And here are the songs I was posting about the other day… I am still shocked at this, and they really bring back memories of my old studio, as well as the countless hours spent trying to get a sound *just* right.

The demos are the original arrangements, with very few FXs. While most of the content was found in the final version there were tweaks here and there. None of these were mastered, they are as raw as you can get.

First up, Afterglow.

The demo captures the “thick” phaser sound I wanted on the high hats. It also creates a very big head space, almost giving the impression that this is taking place in a large hall… I remember playing this over and over and over in  my car late one evening.

Download the Afterglow demo here.  (The final version can be found here)

Next up, Morning After.

Little did I know what this song was going to become to me, and so many other people. The main structure is there but the strings are different, the kick is different, all of the FXs are missing, and the tempo is a wee bit slower….

Download the Morning After demo here.  (The final version can be found here)

And finally, the classic Naked.

The programming of the beat took me FOREVER.  This was, actually, the first demo in the entire ArS session and set everything in motion.  The piano arrangement is slightly different, a slightly thinner choice of high hats, a totally different set of strings was used and the bassline was really set to stick out in this…

Download the Naked demo here.  (The final version can be found here)

Now… this is where things get interesting.

I did a number of tracks that didn’t make it into the final release of the EP, here are two that – for whatever reason – I thought were not worth refining/developing into full tracks.

Now, looking back, I have NO CLUE as to what I was thinking.  Both would have ended up as strong songs….

Here is the unfinished Next To You… and the soft, atmospheric, potential filled Your Soft Touch.

Really, no clue what I was thinking with these two.

And here we have another demo from the “Arrangements For Sex, Vol 2″.

Up this time is ‘I love you’… a song that seems to float in the background, with an almost hypnotizing bassline, that draws enough attention to the music bu not distract the listener from any other activities they may be involved with.

Here you go.  You can download the demo for the song here: I love you (Demo) <– click there

Part of the reason I really haven’t had any significant updates in the last week is due to work, part due to my writing for Yes, We Cook!, and part to the fact that I have finished off Demo track number three for “Arrangements for Sex, Vol 2″

I finished off “In Your Arms (Hold Me)” late yesterday evening, and with a few minor tweaks this evening, I’m ready to call it “go” for the official demo.

So, here you go: In Your Arms (Hold Me) <—- the bold is a link, if you didn’t know

And here we have the 4th demo from the Enhanced series.  This track makes me want to continue down the “Enhanced” series. As there were only expected to be 4 tracks with a general production theme, this one put a bump in that plan.  I think this has turned into something greater than the original plan.

I’m actually quite happy with the way this has turned out…what started as a mistake turned into something that really puts a smile on my face.  A few things to note – as always, this is not EQed/mastered.  There is a bit of time displacement on the crash symbols due to reverb but that will be fixed in the final recording.

So… that said…

Download Enhanced (track 4 demo)

or take a listen

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Here it is, the 3rd demo in the Enhanced series.  This one is an ambient venture that is intended as a break between the first two demos and the final track that I am currently working on… kinda like a quick breather before one has desert.  

This track was completed with all analog gear – all monosythings – which was a fun experiment and is WONDERFUL for background music and relaxing…

Download Enhanced (Unenhanced)

or take a listen

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If you follow the blog, I’m in the process of putting together a 4 track EP.  The first two tracks are a bit more aggressive – edgy – than the good old days of trance so many years ago. That was actually what I had been going for though I am still chalking that up to state of mind and life experience.  

Well, the 3rd demo song Enhanced(unenhanced) will be out tomorrow but it is slightly different than it’s brothers.  The song is ambient with an IDM feel to it and there is a lot of head space I plan on utilizing in the production process to make it even more aggressive but somehow keeping the ambient feel.  

A bit more on Enhanced(unenhanced) – all sounds included are 100% analog.  Synths included are the Oberheim Matrix 1000, Roland SH-2 and a TB303 (and you won’t even notice the TB!).  The Outboard FX include a MAM RS3, Yamaha E1010 Delay and an ass load of Reverb from the SRV330.  I’m toying with the addition of another layer to the track, but not sure yet.

I’m really excited for this on, check back tomorrow evening.

Back in December I started to do some tracks that were a bit more dark and aggressive than I had in the past.  I lost the desire to do anything ambient and went full bore into a new style for me.  

The first track, Enhanced, was done over a short period of time.  Then life got in the way, I simply didn’t have time or motivation.  Finally, I got back into the studio and re-started my production efforts and the next demo just came out…

As always, this is purely a demo.  Nothing mastered, sound levels are off, the full FX were not applied to the mix.  If I ever actually do record this for some type of release, it would end up sounding significantly different… much more polished.

So, here you go, the demo for Enhanced.2 

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And you can download it from here (right click and save as…)

Here is another piece of audio history, a Roland SH-2.

The Roland SH-2 is roughly 30 years old – production took place between 1978 and 1979 – and sounds a lot like the Roland SH-101.  The SH-2, however, has a double oscillator that can be detuned.  The 101 lacks this ability, which allows the 2 to create some unique sounds.

Anyway, today I was working on a bass line for the current track I am working on (by working on, I mean spending 20 minutes on at a time) and my SH-2 was having problems with the CV/Gate function that is needed in order for the keyboard to communicate to the rest of the system.

This lead me to go hunting for a copy of the manual, which I found via Vintage Synth.  I also downloaded the manual from the Roland site and uploaded it to here in case the other resource goes away.

Time for more sound production joy.  

The majority of my gear tends to be vintage – old, collector items – that are far from being in production these days.  Well, one piece of gear I have is the Oberheim Matrix 1000.  A sweet analog sound module produced from 1987 until 1994.

Well, today I turned on my module only to find out that that the Matrix 1000 I have in the studio is not working.  The module powers up, receives midi signals, but does not produce sound.  I’ve unseated and reseated every cord and cable from the unit, think that may be part of the problem, but no such luck. 

I’ve turned to the manual in hopes of finding a solution but I’ve had no luck thus far.  I will most likely turn to a number of forums to find a solution (if there is one, short of sending this to a tech) but… I’ve found that manual has a lot of information that could be usable for general, everyday, users.

As a result, I’ve posted a copy of it here for users. (2.3 Megs)

Thanks to the original scanner/poster – whoever you may be.

Update for anyone interested: It looks like my unit is dead.  I’ve reset factory originals, I’ve unplugged and reconnected all connections.  Maybe a fuse gone bad, maybe a bad chip.  I’m just sad to see it go. Looks like I have to go to the old storage room (aka my parents basement) and break out a few other classic?  The Juno 106?  The Korg Prophecy.  

Sure, they are not rack mounts… but… can’t do wrong with them.

As you may know, I do a bit of music production.  Years ago I actually created some amazingly good stuff and had discussions about 12” distribution in the EU for a few songs.  Mainly trance/ambient trance.  One thing leads to another and I simply let things go.  Roughly a year ago I started to get back into it.  While I have not put much thought and effort into production, I have placed one or two good demos out, songs that could really be something if I tried.

Anyway, this post isn’t about those songs.  It’s about my Roland M-480 line mixer.

The Roland M-480 is the largets rack mount mixer made by Roland.  The production time was from 1990 to 1992 and is great for electronic music producers as the multiple send/return busses allow for very complex sound routing in the mixer.  

As I’ve been attempting to explorer the details of the mixer, I realized I’m really under utilizing the true power of this unit.  So, I turn to the manual… wait… I don’t have the manual.  DAMN.

After utilizing the wonderful search power of Google, I realized that the manual for the Roland M-480 is hard to find.  Like “end of the rainbow” difficult. I almost thought I was chasing some mythical creature, but I was able to track down a copy.

If you are looking for the manual, look no more.  Here you go – I’ve uploaded it to the server for everyone who is in need.  Thank you to the original creator, whoever you may be!