Modulate This! - News, Tips and Links for Electronic Musicians and Producers

Sonic State Behind the Scenes Video - Howard Jones, Robbie Bronnimann, and Laura Clapp On Tour in Australia

I found this series of vides via pedx1ng’s post on the Ableton Live forum, who found it on Matrixsynth. These videos by Sonic State cover Howard Jone's tour in Australia. I've re-blogged them here with annotation.

I've always liked Howard Jones's music and the fact that he's not all about nostalgia but is still writing and experimenting with technology in Live performance.

Also, my first exposure to Ableton Live was at a Howard Jones show back in the day of Ableton 3.0. Like now, he was using it to play scenes on the fly so he wasn’t locked into one arrangement for the whole song. After the show, I ran home and did some research and then bought Ableton Live 3.0 right away. Thanks Howard and Robbie and Ableton for changing the way I compose :^).

Video 1: In this first installment, Howard Jones has Robbie Bronnimmann leave a blizzard strewn UK and head for Australia and meet up with Laura Clapp in Adelaide Australia. He also talks about he now uses the Roland Fantom G8 to simplify his rig and work in a graphical way. He also discusses the polyphony and feel of the Fantom.

Video 2: In this video Howard Jones and Robbie Bronnimmann are in Perth Australia and explain the how they use Ableton Live, and bus powered devices (Motu audio interface, Novation Remote SL, Novation Nocturn) on their tour in Australia. Robbie describes who he uses Live to trigger sequences on-the-fly, do real-time FX processing on backing tracks and live vocals using built-in Ableton Live plugins.

Video 3: Howard Jones has Robbie Bronnimmann, Laura Clapp at sound check in Brisbane. A little taste of "Always Asking Questions". Laura discusses how shes uses TC-Helicon Voice Live and a Novation ReMote SL Compact to create harmonies and vocal effects on the fly. The also explains that he's his own warm-up band as he's doing a 30 minute acoustic set prior to the electronic trio taking the stage.

Links:

• Howard Jones Web Site
• Robbie Bronnimmann MySpace Page
• Laura Clap Official Web Site| Laura Clap's Blog

Mark Mosher
www.markmoshermusic.com
www.modulatethis.com
www.twitter.com/markmosher

Ronald Jenkees - Inspiration and Jams from Outer Space

I found this great video by Ronald Jenkees on YouTube called "A fun beat from outer space (an experimental improv jam)" an thought I'd post it in case you've not run across his music yet.

Ronald Jenkees is an independent Hip Hop artist from Kentucky. He composes and produces using only a Triton LE (Which is one generation back from the Korg TR), Yamaha Motif XS8, and  FL Studio 8. He's built up a great fan base by releasing videos like the one above on his YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/ronaldjenkees. He's got one album for sale and another one on the way and also created music for ESPN's Bill Simmons "B.S. Report" podcast.

What I like about Ronald - besides his great music and "chops" - is that he's willing to share his techniques and take you behind-the-scenes with his YouTube videos. I also like the fact that that he promotes the idea that music should be fun and he often has encouraging words for those starting out.

Here is an excerpt from his YouTube channel which I think says it all.

Thanks to all of my friends and subscribers. I'm very thankful for your viewership!! Before you ask, I'm a perfectly normal and healthy guy, just a little geeky and different - but that's a good thing, not a bad thing. My hope is that you are entertained and at the same time, inspired to make music. Anyone can have fun with music.

Get more Ronald Jenkees here:

• His official web site, blog and store - http://www.ronaldjenkees.com/
• YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/ronaldjenkees
• MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/ronaldjenkeesmusic

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com

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

NAMM Show 2008 YouTube Channel + KORG Kaosillator

The 2008 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim just wrapped up. I was happy to find that NAMM created a YouTube channel for those of us who didn't get the opportunity to attend.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TheNAMMShowChannel.

Here is a video highlighting some KORG products. They've released a cool little product called the Kaosillator.

Use this link if you can't see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30EX3s3uZSI

Here is the blurb from the official product page:

"The KAOSSILATOR is a new pocket sized instrument that packs Korg's world renowned synth sound along with innovative performance features into an ultra-compact unit. Anyone can instantly play musical phrases by simply tapping or sliding their finger across the KAOSSILATOR’s touch pad – no previous skills required! The KAOSSILATOR is a portable, travel friendly device that runs on batteries, so you can have fun creating music anywhere your life takes you, with seemingly endless possibilities. Whether you’re an established “tweaker”, an aspiring electronic artist or somewhere in between, KAOSSILATOR is one musical sketch pad that you should not be without!"

Mark Mosher
Blog: http://www.modulatethis.com
RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/modulatethis

Ableton Live Video - What's New in Live 6

I found this video on youtube which offers highlights on new features in Live 6. If for some reason you can't see the embeded video player in my blog, use this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cduNz5DNFSc.