Reason:: I just got back from a little jaunt down to Los Angeles, and I have two exciting things to report. First, the REX Noize CD's have been received and are almost ready to go on sale from Sonic Mayhem through the sample library site: Noiseloops. I'm not sure if a demo refill has been finalized yet, but heck, the price is so cheap, you might as well just buy the sucker :)

The other part of my trip involved meeting up with the people at MIDIMAN. Thanks to Ernst at the Propellerheads, Adam Castillo at Midiman has asked me to work on a Reason Tutorial CD-Rom project. The CD-Rom will primarily be directed to total newbies with video tutorials on the ultra-basics of using Reason. Another part of the CD-Rom will contain example files (RNS) and Samples which illustrate different concepts for getting deeper into the capabilities of reason. This is all however basic planning, nothing is final yet, and no projected finish date has been set.

I've been fooling around with snaps pro 2 to develop the screenshot animations for the project. The results have been pretty cool, but creating efficient screen animations is really time consuming and processor intensive. Basically, i can surf for about an hour before the 3 gig animation file is flattened.

Anyhoo, since this project is going to consume a lot of my time in the next few weeks, I don't expect any new example RNS files coming out through the site. Maybe a song or two and I'll release the ReFills, but, Midiman wants me to create new and exclusive material for the project. I have come up with some cool new configurations which help people doing final mixes, but that will all be available when the CD-Rom is released.

I know this is probably something a lot of people will be interested in since, it explains procedural concepts in more detail than you can get from just looking at an example RNS file. So there will be something for Reason Users regardless of the experience level.

Reason:: I recently picked up the AMG ReFill libraries, db160 and Norm Cook's Skip to my Loops. After installing the Skip to my Loops ReFill, Reason would not recognize the fill. Apparently the demo ReFill has the same "Name" as the full version. This caused a conflict and only the demo version is recognized. To fix this, I simply trashed the demo versions of the ReFills.

There are a lot of new ReFill sites popping up all over the place, and the ReFill Watch list is growing! If you have fills available or know of sites that are not on the list, please drop me a line and I will happily add it to the links.

I've been working on a few new ones myself. Mainly Bass samples. Going through testing are the CZ-organ refill, a reamped prophecy bass, a sc prophet 5 bass, and the ultra phat prophet 5 super sub samples I posted on analoguesamples-com. I've just sent out a newsletter site update announcing the updated download page for RNS files and pre-release of the novice shakuhatchi samples ReFill. If you're on the list, check your e-mail :-)

In the latest issue of Computer Music Magazine (which I have yet to receive a promised copy of *cough*) 26 of the 303 user tips are from my pen. I have been posting up several example RNS files used to inspire these tips on the Reason Archive page.

TXT:: 16 days with no entry.... I've just been preoccupied with other stuff. All those events from the past few weeks has left me rather creatively barren. Finally I'm getting caught up with things. One of my Hard Drives on my main machine was acting flakey, so I ended up replacing the old IBM SCSI with a new IBM SCSI, however, I discovered that it was merely a bad connector (one of those old SCA 80 to 68 pin adapters). The drive is fine, so I have a backup 18 gig SCSI in case the new 18 gig SCSI-160 dies.

I've also been having a bit of problems with some Reason files that I've been working on. I think I've discovered another bug, but Isolating the problem is difficult since the system locks up when I attempt to replicate the problem.

As I anticipated. My mother had a bit of troubles getting back to the US from her holiday in South Africa. Her flight from Johannesburg to New York was cancelled, and she was routed through Atlanta. The original flight plan was going to take her from atlanta up to La Guardia where she would catch a bus to JFK where she would then catch a flight to San Francisco... yes, a nightmare trip. I just bought her a new ticket from Atlanta directly back to San Francisco and now she's back safely at home.

During the course of the next few days, I'll be updating things around here and getting caught up with ReFill releases.

TXT:: I'm still in disbelief of the events in the past 30 hours. I used to go down to the Battery Park area when I lived and worked in New York City, and now it's gone. I still cannot get through to old friends in New York and hope for the best that they are safe.

Now there is a backlash effect of the events which really bothers me. The news media is focusing a lot of attention of blame towards Osama Ben Ladin, however, the public sentiment seems to place blame on Muslims in General. During World War II, my family was subject to similar prejudice after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. My father and his family were incarcerated in concentration camps in the United States based on the fact that they were Japanese immigrants.

There are many Arab Muslim immigrants in the United States and around the world who are facing similar bigotry based solely on the fact of their national heritage. It's a human condition to place blame and retaliate for this horrible incident in the US, but it is simply wrong to place blame on an entire race of people for this event - especially when all of the evidence is unsubstantiated. History has proven that during World War II, that Japanese Immigrants and American Born Japanese were complict in the attack of Pearl Harbor, and likewise, the Arab communities in the United States are not to blame for this terrorist attack. I hope that people have evolved enough to understand this, but sadly, I've been hearing reports of Mosques being vandalized and racist sentiment rising. It's an unfortunate habit of human beings, and I hope anyone visiting this site is enlightened and not willing succomb to those base emotions of hate and xenophobia.

Anyhoo, enough editorializing. I just needed to vent my opinions - I think I'll go stop by my favorite Middle Eastern Restaurant to show my support. Life without Fallafel would suck :-)

Reason Stuff:: I've made a new multisample ReFill based on that Casio CZ-101/CZ-1000 organ sound that is popular in Dance Music and can be heard in recordings over the last 15 years. Anyone into dance music will immediately recognize the tone. I mentioned in the past that I heard this same tone being used on the new Squarepusher album, which inspired me to sample the sound for use with Reason. It will be tested soon, and released in about a month.

MP3:: I've posted up another composition based on the genetic information of Goats. Through the course of my recent studies of molecular biology, I realize that there is a lot of stuff that I do not understand. In the latest version of the interpretation algorithm has taken a new twist. The strings of data are now interpreted in a way where start and stop markers of sequences are tied to the tempo. Long strings of complementary data are recognized as the tempo and pitch of the events increases. Lulls in the composition indicate long series of "Junk DNA" information - parts of the DNA structure that current molecular biology does not quite comprehend. blah blah blah - if you're curious to hear the latest evolutionary step of my project, it can be downloaded from the link below:

Capra hircus.mp3

TXT:: The events of this morning are really unbeleivable. Last night I had a bad nightmare about a plane crash, and I woke up to discover the news: The World Trade Center Twin Towers were attacked by Hijacked Aeroplanes and collapsed. Tom Clancy had predicted this scenario and there was also an episode of an X-file's spin off show, "The Lone Gunmen" which portrayed this exact scenario of an airplane crashing into the WTC. Unlike hollywood, reality is often much more devastating.

Ironically today's date is 9/11, and the US telephone number for dialing emergencies is 9-1-1.

I've been trying to reach people in New York, but i've been unable to get through. If you happen to surf through here, please drop me an e-mail and let me know that you are safe.

The really frightening part is that I just sent my mother off to New York last week, and now she's in Botswana where I cannot contact her. Most of the people on the trip with my mother are from New York City, and I'm certain they are trying to contact their families as well.

I think the US State Department has cut off all telecommunications with the African Continent, and I am unable to reach the travel agencies in Botswana or the Hotel in Cape Town where my mother will be arriving next week. Pretap, Naja, Joel, or anyone else in South Africa who might be reading this, please drop me an e-mail. I would really appreciate it if someone could leave a message for her at her hotel or with the travel agency in Botswana.

In the event that the US State Department has cut off internet communication with the African Continent, please try to route a message through some of our European or Friends in Asia or Australia.

The main reason I need to contact my mother is due to the fact that Flights from that region into New York may be cancelled, and I may need to figure a new route for her to return home. Perhaps through Japan into Vancouver where I will attempt to cross the border to pick her up.

Reason:: I've added a couple more effect concepts to the Reason Archive, as well as a ReFill. One effect demonstrates using a subtractor module as an Envelope Follower/LAG generator. This is an old analog modular synthesis idea that comes in handy if you want to convert short gate events into longer enveloped signals. The other effect configuration also uses the Subtractor to beef up a kick drum. The subtractor patch is a really really low frequency sine wave that is triggered by a ReDrum gate signal. This is a pseudo subharmonic generator which can add a little more phatness.

The ReFill contains samples from a DR-110 Boss Drum Machine - my first beat box that i've had since the dark ages :-) It contains straight samples as well as REX2 loops of the preset patterns and some patterns that I programmed.

MP3:: The latest experiement with my Genetic Interpretation Algorithms is now posted up. This is the Cannabis sativa gene sequence :-)

Cannabis sativa [I].mp3

TXT:: Well, I've placed my order for a new synthesizer. Big Briar's Minimoog® Voyager limited edition with the Walnut Finish! Voyager is Dr. Bob Moog's new monophonic analog synthesizer that combines both the best of contemporary analog technology with MIDI support and even has the TacTex control surface. Big Briar is taking pre orders for the Limited Signature Editions of the Minimoog Voyager.

MP3:: I'm still seriously into this little Genetic Music Project. I have posted up a piece based on the HIV virus data. Bear in mind that I do tweak the algorithm to give it a bit more dramatic dissonance, and I'm also tweaking levels on the fly as this piece is recorded. It really is more of a performance than a recording or sequence. Anyone interested in taking a listen can check it out here:

HIV [First Movement].mp3

I'm still working on a few more pieces, next in line is an organism from the plant kingdom: Hemp. Not that I'm a proponent of Mary J, but I stumbled across the data and thought it would make for an interesting sequence. Quite honestly, I can't smoke the stuff. Cigarettes, i can smoke, but not the herb. Anyways, it's actually quite ambient and mellow with a few quirky tweaks flowing around. I might make a few different versions of this sequence since I stumbled across some very cool subby harmonic sequences while tweaking this algorithm.

TXT:: I've been heavy into Max/MSP the past couple of weeks. I was inspired to dive into a new project which generates tones based on genetic base pair sequences. This is a huge undertaking which was inspired by a friend of mine down at the UCLA Dept of Molecular Biology (actually, there's no dept of molecular bio, just Dept. of Biology--but Molecular Bio sounds more accurate). The idea is to create a system that will read the publicly available data available from sites like GenBank, and it will spit out music - I use this term very loosely here.

The first finished example is based on the genetic sequence of a Fruit Fly. The mp3 is available for a listen from here:

Drosophila Euronotus.mp3

I've been working out several details to this Max/MSP patch. One of which is actually a spatialization algorithm that "attempts" to simulate the rotation of a point source of a sound. The idea is to create a stereo image of the base-pair sequence rotating. I just finished working this one out, but I have not yet added a doppler-effect calculation. I have an example MP3 of the effect, but it's using a sample illegally from Afro Celt Soundsystem's "When You're Falling" featuring Peter Gabriel.

afroceltrotation.mp3 1.8Mb

Newer incarnations of this molecular genetic interpretation patch have incorporated this swirly effect, but i've discovered that it doesn't really work well with a lot of sound sources in the mix. So I may just use it for special effect embellishment.

Eventually I hope to work my way up to the human genome, but for now I'll stick with simpler sequences. Like i mentioned before, the idea is to make the patch universally usable with any gene sequence. eventually it will be interesting to run parallel sequences to listen for harmonies and dissonance.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is probably the next one to be finished. The interesting part is that this is a really difficult one to listen to...the Fruitfly MP3 is surprisingly harmonic, but HIV really grinds me the wrong way - is this a coincidence? maybe...

Reason:: I also forgot to mention that I finished up an article for Computer Music Magazine. It will appear as part of the 303 power tips issue, and the 26 Reason Tips (hmm that's 1/12 of the article) are probably from me. Nothing is ever certain until the thing is published. Ronan MacDonald, Editor of CM, has approached me twice this year for Reason tutorials. You may have read the 10 Matrix tips that appeared earlier this year in CM. Since this issue does not contain the example files for some of the ideas i mentioned in the article, I will be posting the files here.

Also up in the reason archive is a new RPS file which i created this morning. It simulates the Martinsound Flying Fader action on a Mixer Module in Reason :-) This was actually a side project from the spatial rotation project mentioned above. The sine wave funtions are routed to MIDI Continuous Controller messages which were recorded in the Reason Sequencer. Now you can show your friends that you have Flying Fader Automation™ on your computer :)

Reason:: I totally forgot to mention the release of Thomas Alker's book, Reason in Der Praxis. The book is a fairly comprehensive introduction to using reason and includes a CD-rom with example files (some which you can already find on this site). Unfortunately, the text is in German, however even a basic German reader like me can understand a bulk of the information. For some reason, Thomas interviewed me and published the translation in a special section of the book which looks into the Propellerheads Software Community of Users. It's odd that a small company of software programmers be idolized by so many, and Thomas investigates this phenomena in Reason in Der Praxis. More Reason:: I've uploaded a few new effect configurations to the Reason Archive. One is based on the Fake Vocoder config (from the Propellerheads Site) modulated with the ReGate configuration. The other is an example of Daisy Chaining Audio Modules using Envelopes.

ReFills:: Subscribers should check your e-mail soon. I'm going to revise the subscription archive with the DR-110 ReFill.

TXT:: I ended up going to the Plaid/Mira Calix show. It wasn't squarepusher, but it was interesting to see Plaid with their Dual Titanium set up on stands in Mid Air. They had some interesting visuals presented on a screen behind them. IMO, the screen was far too small and placed too far behind them to be effective. Besides the lack of display area, the visuals were quite captivating. Plaid also had several small video cameras placed around their performance area and the live video feed was mixed in kaliedescopic fashion on the screen. There was one camera on a little robotic arm which panned around and changed the point of view throughout the performance. This was a neat little effect.

Mira Calix, opened the show with an hour long DJ set. She was rather brilliant. I wouldn't recommend just anyone to see her spin, but if you have a deep appreciation for warp artists, then she should not be missed. Fortunately, I remembered to bring a pair of ear plugs with me. The grating digital noise that warp artists thrive on being pushed through hundreds of watts of amplification is sometimes painful (and easily induces Tinnitus). I'm guessing that she played a lot of her own material, but I only recognized "Sparrow".

Get Well Soon, Tom:: I just received a notice that due to Illness, Tom Jenkinson will not be appearing as the scheduled headliner... Friends of mine in Vancouver, BC said that he didn't appear there, and the show tomorrow night was cancelled in Oakland. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon to join Plaid for the rest of their tour. So anyone planning to see the show should check for a refund. I did hear that Plaid's show was quite interesting with some nice computer based video visuals. I think I'll go to check them out regardless. Also, Mira Calix has been flown in to fill the Bill. She should be interesting to see perform live :-)

Reason:: I've been having a lot of fun with this new effect configuration I stumbled across, ReGate. Basically you connect up the CV Gate Outputs of a ReDrum to the Mixer Channel CV Inputs. Then you can use ReDrum patterns to gate open various sources of audio. In the picture I have a stack of Dr:REX players all looping. The ReDrum Patterns are used to trigger the Levels in a variety of patterns. This is a great way to get those "cut-up" style of effects that seems so popular these days. I've also posted up another old Effect configuration which shows how to emulate the ReBirth PCF Feature in Reason. Both Files are now available for download in my reason archive. RNS files will be available soon. Check your email for the next news update.

Reason:: The Server seems to be back online now, and the ReFill downloads are working. I've also come up with a really really nice new effect configuration that I'm calling "ReGate" It's quite useful for some interesting rhythmic effects. More information coming soon.

303:: Dan Gendreau's new 303 Pattern charts are now available in PDF format. These came out really nicely. Even if you don't have a need for the 303 charts, you should download them and check them out :)

TB303Chart1.pdf

Reason:: The ADFX ReFill is now public. It's a whopping 7.7meg file that contains various tweaks recorded from an EMS Putney. (see below). The file contains a lot of unique sounds which are designed for those who like an ecclectic pallette. Feel free to download it now. Certain files require the Reason 1.0.1 update.

Peff 004 - ADFX ReFill 1.zip 7.7Mb

--hmm-- The server does not seem to be responding. I guess the old NT box is functioning normally. Stay tuned for updated weather information.

I just got back home from visiting the Sonic Mayhem Studios. Home of the Quake soundtracks. Sascha has been hard at work converting his REX Noize Loops Project from the old Recycle 1.7 format to the new ReCycle 2 format. The sounds are really excellent and people looking for a unique source of loops will probably find this set useful. It's a very cool concept CD since it provides both Audio Files and RX2 files and a ReFill. People who use SF ACID will find the WAV data useful, while ReCycle2 users can load the slices into their sampler while Reason Users can access the files via the ReFill. Included in the refill are a lot of subtractor patches and effect configurations I've created to go along with the sample loops.

I was giving Sascha a hand with formatting the CD for cross platform delivery so that Mac Users and Windows Users alike can access the data easily. More information is available at the SonicMayhem site. There should be a freebie promo ReFill coming in the near future.

If you're planning to go to Ibiza this summer, make sure to check out Sascha's performance there!