Started to work on new review even thought not written up old completely. Wanted the new thing to bed in over time so the sooner I put on all software, look at it, try things, think about it, the better.

Very happy with the opening thing I wrote tonight. It'd been a bit empty and characterless until then.

Have planned out my new Prodigy mods, Paul going up to get his Mini so he will take it for me, save the drive. I will go up whenever ready, may be able to get his SH-1 if Tony has done it. I mentioned the FM mod.

My new mods, in case anyone's interested in this shit:

LFO Destination 3-way switch above the mod wheel. Left means VCO1, Middle both, Right means VCO2.

I've been trying to analyse the weird waveform I sometimes get from the LFO when the switch is misbehaving and reckon it's something very like a triangle but with very inwardly curving exponential shape, like a very thin unstable blip. An LFO that does that please. Will record example.

LFO speed switch - I've seen some Prodigies with a switch to give the LFO a much faster speed. Not essential but would be nice.

Momentary switch to defeat keyboard triggering of envelopes. Just something like the button on the Digisound EG (not in function), When you release it the envelopes are triggered normally but when held down they just drift away in the release phase. Would really like much longer releases. I know, I know.

Green LED instead of red.

That's enough. Combined with previous mods (anyone interested? I'll note down if so) these will make the Prodigy my perfect solo synth, searched for for many years.

Magic shortbread kicking in, back to writing stuff... :)

Good progress, took break to post this, Tim supplied incredible haunting picture

http://soundcloud.com/smokyfrog/something-comes

Mmmm a wet Monday, let's see, what's up? Saw Agitation Free in Manchester on Friday night, very enjoyable even if they didn't play an encore. Michael seemed to indicate they weren't allowed but seemed a shame to me. Drank too much, missed the train I'd intended and ended up on the last one to Preston so poor Pat had to come fetch me. Felt rough Sat morning, that last Monkey's Shoulder hitting me hard...

Worked on stuff over weekend, reviews coming along nicely but itching to get to do some of my own stuff. Read the new Culture novel (Hydrogen Sonata), which was OK, a bit routine perhaps. Feels like he's very comfortable with the limits he's set and doesn't want to be too adventurous. A good read though but has made me keen to go back over classic Culture novels again.

I plotted out the second novel in my own current series, switching back to more character-focused rather than plot-driven stuff as I think my plot will hold for the full three novels anyway. Must do more agent letters even if it all feels a bit futile.

I like the video for Elektron's new synth/sequencer. If it's the right price it could be very exciting. Aware that the Perfourmer is a bit large for any international stuff I might do so a small four voice analogue could be really useful. I wonder if they'll do something that's 80% brilliant 10% wacky and 10% downright hair-pullingly frustrating? All part of the fun!

Right, domestics day. Taking Les to hospital, then shopping, back to writing in the evening. Waiting for feedback on updated KBB tracks, fingers crossed. May also need to look at that Izotope Ozone mastering thing I installed but didn't immediately like... have 10 days to try it out.

Some guy called Bolok won the big US popularity contest. Still don't know why he didn't just wipe out his opponent with a drone strike. I think he won cos he's really starting to look like he hates his job. Folks can associate with that. I don't think the other guy lost purely cos he's a rabid businessman and nutter.

New reviews to start today, fortunately have used the kit already and have a feel for it. Should not be too hard.

Ah, that was Tuesday? Mum got bad cold, wanted me to take Ally for two days then changed her mind. Said I'd happily take her. Janet in dog house for taking cold round. Gotta all be careful from now.

Had smoke and drink and improved last review. I'd been about to send it in and made a few final changes for the better, I hope. Will have morning sanity check but I think it's a good one. Never want to get where it ain't fun and I'm churning 'em out.

Plotted out the next two novels in the series. Had a good idea about the third one, at least I hope so. The second one is what it was always going to be but the third will work really well, given it's actually an alternative first. It's written in the third person this time, of course.

Good Monday

We managed to get the old printer going with CD printing, so a good morning. Afternoon did a few bits and pieces, sent off Vic's CDs and the Clouseau one for the guy in Germany. Not as good as I remembered it, maybe not a good idea to hear some of these old things.

Amusingly, copying "42" a cassette I did back when I still had the home organ. I can hear Peter's drum machine that I borrowed, that Ibanez phaser, the great british spring, Elka stringsynth, very unsubtle, Yamaha CS10. My bass pedal playing is so bad it's almost, but sadly not quite, ironic. The organ had a string synth too. It sounded terrible but I seemed not to have noticed.

The Headshock stuff we recorded on the 3rd. I did very little except boost the levels and trim a few peaks, even kept in the distortion although de-crackled in a couple of places where it was too annoying. Anyway, what was I saying, I think it sounds really good stuff. The Octatrack fiddling I was doing combined with Tim's Microsampler, Elka, SH1, Prodigy. Oops, just heard some more bad cheese on the tape that's currently being copied. What was I saying, oh shit I really didn't care about bum notes in those days either. Thank Heavens for Logic, LOL. Jeez that sounds dreadful, wonder if I should lose the tape? Heheh...portamento lead solos. Yowch, gotta get soloing out of your system early. Or learn to play. Hehe, took the path of least resistance...

Good day

Blimey, some guy wants to release some of my stuff from 1980-84 on LP. I've been digging but it seems he has cassettes. Only found one anyway (42) so will send him that. Would like to listen first though, think they're all a bit shite.

Tim and I recorded some stuff this afternoon. Two tracks were good, maybe very good. Three other tracks that weren't as good but I'm happy, had fun. Like the sound of those drum machines but MUST learn how to stop the feckers alternating between the two halves or pattern and fill.

Pat made lovely tea, so it's telly and early night. Life, I love you!
Yes, we had a smoke this afternoon. You can tell, can't you? :)

Small steps

Well, after a painful birth all is peachy with that one track. Hopefully will get more to do soon and the chance to do a few before holes are picked in them and I lose all joy! Spent yesterday waiting for a workman who never came. It gave me chance to sit and write my latest review but reading back half of it is woffly philosophy rather than good, readable text. Still better than FM though! Actually bought that mag for the first time in many years but there are slim pickings. I wanted to know about the Microkorg XL as I thought there were meant to be mellotron samples in it - but no mention of them in the "review". So I'm none the wiser. It looks nice but it's all style and little substance, which is weird cos I'm sure I read a review a year or so back in WH Smiths and thought they were getting a lot better. Ah well, way of the world I guess.

This afternoon think I'll take time off and have Tim round to make noises. Workman allegedly coming but Pat can deal with him. Don't like having loft open when workmen around and we'll have to keep the smoke down too. So won't be the usual relaxed atmos.

Was very pleasantly surprised by the number of people coming out of the woodwork to say they liked, really liked Future Art Factory. Makes me wonder if I have deviated too much from the style with the new one but let's see what feedback I get. Couldn't persuade Iain Banks to write even a one-liner for me. I guess that was a cheeky thing to ask but you have to try. I even offered to listen to his music. Hey ho.

Well well, another day that didn't go to plan. Workman dude was here all afternoon, no music was made, worked on review and agreed to do another - of a competing product. Having lots of good vibes about alternative workflows and am really starting to think of ditching Logic. May be worth looking at Ableton again with the new version out... the new door looks excellent. The guy did a brilliant job, can't deny it. As usual Pat was right and I was wrong. :)