KVR :: Everything Else (Music related) » MINI-FORUM ... live electronica jam in the midlands (UK) ... [View Original Topic]
There are 235 posts in this topic. Page: 1 2 3

---

carlos - Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:02 pm

---

We are on the verge of creating the Midlands first live Electronica 'jammimg' event. Stoke on Trent will host a ground breaking experimental electronica event involving a collective of performers linked up to perform an audio and visual jamming session.

The event will focus around 3 phases/pieces being performed. The players will be allocated a place in the audio spectrum (bass, beats, lead, efx) with a set amount of samples to work with. The players can use any form of electronic equipment, such as laptops, PDA's, synths, xbox etc.

There will be some technical issues to be mindful of such as synchronisation, which will be via midi where possible. Also players will be asked to use a limiter across their outputs to reduce unexpected peaks.

The players will perform as a collective and will be expected to support one another to accommodate for various levels of skills etc.

The event will be non-profit but a small fee maybe required for use of venue etc.

I will be putting together more detailed structure as well as hints and tips based on good practice shared by those who have run similar events.

There will be a vast amount of experience within the collective and so the success of the event will depend on collaboration as well as cooperation with the promotion of the event.

I'm hoping to put together a blog to show the live events which will include MP3 as well as video streaming. Again this coverage will be organised with the events.

The feedback I have already received from the initial idea of the electronica jam has indicated a major gap in the creative market and this event will have major coverage and impact. I've already had news that a big electronica/ambient promoter is keen to focus on the event and I'm sure more will follow.

I have already confirmed a visual jammer, as well as another audio jammer while awaiting confirmation on a number of others.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to know more or to take part, become involved and/or join the experience.

---

vurt - Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:05 pm

---

sounds interesting indeed.
dates would be cool for a start

---

carlos - Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:09 pm

---

Dates will be announced when venue is booked, I'm waiting to hear from 2 venues, more will be plugged!

---

vurt - Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:16 pm

---

well i just been given a pda so thatssomething im interested in hearing more info on anywy(hosts n whatnot thats available)
would be so easy for me to jump on a train with that in me pocket
im looking at going live myself soon anyway(couple of things lined up in the next few months up here)
but yeah id definitely be interested

---

carlos - Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:19 pm

---

Is there a sequencer called griff for the PDA? Good to hear your interested vurt!

---

pHz - Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:01 am

---

http://www.planetgriff.com

(i think there are a few other musical apps for pocket PCs too)

slainte rob

---

pHz - Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:04 am

---

from elsewhere ...



slainte rob

---

carlos - Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:06 am

---

Thanks pHz, I've had a really interesting conversation today about venues now waiting for feedback.

What do people think about having a set sample pack to work with as well as themes for the event.

---

carlos - Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:58 am

---

The venue for the event is being arranged now, soon we'll have that sorted. I have had a request from another music promoter (that's 2) which will raise the stakes and help form part of the promotion.

There's a number of audio and visual jammers guaranteed waiting for the event to happen, we've got some excellent local artists and tweakers attending with a few responses from across the UK.

I'm wondering about streaming the event live on internet radio, I do know that some folks from KVR have had success with this, can someone give me advice on this?

---

VeXKoN - Sun Sep 17, 2006 4:17 am

---

this sounds like fun keep us informed, I like to do stuff with incoming audio triggering off events (I've tried it before with a metal band and it was gr8 fun) so keep me updated.

---

carlos - Sun Sep 17, 2006 4:48 am

---

I've begun a myspace group for the event I will invite those who want, to the group for news updates!

---

WoJ - Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:09 pm

---

Sounds like its falling into place.

@carl: I havnt yet been able to contact my friend at Stafford Uni. I only have one contact number for him, and theres been no answer. I'll try again tomorrow.

WoJ

---

carlos - Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:28 pm

---

Cheers Tom, I've spoken to a guy who seems to have a few contacts with venues, waiting for email from him at the moment. The interest from the record company sounds exciting for promotion purposes!

I'm just glancing at the prospect of live internet streaming, lots to think about for 1 person, big learning curve!

---

vurt - Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:06 am

---

try pming both dburgan and intel, i know they have both done live radio broadcasts from venues in the past.
im sure there are others but these two jump to my mind.

---

carlos - Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:48 am

---

Cheers Vurt will do soon!

---

rsmus7 - Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:00 am

---

another one is mystahr who did some live broadcasts.

and maybe nyah knows how to do it.


I'd like to come with my pc and add something too,
but england is far away from my home,
so I need a date pretty early, maybe I could book a
cheap flight then,
or mark (mystahr) would like to join me on a car ride.

I need more information before I can decide something.

---

carlos - Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:54 am

---

Or broadband collaboration?

thanks for reply

carl

---

rsmus7 - Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:56 am

---

broadband collaboration could be possible,
if you tell me how to set up my dsl connection.

---

carlos - Mon Sep 18, 2006 9:55 am

---

will look into it, I'm currently looking at sponsers for the event which may include these issues such as live streaming and online collab

---

rsmus7 - Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:26 am

---

great

let me know when you got something sorted

---

carlos - Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:25 am

---

I've booked a practice room in stoke (wednesday 20th 10am-2pm) to run a mock set up to look at ideas and any technical hitches, anyone welcome, just email me for details.

Carl

---

WoJ - Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:56 am

---

Hi all you midlanders,

Carl and me got together today to just run through a few things and try out some 'laptop jammin', went well and we should be able to put up a couple of snippets of the stuff we did soon.

Beat syncing wasnt too much of a problem, but that may have been because there were only two of us. It wasnt a problem to stop/start and get in time so that was ok, but it might be a bit more difficult using PDA's etc

We did have one problem though . God damn ground noise! Luckily it was easy to just reach over to the PA and whack the volume down if a cable got knocked around but it might be a bigger problem if there are lots of laptops/kit with grounding issues. Anyone know of a good (and cheap ) way of avoiding this?

I think carl is going to try and arrange another little practice jam with a bit more advanced notice so perhaps a couple more people could come down next time.



WoJ

---

carlos - Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:10 am

---

Cheers Tom, I've uploaded a little from the first 'ambient' free form we did, plenty more to come, just click into my myspace link and listen to the Ambient freeform bit.

I'll post more over the next few days, need to record from the minidisc to hardrive.

For info we took a direct output from the desk to the minidisc so the levels rely on luck a little!!

---

carlos - Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:24 pm

---

Here's the first 3 full tracks, like I said the mixing was done on the fly, Tom and I were being blown away by the PA so the minidisc had to defend for itself. The first track was about 90 bpm. second about 130bpm, third 170bpm. We were running in complete freeform electronica, some good moments etc etc.

http://carlmatthewthomas.info/downloads/track1.mp3
http://carlmatthewthomas.info/downloads/track2.mp3
http://carlmatthewthomas.info/downloads/track3.mp3

More uploads to follow..

Tom we're on for next wednesday at Star Track in Stoke again, 10am to 2pm, ANYONE WELCOME!!, what did you think of the sound system?

carl

---

carlos - Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:05 pm

---

and another 2 tracks, these were using a set amount of samples:

http://carlmatthewthomas.info/downloads/track4.mp3
http://carlmatthewthomas.info/downloads/track5.mp3

---

carlos - Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:33 pm

---

Practice room is booked at Start Track studios Stoke, wednesday 27th sept, 10am-2pm. Again anyone welcome to plug in and jam, this also gives opportunity to look at technical hitches as well as sharing live performance experience, ready for the live electronica event.

Carl

---

carlos - Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:53 pm

---

found this awesome site I'm waiting for a reply about our event!!

http://livetronica.net/

---

carlos - Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:52 am

---

Here's a little from today live experimental session, again myself and Tom going pretty much avant garde, we've not used midi sync yet instead relying on matching bpm's and blagging.

I've got confirmation of backing from Sikotick records, live streaming of the event is very much possible and venues may included a local music college if all goes well.

We're still after folk to join in with the sonic experiments, creating ambient and organic soundscapes etc, just pm either me of Tom.

Tom I'll see you in a few weeks when you have your first break from uni!

Here's the first track from todays, quite organic and evolving:

http://carlmatthewthomas.info/downloads/track127906.mp3

---

vurt - Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:14 pm

---

id like to get involved in the soundscaping
my obvious prob is being miles away
i guess tho me n tom should be on break around the same time
then its just tryna arrange some time or space.

---

pHz - Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:58 pm

---

wouldnt mind getting involved either ... but midweek rehearsal is a nono for me unless it falls in half-term ... maybe a remote ninjam / DML / VSTunnel linkup would be possible ???

slainte rob

---

WoJ - Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:07 pm

---

Good plan, if the uni connection i'll be on has a fast upload speed and dosnt block any ports then i should be able to set up a server of somekind which should be fast enough to have a few people jamming (i think ).



WoJ

---

carlos - Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:42 pm

---

Okay it sounds like half term could be highly possible, it gives everybody the right time frame. I'm still organising the live events so the practice rooms are being used for now, I'll chase up venues and keep you informed, when is half term for everybody?

---

carlos - Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:42 am

---

Sorry Tom missed your last reply, must have submitted at same time! I'll chase up the venues while you have a look at online stuff!

---

carlos - Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:55 am

---

Here's another track from tuesday, not a bad groove going, goes out of sync briefly midway through but it was done completly and absolutely live with no pre planning!

http://carlmatthewthomas.info/downloads/track327906.mp3

---

carlos - Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:49 am

---

Another practice run went well, this time midi sync was the dogs, both myself and Ben (from Friend's of Ken, playing in Cardiff tonight busy man!) developed a wide, evolving soundscape and finally a bone shaking groove. The real event will take place in November in Stoke-on-Trent, the venue is 90% booked (name will be revealed shortly), just need to organise the other audio jammers and visual jammers.

There has been a good response from some KVR folks, I'll post the actual dates and venues once finalised and give directions.

At the present time we have 3 audio and 2 visual jammers wanting to experiment with room for many more. Lots of technical issues already sorted out as well.

Live streaming is becoming a definite possibility, watch this space!

---

carlos - Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:01 am

---

Good news!!

The Underground club in Stoke has given the experimental electronica event the go ahead. The night will cost next to nothing apart from promotional stuff and £30 to a doorman. The venue has a fantastic PA and large capacity.

The initial date is 23rd November (thursday) 9pm to 1am, the owner seems to be really keen to allow this to work and be a regular event!

I'm hoping to get replies quickly so that Ben and myself can organise the posters, flyers and other promotional stuff.

If you are still interested in performing in the experimental event please reply asap.

Already we have a good response from people wanting to watch the event, we just need the performers now!

Carl

---

vurt - Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:06 am

---

ooarg!
thats the night before autechre play over here
im still interested obviously, but let me get back to you with definitivs

---

pHz - Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:13 am

---

make the next one during a school holiday and im there ...

slainte rob

---

carlos - Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:34 am

---

okay, sorry to hear you can't make it but I'll work out half term dates and look at organising the next event with that in mind, I'll keep you posted.

---

carlos - Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:36 am

---

vurt, I'm looking forward to the possibility of you joining!

---

WoJ - Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:47 am

---

email sent.

---

deaf dunderkwac - Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:04 am

---

easy method for groundloops... (AFAIK the only method)
use iso transformers with ground lifts
hire em' in or purchase a set...

---

carlos - Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:31 am

---

thanks for that, we had success with a di box with a ground lift switch, just need to avoid unplugging anything!!

carl

---

vurt - Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:38 pm

---

ooer...
and that possibility got even more possible tonight

despite me missus goin to see christina aguilera the same night, she reckons we can get her folks to sit for the boy(darent leave him home alone, he might be a pyromaniac like his dad Lo )

just need to see about some kinda transport i guess then sort out what the hell id be doing

---

carlos - Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:21 pm

---

That's the dogs, I'm drawing up some guidelines to the event for the audience as well as the performers, we may need to allocate either frequencies or something to avoid an imminent sonic attack. I'll get the (flexible) guidelines to everyone in time for some prep work. There's probably going to be 3 pieces of work performed during the event, different bpm's and possibly some theme running through each.

I'll finish off the guide this weekend and post a copy, still all advice and ideas welcome!!

---

WoJ - Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:43 am

---

would be great if you could come vurt! the more the merrier.

---

vurt - Sat Nov 04, 2006 11:03 am

---

received the brief, thanks carlos.

so far sems interesting and concise enough, perhaps after attending i may feel i have something to add but so far sounding coolio.

all i need now is a driver

---

carlos - Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:58 pm

---

as in asio4all or ford mondeo?

I'm going to email the other performers with the guide and I'll look for anyone from Manchester way, I'm going to ask for confirmation of names by the 13th November so that we can plan the technical side of it and maybe have a few names on print.

I'll keep everyone posted, as yet the people involved are scattered across the web, different forums, Myspace accounts and local contacts, I'll try to get people to come to KVR because of the resources etc.

speak to you soon...

---

vurt - Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:32 pm

---

suppose i should come out and ask now...

whats the facility like for smoking?


as for gear im looking at the moment at possibly reaktor/laptop...
or maybe kaoss pad with some field recordings on minidisc and some other bits on other inputs to hopefully cover all my needs?
the idea for me is to travel as light as possible but with as much power as possible noise wise

---

carlos - Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:27 pm

---

will check out 'smoking policy' and pm you asap, backpack size gear sounds efficient, I like the idea of field recordings through the kaoss. I'll probably abuse FM7 et al, process a few samples and live sample that through my kaoss (12 seconds is a wonderful restriction!)

---

WoJ - Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:41 am

---

'smoking policy'...

Hi carl, just wondering if the venue/date has deffinetly been confirmed. Where is the venue exactly? and what time would i need to get there? just need to book my train ticket is all.

cheers,

WoJ

---

carlos - Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:59 am

---

I will put the directions up soon, (at work at the moment)

Can somebody think of a name for the event so that the posters can be completed?

club open 9pm-1am, meet up around 830pm, I'll keep you informed!

---

pHz - Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:46 am

---

you have visuals for the posters already ???

... if not drop me a line ... id like to do something to help somewhere if i can ...

slainte rob

(edited to fix borked emoticon)

---

carlos - Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:17 pm

---

Thanks pHz I'll have a chat with Ben who's sorting the posters out, any ideas for a name to the event?

The venue was a lapdance club if that helps?

---

pHz - Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:26 pm

---

bitjam

binaryfinery (edit - oops !!! seem to have inadvertantly nicked that one from various places)

toys for noise

soundscapology

slainte rob

---

carlos - Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:08 pm

---

bitjam!!! Thats the fellow! Cheers!

---

carlos - Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:15 pm

---

Done a google search seems clear of any copyright, fits a1 with type of event, jamming from 24 bit right down to 4 bits! BITJAM

---

carlos - Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:01 am

---

The Bitjam event will hopefully be a regular event and will feature artists performing their own solo sets as well as live improvisation. Therefore the live imrpovisation performers (as a collective) will be called Audio Congress (Bitjam presents Audio Congress).

Posters are now on their way to completion, local media will be contacted again, can all those interested contact me for details on what time to meet up etc?

---

vurt - Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:58 am

---

i guess i mean would security follow my every move or is there a secret corner somewehere i could have a wee smoke

---

carlos - Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:31 am

---

What security?

The owner may have an idea! I guess it's only respectful to enquire, I'll get back to you on that!

---

vurt - Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:33 am

---

any idea what the PA/mixer at the venue is, just so i got an idea what were pluggin into?
will we be going direct to mixer or are we amping our individual setups then micing that up?

---

carlos - Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:18 am

---

DI to the mixer, not sure about ground lifts (for those who get that monstrous whirring off the hard drive), I'm taking a small desk and taking 2 outputs to the main desk (through DI/ground lift). The venue has regular bands playing. I will have a chat with Ben who's co-ordinating that side of the event we may have to run the desk between us but that's not a problem, just need to place limiters across outputs to keep old spike under control.

---

carlos - Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:32 am

---

The flyers are completed:

---

WoJ - Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:45 am

---

Nice!

---

carlos - Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:49 pm

---

Are you good to go Tom?

Carl

---

WoJ - Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:44 am

---

Yea no problem. I'll probably just use the same setup that i did at those practice sessions plus a keyboard.

How many people will be performing roughly?

---

carlos - Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:54 am

---

minimum 4 audio 1 visual, possibly more, will be chasing folk this week.

---

carlos - Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:35 am

---

Here's the address of the venue and the web site for the underground, meeeting there 8-9pm, we have a vj now and upto 8 auido jammers, local media now have been contacted..

---

carlos - Mon Nov 20, 2006 11:01 am

---

3 days to go guys! getting good response from folk!

---

WoJ - Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:24 pm

---

sry i havnt responded to that flyers email you sent, been rather ill n busy over the last few days. I doubt anyone from lancaster would want to travel to go to the gig, and i'll only be going back to stafford/stoke on thursday evenin, but the design looks great and i'm sure it'll entice people in anyway.

WoJ

---

carlos - Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:32 pm

---

no prob mate, I've been sorting a sample set out for myself for the gig, trying to get a few grooves as well as grains I've managed to crash my main pc downstairs with the original sample set I had with no back up so I've found a few bits. I'm going to capture a few samples with my minidisc tomorrow for mashing around with.

Time to sleep now ciao

---

WoJ - Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:07 am

---

is it "soundcheck" at 8? or earlier than 8? Just wanna make sure i get there for the right time...

cheers,

WoJ

---

carlos - Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:20 am

---

8 onwards mate

---

vurt - Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:13 am

---

good luck for tonight you guys
sorry i cant make this month, but so long as its a regular thing i can imagine ill see you soon enough ...

---

carlos - Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:17 am

---

no problem, will see what tonight brings!

---

carlos - Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:02 pm

---

What a storming night! went better than anyone could have guessed. Was quite nerve wracking improvising live in front of 30-40 people but the nerves soon went. 3 mini sets, 90bpm, 140bpm then 170bpm rocked! 4 audio jammers and visuals. We've recorded majority of it on video and minidisc, i'm in the process of syncing and burning dvd's as well as some streaming for myspace or youtube etc, watch this space!

---

WoJ - Fri Nov 24, 2006 6:17 pm

---

twas indeed great! Cant wait to see the video/pics/recording. Glad i was involved. Great to jam with other electronic muso's!

WoJ

---

carlos - Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:19 pm

---

Yeah, got a few hours this am to transfer the first piece onto pc, will keep you informed. You free end of january? (possibly last thursday in jan)

---

carlos - Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:57 pm

---

Here are the first tracks to be uploaded from the event 23rd November, these are from the first piece performed, I'm currently putting together the video from the event as well as the audio. The audio was taken from the main desk onto minidisc.

I'll keep putting together the material and uploading.

track1
track2
track3

---

carlos - Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:50 am

---

The next bITjAm event will probably be the last monday in January at Fatcats in Hanley Stoke on Trent, all players welcome. Loads of positive responses from the 1st event! Just contact me for details, I'll put together a free cd and dvd from the first and then organise the next event from there! Contact me for details or anything related!!

---

vurt - Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:41 am

---

mondays even better

look forward to grabbing the previous events bits, sounds like it went well ...

but can i ask what where the audience reactions?

---

carlos - Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:56 am

---

nervous at first but surprised, loads of people thankful for soomething new. when each piece finished it took a few seconds to get a response then folk responded well due to gradual end of each piece. We've now been asked to play a number of venues/festival due to the uniqueness and different edge as opposed to another rock act or dj (no offence to anyone).

---

vurt - Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:57 am

---

cool!
may there be many more like it

---

WoJ - Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:51 am

---

Pfff! Dosnt sound as good without a massive sub-bass blow-your-head-off PA system!



WoJ

---

carlos - Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:29 pm

---

I know playing back the minidisc doesn't hurt your chest as much either, the next venue has a decent set up as well so happy days, when are you free for a run through with the other members of audiocongress?

---

WoJ - Wed Nov 29, 2006 2:44 pm

---

My uni term dosnt end untill Dec 15th, so i'll probably be able to practice between the 17th Dec - 12 Jan.

WoJ

---

carlos - Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:15 pm

---

lovely jubbly, will get back to you with dates!

---

carlos - Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:59 pm

---

some pics on myspace link below from the gig!

---

spuddle - Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:30 pm

---

Arg, I don't believe it, I move away from the Midlands and relocate to America due to being frustrated with the lack of 'creative' atmosphere and look what happens when I bugger off. Darn!

Well it sounds like it was a really successful event so kudos for getting that off the ground. I don't have anyway to listen to the performances just yet but I look forwards to downloading the video on my home computer.

Mmmmm, you've inspired me to get thinking about something similar here in the States

---

pHz - Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:33 pm

---

what a bunch of sad looking geeks

slainte rob

---

carlos - Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:02 pm

---

ooh it's good to be a geek!

---

spuddle - Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:23 pm

---

give it time, geeks are taking over the world.

---

WoJ - Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:47 pm

---

---

pHz - Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:48 am

---

lighten up you sad looking geek

slainte rob

---

WoJ - Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:50 am

---

only kiddin, if only i was a geek who could afford a powerbook...

---

carlos - Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:04 am

---

pHz are you up for the next event end of jan 07?

---

pHz - Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:27 am

---

what night of the week would it be ?

anything during the week is a no-no unless im on school hols really

slainte rob

---

carlos - Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:53 am

---

monday night I'm afraid, last monday of the month!

---

carlos - Sun Dec 03, 2006 5:40 am

---

I've put together a little trailer, the quality could be better on the youtube video I may upgrade to a higher res!

---

WoJ - Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:41 am

---

Great stuff! Love the visuals you've done. Got your email too, i'd love to get a CD from it.

With a bit of luck i might be able to use an energyXT2 beta for the next one...

Cheers,

WoJ

---

There are 235 posts in this topic.
Page: 1 2 3