Good day. Weather nice, back still a bit sore but lubricated later. Did a few tracks - in fact I think I did an album or an EP anyway. All based on loops found in the RC-505 but still in there, presumably because I thought they still had something to give. They sure do at 70BPM!!!!
I jammed over the top on the Hydrasynth, either on CME keyboard or its own pads, mostly the latter. It sounded mighty fine with some 505 reverb too, added over the older loops. Not sure how many tracks I did but I kept going having decided the formula worked. Didn't mix it perfectly but that might turn out to be OK, except for that one.
A couple of hints on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-j96fQh8Ow/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-j3g6FBV6J/
Tomorrow will listen properly, do some basic mastering and probably put up somewhere, either as single merged track or as individuals with fades.
Had the oddest conversation with a neighbour asking if I was 'fed up with all this nonsense'. He considered there were three positive results from the current crisis. I apologise because I have forgotten the first. The second was that 'you don't hear from that Greta Thunberg' and the third involved the cricket being stopped. I did suggest that her point had been successfully made (Greta's) and that the River Lostock was running clear every day. He was reminded of something about Venice. Yes clear now and tomorrow rather than once in a blue moon (and always sporting a frothy head). Anyway, I made my excuses and left, as the Sun reporters used to say, except I actually did it cos I was taking Jasper out.
I came home and fully intended to work on the novel. Currently listening to the ambient stuff again.
Roedelius book is going to be a hard slog, I think. You might think I'd moan that the poems aren't translated into english but no.
Saturday, 4 April 2020
Friday, 3 April 2020
Friday again!
Yesterday the Roedelius autobiography arrived.
I managed to get through the first couple of chapters, which are quite difficult in terms of structure and word flow. It looks like it starts properly in the next chapter so looking forward to that. I get the sense that The Book has had no editor around to cast a beady eye over it - I dearly hope there aren't too many more paragraphs that last several pages! ;)
Today I might continue with the thing I've been working on, maybe make a lengthier, more spaced-out version of it and record on a few more tracks than two. I have a section to get through on the novel which should be fairly straightforward, and I must resist getting drawn into subplots too much - I noticed I was referring back to a novel written years ago (on the Atari ST!) which was called 'Renamed and Dangerous'. I never did anything with that, and when I occasionally find partial prints of it in the attic, I realise why - it was shit. Hopefully I will eventually get the hang of this writing lark.
Back still sore. Hasn't really improved all week, which is disappointing. My plans to do a video have so far come to nothing. Think I'd rather try and find a melody for my new thing, even if really simple and unfussy - all attempts so far have been cheesy and uncomfortable.
Did what I think is good thing, 25mins of indulgence, forgot to save as wav so can't put on bandcamp as freebie but will do tomorrow. It sounds cool to me but, you know, it's Friday.
I managed to get through the first couple of chapters, which are quite difficult in terms of structure and word flow. It looks like it starts properly in the next chapter so looking forward to that. I get the sense that The Book has had no editor around to cast a beady eye over it - I dearly hope there aren't too many more paragraphs that last several pages! ;)
Today I might continue with the thing I've been working on, maybe make a lengthier, more spaced-out version of it and record on a few more tracks than two. I have a section to get through on the novel which should be fairly straightforward, and I must resist getting drawn into subplots too much - I noticed I was referring back to a novel written years ago (on the Atari ST!) which was called 'Renamed and Dangerous'. I never did anything with that, and when I occasionally find partial prints of it in the attic, I realise why - it was shit. Hopefully I will eventually get the hang of this writing lark.
Back still sore. Hasn't really improved all week, which is disappointing. My plans to do a video have so far come to nothing. Think I'd rather try and find a melody for my new thing, even if really simple and unfussy - all attempts so far have been cheesy and uncomfortable.
Did what I think is good thing, 25mins of indulgence, forgot to save as wav so can't put on bandcamp as freebie but will do tomorrow. It sounds cool to me but, you know, it's Friday.
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Opto-isolator
Today's pleasant discovery was Synthesist Reloaded - didn't realise Harald had redone it but from what I've heard so far it's lovely. I have the original but I think it might be on tape. Must order this. Haven't heard my Ashra vinyl for ages, hope it still plays.
Fired up Mac today and got no inspiration at all. Sent John those piano mid files. In the afternoon I turned to Cirklon and immediately began doing something I can continue working on. Cool!
For some reason, an error in my Hydrasynth review popped into my mind - checked the text and there it was. Sadly too late for the print edition but amended for the online version (not quite as I'd have done it but less intrusively). I really did do that one faster than I should. It's not a major thing (I claimed the Drive was for both filters when I meant so say all filter types of filter 1) but shows I'm past my use-by date.
This afternoon (Thursday) I will return to the track I started sketching today. Back still sore but sitting seems to make it worse, so I'll be standing next to Cirklon again. Adding that small CME keyboard directly before Cirklon has been a good idea - not just for recording poly AT into the Blofeld and Hydrasynth but for recording things like the V-Synth, ordinarily my master keyboard.
Having removed the Odyssey and connected it to the P3, I had a mixer channel spare, so slotted in the Novation Mono Circuit. Good call - by selecting a blank project and turning off the stupid scale function I can select patches remotely from Cirklon and -heypresto- it becomes a valuable member of the team. Actually fills a space my Bass Station and BS2 left in terms of being an analogue programmable synth. Will never need to touch the sequencer again. Had to compromise on which Ck output to put it on due to the synths on the one I wanted to use having no Thru (and I'm using all my other thru boxes elsewhere). Fortunately the Hydrasynth had an unused thru cos they did the MIDI port thing right.
In theory should reorganise as the P2K doesn't get heavily used these days - it sure doesn't need a port to itself any more. It also has a thru. Job for another day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cXnHHBYcr/
The other day I wanted to randomly mute notes and chords played by the Hydrasynth in a real-time pattern (so no aux events). Always a solution and this one I later extended to include other tracks - including a lovely Blofeld falling star noise - muting and unmuting. The more entries you make for a particular state, the more likely that state will be set. Simple really but good.
Got my novel problem sorted I think, the characters all fleshed out sufficiently, the 'mini story' drafted.
Fired up Mac today and got no inspiration at all. Sent John those piano mid files. In the afternoon I turned to Cirklon and immediately began doing something I can continue working on. Cool!
For some reason, an error in my Hydrasynth review popped into my mind - checked the text and there it was. Sadly too late for the print edition but amended for the online version (not quite as I'd have done it but less intrusively). I really did do that one faster than I should. It's not a major thing (I claimed the Drive was for both filters when I meant so say all filter types of filter 1) but shows I'm past my use-by date.
This afternoon (Thursday) I will return to the track I started sketching today. Back still sore but sitting seems to make it worse, so I'll be standing next to Cirklon again. Adding that small CME keyboard directly before Cirklon has been a good idea - not just for recording poly AT into the Blofeld and Hydrasynth but for recording things like the V-Synth, ordinarily my master keyboard.
Having removed the Odyssey and connected it to the P3, I had a mixer channel spare, so slotted in the Novation Mono Circuit. Good call - by selecting a blank project and turning off the stupid scale function I can select patches remotely from Cirklon and -heypresto- it becomes a valuable member of the team. Actually fills a space my Bass Station and BS2 left in terms of being an analogue programmable synth. Will never need to touch the sequencer again. Had to compromise on which Ck output to put it on due to the synths on the one I wanted to use having no Thru (and I'm using all my other thru boxes elsewhere). Fortunately the Hydrasynth had an unused thru cos they did the MIDI port thing right.
In theory should reorganise as the P2K doesn't get heavily used these days - it sure doesn't need a port to itself any more. It also has a thru. Job for another day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cXnHHBYcr/
The other day I wanted to randomly mute notes and chords played by the Hydrasynth in a real-time pattern (so no aux events). Always a solution and this one I later extended to include other tracks - including a lovely Blofeld falling star noise - muting and unmuting. The more entries you make for a particular state, the more likely that state will be set. Simple really but good.
Got my novel problem sorted I think, the characters all fleshed out sufficiently, the 'mini story' drafted.
Monday, 30 March 2020
Covid Diary Supplemental
Captain's log, going a bit rotten, got some beetles and woodlice in it but hey you work with what you have eh?
Dean introduced me to an album I'd never heard today, good too:
It's odd how easily I've adapted to the formless days, the nearly-identical schedule that isn't a schedule. Jasper is happy anyway, although I do wish I could turn my 'going out for exercise' into actual exercise. We never walk fast enough but I can't begrudge him. All I'm doing is punching which isn't the best way to keep fit, although could help against burglars. I read in the Independent that sex workers are finding it hard.
I should go to the bank to put in a couple of SOS cheques - time passes and they aren't going to pay themselves in.
Have reached the part of my novel that is almost a short story in itself, concerning the creatures living beneath the Old Wreck. Still not 100% sure about it as it's a different tone to the rest and maybe not a perfect fit. Will let it roll around a bit until it either becomes something or it doesn't.
Seem to have hurt my back hitting my punchman today. Might have got stuck in too hard and twisted as I punched but will have to ease off. Programmed another set of Hydrasynth patches - I spend so long doing that but I'm fairly sure I'd have more usable stuff had I spent the same time programming, say, the Blofeld. Which is interesting. Maybe I'm stuck in the old wavetable mentality but I think the Blofeld filters sound better too. Anyway, putting Hydra to one side for a bit so I can work on some music. Spent the afternoon playing piano and enjoyed that. Somewhere along the way I had an idea for my story, an angle for it that might slot in nicely. We'll see.
It's odd how easily I've adapted to the formless days, the nearly-identical schedule that isn't a schedule. Jasper is happy anyway, although I do wish I could turn my 'going out for exercise' into actual exercise. We never walk fast enough but I can't begrudge him. All I'm doing is punching which isn't the best way to keep fit, although could help against burglars. I read in the Independent that sex workers are finding it hard.
I should go to the bank to put in a couple of SOS cheques - time passes and they aren't going to pay themselves in.
Have reached the part of my novel that is almost a short story in itself, concerning the creatures living beneath the Old Wreck. Still not 100% sure about it as it's a different tone to the rest and maybe not a perfect fit. Will let it roll around a bit until it either becomes something or it doesn't.
Seem to have hurt my back hitting my punchman today. Might have got stuck in too hard and twisted as I punched but will have to ease off. Programmed another set of Hydrasynth patches - I spend so long doing that but I'm fairly sure I'd have more usable stuff had I spent the same time programming, say, the Blofeld. Which is interesting. Maybe I'm stuck in the old wavetable mentality but I think the Blofeld filters sound better too. Anyway, putting Hydra to one side for a bit so I can work on some music. Spent the afternoon playing piano and enjoyed that. Somewhere along the way I had an idea for my story, an angle for it that might slot in nicely. We'll see.
Saturday, 28 March 2020
Housebound... oh well
Still coping bravely two days into my, well, you could call it confinement but actually it's like a normal week but with no feelings of guilt for not going to the gym.
I've worked on a few more Hydrasynth patches - I really must stop doing that as whole afternoons go by and all I have to show for it are a few more weird noises, admittedly some with Macro definitions now. I'm finding the kind of sounds I wanted - and got some good programming tips from a bank uploaded today which uses the macros quite a lot just for mod matrix depths, rather than as I've been doing for fx and mutator depths and wet/dry. I still keep forgetting to hit the assign button when setting things up so that when I hit the module button I come right out of the macro edit process. Seems to me that should be automatically highlighted when you've deliberately gone into edit but maybe some people like the extra button presses.
Tomorrow I will do something different. Not sure what but the novel ain't progressing and now is really a perfect time. Well, except that today was another sunny one. I set up the punchman ready to hit but then started reading Excession again, lazy git!
Today I rang vet - have to take Jasper to have his mouth looked at. Not good I think.
Sunny day, drank beer, had almost the last of my weed, wrote some novel stuff - combed through a part nicely I think, opening up lots from here. Good how that happens, one of my favourite things actually.
Listening through the gig I did in Preston, actually, now that time has passed, I'm really rather happy with that too.
Good news from Vet about Jasper's mouth lump - amazing to see the place empty with people waiting in their cars to be seen. He has to be the best vet we've ever known so it's a relief to be able to get in.
Can't go wrong with a few 'Jasper in the sun' shots!
Mum still not well, still unclear what with. Has been getting meds via some chemist delivery service and talking to Minerva nurses (COPD) and doc on phone, but frustrating I can't go and visit. At least she's stopped concentrating on her plunging investments.
Have written quite a lot in this last few days, in the generally fast getting-things-done style that really does progress the story, even if I need to go back over it and add some details, breathers and asides. Well, maybe, we'll see how it reads later. Knocked up a weird track for Don, not one of my best, probably too odd and difficult rhythmically, but something because I know he wanted something.
An online friend, hearing of my plight, has offered to send me something to keep my creative spirits alive. People really are rallying round, bless them!
I've worked on a few more Hydrasynth patches - I really must stop doing that as whole afternoons go by and all I have to show for it are a few more weird noises, admittedly some with Macro definitions now. I'm finding the kind of sounds I wanted - and got some good programming tips from a bank uploaded today which uses the macros quite a lot just for mod matrix depths, rather than as I've been doing for fx and mutator depths and wet/dry. I still keep forgetting to hit the assign button when setting things up so that when I hit the module button I come right out of the macro edit process. Seems to me that should be automatically highlighted when you've deliberately gone into edit but maybe some people like the extra button presses.
Tomorrow I will do something different. Not sure what but the novel ain't progressing and now is really a perfect time. Well, except that today was another sunny one. I set up the punchman ready to hit but then started reading Excession again, lazy git!
Today I rang vet - have to take Jasper to have his mouth looked at. Not good I think.
Sunny day, drank beer, had almost the last of my weed, wrote some novel stuff - combed through a part nicely I think, opening up lots from here. Good how that happens, one of my favourite things actually.
Listening through the gig I did in Preston, actually, now that time has passed, I'm really rather happy with that too.
Good news from Vet about Jasper's mouth lump - amazing to see the place empty with people waiting in their cars to be seen. He has to be the best vet we've ever known so it's a relief to be able to get in.
Can't go wrong with a few 'Jasper in the sun' shots!
Mum still not well, still unclear what with. Has been getting meds via some chemist delivery service and talking to Minerva nurses (COPD) and doc on phone, but frustrating I can't go and visit. At least she's stopped concentrating on her plunging investments.
Have written quite a lot in this last few days, in the generally fast getting-things-done style that really does progress the story, even if I need to go back over it and add some details, breathers and asides. Well, maybe, we'll see how it reads later. Knocked up a weird track for Don, not one of my best, probably too odd and difficult rhythmically, but something because I know he wanted something.
An online friend, hearing of my plight, has offered to send me something to keep my creative spirits alive. People really are rallying round, bless them!
Monday, 23 March 2020
Going Viral
Gosh, here am I self-isolating and struggling to see any difference.Well, I now don't feel guilty for not going to gym. I am gonna become a total slob though so have brought out the old punchman to work off some energy. At least I can finally finish off those Hydra patches I started, maybe do some nice PPG-style ones that I'm sure it can do but which I haven't heard yet.
If I get too fed up I might sort some online performances or more reviews but so far it's sunny and my Roedelius book has finally been dispatched. I got all the stuff together for my Irish passport and sent that off this morning, making sure to queue six foot from everyone. Some are taking it seriously but not all, which might mean more stringent measures are imposed.
Wonder if I get so bored I switch on the modular?
Novel going again after a bit of a pause. I know what's coming but laziness setting in, plus some actual events are starting to mirror what I write. Am I changing reality?
I put all my bandcamp at 80% off until the end of the month (code XYZZY) which seemed a fair gesture if people are looking for something - OK a mixed bag admittedly - to wade through. A surprising number of sales generated from it, which is nice. Should do same for Ideation and Headshock; JIC already pretty cheap but will look at that too. Someone actually liked the cover artwork, something I appreciated cos sometimes I wonder if it's too amateurish. Confession: sometimes I create the artwork from scratch while the album is uploading.
I should do that other Binar CDR too - Truth Sets Us Free - as I have promised quite a few times. And finish my piano album. Yeah, should, shoulda, should've!
Anyway, signing off as I suspect there might be more blog entries, depending on how crazy I get bumming around the house.
If I get too fed up I might sort some online performances or more reviews but so far it's sunny and my Roedelius book has finally been dispatched. I got all the stuff together for my Irish passport and sent that off this morning, making sure to queue six foot from everyone. Some are taking it seriously but not all, which might mean more stringent measures are imposed.
Wonder if I get so bored I switch on the modular?
Novel going again after a bit of a pause. I know what's coming but laziness setting in, plus some actual events are starting to mirror what I write. Am I changing reality?
I put all my bandcamp at 80% off until the end of the month (code XYZZY) which seemed a fair gesture if people are looking for something - OK a mixed bag admittedly - to wade through. A surprising number of sales generated from it, which is nice. Should do same for Ideation and Headshock; JIC already pretty cheap but will look at that too. Someone actually liked the cover artwork, something I appreciated cos sometimes I wonder if it's too amateurish. Confession: sometimes I create the artwork from scratch while the album is uploading.
I should do that other Binar CDR too - Truth Sets Us Free - as I have promised quite a few times. And finish my piano album. Yeah, should, shoulda, should've!
Anyway, signing off as I suspect there might be more blog entries, depending on how crazy I get bumming around the house.
Tuesday, 17 March 2020
Being Gramps
The wee man changes a little each time he comes, which is kinda nice and also fascinating. He really loves Jasper too, but Jasper is so old now and one day in the next year or so he won't be here.
Still no sign of the Hydrasynth and, as I look at the calendar, it's probably not going to be possible to get it done before I go to Scotland next month. Having waited so long, it would be mad to rush it, but it sure feels like we'll be last to the party and anything I have to say will be quite pointless at this stage, probably no influence at all (and I do have several ideas already). Yesterday I listened through a load of 'artist patches', most of which were pretty poor fare, although some of the pads were lovely. I hope I can do better in the time allotted but may not have as much programming and bonding time as I'd ordinarily want. This whole 'coming out of retirement for something cool' sounded such a good idea back at the start of October but five months on I'm feeling the moment has passed.
Downloaded a fab album from Picko yesterday, really mellow and spacious. Today I've grabbed something from a guy calling himself Flexagon, which is beautiful, almost Erland Cooperish. These two gentle releases made me think I should try and do something a bit more uplifting, although it's always a mood thing with me. My last one, one of my faves in a long time, is a bit bleak I suppose.
There's a classical concert tomorrow afternoon I was hoping to attend. Will have to see as I can't leave Pat to cope with William - he's so lively I fear it would wear her to a frazzle.
I feel slightly bad that I didn't know who Andy Weatherall was. It would probably surprise people who assume I know things about music and contemporary culture and all. I am hugely ignorant across a wide range of topics. As I've admitted in at least one of my novels: what I don't know, I make up.
Ouch, looks like I started this entry ages ago. Since then I've been to Scotland and completed the Hydrasynth review, so I think I'll just post some photos and call this one complete. We're into Coronvirus territory now which means I stay home and tinker with gear. I know: big changes.
What else? Well I heard something from Nix Nott which sounded a lot like one of my tunes, so bought the album off bandcamp. Also bought the Seasons which is a radiophonic weird tune thing with weird poetry - fab! Heard quite a lot of stuff on Radio 6 that I liked (and a lot I didn't) but most I was too stoned to note down. A heavy week of drinking and smoking, felt a bit ill with the tobacco. We did get one clear night for astronomy though which was brill.
Anyway. I think these are a different random selection to those I posted on Facebook. I took a lot of pix.
Still no sign of the Hydrasynth and, as I look at the calendar, it's probably not going to be possible to get it done before I go to Scotland next month. Having waited so long, it would be mad to rush it, but it sure feels like we'll be last to the party and anything I have to say will be quite pointless at this stage, probably no influence at all (and I do have several ideas already). Yesterday I listened through a load of 'artist patches', most of which were pretty poor fare, although some of the pads were lovely. I hope I can do better in the time allotted but may not have as much programming and bonding time as I'd ordinarily want. This whole 'coming out of retirement for something cool' sounded such a good idea back at the start of October but five months on I'm feeling the moment has passed.
Downloaded a fab album from Picko yesterday, really mellow and spacious. Today I've grabbed something from a guy calling himself Flexagon, which is beautiful, almost Erland Cooperish. These two gentle releases made me think I should try and do something a bit more uplifting, although it's always a mood thing with me. My last one, one of my faves in a long time, is a bit bleak I suppose.
There's a classical concert tomorrow afternoon I was hoping to attend. Will have to see as I can't leave Pat to cope with William - he's so lively I fear it would wear her to a frazzle.
I feel slightly bad that I didn't know who Andy Weatherall was. It would probably surprise people who assume I know things about music and contemporary culture and all. I am hugely ignorant across a wide range of topics. As I've admitted in at least one of my novels: what I don't know, I make up.
Ouch, looks like I started this entry ages ago. Since then I've been to Scotland and completed the Hydrasynth review, so I think I'll just post some photos and call this one complete. We're into Coronvirus territory now which means I stay home and tinker with gear. I know: big changes.
What else? Well I heard something from Nix Nott which sounded a lot like one of my tunes, so bought the album off bandcamp. Also bought the Seasons which is a radiophonic weird tune thing with weird poetry - fab! Heard quite a lot of stuff on Radio 6 that I liked (and a lot I didn't) but most I was too stoned to note down. A heavy week of drinking and smoking, felt a bit ill with the tobacco. We did get one clear night for astronomy though which was brill.
Anyway. I think these are a different random selection to those I posted on Facebook. I took a lot of pix.
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