6 posts tagged “music”
Chopping is term for taking musical loops and pulling bits and pieces out and reassembling them. Enjoy!
Something a little less electronic sounding this time. Enjoy.
Recently, I've been test-driving music creation software. A couple of weeks ago, I made a decision to actually spend money on one of the packages. The other two songs posted here were created with Sony's ACID Studio. The good folks at Sony give you 30 days to "kick the tires" and totally check out the program. The trial version isn't crippled in any way, you just don't get the large library of loops and sounds you get when you actually "throw down" for it.
I first started doing computers for a living in 1989. I first started playing music in the 6th grade. (A little before 1989.) Except for collecting MP3 music files, I've never done the two together. Recently, I thought since I'm now retired and have way too much time on my hands, it might be fun to do something musical again.
I used to play clarinet and saxophone. Since I live in an apartment and since playing sax is not a quiet endeavor, I haven’t been doing anything musical for a number of years. Well, except for some karaoke singing from time to time, but I usually go out to do that. I do have some karaoke song files purchased from Amazon.com’s MP3 download section, but this is mostly for practice.
At first, I thought it’d be fun to start learning how to play guitar again since I can do this over my headphone and not alienate my neighbors. Then, knowing a little about MIDI, I thought having a keyboard would be useful, as well. I’m familiar with both guitar and keyboard, and can work out parts and such, but don’t really play either one.
All of this pondering led me to explore multi-track recording/music creation software. I’ve been well aware of digital/computer recording for a long time, but have never really checked it out for myself. I’ve also been aware of music composition software, but again, haven’t bothered to get my feet wet in that end of the pool yet.
As I began to check out different programs, and learn more about such things as MIDI and digital recording, I also became aware of how computer music is put together.
I’ve been enjoying trance and ambient music for years, and fully understood it was a lot of computer music, but had never researched just how the nuts and bolts of putting it together worked.
Along with the software I was test-driving came sample files for the sake of tutorials and to give one something to play with and of course, as something to tempt, or tease one into wanting to purchase the full version of the software.
After checking out a couple of these programs and almost instantly understanding what was going on, I realized this is something I could do. Between what I know about computers and what I know about music, it was all quite familiar.
Although almost immediately familiar, it’s like most musical and computer endeavors, there’s no end to what you can do, and how much you can learn.
This was starting to look like a great way for me to self-entertain.
I’m still test driving software and having a great time. I’ve mashed up a couple of songs without using any actual musical instruments, but I have used some of my musical knowledge.
Since I haven’t yet “thrown down” for a fully functional program with lots of loops and sounds, I have a very limited library of sounds and loops, but have been able to have some fun and make some music.
I thought it’d be fun to share some of what I’ve been doing here. I’ll spare everyone the software reviews and the technical stuff, but if anyone wants to get into that stuff, please leave me a comment, or send me a message.
For now, an early effort called, “Erhu”. Enjoy.
Today looks like a light shopping and double DVD day for the kid. Shopping will be a quick trip to the Wal-mart across the street. I love having a store like Wal-mart right across the street. The fact I don’t have a car makes it that much better
My mission is to replenish my diet soda stash. This, I do this every few days. I usually get two 2 liter bottles at a time. That’s about all I’m happy carrying home. No, it’s not far, but they weigh a little over 2 pounds each. I’m becoming a sissy in my old age.
Like a lot of people, I’ll also cruise around the store to see what’s on special, or roll-back. I usually just look, but you never know.
I have my eye on a wok that’s on sale for $14.95, but I can’t quite make myself pull the trigger.
The last two nights, I’ve had Chinese chicken and veggie stir-fry made in a normal, deep frying pan. I doubt the wok would have made the concoction taste any better, but it would have added to the ambiance.
The other day, I bought a pack of those really thin breath strips, then promptly came home and threw them away. Although sometimes frivolous with my money, I’m not that frivolous. I was excited about something else in the bag and forgot to take out the breath strips.
Of course, this had to be the day I was vigilant about taking out the rubbish, so down the trash chute the breath strips went before I realized my blunder. I’m just glad I bought the single pack and not the three pack. Throwing away two dollars-something is one thing, but had I thrown away five dollars-something, I probably would have invented a new swear word, or two.
I may have to replace those today. Who knows, maybe Wal-mart will have the three-pack on sale.
After scoping and pillaging Wal-mart it’ll be time to watch the two DVD’s I should have in my mail box. I get the ones in the red envelope.
Today’s features will consist of disc 2 from season 1 of the HBO series, The Wire. I just started it over the weekend. So far, like it. I don’t have HBO, so I get the DVD’s after the fact.
Last week I finished The Sopranos. All six seasons over a couple of months. I’m still tawlkin’ with a New Jersey accent.
Excellent series! I may have to do it all over again some day. I was sad when I finished all the episodes. Sadder yet, when I visited the HBO web site and had to accept the fact the series is really over.
I wanted a Bada Bing! T-shirt, but they’ve apparently been so popular, the HBO store only has small left. Homey don’t do small t-shirts. I can still get a Bada Bing! baseball hat. Again, I’m tempted, but haven’t pulled the trigger on that one yet either.
Today’s other disc is a movie called Shaolin Soccer. It’s about an underdog soccer team that uses king fu to defeat stronger, cheating opponents. Described as Karate Kid with faster feet, it sounds like fun…or something. In addition to Stephen Chow in the lead role, it also stars Karen Mok and Wei Zhao, who were excellent in So Close. Another Chinese movie about a couple of sisters who are computer geniuses and a cop who’s trying to catch them. Good stuff. Hot women.
I actually prefer Chinese drama to Chinese kung fu stuff, but most of the good drama stuff doesn’t come with English audio. Unfortunately, my low vision makes reading quick moving subtitles not very much fun.
If you’re into Chinese drama and haven’t checked them out yet, check out In The Mood For Love & 2046. Tony Leung Chu-Wai is excellent, and the story captivating. Make sure you watch In The Mood first. I made the mistake of watching them in the wrong order, and had to watch them again.
These two come with only Cantonese audio, so be ready for the fast moving subtitles.
Anyway, that’s how my day is shaping up. Not sure about the evening yet. Since I’m getting my writing fix out of the way early, I may slip out into the ‘hood for a couple of beers and touch base with some of my Korean friends.
Despite being an ugly white boy from the suburbs of Washington, DC, almost all of my friends are Asian of one variety, or another. Such is life in Hawaii. I love it!
Since I’m not sure what particular brand of white boy I am, I tend to embrace other people’s cultures. With Asian cultures being prevalent here in Hawaii, I usually wrap myself around Asian stuff.
Among other inconveniences brought on by my low vision, my chopstick skills have deteriorated. I’d never realized using chopsticks was such a delicate art.
Looks like the lunch time rush at Wal-mart should have subsided, so I think I’ll clean up a bit and shuffle on over.
Did I say shuffle? Indeed I did. Today’s Shuffle soundtrack will be a combination of two bands: Hiroshima and 12 Girls Band. No, my eyes haven’t lost any of their roundness. I still love The Allman Brothers, Motley Crue, Kid Rock & Natalie Walker, but I just happen to have the other stuff already loaded on my Shuffle.
Some day when I don’t have pressing Wal-mart business to attend to, I’ll get more into my somewhat diverse musical tastes…or lack thereof.
For anybody keeping track, there’ll be more about Soon Ji’s adventures in America a couple, few days.
Jiao!!!
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