Module-records blog about electronic music

Music Thing Shop is open !

2006-11-10T20:48:00.000+01:00

Music Thing Shop is now open : How does it work? As Tom said "This isn't a real shop" but for sure it's a real great idea !
It's a selection of a few great, sexy, desireable, even collectable pieces of kit.
All the items are supplied by different online retailers in the US, UK and Europe.

First selection :

Cool things for under £100
Epiphone Junior Valve Amps
Korg MicroKorg
Akai MPC-1000
Zvex Effects Pedals
MFB Synth II
Moogerfooger MURF
DSI Desktop Evolver

Label of the month: Circus Company

2006-11-06T23:25:00.000+01:00

The Circus Company releases are so crazy, dirty, groovy with clicky minimal stuff integrating different styles, freejazz, p-funk, hip hop, house and techno. Big respect for one of the freshest label... Please, can you go on like this because we like that so much!!!

Soundgin : Serially controlled Sound Synthesizer

2006-10-25T10:48:00.000+02:00

Soundgin is a single chip 6-voice electronic music synthesizer sound effects / voice synthesizer chip. It produces complex sound effects, synthesizer style music and English speech with an unlimited vocabulary. Soundgin provides wide-range, high resolution control of pitch (frequency), tone color (harmonic content) and dynamics (volume).

The SSG01 (Soundgin) consists of six synthesizer "voices" which can be used independently or in conjunction with each other to create complex sounds. Each voice consists of a Tone Oscillator / Wave Generator, an Envelope Generator, an Amplitude Modulator and Ramping / Target controls. The Tone Oscillator controls the pitch of the voice over a wide range. The Oscillator produces one of eight waveforms at the selected frequency, with the unique harmonic content of each waveform providing simple control of tone color. The volume dynamics of the oscillator are controlled by an Amplitude Modulator which can control by the Envelope Generator, the Ramping / Target control or by another oscillator. When triggered , the Envelope Generator creates an amplitude envelope with programmable rates of increasing and decreasing volume. In addition to the six voices, two mixers are provided to combine the waveforms outputs of the oscillators.

16Khz Sample Output Rate
2400 or 9600 Baud Serial Connection
6 Independently Controlled Voices
Amp, Freq, Ring Modulation
Hard Sync.
ADSR Envelopes
Musical Notes
English Phonemes
Sound Morphing
In-Chip Presets
Object Class for ooPIC

Kenton needs some help

2006-10-15T19:37:00.000+02:00

Kenton have made a couple of prototype controllers intended for use with Ableton Live or similar software. Neither unit has a final name at the moment and are temporarily being called AB Mini and AB DJ. If you have suggestions for better names or for improvements to the designs, please let them know.

"The AB Mini communicates via USB, has 9 endless rotary encoders, 9 push buttons and a joystick. It is USB powered for convenience. The 9 encoder knobs can also be pushed to select MIDI channels to operate on - allowing up to 9 channels of operation. When a channel has been selected, one of the buttons lights up to indicate that channel is active. The encoders also remember where they were when they were last on that channel and display their position on the ring of leds around each knob.
The joystick can send X and Y co-ordinates on the currently selected channel, and could be used for pitchbend and/or modulation control.
With the 9 channels, you effectively have 81 endless controllers and 81buttons at your fingertips in a very compact unit.
The whole unit is finished in brushed aluminium with matching knobs and is the same width as a 12" powerbook."

"The AB DJ, as its temporary name suggests, is aimed at the DJ market. Again this controller is mainly aimed at Ableton Live and Tractor users.
The unit has three channel strips and a master section.
Each channel strip has a Master Volume with six rotary knobs below that. Beneath that again are 6 buttons which illuminate when active, intended for mutes, AB selection and headphone monitor. Beneath that are two pads which can be used for firing off samples. It is intended that on production versions, these pads would be velocity sensitive, allowing them to be used as drum pads.
The master section is similar but benathe the master volume has four rotary knobs and a joystick. Again it has the six buttons, and below that a cross-fader.
The whole unit is finished in brushed aluminium, and has USB and MIDI ports for connection to your computer. Production models would be mains powered, although the prototype shown uses a power adaptor. Production models would probably have aluminium knobs too, rather than the Moog type knobs on this prototype."

My one and only suggestion : Don't remove the Moog type knobs !!!

SoundBITE micro : new automatic loop sampler/MIDI synchroniser

2006-10-11T19:00:00.000+02:00

RED Sound is pleased to announce the release of a new portable automatic DJ loop sampler/MIDI synchroniser module, SoundBITE micro.

The SoundBITE micro packs many features into its compact, slim line alloy case.

Loop sampler mode; offers the acclaimed looping system made famous by previous models in the Red Sound range such as SoundBITE XL. This unique looping technology allows DJ’s to instantly record and playback any combination of the 4 loop samples on offer and re-mix tracks on-the-fly. Default loop durations include 4, 8, 16 & 32 beats however, users will be able to create their own loop formats on the Red Sound website and download these custom profiles into the unit via the MIDI IN port. Featuring 96kHz sample rate / 24bit resolution, a high standard of audio quality is assured. For studio use, selectable MIDI IN synchronisation of loop playback is also offered.

MIDI synchroniser mode; features the ground-breaking Red Sound audio/MIDI synchronisation system, which first came to light in 1997 in the Voyager 1 and Micro Sync models. This BPM technology has been established as the only workable “missing link between audio and MIDI” available on the market. When hooked up to popular MIDI sequencer programs such as ableton live/reason etc the results are truly amazing, allowing DJ’s/musicians to explore totally new dimensions of creativity. Featuring MIDI start, stop, continue and reset commands for the clock output, the MIDI IN facility also allows users to merge incoming MIDI data with the SoundBITE micro’s clock output (SoundBITE micro comes complete with 2 x custom MIDI cables for interfacing the on-board USB mini sockets with standard MIDI ports). Loop mode and MIDI mode can be operated simultaneously.

External Filter mode; this mode converts SoundBITE micro into a filter effect module. The built-in analog style filter effects allow users to modify any audio source in real- time. The powerful Low-Pass filter can be used to apply progressive high/mid frequency roll-off for a classic heavy filtered sound. The Band-Pass filter can be used to isolate a particular element in the audio whilst the High-Pass filter can be used to trim the bass frequencies of the audio signal (Note: loop recording/playback is de- activated in this mode)

For total user flexibility, SoundBITE micro comes complete with a built in, state-of-the- art Poliflex rechargeable battery giving up to 10 hours continuous use (or loop storage). Alternatively, the power supply/charger unit can be used to power SoundBITE micro in more permanent studio applications etc.

Specs :

Sample rate / Conversion resolution: 96kHz / 24 bit
Loop Polyphony: 4 loops (4, 8, 16, 32 beats)
MIDI OUT: System real time clock transmitted (start, stop, continue, reset commands
MIDI IN: MIDI-merge. Selectable MIDI tempo control over loop playback
Pull/Push: manual synchronisation adjustment for loops/MIDI clock
Effects: Low-Pass, High-Pass & Band-Pass analog style filter effects in 'straight-thru' mode.
BPM range: 60 - 230BPM (3 ranges)
Tri-colour LED: red/green/blue led multi-function indicator
Connections: Audio input, Loops output, Headphone output, MIDI In, MIDI Out, AC charger/adapter input
Power Supply:(included) 6vDC 800mA Output plug = 1mm centre pin +
Battery:(included) Poliflex 3.7V ultra slim-line rechargeable battery
Battery Life: up to 8 hours
Dimensions: 135(H)x51(W)x14(D)mm
Accessories (included): Connecting Cables (input:- 1 x 6.3mm Jack > 3.5mm Jack ) (output:- 1 x twin RCA >3.5mm Jack ) (MIDI 2 x 5 pin DIN > USB mini plug) Mounting kit
Price : under £150

Breathe, drink, eat and.....Mix !!!

2006-10-10T13:15:00.000+02:00

Via Gizmodo via Mobilewhack : "This Fujitsu laptop prototype has a giant touchwheel on top that lets the notebook function as a digital turntable."

It seems that lazy designers have discovered the circle and want everybody to make music in every situation...

Module records releases available on Beatport

2006-10-10T11:35:00.000+02:00

All Module's releases are now available in digital format on Beatport.

Check it out !!!

M-audio Connectiv : 4 x 4 USB audio interface for DJs

2006-10-09T12:37:00.000+02:00

Conectiv, developed by M-Audio’s SynchroScience division, is the world’s first bus-powered 4 x 4 USB audio interface designed for DJs who perform and produce tracks with a laptop. Together, Conectiv and the included Torq software form the ultimate DJ tool—high-fidelity audio, all the right kinds of I/O (including dual phono preamps), and the ability to mix, beat-match and cue digital files with ease. Use them as a completely digital solution and leave the heavy stacks of vinyl or bulky wallets of CDs at home—or process your vinyl and CDs on the fly. You can even create a hybrid digital/vinyl DJ rig by using Conectiv and Torq with specially encoded control vinyl discs or CDs. Torq supports popular formats such as MP3, WAV, WMA and AAC files and is configured to automatically work with Conectiv—no messy set-ups. And unlike most digital DJ systems, Conectiv works with other third-party software as well.

use as a self-contained digital system, multi-effects processor or slave from control CDs/vinyl
designed by M-Audio's SynchroScience group
4 x 4 USB 1.1 audio interface with 16-bit/48kHz fidelity
4 RCA inputs configurable for line-level or phono signals
4 RCA outputs with high +10dBV peak output level
2 mix knobs for blending audio inputs and USB output
Torq DJ software included

Drive and mix in your new Twingo

2006-10-08T13:06:00.000+02:00

The "new" Twingo (actually only a concept car) is filled with tons of multimedia gear :
sensitive touch screen, earphone integrated in seats, bluetooth connectivity, dock for I-pod and a dashboard mixer...
Refering to the Music Thing post about the VW free electric guitar given with every car sold betweeen October and December , the new hype seems to make music in his car !

M120 in Dave Clarke Top10

2006-09-20T20:44:00.000+02:00

Dave Clarke Top10 of August 2006
1) Brian Sanhaji "Beta v1 Andre Walter Remix" (Enabled)
2) Frequenzberater "Our Galaxy" (PSI)
3) Samuel L Session "The Stick up"
4) Scratch-d Vs H-Bomb "Freakin it" (MFC 005)
5) Epy "Land in Sicht" (Trust)
6) Sebastian "Walkman" (Ed Banger)
7) Subaka "Boing" (Module)
8) Mark verbos "Idle Hands" (CDR)
9) Elite "Just can't Believe Ign Tech Remix" (CDR)
10)Ulterior "The Death of Everything" (CDR)

M110 in Sebastian Kramer Top10

2006-09-20T20:28:00.000+02:00

Sebastian Kramer DJ Charts / Summer 2006:
01. Jeff Mills - Blue Potential - Tresor 223
02. Jeff Mills - Gamma Player (Blue Potential Version) - Tresor 223
03. Baby Ford & Eon Link - Dead Eye - Plus 8 086
04. Daniel Stefanik - The Bells - Mobilee 005
05. Sebastian Kramer - M51 - Cache 003
06. Planetary Aussault Systems - Deep Heat Vol.1 EP - Mote Evolver
07. Various Artists - Backwards Man (Regis) - DWN 2
08. Joey Beltram - The Alien Chamber (Beyonder Part 2) STX 012
09. Subaka - Pink Force (Steve Bicknell Mix) - Module 110
10. 69 - Putang - Planet E 65284

Artist of the month: Sean Deason

2006-07-03T22:13:00.000+02:00

After a period doing graphic design for hordes of Detroit techno releases, Sean Deason began working on production himself, first for K Hand's Acacia Records, but later for his own Matrix label under aliases such as Project X, Sounds Intangible Nature, Freq and X-313. His production style of driving minimalist funk with sublime, quintessentially Detroit melodies was later tempered by his inspiration from the British drum'n'bass scene, making Deason one of the few Motor City figures to integrate heavy breakbeats into his material.
It was while studying at the Center for Creative Studies that Deason first began working on sleeve-design for records by Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Kenny Larkin and A Guy Called Gerald, including labels like Generator, Acacia and Carl Craig's RetroActive. After being introduced to the basics of sequencing and drum-machine programming by Kenny Larkin and Dan Bell, Deason recorded his first EP, Code 3's "Cyclops," at K Hand's Acacia studios; the record earned airplay on local radio by another friend, Alan Oldham (aka DJ T1000). Deason also worked at Richie Hawtin's Plus 8 studios before forming his own Matrix Records label.
The label's early releases included singles by the Deason projects Freq and Sounds Intangible Nature as well as the mini-album compilation Digital Sects (featuring Larkin, Oldham and Claude Young among others). Signed to Studio K7, Deason released his first solo album Razorback in 1996. One year later, Deason released the Freq LP Heaven through Britain's Distance Records. In mid-2000, his new full-length Allegory & Metaphor earned comparisons to the likes of Detroit Escalator Company's Soundtrack 313 for its ability to capture the atmospheric feeling of a city (namely, Detroit) in sound.
And available now on Module Records, the Ellington E.P (m120) by Sübaka, with a great remix of the genius Sean Deason !!!

ELECTROGAIA 2006

2006-06-22T17:13:00.000+02:00

12-13-14 August 2006 - San Sebastiàn (SPAIN)

If you want to have a nice electronic summer weekend,look at this line-up to understand that you'll should go to Electrogaia 2006!

TIGA
CHRIS LIEBING
VITALIC live
DJ RUSH
TRENTEMOLLER live
BEN SIMS
SUPERPITCHER
TECHNASIA live
OSCAR MULERO
GAYLE SAN
THE HACKER live
REINHARD VOIGHT live
SCAN X VS THE YOUNGSTERS (f..com) battle live
MISC live
OXIA
IÑAKI MARIN live
SERGEI JAUMETIC
BENNO BLOME
ALEX STARK
DAMON JEE
KIKE PRAVDA
DEMIAN
ASIER MEATAKA!
KOLDO INTERMUSIC
IMANOL
OVERWAVE
UNDERSOUND
ANARTZ
ALX
JUANTXI

PLAY THE MUSIC Club
Pº Jauregui 78
HERNANI
20120
Gipuzkoa

Monegros Desert Festival 2006

2006-06-17T13:14:00.000+02:00

Saturday 15th July 2006 - Fraga (SPAIN)

Line-up of Monegros 2006:
THE PRODIGY
METHOD MAN & REDMAN
DEEP DISH
CARL COX
DANNY TENAGLIA
DAVE CLARKE
RICHIE HAWTIN
NITZER EBB
LUKE SLATER
COLLABS SESSIONS
RUSH & BOLD
UMEK
GALAXY 2 GALAXY+ LOS HERMANOS
MISSTRESS BARBARA
BLACK STROBE
BEN SIMS
TECHNASIA
THE CRYSTAL METHOD
SFDK
LA EXCEPCIÓN
MORODO
TOTE KING
ACCIÓN SÁNCHEZ
SMITH & SELWAY
DAVE ANGEL
ALEXANDER KOWALSKI
JAMES RUSKIN
VALENTINO KANZYANI
PET DUO
CHUS & CEBALLOS
PETE THA ZOUK
OSCAR DE RIVERA
RÖSH
DEAN COLEMAN
HEARTTHROB
MAGDA
TROY PIERCE
MARC HOULE
HARDFLOOR
CRISTIAN VARELA
MARCO BAILEY
ADAM BEYER
TERENCE FIXMER
RALPH LAWSON & 20:20 VISION SOUNDSYSTEM
KENNY LARKIN
MARK BROOM
B12
KAITO
SCSI-9
MATIAS AGUAYO& ROCCNESS
GUI BORATTO
NAVID TAHERNIA
VLADISLAV DELAY
APPARAT
MICHEL DE HEY
ROBERT LAMART
JORIS VOORN
LUOMO
PATRICK PULSINGER
DJ FERGIE
KETTEL
AN DER BEAT
THE NOVAMEN
ANORAK
DJ INO & JOHNNY DEF
ALEK STARK
CARLOS PALACIO
MIKEL TEBA
2 PIAS DJ's
LUIS LLES
BORJA MALET
BLISS BROTHERS

New Module's release on the go !

2006-06-13T21:35:00.000+02:00

New Module's release M120 is on the go.
I can reveal that it will be a four tracks release with three tracks from Sübaka and a mix from a great guest from USA...
For your pleasure tracks have been pre-mastered by Charles Siegling from Technasia (check their new album Popsoda!!!) and mastered in the mythic Translab studio (Paris-France).
The release will be available as well in vinyl (trought Technorient) and digital format.

You can buy always the M110 here :

Techno Import
Afterhourz
Cisco records
Juno records
Technique
News distribution
Music head
Decks
Clubmusic
Midtown shop

10 DAYS OFF 2006

2006-06-11T13:06:00.000+02:00

14 - 24 July : GENT (Belgium)

For the 12th time 10 Days Off will take place during the "Gentse Feesten", and as usual, KC Vooruit and the ICC are the places to be.The yearly high mass of club music in Belgium once again lives up to its eclectic rep with a mixture of old and new, established and upcoming, and being a stage for all relevant club styles: house, electro, breakbeats, rock, drum 'n' bass, minimal, broken beats, nu-jazz, techno, funk, disco, electro-house - if you can dance to it, you'll find it at 10 Days Off.

FRIDAY 14 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM:
Ellen Allien & Apparat (live)
Tomas Andersson (live)
Paul Kalkbrenner (live)
Sasha Funke
Josz LeBon
Johnny S. Mad

VOORUIT - MINE WHITE ROOM
Odessa
My Robot Friend (live)
Ada (live)
Konrad Black

SATURDAY 15 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Filliz
Freeform Five
Sharam Jey
Maxim Lany & Carlitto

VOORUIT - MINE WHITE ROOM
Steffi
Seymour Bits (live)
Morgan Geist
Francisco

VOORUIT - BALLROOM
K'Bonus
Kraak & Smaak (live)
R. Dorfmeister & Earl Zinger
D'Stephanie & MC Philippo

ICC
Fetisch
Miss Kittin & The Hacker

SUNDAY 16 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Jens Holmes
Gregory
David Guetta
Fred Hush

MONDAY 17 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Darko
Luciano
Ricardo Villalobos
Gabriel Ananda

VOORUIT - MINE WHITE ROOM
Pitch & Hold
Andre Kraml
Herbert (live)
Oliver Koletzki

TUESDAY 18 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Spacid
Johannes Heil
Adam Beyer
Marco Bailey

VOORUIT - MINE WHITE ROOM
Fonofreak
Alex Under (live)
Nathan Fake (live)
Alexander Kowalski (live)
DJ Pudde

THURSDAY 20 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Jona
Chelonis R. Jones (live)
Booka Shade (live)
DJ T.
M.A.N.D.Y.

VOORUIT - MINE WHITE ROOM
Sigi
Kate Wax (live)
Shameboy (live)
Chicken Lips

VOORUIT - BALLROOM
Dirty Dancing special
Stephen
Compuphonic (live)
Sweatshop
Spiritcatcher (live)
Cosy Mozzy

ICC
Franco Cangelli
Magda
Troy Pierce (live)
Matthew Dear (live)
Richie Hawtin

FRIDAY 21 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Red D & Lady Linn
Theo Parrish
Carl Craig
Josh Lasden

VOORUIT - MINE WHITE ROOM
Pirrès
Cult Copy (live)
20:20 Soundsystem (live)
Voom Voom

VOORUIT - BALLROOM
Cajuan
Digitalism (live)
Kitsuné
The Subs

ICC
LTJ Bukem & MC Conrad
Logistics
Murdock

SATURDAY 22 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Murvin Jay
Switch
Layo & Bushwacka!
Sasse

VOORUIT - MINE WHITE ROOM
4T4
Namosh (live)
Jazzanova
Ame

VOORUIT - BALLROOM
Down JonesAnnie (live)
Todd Terje
Prins Thomas

ICC
Bart Skils
Motor (live)
Jeff Mills
CJ Bolland

SUNDAY 23 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Ya'Mo
Kenny Dope
Sven Van Hees

MONDAY 24 JULY

VOORUIT - MAIN ROOM
Monica Electronica
Tiefschwarz & Hell

VOORUIT - MINE WHITE ROOM
Jonasty & Tom Derie
In Flagranti
Padded Cell (Dex'n'Fx)
The Glimmers

VOORUIT - BALLROOM
Fredo & Thang
Foxylane (live)
Midnight Mike
Olivier Tjon

ICC
Andy C
Total Science
Juice Blenders

Label of the month: Starbaby Records

2006-06-09T13:49:00.000+02:00

The 10th Birthday!!!

Starbaby Records label's was created in 1996 at Columbus (Ohio). by Anissa Keller and Stefan Manceau, a french dj, producer and promoter who stayed seven years in States. So he had opportunity to see and hear several djs and musicians from all over the States. The first release was from one of the best Midwest’s newest artists, Titonton Duvante, with his "Voyeurism LP". Following the LP came the "Voyeurism Remixes EP" with 2 tracks composed by Rue East (Mark Broom and Dave Hill), an original track by Titonton Duvante and one by Stefan Manceau. Since the beginning, Starbaby (*BB) have released music of great eccentric artists like Dan Curtin, Fabrice Lig, Morgan Geist, John Tejada, Arne Weinberg, Ruzina Frankulin and It aka Stefan Manceau and Jo flash.. Now, Starbaby is based in France, to work with Syncrophone (Cyber prod).
This year, the label celebrated its 10th anniversary. for this event Starbaby released a compilation "10 Years Of Starbaby EP"

Sonar2006

2006-06-07T21:53:00.000+02:00

15-16-17 June:
13th Barcelona International Festival
of Advenced Music and Multimédia Art.

The Barcelona based festival is back with bigger exhibitions, more technology, and more interactive as ever. It's the essential meeting point for switched on music fans, cutting-edge artists and influential movers from music and the modern arts.
By day, over 300 activities including DJ sets, concerts, films, and installations take place, before the festival is transformed into a Mediterranean clubbers paradise with DJs, VDJs and concerts from the broadest spectrum of dance music appearing simultaneously on four stages.

Program:
12TWELVE (ES)
AFRA & INCREDIBLE BEATBOX BAND (JP)
AZ ROTATOR (ES)
BIRDY NAM NAM (FR)
CHIC feat. NILE RODGERS (US)
DAVE CLARKE (UK)
DIGABLE PLANETS (US)
DIPLO vs A-TRAK (US)
DISCO D (US)DJ KRUSH (JP)
DORAVIDEO (JP)
FAT FREDDY'S DROP (NZ)
GILLES PETERSON & EARL ZINGER (UK)
GOLDFRAPP (UK)
HERBERT & DANI SICILIANO (UK)
HIFANA (JP)HORIO KANTA (JP)
INFADELS (UK)
INSEN: ALVA NOTO + RYUICHI SAKAMOTO (JP)
IRIS (ES)ISOLÉE (DE)
JEFF MILLS (US)
KENNY DOPE (US)
KIMMO POHJONEN /SAMULI KOSMINEN KLUSTER (FI)
LAURENT GARNIER & BUGGE WESSELTOFT feat. PHILIPPE NADAUD (FR)
LIARS (US)
LINTON KWESI JOHNSON & DENNIS BOVELL DUB BAND (UK)
MISS KITTIN (FR)
MODESELEKTOR (DE)
NIGHTMARES ON WAX (UK)
NOBUKAZU TAKEMURA (JP)
ONE SELF (UK)
OPTRUM (JP)
RAHZEL & DJ JS-ONE (US)
RICARDO VILLALOBOS (CL)
RICHIE HAWTIN (CA)
RYOJI IKEDA (JP)
SASHA (UK)
SATOSHI TOMIIE (JP)
SAWAI TAEJI (JP)
SEÑOR COCONUT & HIS ORCHESTRA feat. ARGENIS BRITO (CL)
SHIT AND SHINE (UK)
SOFTPAD (JP)
SUPERTHRILLER (UK)
.TAPE. (ES)
THE MFA (UK)
TIGA (CA)
TUCKER (JP)
UGLY DUCKLING (US)
YANAGISAWA MARINA (JP)

Showcases :
CAPSULE presents MODIFIED TOY ORCHESTRA (UK) live
SEELAND (UK) live
COMBINATION presents THE CONSIDERATE BUILDERS SCHEME (ZA) live
FRANK D’ARPINO (DE) dj
JAKE (US) live
HEFTY presents ELIOT LIPP (US) live
RAY RODRIGUEZ (US) dj
RETINA.IT (IT) live
INTR-VERSION presents AMUTE (BE) live
MITCHELL AKIYAMA (CA) dj
KINDRED SPIRITS presents NOD NAVIGATORSI.N.T. feat. MELODEE: LA MELODIA (NL) live
KINDRED SPIRITS SOUNDSYTEM feat. RICH MEDINA & ANTAL (US / NL) dj
MWËSLEE (ES) live
MOSZ presents KAPITALBAND 1 (AT) live
JADE (AT) dj
GUSTAV (AT) live
MUSICXPORT presents PETE PHILLY & PERQUISITE (NL) live
AARDVARCK (NL) dj
C-MON & KYPSKI (NL) live
PLOP presents SORA (JP) live
MASAMI SHIMOMURA (JP) dj
SCAPE presents BUS feat MC SOOM-T (DE / UK)) live
BARBARA PREISINGER (DE) dj
POLE & BAND (DE) live
SCHEMATIC presents PHOENECIA (DE) live
OTTO VON SCHIRACH (DE) live
SPECTRAL SOUND presents BODY CODE (ZA) live
AUDION (US) live
RYAN ELLIOT (US) dj
STATIC CARAVAN presents TUNNG (UK) live
STATIC CARAVAN DJs (UK) dj
INCH TIME (AU) live

Sonarlabs :
DOM SOTGIU plays BLOOD AND FIRE (UK)
MARC RICHTER plays DEKORDER (DE)
MIGUEL CARVALHAIS & RETURN play CRÓNICA ELECTRÓNICA (PT)MONDII aka NAO SUGIMOTO plays SPEKK (JP)
RICHARD CHARTIER plays LINE (US)
VISUALSLIA-TINY LITTLE ELEMENTS (AT)
NO-DOMAIN (VE)UVA (UK)

Capacity: 30 000 per day

More Information: Please visit the Sonar official Website

Artist of the month : Technasia

2006-06-02T22:15:00.000+02:00

The outfit Technasia is collaboration between Amil Khan from Hong Kong and Charles Siegling from France. Having met in Hong Kong some years back, they felt it was time to put South East Asia on the world map for the production of electronic dance music. Both Amil and Charles have been exposed to a variety of electronic music from abroad and have been influenced in their works by early electronic sounds from the likes of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, Coil, Xymox, and Depeche Mode...As a label, Technasia was the first music division launched under Technorient Music foundation based in Hong Kong. Technasia has since its advent built its reputation upon quality and world acclaimed techno tracks such as "Descent", "Future Mix" and "Hydra" or more recently "Force" and "Evergreen". They garnered worldwide fame with the release of their first album "Future Mix" and cemented their position as one of the top techno artists in the world. In 2001, they won the best single "Force" , best newcomer, and best album "Future Mix" at the annual Musik und Machine electronic music awards in Berlin, at the same time Technasia with "Future Mix" entered the HMV national sales charts in Japan with a 23rd position placing amazingly beating names such as Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston....something never achieved by techno music in the country. Technasia then released a series of well respected vinyl singles that unusually crossed over to DJ and music aficionados in other fields of Electronic Dance Music (i.e Trance and House jocks).... Fast forward to 2003, Technasia this time hits the headlines in Belgium hitting the Belgian Dance charts at # 3 ! with their single "Nebula"fending off other major contenders from the commercial dance field.Today, Technasia's long awaited latest album entitled "Popsoda" once again pushes the envelope as its predecessor "Future Mix" had done back in 2001. Fusion and the collaborative process associated with it once again are the key words ingrained in the production direction of this new album. "Popsoda" is a meticulously produced album amalgamating dance floor fillers in the likes of "2 the floor" , "Ghett-o-Freak" featuring the cutting edge and fresh sounds of Detroit's filthiest Ghetto Tech producers : DJ Godfather, DJ Nasty and Flex Fletch to catchy electronic pop reminiscent of the good old past "1988" featuring Dutch maestro : Joris Voorn.Tracks such as "Life Cycles" featuring Chinese talent Faye Wang explores the joyous yet melancholic spirit that electronic dance music can bring to one's soul through language within the field of Techno, something rarely felt these days. From the start of DJ Rush's chant in "Way of Life" to the haunting cinematic chords of "Sound of Solar Oscillations" Technasia once again enables all of us to dance as well as dream into the unknown.....

Module-records studio removal : part IV

2006-05-30T12:56:00.000+02:00

The things become serious...

From left to right :

Korg SQ-10
Doepfer Maq 16/3 X2

Studio Electronics SE-1
Yamaha CS-5
Korg MS-20

Roland SH-101
Novation Bass-station
MFB Synth lite
Roland TB-303
Roland TR-707
MAM Adx-1

MAESTRO Russian synth
Elektron Sid-station
JoMoX MBase01
DSI Evolver
MFB 502
Firstman SQ-1
Mattel synsonic drums

Module-records studio removal : part III

2006-05-27T20:05:00.000+02:00

it's a little empty, isn't it ?

DEMF2006: Line-up

2006-05-26T10:46:00.000+02:00

Movement 06 rocks!!!

Adam Beyer
Adam Marshall (live)
Adam X (live)
Andy Toth (live)
Anthony Attalla
Ark (live)
Audion (live)
Blaze (live)
Bluetech
Bodycode (live)
Brian Kage
Carl Craig
Chemlab (live)
Chris Rohn
Clark Warner
Colin Z (live)
Collabs Tour (Speedy J / Chris Liebing) (live)
Dandy Jack & the Junction SM (live)
Daniel Bell
David Duriez
Dennis Cox
Derek Fox
Derek Michael (live)
Derrick Carter
Dethlab
Detroit Techno Militia
Doc Martin (live) + djDonald
GlaudeDonnacha Costello (live)
Drew Maddox and Eric Cloutier
Ezekiel Honig (live)
F.I.S.T.
Final Cut (live)
Frank Martiniq
Function & Regis (live)
Greenskeepers (live + dj)
Heartthrob (live)
Ian Hind
Insideout (live + dj)
J Dilla Tribute
James Holden
Jared Wilson
Jay Haze
Jen Xerri
Jenna Brown
Jeremy Ellis & John Arnold
Jeremy P. Caulfield (live)
John Acquaviva (live + dj)
Josh Wink
Julius the Mad Thinker
Kenneth Thomas
Kenny Glasgow
Kero (live)
Kevin Saunderson
Kill Memory Crash (live)
Klimek (live)
Krikor (live)
Le Petit
Little Louie Vega
Magda
Marcus Beier
Mark Broom
Mark Grant
Markus Guentner
Mike Clark
Mike Huckaby
Mikkel Metal (live)
Minx
Monologic (live) + Ian
Mr. VMs.
Honey
Dijon
Neil Landstrumm (live)
Nicholas Sauser (live)
Nitzer Ebb (live)
Otto Von Schirach (live)
Pantytec (live)
Pascal F.E.O.S.
Pepo
Photek
Planet of the Drums
Richard Devine (live)
Richie Hawtin
Rob Acid (live)
Rob Hood (live + dj)
Ronin Selecta and Matt Clarke
Roy Davis, Jr.
Ryan Elliot
Shaun Michaels
Someone Else (live)
Strider
Superpitcher
The Orb (live)
Tortured Soul (live)
Troy Pierce
Yos

WOOooha!!!!

Technasia Popsoda live in Paris pictures and videos

2006-05-22T22:44:00.000+02:00

As you know the outfit Technasia is collaboration between Amil Khan from Hong Kong and Charles Siegling from France. Having met in Hong Kong some years back, they felt it was time to put South East Asia on the world map for the production of electronic dance music.

The release of Technasia's long awaited latest album entitled "Popsoda" give them the opportunity to start a live tour around the world, including a date at the Rex-club (Paris).

See all pictures here
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3

Module-records studio removal : part II

2006-05-18T12:30:00.000+02:00

Why do I have all this heavy gear ?

Fabric club, London

2006-05-08T16:30:00.000+02:00

77a Charterhouse St, Clerkenwell, EC1M 3HN London, UK

With its weekly line-ups of some of the world’s finest talent, the club Fabric (3 Rooms /Capacity:1600) is one of the best London's venues . Week after week, The Fabric crew provides quality events . Just see the Fabric's program, to understand...

Module-records studio removal : part I

2006-04-30T20:29:00.000+02:00

The old Module studio's place.
And the new one, ready to be filled with electronic gear...

Label of the month: Minibar Music

2006-04-27T03:13:00.000+02:00

Minibar Music is the label created by Cabanne (with Eric Vence and David Gluck) after he has stopped to work with Telegraph and Logistic records. The music orientation for this label will definitely be open minded with artists like Cabanne himslef, Agnès, Copacabannark (Cabanne & Ark), Ditch, Gregorythme, Mossa, Spasm, Ultrakurt (Cabanne & Spasm)... All releases still focused on the dancefloor for now (they want to see people dancing !!!) but they want to grow in multiple directions in the future.
And we like it a lot...

Cocoon Ibiza 2006 - Wildlife2

2006-04-20T11:58:00.000+02:00

The return of the Wild Life
Crasyness continues!

Wildlife Program 2006:

June 19th:
Sven Väth, André Galluzzi, Ricardo Villalobos, Dorian Paic

June 26th:
Miss Kittin, Johannes Heil (live), Dominik Eulberg, Tobi Neumann, MarT

July 3rd:
Sven Väth, Onur Özer, Loco Dice, Arian 911

July 10th:
Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Luciano

July 17th:
Miss Kittin, James Holden, Tobi Neumann, Karotte

July 24th:
Sven Väth, Roman Flügel, Ricardo Villalobos, Luciano Ata

July 31st:
Sven Väth, Mathew Jonson (live), Steve Bug, Ame, C-Rock

August 7th:
Sven Väth, André Galluzzi, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos

August 14th:
Sven Väth, Pascal FEOS, Tobi Neumann, Loco Dice

August 21st:
Sven Väth, Anthony Rother (live), Steve Bug, Meat, Pier Bucci (live)

August 28th:
Richie Hawtin, Frank Lorber, Loco Dice, Pig & Dan, Oliver Koletzki, Chris Tietjen (Cocoon Recordings Labelnight)

September 4th:
Sven Väth, Tiefschwarz, Toni Rios, Dorian, Paic

September 11th:
Richie Hawtin, Matthew Dear (live), Ricardo Villalobos, Magda (Cocoon presents minus)

September 18th:
Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Luciano

Kraftwerk Summer Concerts 2006

2006-04-12T23:06:00.000+02:00

- 07/08/2006: Bergen, Grieghallen
- 08/08/2006: Oslo, Sentrum Scene
- 12/08/2006: Saalburg, SonneMondSterne

Artist of the month: Daniel Bell aka DBX

2006-04-04T14:18:00.000+02:00

Dan Bell (aka: Dan Bell, DB-X, DBX, Drum-Adi-X, KB Project, Cybersonik, Spawn, Tiny Robot) is one of the most reknowned of Detroit Techno producers, from his beginnings as a critical member of Richie Hawtin's Plus 8 Records to his recording of the all-time 1994 classic "Losing Control" (as DBX), to the foundation of his own Seventh City and Accelerate labels. Born in Sacramento, he grew up near Detroit and was influenced by the sound of techno on Motor City radio during the 1980's. Bell began DJing, bought recording equipment, and entered the production world with a job at a recording studio while attending Niagara College near Toronto. Though the work was mostly for hip-hop groups, Bell often worked overtime and produced his own tracks.
Moving back to Detroit in 1991, Dan met with Richie Hawtin and soon joined up with his new Plus 8 label producing several of the imprint's famed early singles ("Technarchy," "Cabaret Seven"), recording with Richie Hawtin and John Acquaviva as Cybersonik. His back-to-basics approach to hard minimalistic techno fit in well with Hawtin's aesthetic. After leaving Plus 8 to form his own Accelerate Records in 1992, Bell began recording as DBX. Singles like "Blip", "Flying Saucer", and "Electric Shock" became hot with DJs from Chicago as well as Detroit. In 1994, Peacefrog released two DBX EPs ("Alien", "Losing Control"). Though "Losing Control" became one of the biggest underground smashes of the decade, Bell's move into the distribution game (by rejuvenating Seventh City as a record distributor) took away valuable production time. Even while the venture soon became one of the main worldwide distributors for Detroit techno, it grew so successful that Bell was forced to put his recording career on hold. He was back on wax by 1996, recording for Klang Electronik as well as Accelerate. Unfortunately, Seventh City distribution folded and in 1998 Bell returned his concentration to production with the single "Subterranean/The Wild Life/Beserk."
In 2000, he relocated to Berlin, Germany, and released his first mix CD, The Button-Down Mind of Daniel Bell, on Tresor Records. He since has produce a series of remixes for a diverse range of artists, includng John Tejada, Pantytec, Akufen and John Thomas.

Movement 06: The DEMF2006

2006-03-29T02:00:00.000+02:00

MAY 27-29 . Detroit USA
DETROIT ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL

"City of Detroit and PAXAHAU shake hands,DEMF will go on."

ELP Laser Turntable: Plays Vinyl Records...

2006-03-29T01:03:00.000+02:00

ELP Laser Turntable: Plays Vinyl Records without a Needle
Imagine playing your records with the sound quality of the original recordingsound, but with all the features of a modern CD player. After $20 Million of development costs, the LT-2XRC Laser Turntable plays LPs, singles and 78s to audiophile quality with remote control and CD features such as track selection, pause fast forward and rewind. With no physical contact with the record, the Laser turntable offers zero record wear, no rumble or background noise of any kind, no cartridge induced resonances or frequency response anomalies, perfect channel separation, zero tracking errors, no inner groove distortion and no skating or jumping. User adjustable laser-reading height allows the laser to read the grooves of old records, at a height where the stylus has caused least wear. By scanning below the surface, scratches are inaudible and even broken records can be played, if you need to transcribe those old 78s! Remarkably despite using laser technology, the Laser Turntable retains the purity of being an analogue device and outputs a MM level Phono signal, with a frequency response of 10 Hz- 25 kHz.

Label of the month: Logistic Records

2006-03-24T01:11:00.000+01:00

Logistic Records is an electronic music label based in France. In ten years, Logistic has developed many projects and collaborations to constitute an over seventy references discography.The creation of the label in 1995 in Montpellier by Alexandre Petit and Éric Dalbin was the answer to their hunger for techno music which reflects their principal influences: hip-hop, jazz and funk. Since, the groove is at the center of every Logistic release. Supporting quality over quantity, the artistic direction of the label rests on solid bonds with its artists. Then the meeting with John Thomas, a young French musician and African rhythms, was the beginning of a collaboration that lasts since the birth of the label and generated twenty-three record releases. Americans Robert Hood and Daniel Bell are other good representatives of the label. From another collaboration, with Jean-Guillaume Cabanne, was born in 1999 the Telegraph division. Always impregnated of funk and dance-floor oriented, the Telegraph productions are dissociated by a more daring experimentation on sounds and rhythms.

London Calling 2006

2006-03-17T13:40:00.000+01:00

29-30th June 2006, Earis Court, London

London Calling 2006 website describes the upcoming London Calling 2006 conference as “the platform for every industry professional serious about their music and their business, keen to learn about tomorrow’s music economy and to do business with cutting-edge businesses in the music market place.”
London Calling will offer a “challenging two-day programme of interactive panels, workshops and presentations featuring key decision makers, pioneers and entrepreneurs (not just the usual suspects) from the worlds of traditional music business, mobile, music retail, marketing and new technology to develop a fresh perspective on the business and the their view of the future.” via Music Dish

Video: Richie Hawtin interview

2006-03-09T23:59:00.000+01:00

If you want to see the Richie's interview, go to the great Motown Elevator ...

Jeff Mills : Blue Potential

2006-03-06T00:06:00.000+01:00

Jeff Mills produced ‘Blue Potential’. A DVD of the concert featuring Jeff Mills and the National Orchestra of Montpellier at Pont Du Gard in France during summer 2005 (we wrote about it, here). Release date is set to be June 27th.

Tracklisting DVD:

1 Opening
2 Imagine
3 Man from Tomorrow
4 The March
5 Time Machine
6 Eclipse
7 Entrance to Metropolis
8 Keaton’s Theme
9 Daylight
10 The Bells
11 Gamma Player
12 4 Art
13 Medium C
14 Amazon
15 See this Way
16 Sonic Destroyer

All video clips are already available on www.uncivilizedworld.com

via ENergylog.

Artist of the month: Rolando

2006-03-01T13:03:00.000+01:00

Born in the 1970's in southwest Detroit, DJ Rolando, real name Ray Rocha grew up in the Hispanic district heavily influenced by his cultural latin rhythms and percussion. Encouraged from an early age by his musician father, he pursued his own interest in music and became well known and respected within the community.
After, through "The Wizard" Jeff Mills, he discovered the techno sounds and he was introduced to "Mad" Mike Banks. So Rolando a.k.a. Aztec Mystic promptly became a member of the Underground Resistance crew. Soon his first opportunity came to cross the Atlantic and his speedy proficiency on the turntables wowed audiences worldwide earning him respect and notoriety within the industry as a whole. 'Knights of The Jaguar' although not Rolando's first release on UR turned perceptions of techno on their head, breaking into other genres of dance music and becoming a classic.
With Gerald Mitchell, he created the label 'Los Hermanos' ('The Brothers' in Spanish), too. But, as of January 2005, Rolando left both Underground Resistance and the Los Hermanos project taking his own direction working solo.
Now, he is to release a double mix compilation that will be out in late April on NRK. The title ‘From There To Here And Now’, means that Rolando has crafted a collection of old and contemporary electronic classics.

Label of the month : Perlon

2006-02-20T21:25:00.000+01:00

Perlon label run by Zip and Markus Nikolai. Founded in Frankfurt, now based in Berlin.
Since a few years, Perlon is one of the first underground germans labels which created and developed a unique sound and minimal style with its fabulous artists like Ricardo Villalobos, Pantytec, Dimbiman, Dandy Jack, Akufen, etc...
Perlon sound influenced many artists and labels.

Axis hosted by Lost.

2006-02-20T03:00:00.000+01:00

Saturday 25th February 2006@ The Bridge, Weston St . SE1 [10pm - 6am]
LOST In association with AXIS RECORDS present 10 Years of 'The Bells'

featuring.
JEFF MILLS (axis, u.s. exclusive uk date)
JUAN ATKINS (metroplex, detroit, exclusive uk date)
STEVE BICKNELL (lost, uk)
KIM BILIR

you can buy tickets online now - Here
ticket rservations - Here
further info/ticket outlets: 020 7791 0402 - mail to: mlost@lost.co.uk

Winter Music Conference - WMC 2006

2006-02-15T01:38:00.000+01:00

March 24-28, 2006
Wyndham Resort, Miami Beach, Florida

Winter Music Conference, in its 21st year, is regarded as one of the most publicized networking events in the dance music industry, attracting top international artists and DJs from different countries. Every aspect of the industry is represented including the top technological innovators, artists, DJs, producers, radio and video programmers, retailers, distributors, audio manufacturers and many more.
The leading products, sounds and services from all over the globe are showcased at the WMC marketplace. See the latest innovations and breakthroughs in technology. In the WMC Exhibit Hall, you may also discover distributors, record labels, instruments, DJ hardware, sound equipment, music publications, internet and software technology, apparel, CD duplicators and much more.

Artists of the month: AUX 88

2006-02-11T00:40:00.000+01:00

Since forming in 1993, Detroit-based electro-techno group AUX 88 have spearheaded a '90s-style rewrite of the breakbeat electro-funk of the early Motor City sound. Often referred to as techno bass, the style integrates elements of early Detroit and New York electro, Miami-born bass music, and the dark, gritty analog edge of Detroit techno, AUX's releases (mostly through the similarly styled Direct Beat label) are typically uptempo, bass-heavy party rockers in line with Detroit classics such as "Cosmic Cars," "Party Race," and "Play It Cool," but with a dark edge similar to "Clear" and "Technicolor." Responding to the wholesale export of the music following its popularity in Europe in the mid- to late-'80s, AUX see themselves filling the cultural gap left by the mainstream absorption of the first few generations of Detroit techno. Rather than simply carry a hometown techno torch, however, AUX have returned to the roots of the music in the electronic breakbeat, and, along with artists like Will Web, Mike Banks, and Drexciya, have found themselves on the front lines of a full-on electro revival.
For last news, Tommy Hamilton (Tom Tom) and Keith Tucker (aka DJ K-1) have recombined their AUX minds to reform and create their latest 13 track LP entitled AUX 88.

Shameless self promotion part III

2006-02-07T20:05:00.000+01:00

Some pictures of the Sübaka's live-act at Rex club.

As you can see, it was a great party with two excellent Djs sets from John Thomas & Steve Bicknell.

Thanks to Tanya, Fabrice, Etienne and Jeff...

New MIDI controller : Codanova VMX

2006-02-07T13:26:00.000+01:00

Codanova releases the VMX : a new MIDI controller with heavy built housing and high quality pots, faders and switches.

VMX features :
Works as a stand alone and self powered USB MIDI device.
59 fully assignable controllers.
5 general shortcuts + 4 presets and snapshot.
2 jogs and easy access switches for infinite control.
6 channels with 60 mm soft touch faders.
Crossfader for easy mixing

VMX is fully compatible with any MIDI or MP3 mixing software (Windows XP and MAC OS X) : Cubase, Reason, FL Studio, Storm, Live, Cakewalk, Sonar, MixVibes, Atomix, virtual DJ...

Shameless self promotion part II

2006-01-31T19:54:00.000+01:00

This friday I'll make a live-act with my friend David Smyle (under the name of Sübaka).

We are very excited about that, as the gig will be in the great Rex club in Paris.
This club became famous thank to Laurent Garnier in the 90's, and since all the best international Deejays have played there.
Useless to mention that its sound system is the best i've ever heard...

John Thomas will make the warm-up and Steve Bicknell will burn the floor !!!

More infos here : www.module-records.com

Label of the month : Technorient

2006-01-30T02:25:00.000+01:00

Technorient is an independent record company established by Technasia (Charles Siegling & Amil Khan) in December 1996. It is the first record company based in Hong Kong focusing on the production of undergound electronic dance music. Presently, Technasia is working on joint projects with artists from different cultures and nationalities (John Thomas, Joris Voorn, Paul Mac, Kelli Hand, Dj Nasty, Ryoh Mitomi, Renato Cohen, John Tejada, Steve Rachmad, Dj Godfather, Fabrice Lig, Double X, Sübaka, etc...)and endeavours to do so into the future. Being a South East Asian based record label, it is also on a continuous search for artists in the region to join forces with in pushing the undergound electronic dance sound within Asia. At the same time Technasia aims to bring to the rest of the world the creativity and talents of Asia's artists.

Sublabels: Technasia, Sino, Star Tracks, Minimaxima, Ethique, Green, Static Drum, Bassball, The Steppin' Show, Module Records.

Korg padKontrol : Perfect Live companion ?

2006-01-26T22:46:00.000+01:00

The Korg padKONTROL is actually the perfect Live companion with :

16 velocity-sensitive trigger pads (wich illuminate as they are played !!!).
An X-Y touch pad based on Korg's KAOSS Pad technology.
Two knobs freely assignable to Midi CC.
An assignable pedal jack.

the Korg padKONTROL can be powered using USB bus power or an optional 9-Volt adapter.

So you can resell now your Akai MPD16 or M-audio Trigger finger for sure...

The Korg padKONTROL is available February 2006 with a U.S. MSRP of $299.

Big marketing mistake !!!

2006-01-26T22:36:00.000+01:00

You know the M-audio Trigger finger : A controller with 16 sensitive pads devoted to live and rithmic play.

But in medicine a trigger finger is "a common problem that causes pain and catching. Tendons that help bend the fingers and thumb slide through a snug tunnel. Irritation as the tendons slip into the tunnel can cause the opening of the tunnel to become smaller, or the tendon to thicken so that it can't easily pass through the tunnel. As you try to straighten the finger, the tendon becomes momentarily stuck at the mouth of the tunnel then pops as the tendon slips past the tight area. This can cause pain and catching as you try to move the finger."

Very annoying for a drummer....and for a marketing director.

Presonus FaderPort : DAW interface for E.T.

2006-01-25T20:49:00.000+01:00

If you have only one finger this one is for you...

the Presonus is a desktop USB/MIDI controller for DAW.
It gets a unique motorized fader to control the DAW and classic transport buttons.
A footswitch jack is also included for hands-free punch in/out during recording.

The FaderPort works with any Mac or Windows based recording software including Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, SONAR, Digital Performer and more.

PreSonus FaderPort Features:

Mouse-free music production
Complete recording transport control
Smooth, long throw motorized fader
Write single channel or group channel automation
Pan control, mute, solo, record enable
Quick window selection (edit, mix, transport)
Footswitch jack for hands free punch in/out
Compatible with Mac and Windows DAW

Line6 ToneCore Modules : Recasing dream

2006-01-24T19:38:00.000+01:00

Line 6 announced today the availability of ToneCore® effect modules and ToneDock mono and stereo stompboxes. Users now have the ability to swap out the module inside a ToneCore pedal with any module from the entire line including Uber Metal™, Echo Park™, Crunchtone™, Space Chorus™, Tap Tremolo™, Constrictor™, Dr. Distorto™, Verbzilla™, Liqua Flange™, Roto-Machine™, and Otto Filter™.

But you can also built a custom case (with wooden end panels of course) and put the modules inside...WOW

Minod Vorga : Little analogue synth

2006-01-24T11:56:00.000+01:00

Minod is a Sweden based company who is proposing the Vorga, a small analogue synth with :

one DCO with analog waveshaper,
one VCF Band Pass 12dB or Low Pass 24dB,
one LFO,
one ADSR,
a small 8 steps sequencer, Accent, Glide,
an assignable X-Y joystick for live inspiration,
and Midi in&out

The MINOD® VORGA filter is supposed to be the backbone of its original sound. It has two modes set by a switch: 24dB Low pass (4-pole) or 12dB Band pass (2x2-pole) with variable width, where both ends are 2-pole or 12dB/oct. The cutoff frequency and bandwidth can be varied independently. What makes the filter unique is the two resonance peaks, one on each side of the band pass filter. This creates timbres not available on traditional analog synths. The drive control helps too.
The filter has six parameters: cutoff, offset, resonance (dubbed Q in the schematic), drive, velocity, and envelope. The first controls the center frequency of the filter. The second controls the bandwidth. resonance sets the resonant response on both peaks. The drive controls the power driven into the filter and can give distortion effects. Velocity controls the MIDI velocity influence on the cutoff. Finally, envelope controls the amount of envelope influence on the cutoff frequencies.

The built in sequencer works like an analog sequencer.
The sequence can be transposed by an external MIDI keyboard, the internal keys or using the joystick.

The VORGA can store sixteen sound patches and sixteen sequence patterns. It also supports SYSEX messages to upload or download patches and sequences. The VORGA has nine knobs and four switches.All controls sends MIDI messages, so the MINOD® VORGA can be used as a MIDI controller as well.
The firmware can also be upgraded via MIDI as bug fixes and new features comes along.

Dimensions are 26x14x8 cm (w/d/h).

Pricing : 640€ plus shipping. DC adaptor not included.

Shameless self promotion part I

2006-01-24T11:10:00.000+01:00

Some news about our label :

Module-records is now proudly distributed throught Technorient music :)

Technorient is the home of the great Technasia project (Amil Khan & Charles Siegling) and distibutor of Sino, Static Drum, Green (Joris Voorn), Ethique (John Thomas), Star Tracks, The Steppin' Show, Bassball, and Minimaxima labels.

More news to come...

New firmware for AKAI MPC1000

2006-01-24T10:26:00.000+01:00

A largely updated firmware version of the MPC1000 is NOW AVAILABLE with major improvement :

Added Chop Shop (slice samples and create patched phrases )
Added the ability to Timestretch, Pitch Shift
Added the ability to Reverse samples
Added a new Delay effect
Adding Tempo Sync to the 'Flying Pan' and 'Tremolo' effect
Real-time modulation with Q-Link
Added Input thru
Added support for an optional Hard Drive
Added LFOs
Added Mixer automation
Added ability to audition samples directly from CF and HD
Added .SND file support

Download the AKAI MPC1000 firmware v2

Artist of the month:Juan Atkins

2006-01-23T01:45:00.000+01:00

Born 12 September 1962, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Juan Atkins attended Belleville High School until 1980, where he met Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, his future compatriots in the revolutionising of techno. He acquired his love of dance music listening to the various mix shows on the radio, and in particular those of the Detroit DJ The Electrifyin' Mojo. Inspired by the emergence of synthesizer technology, Atkins first came to prominence in the early 80s with Cybotron, an electro outfit he formed with Rick Davis. The duo achieved some success, most notably with the 1982 track "Clear", which established the basic sound of what would later be termed techno. Branching out from Cybotron, Atkins concentrated on Deep Space Soundworks, a music collective he had formed with May and Saunderson in 1981. The three men also founded Detroit's Music Institute, which quickly became the focal point for the city's underground club movement. From 1985 Atkins started working solo as Model 500, releasing polished, minimalist, hi-tech gems such as "No UFO's", "The Chase" and "Night Drive" on his own Metroplex label (home to the first releases by many of the Detroit stars), which were pivotal in the development of techno (most of these were later reissued on Belgian label R&S Records' Classics compilation).
Juan Atkins' reputation took off in the late 80s, when the new Detroit dance movement reached the shores of Europe, and was frequently invited to remix tracks for artists as diverse as Inner City, Coldcut, Fine Young Cannibals, Seal and the Style Council. During the exploitative early 90s Juan remained justifiably aloof, with his own artistic output somewhat limited, although during this period he continued to work in conjunction with Mike Banks and Underground Resistance, helping to produce such classics as Underground Resistance's Galaxy 2 Galaxy and the excellent Red Planet series of releases. In 1992, he reopened his Metroplex label, and when Model 500 signed to R&S, releases such as Classics and the brilliant EP Sonic Sunset received the attention they deserved. With the album Deep Space, Juan Atkins treated a new generation of dance enthusiasts to his typically highly crafted compositions. A second compilation of his early 90s, Metroplex-based work under the name Infiniti was released by the German label Tresor Records. Although at times sounding formulaic, the compilation did include "Game One' (produced with Orlando Voorn), one of Atkins" most memorable records, capturing his classically minimal yet warm style. In a prolific period between 1998 and 1999, he recorded new Infiniti and Model 500 albums and the US label Wax Trax! released a mix album. His last news is a nomination for a Grammy as a writer in part for the song "Lose Control" by Missy Elliot (with a sample from "Clear"). Here, some infos about that.

Edirol R-09 : New portable Wav & Mp3 recorder

2006-01-22T16:10:00.000+01:00

The new Edirol R-09 is building on the success of the R-1.
It takes many of the most desired features — 24-bit uncompressed recording and a built-in stereo mic — and shrinks it all down into a more streamlined, stylish, and affordable package.

Capture source material at a crystal-clean 24-bit resolution with your choice of 44.1 or 48kHz sample rates. You can record and play back in MP3 format as well (up to 320kbps). Once recorded, your files can be monitored through the R-09’s headphone jack and/or exported to a computer via USB.

-24-bit/48kHz (or 44.1kHz) uncompressed recording
-Up to 320kbps MP3 playback and recording
-Records to SD card (64MB card included)
-High-grade stereo condenser microphone built in
-Mic and Line audio inputs; USB I/O
-Easy operation, user-friendly graphic display
-Ultra portable, half the size of the R-1
-Long battery life

Olympic Winter Games by Richie Hawtin

2006-01-21T01:53:00.000+01:00

Richie Hawtin has been asked to soundtrack the opening ceremony of the XXth Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. The uber-boffin collaborated with renowned Italian choreographer Enzo Cosimi, and has created a new composition entitled 9:20, to accompany dancers, acrobats, and performers. Hawtin and Cosimi worked together in the techno DJ’s Berlin studio to create an ‘evolving soundscape of sounds and effects to accompany the different movements of Cosimi’s piece’. Hawtin said: “Enzo and I are very much interested in pushing boundaries, both as artists and for our audiences. “Working together for the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Games delivers the creative endeavor to not only entertain a huge audience, but to also introduce them to sights and sounds that they may have never experienced before." The theme of the opening ceremony is rhythm, passion, and speed, something that Hawtin pushes in his conceptual DJ sets.

Juan Atkins has been nominated for a Grammy !

2006-01-16T12:53:00.000+01:00

[Saw on Detroit Techno Militia, 313TM, and Underground Resistance website,.......]

The top techno producer Juan Atkins has been nominated for a Grammy as a writer in part for the song "Lose Control" by Missy Elliot (you can see the video here : http://www.missy-elliott.com/).

The track is built around a sample from Juan Atkins’ classic 1982 electro track "Clear". Recorded by Atkins and Rick Davis as Cybotron, this track is often considered the first proto-techno track.

More about Juan and Detroit techno here, here and here.

A support message from Mad Mike :

Troops your services are required. Juan Atkins has been nominated as a writer as part of the song "Losing Control" by: Missy Elliot. Tell everybody you know that owes they're ass to Juan Atkins to vote for Missy Elliot's "Losing Control" for best rap single. Lets show these motherfuckaz the power of what they cannot see.........................

Mad Mike 040....................UR

MESI Mini Monster Modular system

2006-01-14T15:00:00.000+01:00

The French dealer MESI sells now four mini monster modular systems.

A very clever idea : Little ready-made modular synths in case from Doepfer, Analogue solutions and Analogue systems.

Most of them have the typical 1VCO-1VCA-1VCF modules.

But the Analogue Systems tiny EMS with RS-95 VCO, RS-510e Synthi trapezoid generator and RS-500e Synthi filter seems exciting.

Prices : 450 to 590€ VAT included

JoMoX Xbase 999 previews

2006-01-14T14:50:00.000+01:00

Some news about the forthcoming JoMoX Xbase 999

Gizmodo Gallery: Mogens Jacobsen

2006-01-14T14:33:00.000+01:00

A very strange but interesting gallery to see here.

Mogens Jacobsen is an independent artist and co-founder of the non-profit Artnode Foundation in Denmark.

I like a lot the “Crime Scene: Installation for 2 Computers” wich examines the legalities of file sharing over the Internet...

[Via Gizmodo ]

Tinitool Outi : Live audio loop player

2006-01-07T22:04:00.000+01:00

TINYTOOL OUTI is a "Fisher price" designed live audio loops player. It allows you to record and loop audio, to use VST plug-ins, has a tempo-sync cut-up function.
OUTI is a freeware.

JH-3200 Polykorg clone

2006-01-07T21:57:00.000+01:00

[Via Dr Drak Bazaar ]

Vintage Vocoder : Free plugin

2006-01-07T21:52:00.000+01:00

Vintage Vocoder v1.02 build3 for Windows 98/2000/ME/XP

"Want to make awesome robotic sounds like Daft-Punk, Kraftwerk, Vangellis, or Sparky the Magic Piano? "

This software is now Open Source.

360 systems : Spectre guitar synthesizer

2006-01-07T21:43:00.000+01:00

Anyone have some info about this ?

Sequential Circuits Sequencer

2006-01-07T21:35:00.000+01:00

Nothing else than a step sequencer from Sequential circuit.
It's funny that more software sequencers are efficient more I like this old and intuitive devices...
Am I the one and only one ?

Saw here : Old Tech Vintage Synth Site

Hawtin Wants Multi-Touch Screen

2006-01-03T03:39:00.000+01:00

Techno don Richie Hawtin reveals what he thinks is the future of digital DJing . He has made known that he’s currently looking into touch-screen interface technology so that he can control software program Ableton Live more efficiently.

Touch-screen technology may be the perfect interface for digital DJing

“The biggest problem we are all faced with as artists is finding interesting and creative ways to interface with all the technology and software that’s presented to us,” says Hawtin.

In particular, he has been talking to Parisian company Jazz Mutant regarding their new multi-touch Lemur product.

Self-confessed tech head Richie said:

“I’m looking at having it talk to Ableton so I can have further control,”

“Touch-screen has always been mono-touch, where you can only touch one place on a screen at any one time, but with the Lemur you can multi-touch so you can map a number of different parameters."

“The thing that holds us back these days is not ideas or inspiration."

“The software is there also, and the hardware."

“We just need ways of connecting things together more efficiently.”

[via DJ mag.]

Happy new year !!!

2006-01-01T19:16:00.000+01:00

We wish a happy new year to everybody who believe that we're now in 2006...
Anyway we thank a lot all our friends for their support.
Don't forget to come back soon because a lot of exciting news for the label are coming.

mTUNE-N - Cordless Stereo Headset for iPod nano

2005-12-23T12:54:00.001+01:00

If you're an owner of an iPod nano, then you have to check out the new upcoming Macally mTUNE-N cordless stereo headset designed exclusively for the Apple iPod nano. You simply plug the nano into a specially designed slot on the side of the headset and you're good to go.
With the mTUNE-N, you can carry the nano anywhere you go without worrying about wires to a headset. The headset themselves employ a collaspable design for easy storage. There's also a 3.5 mm jack for use on a computer, portable CD player, or any other music device.
More technical infos: here / Price:50$

Looperlative LP1 : New hardware looping tool

2005-12-16T19:50:00.000+01:00

Looperlative Audio Products releases a new lopping device : the Looperlative LP1

Some words from the manufacturer : "Equipped with a fast DSP and 128MB of memory, the Looperlative LP1 offers up to 20 minutes of mono audio recording or up to 10 minutes of stereo audio recording. With 8 individually controllable stereo tracks per loop, you have the flexibility to add and remove layers as you wish. Additional auxiliary stereo outputs allow you send only the tracks you choose to your effects units.

To go beyond traditional boundaries, the Looperlative LP1 is network enabled. Imagine saving and restoring your favorite compositions to your computer or network hard drive. As features are added to the LP1 software, easy upgrades can be installed through the network port. This is an effects box for now and for the future. The network port offers many possibilities including streaming digital audio and multi-unit synchronization.

Looperlative is committed to offering what looping musicians need. The LP1 hardware has been designed to be flexible and to be able to provide the features that musicians need both now and in the future. "

An alternative to the discontinued but great Electrix Repeater.
(I know that Electrix has announced a Mk2 version, but it seems to be delayed...)

Laptop become a true musical instrument

2005-12-16T19:36:00.000+01:00

Nowadays when you come to a techno live-act, you often see one nerd behind a laptop...

So laptop become a true musical instrument....but this guy plays it as a accordion...funny...

New blog for Vinyl junkies

2005-12-10T14:53:00.000+01:00

Cyprien Rose from Houz-Motik launches a new blog dedicated to rare vinyl records !!
The post about this Cybotron release is quite interesting...

Label of the month : Basic Channel

2005-12-08T23:34:00.000+01:00

Fonded by Moritz Von Oswald & Mark Ernestus (aka: Cyrus, Maurizio, Phylyps, Quadrant, Rhythm & Sound, Round Five, Round Four, Round One, Round Three, Round Two), Basic Channel (and its many sublabels:Basic Replay, Burial Mix, Chain Reaction, Main Street Records, M Series, Rhythm & Sound, Wackies) is just the legendary Techno-Dub label from Berlin...!

Hardware controllers for digital deejaying roundup

2005-12-04T19:29:00.000+01:00

A little roundup of hardware controllers for digital Deejaying....

If you have some experience with one of this : Fell free to leave a comment !

Evolution X-session (110 Euro without VAT)

Usb and Midi controller with 16 knobs and a mean cross fader.
No jogwheel, No audio interface.

+ : Usb, a x-fader, memories, cheap.
- : Ugly, fader is at the top of the unit, only one cheap x-fader .

Faderbox (154,31 Euro without VAT)

3 different models with buttons, knobs, faders.
No jogwheel, no audio interface.

+ : Sexy, tiny, versatile.
- : tiny, sold out...(new modules available soon).

Grex Ultra Dynamics MXF8

Midi controller with X-fader and extensive rithmic features.
No jogwheel, no audio interface.

+ : Sexy!! , Ratio mode.
- : Discontinued...

Mixman DM2 (79.95 USD)

Works with its dedicated software (or standalone with the DM2 to MIDI freeware).
Two scratch wheels, buttons, joystick, x-fader.
No audio interface.

+ : Cheap and cheaper on the bay (30 USD), a lot of controls.
- : Nothing at all for the price !

DJ Console MK2 and Mp3 (240 USD and 130 USD)

Comes in two versions : with and without audio interface.
improved jogwheels, lot of controls.

+ : Very complete package.
- : Still a toy with poor scratch capabilities.

Behringer B-CONTROL DEEJAY BCD2000 (220 USD)

The Low-cost company answer. Audio interface, jogwheels....

+ : Cheap and complete
- : Behringer quality

EKS XP10 (300 USD)

A single deck controller with one scratch/cue wheel, transport buttons and Fader.
high quality audio Usb interface.

+ : Semi pro scratch/cue wheel, a nice fader, audio interface.
- : You need at least two units.

Kontrol:Dj (340 Euro with VAT)

Very complete dual controller with Midi and Usb IO but no audio.

+ : ALPS encoders, lot of knobs, good replacable x-fader, looks pro, dual deck
- : Jog wheels with no ring or touch plate (unlike xp10)

Waveidea Bitstream 3x (460 €)

Pro Midi and Usb controller, with lot of controllers.
No audio.

+ : Metallic case, endless encoders, XYZ joystick, x-fader, transport buttons.
- : No jog-wheels at all, more suitable for producer than Dj.

PCDJ DAC-3 (525 USD)

Dual deck media controller. No audio interface.

+ : Pro device.
- : Expensive, not suitable for digital turnablism.

e-mix mp1200 (840.00 CHF excl. VAT)

All in -one digital mixing solution with audio interface and software.

+ : All in one.
- : Can't be use with an other software (AFAIK).

Allen & Heath Xone:3D (2 700 USD)

All ine one solution : high performance DJ mixer, a top spec multi-channel USB soundcard (8 channels !), a comprehensive MIDI control surface...

+ : See above...
- : Jogwheels seem mean...The price !

Mawzer

MIDI controller allowing an infinite customizable combination of controls.

+ : Customizable.
- : No audio.

CTRL LIVE

Top Dj and producer Richie Hawtin has designed and built an entirely custom MIDI controller incorporating the features and power of 5 MIDI devices into one. This unit, the CTRL LIVE, will give Hawtin full real-time control over 128 parameters of audio, video, lighting, and effects simultaneously.

+ : Guess what.
- : Guess what.

JazzMutant Lemur (2190,00 EUR VAT incl.)

Multitouch control surface.

+ : You can design what you want.
- : Require extensive programing knowledge, expensive.

Artist of the month: Carl Craig

2005-12-01T18:11:00.000+01:00

Owner of the brilliant Planet E label, probably the most important name in the Detroit 2nd generation of djs and producers, following the futuristic lead of originators Derrick May and Juan Atkins. He began recording at the turn of the 90's, and produced a number of successful albums, using a number of aliases to release innovative ambient, techno, breakbeat and future jazz sounds. One such alias, Innerzone Orchestra, issued "Bug in a Bassbin" in 1992, the track largely responsible for moving drum 'n' bass away from the sounds of hardcore and ragga. Under the alias of Paperclip People has released his most danceable works like "Throw", and he has remixed for and collaborated with numerous artists such as The Orb, Dave Angel, Yello, Depeche Mode, Scan7, System 7, Bandulu, A Guy Called Gerald, Laurent Garnier, etc...
His new release is "Carl Craig The Album Formerly Known As..."

A triple pack vinyl pressed on the classics label accompanying with a gate fold Planet E album art jacket. True master of Detroit techno steps up again and shows us his old skool techno side, which made him so popular in the first place. Though this album has been released before as ''Landcruising'' some ten years ago, it has been completely remastered and reworked. It also features a new track ''Sparkle'' as well as new ambient versions of ''Teknology'' and ''Home Entertainment''. This music is timeless anyway and there's plenty of people who missed out on this first time around. An essential piece of Detroit music.
You can find the Cd release,too, on the label Rush Hour Recordings.

-The Track Listing:
1. Technology
2. They Were
3. Mind Of A Machine
4. Science Fiction
5. One Day Soon
6. Landcruising
7. Einbahn
8. Home Entertainment
9. Sparkle 10. A Wonderful Life
11. Technoloambient (Max Dub)
12. Home Entertainment (Caya Dub)

Cocoon club

2005-11-30T23:06:00.000+01:00

Created, in Frankfurt, by the famous german deejay Sven Väth, it's probably one of the most beautiful clubs of the world...with many guest deejays and residents like Miss Kittin, Ricardo Villalobos, and of course Sven Svath himself!!!
contact: info@cocoonclub.net

The Origins of Detroit Techno and Chicago House

2005-11-29T16:47:00.000+01:00

The Origins of Detroit Techno and Chicago House
Story by Heiko Hoffmann

"Twenty years ago, two groups of young, mostly black Midwesterners-- influenced in parts by disco, Philly Soul, and European synth-pop-- simultaneously created the two major movements in modern dance music, house and techno. We celebrate those minimal, primitive early pangs of mechanized dance by speaking to Detroit techno pioneers Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Eddie 'Flashin' Fowlkes, Blake Baxter, and Mike Grant, as well as Chicago House-DJ Tyree Cooper about the connections between the house and the techno and house capitols."

Old and rare House and hip-hop parties flyers

2005-11-27T20:18:00.000+01:00

House : http://deephousepage.com/flyers.php

Hip-hop : http://toledohiphop.org/images/old_school_source_code/

Dancetracks Digital : Online digital music store

2005-11-27T20:10:00.000+01:00

Dancetracks Digital is an online digital music shop....Let's give it a look.
the charts page is a good idea...

Sherman Productions : Quadfilter picture

2005-11-25T13:50:00.000+01:00

Limited Edition only 95 pcs made, all sold out.....

"4 Sherman Filterbanks in 1 box, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. The numbers also apply to the MIDI channel at which the 4 filterbanks are programmed. E.g. filterbank 1 has MIDI channel 1, filterbank 2 has MIDI channel 2 etc...

The 4 filterbanks have a separate input (i.e. you can plug in 4 different sound sources into the 4 different filterbanks, so actually it's some kind of weird mixing desk), or you can link them all together (i.e. when 1 input is used, you can process the source through all 4 filterbanks, and then you may have a filter slope of 96dB...)"

WARNING / ALERT : STOLEN QMF, SERIAL NUMBER 34

Intuitive instruments for improvisers

2005-11-25T13:45:00.000+01:00

Intuitive instruments for improvisers : Very nice site with a lot informations about tonespace and alternative instruments.

If you think music is only ABCDEFG and playable with a piano, chek this and open your mind...

Detroit Techno News : UR is back !!

2005-11-25T13:14:00.000+01:00

Via the 313 TM blog : UR is back !!

New design for the Underground Resistance web site...

Notes from the Frontlines :

"This site is under construction. It will always be under construction. If that concept is too hard to grasp, you might want to leave now. As much as we may want definition, something solid and unchanging, that is not reality. Who we are right now is different from who we were yesterday, whether we like it or not. It’s the nature of the universe. Underground Resistance is no exception. It’s no secret that Underground Resistance has gone through a number of changes throughout the years, some coming from inside forces and others from outside forces, but sounds, rhythms, melodies and techniques change because, as human beings, we change and the music you’ve heard reflects that. The future will remain consistent in that there will be more change. This site, if we do our jobs, will be a reflection of that as well."

Are musical software satanic creation ?

2005-11-23T11:34:00.000+01:00

Live from Ableton and Redrum from propellerhead.
Backward : Evil and Murder.....

Maestro

2005-11-22T11:28:00.000+01:00

The Documentary Movie by Josell Ramos

MAESTRO is a feature film documentary, 4 years in the making. It tells the story of how a group of people found refuge and a call for life outside the mainstream. What evolved was a scene that set the groundwork for what was to come in dance music culture worldwide, a rare insight into the secret world of the underground. It’s a film for the world to witness.
MAESTRO takes you into the world of Larry Levan, Paradise Garage; David Mancuso, The Loft, as they formed the center piece within the underground culture as it evolved into dance music of today.
This culture transcended musical genres and created magical, lasting moments, not only in clubs but also within the spiritual terrain of our hearts and psyches. These modern day maestros provided environments where our spirits, creativity, passion and diversity both thrived and flourished. They were so significant that without them, dance music today would be drastically different-worldwide.
Opting for a more personal and candid approach, MAESTRO shows the true history of its individuals. Tracing the underground's dance origin, MAESTRO brings out a true, candid and tragic understanding of this intense lifestyle, and the lives they lived and died for. It is far from mere nostalgia, this film is like the music and experiences it chronicles.
Avalaible now on DVD & the B.O on CD.More infos here

Free VST synths : MiniMogueVA and Arppe2600va

2005-11-20T23:58:00.000+01:00

AudioMastermind points me to this two great free VST synths.
More free vst in the huge Audiomastermind free VST database.

Parallel Port SID6581 Synthesizer Chip Interface

2005-11-20T23:54:00.000+01:00

The 8 data lines of the PC parallel port are connected directly to the data port of the SID.

Sycologic AMI : CV-Gate to Midi Converter

2005-11-20T23:50:00.000+01:00

The Sycologic AMI is an 8 channel CV-Gate to Midi Converter!
And a CLOCK to Midi Clock translation.
Plus there are 8 Controls Inputs that can be mapped to some Midi CC Parameters.
It's very difficult to find a device performing this operation, some doepfer modules do that...
The best way to run your old CV sequencer with MIDI gear.

Nagra ARES-M : Another audio portable recorder

2005-11-14T10:53:00.000+01:00

The portable audio recorder market is on fire, this new device is not the sexiest but it's a Nagra product !!
Nagra is a swiss company founded by Stefan Kudelski, builders of the highest level professional recording equipment available.
History : The Nagra I portable tape recorder with wind-up motor was released in 1951 and used by the Everest explorer Raymond Lambert and by the deep-sea bathyscaph Trieste.

Selected technical specifications :

Internal 1 GB memory

(.wav) or (.MP2) recording
Wav : 20 Bit A/D & D/A conversion at 8 to 48 kHz PCM
Mp2 : Digital compression at 64 to 384 kb/s

Miniature Jack microphone iput
Miniature Jack line iput

Jack 3.5 mm stereo line otput
Headphone output

2 x “AA” cells with a 10 hours atonomy

125 x 53 x 22 mm (without external microphone) 200 g

Price : 1'200 CHF

New Boss Loop Station RC-50

2005-11-11T18:36:00.000+01:00

Boss will release this winter the new RC-50 Loop Station with new features for live looping on stage.

3 simultaneous stereo phrases.
99 patches.
Recording / playback / over dubbing capabilities.
24 minutes (stereo) / 49 minutes (mono).
XLR input
4 foot controllers inputs.
MIDI Synchro.
Export and import of wav files (16bit /44.1kHz, Stereo/Mono via USB)

Tresor Compilation Vol.13: It’s Not Over

2005-11-08T00:34:00.000+01:00

Tresor Records New Compilation
The legendary club closed its doors since April 2005. But the label continues its activity. This thirteenth compilation is a real tribute to the all stars who played in the Berliner temple of techno music.
Some names: Scan 7, Gary Martin or DJ T-1000 for Détroit, DJ Rush for Chicago, Joey Beltram for New York, Monika Kruse, Pacou, Steve Bicknell or The Advent for Europe...
Double CD placed under the sign of the 90's rave party's spirit. A very beautiful disc, which closes, with nostalgia, a great chapter of the electronic music. Many artists present on this release are on "Trésor It's not Over Tour"...

Underground Resistance & Laurent Garnier

2005-11-02T23:37:00.000+01:00

The UR French Tour

For the first time in 15 years, Underground Resistance & UWe present 2 lives exceptional in France: Los Hermanos and Galaxy 2 Galaxy, the two most prestigious groups of the legendary label. Not less than 8 artists, whose Mad Mike (keyboards) will occur for 3 single dates, and some of the most mythical titles of the culture techno will rejoueront... They will be accompanied by Laurent Garnier, their worthy defender and representing since nearly 20 years. Be there!
/// THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17 • MONTPELLIER • THE DAYTONA
/// FRIDAY NOVEMBER 18 • BORDEAUX • THE FATKAT
/// SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19 • PARIS • CABARET SAUVAGE
info: promouwe@uncivilizedworld.com

Artist of the month: Robert Hood

2005-11-02T13:47:00.000+01:00

Robert Hood makes minimal Detroit techno with an emphasis on soul and experimentation over flash and popularity. Having recorded for Metroplex as well as the Austrian Cheap label, the Germans Tresor and Hardwax, the English Peacefrog, the French label Logistic and Jeff Mills' Axis label, Hood also owns and operates the M-Plant imprint (including the two sublabels Drama and Duet), through which he's released the bulk of his solo material. Hood was a founding member, along with Jeff Mills and Mike Banks, of the Underground Resistance label, whose influential releases throughout the early and mid '90s helped change the face of modern Detroit techno and sparked a creative renaissance. Infusing elements of acid and industrial into a potent blend of Chicago house and Detroit techno, UR's aesthetic project and militant business philosophy were (and remain) singular commitments in underground techno. Hood left Detroit (and UR) with Jeff Mills in 1992, setting up shop in New York and recording a series of 12-inch EPs . Through the mid '90s, Hood has focused on his solo work, setting up M-Plant in 1994 and releasing singles such as "Internal Empire," "Music Data," and "Moveable Parts." Although his desire to remain underground has been replaced by an urge to reach a wider audience, Hood remains fiercely critical of artistic and economic movements destructive to inner-city communities and has combined his musical enterprises with outreach and social activist ends. His debut album “Wire to Wire“ took Hood's hypnotic minimalism to entirely new depths and territories, whilst his latest album 'Molecule' under the nickname “Monobox“ released on Logistic takes his productions onto new levels of musicality and sophistication within the world of electronic music.
AKA (solo): Floorplan, Hood Scientific, Inner Sanctum, Mathematic Assassins, Monobox, Robert Noise, The Vision / (in collaboration): H&M, Missing Channel, Underground Resistance, X-101, X-102

Label of the month: Palette Recordings

2005-10-31T13:08:00.000+01:00

Palette Recordings was started by John Tejada in the fall of 1996. Frustrated with a&r people at other labels, it was set up as an outlet to release his own work. Many years later it has become a symbol of quality for finest techno music lovers.

DE9 by Richie Hawtin : Explore the Z plane

2005-10-29T14:42:00.000+02:00

The new DE9 by Richie Hawtin is called "DE9: Transitions". It will be released on Oct. 31. Hawtin promises to explore the Z plane (depth of sound), in addition to exploration of the X and Y planes (time and amplitude).

[Via The Motown Elevator]

Fuse club - Brussels

2005-10-27T13:22:00.000+02:00

FUSE is the most interesting techno club of Belgium and has been so since its opening on April 16th 1994. It started off as a heaven for high quality techno with a reputation for bringing in the best and most precursor DJs on the scene (just look at the wall of fame to understand). If you go to the belgium's capital, you must go there:
Address :Rue Blaesstraat 2081000 Brussels (near Gare du Midi-Zuidstation)
Tel : + 32 2 511.97.89
Fax : + 32 2 512.89.67
E-mail: info@fuse.be

Do you Circuit-bend ?

2005-10-22T19:01:00.000+02:00

I am very embarrassed with circuit-bending :

As an electronic musician, I think that all bending instruments sound very bad and are not serious for making music, glitches and other ugly sounds hurt my ears and that the one and only interesting bending toy is so far the TI Speak&Spell (I own two).

But as a experimental musician I like so much the weird design of this amazing and tortured toys...

Here are two beautiful projects which I assume it's better to see than to listen to :)

Casio SK-1 Speak & Math Circuit Bent combo E-bay auction

TubbyBox: TinyFlaccid Po

Cool Indexing Rings for download

2005-10-21T11:41:00.000+02:00

Thomas Edward Green recently purchased a Moog Etherwave Standard theremin and have created some cool indexing rings for the knobs.

Of course you can use them for any synth or diy projects : a very clever and useful idea.

Download the indexing rings here

[Via Thereminworld]

Hercules Dj Control mp3

2005-10-18T20:02:00.000+02:00

Hercules launches the Dj control Mp3 :

"An intuitive and fast DJ mixing controller for use with PC, DJ Control MP3 allows users to make their own mixes at home in a flash, as well as personalize their music and host great parties just like a real DJ by creating their own playlists! "

Basically it's a Dj console without audio interface :

"Connected to a PC’s USB port, DJ Control MP3 and its bundled software, VirtualDJ 3 DJ Control Edition, control mixing on your computer. Compact and powered directly by the computer’s USB port, DJ Control MP3 can be used with either a desktop or laptop computer, to mix your music anywhere you like! DJ Control MP3 can also be used to control other mixing software via MIDI commands sent to the computer.An instrument designed with you in mind."

As on his sister you get two jog wheels, a cross fader slider and two volume sliders, eight EQ and pitch knobs and 28 action buttons.

DJ Control MP3 will be available at the end of October 2005, at a suggested retail price of €99.90, VAT included.

Novation ReMOTE SL Launched

2005-10-13T15:16:00.000+02:00

Remote keyboard with two large brightly-backlit 144-character LCD screens (which can display 16 parameter names and values simultaneously).
And X/Y Touchpad, joystick, a total of 56 assignable pots, encoders, sliders and buttons, the SL also offers highly responsive trigger pads.

New releases from Subject Detroit

2005-10-12T10:25:00.000+02:00

Dimitri Pike from 313 TM has posted some mp3 audio previews of the upcoming Subject Detroit releases, including tracks from Aaron Carl, Stephen Brown, and DJ Bone.

Subject Detroit is the DJ Bone's label.
You can listen to his weekly techno mix here : http://www.7mzdt.com/subjectdetroit/

Useless thing of the day : Octave Catstick

2005-10-11T20:20:00.000+02:00

It's useless, rare and expensive but black and sexy.
The Catstick is a powerful modulation controller that incorporated a joystick, two LFOs, and four VCAs.

Released in 1979, this silly unit completed the CAT family from Octave Electronics.

Ploytec 34one : MIDI clock tape-on tempo pedal

2005-10-11T19:52:00.000+02:00

The 34one (three-four-one) tap-on tempo pedal enables you to sync electronic equipment with MIDI clock in to what's going on.

For example syncing an effect, a drum-computer or a synth to a vinyl track become easy :

Listen to the beat.
Tap the pedal on '3'
Tap on '4'
On '1' 34one sends an additional MIDI Start.

Tap tempo range 30bpm - 300bpm
Solid housing for live performance
Extremly accurate due to a RISC CPU
Compatible to almost any MIDI keyboard or sequencer including software sequencers
Long 9V block battery life (>50 hours of operation, no energy consumption when switched off)

Click here to order