![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vuzheven though i have barely recorded anything in the last year,
i've suddenly gotten the urge to update the studio, which i haven't done anything significant to in many years.
the first of the improvements was the Arturia Minimoog V a software version of a minimoog. i'd been casting about on ebay for the last year or so trying to hook up with a cheap moog, i'd been looking specifically at the Realistic MG-1, made for Radio Shack by the Moog company, they sell for roughly $300. it would still be fun to have one.
don't know what it is about that moog sound, seems like every noise that comes out of one is made of electronic melancholy. i love it.
i haven't installed the software for the MiniMoog V yet, i may need to update my CPU, which i've found that i can do for pretty cheap, so i'm gonna try it out first to see if it'll work with no update. meanwhile, i've been checking out some midi controllers, like this one here, and the beefier version too. the X25 comes with that infrared field sensing technology, for the fake theremin effect, and some pitch wheels too. either of these would rock ass for controlling the soft-moog, with all those knobs and buttons.
some other future acquisitions have been running through my mind lately too,
(it's good to have new toys once the creative urge kicks in again)
in software, i've been lusting over Ableton Live -- which is an unliklihood, because i'd probably want to run that on a laptop, and i'm not in a position to buy a laptop right now... but if i got that, i would definitely start playing solo concerts.
i'm going to need a midi sequencer... looking around briefly on download sites brought up this one: easy beat 2.1. OR i could buy a cheap ass midi interface and use the Dr. Groove to sequence...?
i have some amount of interest in ReBirth, but i don't think i'd really want to buy it either...
i already have some actual analog drum machines, it'd be great to have a 909 or an 808 simulator though.
Max / MSP always gives me a boner, but it's pricey, and i have a desire to move more away from computer recording anyway. the soft-moog was a real compromise in that sense, and the only reason i went with it was the price.
in hardware, i'm still interested in that MPC 2000, which i just checked on at the pawn shop... it's still there. i decided to let it go for a long while to see if this is something that was just a momentary fixation or something more lingering, and the more i think about it, the more i realize how much i could use a sampler / sequencer like that. especially for beat music.
the prices on the Line 6 Pod have come down, thankfully, and my years-long interest in them hasn't waned. i really am getting that one on the top of my want-list, especially after just going through another difficult guitar recording session with amp + mic. i just can't get rid of the excess amp noise. a direct-in box with lots of distortions to choose from is just what i need. SansAmp was in the running for a while, but i think the Pod is cooler.
there's also the RNC (Real Nice Compressor) which is a cheap, well-revered compressor. i need a good standalone compressor, the little Alesis one i have isn't very good.
too bad studio stuff is so expensive.
i don't even look at the mid-line and top-of-the-line stuff. you could buy a single component for 3 to 5 grand.
i have to get all angsty about any purchase over a hundred bucks.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-02-05 08:07 pm (UTC)From VidnaObmana newsletter--
4. UPCOMING WORKS
DRONE/NOISE ANTHOLOGY 1984-1989
2nd release for vidnaObmana’s Ikon label. After the well-received 20th anniversary anthology, vidnaObmana selected and re-mastered rare and unreleased pieces from his obscure and unfamiliar noise and experimental phase between 1984 and 1989. All pieces were taken from old cassette masters and unreleased studio sessions so that a lot of time and energy was invested in securing a high quality in sound for this CD release. Expect a provoking combination of early drone and atmospheric pieces with sonic assaults of noise and vocal experiments. The collection includes collaborative pieces with cassette-network pioneers Kapotte Muziek, PBK and Big City Orchestra. An essential compilation that re-confirms vidnaObmana’s significance in the independent music scene of electronic and experimental music. It also shows the listener vidnaObmana’s early foundation in more meditative music and what followed afterwards in these past 20 years. Expected in the first half of 2005.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-05 08:40 pm (UTC)b.) too bad it's a compilation of selected pieces, and not something more expanded.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 01:18 am (UTC)I tested the Pod against several other "all in ones" at Guitar Center and it definitely beat the ass out of everything else they had.
I wanna pick up an old pawn shop bass at some point and run it through the Pod. And I'd really like to run a guitar through a Bass Pod, though I dunno that it would do anything special. Just curious, more than anything.
I haven't played with the Alesis midi controllers, but they look nice. I have messed about with one of the M-Audio ones, the Oxygen line I think they are. It was responsive, and there was as I recall a lot of assignability to the dials.
My dream hardware centers around the Moog gear and a couple of analog modeling synths. I'd love to have a big Nord, and maybe the Roland... can't remember the model number for it. The software alternatives are interesting (and farrrrr cheaper), but I'm kinda more into the physicality of twisting the knobs. However, we take what we can get, yes? I'm still trying to download a working copy of AbSynth 3 that I can test drive. I'm pretty much done with buying music software that I haven't test driven, first.
Something I really recommend you try out is the Korg KAOSS Pad. Pipe your guitar (or anything else) through it and you can do some crazy real-time destruction to the sound. The only trouble in using it live with two-handed instruments is that you need three hands. But its utter coolness kind of makes the three-handed thing unimportant. You'll figure it out. Train your weewee to finger chords, perhaps.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 03:28 am (UTC)awesome.
basically i just want the guitar to sound good. i already don't care too much for playing it, i don't want to be discouraged by difficult recording situations, since guitar is part of my "signature sound"
I haven't played with the Alesis midi controllers, but they look nice. I have messed about with one of the M-Audio ones, the Oxygen line I think they are. It was responsive, and there was as I recall a lot of assignability to the dials.
i was looking a little bit at the oxygen 8 too, but the alesis has more knobs, all assignable, for the same price.
I'm kinda more into the physicality of twisting the knobs.
oh god, me too. i would screw your mom to have a real moog.
but i don't have a spare 1500+ to spend on one, and i spent about one tenth that on the soft synth.
once i have a controller, i'll have some knobs to twiddle and keys to hit. also, the soft moog has polyphony, which is great. and an arpeggiator, chorus & delay which sweeten the pot. i noticed that there's an update patch on the arturia website with a new filter too. i've already shot my wad so many times today that i don't know if something new and improved would even register right now.
love to have a big Nord,
you mean those red ones? the Nord Lead? i've played with that. it's pretty sweet. but too pricey for what it is. for that money i'd rather have a real Moog.
Something I really recommend you try out is the Korg KAOSS Pad.
i've already told myself "NO MORE EFFECTS"
and also "NO MORE DRUM MACHINES!" -- unless i can find a vintage Roland for super cheap.
and the fucking MPC 2000 doesn't count as a drum machine you bastards, it's a sampler!
i need more basic equipment, like good compressors. a really good mic pre would be nice.
this synth fills a gaping hole in my arsenal. my arse feels nicely filled as well.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 04:50 am (UTC)*contemplates the most devastating retort*
no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 09:07 pm (UTC)not on this journal!
besides, i'm curious on how you can top my charmingly disgusting self deprecatory proclamation.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 02:20 pm (UTC)Fuck Guitar Center. They shook my hand and asked my name last time I was there. Last time I'll go there.
Until the next time, of course.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 05:00 pm (UTC)whaaaaaat?????
although at Robb's Music in Boulder, they oughta know my name with all the money i've dropped there.
but with music stuff, i don't care too much about the stores. i'll maybe go into them to see some of the stuff in real life, but most of my purchases are going to be online or thrift from now on.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 06:07 pm (UTC)In Columbus there's Guitar Center, Sam Ash and that's it. String Shoppe, which I've bought a few guitars from, but, meh.
For me...
Date: 2005-02-06 08:08 pm (UTC)Or seduce the girl guarding the door and pay for nothing. This is my plan of action for 2005.
Re: For me...
Date: 2005-02-06 09:05 pm (UTC)this can only be accomplished by someone with stunningly good looks,
which neither of us have.
at least you have those taut, lean, useable buttocks going for you.
Re: For me...
Date: 2005-02-06 09:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 08:10 pm (UTC)But I still need a third hand.
no subject
Date: 2005-02-06 09:24 pm (UTC)