In the beginning it was Cubase. Version 1.0 running solidly on the Atari 1040 STE. I’ve more processing oomph in my digital watch these days than a whole rack full of STE’s could offer. Still, there’s no way I’m going to flame Cubase and it’s humble origins. It was then and still is a Legend and Steinberg fully deserve their status amongst the ranks.
As I’ve said in early posts, I’ve spent many years rolling along the Cubase Highway following it’s progressions; developing my techniques with the technological advancements each new Version would offer. When I switched to the Macbook in 2007 though I also switched to Pro Tools and left Cubase by the roadside.
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For a while now I’ve been contemplating some kind of DAW Control surface as I’ve moved more and more ‘into-the-box’.
On Saturday I finally parted company with my trusty Roland RS-5 Synthesiser. It’s served me well and has brought me endless hours of pleasure and some very pleasant sounds; but it’s just too long in the tooth for todays SoftMusic Environments. (more…)

Well after a good couple of weeks preparation – gathering together updates from the Internet for all of my DAW apps, Cross-Checking Compatibility Charts and dipping in and out of various forums; My Snowy DAW Build is installed and running like a dream.

I’ve put in a lot of preparation for this. In-fact, I can’t recall a more study-heavy migration. I had Pro Tools, Cubase and Propellerheads Builds to prepare. Plus all of my Tertiary Virtual Instrument Bundles and Effects Modules to Validate. I just wanted everything to work right from the offset. My preparation and Methodical approach paid off and after a days installing, patching and tweaking I now have a Killer DAW Platform sat happily on my Macbook waiting to Serve – Including the delicious Cubase 5! (more…)

Unix comes singing and dancing into your life everyday.

Now I’m not talking about the fact that 67% of the million busiest Websites run on a Variant of Unix, Although this is a great example of how Unix is touching and enhancing your life. No, my thoughts are directly geared at the Music Industry. Almost every modern recording that you hear on the Radio, TV and other Media Sources today will undoubtedly at some time in its production cycle have entered the world of Unix. (more…)

Yesterday I bought a CD from Discogs. It’s one of the early albums by the legendary Swedish funk 4-piece The Creeps -  ‘Now Dig This!’.
It’s original release in 1988 never made it to the shores of the UK so for the past 21 years I’ve been listening to it on Vinyl.
I could have bought ‘Now Dig This!’ straight from iTunes, but I wanted the artwork and sleeve notes. You know what it’s like – if your a music fan you like to get the whole package. (more…)

In my opinion the greatest instrument of all time is the Human Voice. This is of course, only my opinion and with such a wide choice out there I’m sure others will agree and disagree.
To name the second greatest (in my opinion) I find an almost impossible task. I’d actually make EVERY other instrument 2nd. I couldn’t imagine a world without Fender Rhodes Electric Piano’s, Hammond Organs, Parker Guitars, The humble Tambourine, and then some.
Although I rank both camps accordingly, the existence of both working together side-by-side I see as the ultimate musical experience, A 50/50 split of requirement right down the middle. (more…)

Years ago, before the PC revolution and the rise of the machines, the term ‘Conductor’ in a ‘musical’ sense simply meant the guy at the front of an Orchestra waving his pointy stick about. Of course, he is doing much more than that, he is controlling the Orchestra with his timely gestures, bringing in ‘elements’ of the mix as and when required.
Invariably associated with classical music and complex pieces (I’ve never heard talk of George Martin using a baton and controlling The Beatles in such a manner) and why should he. He only had a 4 piece to deal with. (more…)

Invariably new technology keeps emerging and with it’s added ‘enhancements’ there is usually some small price that you have to pay. This cost normally falls in the hands of the ‘old school’ – the ‘legacy’ version. You know…the code and standards that made that product what it was in the first place soon gets put out to grass once it’s mightier, more-sophisticated  new brother appears on the scene. (more…)