New Setup

The new setup is pretty close to done. I've replaced the EFX-500 with a Kaoss Quad for live looping and other realtime effects. The MC-50 has also taken the place of the MMT-8 sequencer. The MMT-8 was a breeze to use but had severely limited memory storage even with the midi data skimmed way back. I've also needed to bring in a MicroKorg to help with the synth tracks as the Venom can only do so much. Here are some updated pics. Live performances are soon to commence and post on youtube!

^ A look at the rack case: ESI-32 sampler (top), power strip, BBE, and a couple of custom built units - the GSSL mixbus compressor and JH Triple Chorus (bottom).

^ The Alesis Multimix-8 is working out really well with 2 effects sends/returns and 3-band eq.

^ Suitcase starting from top corner: RE-20, RT-20, Phase-100, Kaoss Quad, MC-50.

Transformations

Update on what's going on around here. It has been quite inspiring to see many interesting YouTube videos of electronic musicians sharing their live music-making processes. So much so that now I am building a small live rig to generate some live videos of my own. In that endeavor it is my hope to fuel some exciting new creative processes. It is very much in the spirit of breaking away from my comfort zone to discover something unrealized, untapped creative potential. I know it's a vague notion but it has been my experience the process of discovery often leads to new and rewarding places and ideas. Some quick photos showing a glimpse of the live rig layout with my new rack and suitcase....



The suitcase was an interesting project that took about a week including shopping hardware parts. The 'box' structure is recycled wood taken from old kitchen cabinets I am currently re-facing. I had put to good use my experience re-covering Rhodes electric pianos for this black vinyl-covered beauty. It's built more like a pedalboard on the inside, with a slightly elevated "pegboard" platform where power cables raceway underneath out of the way of signal cables. The power strip resides in the back right corner pit where all the 'wall-wart' transformers seemed to collect ad infinitum.

Not pictured is the primary synth I'll be using, the new Venom. Also not shown, Korg Kaoss Pad Quad that has just been put on order and should get here next week, and it will be going in place of the computer keyboard (in photo). No computer pc or laptops will be part of this rig. Instead there will be a vintage sampler, sequencer, and plenty of effects. The general idea being a simplified slice from the studio with capability to easily re-patch various components, the ability to freestyle the outcome with every performance (remix on-the-fly), and introduce live DJ effects-style shenanigans.

Oberheim Matrix-12 Demo

This is sound demo of the Oberheim Matrix-12 synthesizer. All but two of the patches are my original creation and hopefully shows some of the ridiculously flexible sound architecture that is possible with this board. I'm playing some riffs both of my own original music and from some of the bands that have influenced me. The last bit, Intro to Gunslinger, while it is short it DID take a couple of weeks practice to get it right and is backed by a Machinedrum.


A summary of song riffs played:
G-Storm - Miranda (By The Sea)
Radiohead - All I Need
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
G-Storm - Cerulean Deraileur
Jimmy Van M ft. Terra Deva - bassline from Love Like Sleep
G-Storm - Spaced Out Beauty
New Order - Blue Monday
G-Storm - Aerial
808 State - breakdown from In Yer Face
Garbage - You Look So Fine
Sasha - Mr Tiddles
Go West - intro to Call Me
G-Storm - untitled track
G-Storm - Expectations (a really old unrecorded track of mine)
Spaced Out Beauty
M83 - You Appearing
Expectations
Immersion Domain - 1000 Images (I used the same Limuidz factory patch on the Xpander for that track)
Van Halen - I'll Wait (Eddie used an OB-Xa, I believe)
G-Storm - Descendant
Vangelis - Blade Runner (Opening Titles)
G-Storm - Gunslinger
G-Storm - intro to Gunslinger

Recorded via Alesis Multimix-8 and into Macbook w/ only occasional additional effects from the Multimix added for select sounds.

NEW TRACK - Spaced Out Beauty

I've always been fascinated by vintage analogue choir sounds. You know, the ethereal stuff sprinkled in the background soundtrack of sci-fi films like Blade Runner. I've especially been interested in doing a track where the analogue choirs are right up in your face. 'Spaced Out Beauty' is such a track, and it is extra-special since I also created the free VSP-330 plugin that is making those analogue choir sounds. As an extra treat I have dropped the track behind some recently unearthed interesting film footage of a squirrel fighting yellow perimeter tape used in construction. Makes for some fine film making I must say, enjoy. -g

Synth Demo Delta

Here is a re-post of an old demo of a synth that unfortunately I no longer own the Delta.
The DW-8000 sounds great but it is a heavy space-monger in the studio. A lot of folks opt for the rackmount version: the EX-8000.
The Delta has the flexibility of having both a synth and stringer all-in-one, even if the synth osc is a simple square. Albeit the string sound is a little cheesy organ sounding, too. The warm multi-mode filter and joystick help make this one a favorite of synth fans.

NEW TRACK: 'STAR KILLERS'

Ahhh, here it is - the brand new track 'Star Killers'. The first track following quite a hiatus. Spacy psychedelia meets modern sonic textures.

DEATH BY VENOM: Avid/M-Audio Synth Demo III

Another quick-n-dirty youtube demo showing the sonic versatility of M-Audio's new synth, the Venom. All patches are my original creation.

All original patches in this vid are by me:
Atlas Sound - Sonics inspired by the band w/ the same name. RE: Quick Canal
Sinister FM - Evil FM bass sound
Whirrrrr - FX sound, like a computer fan
OBStringz - Gritty Obie String Sound
OBLimuidz - Recreation of probably my favorite factory patch from the Oberheim Matrix Synths
Gunslinger - Recreation of a Memorymoog lead patch I made for my track 'Gunslinger'
Organ Drive - Distort-y Organ going through a guitar amp
Wavepunkd - Steampunk sound from the Korg Wavestation or PPG Wave
MS-TRON - MS-20 lead used a lot on Ladytron's stuff
USA Muscle - Classic Minimoog lead sound
JunoBass01 - Classic Roland Bass
Vintage Vibe - Nostalgic 70's keys
LatelyBass - Yamaha DX-series (DX7, TX81Z, etc) bass heard on countless recordings
System 100 - Nice chunky Roland sequence bass
Comeback - Super-chunky Oberheim Matrix bass like on my track "Miranda By The Sea'
Short&Long - Minimoog bass w/ fast attack and swell RE: FSOL 'Calcium'
DeepFM - Entrancing progressive house harmonics
Poly6Bass - Korg Polysix unison bass.
MingLovesU - A cross between Ming the Merciless theme and Prince's 'Lets Go Crazy' organ sound.

Recorded straight into Macbook w/ no additional effects - ALL VENOM.

Download the single patches Venom Patches on this post (link updated) The zip file contains all the previous patches I created before, and all the new patches I made to date.

Quick update

May has been so unkind. Thankfully still here after 5 tornado warnings went off last week. Also, my Oberheim has developed some issues and requires service. This probably means no new music this month since it was to get heavy use on the forthcoming tracks. On the bright side I have some new Venom patches and video cued-up for posting soon. Stay tuned.

Happy Cinco de Mayo, New Tracks

All the more reason to celebrate. I'm happy to announce two unreleased recordings have been completed since the last posting.

- Starkiller -
The results are 'stellar'. :) The idea for this track came out of my Venom synth demo which can be heard at 1:38 in this video.

- Spaced Out Beauty -
A serendipitous track based heavily on an ethereal, haunting VSP-330 choir synth demo I made called Solemn Beauty I had generated back in February. Be sure to read my other postings about the VSP-330 project.

These tracks should come available soon. I'm pushing myself to finish one track a month, but as always not rushing things and taking my time to make this album to my complete satisfaction. Just as long as it's not a whole year between tracks that's okay.

Back in the studio

It's great to be back in full swing in the studio this past two weeks recording new material (it's no April fools joke). The hiatus has been far too long - since November 2009. During that time I've been playing around with a lot of new song ideas and creating sounds. The first new track picks up where the first five tracks left off, without skipping a beat, and must say is sounding 'stellar'. With any luck my goal is to finish the new album this year.