Modulate This! - Electronic & Experimental Music Tech, Technique, & People

Modulate This Blog Turns 3

Modulate This Turns Three
Modulate This is now three years old and I'm happy to report that the popularity continues to grow month after month.

I want to thank the hundreds of readers out there who subscribed, those who take the time to comment, and those who use the links on this site to shop. I especially want to thank those who donated. As you can imagine, some of the more complex tutorials and the video tips are quite time consuming to produce so I really appreciate your support.

What's Next?
Up till now, this blog has been a mixture of discovery articles, tips, news, and step-by-step tutorials. In looking back, my most popular articles and the ones that have made the most difference to you readers are the more detailed step-by-step tutorials. To help grow the blog and make an even bigger impact on your work, my vision for the coming year is to write articles to help you:

• Discover New Technologies and Ideas: I'm going to continue to post news, tips, and links to help you discover new tools and techniques to improve your productions. 
• Get Over Technology Hurdles: More step-by-step articles like How to use the Axiom 25 with Ableton Live and with Live's Impulse Drum Sampler, and videos like How to Use the Vocoder in FL Studio.
• Make Better Buying Decision: I'm planning to go deeper with  product reviews.
• Go Beyond Presets: I'm planning a new series of tutorials on sound design using virtual synthesizers to help you move beyond presets. 
• Learn From Others: I'll be working on more behind-the-scenes articles and interviews like Modulate This! Interview with Ramin Sakurai of the Supreme Beings of Leisure covering how other artists use synthesizers and technology to create.
• Improve Your Workflow Using Ableton Live: More thoughts and practical tips on how to transcend Live and work faster like Ableton Live Video Tip: Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Rapidly Rename Tracks.
• Promote Your Music: Ideas on how to promote your music online.

5 Ways to Support Modulate This!
Here are ways you can support Modulate This moving forward.

1. Subscribe: Subscribe   if you haven't done so.
2. DIGG: Click on "Digg" and other social book marking links at the footer of articles to recommend my posts. 
3. Pass it On: Know a friend who might find this blog helpful? Tell A Friend 
4. Join the Conversation: Click the "Comments" link at the footer of articles to join in the conversation. 
5. Donate: Use the links on this blog to shop, and consider making a donation if you like what you are reading.

Comments From Readers
I'll close by passing along some awesome comments from readers.

Thanks again for another great year!

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com
www.markmoshermusic.com

 

"Tutorial: How to use the Axiom 25 with Ableton Live and with Live's Impulse Drum Sampler" OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!! I WAS TRYING EVERYTHING TO GET THE PADS TO WORK ....SWEET POST  Excellent! I've been trying to figure this out for a few days since buying the gear, and this did the trick! Well worth the donation!  Kick ass article. That's how Moldover does it!! Seriously, worth the read. Look for some paypal money in your account.

"Video Tutorial: How to Use the Vocoder in FL Studio" Best tutorial out there. Thank you so much, I've always wanted to use the vocoder... and now I will in my next song thanks to you! good tutorial!

Video Tutorial: Creating A Pattern with the Step Sequencer in FL Studio OMG Thank you I didn't know how to put the patterns on the song now I do. Great help! Finally a tutorial that actually helps!!!! thx lad!!

M-Audio Trigger Finger Tutorial & Enigma Preset for FL Studio FPC This is the most helpful thing I've found on the Internet yet. Thank you sooooo MUCH!!!!  You are a god, this is the kind of knowledge I've been searching for. You got me out of a real puddle, thank you so much.

Videos of Laura Clapp & Robbie Bronnimann - Ableton Live, TC Electronics Interfaces, and Live Vocal FX Processing

Here is a post for the singer/songwriters. I spent a little time digging around YouTube this morning looking for videos of artists demonstrating technology they use to to perform live.

This first video is of Laura Clapp & Robbie Bronnimann playing live at Namm Show 2008. Robbie Bronnimann is a producer, remixer & recording artist from the UK who also is part of Howard Jones' band.

Robbie is using Ableton Live with a Novation Remote SL keyboard. Laura is using live vocal FX processing.

Next is a sales video of Laura demonstrating the use of the TC Electronics Voice Live to create harmonies on the Fly.

 

• Official Laura Clapp Web Site
• Robbie Bronnimann on MySpace

 

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com

Remove Ground Loop Buzz with Hum X Exterminator

When I run run my laptop off AC and dock it so it's connected to my powered monitors (M-Audio StudioPhile SP-58s) via my USB sound card, I hear a buzz through sparkers when the heads on my hard disc seek. I hear this with both an M-Audio Fast Track Pro and my Novation NIO. By lifting the ground on the speakers using a two prong plug adapters I isolated the issue and determined it was in fact a ground loop issue.

The Hum X Exterminator on Musicians Friend claims to be a safe alternative lifting a ground with a two prong adapter.

According to the product description the Hum X "...removes unwanted voltage and current in the ground line that cause ground loop hum. This noise reduction adapter simultaneously maintains a solid, safe ground. You no longer have to run your audio signal through filtering that results in loss of volume, tone, or both. Some devices simply remove or float the ground, which is never safe! Hum X removes the ground loop while leaving the ground and your signal intact. Easy to use and completely effective!"

I've not used the product but think it sounds like an interesting idea. If you have one, leave on comment on this post and let other Modulate This readers know your opinion.

• The Hum X Exterminator on Musicians Friend - $69.99

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com

Los Angeles Ableton Live Users Group Meeting September 25th

FYI - The Los Angeles Ableton Live Users Group meeting is on September 25th. Producer/composer Owen Vallis who’s presenting is of Brick Table and Arduinome fame...two really great DIY controllers!

Click the poster on the left for more details.

I've added a bookmark to the recommended sites links in the right column of this blog as well so you can easily find your way back to this users group.

"Making Music with Ableton Live" with Laura Escudé @ PCAudioLabs Workshop Series in Van Nuys, CA on Setpember 28th

If you live or will be in California near Van Nuys and want to learn more Ableton Live here is your chance. Ableton User Group-LA Director and Ableton Certified Trainer Laura Escudé is giving a workshop on September 28th called "Making Music with Ableton Live".

Course Description:
In this one-day workshop, get ready to learn Ableton Live in depth and take your compositions and performances to a higher level. Students will learn the linear and non-linear aspects of Live, explore editing audio and MIDI, acquire workflow shortcuts, work with software instruments, and trigger sounds and effects for live performance. The student will learn much of the software’s features and capabilities, as well as how to create original compositions in their preferred skill set.

Click the poster to see a larger view. PCAudioLabs is hosting other workshops you might find of interest as well.

- Laura Escudé: Web site | MySpace
- Learn more about this and other PCAudoLabs workshops

Sonar 8: Pre-Orders Start Sept. 22, 2008 + $99 Deal on Dimension Pro or Rapture

I just popped over to www.cakewalk.com and saw a few items of note.

First, Cakewalk will be taking pre-orders Sonar on September 22nd. I couldn't find any information on their site about what is going to be in version 8 - just the banner you see above. Revised: Cakewalk has now officially announced. You can see a list of new features on their web site here.

I composed and produced a lot of commercial music between 2002-2006 using Sonar including my song "Flight" which appears as an extra feature on the DVD and on the soundtrack for the film "One Six Right". In 2006 I switched to Ableton Live as my primary DAW because the non-linear workflow of Live suits how I compose electronica music. I still keep Sonar on my system and do use it and recommend it for those who are looking for a more linear virtual recording studio. It's top notch, especially it's deep midi editing capabilities, fantastic slip editing and automatic cross-fade features.

Second, I saw a press release  on their site documenting a deal on Dimension Pro and Rapture. I've had Dimension Pro for years and as Rompers go I've been pretty happy with it. Here is an excerpt:

"Owners of Apple's Logic Pro and Garageband, MOTU Digital Performer, Steinberg's Cubase and Nuendo, Digidesign Pro Tools LE/HD, Ableton Live, Image Line's Fruity Loops, and Magix Samplitude Pro can purcahse Dimension Pro or Rapture for only $99 at select retailers through October 31st."

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com

Just a reminder Synth Sale Ends the 15th - Get sytrus, Toxic BiHazard, Poizone, Morphine and more for 40% off

Only a few days left. I've been playing with Morphine and Toxic BioHazard and will be picking them both up. BioHazard is especially cool.

• Sytrus $179 $109 (-$70) 
• DirectWave $99 $59 (-$40) 
• Toxic BioHazard $99 $59 (-$40) 
• Poizone 2 $79 $49 (-$30) 
• JuicePack $99 $59 (-$40) 
• EZGenerator $129 $79 (-$50) 
• Morphine $159 $95 (-$60) 
• Maximus $189 $119 (-$70)
  Deckadance Club Ed. $179 $109 (-$60) 
• Varazdin Orchestral $169 $99 (-$60)

Note, if you've never purchased from image line before you can save an additional 10% off with by clicking here.

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com

Awesome 1976 Video of Gary Wright Performing "Dream Weaver"

I just installed the new iTunes8. It has a new feature called Genius Playlist (which I blogged about here).  I was flipping through my library and accidentally clicked on an old Alan Parson project tune. While I'm very much into modern electronica, I do have a small collection of  Prog Rock :^).

The Genius Bar recommended Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver". I thought to myself, man, that's such a classic synth song and I hadn't heard it in a long, long time.

Just for fun, I Googled the song on YouTube and found this fantastic video of the live version of Dreamweaver from a 1976 episode of Burt Sugarmans Midnight Special.

This performance is fantastic in that they perform live without backing tracks. Just a handful of people covering all the parts. No backing tracks, or pitch correction here. Just Gary Wright  playing some keys and belting out the song into an SM58 mic.

Here is a video of  the same song performed live last year. The guy can definitely still sing!

I love YouTube. No seriously. I love YouTube.

In closing, if you want to more about this song, there is a Wikipedia entry here.

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com

Get the Scoop on the New Nano, iPod Touch, and iTunes 8

Apple announced a new iPod Touch, a new line of Nano's called nano-chromatic, and an update to iTunes. I've waded through the online announcement and have created a summary of what's new over on my other blog www.consciousendeavor.net.

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com

Installing and Using Ableton's Free "Designer Drums" Operator Live Pack

Ableton has released a new free Live Pack called "Designer Drums". You can listen to a preview and download the Live Pack from here.

The cool thing about this collection of drum presets is that they are not samples but Operator synth presets. For the most part the installer integrates presets inside of existing folders so finding all the presets can be tricky. In this article I'll walk you through installing and finding presets and offer usage tips.

OPERATOR OVERVIEW

For those unfamiliar, Operator is an add-on synth you can buy from Ableton's web site. If you already own Live, it will cost you EUR 129/USD 159. Ableton is running a promotion for new users that's pretty amazing - Buy Live, Get Operator for Free.

OVERVIEW OF DESIGNER DRUMS

Ableton's blurb.

We're giving all Operator fans some "Designer Drums", a free Live pack with brand new Operator presets. It features classic analog drums, a number of innovative percussive sounds and dedicated drum racks for
instant and intuitive beat-making.

 

DOWNLOAD "Designer Drums"

Download from here http://www.ableton.com/designer-drums. Extract the DesignerDrums_v01.alp file on to your computer.

INSTALLATION

From the file menu select "Install Live Pack..." and specify the DesignerDrums_v01.alp.

The install requires 24.7 MB. 

FINDING THE DRUMRACKS, CLIPS, AND INDIVIDUAL OPERATOR PATCHES

The kit presets are implemented as Drum Racks. They are not installed in their own folder called "Designer Drums" and are instead integrated into "Instruments-> Drum Rack -> Kit" and the new presets are labeled with "(Operator)" in the end of the name. See example on the left.

There are a series of clips saved as live sets in "Library -> Clips -> Designer Drums".

The individual Operator patches that make up the drum racks are again integrated within existing folders in "Presets -> Instruments". For example, there are two 808 high-hat presets (open and closed) at "Presets -> Instruments -> Drum Rack -> Cymbal -> Hihat-808(Operator)".

 

DRUM RACK NOTES

Most of the Drum Rack presets place Devices in a cluster around the same set of 16 locations which is fantastic if you are using a controller like a Trigger Finger. The Kick, Snare, Hihat Open, Hihat closed are in the same position for most kits which I really appreciate since I like to hot swap kits.

IN CLOSING

Operator had been around a long time and I've always liked it. This Live Pack really shows off the range of sounds that can be produced from Operator. Once you start working with the presets you'll be amazed at the amount of work that went on behind the scenes to create this Live Pack. Thanks Ableton!

MORE OPERATOR LINKS

• More Live Packs
• Covert Operator Live Packs
• Puremagnetic's Mutations Live Pack

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com