arpeggiators...

For those that don't know... Arpeggiators are THE BOMB! Few things are quicker, more fun, or easy than holding down some keys and having 'instant melodies' come flying out of one's speakers. My first synth had an arpeggiator and it was intoxicatingly good fun! Any time I have a synth without one I often feel it's missing something essential. Change the keys randomly and you get all kinds of cool stuff you'd never play on your own.

There are tons of cool arpeggiators out there - but here's a really nice one in VST form for $12 US called ARPG8R.

ARPG8R - VSTi MIDI Arpeggiator.

I'm considering getting this. I really wish the developers of NanoStudio would add one to their devices - it would make their software indispensable on the go! Most of my hardware synths had them and I practically consider it an essential tool.

What do you think?

Synths as Art

Another great example showing that electronic instrument design can be as timeless, interesting and beautiful to hear, see, and play as their acoustic relatives.

http://www.dewanatron.com/instruments.php?page=wallgin

Samplr for iPad

A very interesting sampling and performance applicaton just released for iPad. Not yet available for iPhone - but honestly seems better suited for a larger screen (as most do).

This app shows a LOT of promise for audio-mangling fun.

Samplr official site.
Samplr on iTunes App Store

Vinyl - Again!

My dear and talented friend, Tanya Seeman, recently sent me a small gift app: Vinyl - the Real Record Player for iDevices makes all your music 'analog' again. Thanks to Tanya for buying this for me! What a cool gift. Check out this hot video and relive the golden age(s) of turntable goodness with your MP3 collection! Making all those crispy new recordings (even your own!) sound like they did when I listened to my record collection as a kid/young adult.

Extra Bonus: Flipping through virtual 'records' as one used to when going record shopping or DJing. Thanks Tanya - You Rock!

Air Liquide

There's few 'dance projects' I can think of that impressed, amazed and surprised me more than Air Liquide. This incredible duo from Germany represented qualities in music production in general and dance music in particular that took me places few have. Unabashedly electronic, dark/eerie, acidy, GROOVY and psychedelic. One can practically see the machines 'thinking' in their crazy studio - percolating, twisting, and grinding out sexy, smart and smokin' tracks which still make me wanna move today like little else. Their tracks embody the souls of the machines they used.

Thank you Dr. Walker and Jammin' Unit - for opening my ears again and again...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Liquide_(band)
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Air+Liquide
http://us.myspace.com/airliquide
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/air-liquide

Construction Time Again...? (!!)

I grew up in New York City's East Village. Every year it seemed, they would ritualistically rip open the avenue(s) and patch them up again. I hated it. But I knew the sounds well. For the past few weeks there's been gobs of noisy construction inside and outside my building complex.

Depeche Mode is one of my favorite bands, and one of my very favorite albums of their's is Construction Time Again.

Here's a very cool documentary on the making of that album. Enjoy!

Going Modular

Ever since I first got interested in electronic music, I have always wanted a modular synthesizer. Though still a bit pricey, they are extremely flexible, fun, very educational, and inspiring to work/play with. I've played with/programmed many, and even borrowed some at various times.

I would still like one. Perhaps a small system like this from BugBrand.


The good news is: they are probably more affordable, well sized, and powerful than ever. This great Sound on Sound guide to buying modular synths inspired me yet again to scratch a long-running itch. In time, I will have one for sure.