"Techno is dead, Long live Techno!" 101 with Alpha Channel

Where is the funk these days in techno?
Whatever happened to the sound revolution and vision of its Detroit fathers and apostles? Well, hard to say with certainity, everybody's "killing" or "saving" techno these days, sometimes in a space of less than a few days

"Techno is dead, Long live Techno!"

"But this is media" you might say, "it has to make and brake its subjects so that it keeps the ball rolling". Hear hear thy techno brother! hear hear!

Just that these days the ball feels sometimes like it may roll a bit too fast and somewhat out of control; looking around it seems like we're adjusting more and more to a Tofler's Future Shock society, where people do quite strange things when faced with extreme (and rapid) change.

Whatever Atkins and co. heard in the early days of the Detroit sound, today is just as potent, if not even more so

Well the best way to find out such sacred stuff is to go in the middle of it and start asking questions: 11 to be exact. We carefully planted our hi-end sound recorder switched on in a middle of a techno field and did our best to capture some discernible sound.

We received a loud and clear signal from our Alpha Channel. Freshly out with a new EP on Solid Tracks and prepping his funk loaded heavy minimal artillery ahead of this month’s Technicolour Episode III gig alongside CLR's very own techno rebel Alex Bau, Alpha Channel's signal is getting more and more frequencies added to the spectrum. This is what we managed to record:

Alpha Channel - Minimal Effort - minimal techno mix by Alpha-Channel

[code]: Hi Alpha, how are you these days and where does this interview find you?

Alpha Channel: Currently stuffing my face with pizza after a rare day of relaxing, I ‘m really good right now :)

[code]: How has 2011 been for Alpha Channel? From start to right now.

Alpha Channel: Tons of stuff has happened this year, thinking back to where this year began with the massive NYE event in Romania seems more like 2 years ago! Well, let’s see...Romania, Sardinia, The Egg and Brixton Jamm (right here on London shores), recently a bit of Spain;

and of course the daily grind: tunes, mixes, remixes, releases, podcasts and tracks and then work!

Seriously though I have been flat out by now and life only seems to get faster! What I can remember has been awesome; there has been too much going on to comment on everything and all. But the gigs have been nuts, from going to Romania for the very first time and smashing Zebra Club at -20 Celsius outside(!!!) to playing alongside Hobo in Sardinia to playing London constantly there hasn’t been any of it I would change. Well maybe the flight back from Sardinia.......add to that some mental house parties and basically I’m “Sheening” it up.

Also my productions have been hitting the right note on the dance floor lately, coming as a much fought for “validation”. Just hearing your tune being played on the club’s sound system and seeing people get their freak on to YOUR TUNE, makes you feel so.... aaaaagh!! It’s totally mad, i love it!
I still feel like the best is yet to come and that I’ve really just began to hit my stride with regards to my productions. I’m looking forward to making the jump across into playing more of my own music and finding new ways of playing live that are closer to the ideas flowing around in my head and truer to the sound that I’m trying to create.

[code]: In a few words, tell us what does Alpha Channel stand for?

Alpha Channel: How many words is a few? ...........basically I like the concept of there being an idea space in which all creative things exist.

Everything comes from everything else though, so you always have a base where you start from and then twisting and remodelling things, ideas; borrowing, recombine and re-channelling concepts into something new, something that wasn’t there before, in the idea space.
And then you start all over again...

[code]: Listening to your music, there is an acute sense of funk, even hip hop riding on the notes of many of your tracks. Probably the truest expression of that can be heard in your latest EP Techalot, which is freshly out on Solid Tracks. Care to elaborate on these relationships and connections?

Alpha Channel: When I first started DJing (many moons ago...:) I actually played hip hop and breaks; so I guess what you’re hearing now is the influence of those forming years coming through in the music I make today. But I really don’t think any music is just one thing.

Techno for instance can be many things and I really get my kicks out of exploring these “many things” and I’ll always try to make things different by taking new approaches and including different influences, not just the same ones over and over again. The approach changes every time with my mood and with what I’m listening to that week or whatever; like right now I’m in a bit of a Giorgio Moroder phase and going a bit disco, so, I have no idea how that will bleed into what I’m working on right now.

In the past I had tried to adhere to one sound or style or thought, but I found that it just didn’t work for me. So now I just do things, like I’ll work on a dubstep track or a nu disco tune and eventually it will mutate into something that I love or I’ll rip just one part out of it and remix that and have that be the basis for an entirely new track. This does tend to leave me with a lot of unfinished ideas...but also I find I get a lot more good ideas from working with less boundaries and less/no direction than I used to. That must also come from just working on tracks more often nowadays, I’ve gotten to a point where I am able to identify quite quick when I’m hitting upon something good.

I did initially think that this would lead to a very disparate and random sound to my productions and that if I were to try and mix them together that they wouldn’t fit at all. But having recently finished a podcast with only my own tracks and remixes I was very pleased to find that I had a sound, distinctive and identifiable even though I had given myself total freedom in terms of the sounds and samples that I used.

[code]: Production wise: old school or new school, analog or digital, loops or recording your own. Give us the whole Alpha Channel creation masterplan!

Alpha Channel: If I had the cash: ALL ANALOGUE. But I don’t so...I’m digital right now. But I am saving up for my First Moog, I want the Minimoog Voyager!

I have wet dreams about it...:)

[code]: Also heard that Alpha Channel is “scratching that itch”. Should we expect some DMC trickery when we see you play live next?

Alpha Channel: No those days are basically gone! I don’t practice anymore, but I used to be into turntablism quite a bit.

[code]: Last time we saw you play a couple of weeks back when you were playing on the same bill with Yoda at Jamm in Brixton! Must’ve been quite an interesting experience. Tell us more about how the whole gig came about and how it went. The whole experience!

Alpha Channel: Yeah it was cool, I played that gig as a part of Designer Thugs which is a side project I have with my mate Christian we just Dj and have fun and play whatever we feel like playing and really b

ounce well off each other, I enjoy doing that as sometimes when I play in a club I can tend to take it all a bit too serious. So doing Designer Thugs breaks the spell and reminds me to have fun with it.

[code]: This week-end just gone it was Jamm again; opening for Phil Hartnoll (Orbital). Now that September is here it’s straight on to Episode III of Technicolour with CLR’s techno rebel Alex Bau in the main room. What are you prepping for the occasions? (sound, performance, hairdo )

Alpha Channel: Again, Jamm was good fun and a way to not think about the complete madness that occurred that week in London with the riots and the looting and general crazy shit. Then as you say Technicolour III with Alex Bau is next. I’m trying to get a couple of new tracks finished up and I’m proper looking forward to rinsing this night out! It’s been a little while since I played The Egg and I remember the sound system is sick. Funktion One if my memory serves me well :D. If I have enough time I’m going to make the switch to a live set up which will be wicked and also a good way of seeing how strong my nerves are, I might bottle out though, as I have fallen back in love with Traktor and just spinning tunes in a more traditional style.

[code]: Until now, who did you feel was the best fit for you playing live? Also who would be your “dream team” on a line-up where your name is written

Alpha Channel: Best by far was warming up for Alex Under (also happened at The Egg last year). Alex is one of my all time favourite producers. I remember seeing him about 4 years ago at Fabric and it’s still in my memory as one of the best nights out I’ve ever had so to warm up for him was very special; it was also my Birthday that weekend: all planets had aligned just right!

Playing with Hobo out in Sardinia was really awesome too. We had an amazing steak for dinner then hung out together all night, he’s a really sound dude and I had an ace time chatting all night and all the next day as everyone else spoke Italian and not much English. We were pretty much stuck with each other. There are tons of people I would love to play with in the future. Some of the names that instantly spring to mind are Minilouge, John Tejada, Gaiser and Mathew Jonson…………but the list could go on and on.

[code]: Who do you consider to be your mentors? Guiding you and inspiring you when you need most. Do you believe in such a concept?

Alpha Channel: I work by myself so I’m not sure I have any mentors really. That may be a good thing or a bad thing but I have too many time constraints to work properly with anyone else over a long period of time.
I basically make tracks and then play them to my brother and my mates and everyone I can and listen to what they have to say and watch their faces when they’re listening to it to see if they smile. Then once I’m happy with the faces, playing tracks out at gigs is the best test of all.

And finally

[code]: What’s your reply to chicks coming on to you and asking you if you’re in any way related to Richie Hawtin? There is some resemblance...

No one’s asked me yet, I guess I would take it as a complement (?) But they’d have to be taking the piss. Either way I’d still laugh my ass off (Laughing hard and blushing)

You can check out Alpha Channel 's latest EP Techalot Out Now on Solid Tracks exclusively through Beatport
http://www.beatport.com/label/solid-tracks-records/13278

Alpha is also playing live on 30th of September at Egg Club London at
TECHNICOLOUR: The Cinematographic House Music Experience
EPISODE III

Techalot #10 - for the short attention spanned:

This Week.....Stanton SCS.4DJ, OCTAPAD SPD-30, M-Audio Venom, Realtime Music Visualization With TouchDesigner and Ableton Live Compression Basics

Stanton SCS.4DJ - Digital DJ Mixstation:

Fully integrated computer, software and controller. The SCS.4DJ is a controller in its true form, but it also has built-in software that makes it able to simply stand alone without any computer. You just need a source with music like a USB Stick. A very good buy if you're simply looking to get a standalone DJ unit for playing digital media. No more computer issues. Just plug and play.

OCTAPAD SPD-30:

Not a new product but I only jut found it and it is very cool none the less. The size of a briefcase, the Octapad offered drummers and percussionists the equivalent of an entire electronic rig in one self-contained unit. The SPD-30 blends the world’s most essential sounds with the latest triggering technology in a road-tough package that’s ready for the most demanding performers. It has support from people like Pan-Pot have recently been seen using it in their live sets.

M-Audio Venom -12-Voice Virtual Analog Synthesizer:

The M-Audio Venom 49-key synthesizer combines the character of classic analog synths with modern digital processing to deliver an aggressive, infectious new sound. Wet your appetite with the included presets, then sink your teeth into creating original sounds—from atmospheric and subtle, to angry and downright nasty. Easily tweak parameters from the intuitive top-panel interface, or explore endless sound design and configuration possibilities with the included software editor.

Realtime Music Visualization With TouchDesigner:

Some cool visuals based of an old idea - This project explores ‘the possibility of synesthesia in the format of audiovisual performance. The audio triggers the mechanism of lines that flows according to the frequency spectrum.’ Creating a visual representation of the sound. Like most music players have done for ages but a lot better looking.

Ableton Live Guide - Compression Basics:

I can't embed the video for this but here is the link

In this episode Peter introduces Compression , and talks about the four key elements of a compressor - Threshold, Ratio, Attack and Release.

That's it...Enjoy

Mark (",)

Going deeper underground: 1on 1 with Sub Secret

We live in strange times folks. As I'm just about to publish this I'm looking out the window and although not even 7 PM the time looks like it's closer to 10 PM on a typical August eve.

Then again who can count on the weather anyway?! It changes as often as my woman changes moods after a long week-end me being mostly out.


But that's another story...

Let's get back to the beginning of this thing. If it so happens that we both share the same overcrowded, dirty and sometimes overpoweringly beautiful London, you probably have been through quite a few happening in the last few weeks.

Pretty scary shit, i'nnit? Felt a bit like in the very first rows watching Watchmen, huh, have you?

Well i did, and in fact also re-watched the damn film only for the 10th time again. But you know what, it gets better and better with every watch. Rorschach is one tough little motha'! Still not really digging the chick playing the chick superhero role...but that's just me probably, I like my superheroes with a ty bit more darkness to them.

Speaking of superheroes, if you're somewhat into our events or our music (and you should be!) you would have noticed a slightly different pair of individuals rocking out some really good and well crafted melodic techno. They like to put their white masks on when out and about on Saturday nights, the same time when they make use of their heavy artillery of good pumping techno.

They are Sub Secret and they're not your average Joe dj

I thought this to be just the best time to get our very own sound vigilantes onto the uncomfortable interview chairs and fire up 11 questions at them on the who, what, when and the where? As the interview took place in a darken room, they took their masks off for us and laid everything on the table. Here’s the result:

[code] Hi Stephen, hi Mark! How are you guys and how does this interview find you?

Stephen: Good thanks - Riding the rollercoaster of life.

[code]: Rollercoaster of Life?!?

Mark: Haha Yeah I think we have both started to realise that we have become a little obsessive about what we do, to the point where our personal lives suffer at times. Music really is a curse and a blessing lol.

[code]: You guys are known to the techno world as Sub Secret, “two masked sound vigilantes” with super musical powers. I remember I’d first saw you guys rock EGG last year, full masked gear on, bouncing off the walls and thought to myself I need to know more about these dudes: what’s the story and the meaning for the masks? At one point I was actually considering getting my own version of a Sub Secret mask...but that’s another story. So, what IS the story?

Stephen: It all started at a Halloween party we did. We put the masks on for a laugh and while on stage realised we hadn’t took them off!

Mark: Yeah something clicked and and it just felt right.

Stephen: Maybe we just realised we could scream and shout and no one would know that it’s us doing it, just these two other “personas”. We do like to scream and shout :)

Mark: Ha ha Yeah and we are really not that pretty so maybe it's better all round :)

[code]: Lol! So where do Mark Standerline and Stephen Fewings fit in this story? What are their roots?

Stephen: Well, that is where the music starts playing.

S+M: both sing "Tradgady"

[code]: What?

Mark: Ha ha ha we have been through quite a lot together to be honest, lots of highs and lows.

[code]: So how did it start?

Stephen: Well i guess it all started at Uni. We had a lot of friends in common and there were a lot of house parties.

Mark: Hehehe true. After Uni we went our separate ways but a few years later I was moving to London and Steve was the only person I knew. Steve helped me get a job in London and things started.

Stephen: We both DJed and decided to start putting on some parties that did well, and the next step felt obviously right..... producing music together!

[code]: Speaking of productions, Sub Secret creations oscillate from breath taking deep techno runs like “Rambo” or “Side Clap” to heart ripping melodic trips, such as “Wir Schauten Nicht”. How do you guys approach music making? Do you care much about if it fits a certain genre or sound?

Slide Clap (Dark) by Sub Secret

Sub Secret_-_Wir Schauten Nicht by Sub Secret

Stephen: No, So long as it has a four/four beat and within 123-128 we are fine.

Mark: Everytime we write something it is different really. Sometimes it’s waking up in the morning with an idea, other times we will have a small sample we want to use but no idea where it will go; and some other times we just find a new trick in Ableton or Reason and see where it takes us.

Stephen: Melody is very important to us so that tends to lead the way.

[code]: Who, what, when and where do you find inspiration for making music?

Mark: Everywhere really. We have taken different paths so there are a lot of influences.

Stephen: I played in bands for years, whereas Mark was always more into electronic music. It is great because we would be listening to music and one of us will be going “WTF is this?!?” – Well actually only when I play music, Mark has shit tastes lol.

Mark: I would defend myself but I do have some awful stuff in my collection that I secretly love.

Stephen: We spend all day listening to things, stuff that people share or just doing random searches and seeing what we find. Suddenly we will hear something and off we’ll go.

[code]: We know that recently you’ve taken on the controls of Codekontrol’s Mind Ability and are managing the label on a day to day basis, practically being Mind Ability. How did you guys decide to take this road? How does it fit in with Sub Secret’s everyday existence?

Mark: Well we have kind of been there from the start, we met Monokode (CJ) when we were running our Sub Secret Parties and he was just starting the labels (Mind Ability, Minimal Force, Solid Tracks and Picknik).

Stephen: It always felt to us that Mind Ability was the label that was the perfect match for our sound and so when we were offered to take over running it we jumped at the chance.

Mark: It’s a lot of work trying to manage everything, but for us it is like a dream coming true! This is what we both wanted for so long that now we are here it’s a bit of a dream.

Stephen: Sometimes we stop and think about where we are and feel a bit shocked but we just keep looking forward and thinking about what we can do next and how we can push ourselves and Mind Ability one step further.

[code]: What can we expect from Sub Secret and Mind Ability in the remaining days of 2011?

Mark: For Sub Secret - There are a few EPs in the pipeline due to be out over the next few months; one on Minimal Force with some AWESOME remixes from Alpha Channel and Min_s’s Click Box, and another very special EP we have done for Mind Ability. Plus you can expect some more remixes wearing the Sub Secret seal to be appearing soon.

Stephen: Sub Secret are about to head off to Barcelona to play some parties over there so we are working hard to get Mind Ability organised for the next few months with some beautiful stuff planned from Duncan & Pantos, Fra-P and Ali Nasser.
Gig wise, Renato Pezzella and ourselves will be representing Mind Ability at the Technicolour Episode III party with Ramon Tapia & Alex Bau on the 30th September at Egg; We’re also gearing up for a very first Mind Ability showcase at Tresor in Berlin on the 11th of Novemeber , That we are very excited about!

[code]: Besides the sound of your music, we can suspect that the masks you wear every time you play out are an expression of a certain outlook on life and everything else. Are we close to the truth? What is the truth?

Stephen: VERY! The white masks represent the nullification of EGO. We are all one, the same consciousness. We hide our faces so that we can lose our individualism.

Mark: We often hand out masks to other people in the crowd, so everyone can do the same: lose their everyday identity and just BE!

[code]: Hmmm, that is slightly alternative...Speaking of which, the past week has been a black one for London.. In a city most loved for its openness and tolerance, deplorable and regrettable things have taken place. Do you feel that is a sign of the times we live in? What does authority mean today?

Stephen: You really want to do this one now, here??!!

Mark: They say you should never mix music with politics, so its probably better to leave this one out!

Stephen: All I want to add is, we all know that this is what is wanted by the establishment so they can further their totalitarian Police State.

Mark: If you watch the mainstream media, listen for the Keywords that are repeated over and over on the news. Its called neuro-linguistic programming! It something definitely worth having a look into.

Stephen: LOL, We're not all doom and gloom! But we like to think of ourselves as perceptive! **Gives a wink**

[code]: “They...are watching you” (verse from Sub Secret's latest EP) direct reference to such ideas or just pure coincidence?

Mark: Yes
Stephen: **utters “Police State” while slurping from his coffee cup**


S+M: *Both smile*

And finally:

[code]: What is the role of a masked sound superhero today?

Stephen: Well, coming from a band background myself. It was quite apparent in the early days of gigging, that the audience listen with their eyes first. So, after moving into the electronic/clubbing world, I soon became bored of seeing boring DJ's, that stand behind the desks and "maybe"' once in a while would look up and acknowledge the crowd...Masked DJ's are nothing new, but for us it just feels right... The response we get when having those masks on, WOW! Everybody wants a picture, which can't really be bad Y’know?!? I mean, even if they really don't like the masks, they will remember the performance, and through it, they will remember us, Sub secret!

Mark: I see us as more like Robbin Hood characters but with Techno as our currency, rather than money.

[code]: Thanks guys, you've been great; undoubtedly the most alternative we've interviewed this far. It's been a real pleasure. Now you can return to save us from shit music and help us fight that damn EGO!


Sub Secret are gearing up for a busy autumn 2011. Sub Secret's latest EP "They" is out on Mind Ability Records also featuring remixes from Alpha Channel, Dirty Dan & Lanski and Mario Reder. Check it out on Beatport



Techalot #9 - for the short attention spanned:

This Week..... POCOPOCO, The Tron Beat Jazz Controller, FM8 Tutorial, Studio Drummer, Vintage Machine: Buchla 100 Modular Synthesizer

POCOPOCO

Erm.... It's a controller.... It's erm... different. Just have a look for yourself. Then if you like it watch a live performance.

The Tron Beat Jazz Controller

I love this and yet at the same time think that it is very very shit. I love that fact some guy who is obviously a bit of a nerd has created his own controller using open source software and made something amazing tailored to his own performance using as many different bits of tech as he can - Accelerometers, pressure sensitive triggers and a display that is sent to his phone. So why do I not like it... Well he just looks like a bit of tool using it really.

FM8 Tutorial: Creating Unique Basslines Using FM Synthesis

Dubspot deliver a very good introduction to the FM8 and how to use it. Personally I started playing around with the FM8 a while ago and then stopped when I got bored of the sounds but this video gives a very good idea of how to use it to get aggressive basslines...even if the guy is a little patronising at times

STUDIO DRUMMER

NI are back and this time their gift is Studio Drummer. "The ultimate realization of a drummer in software" - Giving you three expertly sampled, world-class drum kits, and over 3,500 exclusive, hand-played patterns with top-class effects from Native Instruments’ new Solid Mix Series and Transient Master built-in.

You have total control over your drum sound. "It’s the drums, the studio and the drummer in one easy-to-use package."

Vintage Machine: Buchla 100 Modular

Nerds enjoy...Eric Chasalow gives a demonstration of the 1963 Buchla 100 synthesizer in the Brandeis Electro-Acoustic Music Studio (BEAMS). The original Buchlas did not have a keyboard (at least one that we would recognize). The input devices were an important aspect to that system, They were all capacitance-sensitive touch-plates, or resistance-sensitive in some cases, organized in various sorts of arrays.

You can find the other two parts here

It's impressive but I think I will stick to VSTs for now.

That's it...Enjoy

Mark (",)

Techalot #8 - for the short attention spanned:

This Week.....Vestax PAD-One, X1 Sample Deck Mapping, Xtreme Mapping, Numark NS6 and Vintage Gear Demo of the Roland TR-808

Vestax PAD-One:

The Vestax PAD-One is a solid robust MIDI pad controller, compatible with various DJ & DAW software it can be used to control any kind of MIDI device, including synthesizers, samplers, drum machines. Similar to the Korg Nano range It's small and versatile with a handy XY pad for modulation control. Not bad for £129.

New TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Sample Deck Mapping and Overlay:

There are a couple of new tools for mapping controllers to the latest version of TRAKTOR at the minute. This first is the official solution from NI presented in this video featuring DJ Haus (No idea who he is). Basically it is a skin for the controller and predefined mapping for each sample deck. At the minute the skin and mapping come free when you buy a new controller but I am sure it will not be long before you can get it independently.

More details here

Xtreme Mapping :

Here is another solution to mapping your controllers from TRAKTOR. Xtreme Mapping 1.0 is an advanced editor of MIDI controller mappings for Native Instruments' TRAKTOR DJ software. It looks fast and easy to use but the downside is it is Mac only. It's available now from the App store for US$5.99.

Numark NS6:

A brand new all-in-one controller designed for Serato Itch. Robust and well built this is a professional-looking console designed to tightly tie to a 4 deck version Serato Itch. Although it comes with a TRAKTOR mapping and so could be considered an alternative to the S4 there are apparently sync problems that do not make it worth the effort. Personally for TRAKTOR it would not be my first choice but some may like it.

Vintage Gear Demo: Roland 808:

A bit of history for everyone, this video shows the drum instruments and the various functions of famous TR-808. No external effects, EQ or compression - Only the pure 808 sound.

That's it...Enjoy

Mark (",)

Techalot #7 - for the short attention spanned:

This Week....Reason 6, Komplete 8, Teenage Engineering - OP-1 and Ion Piano Apprentice.

Reason 6:

So it looks like we have a few new software toys out this week.

Getting started Swedish developer Propellerhead have revealed details of the latest version of Reason.

Propellerhead has decided to ditch Record altogether, replacing it with Reason Essentials, a slimmed-down version of its big brother, Reason 6. The new effects include extreme compressor/distortion unit Pulveriser; an analog tape delay emulation in the form of The Echo; and Alligator, a three-band pattern gate designed for "complex rhythmic texturing."

All the existing Reason effects racks carry over to this latest version as you might expect.

A limited period of public beta testing has just begun, with the full version to be released later this year.

Komplete 8:

27 products, 11,000 presets and over 100 GB of samples.

KOMPLETE 8 includes the brand-new KONTAKT 5 updated and enhanced "to the very pinnacle of state-of-the-art software technology". REAKTOR 5.6 racks up alongside MASSIVE, ABSYNTH, and FM8 for the ultimate synthesizer array. Plus the very latest and greatest NI instruments and effects.

STUDIO DRUMMER the "groove powerhouse" looks one of the most exciting new toy with loads of scope for designing great sounding percussion.

Oh and there is a 240 GB Ultimate Version too (",)

Teenage Engineering - OP-1:

It's a synth, a sampler, a four-track recorder, an effects unit, an FM radio, a microphone, a MIDI keyboard / sequencer, and it wraps it all up in a portable unit with an OLED display.

It's cool, It looks nice and has some cool features like being able to use the mic to trigger the oscillators or moving the whole devise like a Wii controller and the screen IS very pretty but at US$849 the sounds coming out of it are not that great to make it something worth considering for me.

Ion Piano Apprentice:

Another week another ipad toy! This week have your very own piano teacher in your hands.

It's a 25 note keyboard with touch-sensitive keys that light up showing you exactly which ones you should be playing. The Piano Apprentice has an accompanying free app for your iPad, which docks just above the keyboard, showing you how and where you should be placing your hands.

For portability it can be powered by 4 x AA batteries or an optional AC adapter.

It should be available sometime in September for around US$100.

That's it...Enjoy

Mark (",)

Techalot #6 - for the short attention spanned:

Audiopad:

First up is another of these unique ways of creating and composing music away from the standard DAW we have all become used to.

Audiopad is a composition and performance instrument for electronic music which tracks the positions of objects on a tabletop surface and converts their motion into music. One can pull sounds from a giant set of samples, cut between drum loops to create new beats, and apply digital processing all at the same time on the same table.

You can find out more on their webiste:

Pioneer DJM-2000 firmware update version 2.0:

Anyone lucky enough to have one of these mixers should be pretty excited about this as the new Pioneer update pushes the gap even closer together between DJ hardware and software

Major Changes are:

- Improved Beat Effect accuracy with the addition of the Quantize function,

- Updated reverb function for dynamic song arrangement,

- Broadened Noise adjustment range,

- Maximum volume of the oscillator" and sample in Sidechain Remix FX has also been increased as well.

Origin Keyboard:

Always excited by new electronic toys and this one looks pretty space age with a bevy of nobs and twiddly things to play with like a ultra sensitive 40cm ribbon controller, Modulation and pitch-bend wheels, 3-mode Joystick, 21 potentiometers, 33 rotary encoders, 81 switches.

Defiantly one for those with a few pounds in their pockets....Hit their site for more info

Laser Pitch Detection system turns your axe into a luminous, latency-free MIDI machine:

Apparently it has been an issue for a long time getting a good MIDI signal from a guitar without too much latency. The Laser Pitch Detection system aims to fix that problem with LASERS... Wooo. From the pretty poor video I guess it works pretty well and has the added bonus of adding some red light to your guitar.

Finally a handy video on some settings in Ableton's Live you might not know about...

Clear Ableton Live's Cache and Free up Hard Drive Space:

That's it...Enjoy

Mark (",)