Sorry for the Crazy Posting Situation

For those of you readers who subscribe to our podcast or RSS feed, you may have noticed some crazy posts coming back to the top of your reader while they haven't on the site.

I have to apologize for that. I was experimenting with the podcast feed and refreshed some older posts with mp3 links in them. Consequently about seven new podcasts have been added to the podcast feed. They all appear as today's date however, and not as the date the post was originally made. Sorry for any of the confusion this may have caused, but at least everyone has more access to some mp3's. They should hopefully keep your iPods full for a few weeks.

Midi Tutorial Part 5: Sequencer to Sequencer Syncing

Note: The following article is a general outline to introduce readers to the general concepts and methods behind setting up midi. The specific details of how to setup a midi keyboard with your computer will vary depending upon the hardware and software that you use.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Sequencer --> Sequencer Syncing (using midi master/slave) This process applies to both hardware and software syncing and also includes synths (groove boxes), which contain internal synths.

1. If you want to setup multiple sequencers and have them link and trigger together you must use the master and slave option in your sequencers. If you prefer to use one sequencer and simply control the sounds of another one set up your synths the same way as you do with a hardware synth or sound module.

2. To setup up multiple sequencers you first must decide which one you want to use as your primary sequencer. This is the one which will control all other midi devices using a midi system known as master and slave. The ideology is fairly straight forward the master controls all the slave modules and all the other synths and sequencers will follow its commands.

3. This setup process is actually very simple to do. First after you decide which sequencer you want as your primary sequencer you must then go to its midi options settings. There you want too look for either the midi clock settings or for the midi master/slave settings. After you find them you want to set the midi clock for the master sequencer to either “master” or to “internal”. Different companies use different terms. This means that the tempo, start and stop information comes from this sequencer internally and it will listen only to itself.

4. After you have connected your other groove boxes are sequencers with the proper midi cable connections you then what to go to their own respective midi options screens. For setting up midi slave and master controls you do not need to worry about which midi channels the synths are on. It does not matter in this case unless you plan to control all of the synths using a single midi keyboard. In that case you must set a different midi channel for each synth. Then run the midi keyboard to the midi in on your master sequencer.

5. After you have connected all of your synths, go to their internal midi options screens. From there you want to find the midi clock section or the midi options sections much the same way you did for your master sequencer. In these settings you want to the midi clock to “slave” or “external”.

6. After this is done you should be set. Now when you press play or change the tempo on your master sequencer the other synths and sequencers will sync up to the same tempo and play with the master one.


Tips on using multiple sequencers
When you press play on your master sequencer all of your other sequencers will automatically play as well. This is important for live playing or for recording. If you do not want their patterns to play right away you will need to mute them or arrange your patterns in such a way that they play later in the song. Also if the master sequencer is playing then you cannot change the tempo of any of the slave modules, they only respond to the tempo of the master sequencer. If the master sequencer is stopped however then you can change the tempo individually of each slave sequencer.When syncing two software sequencers inside 1 computer some sequencers wont recognize another software sequencer as another midi device. When this is the case then you need to download a software midi clock or a midi yoke. If this is the case you will have to run this program as well as your two sequencers. For the midi clock settings (some sequencers only respond to midi in messages) in your sequencers you will have to set your sequencers both to slave to the midi yoke or clock. Then your tempo and start/stop commands will have to come from the midi yoke/clock program rather then one of your sequencers.To sync two soft sequencers on two computers u can do the same process and use an usb cable to send the midi clock messages to the other sequencer. The specific information on sending midi data through usb to sync up sequencers varies depending on the midi clock/yoke you are using.Another method is to use a hardware sequencer as a master sequencer, then using a midi interface slave the two software sequencers to it.

Environmental Sound Collapse: Live Video with Nanoloop

Here is a live video of artist Sound Collapse performing with a Nanoloop and a Nintendo Gameboy live. The video is an .WMV file.

.:Environmental Sound Collapse Live Video:.


Check out his homepage at
.:Soundcollapse.org:.

Serious-Sounds Samplepack: Hard and Bouncy

.:Serious-Sounds Samplepack: Hard and Bouncy:.

Ok this is the last self promotional thread for Serious-Sounds.net, but I thought a nice Christmas present to all would be the release of the Serious-Sounds.net sample pack that has 100% royalty free wav files. Yep. take it and download it. Eat it up.

This samplepack is features "hard and bouncy" samples which should be perfect for all you dance livePA artists out there.

So Merry Christmas everyone, and while you are at it why not come check us out over at .:Serious-Sounds.net:..

Decimal: Live 12-15-06 Chicago Underground

.:Decimal: Live 12-15-06 Chicago Underground:.

This is a minimal techno set from Chicago's Decimal.

Quote:
On 12-15 I ripped up one of Chicago's No Affiliation underground events, a joint normally popping with uberhip minimal techno, with some more oldschool techno flavor. Instead of working improvisationally on all hardware, this time i chose to generate most of the material and live tools on a computer and really trying to dig in to more sophisticated production.

Be sure to check out the artist's homepage at .:Prismatiq.com:.

Serious-Sounds.net Gets a Make Over

There are plenty of music production communities out on the net, but I have to do a little self promotion here and post some information about one of them that I am a moderator for. .:Serious-Sounds.net:. is an awesome music production community that is run by Xe-cute and the site has just recently had a complete make over making all of the articles and tutorials much easier to access.

If your looking for a music community to become involved in I highly encourage you to check .:Serious-Sounds.net:. out. It is an extremely friendly crew and the members are extremely diverse ranging from new people to people who have had tracks signed, DJ's. LivePA artists and more. There is a little something for everyone, so I hope to see you there.

If you sign up I am the moderator sup909, so send me a PM.

MAKE: Blog: HOW TO - Make your own DIY cables, XLR, TRS, studio cables

.:MAKE: Blog: HOW TO - Make your own DIY cables, XLR, TRS, studio cables:.

Make magazine blog has an article about how to make your own audio cables. The first link has a "how to" for XLR cables.

Samples

Wondering where you can download samples for FREE off of the internet, in most cases royalty and/or copyright free? Make sure to check on the site for the license rights.

Here's a few sites:

http://bassandtrouble.com/sounds/wavs3000/wavs3000.htm
http://freeradicalsounds.com/julbeat.htm
http://freesfx.com/basbom1cdov3.html
http://go.to/samples4u.net
http://hello.to/synthesizers
http://hem.passagen.se/lej97/kalava
http://hem2.passagen.se/lej97/kalava
http://home.no.net/okval/info.htm
http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~mac/loops
http://incompetech.com
http://internettrash.com/users/sampledirect
http://machines.hyperreal.org/samples
http://machines.hyperreal.org/samples.html
http://matrix-12.tripod.com/home.htm
http://meanbeat.cjb.net
http://megascorpion.com/resources.html
http://members.liwest.at/web/audiowerk/apw.htm
http://members.tripod.com/adm/interstitial/remote.html
http://membres.lycos.fr/maxllo/loops.htm
http://misterbuster.com/loops.asp
http://mp3-tribe.com
http://musicmoz.org/Sound_Files/Samples_and_Loops
http://norsez.tripod.com
http://ozonemusic.h1.ru/samples/samples7.htm
http://powersamples.free.fr/index2.htm
http://samplezone.org
http://sonikmatter.com/sounds
http://sonikmatter.com/sounds/wavs/cowzar_Jan01
http://soundbank.web.services.hu
http://spec.ch.man.ac.uk/~ashley/samples.html
http://studio.dubroom.org/samples
http://synthplace.freeservers.com
http://tduck.ca
http://tilt.largo.fl.us/samples/free.html
http://tilt.largo.fl.us/samples/samples.html
http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/aphex/113/index.html
http://titan.spaceports.com/~upbeat
http://tools.coffeecup.com/Free_Sounds
http://trackers.pp.ru/links/index.php?list=ls
http://users.chariot.net.au/~lucas/bankflash.html
http://users.skynet.be/lightworks/midi.html
http://users.yesmate.com/djscooby
http://us-raves.com
http://usraves.com/sample/index.php
http://vulcan.spaceports.com/~maldoror
http://web.iol.cz/mpc/sa
http://www.16bitsamples.com/index.html
http://www.4musicminds.com
http://www.714cartel.com/loops/loops.html
http://www.a1freesoundeffects.com
http://www.acapella-heaven.tk
http://www.acidfanatic.com
http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=145390&T=1915
http://www.acidplanet.com/tools/8packs
http://www.amguk.co.uk
http://www.analogindustries.com
http://www.analoguesamples.com
http://www.angelfire.com/music2/richhoncho/software.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/on4/reason
http://www.apocalypse-sound.com
http://www.asterick.com/sample_links.html
http://www.audio360.com/index.jsp
http://www.audioattack.de
http://www.audiomelody.com/Samples.htm
http://www.audiomidi.com/software/sounds_acid.cfm
http://www.audiowerkstatt.fly.to/reason.htm
http://www.avhangout.net
http://www.axisl.com/music_loops_all.asp
http://www.bannervision.com/davehill/loops_kits_sounds.htm
http://www.bap.free.fr/html/sample.html
http://www.bassculture.org
http://www.bassment.net
http://www.bassquake.co.uk
http://www.beatmode.com/free-loops
http://www.beatsandbreaks.co.uk/kidkoalalp.html
http://www.beatsandsamples.com
http://www.bigfishaudio.com/4DCGI/whatsHot.html
http://www.bomis.com/rings/Mmusic-samples_and_loops-arts
http://www.break-beats.co.uk
http://www.breakbeatsonly.com
http://www.breakbeatsonly.com/links.htm
http://www.breakbeatsonly.com/preview1.htm
http://www.bries3.yucom.be
http://www.brothercake.com/links/sample.php
http://www.chaosisyourdestiny.com/Free.htm
http://www.cobwebaudio.co.uk/sample_archives
http://www.cpaterson.clara.net
http://www.cubelabs.com/indep/loops.htm
http://www.cybergroove.de/e_index.htm
http://www.cybernoc.com.pl/loopy.html
http://www.dailywav.com
http://www.danirava.com/links/links_samples.asp
http://www.deltaz-palaze.de
http://www.digimpro.com/samples.html
http://www.discretedrums.com
http://www.djbb.dk/samples_eng.html
http://www.djsamples.com
http://www.djsol.fsnet.co.uk/Links_frame.html
http://www.djzx.com/Music/Samples
http://www.dnbproduction.com/link.asp?message=0
http://www.dogbeats.co.uk
http://www.dogsonacid.com/samples
http://www.dooleydrums.com
http://www.downloadsafari.com/Files/mmaudio
http://www.drumdrops.com/freebreaks.asp
http://www.drummachine.com
http://www.drummachine.com/newpages/sounds.html
http://www.drumnbass.be
http://www.drumsamples.com
http://www.drumslive.com/freeloops.htm
http://www.dynamicforce.freeserve.co.uk/download.htm
http://www.dysmusax.cz/eng
http://www.eastwestsamples.com/details.php?cd_index=162
http://www.echovibes.com
http://www.echovibes.com/Autorank/autorank2.html
http://www.e-drummer.net
http://www.e-lab.se
http://www.electronisounds.com
http://www.electronisounds.com/AKAI_CDs.html
http://www.endlessflow.com
http://www.entropymusic.com/freeloops.htm
http://www.f6.co.nz/artificial
http://www.fabtrax.com/_resources/res_samples.htm
http://www.findsounds.com
http://www.findsounds.com/ISAPI/search.dll
http://www.flashkit.com/loops
http://www.flashkit.com/soundfx/index.shtml
http://www.flashmove.com/link/Audio/Free
http://www.flashmove.com/link/Audio/Loops
http://www.flashthief.com/freesound/techno/1.htm
http://www.fleximusic.com/links/links.htm
http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/randles/66
http://www.freaknoise.com
http://www.freaknoise.com
http://www.freeloops.co.uk
http://www.freewebs.com/dorumalaia/soundfontssf2.htm
http://www.fullblownkirk.com/fbk/samples.htm
http://www.funk-station.co.uk/links.htm
http://www.futurewaveshaper.com
http://www.futurewebsonics.com
http://www.gainrecordings.net/viewtopic.php?t=155
http://www.garritan.com
http://www.geocities.com/~junebugtd7/drum_loop_central
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Congress/8516
http://www.geocities.com/ignite_music
http://www.geocities.com/norsez/reason.html
http://www.geocities.com/s4u_site/newlinks.html
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Museum/4312
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Plaza/2793/wavload.html
http://www.globaldrum.com/interface/sampleORB
http://www.goltstein.com
http://www.greyinc.co.uk
http://www.groundloops.com/archive.htm
http://www.guitarwavs.com
http://www.harkproductions.com
http://www.heimsnet.is/lowprofile
http://www.hissingsid.com/freesamps.htm
http://www.hornet.org/music/samples
http://www.housemuzak.com/housemuziq/samples.html
http://www.hqsamples.com.ua/home.php?type=all
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/multimedia/sun-sounds
http://www.ikstore.com/Cgi/IKSoundsDB.cgi?Request=ALLSounds
http://www.illnon.com/samplecds.html
http://www.imprint-music.demon.co.uk/frestuf.htm
http://www.invisiblesounds.net/home.html
http://www.iriehights.com/samples
http://www.jara.demon.co.uk/bass
http://www.joor.com
http://www.junglebreaks.btinternet.co.uk
http://www.junglebreaks.btinternet.co.uk/links.html
http://www.killerbeats.com
http://www.kniteforce.co.uk/index2.htm
http://www.kvr-vst.com
http://www.licoricepizza.com/beatz.html
http://www.lightman.com/wakey/davidsmusic/loops.htm
http://www.loknet.demon.co.uk/leech/breakbeats.html
http://www.looperman.com
http://www.loopfrog.com/free.asp
http://www.loopgalaxy.com
http://www.loopguitars.com/samples.asp
http://www.looplibrary.com
http://www.looplibrary.com/freeloopssurvey.htm
http://www.loops.net
http://www.loopsagogo.com
http://www.loopsandgrooves.com
http://www.loopsandgrooves.com/ita/pagine/promo.htm
http://www.loopwise.com/freeloops.htm
http://www.loopwise.com/musicloops.htm
http://www.media-tracks.com
http://www.members.tripod.com/hakachukai/samples.html
http://www.modarchive.com
http://www.modarchive.com/waveworld
http://www.modarchive.com/waveworld/synths.shtml
http://www.mourningafter.net/sizers
http://www.musiclibraries.tv
http://www.musicoflife.com/beatsbreaks.htm
http://www.musicware.dial.pipex.com
http://www.musiksamples.de
http://www.muziqnet.com/dir/Audio/Sample_Websites
http://www.oneshotsamples.com
http://www.paradox-tunes.de.vu
http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/contents/contentssfx.html
http://www.peaceloveproductions.com
http://www.peff.com/reasonarchive/nrpb.html
http://www.phalanx.co.uk/loops.html
http://www.phatdrumloops.com
http://www.phatdrumloops.com/old_site
http://www.platinumloops.com
http://www.pocketfuel.com
http://www.powerhouse-remix.com/breaks.html
http://www.primesounds.com
http://www.primesounds.com/prime2/home.jhtml
http://www.propellerheads.se/downloads/refills/main.html
http://www.psylux.com/reason
http://www.pyraplastic.com/samples.htm
http://www.q-music.co.uk/platinum.htm
http://www.raw42.com/samples
http://www.reasonrefills.com
http://www.reasonrefills.com/rex.html
http://www.reelsounds.com/sounds.htm
http://www.robpapen.com
http://www.royaltyfreemusicproduction.com
http://www.samplearena.com
http://www.samplearena.com/sites.htm
http://www.samplecell.com/dwnld1.html
http://www.samplecity.net
http://www.samplecity.net/index.html
http://www.samplemania.org
http://www.samplenet.co.uk
http://www.samplepoolz.de
http://www.samplez.de
http://www.slickmedia.com/super/index2.html
http://www.sonicfoundry.com/loop_libraries
http://www.sonichound.com
http://www.sonicimplants.com
http://www.sonicmayhem.com
http://www.sonicmayhem.com/site_ie.html
http://www.sonomic.com
http://www.soundbank.hu
http://www.soundcentral.com
http://www.sounddimension.com/refills.html
http://www.sounddogs.com
http://www.sounddogs.com/searchresults.asp?Keyword=Loops
http://www.soundeffects.com
http://www.soundeffects.com/musloopandsa1.html
http://www.sound-effects-library.com
http://www.soundfx.com/killersoundmusiclibraries.htm
http://www.soundoftheweb.com/soundeffects
http://www.sound-planet.de/topsites/topsites5.html
http://www.soundproz.com
http://www.soundsonline.com
http://www.soundsonline.com/revAI-100.shtml
http://www.soundsreasonable.net
http://www.sounduser.com/links/samplesdownload.cfm
http://www.soundzone.info/index.php?zone=7§ion=2
http://www.spongebrain.co.uk
http://www.squarecircle.co.uk/links.html
http://www.stelaxy.de
http://www.stonewashed.net/sfx.html
http://www.stormchild.net
http://www.stormtronic.co.uk/loopfish
http://www.streetbeats.co.uk
http://www.studiopt.com/audio1.html
http://www.super-groove.com/sep/pages/free_loops.asp
http://www.superloops.com/default.htm
http://www.synthzone.com
http://www.synthzone.com/drums.htm
http://www.synthzone.com/sampling.htm
http://www.tapegerm.com/freeloops
http://www.tb303.com/slice/reason.htm
http://www.technotoys.com/sample.htm
http://www.thelooplibrary.com/index.html
http://www.thesoundsite.net
http://www.thespeakerboy.com
http://www.tigerbill.com/subjects/dloops.htm
http://www.trayfulloflabmice.com/synthsound.html
http://www.tsunamiwavs.com
http://www.tweakheadz.com
http://www.tweakheadz.com/samples.html
http://www.twilightrecordingstudio.com
http://www.twilightrecordingstudio.com/Freesamples.htm
http://www.united-trackers.org/samples/index.htm
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~spufus
http://www.us-raves.com/sample
http://www.vgmusic.com
http://www.virtualbassplayer.com
http://www.visibleform.co.uk/freemusic.html
http://www.wavcentral.com
http://www.waveform.dk
http://www.wavesamples.cjb.net
http://www.wix.easynet.be/FREE_SAMPLES/b...ee_samples.html
http://www.wyze.com/sampleshack/sampleshack.html
http://www.xelenio.com
http://www.zero-g.co.uk
http://www.zoolabmusic.com
http://x-stream.fortunecity.com/kingsrd/58

Low Rates LivePA in Copola Madrid 2006

Live set from artist Low Rates. This sounds iike a nice summer sounding Tech House set.

.:Low Rates LivePA in Copola Madrid 2006:.

Length: 55 min
Quality: 192 kbps

Original Link
.:The Unit.ca:.

LivePA Blog is now Podcasting!!!!!

Well the LivePA blog nows has a podcast feed for all of the good and tasty media that we link to on the site. The podcast feed will feature all of the media including the livesets we link to, the recent .PDF files and more, so if your looking to get all of the latest liveset mp3's on your mp3 player then this is a link that you will most surely want to sign up for.

The following is the link to the feed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/LivepaPodcast

I am currently updating the site to include this fee link on iTunes as well as to other podcast directories. If you just cannot wait to get it into iTunes then follow these steps to add it to your podcast directory.

iTunes:
Goto "Advanced" and then selected "Subscribe to Podcast..." and then just past the above feed link and your done!!!!!

I am in the process of also developing a once a month show where I will talk about all things livePA to accompany the various livesets and so forth that we post.

If anyone has any ideas for topics, or even what to call the show please let me know in the comments section.

Patrick DSP - Live Ballistics @ TechnoPride Studios, Brazil

This is a nice techno livePA set from Patrick DSP from sometime this december at TechnoPride Studios.

Unfortunately, I do not have any more information about the set other then what is provided.

.:Patrick DSP - Live Ballistics @ TechnoPride Studios, Brazil:.


Be sure to check out the artist's site for more music if you like this liveset at
.:PatrickDSP.com:.

Different Strokes: A Prototype Software System for Laptop Performance and Improvisation

One last academic article for everyone for the week. This article is from Mark Zadel and Gary Scavone from the Schulich School of Music, McGill University. This article sets forth to present to the reader the progress of laptop based performances and discusses some of the issues surrounding the perceived lack of active creation (doesn't that apply to all livePA?) and the visual aspects that a laptop brings to a performance.

.:Different Strokes: A Prototype Software System for Laptop Performance and Improvisation:.

WARNING: The linked file is a .PDF file.

Sarah Goldfarb-Loops and Tracks Liveset

I found these two liveset links online from female livePA artist Sarah Goldfarb. Unfortunatly I have not been able to find any more information about her as an artist online. The information is few and far between. It seems the best I could do is find her info at discog.com: .:Sarah Goldfarb:.

If anyone can provide some more detailed information please send it my way. The female presence in livePA is already scarce. It doesn't help when I can't find information on the artists that are out there. Anyways, enjoy these two live sets.

Note the sets are in Zip/Rar files.

.:Loops and Tracks:.

.:Loops and Tracks 2:.

via .:TheUnit.ca:.


Edit: Update, my apologies. It seems Sarah Goldfarb is indeed a male, not a female. Come one man, give us a good website.

The Object of Performance: Aural Performativity in Contemporary Laptop Music

Continuing with the postings of highly academic .PDF articles about live performance, Caleb Stuart of the University of Canberra has written an interesting paper about the emergence of laptops for the use of modern performance.

There are some interesting arguments here that may get you thinking about which side of the fence you sit on for laptops and performance.

quote:
...we have not lost performativity but instead the audience needs to make a shift in their understanding of performance in the live
computer mediated digital audio environment from a visual focus to that of aural performativity. [The] music scene addressed here is experimental in nature and is followed by a small subculture. This sub-culture in the last few years has itself become comfortable with the nature of live performance and the computer as an instrument.

Warning: This is another .PDF file.

.:The Object of Performance: Aural Performativity in Contemporary Laptop Music:.

DSP.Rack: Modular Software Environment Performance

Ok, this is not exactly what you are thinking it is. It is not a link to some great software for you to download. Instead it is a link to a paper written by William Kleinsasser at the Towson University Department of Music that discusses a modular environment using MAX/MSP for live work.

It is essentially an Abstract for a music programmers conference, but I think some of our readers might be interested in reading this in case they themselves would like to tackle the concept in MAX/MSP or Pure Data.

WARNING: The link is to a .PDF file.

.:Dsp.rack: Laptop-based Modular, Programmable Digital
Signal Processing and Mixing for Live Performance:.

DEAD P.A. Live Video Clip

Here is a video clip of livePA artist Dead P.A. I don't have much more info beyond that, but I hope you like this clip

Looks like things are working again

Alright, it looks like I have things up and running smoothly again. A simple new template is up and it was pretty painless to implement, except for putting a banner image in there. Anyways, everything seems to be in order, I am just waiting for the last of the LivePA bloggers to switch over and we should be good to go.

Switched to new Blogger, Template a little Messed

Tonight we switched over to the new version of Blogger and it appears that the template for the page has become a little messed up. Try to bear with us on this as I try to fix it this weekend. I might as well take this opportunity to implement a new template for the page so hang on until we get some editing going.

Petertools Liveset 1.5

.:Petertools Liveset:.

Petertools Liveset is a collection of midi tools and software interfaces that are designed to allow the user realtime and live control over Propellerhead's Reason for live performances.

If you are a Reason user looking to take your software live then Liveset might be a great tool to help you get there.

quote:
LiveSet is a powerful and versatile realtime MIDI processor explicitly developed to enhance live performances. It provides the capabilities to control every detail of your live session, making it easier to setup and perform.
LiveSet processes MIDI signals coming form your on-stage gear, such as Master Keyboards or MIDI Control Surfaces, and route them to a ReWire-enabled software as well as external MIDI devices.


Framework features

• Virtually unlimited rack
• Resizable rack window
• User friendly connection cables
• Modules presets management
• Customizable Transport Bar with big display

MIDI features

• 2 independend MIDI inputs
• Selective MIDI Thru
• 2 independend transformation busses
• Key splitting with an up to single-key resolution
• MIDI Learn functionality for keys and controllers

Audio features

• ASIO 2.0 support
• Up to 32 audio channels
• Support for 32 to 96KHz
• Internal 32 bit processing

Tags: petertools.com liveset Reason midi

Blip Festival:

.:Blip Festival:.

Well I am sorry to say I am a bit late on this one, but if you happen to live in NYC then you can still catch the last few days of this festival.

The 1st ever Blip festival is is a musical and artistic showcase that has artists ranging from musical to video and more showcasing all sorts of artwork created using modified, DIY's and retro gear. There is an absolutely huge list of artists at this festival, doing mostly chiptune music as well as video circuit benders and more. It looks to be really cool, and is being sponsored by a whole bunch of great groups, including a few of my favorite: .:8-Bit Peoples:. and .:Makezine:.

If you can be sure to check out the website for some photos and media.

Quote:
THE TANK and 8BITPEOPLES are pleased to present the Blip Festival, a four-day celebration of over 30 international artists exploring the untapped potential of low-bit videogame consoles and home computers used as creative tools. Familiar devices are pushed in new directions with startling results -- Nintendo Entertainment Systems and Game Boys roaring with futuristic floor-stomping rhythms and fist-waving melody, art-damaged Sega hardware generating fluctuating and abstracted video patterns -- and that's only the beginning. An exploration of the chiptune idiom and its close relatives, the Blip Festival is the biggest and most comprehensive event in the history of the form, and will include daily workshops, art installations, and nightly music performances boasting an international roster larger and more far-reaching than any previous event of its kind. Small sounds at large scales pushed to the limit at high volumes -- the Blip Festival is an unprecedented event that is not to be missed.


Tags: Blip Festival live 8bit

Create Digital Music: The Best, 100% Free Music Plug-ins - Just Add Host

.:Create Digital Music: The Best, 100% Free Music Plug-ins:.

Create Digital Music has posted a nice list of some great freeware vst plugins that they deem to be "must haves" for any system.

There are definitely some staples on there that I think compete the best commercial synths such as Synth1, Polyiblit, Drummatic, Karma and Crystal.

I was even surprised to find some very impressive synths that I have not heard about such as the ConreteFX Rock, or Highlife. It almost makes me want to switch back to Windows.......Almost.

Tags: freeware VST plugin