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…)

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.

About a month ago I made mention that process of producing my next effort, an ambient / dub / abstract album.  As of 11/18/2008 I had 7 tracks in various forms of production, and I even released 3 of the demos, but production on this album has come to a halt.

Why?  Because of my mentality.

When I am producing ambient / dub, I have to be in a certain frame of mind.   That is not to say I have to be “happy”, but I cannot really be off my game or I simply don’t care about making music that would make me relax.  Actually, all ideas – all inspiration for any ambient production – simply vanishes.  Instead, what I wanted to develop is aggressive, hard, electronic music.   

So, for the last three weeks I have been focusing on another project – under another name (not trying to be super secretive, but it will come out later).  As of now it really has a life of its own.  I have nothing specific in mind, but it’s turning out to be music that is highly aggressive but engaging at the very same time.

To give you an idea, I’ve already released the first demo track, titled “Enhanced”. I find that my ability to produce music of this nature comes very easily when I am in this state of mind. Once I have everything down, a little bit of polish during the re-write portion of production will allow me to have some outstanding tracks.

More to come!