Barem Live Video @ Santa Electrónica

This is a pretty tasty and hypnotic clip from Barem performing live.

.:Myspace.com/Barem:.

Ableton Skins

.:Ableton Skins @ Sonictransfer.com:.

I didn't even know that this was possible, but apparently you can skin Ableton live. I think it has pretty much the best interface for live performance around, but if you feel the need to skin your Live (these appear to be mostly just color changes) then have at it.

Note: You will need to register at the site to download these skins.

via IDMforums.com

Rules to Take the Stage By - I Haven't Had My Coffee Yet

Rules to Take the Stage By - I Haven't Had My Coffee Yet

I found this interesting post today on Digital Bear's blog, that outlines some of his rules every artist should think about when taking the stage. Just some more positive reinforcement for people out there preparing a show.

I particularly like his points of making sure the audience knows who you are by announcing yourself, and knowing the other acts that you are performing with.

Gyges - Thinly Veiled As Music... (August 9, 2005)

.:Gyges at between heartbeats 08/09/05:.

This week's liveset comes from artist Gyges performed live at between heartbeats. The set starts off in a nice laid back ambient style opening and then moves onto some nice chill house style laid back beats while mixing in the occasional IDM glitch. Overall a very nice livest for that car ride to work on Monday.

As is the case with many of these livesets, I was unable to find a website for this artist, so please send me the link if you happen to know it.

via Archive.org

Singing Tesla Coil: The Ultimate Light and Sound Show?

This sweet video of a Tesla coil playing music is going around the internet. The Tesla coil vibrates are an approximately 44.1Khz frequency and the operators modulate the pitch to create this music.

Awesome!!!!!

Tech Support Showdown 2007 - LAPTOP Magazine

Tech Support Showdown 2007 - LAPTOP Magazine

We have discussed on this blog several times about this laptop brand and that laptop brand. Price, build quality, etc. etc., but one of the things that is perhaps most often overlooked in the laptop purchase is the customer service and tech support lines.

What is the experience like when you have a problem with your laptop? Can you contact them from the road, and how punctual are they about getting it back to you.

All of these questions are extremely important, but often times overlooked in the laptop purchase.

Laptop Magazine has posted its second annual tech support showdown comparing all of the major manufacturers from Sony to Apple. The magazine ranks the warranty, the tech support and more.

So head on over there and read up and find out where your laptop brand stacks up, or read up on what to look for in your next laptop purchase.

via Engadget.com

Makunouchi Bento - Live at TM04BASE [od068]

.:Makunouchi Bento - Live at TM04BASE [od068] (192 kbp/s:.

This week's liveset is from Makunouchi Bento and is a nice mix-mash of IDM, tribal and Ambient DnB. This set was recorded live at the TM04BASE event in Timisoara, Romania. The set is 51 minutes long.

For more info on Makunochi Bento check out his website at Makunouchibento.inpuj.net

via Archive.org

MIT Electronics Flea Market!!! Today June 17th and Every 3rd Sunday!!!

.:Flea Market Flyer (.PDF):.

Short notice on this one. Super short, but I just learned that MIT is having an electronics flea market for all of your circuit benders, radio junkies and the like. If you are in the area, head on over today and get a good deal on a 1,000 pack of resistors or a circuit bent Furby.

If you happen to miss today's market, fear not. This is going to be a monthly event from now until October, occurring on the third Sunday of every month.

Quote:

The MIT Radio Society, in conjunction with the MIT UHF Repeater Association, the MIT Electronics Research Society, and the Harvard Wireless Club, sponsors a Swapfest on the third Sunday of each month, April through October. This is a place to buy, sell, and swap amateur radio, electronic, and computer equipment. Hams and non-hams alike are welcome.

via EM411.com

Ableton Live Wiki

.:Ableton Live Wiki:.

New to Ableton Live, or are you just looking for a good place for info? Perhaps you are the Ableton master and wish to share your info.

Then head on over to the Ableton Live Wiki for a great alternative resource to the Ableton Manual and messageboards.

BARCamp Chicago 2007: June 23-24

.:BARCampChicago.org:.

Hey everyone out there. BARCamp, the uber tech and geek get together is happening in Chicago on June 23-24. I will be attending myself with any luck, doing some recording to podcast the event.

If you are unfamiliar with BARCamp, BARcamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants.

Generally the topics focus on technology, the web and things along that nature, but general geeks are welcome.

For more information head on over to the website. I hope to see everyone there.

EndDRM.info

DRM is one of the hottest internet topics out right now, and it is certainly applicable to musicians. On the one hand musicians and writers of all types have the right to protect their creative properties. On the other hand, DRM certainly alienates the music fans, and in some cases the artists themselves.

.:EndDRM.info:. is a nice site that was started to dish out info on the bad side of DRM. With that is also links to learning more about DRM, its purpose, as well as music storess (that we can sell our music at) which will sell DRM free music

Create Digital Music - Monomes Aplenty: New Models Coming, and Enough Buttons for All

.:Create Digital Music - Monomes Aplenty: New Models Coming, and Enough Buttons for All:.

Damn Createdigitalmusic and their insider connections and access to professionals. Looks like the indie popular control surface Monome is rolling out some new options with loads more buttons.

The new models will be in 8x8, 8x16, and 16x16. For full info on kits, building, and all that other jazz, head on over to .:Monome.org:.

BEEPGLITCH - Electronic Musician's Emergency Adapters

.:BEEPGLITCH -Electronic Musician's Emergency Adapters:.

Bleepglitch.com has a great post on their website with links to emergency kits for when you might be in a bind at your next show, needing that all important cable adapter when Radioshack is closed.

Panasonic Toughbook: The Ultimate Gig Laptop?

.:Panasonic.com:.

The Panasonic Toughbook. Sure you have seen them on those TV commercials at construction sites and in your local police car, but have any artists out there actually considered picking up a Toughbook? The club atmosphere can be a pretty rough ride for a laptop, even tougher if your are adding on flights and constant touring.

The Panasonic Toughbook is designed and touted to be able to handle the toughest of environments, offering shatter and scratch resistant screens, a very hard magnesium alloy casing, and a shock mounted HDD. Most models even offer a water proof keyboard (gotta avoid those spilled drinks) and in some models a touch screen interface. While the price of these machines on the whole is generally more expensive than your traditional laptop, you are getting quite a deal of more security. These aren't underspec'd at all either. They are sporting Core Duo processors, and a 1,000 nit screen designed for outdoor use. The only thing off the top of my head that I am wondering about is performance and heat as related with a laptop in such an enclosed case.

Has anyone out there performed with a Tougbook before? They certainly seem like they could be a logical investment for the laptop musician, yet you don’t see anyone performing with one.

Software Developer Arguru Dies in Car Accident

This past Sunday, a tragic accident occurred where popular indie software developer Arguru was killed in a car crash.

Arguru is most famous for is indie projects such as .:Psycle:. and .:Aodix:.

Most recently he has been working with Disco-DSP and Imageline on their Deckadance software and Directware VSTi. The community surely already misses him, and there is quite a popular thread currently happening over at .:KVRaudio.com:.

Feel free to pay your respects in the comments section or over at KVR.

Ekodisk.com - Earth Friendly and Eco Friendly CDs and DVDs - Duplication and Replication - Retail Ready

.:Ekodisk.com - Earth Friendly and Eco Friendly CDs and DVDs - Duplication and Replication - Retail Ready:.

Are you an environmentalist musician? Looking for a way to green up your records or promos? Well then head on over to Ekodisk.com. While packaging is slightly different then some of the stuff over at traditional sites, the prices appear to be comparable for the most part.

KJ Sawka Live on c89.5

Crazy. Just... crazy.