before the afternoon sesh. I could do some gig prep but would rather not. Feeling somewhat free and relaxed approaching this with the least prep ever. I know Pete was worried he only has his hardware and fears he hasn't prepared enough but I'm sure it'll be great, Once we start playing, that's it. Once I have my pile of gear on the hallway floor I can spend the rest of the afternoon doing the usual nonsense of a Friday. Not gonna get too stoned though cos I plan to leave here around 8am Saturday. 

Been some good pix on morning walks lately.

Felt like a darn good friday (rough mix)

https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/track/my-voice

October dawns, our single is out and I start writing. Got spot looked at and... oh dear.

 Yeah that does it for September and I begin my first draft of the review. I know enough now and should knuckle down - may try to get it done in a fortnight but if not it can be in the January issue. The single came out yesterday and SOS David found it on Youtube for those who don't have a spotify login. Still surprised my old one works. EMOM last night was a bit shit and one guy was so loud I had to leave shortly after enduring his set. Ears still ringing - when will I learn. Also sent our first pints back as they were off - proper nasty they were. 

Tomorrow it's Harter Fell, the Eskdale one. Not sure if I'm driving. Friday night it's a gig, really must find out who we're seeing. 

Thursday was a hard day, can't say I enjoyed it. Some good pix but very long drive, felt sick, squelched up a hill. Anyway, will have to think about doing these to see if I really want to do every one. Friday I did three things - worked on two MPC / P3 songs.Then played with Atrium and SP-404. Got some nice stuff that I captured into the mixer. Then went to work on review while still slightly stoned. Going to see Monochrome Set tonight with Tony. Review again over weekend if I can. Will try and do the bulk of it 

Spot still on my nose so gonna go docs next week. Pat thinks a cyst. Great. 

Woke Saturday morning with a very swollen right eye. It's been a day or so of discomfort so should've looked sooner. Pat got me some drops. Last few days have been reasonably productive with some MPC work, more testing and fun with the ODD-1 and some writing. Guess I might be showing doc my eye and nose on Monday. Great. 

Happy birthday to me. Spent morning chasing docs to get my nose spot and wonky eye sorted. Did a bit of review work but not a lot. Saw Department S and heard Edgar's repeating guitar solo from Ricochet, never noticed that before. Made a thai green curry but recipe didn't mention coconut milk and it probably should have. 

Wednesday had spot photographed and it's a low grade growth called a Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). It  does not appear to have the potential to spread to another site in the body so it is NOT considered to be serious or a dangerous skin cancer. Unfortunately, if the lesion is left it will slowly increase in size and can be locally destructive.

So I wait for another email for the next appointment. 

In other news, got my first draft of the review pretty much complete today at only 400 words over my expected word count. I have a few more days at it but may see if I can get it sent Friday and give myself a clear weekend. Pat's away Saturday although there's floor replacement activity in the hallway that is gonna be Friday and maybe Saturday. How come every time she organises the floor to be done it's a bloody Friday? Huh? 

Not walking tomorrow as I wannt work on the review, do some final tests and checks. Guess if the NHS takes too long I can get Tony's lass to take a scalpel to me. 

At least the eye was only a stye. Look proper weary there though. 

Synthfest here I come! Plus, that just about wraps it up for September.

 Yeah, gonna stay two nights and have a jolly splendid time. Ziggy has been put off until December and I have pretty much sussed ODD-1 barring a few questions I need to ask. Sun is shining and the garden bin is full. My lancs pension amounts to something like £190 a year or just under £900 lump sum followed by £123 a year - so gonna take that option and buy a card for the Easel, which was supposed to come this week, except, of course, I know Buchla all too well. 

Needless to say the Easel didn't arrive. Had some good days with the ODD-1 though and am now in a position to start writing the review. Put this together https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/track/omg2

It pairs well with the SQ1 and even better with the Touche!

Apparently Gong are playing in the Ferret tonight. Pascal says he's going and I wonder if I will? All depends what I get up to this afternoon, I suppose. 

Today I updated the Osmose (despite there being nothing in the update for me) then started playing it. From there I progressed to doing the obvious thing

https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/track/the-obvious-thing

My general assessment of September is that it shows improvement, finally. Musically, I mean. I've done a few things that aren't utter shit. 

I'm getting close to the "start writing" part of the review but John's added new looping functionality, which is rather promising. He's also gonna do the dotted delays etc. that I asked for, all of which shows he's keen and capable. This being the last week of September, I'm ready to knuckle down and knock up a draft to work on. Last few things to work on and refine then force myself to stop playing with it. Gig coming up so need to think about that. Won't bother chasing Source this week but will chase solicitor, again. EMOM tomorrow but will I go or stay home?

Yay - got auto scene switching working at last! Review gear here!

 I know, probably obvious to most people but it hasn't been for me. Installed the plugin, went through a wizard to set it up and it just works. Now all I need is proper places for my two cams - or a new cam with a longer lead. How marvellous!

New Cirklon OS to try today. Mystery DHL package gone from East Midlands to Altingham. 

Discussing new ANT album cover and single releases to come. 

ODD-1 arrived and started using. Tested euclidian mode of Cirklon and probably moaned more about the general OS than I should. Pat having nightmare in hospital again with Margaret. 

Friday was good. Learned more about the ODD-1 then recorded this https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/track/megadodo

Laughed as we watched Dune part 2 realising we'd seen it before just on Prime. It was only "new" to Netflix. Oh well. Shoulda watched "Call My Agent". 

Saturday I knuckled down to review work updating the ODD-1 to latest firmware, loading in a selection of my usual samples and generally getting a feel for it. Know my way round a bit better at least. Sunday I think Margaret being discharged - was nice having her in there.

Monday was a nice day out with John. We went to Ribchester, had a nice lunch and later a beer. Will pick up review work tomorrow again.

Some days alone to play, write and, well, drink I suppose.

 Yeah it's Friday, signed contract for mum's house and preparing for my studio time. Didn't manage to go for weed but will cope I think. 

It was a good day. Worked on a new track, also in Fm, and used the Casio piano a lot. It really works well in its new place and it's just what that setup needed I think. Seem to have recorded a few things, all of which sound pretty good. Today (Saturday) I'll do more and perhaps put them together in Logic. 

Seems like Saturday was good

https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/album/spegifo-nunc-taters

Stoned Satyrday night and watching Fackham Hall which being stoned helps. Its writ by Jimmy Carr and today I'm in the mood for it. I didn't get much beyond half-way through though as just wasn't stoned enough. Sunday went to see Jan and then cleaned bathroom, listened to recordings, made bolognese...

Sunday and Pat home in a few hours. Occurs to me that some of the best stuff I've done in a while exists, currently, as recordings into the 404. The Atrium continues to captivate. May ask why they don't let yuo store gestures as thet really make a patch - your little personal recording of parameter tweaks.

had a great sunday in studio playing with atrium

https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/album/spegifo-nunc-taters

Pat home soon and I made a nice bolognese

I'm thinking that, in future, I should specify nuns, don't you agree?

September feels like a return to form. Musically. No sign of the Odd-1 yet. 

Got phone screen replaced, supposedly a genuine Apple part but I think cos the guy nicked it out of a phone he had in the shop. Oh well. Jan got hold of David who will provide invoice for gas work. I will contact carport people once solicitor gives me the details I naively left with them thinking they might do something (other than repeatedly ask the same questions) for their fee. Installed Margaret's bed and I think I'll do a bit of gardening now as it's forecast to rain tomorrow. 

Sill no reply from Inmusic about my problem. I suspect I'm not going to get one. 

The week progresses with more of the Margaret saga, gas fire/boiler service and general lethargy. It's hard to start on anything with the constant fear of interruption and I'm wondering what happened to that Odd-1 which I expected last week. I should probably start thinking about firing up the MPC again to remind myself of the bits and pieces I have prepared for the gig but I'd rather play the Atrium. Seems we have everything the solicitors want now except for David's invoice, which I hope will arrive today. Then we can finally get a date for exchange of contracts. That would be one big thing sorted at least. 

Tuesday and I had no mojo at all. Tried some video of Atrium but the camera swap still not happening. No idea why not but fed up with it. Fired up the MPC but was not inspired at all. Using its clips as it stands is utterly useless if they're audio clips - no wonder InMusic never got back to me. Tried the RND thing but got yet more shit from it.Seemed like such a good idea but, in reality, it's boring as hell and I wonder if 5 presses should be enough, or 50 or 500? 

Rainy Wednesday awaiting a mystery delivery from Croatia. Chased Source for an update on my Easel Command and told "next week" which, if it happens, will allow me to use it at the gig. Which would be great actually. Should try and solve that camera switching thing and see if i can get the Sys8 USB driver loaded on my elderly Mac. Admin and faff but necessary. Update: Sys8 USB driver doesn't go far back enough for my Mac OS. However, MIDI works but only when I set the SYstem 8 to transmit on channel 1 as quite a few plugins insist on that (!). So it was working the other day when I needed it I just assumed Logic would rechannalise - dopey moi! Gonna leave camera shite to another day though as there's a Cirklon OS to try.

September is here

 And we started industriously with the final move of stuff from mum's, visit to solicitor and then I trimmed the spiky hedge near the garage. Got the idea to do a frog album under the name Smokyfrog since I never really did use that and there are some lovely frogs to inspire. We'll see if it happens. Gong Unconvention II in Glasto in November, really should go to that. Will see if Tony fancies it. 

Feel as much like sleeping as going into studio today. Played Atrium. saved setup 1 again as MIDI with SQ1 doing some chuggy sequencing timbral FX turning chords quite sweet. Next there was a cute melody one in slot 2 where I had only the very bottom end of the sustain slider turning the LFO manic, which sent all kinds of other things into flurries too. Quite a creative patch, should probably save it. 

Wednesday, did my good deed of the day by taking Margaret to clinic. Afternoon was a quick update of RND - still doesn't seem to respond to the CC9 on channel 1 for setting a scale and so on but does respond to the individual level controls and reverb. Using it via USB on the MPC which also powers it and sync seems fine that way. Pressed the button quite a few times and wasn't impressed once. Guess you need to be in the mood. Played with Atrium a bit, saved my patches after testing the MIDI one still plays as it did. Must explore MIDI clock sync on that sometime. Was going to try the online thing as I've agreed to do another MR online performance but it was too complicated in the Light Studio so will try in the main room tomorrow, or Friday. Thinking my 5 Atrium saved patches could actually be just 5 starting points with different scales in them. Noticed the MPC has pages for all the CCs but instead of having them as numbers they're all the default ancient MIDI spec names that absolutely nobody uses. May get my default song to set them up better one day. Did at least update my template for a RND access to each channel. 

 Thursday and I was up very early dunno why.Strange dream about being at the top of monumental brick staircase and it being too steep to attempt. Weird huh? Tested online performance thing and it was OK as far as I can tell. Seemed easier than I remembered once I re-enabled all the cameras and audio input. Haven't yet worked out how to download the videos I made to check audio properly. Pat took Margaret to eye clinic and ended up upset with her again. Margaret says random nonsense and Pat can't seem to stop herself from rising to it emotionally. Tried to tell her she was doing great and gently correcting her is the only way but not to get so stressed about it, treat it like a care situation, like if you were working in a care home. I dunno what she expects me to say but keep getting wound up is not sustainable and Margaret is not going to improve. Sigh. EMOM tonight. Wonder if I'll go. Just want a peaceful life but seems a long way away sometimes. 

Had a minor breakthrough with Liminal Entity. After (successfully) testing the OBS online thing I sat and worked on the chapter I'd been stalled on (18). By adding an extra layer and a hint of what's ultimately to come, the chapter gets more gravitas and inner logic. It changes a few things and sets up furher changes but I'd been planning that anyway. Just shows what even a small bag of smoke can do really.

Later, Margaret rang. Another fall. Went round and she seems OK but we can never really relax now wondering if the next one is the big one. Hmmm, she had to go to hospital after all. Well to wait on the ambulance for hours until she was admitted to wait in a corridor. Evventually they discharged her due to no beds and no chance to scan her until Monday. 

Saturday Tim and I noodled a bit, only a bit though. Sunday it rained in the morning. Then Jan & 1 went up Beacon Fell, which was lovely. Booked hotel for the Unconvention - got it wrong first time (2 months out). 

Oh yes, Bernard Szajner died. Was hard to respond online as it was reported by Narc Jerkins, who (of course)  included a plug for one of this albums. Had some nice exchanges with Bernard a few years back as he was looking for gigs and interest in some new music. Sadly he wasn't so interested in talking about his earlier, wonderful work being a proper artiste and all. 

On Monday I played with the Atrium. Tried some clocking of LFO, Delay and Contour and made some groovy wee grooves. At one point had an acid squelch from it, and still find the three band pass filters can be too subtle in many cases. I think I'd like to hear a big swooshy string pad through them but yet to manage owt like that. Still madly addictive. We had Margaret here for a few hours - somewhere different to sleep. 

Tuesday and I did a small reorg, not complete yet. I want to put the Casio piano into my Cirklon setup even if it means swapping it with a main synth. So far I moved the V-Synth back to setup 1 so its D-beam is not obstructed. Sys8 is temporarily in setup 3 there because I don't trust the Super-6's velocity, I need another solution but it isn't obvious yet what it is, will try the hub on thursday (walking tomorrow), plus want to test latest Cirklon additions as progress continues apace. Pat gonna be away three days - Fri-Sun so should take full advantage if I can. The ODD-1 will probably arrive. Busy, busy. 

Thursday and no sign of ODD-1. Had lovely walk at Settle yesterday in the sunshine. Now just listening to a lovely album by that Ludowic bloke who plays the trautonium so beautifully 

Today I am cooking that Japenese steak recipe and hopefully spending time with Atrium - hope I didn't upset the designers for asking about the three bandpass filters, trying to understand why they sound so 'meh' - and no, I didn't put it like that. Wrote to Inmusic again about my problem and still no response. Maybe they laid off support in favour of an AI that ignores you instead - cheaper I guess. Well, until the AI raises its fees. 

If all goes well I have a few days to myself starting tomorrow. OK have to sign contract in the morning for mum's house but otherwuse, time to do some music!