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Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

Garage Band

14 Jul

Even though I have used Ableton in the past and have created a few tracks with it, I have decided to start off using the GarageBand software which comes with OSX . I know Ableton has all the bells and whistles anyone could want, but I’m not sure I need something so involved at this stage.

garagebandMaybe once I feel I have reached my creative limit with GarageBand I will move back up to Ableton, but this time around, seeing as I haven’t even managed to record anything I like the sound of yet, that is definitely a long way off.

GarageBand comes with loads of sounds, seems simple to use and works with the USB XioSynth without any problems.

Currently, the Mac is downloading updates and sound-banks for OSX and GarageBand which total over 1.3GB, so its going to be going for a while.

 
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Posted in Hardware, Music, Software

 

Studio Day 2

13 Jul
Studio Day 2

Studio Day 2

I have spent a bit more time adding appliances, and setting up the Mac. So far, looking quite nice. The Mac previously had OS/x removed so I could run Linux and Windows XP on it – but Im now going through the 1 hour 20 minute install to put the original software back on.

Once everything is set up I’ll tidy up the cables and sort out the rest of the room. I’m even thinking of decorating the room so its a bit more homely than it currently is with its office-style decor. I think I might need some soft furnishings too as there is quite a lot of echo for such a small room.

 
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Posted in Hardware, Music, Software

 

Akai APC40. Worth the money?

13 Jul
apc40

Akai APC 40

I have always thought one of the most frustrating things about Ableton is the lack of real hands-on control. You can do so much with it, but for me it has always been quite difficult to tweak sounds with the mouse. For example, it would be nice to be able to tweak the resonance and the cut-off at the same time when in Live mode.

This sweet looking piece of kit allows you to control pretty much everything in Ableton with your hands for instant gratification.

At the moment they cost £399 so they are not cheap, and seeing as I dont know how to use Ableton yet, I wont be purchasing one just for now.

I’d be very interested to know if anyone has got one, and how they get on with it though.

 
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Posted in Hardware, Music, Science and Tech, Software

 

Ableton Live and XioSynth working

12 Jul
The NC20 running Ableton and the XioSynth 25

The NC20 running Ableton and the XioSynth 25

I managed to spend a bit of time today setting up some of the music equipment I mentioned in my previous post. So far, I have Ableton Live 5.2.2 working (legit) and the Xiosynth. Im a bit annoyed as when I bought Ableton a couple of years ago, it came with a free downloadable upgrade to v6 – which no longer seems to be available. Im downloading the new v8 demo, so will see if it is worth the £250 upgrade once I have had a chance to try it out.

My new Samsung NC20 Netbook / Laptop seems to be handling things just fine. The only major problem is that when I have it on mains power there is a massive amount of noise. At the moment I have cables everywhere – so hopefully this issue can be addressed properly once I have a tidy up. Seeing as the battery lasts for about 5 hours, hopefully this wont be an issue for a while

I might just set up the Mac mini in here anyway. I wonder if Ableton support upgrading on a different O/S?

 
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Posted in Hardware, Music, Science and Tech, Software

 

Setting up my new studio

10 Jul
A big chunk of my audio kit

Collecting dust

I have been planning on setting up my music equipment again for quite a while now. Its been collecting dust for well over a year and the spare room at the office is crying out for me to make use of it.

For a while I was using it regularly and remixed a couple of tunes that were (according to friends!) quite good. Hopefully if I manage to set everything up and have it permanently available, I’ll spend some more time using it and things will progress from there.

Tonight I hope to get a few things wired in and have a play with the M-Audio synth. I’ll let you know how it all goes once I have Ableton re-installed and some sounds coming out of the speakers.

 
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Posted in Music, Science and Tech

 

Beardyman

10 Jul

I am currently growing a beard… the first one I have ever had and I’m now 31 years old. The plan is actually to shave it off again after a friends stag party but we’ll see how it goes.

I wanted to post something to mention Beardyman, the UK beatboxing champion who has taken beat boxing to the main stream.

He will be ‘playing’ at Bestival again this year, and I cant wait. He was one of the highlights for me at the last event and I hear his show is much improved.

Here is a little clip of him doing his thing.

 
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Posted in Going out, Music, Videos