The Studio Log - What Did You Do In The Studio

[crimsonwarlock]

Started tagging devices in Reason 13, long way to go.

[Constructed Identity]

Finally had some fun last night after the holidays are over. Took out the OXI One to update its firmware and then learned to sequence the Kobol Expander with it. Read the manual and used an LFO to modulate a filter decay. Then I had some real fun with the Synthesis Technology filter putting in a pico drum into input 1 and a sequence into the V/Oct. Putting it's output through Desmodus Versio I was getting something cinematic laboratory would like and then I changed the sequence from Pam's to a quantized pentatonic minor. Finally adding the output from my Bastle pizza into the filter's second input I played around with the FM knob

[WatchTheGuitar]

Fit my SSF Entity Ultra Kick into my modular drum case. Big old beefy kick and going to have fun with it. It can squeal like a mofo if you’re not careful. Or if you carefully make it squeal like a mofo.
Also have been using the Westlicht Performers’ MIDI outs to drive synths, external and plugins, and getting some good results with their random generation routines.

[mjolnir]

made a new tune in Reaper, saved it as a wavpack, decided not to upload to soundcloud.

[vurt]

hours of jamuary.
tidy/arrange "stuff".

and a whole new studio activity since the move "sleep"
it is now officially a bedroom studio.
will get some pics in the other thread soon...

[Constructed Identity]

Last night I finally made a track with my Metal Fetishist...fun stuff! I am going to have to make an album of really out there experimental music. I might call it 'Experiments in Time'. Need to find a finishing touch to an Asian-inspired song I started last year. It is really hard to get that last 2% of music you know will make an impact.

[crimsonwarlock]

I did a final mastering touch-up of my latest track. I think I'm there, still have to do reference listens in the car etc.

[mjolnir]

I used to work extremely rapidly (back in say 2015), but I've been really really slow at composing lately.
I can't blame my computer anymore, because it's finally stable.

But I did try and fix a broken VST3 and instead accidentally made it worse and totally unusable.

At this point, I'm about to move into my final phase / last resort.
I'm sick of incompatibilities due to Linux / WINE. So I think I'm going to to migrate to Windows if I can.
The downside is that my computer might not be powerful enough to run Windows 11 since it was too wimpy to run Windows 10.
I don't know if I can install to Windows 10 or Windows 7 or whatnot. That would be nice if I could. Or Windows 8 maybe.
But without Microsoft support, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do if something goes wrong.

But this is what I'd like to return to if I switch to Windows: https://multitrackstudio.com



I used to use that way back in 2007 and it was pretty nice. I kept my computer totally offline and I didn't really have problems (I was on Windows XP SP2 OEM 32-bit)

But for now, I'm just trying to do tiny bits of composing at a time. Sometimes I hardly do anything or nothing at all, but i'm still coming up with puny little ideas that I string together. I probably need to change genres, but not much suits my fancy.

I really like listening to good breakbeat tunes, but it's not that easy to make them interesting and I don't want to do illegal sampling (which would otherwise speed up the workflow tremendously). The epic days of breakbeat came and went long ago, before the lawyers and lawsuits. But I'm glad I didn't get swept up in those days.

[mjolnir]

fun UPDATE:

I spend a good part of today data mining all ten pages of GearSpace.com on a thread about 1990s production techniques.
Specifically, they were talking about hip-hop production, but it spills over into breakbeat and industrial and jungle if you think about it:

https://gearspace.com/board/rap-hip-hop ... -ever.html

That thread from page 1-10 is a GOLD MINE of musical info!
Also, you'll need to consider this about copyright law:
and this:


If you like any of those genres or other similar genres, such as EDM or EBM, then I think you'll REALLY benefit from reading that long thread.
Don't forget to read the very first post on page one, that angry guy really inspired a LOT of excellent answers. LOL.

I remember the 90s quite well and had some buddies who bought some pro gear so it really brought back nice memories and has inspired me again to get busy in the studio.

this is an excelling video about sampling and lawsuits too:


Now I'm thinking about quitting my migration to Windows (from Linux) and instead rebuild my Linux computer again while I try to generate a better pool of foundational tune samples and also collab with a drummer / guitarist guy I met recently. I'm thinking if I slim down my system to barebones, and then retain only the best of the best, then my music making might really improve. Also, I need to get a proper field recorder instead of this MP3 recorder, maybe.

[kritikon]

I sorted out a lot of connectivity, wired a shitload of stuff through a USB hub. Had used all MIDI up to now but that was a bit of a chore once I got past 7 units, as I relied on an old 7-way MIDI patchbay. Was a bit apprehensive about USB, but it all works flawlessly. Only got a 7-way hub, so I already have 2 synths that I'll have to plug in on an as-needed basis. Think I'll have to get another hub...should probably go for a big 10-way jobbie and that'll see me through for a while. Have to say that USB connection is a lot easier than MIDI too, should have done it years ago. Just goes to show you really can teach an old dog new tricks.

[WatchTheGuitar]

Got a new 104hp eurorack skiff set up as an effect rack but nothing was working correctly, modules were mostly turning on but not getting anything more than a buzz. Then discovered that I had been plugging the wrong PSU in, an obviously underpowered one, plugged the right one in and all good now. It’s a Behringer adaptor so I must have plugged one that’s supposed to run something like a K2 into the up to 3A power module.

Anyway all good and ironically I can now get the Data Bender to work making things sound glitchy like they’re undervolted. Getting very nice results when all the controls are modulated.

[vurt]

managed 30 days of jamuary so far
1 more to go!!!

outside the studio but relevant to the studio...
took the handheld recorder to the shed, while it was raining. then remembered that we had a tin of quality street left from xmas in the kitchen, so spilled the contents out, put the recorder inside, then put the lid on and put it out, in the rain for a bit.

[vurt]

finishing up jamuary
all 31 days!!!! different patch each day, completely stripping down at the end of each session.
trying any silly idea i may have had, seeing if i can still discover new things? yes.
admittedly, not all those new things were awesome but some nice moments along the way, a few standout pieces (for me), so pleased with the month.
also bagged 11 new subs

[WatchTheGuitar]

Mucking about with passing soft synths through hardware effects and I returned to a freebie sample library that was one of the first I ever picked up, Digital Synsations Vol.1, and the great SY77 sounds on there. Found it pretty inspiring as at least an hour went past without realising it.

[Constructed Identity]

Got nine tracks that will go on the next album. Should be 11 at least since they're short. Did the cover from a photograph I took in downtown Los Angeles in December.
Stuck on a song that should be a soundtrack and Hanz Zimmer would like but I will probably have to break down and buy Kontakt 8 full to use the 8dio samples in it.
Made a techno patch last night on the new euro rack and I am wondering if I should include any of that on the next album since it isn't the focus.
It is possible I will go to somewhere in Europe this year.