BlackBox BuzzKill

 Yeah I was on my original BB today, still running version 1.7.F, and a long ambient recording simply ended, telling me Error with recording. Bloody useful that. It seemed that a fair way in it had simply started to flatline but then, ages later, packed in altogether. Editing using the onboard tools seemed impossible because I couldn't find a way of incrementing the encoder movement in large chunks - and after 10 mins twirling I gave up. 

Now I don't know whether to try going back to 1.6.5, which I always felt the most stable, or to skip to the new 2.0, with its tiny text and horrible graphics. I guess it might be a card issue but it reckons there's 13Gb left - however all the issues I've ever had have been when cards start to get full and this certainly ain't the case here. 

Arse! Opened file in Audentity and discovered the BB had set the recording at 3.5 hours long! Even though I'd been recording for just over 2 mins. I really should go back to 1.6.5 I think.

Wednesday, playing through the new thing with Paul E and loving what he's done already - not that I had any doubts. He also sent the finished triptych and a bandy thing involving a couple of other guys - he's on fire, basically. It's inspired me to try and do something in the next day or so, before the wee man descends on us at the weekend or possibly Friday. Pat excited about that, bless 'er. Gonna get Dawn something nice for her birthday as the poor thing has suffered a bit with covid. Just hope they don't bring it with 'em as Pat's still not quite over her last infection, although the new super antibiotics are blitzing her system. 

May be closer to solving DRM-1 issue. I noticed that when I pulled the power cable at the rear, all the trig LEDs flashed briefly. I pushed it back in again and the triggering now works. Then I turned it off and on again with the button and it reverted to not triggering. Pulling the cable at the rear and reattaching, then it works again. So I guess it's something power supply related. On another note, I spotted lots of internal trimpots. It made me curious whether more extreme ranges for the drums are available, if I knew what each was for...  ;)

Hmmm it's been a few days but been grandparenting so no time for much music until yesterday (and today). Managed to do a fair bit for Paul's 30 min track, just a few weirdy bits needed for the end. Next few days should sort it. The Super 6 and Jupiter 6 (through Cosmos looper) working well - but would still take the DD-20 over the Cosmos I think - seeing the time is so darn useful although I did manage to make a loop today based on the JP-6 S&H, which worked well. 

BlackBox version 2 has 'compatibility mode' which does not try any of the high speed tricks needed for greater polyphony. I've tried this and it does seem back to its old self - more testing needed. Means I'll have to go to V2 on all my machines though otherwise could start failing when playing the MicroSD lottery. Had a good solution for the Octatrack playing long pieces too - setting start points on different steps, setting them to '1st' when needed then to 'fill' after, which effectively mutes them. Used Hydrasynth a bit today but as usual it was slow and awkward when needed. Might replace with MS20 tomorrow.

Sober Saturday Solemnities

 Yesterday I must have indulged more than usual but I got a 15 min ambient track (mysterious noise) which Paul E wants to work on, so result! Felt a bit rough first thing then got the gobsmacking news from Dan that my friend Carl had died yesterday. It's on the BBC local page - basically his house blew up! It's a lot to take in and, despite our estrangement of late (Carl was a Brexit supporter so conversation got difficult), it's hard not to think back through our Amsterdam trips and remember those friends and friendships that have passed. 

This morning I cleaned the rest of the curry off the wall - it's in the shadowy space next to the bathroom door so hopefully will not be noticed. No idea how I managed to do that! Pat's extending her Wales trip by a day so I guess I could get more beer for tonight, or give my body a rest. Talked to Dawn this morning on Facetime and she seems to be doing OK with her covid compared to many, so that's a relief. The isolation means they won't be coming at the end of the month though, and I know Pat was really looking forward to William being here. What a crock eh?

Anyway, here are some photos of synths from yesterday. Seems the absinthe led me to watch some very shit TV.

 Carl's tale gets murkier. 

This is a post from his brother Dan...
There was an explosion at a house in Friday where I am devastated to say, my brother Carl was killed. I have just discovered that four hours before the explosion, Carl sent a whistleblower email detailing police corruption and made public details about his abusive neighbour who appears to have had police protection. Here is a link to what Carl posted. Please copy and share it before it is taken down

https://kirkbyave.com/

Seems like it could be the end of a long, nasty and ongoing campaign. 
It's Monday morning and I think I'm going for a walk. Got new TD 'sessions' album and enjoying so far. I should put TD in quotes too, I suppose. 

Old Man River

 Well it's Tuesday, I'm 60 years old and have been up half the night hearing poor Pat throw up. She seems to have picked up the winter nurovirus, probably at the horse thing the other day. I dunno if I'll get it but hope not as it's pretty unpleasant. Spent the day doing jigsaws and counting bottles of alcohol arriving. Treats from my sister, Pat, Dawn and Margaret, all splendid and very nice of them. Hadn't expected to reach this great age. My favourite chair broke too, a bolt snapped. Have done a temporary repair. 

Yesterday's walk was cut short as the norovirus I thought I'd escaped hit home. So I basically drove to Ullswater then almost immediately drove back again, feeling bad and also bad that I'd wasted Tony's day (and potentially infected him). Felt rough all night but today am just weary and weak. Didn't have the throwing up phase that Pat got, just the nausea and weakness. Today I've been listening to some JIC and the stuff we recorded in Spain - Phil's mellow guitar trumping my grumpiness as it happened. 

Although it's Friday I feel pretty weedy so doubt I'll do a lot except sit around. 

Saturday night and I'm watching repeats of Kenny Everett, yep, what can I say? Earlier I recorded yet more lengthy ambient chilloot stuff. The piano loop was doing something amazing only minutes before I started recording. 
https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/track/xipero-2

May be deleted soon (update, it has - Paul E fancies working on it and turning it into something). Oh yes, felt a bit more like drinking beer today. And some of that nice whisky and orange. 
It's now Wednesday and I feel my appetite returning. Have been weedy this last few days but hopefully that pretty much done too. Relearning some horse stuff for when needed. 

Oh yes the Strymon Big Sky arrived on Monday and I've been exploring it - very easy to get around and some nice/different algorithms. It has an excellent spring reverb and proper spooky/weird stuff like chorale (vocal effect), as well as some lovely ambience verbs, very different to either the BAM or Space. Throw in Magneto and a shimmery pitch shifted reverb and it could be the most versatile reverb I've got. Have been programming some patches on it just to learn what it can do and should record something soon. A good companion for the Super 6 and Memotron in particular.

Hilarious, just got an email from GAK saying they have a Big Sky for me - could've saved £50. Oh well.

I made a video showing how to use the BB gratuitously. And an even longer one.

Soon it will be Friday. Not tomorrow though. 

Rain and no walk

 Been working on some collab stuff with Paul E - didn't want to spoil what is already good stuff and resorted to Logic for the first part, skipped the second and straight to the third. Had to trim file so the Octatrack triggers nicely - never could do that properly in the OT itself for some reason. That shitty little screen not as good as V-Synth for that kinda thing. Firing up the Volcano to try and avoid the cheesefest that's naturally occurring but oh so wrong. 

Well have tried for a few days and recorded a few things that sorta fit but the trouble is it's always better without them. The more I hear that sequence going round, the fewer ideas occur so have to give it a rest - pining to do my own stuff. Threw a 4 today so started something called Funkia, which is less funky than you'd hope for. Friday tomorrow so hope to throw a different number and have a change of gear, ideally to using Cirklon for a bit as I was missing it. Also think I'll chuck out the Electribe sampler for a bit and bring in another drum machine, probably the Tanzbar as that's usually quite inspiring. 

Did another 'gear I like', the JD-XA

 Friday again and I fancy some noodling. Just checked on the new novel and it's almost at the 18,000 word mark heading in directions I hadn't planned. I mean, I certainly didn't see it coming that Scotland has the Black Death. Darn inconvenient for my heroes wanting to lay low there. 

Having fun watching Swiss Miss, a Laurel & Hardy film I don't think I ever saw before. There must be loads actually but always had a soft spot for the lads.

Made some progress with Paul's track today, not there yet but some small shoots of hope. Recorded two versions of Funkia, neither of which sound great this morning (Saturday). 

Already deleted the first, second probably next...

https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/track/funkia-2

https://wilyepeyote.bandcamp.com/track/funkia

Pat gone swimming, still on the G&T. Will we get to book signing tomorrow? I wonder. Turns out she didn't go swimming after all, possible I was drunk when she came home. 

Well now, it's Monday morning and a decent-looking day. Pat struck down with cystitis again, poor mare, she's properly fed up and lying down in front room. 
Yesterday I did a couple more (entirely different) versions of Funkia - the one that's basically the 25 and 32 bar piano pieces looping is the only one I expect to keep, with just one extra part, the quiet pad with the odd chord in the middle. I realise I've neglected the PE bits. 

Last night Pat went to bed early so I stayed up, got a bit stoned, wrote some more novel - leaping ahead of the parts I suppose I should write to get somewhere more interesting. Simple pleasures. Will probably look at it today and delete..

Got tree men coming this week so that'll disturb the poor sparrows, but at least we'll be back to a decent level to start again next year. 

Fancy going for a walk but should probably stay here in case Pat needs owt. I'm 60 tomorrow, which is sorta amazing. 

September rolls along

 Bilbo's birthday tomorrow. Yesterday Tim and I went up Pendle but no luck with the wee shrooms yet. Consoled ourselves with a beer on the way back - which was so nice I suspect we'll do it again while the weather lasts. We also need to do a good mix of the rather magical track/tracks (could be several) from the weekend. 

Nowt useful from Check-A-Trade for getting our drain repaired and I still haven't built the front door flood defence, mainly because I can't find what I'm looking for in terms of material. I'm rubbish. Anyway, it's Tuesday and Pat's had a bad few days with cystitis; this morning I'm going to test the latest 'pitch version' of the Cosmos firmware. After Superbooth I'm aware of the improved (unfucked) version of the Buchla Easel but trying not to fixate on it. There's no doubt that clearing away a ton of unused Eurorack would make it a worthwhile option and I should possibly admit that new MS20 isn't getting used and that I have probably done everything worthwhile I'm ever going to on the MS20. Unless I get some of my desired mods implemented...

Friday now and it's been a good week, Brexit repercussions notwithstanding. I've been pottering with the novel, quite enjoying what I've got so far. I realise I'm probably the person who will most enjoy it anyway so I'm making the most of it. I notice I'm writing longer sentences and explaining a few things and expanding on a few things this time so perhaps that will help the herd to wade through it, but I'm not going to count on it. Tim and I had a good sesh, with Tim doing the definitive mix of the track from last week. Was it last week? The recent past, how's that? We did something new and on the looper too, which is pleasantly different. Today I will roll the dice - assuming I can tear myself away from my story.

My mum rang this morning and told me to fill up with petrol as they're running out. I thanked her for voting Leave and helping make this all possible. This won't end well. 

We went to t'pub. 

Quality Saturday Sesh

 Perhaps Tim's bass guitar and the gently rotting shortbread made it magical but for whatever reason 'Meare' is a fab piece of music. Must either eat or chuck that - forgot to offload some onto the man, doh!

Sunday morning is here. I copy and pasted my 'workflow' thing into an SOS forum question wondering what the fuck I was talking about in my 500 word back page gush. Only time for the briefest of edits (e.g. to remove the 'Jesus don't look at the modular' bit). 

Monday came and went without much incident. Some more testing of the Cosmos, a walk but not a lot done otherwise - fab day! Tuesday and I got the first test artwork for the CD - was not keen on the text layout and the fact the album title had changed (!) - reminds me of the time when Clive/Cleve tweaked one of my cassette titles and I only knew it when he sent me the finished, released thing. Oh well, hopefully we'll reach agreement - if I compromise and go with the naff title I'll use mine on the bandcamp version. Darn but that would confuse people :(

Thursday morning... Pix from yesterday's walk:

Taking Pat & Margaret to Blackpool Illuminations tonight. Today I should try and get the track for Sequences and continue looking for a plumber/builder to sort the drain thing. Two have responded so far and don't fancy having a go. Great. 

Friday tomorrow. I shall drink beer and try, once again, to pick a track for the Sequences compilation. I think I was going to opt for Dichasia but might do a new mix. Or not. 

It's official, I'm stupid

 By which I mean that jamming with Dave Spow and wanting to immediately hear what we'd done was something I thought of yonks ago but never did owt about. Anyway, hearing the Zoom (by connecting it to spare inputs on the audio i/f) in situ is handy as it cements how it should sound in my mind. 

Recorded a pretty sweet track with Tim, lotsa DFAM in it. 

Monday, I tested some Cirklon updates that I'd been needing - mostly relating to the (longer) Ck patterns that I'm using quite a lot now. Also a tweak to the Soma Cosmos, plus I tried the BlackBox v1.9 but got stuck on one screen and regressed. I was hopeful for some of the extra MIDI control for pads but the tiny text and pointless knob graphics just don't work for me on such a small screen. It has a master EQ and more parameters on the delay, neither of which are vital to me. I was interested in the granular changes but not enough to bother. Just confirms that my use of the BB is very different to most. A bug meant the Back button wasn't working properly and I found myself stuck on this page.

Oh yes, it has LFOs too but, again, don't need 'em. 

Tuesday I had a go at setting up mum's new laptop. Knew it was gonna be some weird chinese thing but didn't guess it'd come with Windows 10 Pro (subtly different to Home). It was also set up for the USA, including some stupid time zone. Thought I'd fettled most of it but mum was still ending up on websites wanting payment in dollars. Arse. Hopefully I needn't return again before Sunday. Guy did our gutters - replaced with new, wider ones, just got to see if the alternate downspout is better or worse.

Wednesday, having a Vaughan Williams morning; heard some on the radio the other day and mistook it for Elgar so time to bone up. Last night I worked on novel a bit, think I worked out a few useful things. Had beers in the sun with Tim and Tony. Drunk and non-functional in the evening. 

Friday again. Cooler so will try and do something for the Sequences compilation. Wanted to use a Headshock track but most are probably too challenging for the audience. Will see though - takes a while to listen through everything and if I start doing alternate versions would get really confusing. Actually the track I'm playing now (HypoChil) sounds pretty suitable.

We didn't walk this week so here are some shots from last week...