We've Moved To TrashAudio.com !!

We're Done Here

2010-07-02T00:46:00.004-05:00

You'll be automatically directed to the new site in 3... 2... 1....
If you aren't redirected, click on Trash_Audio.com and see you on the other side!

Charles Cohen: Xart + Trash_Audio Extemporization Klinic

2010-06-23T09:52:00.002-05:00

Xart and Trash_Audio hosted Charles Cohen and Tyler (aka Color is Luxury) from Philadelphia for a day of guided improvisation workshops and conversation. Their style of improvised electronics has been garnishing attention internationally, particularly Cohen's mastery of the Buchla Music Easel. Here is their performance from June 19th in Chicago.

View on ExposureRoom

This is the medium quality version of the video. To view higher quality click on the link above.

Tip Top Z-Rails

2010-06-22T10:25:00.003-05:00

It's becoming increasingly clear that manufacturers are bringing alternatives to Eurorack case world. What Doepfer started years ago, manufacturers like Tip Top Audio, Gorilla Box, Monorocket and others are refining and creating new, less expensive ways to get into the Eurorack format. I've had my frustrations with cases and one of them is being addressed right now with these rails. The rail systems on some cases, such as Monorocket, have sliding nuts making it extremely time consuming installing modules. Doepfer cases offer the preferred rails that had stationary threads. This cuts down installation time because the modules simply fit and you don't have to chase loose nuts. The threaded rails, however, were expensive to attain - even to manufacturers that were buying in bulk. It looks like Tip Top Audio has addressed the rail dilemma AND has developed a more stable, universal power supply for cases - These guys are on a rampage! Tip Top Audio

Workspace and Environment: Prometheus Burning

2010-06-21T10:00:00.002-05:00

Greg Vaneck of Prometheus Burning shares his studio and some insight on his life and work

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh PA. I've lived here my entire life, but have moved over twenty times so far. I've learned to never get too attached to a single location, and to keep your belongings minimal, portable, and if necessary, disposable.
I've been involved with music in some form or other nearly my entire life. In grade school I learned how to read sheet music and could play the Saxophone and those plastic Recorder flute things to some extent. I was also in the choir for a few years before my balls dropped. After that my extra curricular activities soon turned to focusing on Industrial and Grunge music, freaky girls, skate boarding, expanding/destroying my mind, and unlearning all of the brainwashing I received from attending a Catholic grade school.
I rediscovered my interest in making my own music and not just consuming it around 1998 when I could finally afford some gear like a used keyboard and effects pedals. In 2000 I obtained an obsolete Pentium 133mhz computer with a soundcard from Ebay. That opened up a new dimension for me. My life hasn't been the same since.

Motivation
I've been fascinated with weird sounds and noise for as long as I can remember. By age four, I was already playing on my parents Atari 2600. The thing I remember the most about it are the sounds. I was too young to be any good at the games, but the sounds kept me entertained. Games like Super Breakout, Grand Prix, Missile Command. They all had amazing sounds that have burned their way into my brain. Sounds stimulated my imagination more than anything as a kid. My Fisher Price tape recorder was my best friend. I would put its microphone on the rusted chains of my swing set and record the creepy metallic sounds. I also tried to record the sounds of ghosts a lot, and was convinced my house was haunted by three entities. I used to
think I could tune into them with this toy “Pound Puppies” AM radio I had. Weird shit like that.
My fascination with sound and how it stimulates my imagination is what motivated me as a child, and still motivates me today. I've never grown out of it. Its like therapy for me. Helps keep me sane and deal with my anxiety disorder. At times the noise helps me tune in, while other times it helps me to tune out. And then there are the times where I get lucky and the end result resembles something “musical”.

Favorite Hardware
I am currently obsessed with our Eurorack Modular Synth which we have nicknamed “The BEAST”. My favorite modules in The BEAST are the Hertz Donut and the Tyme Sefari, both made by The Harvestman. I've also been digging on the Sound of Shadows and Plague Bearer modules by Flight of Harmony. The modules I own by these two brands are overflowing with sonic possibilities, and seem to be geared more toward the harsh and experimental side of things which is right up my alley.

Favorite Software
I've been a fan of the Audio Damage plugins since their very first releases. I dig their experimental approach. I also like how they design their interfaces to be very straightforward and similar to hardware in certain instances. Propellerheads “Reason” has always appealed to me for the same reasons. Everything is right in front of you, not buried behind layers of boring menus or goofy unintuitive shit. I have a very short attention span, and interface is everything to me. If I can't dive into it and get dirty quickly, I move on to something else.

Workspace and Environment
I am a big believer in establishing the right “set and setting” when it relates to any activity that involves tapping into your subconscious. The studio is my “sacred space”. I try to keep it organized yet jam packed with inspiring gear, art, and imagery. I am constantly rearranging my setup and moving things around, always trying to find the perfect balance and place for everything.

Ideal Location
Somewhere very isolated and sound proof. I work very loud, and get weird about people or neighbors or roommates hearing me. It can really effect me negatively if I feel like someone is listening to me. Its like having someone listen in on you while you are fucking. Art is intimate, and I don't like being invaded. Total privacy would be ideal for me. Maybe in Outer Space perhaps?

First and Last Pieces of Gear
Scored a used Yamaha PSR keyboard back in 1998. I can't remember the exact model, but it had some decent features like being able to record up to two tracks. I had no clue how to “play it”, but I figured out how to dive deeper into the configuration and make the default sounds interesting and mutilated. My latest piece of gear is an ASSMASTER fuzz module by Malekko. Its nasty as hell and responds very well to feedback loops.

Wish List
Gear lusting after the Piston Honda by The Harvestman, Atoner by 4ms, Sem20 by Bubblesound, and the .COM comparator/divider by STG. Also the POKEY synth module by Skrasoft seems to be progressing very well and has my interest.

Live Setup
The Prometheus Burning live setup is constantly changing. After the “It Ain't Dead Yet tour” in 2009, we got tired of lugging around racks of hardware. Now we are trying to compact it as much as possible. Our most recent setup has me on the laptop running AudioMulch, Battery, Reaktor, and some other jazz controlled by two M-Audio midi controllers. I also have a small portable Modular setup for some live improvised chaos. We are running her vocals through the laptop again,
which I can then manipulate in real time. She usually brings along an Electric Violin, AudioWeevil08, Theremin, and some effects pedals.

Extracurricular
Not currently, but I would certainly like to give it a try. There are many nights where I sit in the studio making soundtracks to my own imaginary stories and movies that don't exist. It would be quite an experience to do it for real. I think my style of sound design could mesh well with certain types of independent and horror films. I watch a LOT of movies, and have a huge appreciation for film, especially films with good sound design and music scores. Producers like Clint Mansell and John Carpenter are very inspiring to me in that regard. Too many films rely on generic and “canned sounds” these days. Not enough innovation or creative sound design or synth work like you used to hear in the 70's and 80's. I also have a side project called Four Pi Movement, which started out as collaborative effort between Nikki Telladictorian, Nick Vasculator, and myself. Now it functions more like a solo project for me. I keep everything completely improvised with Four Pi Movement, trying to capture raw emotion in real time using Modular Synths, Noise Boxes, and other hardware devices. I am currently collaborating with Theologian, the new project from Leech of Navicon Torture Technologies for the next release. It will be released on Cassette by the ANNIHILVS
label: Annihilvs

I focus most of my creative efforts into “Prometheus Burning” along with Nikki Telladictorian, my partner in sonic destruction and auditory mayhem. We've released material on Cassette, Vinyl, CD and Digital formats on several independent labels since 2001, as well as self-released material like our most recent double disk album “Displacement Disorder”. We've also been touring and performing live since 2004. More info can be found on our website: Prometheus Burning

Nordvargr & Surachai: A Wilderness of Cloades

2010-06-18T15:55:00.006-05:00

Not sure when the release date was but I finally received a shipment of Nordvargr & Surachai: A Wilderness of Cloades CD's and box sets. They are available at Old Europa Cafe or if you're in the states, you can grab one from me for a better price. I don't have many, so I'm sure they'll be gone soon. There are two versions: A run of the mill CD and a limited edition box set that includes the CD, a patch, and a 3" mini-CD with tracks not included on the standard CD.
If you're interested, e-mail at trash@thedeepelement.com
*Update - I've sold all the box sets and have requested more from the label. Thanks everyone!
*Update 2 - Digital Downloads are now available and can be found HERE

Future Workspace and Environment: Justin McGrath / POLYFUSE

2010-06-14T10:59:00.011-05:00

A lot of people ask me why I haven't done a proper Workspace and Environment article for myself yet. I don't really have a good answer to that other then to say every studio I've had has been compromised in some way. I moved my setup seven times now and I am really getting sick of it. Each time there's a battle that involves acoustics, physical space, neighbors and other less then ideal conditions. Some places have been better then others. So with that said, I should get to my point. I've decided to move my studio out of my home and actually take it all to a space designed for it. In this case I have a very awesome Aunt that has let me remodel a big steel barn on a huge farm to become my new permanent studio.

Now the tricky part, actually doing it. The barn in question is a hudred year old massive horse stable with a riding arena in the back. At some point in the 80's, the previous owners of the farm added a big steel garage type building to the front of the stables. In that building there was some type of office built that included a bathroom and a kitchen. What I am getting at, is that this particular building already had the water, electric, gas and plumbing already running to it which significantly reduces the costs of such a project.

Construction on this started three weeks ago. Rather, deconstruction. One of the first things we had to do was tear down the old horse stable section of the building because it was rotting, falling down and also started to damage the newer building attached. We started to do this work by hand which was becoming impossible so we hired a guy with one of these things to help out. Here's a small (30mb) video of the destruction.

So, now what? Check out exhibit A which is my sad Google Sketech-Up rendering of the 'final product.'

What you see here is the newer steel structure that I'll be redoing the inside of and behind it, the area with trees, is where the old horse stable was torn down. There was concrete underneath the structure already so this will become a big patio of sorts.

Here's exhibit B, a photo of the outside of the steel building:

At this point, we are still in the deconstruction phase. There is a bit more cleanup work to be done and then we start the actual build. I have a ton of video of the process thus far which I'll soon edit and upload. I will also document this project here as it goes and I would love feedback and suggestions along the way as this is all new to me....

Workspace and Environment: Mark Spybey

2010-06-14T09:12:00.000-05:00

Background
I was born and raised about sixty miles south of where I live. North-east England. Getting here was a roundabout journey. Being here is the best move we made. I’ve moved house maybe 8 times in 20 years.
Since I was a teenager, I was motivated by a desire to be creative and to acknowledge my right to make music, despite not being a musician. I am not a musician. I find myself curiously attracted to making music, despite my limitations. I happen to believe that technical ability can badly affect creativity, unless you are very, very lucky. So I motivate myself by trying to unlearn anything I learn! I loathe going into music shops. Most of the people who work in them feel somewhat inhuman to me. Or rather they make me feel like an alien! I'm involved with Dead Voices on Air, Reformed Faction, Gnome and Spybey, MzMz LaLala, Pata Particles, Download, Beehatch, Propeller etc. Try www.amazon.com, I find that terribly helpful nowadays when buying music! I don’t release any of my own music, it’s all through record companies.

Favorite Hardware
Roland Handsonic. It contains all of the drum sounds I want in one convenient gadget. I don’t program drums, I play them. I love my iPhone too. Some amazing apps exist. I use them a lot. I have a Yamaha digital trumpet I am quite fond of too.

Favorite Software
No surprises, I use Protools because it doesn’t bite me and Ableton Live. I think Live can be used creatively. Depends how you load the samples and play them I guess! I Cut things up real small, so I can play with them and it gives me something to do on stage! I like to concentrate. I gave up on sweating years ago.

Workspace and Environment
It’s only over the past 5 years that I have had a ‘studio.” That’s a fancy title for a room I keep my set-up in. I need peace and quiet, a place where I feel comfortable to work but music making is not work for me, it’s an enjoyable activity. Of more importance is where I live. A quiet village. That has had a huge impact on my sense of comfort and of detachment.
I have found most commercial studios to be creatively stagnant spaces. Places to be avoided.

Ideal Workspace
I love Michael Rothers studio in Germany. I visited there once. It’s a medieval building, there are pictures of it on the first Harmonia record. It’s lovely, mainly because of the location. But I think I am happy where I am. I also liked the Subconscious studio location in Downtown Vancouver. Mainly because of the views of the mountains and harbour. Niels who was in the Pink Dots also has a lovely studio in a barn. I spent several happy months there recording once and cooking, and riding my bike on country paths.

First and Last Gear Ever Purchased
First: Tascam Porta One.
Last: Korg Monotron.

Wish List
Don’t have one. To desire is to be unsatisfied with what you have. I see infinite possibility in finite resources.

Mobile Setup
I record on a macbook, so yeah, it’s rather mobile!

Live Setup
Depends on who I am playing with. Macbook, Live, gadgets and gizmo’s. Microphones. FX.

Ever Hear Your Music Played in Public?
Yes. It made me feel odd, as though what I was hearing wasn’t part of me. How could it be? Someone else was playing it! After I have released something, I rarely listen to it. I don’t really feel attached to it. I would like to think that I care more about making new music. If people like it, fine. If not, fine. I care more about music I have made with friends because I feel an obligation to them and usually the process reinforces all of the best elements of what friendship and comradeship is about.

Latest Release with Gnome:
At Willie's Place

Devsnd - Cwejman S1 Samples

2010-06-09T07:41:00.004-05:00

Two different sample packs made almost exclusively with the mighty Cwejman S1 synthesizer Kit one by Richard Devine, kit two by Josh Kay.

A strange collection of percussion one-shots, hits, pulses, and other unclassifiable noises. Feed your drum machine weird things! Each sample pack contains 128 .WAV files and a Battery 3 kit (256 samples - 38 MB).

DOWNLOAD HERE

Miami for a Wedding

2010-06-07T18:03:00.003-05:00

There's a little gear, some animals and lots of friends which is more than enough for this irrelevant video to be featured on this site. There hasn't been an update in a while so this should make us look somewhat busy and hell, it's what I did with my weekend.

Gorilla Box Overview

2010-05-25T12:32:00.004-05:00

Gorilla Box is a new line of custom made Eurorack modular synthesizer cases that, in themselves, are modular and are manufactured through Anvil. These cases are built to withstand an insane amount of punishment and are meant for modular users who travel with their system, or have a cat that likes to routinely tip a system over. Every case will be made to order and a 'standard' version of the case theoretically does not exist because of the amount of options available. The case will have a number of requirements, options, features and functions. This is the prototype that I received in time for the Synth Meet 7 and vast improvements are being implemented onto the alpha design.

Features
The key features of the Gorilla Box are that almost everything on it is customizable, the inside case is isolated from the carrying case to prevent impact damage, the lid has legs that serves as a table, a Tip Top Audio power supply and a lifetime warranty from Anvil.

Material
The case is manufactured by Anvil and Gorilla Box has access to all of their materials. Some variables are the materials that range from Fiberglass, plexiglass, industrial plastic to metal. A large color palette is also available for the cases.

The Lid
The lid on this model is quite deep and makes the overall size of the case large and awkward to caryy but this is being addressed with a slimmer version that also will have legs and be carry-on luggage sized. The deeper lid has some advantages such as keeping complex patches using several levels of Stackables and is able to pack in the Make Noise Skiff system with no problems. Also, you can add the vector case on the deeper lid to make it a double 12U case. With my current Doepfer case I can squeeze a patch with a depth of 2 Stackables, anything higher will have to be patched later when the lid is off.
The current version of this lid has legs on the bottom of the case are currently secured by velcro. In all future versions the legs will be secured with a lightweight locking clamp with riveted screw to secure them into place.

Outside Case
The outside case is everything you would expect from Anvil, a company that carries a history of catering to touring musicians since the 50's. This thing can take a beating and it definitely will now that I don't fear checking it on a plane. The case and lid are secured with an industrial latch and will have an option for a combination lock. The outside case is lined with industrial foam that keeps the removable inside case isolated from damage. Some improvements will include the option installing wheels and retractable handle that will make the Gorilla Box roll around like a suitcase. Also additional handles can be installed on the sides.

Removable Inside Case
The model I received had a few minor problems with the removable inside case and while talking to Gorilla box, they informed me that the inside case is being completely redesigned by Vector featuring a threaded rail system, opposed to floating nuts, and will be black anodized metal. The vector case will have a power supply connected so you can pull the system out and use the recessed handles on the vector case to put it into your rack. Did you read that right? Yeah - this Vector case will be easily mountable to any standard rack system.

Power Supply
The power supply is manufactured by Tip Top Audio and is similar to a laptop computer power supply. It was originally designed to drive 3 bus board comfortably but when powering 2 bus boards, you'll have enough power for optional lights. My only experience with cases and power supplies are with Doepfer - here are some advantages of Tip Top Audio's power supply:
- The power supply itself is outside the case making the case less heated and prone to disaster.
- It supports both 110/220 voltage. This means that a) these power supplies are universal and b) when you're traveling all you need is an adapter. This is a huge advantage for me because in Europe I've had to carry around a power converter brick that adds a lot of weight and worry when traveling.
- No fuses
- The power supply is easily affordable and easily replaceable should they get separated from your case.

Here's some specifics from the manufacturer:
The power system is made of 3 units:
1. The external power supply.
2. The regulator boards providing +/-12V and +5V using custom made regulators.
3. The bus boards.
The power supply can delivers up to 1200mA per rail, that is 24000mA all together!!!
All you need to hook it up to a European or other power grids is a local power cord or adapter.
The power supply is protected against short circuit. In case of short it will shut off itself in case of a short and recover by itself after few minutes.The over all weight of the power system is probably less then half of a regular power supply yet provides double the current.

From my short experience with it, I left the power on for 48 hours straight and turned it on and off in rapid succession for about 30 second to see if something would blow out and absolutely nothing went wrong. If I tried that on/off trick on my Doepfer case I promise you I would've went through 15 fuses.

You can expect the price range to be around Doepfer cases but it's difficult to give specifics as every order varies immensely, given the amount of options. This is going to be my case of choice. What I'd like to see happen with the success with these cases is more modular systems on stage and on the road!!

The turnaround time is approximately 6 - 9 days. To get on the waiting list for a custom case, contact: gorillaboxes@gmail.com
More pictures can be found: Here

Xart + Trash_Audio: Chicago Modular Musickal Extemporization Klinic

2010-05-25T09:07:00.000-05:00

Chicago Modular Musickal Extemporization Klinic Saturday June 19 2010 12:30PM-?

The XART Studio + TRASHAUDIO.COM will be hosting more fun for 2010. Charles Cohen + hair_loss (Color Is Luxury) will be in Chicago to do a modular synthesizer/ electronics based improv workshop/clinic! - a talk and demo of the architecture of the Buchla Easel - a Performance + discussing and working up patches suitable for free improv + small group jams / improv games- try ideas out, collaborate (and listen!) + plenty of time for give and take all along the way!

Seating/Spots will be limited (to about 20-ish people). This is a RSVP workshop with a modest donation.

A rough schedule is in the works – we plan to keep this low stress, casual and fun! We hope to end the day with an evening concert where you can invite your friends/girlfriend/boyfriend/family whoever! - to listen and watch the results of what we did all day. If you are interested email: kultbox@gmail.com please put Chicago Modular Musickal Extemporization Klinic in the subject! We will forward information on how to attend!

The Color Is Luxury sound is always improvisational, changing and evolving, ranging from very dense and harsh to minimal and ambient, beats to spacey, based on their mood at the time and the atmosphere of the space they're playing in. Regardless of the situation, they manage to come up with something special.

Charles plays a Buchla Music Easel, a rare analog performance instrument he acquired from master synth maker Don Buchla in 1976. he performs regularly in Philly with various folks on the techno, noise, jazz and new music scenes.

hair_loss plays a variety of esoteric and mainstream effects pedals and devices, which he wires up differently for each show, thus always keeping Charles guessing. hair_loss is also involved with SNOWSTORM & Jive Nation, and collaborates frequently with other Philadelphia artists.

CHARLES COHEN AT THE BUCHLA MUSIC EASEL from alex tyson on Vimeo.

Synth Meet 7 Video

2010-05-24T11:15:00.003-05:00

Short and sweet.
Our last meet was so populated that we decided to half the rsvp list to make it more gear orientated rather than people oriented. The result was less people, more gear, more time with gear.

Workspace and Environment: Magnetic Stripper

2010-05-24T09:34:00.001-05:00

This particular article came at me from a strange source, the photographer. A mutual friend Scott Pagano, who is an amazing motion designer, e-mailed me with photos saying he visited a ridiculous studio and that I should get in touch with this guy Jim. So I did, and am I glad that I did. He kindly spared a moment from constructing his monstrous DIY system to answer a few of our questions...

Background
I was born in Johnson City, TN. I moved to Knoxville, TN in 1985 to attend The University of Tennessee, lived there for ten years. I moved to San Francisco in 1994 to find work in the Rave Scene as a VJ / 3D Animator.

1968 Johnson City, TN. At 2, would stand at the curb imitating the sounds of heavy machinery.
1973 Johnson City, TN. Built first oscillator.
1982 Johnson City, TN Made first recordings using homemade/ improvised electronix.
1982 Johnson City, TN Began working with Eric Blevins as Absolute Ceiling. http://www.a4suitcase.com
1996 San Francisco, CA First Magnetic Stripper show.

Where do you draw your motivation from?
OCD, OCD, and more OCD.
The concept of "Futuristic" unstuck from the timeline.
I have always loved Classical Electronic Music, and its primary function: to explore and expand its frontiers.
On the flip side, I am an unrepentant fan of the disco and all its myriad forms. Dubstep, IDM Breakcore, Minimal Synth, and Spacey Italo being my current fixations.
I find it very interesting that a rift which occurred in the late 70s/ early 80s is still a great point of contention. Tension is a great motivator: Too experimental for the disco. Too disco for the noise show.......

Favorite Hardware
I fixate on the DIY toys:
Midibox Sid: with a CV out. As much as I like the C64 sounds I like this module even more as a CV source. My current favorite LFO/EG. Found here.
The SN Voice: I have been using the SN chips since the early eighties, Thomas Henry's design, for this module, is pretty awesome. If you add a filter, its a stand alone synth. Found here.
Midibox Seq 3.4 (I'm building the 4.0): I have never seen a DIY project with so many features. Found here.
WTPA sampler:Todd Bailey is an awesome designer. It brings the Glitch! Found here.
Ada fruit X0XB0X: 303 clone. Found here.

An ever expanding DIY modular with modules designed and/or layed out by:
John Blacet: - Link
Yves Usson (YUSYNTH): - Link
Ken Stone: - Link
Thomas Henry: - Link
Ray Wilson: - Link
Tom Wiltshire: - Link
PAIA: - Link
Marc Bareille: - Link
ACSynth: - Link
Grant Richters: - Link
I have started to design a bit myself. Eagle CAD is crazy awesomeness.......

Favorite Software
Currently, I use LIVE for recording and editing. Originally, I was using the software as part of a live playback rig. its role has shifted, for the time being.......
After using many other DAW softwares, I ended up using LIVE because of its efficiency and straight forward design.
I generally use Sound Forge for sample editing, although, I have been using several Freeware sample editors lately.
I like NI plugins, for doing computer based music, being a modular freak, Reactor has always been a fave. I used Reason for years, before that SF Acid.

First and Last Pieces of Gear
First, a RadioShack 30in1 electronics kit. Last, a VOS Frac Filter kit.

Workspace and Environment
The sounds I am most interested in are about electronics and the romance of experimentation which surrounds them:
Sometimes the cables, LEDs, alligator clips, and unenclosed PCBs resemble waterfalls. Streaming off the tables, and flowing across the floor....... The Modular Studio, for me, is a nexus between a functional order and total chaos. I tend to do a lot of work with a device before it even makes it into a box....... Some devices are still on breadboards. As much as I love the Klang Klone 9 studio aesthetic, most of the time there are "brambles".

What Is Your Ideal Location?
In SF! I am in the process of moving, to another part of town. This question will be contemplated very deeply over the next couple of months. The studio should embody freedom. Good sound proofing should be involved.

Wishlist
Midibox Seq 4.0, MAX 4LIVE, WTPA 2.0

- Myspace
- SoundCloud
- YouTube

Gorilla Box

2010-05-21T15:07:00.004-05:00

For the past several months, I've been excited for this case and this morning it came to my door along with some Tip Top Audio goodies. I received these pictures documenting the final stages of the development from Gorilla Box. A proper review of its features, which are extensively customizable, will be done later. I'll bring everything on sunday. See you there.

Some notes on the case:
There are legs on the inside of the lid allowing it to be used as a side table for other gear - guitar pedals, laptop, whatever fits. The inside is wired with a new Tiptop Audio power system which emits essentially no heat. The regulator is the size of an iPhone and the power supply is like a lacie mini brick style external power supply. A bit of trivia: Surachai of TRASH_AUDIO is in possession of the first one. - Stolen from MatrixSynth

The website is in a transition mode and will be updated soon: Gorilla Box
E-mail: gorillaboxes at gmail.com

Expert Sleepers Interface

2010-05-21T13:50:00.004-05:00

This is an important step into the analog digital interface movement. Expert Sleepers have developed an interface that provides DC/AC-Coupling so your audio interface doesn't have to.

Prototype of the Expert Sleepers ES-1 interfacing module.

This Eurorack format module serves two purposes:
- When connected to a DC-coupled audio interface, provides CV amplification.
- When connected to an AC-coupled audio interface, provides CV decoding for use with the Expert Sleepers AC Encoder plug-in.

- Flickr Set
- Expert Sleepers Website

Jonathan Snipes + STG

2010-05-21T13:30:00.002-05:00

Video Description
Jonathan Snipes of Captain Ahab (http://captain-ahab.com) is such a remarkably enthusiastic STG Soundlabs Time Modules user that when he emailed me and said "I hear you're working on a clock divider module that runs off the STG Sync Bus ... please let me know when i can have it" I couldn't help but just go ahead and mail him my own prototype. (don't worry, i built another and yes he paid for it)
Jonathan was so happy to be able to extract all sorts of different rhythmic clocks driven by his TR-808 that he made this video showing off the Time Divider driving all sorts of aspects of his modular synthesiser and gave it to me to post up here in my U-Toob account.
We've still got a couple of firmware sniggles to deal with, but here is the 97 percent operational Time Divider being used in the composition of a track which Donald Crunk declared "hot as shit" when he heard it, and I'm inclined to agree with him.
I'm not entirely sure what the Time Divider is doing here, but I'm hearing a lot of rhythmic intervals happneing against the TR-808 that simply would not be possible with anything other than the Time Divider or a rack full of extremly hard-to-find Garfield Mini-Docs.
The Time Divider will be available soon from STG Soundlabs (http://www.stgsoundlabs.com/) and not too long after from Analogue Haven (http://www.analoguehaven.com/)

Thank you very much, Jonathan.

Synth Meet 7 Updates

2010-05-21T08:09:00.003-05:00

A number of developments have occurred throughout the past week. Some of the original guests that were supposed to fly in have been kept at home due to work related issues and hopefully they'll be able to join us in the next synth meet. With that out of the way here's some of the things I'll have to show at the Synth Meet on Sunday.

- Tip Top Audio is sending two Z3000 MKII Oscillators that feature a new waveshaper.
- I'll have a Gorilla case that will sport Tip Top Audio power and an insane amount of customizable features including shock-mounted stabilization for the touring musician. Pictures and proper review on it later.
- Make Noise is letting me bring the Skiff along with the Pressure Points expander Brains beta to make up for his absence.

And that's just my share.
Harvestman will be arriving with a Stillson Hammer - which is a hex-output burst generator. Uhh.. I'm assuming that spits out crazy gates.

STG will be bringing the behemoth Archangel Sequencer

We have people coming from all over the country and along with them an insane amount of gear. We're currently at full capacity and can't take anymore people. Thanks for all of the interest and get at us earlier for the next synth meet. Sunday can't come soon enough!

Workspace and Environment: Making the Noise

2010-05-18T09:55:00.001-05:00

We still have spots left for the Synth Meet 7 coming this Sunday. It's sure to be as lively as all of the past events combined! Onto the article:

I found Adam Ribaudo of Making the Noise from Twitter, saying that he just released his first album. I followed a few links, bought his album and knew he used a Monome after hearing it. I wondered what his space looked like and how things fit into it. I asked, he responded. Here's what he said...

Background
I started making music while I was in high school around 1998. Before that, I was listening to a lot of Underworld and Pet Shop Boys and had been exposed to the MOD scene which made making electronic music seem very accessible. With the spread of pirated software, I was at some point introduced to ACID and Rebirth and also Jeskola Buzz. I now gladly pay for the tools I use. Ableton should turn around and thank a pirate…
It wasn’t until very recently that I started performing out with a set that was heavily inspired by a Daedelus set I saw in NYC in 2009. I wanted to take what he was doing, creating a seamless danceable experience, but use only originally produced material. That’s what I’ve done and that’s what I’m tuning as I go from show to show gauging the crowd’s response to each section.

Motivation
My initial motivation was just exploring the soundscape that software could make and no other instrument could. I can still remember hearing lowpass filter sweeps and knowing them only as “that effect that makes everything sound like wwwaaaaa”. That and delay and reverb and synthesis just totally transported me to other places and I wanted to figure out how it was done and where else it could take me.
At this point you could say base novelty has worn off now that synthesized music is ever-present in our daily lives but a number of other things keep me motivated. One is watching the electronic music scene evolve. I love when artists bring something new to the table and that’s something I strive to do. I think we all benefit when people take chances and put something honest out there. Another is watching the electronic music tools evolve. We’re in something of a golden age of software creativity tools. Lastly, the opportunity to perform live has been a bigger and bigger motivation as I’ve come into my own skin on stage after a handful of performances. It’s a big and frightening leap for a bedroom producer but it’s paid off.

Favorite Hardware
The monome by far. Besides its sleek minimal design, the draw is that instead of telling you how it should be programmed, it asks you. Out of the box, the monome comes with no pre-programmed instructions, it’s up to you the user (as opposed to the manufacturer), to provide it with instructions. Those instructions can be written in any language that supports the OSC protocol, but you can always look to the rich community of user-created apps if you’re looking for inspiration or functionality that’s already been created.

Favorite Software
At the core of my live set is a piece of software that I wrote for the monomer called 7up. It essentially splits the monomer into pages of functions. One page can give you a step sequencer while another triggers loops, and another sends MIDI ctrl values or notes. All of these actions are recordable and can be running in parallel which makes a great interface for controlling complex arrangements live and without the need to touch the laptop. One great advantage of relying heavily on your own software is that all your bug reports go to the front of the queue.

Workspace and Environment
I live in a small one-bedroom apartment in Cambridge and having your studio 3 feet from your bed is all a producer can ask for. It helps that my setup is super minimal – consisting only of my laptop, monome, and sometimes the Oxygen8 if I’m working on melodies. In theory, it shouldn’t matter where I’m cranking out material but I’ve always found it easiest to work at odd hours during the night while at home as opposed to being out on the road.
I can’t say I’m self-conscious about my finished product but I do get unnerved if anyone is around while I’m arranging. I don’t think most people realize how monotonous producing can be. I’ve sat for hours tweaking the most insignificant parameters of the same 4 bar loop, but it never seems strange to me unless someone else is around.

Ideal Location
I sometimes fantasize about an elaborate studio setup in a remote location with no neighbors and top quality gear, but in the end I don’t think I could work like that all the time. I like that music weaves itself in and out of my life and that I can go weeks without making music, bottle up that creative energy, and unleash it when appropriate. If I locked myself in a cabin with the mission of making my best work now that I have the “perfect” setup, I’d not make anything worthwhile and go nuts to boot.

What is the name you work under and where can we find your work?
– Making the Noise
- Making the Noise - you can do anything. except for some things Album

Korg Monotron: Baseck + cEvin Key

2010-05-12T12:40:00.003-05:00

Baseck is on tour in Japan with cEvin Key right now and that usually means one thing - searching for esoteric gear. I just thought this video was funny and am trying to legitimate reason for posting it. Imagine I wrote a long winded preface about how Japan is the leader in technology and how manufacturers choose to release a lot of products there first.

this is the korg monotron! i been drooling over it ever since i seen a video of it from musikmesse frankfurt. we found them in a shop in tokyo for $50 usd. cevin, djoto, alan, and i all bought one! this thing is ILL! such deep sub bass when it's hooked up to a system. i can't wait to rock it on my tour. here we were at the great buddha in kamakura japan. first monotron to ever visit the great buddha! :) what an amazing site it was. Thanks Korg for making another useful low cost pocket sized monster!!!

Gear Lust

2010-05-12T12:35:00.001-05:00

Just when I thought my setup was nearly complete, this crap happens. It'll never stop.

Endangered Audio - Gristleizer

For the first time ever, Throbbing Gristle's legendary effects unit, The Gristleizer, is now available in eurorack synth module form (28HP wide). Though the original design by Roy Gwinn is over 30 years old, The Gristleizer had never seen commercial production until the summer of 2009, when Endangered Audio updated and improved the circuit. The audio path is modulated by an LFO using four selectable waveforms (ramp, reverse ramp, triangle, & square), functioning in one of two paths: VCA (voltage controlled amplifier) or VCF (voltage controlled filter). Ranging from light and sweet tremolo to extreme, raunchy ring mod, The Gristleizer is a 100% analog, hand-assembled unit built to last. These can connect to either analog systems power bus or doepfer (with adapter available from us), for easy addition to your eurorack system.
- More information and video here

Tip Top Audio is releasing mark II of their Z3000 oscillator. We'll have one of these at Synth Meet 7 on the 23rd of May.
Heres a short list of some of the new features:
- low-power, light blue display
- Frequency range of the z3000 is 0.7Hz - 30kHz.
- waveshaper CV input
The new version 2 is now built with SMD components and thus it´s PCB is very flat (pcb parallel to the faceplate). By the use of modern transistors the tracking got much more exact. The sawtooth now sounds a bit better and there's a new feature: vc waveshaping on the sine and triangle wave! It blends from "trashy sawtooth" to sine/triangle.
- Tip Top Audio

Oto machines - Biscuit
Last week, I was turned onto this strange desktop bitcrusher box and haven't stopped thinking about it since.
• Stereo inputs and outputs
• Input gain from -8 to 15 dB with diode clipping
• Real 8-bit Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog converters
• Unique capability of muting and inverting each of the 8 bits
• Variable sample clock from 250 Hz to 30 kHz
• True analog multimode filter with resonance control
• FX section: Waveshaper, Delay, Pitch Shifter and Step Filter
• Separate control of dry and 8-bit signals
• 16 presets
• MIDI : Continuous Controller, Beat Clock, Program Change and Sysex for presets

- Oto machines

Gear Lust

2010-05-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

Just when I thought my setup was nearly complete, this crap happens. It'll never stop.

Endangered Audio - Gristleizer

For the first time ever, Throbbing Gristle's legendary effects unit, The Gristleizer, is now available in eurorack synth module form (28HP wide). Though the original design by Roy Gwinn is over 30 years old, The Gristleizer had never seen commercial production until the summer of 2009, when Endangered Audio updated and improved the circuit. The audio path is modulated by an LFO using four selectable waveforms (ramp, reverse ramp, triangle, & square), functioning in one of two paths: VCA (voltage controlled amplifier) or VCF (voltage controlled filter). Ranging from light and sweet tremolo to extreme, raunchy ring mod, The Gristleizer is a 100% analog, hand-assembled unit built to last. These can connect to either analog systems power bus or doepfer (with adapter available from us), for easy addition to your eurorack system.
- More information here

Tip Top Audio is releasing mark II of their Z3000 oscillator. We'll have one of these at Synth Meet 7 on the 23rd of May.
Heres a short list of some of the new features:
- low-power, light blue display
- Frequency range of the z3000 is 0.7Hz - 30kHz.
- waveshaper CV input
The new version 2 is now built with SMD components and thus it´s PCB is very flat (pcb parallel to the faceplate). By the use of modern transistors the tracking got much more exact. The sawtooth now sounds a bit better and there's a new feature: vc waveshaping on the sine and triangle wave! It blends from "trashy sawtooth" to sine/triangle.
- Tip Top Audio

Oto machines - Biscuit
Last week, I was turned onto this strange desktop bitcrusher box and haven't stopped thinking about it since.

- Oto machines

GrainCube

2010-05-11T16:51:00.006-05:00

GrainCube is a four part granular processing instrument with numerous randomizing functions and modulation capabilities that allow for indescribable sonic mischief. The heart of GrainCube is a 400mb sample map of exclusive sample material from Richard Devine & Josh Kay of DevineSound. GrainCube is a collaboration between DevineSound & Rick Scott (Rachmiel), with additional programming and GUI tweaks by Igor Shilov of Twisted Tools. An additional version is also available for the Jazzmutant Lemur, re-imagined by Antonio Blanca.

We offer two versions of the instrument so people who don't have lemurs can use it as well! And it's FREE!

Richard Devine & Josh Kay: Concept & Sound Design - devinesound.com
Rick Scott: Concept & Programming - rachmiel.org

- Download GrainCube

Also, Richard sent me a track he made with his modular and didn't want to make a post just for it, so here it is: Richard Devine - York Capacitor

Trash_Audio & Xart: Synth Meet 7

2010-05-07T09:19:00.003-05:00

This is the official Spring Synth Meet in Chicago presented by Trash_Audio and Xart. We've hosted 6 of these events before and they keep getting more attention so much so that we had to start turning people away last time.
We're having The Harvestman from Washington, Make Noise from North Carolina, STG from Illinois, and other guests that will be announced. There will also be new products making their debut from a few manufacturers including some from the aforementioned.
We'll have to put a limit on the amount of people this time around because while these events are a great place to network, Xart's studio is getting too packed! Also, if you're a modular/pedal/synth manufacturer, I highly suggest you get in touch to have your gear laid out so people can experience it. If you're interested in coming please e-mail: ss@thedeepelement.com

Here are some videos of the past events:

Also, here is an advanced notice for another night we're hosting in June:

Chicago Modular Musickal Extemporization Klinic June 19 2010

The XART Studio + Media Research Center will be hosting more fun for
2010. Charles Cohen + hair_loss (Color Is Luxury) will be in Chicago
to do a modular synthesizer/ electronics based improv workshop/clinic!
- a talk and demo of the architecture of the Buchla Easel - a
Performance + discussing and working up patches suitable for free
improv + small group jams / improv games- try ideas out, collaborate
(and listen!) + plenty of time for give and take all along the way!

Seating/Spots will be limited. This is a RSVP workshop with a modest donation.

If you are interested get on our list: email: kultbox@gmail.com please
put Chicago Modular Musickal Extemporization Klinic in the subject! We
will forward information.

Friday, May 7th: Plague Bringer, Abominable Iron Sloth, Sender Receiver, Surachai

2010-05-03T23:21:00.000-05:00

May 7th, 2010
Cobra Lounge
235 North Ashland

Plague Bringer
The Abominable Iron Sloth
Sender Receiver
Surachai

Come out! All nights at Cobra Lounge are free.
I'll have shirts and stickers available.

Saturday, May 1st: Mayday Mayhem: Professor Kliq, Royb0t, Polyfuse and Millipede Live

2010-04-30T12:00:00.006-05:00

Tomorrow night I'll be playing live with some cool people. I am also going to do this show a little different then I have in the past, which means, no computer. Instead I am bringing out a small selection of acid gear. The setup now is x0xb0x, tr-808, drone commander, grundig shortwave radio, line 6 delay, alesis ineko multi fx, tube overdrive pedal, vintage multiband eq pedal, a soundcraft mixer and last but not least, some fancy lights.

Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 9:30pm, 21+
Silvie's Lounge
1902 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL
$5

- Facebook Event

- Professor Kliq
- Royb0t
- Polyfuse
- Millipede

How To Destroy Angels

2010-04-28T08:28:00.004-05:00

Rumors rumors rumors... I don't care what they say, this is great on it's own.
- How To Destroy Angels

01 from How To Destroy Angels on Vimeo.

*update:

04 from How To Destroy Angels on Vimeo.

03 from How To Destroy Angels on Vimeo.

Tip Top Audio: Z8000 - Stretta

2010-04-23T11:48:00.002-05:00

In case you weren't able to decipher what was going on in the video I made before - here is Stretta's take on the Z8000. It sounds and looks way better than my video. Enjoy!

Z8000 Overview from GM on Vimeo.

Selected Discography at FiXT

2010-04-20T09:21:00.008-05:00

All of our releases are now available all at one place, FiXT, which is great because our catalog of releases on shade:red was scattered all over the internet.

Polyfuse - No One Will Come Save Us
Polyfuse's 'No One Will Come To Save Us' was an experiment in analog electronic sound. All normal creative practices were thrown out in place of something more immediate. The whole collection was completed with the most minimum setup possible* and captured in such a way that it could not be altered after the original performance. Take it, turn it up, set it free.
*x0xb0x, TR-808, Moog Prodigy, Grundig G5 (A shortwave radio), Line6 DL-4 pedal, TubeWorks RT-901 overdrive pedal, Alesis Ineko and a TC Electronics M300 all plugged into a small 10 channel mixer.

Justin McGrath - The Night That Laid Still
The Night That Laid Still' is the third and final solo release from Justin McGrath, who has now moved on to other projects such as Polyfuse. This EP of atmospheric ambient sound is reminiscent of NIN's quieter moments, with acoustic elements created by piano and strings meandering throughout. Purchases of the full EP include an 8 track bonus EP of remixes, 'Reconstructions'.

Free Polyfuse Tracks and Albums:
One Quiet Moment (Single) (39.2 MB)
20 minutes of dark analog ambient music

The Persistent | The Unobtainable (Album) (91.8 MB)
An experimental album that was never completely finished, now yours for the taking

Incendiary Device (Single) (9.2 MB)
A free single from the upcoming album 'The Speed Of Forever'

The Deep Element - Lapses
Surachai's second release as IDM/Ambient/Post Rock project The Deep Element. Includes a cover of Clint Mansell's "Stay With Me".

The Deep Element - Currents
Before Surachai embarked on an exploration of brutal grindcore noise with his self titled project Surachai, the multi-talented musician experimented with glitchy, warm downtempo and IDM as The Deep Element. This debut album features covers of Karmakanik, jonbro, and Björk. Artwork by Sarah Lynn Wielusz.

Surachai - Decrepit
After two EPs of absolutely brutal analog noise-infused grindcore, Surachai's fourth release returns to the purely experimental analog glitch soundscapes of his first album. Six tracks with corresponding artwork by Bridget Driessen follow the cycles and stages of a plagued memory.

Surachai - Designed Deficiency
Surachai's third release continues to explore the grindcore-analog noise mix that appeared on the preceding EP, a genre the artist calls Plague Metal. Bridget Driessen also returns to contribute beautiful artwork once more.

Surachai - Programmed Cell Death
On his second release, Surachai takes the glitchy analog noise experimentation of his first album and wraps it around some truly traumatizing grindcore metal. Artwork by Bridget Driessen.

Surachai - Form
Surachai, who has previously created warm, downtempo IDM as The Deep Element and as one half of [Co]sen-tasi, throws listeners for a loop and runs in the opposite direction with his new self-titled solo project, Surachai. This first album contains fourteen tracks, each an experimental exploration into harsh, overdriven analog noise that altogether form a continuous 21-minute piece.

[co]sen_tasi - Cycled Seances
A followup EP to 2007's Clarity in Japanese, Cycled Seances continues the IDM/downtempo/jazz fusion collaboration of analog noisemaker Surachai and jazz musician Jonathan Paul Robles.

[co]sen_tasi - Clarity in Japanese
Surachai, known for his downtempo/IDM project The Deep Element and his eponymous grindcore/analog noise counterpoint project, has also collaborated with jazz musician Jonathan Paul Robles to create [co]sen_tasi, a downtempo/IDM sound with elements of analog glitch and jazz fusion. This is their first album.

James Cigler Returns

2010-04-18T13:29:00.002-05:00

James Cigler of the felix inferious blog is back with a new video featuring Make Noise's Wogglebug. I used to watch James's videos back when there was very little written and audio information on modules. Finding video a couple years ago, especially an informative demonstration, was nearly impossible. Someone needs to pay him to make these videos because they certainly shape the way people buy modules.

Tip Top Audio - Z-Burn Debut

2010-04-18T10:09:00.002-05:00

Because most of you aren't members of the Muffwiggler forum, I'm acting as a middle man most of time with these posts. Here is another such example. Tip Top Audio has announced their Z-Burn device that will work between a Z-DSP module and your computer with a usb cable. This is the first instance of open architecture for modules and I can't wait to see what people start programming. No date or price yet but it's time to get excited.

In Gur's words: "It is a table top device with a USB connector and it comes with a Mac software (and yes, we will make PC version too.... ) that reads programs and allow you to burn your own cartridges and develop programs if you wish to. We plan to have a page on the TTA site that will hold programs for free download. This is btw. why we do not release the reverb cartridge as you will have some nice reverbs for free download there.

There are already few customers who got a Programmer directly from us and are writing some programs, I hope they will contribute to the free library we want to develop on the site."

- Tip Top Audio

Wavetable Acid Sessions with Devine and Josh Kay: Part 2!

2010-04-15T11:21:00.002-05:00

You really can't go wrong with this setup. Actually, I take that back, I've heard some lousy music with some of the the same gear, but Richard and Josh do it right! Check out part two of the session I posted yesterday and turn your speakers to the maximum setting.

Wavetable Acid Sessions with Devine and Josh Kay

2010-04-14T11:30:00.000-05:00

Wavetable acid sessions with Roland TR-808, TB-303, TipTop-Z-8000,STG/SoundLabs Time Buffer, Graphic Sequencer, Trigger Sequencer, Cwejman VM-1, Harvestman Hertz Donut, and Piston Honda.

London Pirate Radio...

2010-04-13T12:53:00.004-05:00

One thing I am pretty into, but haven't brought up here yet is Shortwave and Pirate radio. The shoe company Palladium has released a very nice documentary that covers some of the pirate radio activities going on in London. If you're interested in getting into this stuff, I would recommend picking up a worldband radio. Grundig makes decent inexpensive radios. I personally use the Grundig G5 with a fold out Sony portable antenna that suction-cups onto a window and then the M-Audio MicrotrackII is always set to record the line out on the Grundig. With this setup I've generated about 10GB of sounds and odd broadcasts. Lots of fun stuff to be heard. If you don't know anything about Shortwave radio, wikipedia is the best place to start.

David Byrne on Collaborations

2010-04-10T19:05:00.005-05:00

Because of the recent collaborations and contributions I've been a part of recently, I feel that this article is fitting to my current situation. I've avoided collaborations, aside from a couple exceptions, up until last year because I simply didn't know how they were 'supposed' to go down. I find out that I've been on the right track all along and agree with his statement, "more and more as time goes by, and they (collaborations) are always slightly different from one another, there are more similarities than differences". The pictures in this article are of one of his workspaces.

David Byrne breaks down how he worked with Brian Eno, how he and friends hate dealing with lyrics and how he'd work on a collaboration for a bag of Doritos. While you don't have to agree with everything he says, if you plan on participating in a project that involves with other people, he writes of some great techniques, methods and attitudes that you can apply. For me, this is essential information on conducting remote collaborations.

"The unwritten game rules in these remote collaborations seem to be to leave the other person’s stuff alone as much as you can. Work with what you’re given; don’t try to imagine it as something other than what it is."

"One big reason is to restrict one’s own freedom in the writing process. There’s a joy and relief in being limited, restrained. For starters, to let someone else make half the decisions, or some big part of them, absolves one of the need to explore endless musical possibilities."

- David Byrne on Collaborations

Computer Modular Interface

2010-04-08T14:49:00.005-05:00

As far as I'm aware there are only two choices to interface your DAW to your modular synth: MOTU's Volta and Expert Sleeper's Silent Way. My current problem with both of these options is that they require an audio interface with DC coupled outs. The list of these interfaces are limited as can be seen here: Here

If I were going to get in the game at this point I'd be limited to only my headphone outputs as a means of communication between modular and computer which... is rather limited. Thankfully Expert Sleepers found a way to make any interface with balanced outputs have access to this modular computer communication. Originally they suggested you make cables yourself that encoded AC cables with DC properties while they provided the software to integrate it with the rest of Silent Way. But it seems like someone on their team took the initiative to make a breakout box so you could bypass making your own cables.
Now it seems that someone just needs to build so I can buy them because I'm sure as hell too retarded to put this together myself.

- Silent Way Software Encoder Information
- Expert Sleepers Silent Way
- Motu Volta

Silent Way AC Encoder from Andrew Ostler on Vimeo.

Free Samples from H/Ptic Audio

2010-04-08T13:27:00.004-05:00

After downloading a couple of their small banks, I don't see why these shouldn't be in everyone's hard drives. Watch out for the random fake titties on the abstract percussion kit - If you're browsing at work that is.

The site will be giving away samples, kits, and instruments for free each month (in theory), and we've just gotten everything relatively dialed in and the first 3 releases are posted in the 'catalogue' section of the site. Or you can use the links below:

HAPTIC01 (abstract percussion kit): Download
HAPTIC02 (Multi-Band Atmospheric Instrument): Download
HAPTIC03 (Multi-Sample SFX kit): Download

- H/Ptic Audio

Harvestman Piston Honda Expansion Install

2010-04-02T09:30:00.005-05:00

My knowledge of electronic circuitry is close to zero and this installation is only an example of how I performed mine. Your Piston Honda may be different (my display, for example is red) and should check with Harvestman before performing the installation. Responsibility and all the other stuff is not mine if you wreck your modules. With that out of the way, the installation was simple. You'll need a 3/32" hex screwdriver to complete the installation and you'll need some balls to rip apart your Piston Honda knowing that you could potentially damage it.

1. On my Piston Honda, the top board wasn't screwed down onto the spacers of the bottom board so I was able to pull it off the pins without any hardware.
2. With the supplied hardware, I used the screws and tightened the threaded spacers onto them to create a bed for the expansion board to rest on.
3. The expansion board slides onto the pins horizontally and if the screw holes on the spacers are aligned with the expansion board screw holes, then you're set to use the remaining screws to tighten it down.
4. With the expansion properly tightened to the top board, I slid it back onto the pins and I was done.

I noticed that the bottom and top boards weren't screwed in and that the pins were the only thing bonding it together. I don't believe that the top and bottom boards would separate as a substantial amount of force is needed to pull them apart but I can see some people wanting to secure it down. These screws are not supplied unfortunately. The new banks sound amazing and this video doesn't really focus on that. Next time....

*4.13.10 Update: The official manual for installation and information can be found HERE.

STG Soundlabs - Acid

2010-03-29T08:37:00.003-05:00

Richard Devine got a hold of STG's Graphic Sequencer some Time Buffer modules and consequently pumped out a banger. Hope he was recording to disk!

STG Soundlabs-Analord Acid Jam - 303/606 from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

Richard Lainhart Live...(right now)

2010-03-26T19:47:00.003-05:00

Meet Richard Lainhart. Check out a live stream his doing right this moment:

Broadcasting Live with Ustream.TV

A Wilderness of Cloades

2010-03-22T11:12:00.003-05:00

The fine folks at Old Europa Cafe are releasing A Wilderness of Cloades - A collaboration between Nordvargr and myself recorded this past winter. There will be a special limited numbered edition of 300 copies, the first 100 will come in an exclusive wooden box. There are two samples that can be found in the links below. Here is a glimpse of the artwork that Bridget Driessen, my favorite visual artist, composed for the release.

- Previews and Information Here
- Nordvargr
- Bridget Driessen

STG Graphic Sequencer + Harvestman Piston Honda

2010-03-14T11:38:00.008-05:00

The Suit & Tie Guy Graphic Sequencer is a Eurorack format step sequencer and is the few (only?) that utilizes sliders. The length of the sequence can be anywhere between 1 to 8 steps, can loop or be a one shot, has a range of 0 to 5 volts, and can be expanded with the gate trigger module. The craftsmanship on this module is exceptional - the sliders are as smooth as butter and yearn to be touched. The front panel is among the best looking from the STG line and the lights at the tips of the sliders was a beautiful touch. The only issue I can think of is that it's simple. At NAMM earlier this year, I was able to spend about 3 minutes with this graphic sequencer and I understood it's functionality before even touching it. That's the issue with this module - it keeps it simple. This is neither a compliment nor criticism, it's just a fact worth noting.

I know people that are left crippled from being given too many options and parameters on instruments, particularly software. This is the same crippling effect I see in self-taught musicians. After learning music theory they are paralyzed with information that has them overanalyzing every interval, note and progression. An overload of information, knobs and options can leave people discouraged and overwhelmed. it the same for modules? I have both the Tip Top Audio Z8000 and the Doepfer A-155/154 combo and they're entirely different from one another but share a complexity that makes them appealing on their own. When I start using both the sequencers at the same time on a complex patch, that's when things get hairy and find myself retracing patch cables to find out whats happening. In the video example you can see that I team the Graphic Sequencer with a Z8000 and its relatively simple to follow.

Is it inspiring or crippling to have a lot of options? This is the question I think about a lot and almost always lean towards the "it's better to have too many options than too little" but in this particular case, the Graphic Sequencer changed my mind. The Graphic Sequencer gives you barebones options which work in favor of it being inspiring, constructive and most importantly straightforward. Don't get me wrong it can conjure up a lot of mayhem with the right amount of Stackables or mults but it its great at making strong patches rather than fumbling around tracing cables. If you're looking for more complicated patches, I'd suggest something else like aforementioned Z8000, A-154/155 combo or the forthcoming RENÉ from Makenoise. There is something that feels 'oldschool' about this sequencer - how it feels really natural to use sliders for note values and how addictive it is to make patterns. If you've used vintage gear or any sequencer for that matter, you'll be right at home with this.

- STG Soundlabs
- Harvestman
- Sequencer Family Photos

Random Video - Neighborhood Kids

2010-03-11T07:59:00.003-06:00

This isn't really post worthy but a couple neighbor/friends came over yesterday and showed off a bunch of great modules I'll have to put on my list. Though one of them had a hi-hat module which I was half interested/half mocking so I asked for a demonstration. Fast forward 30 minutes and we've synced our systems and began making the most expensive drum machine on the planet.

Chicago - Tuesday March 16th

2010-03-10T08:36:00.003-06:00

This'll be the first time out in a while as I've run out of excuses to not leave my apartment. I'm sure they only asked me to play because they wanted another Asian to make Marousa feel more comfortable. I've just received new modules and will try to put another check in my speaker casualty list. Hope to see you there!

Modular Synthesis Applied Technique

2010-02-26T06:57:00.002-06:00

In this example, I demonstrate how years of studying modular synthesizers applies and prepares me for being outdoors.

Trash_Audio & Xart: Synth Meet 6 Video

2010-02-22T13:58:00.000-06:00

The video doesn't capture the perfectly honed chaos of the weather gradually turning to hell while 50 people came throughout the night. Nor does it appropriately acknowledge the effort that went into some of our guests put into coming from all corners of the United States. But here is some evidence of a successful evening with great people from all over the country. Thank you all for coming and making this the craziest and best synth meet we've had so far. Hail and horns! Look forward to the 7th synth meet in late Spring.
And since it's still Winter in Chicago, I'm going to Puerto Rico this week. Goodbye. F U.

Stretta: Free Modular Synth Library

2010-02-19T13:47:00.003-06:00

Stretta has compiled a library of 120 bpm loops made showcasing the Z8000. I won't talk about something thats already well explained:

If you woke up this morning thinking, "Gee, I wish I could download two gigabytes of 120 BPM modular synth loops", I have some good news for you.
I've been using the TipTop Audio Z8000 for a while now, collecting material for a video, but I also kept a DAW file handy and recorded bursts of interesting output at various intervals. This process generated a lot of materal, but it is clear to me it would be more useful in someone else's hands.

120bpm modular loop library preview by stretta

- Download for yourself: HERE!

Interview with Scott Jaeger: The Harvestman...

2010-02-17T10:06:00.003-06:00

Here's a great interview with Scott via electronicmusic.com

electronicmusic.com: Before we get started talking about The Harvestman, can you tell our readers a little about yourself, specifically your background in electronic music equipment production?

Scott Jaeger: I was born into brotherhood with a pair of hairfarmers - thrash is in my blood. The younger of the two (drummer) was gifted with a Casio SK-1 and some Synsonics drums in late 1986. That was my first hands-on encounter with electronically generated sounds.

- Full Article

Trash_Audio & Xart: Synth Meet 6 - Update

2010-02-13T20:18:00.003-06:00

A major development to the already massive Trash_Audio & Xart Synth Meet 6 happening next Sunday, February 21st: As you can see from the updated flyer - Tony Rolando of Make Noise Music will be attending this synth meet and showing off his products. This addition makes it a true coast to coast event, Scott from Washington and Tony from North Carolina, and with the amount of response we've received this is hands down the biggest synthesizer meet and in the midwest this year! If you're interested in coming e-mail me at trash@thedeepelement.com and I'll see you there.

Tip Top Audio - Z8000

2010-02-11T20:07:00.002-06:00

For the past week, I've seen this module popping up randomly on the intertubes and everyone was more confusing than the last. In an effort to try to explain the module to myself, I thought I'd leave the camera rolling. I break down the components and explain everything individually then show how things can get especially chaotic and inspiring. If you can't follow the video or don't understand - There are notes below that I followed during the video:

The Z8000 is composed of 10 separate sequencers that can run independently from each other.
Eight of the sequencers are 4 steps and these are indicated by the red lights
Four of these four step sequencers go horizontally.
The other four - four step sequencers go vertically.

The sixteen step sequences are indicated by two green lights and they both begin on the top left.
One of the sixteen step sequencers cycle through the matrix horizontally.
The other sixteen step sequencer cycles through the matrix vertically.

Some common attributes to all of the ten sequencers are:
The clock - which makes the sequencer move. All the sequencers can move to different clocks but the four step sequencers are bit different. For example the horizontal rows, 1/2/3/4, all follow row 1's clock. This link can be broken by inserting the clock into 2/3/4 or multiple clocks into multiple rows. This also applies to the vertical rows of a/b/c/d
Reset - when it receives signal it starts the sequence back at the beginning
Direction - when this jack receives a constant positive signal - it reverses the direction of the sequencer

Fitting in

2010-02-11T10:35:00.005-06:00

Where does a modular synthesizer go in your studio? Some of the modulars are companions and some are centerpieces or are the entire studio.I figured I'll show you a fraction of what you're missing on the Muffwiggler forums since you don't know how to use the internet. Also, a REMINDER the T_A & Xart Synth meet with Grant Richter, Scott Jaeger and Suit & Tie Guy is a little over a week away. The e-mail is to the right if you're interested in coming, we have only a few spots left.

Droctave - New Jersey Shore, NJ

Coony - Belgium - Myspace

Tim Pebble - Wellington, New Zealand - Music of Sound

Dave Jones - Boston, MA - Attack Sustain

Rafael - Brooklyn, NY

Idealist - Zurich, Switzerland Myspace

Economic Slave - Norman, Oklahoma

dkcg Soundcloud

Richard Molyneux - Vancouver, Canada

Nordvargr & Surachai: A Wilderness of Cloades

2010-02-01T11:12:00.003-06:00

The prolific Swedish artist Nordvargr and I have collaborated this past winter sending soundscapes back and forth until a product emerged: A wilderness of Cloades. It'll be released Spring 2010 on Old Europa Cafe with limited edition packaging. More details later as they emerge from the Scandinavian depths. For now, watch.

- Nordvargr
- Francis Kmiecik
- Bridget Driessen

Phoenecia - Echelon Mall

2010-01-30T00:13:00.005-06:00

We usually don't promote our friend's music on this site, especially not lately but hell this release is outstanding: Phoenecia - Echelon Mall on Alphabasic. I've been on a experimental, drone and soundtrack spree lately, so this fits right in there. As you may or may not know, Jeswa, who comprises half of Phoenecia was a featured artist in our Workspace and Environment series which can be found Here. The view that extends out of his studio windows are etched in my brain still to this day. I know that his modular system has since gotten out of control, spilling into monster cases and beyond.

- Echelon Mall Site
- Itunes Store
- Jeswa Information
- Alphabasic (Physical pre-orders start Tuesday)

Suit & Tie Guy - Sequencer Family

2010-01-29T18:43:00.003-06:00

Suit & Tie Guy and STG soundlabs is slowly moving his products into the Eurorack format and all I can say is: Welcome - we need you! I manage to play with the graphic sequencer at NAMM and was surprised at how easy, fun and quick it was to get something interesting out of the module. The LEDS at the tip of every fader is definitely a plus for those dark studios and live situations. I haven't messed with the trigger sequencer but can tell it'll be an essential pairing. They'll be hitting Analog Haven next week.
Prices are: $295for the Graphic Sequencer, $325 for the Trigger Sequencer and $120 for the Time Buffer.
Come check out these modules for yourself at the next Trash_Audio & Xart Synth Meet on February 21st.

Totally Wired - Additional Content

2010-01-29T12:33:00.003-06:00

To coincide with the online premiere of the documentary film TOTALLY WIRED – A FILM ABOUT SCHNEIDERS BÜRO, www.realeyz.tv is presenting previously unreleased, exclusive video interviews with director and Club Transmediale 2010 participant Niamh Guckian Ahern as well as Andreas Schneider, the founder of Schneiders Büro. -Tobias Voigt
- You can view all of the videos on the Youtube Channel: Here
- You can see the entire documentary: Here. Registrations and other boring mandatory stuff required.

Trash_Audio & Xart: Synth Meet 6

2010-01-26T11:40:00.004-06:00

Early Warning. The Trash_Audio team and Xart Studios are planning to have the synth meet on Sunday, February 21st starting at 3pm going to 9pm. We're going to have more of a structured format this time. First we're having three special guest lectures from Grant Richter of Wiard, Suit & Tie Guy from STG, and Scott Jaeger of Harvestman. That in itself should be worth coming to see. Also, we're going to have an improv session following John Zorn's card composition method.
While bringing your modular/synth/ keyboard/ drum machine/ whatever-makes-noise is not necessary, we highly encourage it. These meets have been extremely resourceful, informative and invaluable to the midwest community by providing a mass of equipment for users to try first hand. As always, these meets have been free and organized by T_A and Xart.

If you're interested, have questions, comments or bullshit opinions, send an e-mail to trash@thedeepelement.com and I'll be sending out information (addresses, secret handshakes) on the meet later next month. If you're a manufacturer I recommend you send an e-mail to me for arrangements to have your gear featured at this event. Transmission Over.

Tonight, FLESH in Chicago...

2010-01-21T10:05:00.002-06:00

Tonight I'll be trying my hand at something I've never done before, which is co-hosting a monthly Industrial/Electro/EBM/Whatever night in Chicago. It's the 3rd Thursday of every month and tonight is the first one...

Flesh.
EBM like it's 1989

Thursday January 21st

Professor Kliq (Live PA)
Polyfuse (DJ Set)
DJ Tacopunch

Occurring the third Thursday of the month at Silvie's Flesh is an industrial electro dance throw down off all things dark and slithery with a kicking bassline.

Admission: Free before 11 with RSVP to info.polyfuse@gmail.com, $5 after

9pm++ at Silvies
1902 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613
21+

One block west of the Irving Park Brown Line stop.

- Facebook Event

Trash_Audio 2010 NAMM Video

2010-01-20T09:38:00.002-06:00

We had a great time everywhere in Anaheim but NAMM itself this year. You'll notice that this NAMM video doesn't have too much NAMM in it because... well, it sucked and we're separating the useful information from this video. The approximate five booths that kept our attention were the ones that featured a direct line of communication with the manufacturer, engineer or designer themselves. Though, we found a way to infiltrate and see it for ourselves. Most of our time was spent with friends, at our place, on our terms. This resulted in a BBQ that had almost every modular manufacturer show up and having people declare it being the best thing they've ever experienced at NAMM, though it could've been the booze talking. It was incredible to see all of our friends and meet new ones. We already miss you. Hail and horns!

You can see the 2008 video HERE!

Harvestman - NAMM 2010

2010-01-18T18:11:00.002-06:00

Scott Jaeger of Harvestman runs through the functions of his Piston Honda and some of the upgrades that are available for it.

Tip Top Audio: NAMM 2010

2010-01-18T15:01:00.003-06:00

Gur Milstein from Tip Top Audio spent a moment to explain his new protoype case and the Z8000 Matrix Sequencer at NAMM 2010. Perhaps I've edited out some essential parts but I hope these videos clear up some general questions of the functionality.

Make Noise - NAMM 2010

2010-01-18T11:12:00.003-06:00

I'm currently working on our main video and these modular demonstrations are a bit too long to be included so I've separated the equipment demonstration/interviews and will present them as fast as I can upload them.

Here is Anthony Rolando of Make Noise showing off two controllers: Pressure Points and René.

Quick Quick...

2010-01-16T18:33:00.002-06:00

Last night in LA, Richard did this and it blew my mind. I think twice:

Tonight Trash_Audio is hosting around fifty complete weirdos for a BBQ, I'll post some random realtime photos via twitter.

And finally, Thursday in Chicago my friend Jason (DJ Tacopunch) and I are going to start a monthly night that we're pretty excited about, I'll post more about this when I am back in town:

One Multipurpose Post! NAMM, Chromeo, Rock Band!

2010-01-12T15:40:00.001-06:00

First topic, is anyone going to the NAMM show this year? We'll be there but there's also a cool event happening this Friday evening with a nice lineup of performers, including: John Tejada, Richard Devine, Deru, Laura Escude, Scott Pagano, CPU, DJ Kero, Acid Circus, Derek Michael, Baseck, Eezir, Trifonic, DJ G Ov, Moldover, Henry Strange, Peter Kirn and very likely more that are not mentioned. You can find Workspace and Environment interviews/photos with three of the artists mentioned by checking out the sidebar on the right. This way --->

Besides that, I just found this awesome interview with Chromeo where they are talking a bit about gear:

- Do you ever buy a keyboard or a synthesizer just because you know it was used by someone you look up to?

- Chromeo: Oh yeah. Like I know, pretty much, you can give me any song and I’ll tell you what keyboard was used.

- [Hall and Oates’ 1981 hit single] “Private Eyes”?

- Chromeo: Private Eyes!? That’s a CR78 drum machine, a CT70 Piano. I actually, when I bought by CT70, I recreated [that] song. Cause I had all those machines. [Laughs]. And most of Hall and Oates is CR78, LM1 drum machine, or CT70 piano. And I also know that ‘cause we’ve done shit with them. [Laughs]

Checkout the full interview here.

And finally, I just came across a video demonstrating the 'Rock Band Network' which will essentially let users upload their own music content but also embed the rock band performance data within, so a user can 'sequence' their own patterns to their own songs. I think this will become pretty insane when it launches:

Roland TR-808 Sample Pack

2010-01-11T19:01:00.009-06:00

Justin graciously let me borrow his Roland TR-808 and when trying to program some patterns I noticed a few problems. A) I'm clearly too stupid to work this machine - I eventually figured it out but off the bat, both the Pattern knob the Auto Fill In knob were double teaming my brain and left me staring at shifting patterns that mocked me with changing tempos. B) The sequencing buttons themselves have been accumulating grime over the years which makes it difficult to activate a note. I would gladly take this thing apart and clean it but it's not mine. C) It's outdated. While the interface is preferred for many people, I'd rather do this on a computer or something more flexible like a Machinedrum. Long story short, I decided to sample it and save people the hassle of finding/buying one. Oh yeah and it's free.

The Process
All the audio came out of the Hi Level Master Output of the TR-808 into a Focusrite Platinum Voicemaster Preamp then hit a RME Fireface UC and was recorded at 24 bit 48 kHz in Logic and saved as AIFF files. I used AudioFinder to create fade in and outs manually on every sample, batch normalize and rename. I tried to keep the signal chain as short as possible as I've heard TR-808 sample banks that sound like processed garbage. I have two versions of this sample pack - the first one being a dynamic version that includes one shots of the samples as they hit my interface, with the different parameters on the Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Cymbals, etc. the volume changes dramatically. Additionally there is an alternate version where all the samples are normalized to 0 dB. I see reasons to have both as an option but if you're in doubt, grab the normalized version. I made this for myself and was going to share it with a few close friends but figured the world might find some use for it.

- Roland TR-808

Also, I made a modular synth sample pack back in 2008. It's 10 bucks cause I spent a good amount of time compiling it but there are some freebies to download. *01-18-10 note: I'm noticing a pump in sales of this kit and I thank you all!

- Surachai Modular Sample Kit

[co]sen_tasi - Cycled Seances

2010-01-11T00:00:00.001-06:00

[co]sen_tasi has been an ongoing collaborative effort between myself and JP Robles for the past few years. We tracked instruments and threw ideas around a few days in his old studio as far back as 2007 and have been sending each other stems back and forth over the years. We released our first EP, Clarity in Japanese, in 2007. Until we start caring about our music in that way, this release is free and hopefully you'll find something to take away from it.

- [co]sen_tasi - Cycled Seances

Make Noise - RENÉ

2010-01-06T14:40:00.003-06:00

Shit! When you think someone's figured it out someone else has another take on the same idea. The problem is: I'm not rich and it's because of things like this that will keep me in this financial state! Take an idea like the matrix synthesizer and get two great minds to interpret it and manufacture how they see the ideal matrix synthesizer and you get two products thats are related but will get you entirely different results. At this point it's whatever fits your needs and it's whatever gets you to your goal easiest. I'm excited to see this thing in action next week at NAMM and with a faceplate so I can actually understand what's happening

The new sequencer for modular synthesizers, designed by Make Noise and developed with yerpa58. A short bunch of clips I took one afternoon while beta testing. The patch is same for all clips. Doepfer A-110 controlled by RENÉ CV OUT, Square Wave applied to QMMG which is set to BOTH mode and controlled by RENÉ Gate-X and Gate-Y. The RENÉ sequencer is driven by 3 clocks. The master clock generated by the Wogglebug, and then divided by MATHS to create the second and third clocks. Come see the Make Noise RENÉ, MATHS, Wogglebug and QMMG at NAMM 2010, Analogue Haven Boothe.

Please meet RENÉ from MAKE NOISE on Vimeo.

Trifonic: Next Step Audio

2010-01-06T09:07:00.002-06:00

Between Justin and I, we have seen some of the most horrific tutorials online - but surprisingly we always go back when we're trying to figure out new software or learn some tricks not in manuals. I've watched the videos on Next Step Audio and it's so well done that I feel accomplished just watching it.

A few months ago we mentioned we'd be launching a production blog where we talk about how we make our music, and I'm happy to say that it's finally here: Next Step Audio

The idea behind Next Step Audio is to show you specifically how Trifonic works in the studio, and demonstrate some advanced techniques for producing electronic music. Over time we plan to offer various downloads and more in-depth tutorials for the folks that are interested.

We'll be posting new videos every week, so please go check out the site and, if you like what you see, subscribe to the Next Step Audio RSS feed. Hope you find the production tutorials useful, and please let us know what you think!

And for those of you who would rather just have Trifonic make the music, we're hard at work on the next release, which we hope to have ready in the first half of this year... we'll certainly keep you posted.

Best,
LT and Brian

Trifonic: Editing Beats - Part 2 from Next Step Audio on Vimeo.

Surachai - Decrepit

2010-01-01T10:51:00.004-06:00

Decrepit is the second addition that follows the soundscape release, Form. It follows the cycles and stages of a plagued memory - that's all the information you get about Decrepit not because I'm arcane or elusive with information, rather I find it incredibly difficult to try to explain this, along any of my other, releases beyond a few words but if you have specific questions, drop me a line. Enjoy!

- Surachai - Decrepit
Artwork by Bridget Driessen

Tip Top Audio: Z8000 Matrix Sequencer

2009-12-31T16:20:00.002-06:00

This sequencer has been getting me hyped for some time. Namely because my current sequencer system consists of three parts: The Doepfer A-155/A-154/A-151 that costs about $700 new and takes up 76 TE/HP of space. Price tag and space issues aside, this thing is great, it does everything I need it to do. Forward, backward, pendulum, random, one shots, all the normal things. It also does some strange things with enough patch cables and experimenting. But does it do everything I want it to do? Instantly controlled chaos off the bat? No. See the thing about Doepfer modules is that while they're instruments that perform their function - they need some inspiration and patience when approaching them. In other words, they're boring but still essential. Tip Top Audio, as well as other current modular manufacturers, are beautiful in their functionality and invite you to play with them, figure them out and have fun in the process. There are features that may take getting used to, for instance not having gate/triggers out but these are to be addressed with future releases or you can figure a way around it with its given 10 CV outputs. The obvious reasons to grab this instantly are in plain view, its compact, 57% the price of my current system and looks fun as hell.

Ok, very basic, just one sequencer out of 10 is used. The CV that goes to the VCO also triggers the EG, strange ahhh(: : - Gur from Tip Top Audio

My first few minutes with the Z8000 Prototype from GM on Vimeo.

This is the first completed Z8000 Matrix Sequencer/Programmer for Eurorack. The module is now finished and goes into factory production soon. Tiptop Audio plans to show this module at Winter NAMM 2010 and we should have stock by the end of January. The price should be about $395.
Pictures and Information: Analog Haven.

Namm 2010 + BBQ 5000 + Gig

2009-12-28T10:11:00.005-06:00

The Trash_Audio boys are heading to LA/Anaheim once again in January 2010 for 'coverage' of the NAMM show. I use quotation marks because if you saw the last NAMM Video we made, you'd understand we're not exactly reporters. Hell, they wouldn't give us passes this year and after talking to many people, I'm finding out that NAMM is extraordinarily stingy on the passes this go around. Don't worry, the Trash_Audio team found a legitimate way in. We'll try to cover interesting new instruments and technology or at least make fun of them.

Since 2008, things have changed dramatically - We have more friends and we have more readers. With the said 'success' we are hosting a Trash_Audio BBQ Saturday the 16th in Anaheim with some of the modular synthesizer manufacturers, software synth manufacturers and the addicts they supply to. It'll be like the Totally Wired documentary except with a pool and grill.

I'll be playing downtown LA on Friday the 15th 2010. Here is an absolutely worthless link but hopefully it'll be updated as the date gets closer. HERE! So far, I know its John Tejada, Jimmy Edgar, Richard Devine, Deru, Drumcell, Acid Circus, Brion Trifon and much more.

Server Fossil

2009-12-22T20:13:00.005-06:00

After sifting around my server for the past couple of days, I realized there was an album thats been in the dark for a few years and the only way you could download it was through Amazon or the iTunes store. I figured since I'm releasing the follow-up for free in a couple of weeks I might as well give this one out. Like the new one coming up, [co]sen_tasi is heavy electronics smothering twisted melodies. Click HERE for the download site.

Also, Trash_Audio will be at NAMM next month. There will be a synth BBQ! I'll be performing at party with tons of great artists like Deru, Richard Devine and much more. More information later.

Trash_Audio & Xart: Synth Meet 5 Video

2009-12-13T12:39:00.002-06:00

This was our fifth synth meet that Xart and Trash_Audio has hosted in Chicago, Illinois about a month ago. I uploaded this video onto youtube a week ago and simply forgot that it just needed to be made public. There isn't anything particularly interesting about the video itself but the meets are always a great way to see friends and meet new like-minded folks. I recommend you come next time - just send me your e-mail address to trash@thedeepelement.com. Next time there will be a goal rather than tentative (but fun) tomfoolery.

Richard Devine Breaks In His Z-DSP

2009-12-05T22:54:00.002-06:00

Mine will be waiting for me when I get back to Chicago but Richard just got his a few hours ago and is melting his face off.
"First experiment with the Tiptop Audio's Z-DSP module. Amazing range and detail with the delay time and feedback controls. This is one of the most amazing Euro rack modules I have ever played with. 8 time-based VC-Stereo-Delay algorithms. Running TR-808, and TB-303 through the inputs, Amazing!"

Tiptop Audio's Z-DSP Module from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

Rammstein Vs. Cookie Monster Electroinc Toy...

2009-12-05T12:20:00.000-06:00

Workspace and Environment: Henrik Nordvargr Björkk

2009-12-01T12:13:00.005-06:00

Background
I've been involved with music since the late eighties... I guess we were a bunch of smalltown boys with nothing better to do than drink beer, listen to music and hunt girls. Then some strange bands showed up - TG, Cabaret Voltaire, SPK to name a few. Everything changed after that.I am a man of many faces and projects... most known is probably MZ. 412. But I am mostly active as Nordvargr (my name BTW), Folkstorm and Toroidh. I have released some 100+ releases over the years on countless labels. I´d call Cold Spring, OEC and Neuropa my main lovers, but I occasionally go to bed with other labels.

Hardware
There are many things I love to play, Bugbrand Weevils, MoogerFoogers, Audible Disease stuff etc... but there is one brand I really love - Crowphonics. The CR0-1 is so fun to play, it sounds awesome and it is very unpredictable (in a good way). Ibought three instantly, and now I am waiting for the new model to arrive...

Software
Soundforge. Easy, sounds great and is very versatile.

Workspace and Environment
I work away from home a lot, so I prefer to make sure I can travel with my stuff. Almost everything I own has a case or bag so I can move it around. When it comes to where I work, it is irrelevant. I have tried recording in the basement at home to get an extra "dark vibe" etc, but really... it does not matter to me. When I record I am so focused on what I do that it really doesnt matter. But of course it would be cool to record at some wierd place sometime. Catacombs maybe?

First Piece of Equipment
A grey SH-101 back in ´86...

The Most Recent Equipment
I bought a few Moogerfoogers today!

Wish List
All Moogerfoogers, some Folktek stuff, a modular system... and the "unreachable" Buchla...

Live Performances
I dont play live that often, but last time I grabbed a laptop, a few pedals and a guitar...

Are You Involved With Sound Design or Composing for Film?
Not at the moment, but I have made music for theater and a few short movies. I´d really like to do more, but it is not something I come by often.

Links
- Nordvargr.com
- Nordvargr Virb
- Resignation Virb

Tip Top Audio: Z-DSP

2009-11-23T00:27:00.001-06:00

Gur of Tip Top Audio sent me his very own Z-DSP to show off at the Trash_Audio synth meet and while I have it in my grasp, a lot of time is being spent with the Z-DSP and with permission I am making a video of some of those moments. The sound of this module fits into my setup perfectly and while it does beautiful delays and reverbs, this is only the beginning. The current card this particular unit came with was the dragonfly delay card which has eight beautiful delays with great sounding feedback. Gur showed me a reverb and filter cards while I was in LA. Now the truly exciting part is that Gur intends to release the source of the Z-DSP cards so anyone can program whatever effect that want and integrate it with their modular system. And while I'm full on illiterate when it comes to programming... you know what? Let me have Gur explain it himself.

Gur of Tip Top Audio
The Z-DSP will be supplied with the Dragonfly Delay card. There are several more cards in development, it is theoretically endless as the Z-DSP is an audio microcomputer that like any computer all it needs is different softwares to perform an infinite array of features. Right now the cards I'm developing are reverbs, more types of delays, CV processing, LFOs, DCOs and a few others. I just finished testing a digital ring modulation and it sounds very different from analog. The next card to be available is the Bat Filter, a collection of 8 VCDF (VC digital filters), its a killer set of filters!
There is also a programmer that will be available. It is a USB device that goes into the card slot of the Z-DSP and there is a PC code development environment that connects to it. This programmer allow users to either write their own programs, share with others, or download some free algorithms that are available online. This programmer will be sold separately and will require signing a NDA that is made to protect the IP of both TTA and the user against anyone who might want to take advantage of the 'open source' approach to copy algorithms from the cards and use them for commercial use.

*Watch your volume. I'm not saying it in the hip way - I'm saying it in the 'it starts off quiet and picks up the direct signal at about fifteen seconds in'

The Age of Customization: ProModular

2009-11-21T14:22:00.002-06:00

A few years ago, hell, only a few months ago you could buy one case from one company, one faceplate from the same one and if you ordered a case, you got a case. No extras, no bonuses. Now, we're seeing people like Pro Modular and Monorocket fulfilling peoples customization needs not only visually but also with functionality. Call me shallow but if I look at an instrument and am turned off by the very sight, I'll most likely avoid it when I'm reaching for the closest thing that makes noise. Current modular manufacturers are breaking away from Doepfer's dreary gray mold with LCD displays and catchy graphics on their modules and further more are the aforementioned companies making the housing more 'you'.
Pro Modular makes custom blind panels for modulars in every format. If you don't like staring into the abyss of wires and power boards or are too poor to fill your modular with modules, you now have an alternative to make it feel more complete while giving it an aesthetic of your choice. I spent a second with Stephen, the man behind Pro-Modular:

When I purchased my first case (a subrack from Elby) it had no top. I have a laser cutter/etcher and made myself a top. Then I made a post over at Muff's seeing if anyone would be interested in blind panels or panels for DIY. I have also made a custom face panel for my TR-606 out of acrylic. After the comments at Muff's, I built the site, stocked up on materials and let it go. I sent out some promo panels to Muff, Devine and James Ciglar. I also brought some sample panels to an NYC Wiggler meetup at Dave from Bubblesound's place for some promo. Just trying to spread the word. It's also not limited to euro, we can do all modular formats and will be expanding to 19" racks and cool little acrylic cutouts. Think keychains.
I love having something to really make your own. I grew up writing graffiti (I'm from the Bronx NY and still here!) which is such a personal way to mold yourself into something. That extended into graphic design. I basically merged my two loves, synths and design, into this project. I mean, what better way to fill up those blanks spaces than with a panel of something you absolutely love or designed yourself. I still have my 9-5, but am really excited to have this to offer to a community that I feel thrives on personal customization...

- Pro-Modular!

Make Noise - modDemod Revision

2009-11-20T19:39:00.002-06:00

Make Noise sent over prototypes of the modDemod to mess with and give feedback for. I'm not sure how I've actually helped but I had a hell of a time getting some crazy sounds of this insane module. The model in the video should be one of the final versions minus the missing faceplate. I'm using the inverted out (red cable) and the sequence/notes are going between both of the moddemod's channels using both the modulator and carrier. I had a couple of questions for Anthony and here he is:

What are the modDemods key features?
Soft clipping thanx to hand selected Germanium diodes. Direct Coupled for use as CV processor. Normalizations for use as wavefolder and octave up/ down effect. Make-Up gain for easy integration to the system. Small and yet not so harmless. New PCB had to be drawn so as to utilize the new mini-jacks (I no longer use Cliff sockets). I figured I would make it more fun (normalizations for wave-folding and octave up/ down) and easier to incorporate into the system (make up gain).

What do you personally find using most in the revision?
I find myself plugging a guitar (via doepfer A-119) for the "octave up/ octave down." Voltage controlled polarizer for use with MATHS to create complex control schemes. Shortwave radio effects. Listening to Blizzard of Oz, modulated.

Two Videos One Night

2009-11-11T23:58:00.005-06:00

Its been an empowering past 24 hours. The Ekdahl Moisturizer arrived and I beat Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on single player. How does this empower me? Saving the world while knowing that the Moisturizer is in the other room takes some serious dedication, so... you try doing that and get back to me. Though after wasting a bunch of time playing games, I figured i'd waste more time by making videos of trying to figure out these instruments I recently acquired. All of the audio in these videos were recorded with a RME Fireface UC interface with some audio from the camera mixed in.

Empress Ekdahl
The Ekdahl Moisturizer and the Empress Super Delay meet for the first time today! You'll see me trying to figure out the Ekdahl as I run it through the Empress Super Delay and figured some people may find a video useful somehow. On the Empress I'm using the tape setting then switch to loop about halfway through the video to see how the Ekdahl stacks on itself. There are a lack of videos of the Ekdahl anywhere let alone showcasing it as a performance instrument, which is primarily why I'm obsessed with it. Works out nicely!

Tip Top Audio Sandwich
I received the WMD Geiger counter earlier last week and wanted to see how nicely it played with the others. On the front end are two Tip Top Audio Z3000's feeding into a WMD Geiger Counter, Flight of Harmony Plague Bearer and a Harvestman Malgorithm. Those are then being run into a Make Noise QMMG which feeds the Tip Top Z2040 Filter and ends up in the Z5000 DSP unit. Its repetitive, I know but this was an exercise on tonal brutality - using the Tip Top audio as the bread and the 3 most amazingly destructive modules as the meat.

Also, there is the Trash_Audio Synth Meet 5 happening this 15th, a Sunday. Shoot me an e-mail if you're in Chicago and interested in coming.

Front 312 @ Liars Club

2009-11-10T12:20:00.003-06:00

Surachai and I are going to pull off a sort of half acid half industrial set at Liars Club this coming Friday THE 13TH. Come out and say hi....

- More Details
- Polyfuse.net

Ignoring You - Winning You

2009-11-05T20:56:00.004-06:00

I've noticed a strange spurt in our visitors for the past couple of weeks: Our daily visitors have almost doubled. This is following one of the most article-barren months we have had at T_A. Logic would see that an article-lacking website would be forgotten considering the pace of the internet. It could be that you all heard that we received our first hundred dollar check from the bullshit advertisements to the right and you wanted to see what hundred-dollaraires look like. Yeah, two years on and we received one hundred dollars - clearly we're on a winning streak *sarcasm*. Anyways, made you look cause this post has everything to do with nothing.

Tip Top Audio: Z-DSP

2009-10-30T10:40:00.005-05:00

Our friend Stretta has one of the few beta Z-DSP modules running around and has compiled a great review with amazing quick demos to further our enthusiasm for smart modules.

"I'm one of the lucky few beta testers of the new TipTop Audio Z-DSP eurorack module, and boy is it a lot of fun. The Z-DSP is a lot like the TipTop Audio Z5000, except embiggened. A lot. There are three CV controlled parameters per program. There is a feedback loop that you can tap into on the front panel so you can insert a filter or whatever module you can think of inside a part of the DSP process that is usually closed to tinkering. You can change the personality of the DSP by inserting a different card on the front panel. You can even voltage control the clock. This is serious sound-mangling mayhem. " Read the rest of his experiments: Here!

Check out the TIp Top Audio Homepage from more information: Here!

Trash_Audio & Xart: Synth Meet 5

2009-10-29T13:26:00.002-05:00

The Trash_Audio team and Xart Studios are planning to have the synth meet on Sunday, November 15th starting at 4pm going to 9pm. While bringing your modular/synth/ keyboard/ drum machine/ whatever-makes-noise is not necessary, we highly encourage it. BYOB but if you spill it on someone's synth, Rob lives on the second floor and has many windows you can 'fall' out of. These meets have been extremely resourceful, informative and invaluable to the midwest community by providing a mass of equipment for users to try first hand. If you're a manufacturer I recommend you send an e-mail to have your gear featured at our events.
We will supply mixers for you to plug into, electricity, tables and a couple monitors - other than that, bring what you need including headphones, controllers, patch cables and the like. Please let me know if you decide to bring people, they are completely welcome - Just have to prepare for the arrival of additional people.
If you're interested, have questions, comments or bullshit opinions, send an e-mail to trash@thedeepelement.com and I'll be sending out information (addresses, secret handshakes) on the meet next week.

Venetian Snares & Wisp w/Surachai

2009-10-26T16:13:00.001-05:00

Alright, a few things. I haven't been posting here lately because of the tour and this past show, I don't know what Justin's excuse is but we're working on a few things for november including the Trash_Audio and Xart Studios Synth Meet 5 on the 15th. If you're interested in coming, start sending me e-mails at trash@thedeepelement.com with your name, what you're bringing and who you're bringing. You'll receive a reply around the first week of November. Anyways, if Venetian Snares and Wisp run through your town on their tour, check them out!

Necrophagy Tour: Evidence

2009-10-22T09:33:00.004-05:00

This video serves its purpose of archiving some things that have happened over the past 3 weeks - but admittedly is kind of boring since I was more interested in landscapes and pets than humans. The more I watch this, the less sense it makes which is fine because this tour was a blur of laughter and I'm over editing the footage. Have fun trying to figure out what the hell I've been doing for the past 3 weeks.

More importantly than this video is the fact that Trash_Audio is 2 years old! I'd like to steal some space to thank you all for e-mails of support, encouragement, corrections and questions. The only benefit of running a blog with Justin is connecting with people and I believe we're in the process of doing that on larger scales soon. Thanks for reading.

Tonight, 303% (Chicago)

2009-10-21T13:07:00.002-05:00

Tonight @ Around The Coyote (Chicago) and The Smell (LA)

2009-10-16T14:02:00.002-05:00

Tonight in Chicago I'll be playing an extended dark-ambient set at the opening party for Around the Coyote. Full details here. Also, I got my Drone Commander in the mail and I am pretty happy/impressed by it, I am going to bring it out tonight for the good old 'live show' test and early next week I'll have a full review with some sound examples.

I have three other shows in Chicago coming up soon, including a full on Acid event on Wednesday, details @ polyfuse.net

Also, if you're the LA area, Surachai is playing an excellent show tonight @ The Smell with Captain Ahab, DJ Skull Vomit (Tony of Eustachian) and Basek. Details/flyer here.

Necrophagy Tour: This Week!

2009-10-12T11:17:00.003-05:00

If you're on the West Coast, Dj Skull Vomit (Tony from Eustachian), Baseck and Surachai are coming this week.
Monday, tonight, we'll be melting Seattle at Rebar, Portland at Plan B on Tuesday, San Francisco at 5lowershop on Thursday, LA at The Smell on Friday, LA with Droid Behavior Saturday and Creative Space on Sunday.
We'll be playing alongside Captain Ahab at The Smell in LA, Kid606 at the Droid Behavior 7 year anniversary party, and at Creative Space. If you think three dates back to back in L.A. is a lot, you're right but each night we're doing something different. At the Smell we'll be doing our standard tour style. At Droid, Tony and I have a joint set where we'll merge sets. At Creative Space we'll be more focused on metal as the venue will have other metal acts that night!
A few days after the tour I'll be playing with Venetian Snares and Wisp at Reggie's in Chicago. Then I'll go into hibernation. You're welcome to join.

Workspace and Environment: Sasu Ripatti

2009-10-06T11:24:00.003-05:00

Stuck in Sacramento for another four days before we drive up to Seattle to start the Necrophagy Tour. I was supposed to move here earlier this year and glad that didn't work out. If there is something worthwhile to do or see, let me know. Though I must say watching Tony of Eustachian spend 20 bucks on candy in Old Sacramento and scarfing down a funnel cake was entertaining enough. But I digress, onto Sasu Ripatti of Vladislav Delay and Luomo.

Background
I was born north of Finland. I ended up close to where I was born after years spent in Helsinki and Berlin. I've been making music since I was 5 years old, for 28 years then. I began with drums and percussion. I've been involved in electronic / studio stuff for 10+ years.

What is your motivation?
Interest and passion for music.

What Are Your Current Favorite Pieces of Hardware?
All kinds of drums and percussion instruments, cymbals. If it's about electronics, I'd have to say I'm not too excited by anything at a moment. Something like Manley Slam is always a desert-island choice. And a good microphone. I tend to get bored with equipment easily and actually don't have as much passion for the gear as I used to have. Slam is just super functional and beautifully built piece of equipment that allows you to do all the rest, like being a great mic pre-amp, amazing ad/da convertor, great limiter, etc etc. So it allows you to capture and process any stuff really well, be it software, hardware synth, microphone etc. I don't have really any favorite synths or sound sources. Maybe Jomox Sunsyn is something I quite like. Or some Eventide stuff.

What About Software?
I use Logic Pro, happy with it. I don't use too much plug-ins but some UAD ones are good, as well as URS API eq. Sometimes for demoing I use Arturia or other virtual synths but am not too crazy about them. Some Native Instruments synths are also good for what they do.

How does your physical space and surroundings influence your workflow?
Greatly.

What Is Your Ideal Workspace?
I think I have found my ultimate location. It's an island with lots of wildlife and not many people. Airport is relatively near-by, and a fast satellite internet. the control room was built around the dimensions that allow for great acoustics and the sound in the room is phenomenal. It's just being finished. I'm not happy yet with the feel and the looks of the room, that will need to be improved with time, when budget allows. There's a machine room where all the computers and hard drives etc are, so the control room is super quiet. I also record in the control room, be it drums or vocals.

What Was The First And Last Piece of Gear You Obtained?
First was Roland mc-303 groove box...
Last was a Russian drum machine named Formanta

Whats On Your Wish List?
Lots of gear that I can't afford. GML eq, API eqs, small SSl mixer, more Benchmark DAC convertors, Buchla synth etc, etc. I try not to think too much about all that stuff I will never get.

Do you have a mobile studio setup?
Yes. Only a laptop and interface, small nanokey keyboard. And all the software I have in the studio as well. I can take it all with me via iLoks if I need to. I don't use portable set-ups for anything serious though, some sketching sometimes.

Do you have a different setup for live performances?
Again, a laptop, running Ableton Live. Faderfox MIDI controllers, several nano kaospads, several old FX pedals.

How many different studios have you had?
This is my 5th studio. They have changed basically each time to a better sounding room. Gear has of course changed as well but that's irrelevant.

Sasu Ripatti's Aliases
- Vladislav Delay
- Luomo
Uusitalo
Sistol
Agf/Delay
Moritz von Oswald Trio
Vladislav Delay Quartet

- Several Free Releases On Wikipedia

Grendel Drone Commander by Eric Archer

2009-09-30T14:37:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update...Either at the end of this week or early next week I'll be receiving a new synthesizer I've ordered from Eric Archer. It's the Grendel Drone Commander, and quite honestly, my favorite thing about it is that it is built into a military ammunition case. It also happens to be a very interesting and great sounding drone based synth. When it arrives I'll have photos, video and a review of the one I ordered (their look is highly customizable) and soon I'll have an interview with the creator who is also working on some other interesting projects.

The Drone Commander is now in stock at Analog Haven if you'd like to order one right away. Otherwise, the lead time is generally three weeks if you want the faceplate/knobs/text customized to your tastes.

Workspace and Environment: Somatic Responses

2009-09-29T00:04:00.001-05:00

John and Paul Healy of Somatic Responses take a moment to answer a few questions.

Background
I was born in Wales, UK in an old mining town (Ammanford) where I have resided most of my life. I travel a lot as part of my job and enjoy coming home as it’s a small town and everyone seems to know everyone which is quite comfortable, even if its just because you know who the real assholes and dangerous people are!
As a point of interest it’s the same place where John Cale of the Velvet Underground grew up (and fingered the priest’s daughter), no real link but there you go. It was around 1994, we were heavily into club music around at that time (R&S RECORDS, ACID PCP, LEO ANIBALDI, LORY D, APHEX TWIN AND INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH) J was DJing alot and we just wanted to create or own take on the elements of music we liked, we also wanted to push music in a harder noisier direction.

Favorite Hardware
P: At the moment the hardware I use is an Mac, Korg nanokontrol and midi keyboard. I like these because studio space is limited these days due to family life and I can still do everything I want, and more!
J: As with Paul, I’ve miminalised the studio set up down to the basics – PC, Korg Nanokontrol, Evolution Midi Keyboard, Alesis 8 channel mixer & a vestax pmc06 pro mixer. All the work now goes on in the PC J

Software
I have recently switched from Cubase to Logic, which I think is a superb DAW. The work flow is fantastically smooth and quick. The sound quality is better, maybe because its better suited to the Mac architecture. As for plugins I’m learning all the built Logic stuff which are remarkably powerful and flexible, they also are like getting a whole load of new plugins which sound fresh and different. Other software includes the usual Native Instruments stuff: Massive, FM8, Absynth, Reaktor, Battery…Arturia ARP2600, and recently I got the Sugar Bytes plugins Effectrix, Artillery 2 etc which are brilliant for mashing up sounds and sequences.
I always get Computer Music on a monthly basis for all the free plugins, TAL stuff is especially good!
We’ve also come across Glitch, a FREE plugin – just check it out (PC Only). We’re big advocates for free plugins, there’s a massive community out there & some weird & very wonderful synths / efx – just look for them!

Workspace and Environment
I don’t think the enviroment particularly does influence my workflow too much other than making me more disciplined as I only have specific times I can write music. Having a prescribed time makes me really strive to knock out what I want as quickly as possible and stops me being too much of a perfectionist. I’m kind of the opinion that once something is done fuck it, leave it alone and move on. I occasionally re-listen to stuff and think I would re-sequence or change the mix but then I realise that creative time precious and leave things as they are in favour of doing something new.

Ideal Workspace
Firstly I love my current location and setup! But, whatever my perfect location would be it would still be with my family directly around me as it feels right and I like the odd interruption in what I am doing. I’m not one for locking myself away as I have a short attention span. I always remember hearing stories (unsure whether true or not) about Vangelis having a studio made of glass so he could absorb his surroundings, I love this idea but I am torn what landscape I would like to view; I suppose my favourites and obvious choices would be:
a) Snow capped French Alps
b) Stormy sea peninsula
c) Overlooking a fantastic city skyline like New York or Chicago.
Can have one of each? :)

First and Last Piece of Gear
First piece was a Yamaha CS15, which is still in my house! Last was probably a Nord modular which I felt I had to get rid of because it was like a hobby in itself and didn’t really help me to be productive, I’d just end up wanking off over mad sounds for hours on end.

Wish List
New(er) Mac Pro/New Macbook Pro and Cinema display, other than that I would stay as I am for a while, less is more sometimes and I think I can do pretty much anything with what I have.

Live Setup
P:Yes, I take a Macbook with me, I have Albeton and Logic on it so I use this for Live PA’s and writing stuff on the go.
J: Acer laptop using Torq – it’s much more hands on, stable & VERY user friendly.

Studio Evolution
Several locations, one trend the gear got smaller each time!

Involvement With Sound Design
Unfortunately not, but this kind of thing would be a dream job for me!

- Somatic Responses Myspace

Workspace and Environment: Alessandro Cortini

2009-09-28T00:12:00.003-05:00

It's been a while...

Background
I was born in Bologna, Emilia Romagna, Italy and moved to the US of A in 1999 to study guitar. All of a sudden it's 10 years later and I don't understand what the fuck happened. My dad played an old acoustic from time to time and taught me some chords but it wasn't until I was 11 that I started taking guitar lessons. Guitar was my main instrument until I started working with a local musician in my hometown, Franco Naddei that I started getting into synthesizers. I still play guitar but electronic instruments became more attractive to me, especially modular ones because of their possibilities and hands on interface.
I have two main outlets: modwheelmood has been my more band related project for a while. I started it before I joined Nine Inch Nails and continue to write, record and release songs. We just recently released an album, Pearls To Pigs, in both digital and physical (Vinyl, CD) format. We have played some shows on the West Coast and East Coast and plan on touring more extensively in the future.
Blindoldfreak is simply whatever comes out of me and my machines, without thinking too much about it.
I believe there is always some sort of statement or musical value in the compositions, but i would say it's less linked to a song structure, and more related to moods and simple emotions.
I am really attracted to drones and evolving sound textures, and find myself listening to a lot of that kind of music in my spare time, so it's normal that some of this finds an outlet in my own creative process.

What keeps you motivated?
The need to solve problems.

Favorite Hardware?
Buchla Music Boxes. I haven't been using anything else for composition in a while. Out of all the modular world I find them being more attractive to me for some reason: either the way they sound, the way they look or the way they are operated...it's difficult to pinpoint it and kind of useless I believe. To each his own! I have owned several different modulars in my life and still own some other pieces but none of them get as much use as the Buchla.

Software of Choice?
I use the Monome with MLR a lot, especially with Modwheelmood, live. I can't program in Max MSP to save my life, but MLR is simple enough to allow me to approach the monome as an instrument and forget about the computer side of things.

How does your physical space and surroundings influence your workflow?
The longer you have been music, the harder it is to keep it interesting for yourself.... An ergonomic setup where everything is within reach is key, while it's also important to have different corners that allow you to switch from one instrument to another (i.e. from "computer mode" to "modular mode" to "drum machine mode" etc..()

What would your ideal workspace look like?
Somewhere in the middle of nowhere, with a lot of cats.

What was the first piece of gear you remember obtaining?
Crumar BitOne!

The last?
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor

What Is On Your Current Wishlist?
A Buchla time based effect (delay or similar)

Do you have a mobile studio setup?
I try to use new tools to compose while on the road now. In the past, I have tried to bring whole recording rigs with me, guitars, synths, etc. Now, spending more time in the studio, I get the chance to try new things when I am traveling - like with the monome, or Reaktor ... I always get something interesting out of them. Recently I have been spending more and more time with Jasuto on the iPhone/Ipod Touch. Truly awesome application for coming up with new ideas. Really inspiring.

Do you have a setup for live performances?
For modwheelmood it's been really interesting: most of the songs were composed with the aid of modular and analog synthesizers, and when it came time to adapt them for live, I didn't want to use a computer for playback or sound generation. Whether because I did it for so long with NIN or simply out of laziness, I felt like it would have been great to try and recreate some of the songs in a different way, as a trio, with no computer aid. So a lot of the textures, pads, effects are now coming from my bass rig and Pelle's guitar rig, while Jepser is triggering samples from his drumkit, live.
So far we think it's been working really well. I personally have been using a combination of Empress Super delay, EH Micro Pog and Malekko ASSMaster on the bass, in order to create stacks of octaves that allow me to fill up the space missing from the recordings. I feed that signal to a dedicated guitar amp, as opposed to my bass amp, in order to make the mixing job easier.
I also use an EH voicebox, fed by pelle's guitar on some songs to recreate the vocoded parts. Vocals run through a Line 6 delay pedal, which allows me to tap the specific tempo for each song.
For the songs that were all written on a modular (i.e. Problem Me, Madrid Changes), I switch to a Monome where I control both the click that goes to the drummer and the different parts of the song, while Pelle adds the guitar parts live. It's a more fun, active way to use and integrate a computer in a live environment, I believe, but it's still just two songs out of a set.

For blindoldfreak, I usually just bring my 12 panel Buchla 200e cabinet and either 2 x Line 6 delays (for quad speaker setups) or an Eventide H8000FW. The 200e allows me to have a specific setlist saved as presets, leaving me with a basic patch for each composition, where I can change knob settings on the fly and play with the delays in order to build my drones. There is no other instrument that gives you this amount of flexibility in the modular world at the moment, period. On top of it, each show is different form the other, as I tend to build a specific set for a specific concert/tour. It makes it really interesting and satisfying from a compositional point of view too.

How many physical locations have you had your studio?
Several locations...maybe 6 or 7? It was easier in the beginning when I was doing everything with the laptop. It's funny, because i feel I am going backwards: I remember being stoked by the fact that I could record a whole album with my laptop but now I find myself coming up with more ideas in front of a single synth module rather than using all the programs I have available on my mac... I think I am deeply crippled by not being able of taking advantages of tools as much as others.
I crave limitations:I hope for problems and walls to pop up during my creative process. That's what keeps me going and gives me a reason to come up with something.

Are You Involved With Sound Design Or Composition?
I have done some work with local composers who were looking for a different approach in sound design but I have yet to find somebody who wants me to do a score. I am definitely interested in trying, if the right opportunity arises.

Can you discuss generally 3 benefits and 3 drawbacks of the Buchla system?
Pros:
Unique interface.
Feature dense modules.
Uncertainty.

Cons:
Uncertainty.
While portable, still not carry on size.
Initial monetary investment.

Which module do you find being used the most?
Voltage control processors are the least used modules in my systems, if I have any (Buchla 255, 257, Plan B M14).
Somehow I get stuff done without having to consult them, most of the time. I am determined to learn to implement them more in my patches in the future!

What About Delays?
All delays fit everywhere, to be honest. I haven't spent too much time A/Bing different kinds of delays and instruments together. However I do have some favorites: The Empress Super Delay is getting used a lot, both live and in the studio, the Diamond Memory lane is one of the best sounding analog delays I have tried.
Plug in wise, SoundToys Echoboy is the one which gets most use around here, followed by Logic's stereo and Tape delay: simple but effective.

- Modwheelmood
- blindoldfreak

New Free Polyfuse Release...

2009-09-24T09:32:00.004-05:00

I've just wrapped up a quick Polyfuse release titled 'No One Will Come To Save Us' that is a complete diversion from how I would normally make music. Typically I would do everything on the computer, in Logic, and record any outside elements in. This time I tried something new and went for the 'all hardware' approach, so no computer was used. I picked the most minimal setup possible and used it throughout the whole album: x0xb0x, TR-808, Moog Prodigy, Grundig G5 (A shortwave radio), Line6 DL-4 pedal, TubeWorks RT-901 overdrive pedal, Alesis Ineko and a TC Electronics M300 all plugged into a small 10 channel mixer. From there I just improvised and recorded long sets which I then cut the best parts out of to put on the album. Anyway, it's all done now, it's streaming on my site and it's completely free! Get it here...

- polyfuse.net

Also, I've decided to make one of my previously released albums free now. 'The Night That Laid Still' is an EP + Remixes and a high resolution video. You can get that at the link below. This release is a completely different side of me and is mostly atmospheric/ambient music with touches of violin, upright bass, and pianos.

- The Night That Laid Still

This Week: Comfort Zone

2009-09-14T09:57:00.005-05:00

This week will be a strange one. Out of the three events I have going on, I'm only comfortable with today. I've played at and seen some amazing shows at Ronny's before - It's a shithole that everyone loves.
Tomorrow, I have a radio interview at WCRX 88.1 FM at Columbia College located downtown Chicago and is a student run show. What's strange about this is that the radio host thought Surachai was a complete band and when I warned him it's just me, he continues to write 'you guys' in his e-mails. So, I'll just have to trick Justin into coming and say he's my drummer, whoever else wants to come can be assigned a role.
The strangest is on Friday. I'm playing a show at a venue that wrote me a myspace message: "hey do you need anything? and btw, do you have a pa system?" Uhhhhhhh... maybe I can share my in ear monitors with someone that comes to the show.

WCRX 88.1 - 10PM Tuesday, September 15th - You'll need VLC to listen

Surachai Muxtape

Schizophrenia 4: A Personal Video

2009-09-11T11:51:00.004-05:00

Justin and I debated about whether this video is relevant to Trash_Audio or not, both of us were on the same side of keeping it for private viewing. I'm not sure how we both lost arguing to ourselves but probably had something to do with 'whatever' or 'I don't care'. I could go into the details of my first impression, immersion and experience of Detroit and the Schizophrenia party but everything has been said before and will be repeated. I'll just say I had an experience of a lifetime with my closest friends. Thanks to everyone for not destroying our hotel room and being a part of the most polite party I've been involved with.

This video is not for you.

Temporary Post - Polyfuse + Surachai This Weekend

2009-09-03T11:47:00.005-05:00

Plans have changed!

Thursday, September 3rd - Chicago - Tacoskull has added Surachai to their lineup! Polyfuse + Surachai = Trash_Audio!
Friday, September 4th - Detroit - Schizophrenia has added Surachai to their pre-party lineup!!
See you crazy people tonight and this weekend!

TacoSkull Information

Schizophrenia Information

If you were interested in seeing me tonight in Akron, Ohio please still make it out there to support Eustachian! It will destroy you!

Crowphonics: Cro-1

2009-08-31T09:31:00.001-05:00

During our last event, Trash Audio Synth Meet 3, there were a few things that caught my eye and strangely it wasn't the abundance of 3U or 5U modulars for some reason it was the Crowphonics Cro-1 mk1, aka the Scarecrow. Simply, it is another squarewave noisebox. I was never into noiseboxes in general, a self contained squelching box sounds limiting but as you can tell from the video, the box is quite versatile. It pushes out a beautiful frequency range that loves to make your chest resonate. It features 4 oscillators, some audio, some LFO's for controlling various parameters such as pitch and Attack/Release but the feature that gets me blowing my rape whistle is the Power Starve. This knob emulates a dying battery by limiting the power going into the box making all the functions change personalities. It creates wonderful subtle noises in the background I've never heard before anywhere else. Yes, its made of wood and its 97 British Pounds which equals about 150 bucks. That's a deal considering you can have this process external audio.

- Crowphonics

A Tip Top Audio Z5000k is processing the Crowphonics signal before hitting the computer.

Totally Wired

2009-08-30T23:33:00.003-05:00

Strangely, Xart handed me this dvd earlier today while at his studio and when I got home I received this e-mail:

Dear Friends,
It gives me great happiness to announce at last the release of 'Totally Wired', a film about Schneiders Buero, now available on DVD from Amazon
To thank you for your patience and support, a 10% discount is available to you with the following code: FRLD3JPV
The film will also be available from HERE and in Schneiders Buero, Berlin.
All Tweets, Forwards, Adds and Posts would be greatly appreciated!
I hope you enjoy the film and look forward to your feedback.
Niamh Guckian, Director, 'Totally Wired'.

For sneak peaks and trailers, please visit Here
Totally Wired on Twitter: Here

Sneak Peek from 'Totally Wired' - Ken Macbeth from niamhguckian on Vimeo.

Harvestman: Hertz Donut

2009-08-28T15:54:00.002-05:00

This is nothing terribly new as The Harvestman Hertz Donut Oscillator been announced and anticipated for quite some time but finally it's ready to be.... pre ordered. September, 7th 2009 marks the day where analog purists will start to question their equipments efficiency and functionality when this beast gets released. As with all Harvestman products, there are many special features which take its modules one step further and this oscillator is definitely a little more than a bleep producer. In layman's terms (aka the only terminology I'm familiar with) the module has a primary oscillator with a secondary modulation oscillator to enhance/destroy your sound. The secondary modulation oscillator can be routed to your primary frequency - creating FM synthesis within one module, shape - creating a psuedo waveshaping effects, and amplitude - which creates AM synthesis. All in one module.
Listening to the audio sample below I'm asking whether any of my single modules, be it digital or analog - hell, even my computer can do this? Up front, no. If I spent a great 30 minutes to patch something up, maybe... but hell I could've been using that time to be melting faces off.
Well, I have to clean myself off and try to go about my day... with that whole socializing and relating to other people on an emotional level.

- Technical info: Here
- Purchasing info: Here

Stupidtriangle by harvestman

Leaving Our Apartments

2009-08-20T10:12:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year where Justin and I make our rounds into the night. We'd love for you to come out with us - First one is this friday.

Polyfuse - Music
August 21st, 2009 - Chicago, IL - Chelsea House Garden Ballroom (w/Millipede, Aphorism)- Info
September 3rd, 2009 - Chicago, IL - Castle Tacoskull (Schizophrenia PrePreParty w/Sickboy) - Info
October 3rd, 2009 - Chicago, IL - Kinetic Playground - Info

Surachai - Music
September 3rd, 2009 - Kent, OH - Europe Gyro (Schizophrenia PrePreparty w/Eustachian) - Info
September 4th, 2009 - Detroit, MI - (Schizophrenia Preparty w/Xanopticon, S/M, Rtype) Info
September 14th, 2009 - Chicago, IL - Ronny's (w/in the age of terminal static) - Info
September 18th, 2009 - Chicago, IL - Mortville (Xrin Arms, EYESEARSNOSE) - Info
October 17th, 2009 - Los Angeles, CA - Droid Behavior (/w Kid 606)
October 23rd, 2009 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's Live (w/ Venetian Snares, Wisp) - Info

* Pending: October X, 2009 - Los Angeles, CA - The Smell (w/Captain Ahab, Eustachian)
* Pending: October X, 2009 - San Francisco, CA - 5lowershop (/Eustachian)

^ If you are interested in booking Surachai and Eustachian on the West Coast in October, send an e-mail to trash@thedeepelement.com

X-art Studios hosting Bi-monthly Sessions

2009-08-19T09:43:00.004-05:00

I received this e-mail from Xart:
"Chicago modular/noisebox Jamhub sessions!

Gear show and tell is great, and I had a great time meeting all of you! I think it time to ‘jack it up’ a notch in our local modular /noisebox community. I am going to volunteer to host bi-monthly Sunday Improvised Jam Sessions.
The idea would be to plan a theme + setup our playing rules + jam session etiquette and meet for 3 hours and play . . . We can also expand this to a improv silent film night, etc. I would like to propose we do this in the late afternoon/early evening on Sunday as a productive close to the weekend. I want to keep this as low-tek and accessible as possible to get people out of their apartments/home/bedrooms and make some noise. After doing some research on the best way to set this up (In an urban space) I came across the JAMHUB. Fukcing brilliant. idea that will reduce the need for excessive volumes and allow each person to be set to the same volume and each musician decides how loud each person should be, no more battle of the egos ! (or pissed of neighbors!)

www.jamhub.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIwU2dnx-zo

I made some calls as it is expected to ship in early September. I will set up the fist JAMHUB improv. session at the X-ART studio as soon as we get it in.
We will obviously have a limited number of ‘seats’ for each session, but I want to get to the point where I set this up bi- weekly with a rotating group of people. Anyone interested?"

If you are, send an e-mail to trash@thedeepelement.com