tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761807367760889642024-03-07T18:50:14.588-08:00Musical MachinesMusical Machines is a blog about music and the machines we make it with, as well as other topics involving music and technology.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-34652511249581650222010-03-17T19:51:00.001-07:002010-03-17T20:05:52.990-07:00RECORD STORE DAY is coming!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#551A8B;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.recordstoreday.com/"><img src="http://www.recordstoreday.com/photo/418450:215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Apparently, I'm into exclamation points in headlines tonight. But this one deserves it. <a href="http://www.recordstoreday.com/Home">Record Store Day is April 17!</a><br /><br />f you haven't heard of this day before, it's a day when everyone should unplug iTunes or your favorite torrent tracker or whatever and actually go to your local record store and buy an album or two or three. That's right albums--as in vinyl LPs. The hope is that you make it a habit and keep some of these incredible stores in business.<br /><br />I'm actually planning to visit several record stores on Record Store Day, including the mom-and-pop-shop right around the corner from me, <a href="http://www.shadydog.com/">Shady Dog Records</a>. Start planning your trip now! Save a paycheck and invest in some vinyl.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847383161622376268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-197947429516369172010-03-17T19:25:00.000-07:002010-03-17T19:48:30.176-07:00Lemmy is here!!Like a lot of guys my age, I cut my rock 'n' roll teeth on punk, hard rock and metal when I was a pre-teen and teenager. And also like a lot of guys my age, the band Motorhead and their onslaught of proto-metal rawk was like an adrenaline shot to my ears. Metallica, Fugazi, Black Sabbath, Motley Crue, Megadeth, Anthrax, Dead Milkmen, Butthole Surfers and the Sex Pistols were all favorites, too. But nobody sounded like Motorhead.<br /><br />So I'm pretty excited about the release of <a href="http://www.lemmymovie.com/"><i>Lemmy</i> the movie</a>. In fact, I have a little embarassment over how giddy I am with anticipation about this film. It's going to be tremendous, as this trailer clearly outlines.<br /><br /><object id="flashObj" width="404" height="436" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/1813626064?isVid=1&publisherID=1564549380" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=61456387001&playerID=1813626064&domain=embed&" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/1813626064?isVid=1&publisherID=1564549380" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=61456387001&playerID=1813626064&domain=embed&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="404" height="436" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847383161622376268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-33659698147850675212010-03-04T19:44:00.001-08:002010-03-04T20:10:45.720-08:00a beautiful blend of new- and old-school musicality<div style="text-align:center;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5SaFTm2bcac&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5SaFTm2bcac&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><br /><br />This is one of my favorite videos on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a>. It explains how a funk rhythm breakdown in a song released by <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jpfpxqr5ld0e">The Winstons</a> in 1969 titled "Amen, Brother" became one of the most famous and widely used six seconds of music in western culture.<br /><br />For a lot of people, sampling, DJing and modern synthesis is still a somewhat controversial act (yes, even in 2010). To be sure, you can't deny the incredible musicianship of this hip young drummer giving it his funky best in the middle of the original ripping R&B tune. But in my mind, it's tough to ignore the incredible ways this break beat has been used over the years to create powerful new music. Just <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SaFTm2bcac">watch and see</a>.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847383161622376268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-3712755522742795042010-03-03T18:36:00.000-08:002010-03-03T18:36:08.345-08:00Let's road trip for a KingpinNow offering one more reason to visit Toronto: <a href="http://www.sbssandwiches.com/">The Sky Blue Sky Sandwich Shop</a>.<br /><br />Shop owner Chad Comfort created a deluxe deli where each <a href="http://www.sbssandwiches.com/signature.html">menu item</a> is named after a Wilco song. And the name for the whole establishment obviously takes it's name from the <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?sql=10:hzfexzq5ldke">2007 album</a> released by the band. As a big deli sammich fan and a Wilco lover, too, I am very interested.<br /><br />Just one question, though. What's in the "A Shot In the Arm" breakfast sandwich? What can you put in a sandwich that's bloodier than blood?<br /><br />Via <a href="http://pitchfork.com/">Pitchfork</a>: <a href="http://pitchfork.com/news/38076-wilco-the-sandwich-shop/">Wilco: The Sandwich Shop</a>Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08847383161622376268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-6422956612849806252010-02-28T17:40:00.000-08:002010-02-28T17:56:27.596-08:00Tab hits the iPhone ageThere are already a few companies making digital sheet music readers, but they're <a href="http://books-videos-music.musiciansfriend.com/product/Freehand-MusicPad-Pro-Plus-Version-4.0-Electronic-Sheet-Music-Display?sku=241190">mostly expensive</a> units for professional musicians. Now a company that calls itself <a href="http://i-tab.com/wp/">iTab</a> (subtract points for unoriginal, yet market-friendly name) has come up with a smartphone-sized device that's centered around the universal language of guitarists: tab (add points for enabling guitar geekery).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXhtpIQeF0E_oF00ArBE_cE2spJmBF8AWnKyCzKaUzvlNzk64EC5tXASaUYJbg_e7_6VYpWYV-wWFnsbFaJje-Ei2qBgRa-JfDptaPcSNnn4f5piY7DT3kMSnpg1zGnNnr5iohnBWp9U/s1600-h/itab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXhtpIQeF0E_oF00ArBE_cE2spJmBF8AWnKyCzKaUzvlNzk64EC5tXASaUYJbg_e7_6VYpWYV-wWFnsbFaJje-Ei2qBgRa-JfDptaPcSNnn4f5piY7DT3kMSnpg1zGnNnr5iohnBWp9U/s320/itab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The touchscreen iTab lets you quickly flip through your tab list to select the song you want. Then the iTab will scroll through the lyrics and chords at whatever speed you select (so you can match the song's tempo) while you play along. Having trouble with a song? iTab offers downloadable videos to help you out with any tough parts. iTab has also built an accompanying store where you can download more tabs.<br />
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The iTab also has the ability to output the display to a TV so you can set up an instant guitar-and-karaoke party. There's even a mounting system that lets you keep it attached to your guitar's headstock. The best part is that with an estimated street price of $199, you don't have to be a professional to convince yourself to splurge on one (add more points for catering to hobbyists). The company has put some <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8L5_JLfzes">demonstration videos</a> up on YouTube.<br />
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via <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/for-all-your-digital-guitar-playing-cheat-sheet-needs-theres-i/">engadget</a>.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-52229940869340548542010-02-27T15:27:00.000-08:002010-02-27T15:27:38.056-08:00Them Crooked Vultures gear<a href="http://www.guitaredge.com/">Guitar Edge magazine</a> has <a href="http://www.guitaredge.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=352:gear-spotlight-them-crooked-vultures&catid=45:interviews&Itemid=66">an article</a> up that runs through the gear that each member of <a href="http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/us/front-splash">Them Crooked Vultures</a> is using on tour. It's pretty cool, because none of them use "standard" stuff at all. On another TCV front, <a href="http://video.aol.com/aolvideo/AOL Music/them-crooked-vultures-spinner-interview/68192425001">Spinner</a> has a <a href="http://video.aol.com/aolvideo/AOL Music/them-crooked-vultures-spinner-interview/68192425001">video</a> with some backstage footage of the band members talking (well, Dave Grohl, mostly) about their first gig and being on SNL.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-87653024806764517052010-02-27T08:14:00.000-08:002010-02-27T08:30:41.867-08:00Liars "Scissor [Mute]" video brings the awesome<a href="http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/musicvideo/4067-liars-scissor-mute"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4VLTeymk52eLcU3dnUPY2GUS_sBNmG71F_2O0wPCuJbR1i5fofTQN_qo1clT5C4N7AGUiAsVRpEIFtD5Dy4e85XHnHtgKkt1ZNYClj5kJggqoBL17B3aXhh61kSmMEzjG3UbNOesfQg/s1600-h/liars_scissor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4VLTeymk52eLcU3dnUPY2GUS_sBNmG71F_2O0wPCuJbR1i5fofTQN_qo1clT5C4N7AGUiAsVRpEIFtD5Dy4e85XHnHtgKkt1ZNYClj5kJggqoBL17B3aXhh61kSmMEzjG3UbNOesfQg/s320/liars_scissor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442958132718964802" /></a><br /><br />Check out <a href="http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/musicvideo/4067-liars-scissor-mute">the video</a> for the Liars song <a href="http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/musicvideo/4067-liars-scissor-mute">"Scissor [Mute]"</a> over at <a href="http://pitchfork.com/tv/">Pitchfork tv</a>. The song is pretty good, but the video kind of upstages the song and makes the whole thing more entertaining.<div><br /></div><div>The cinematography (that's right -- I just used the word "cinematography" to critique a music video) is really amazing considering this was probably shot on a postage stamp budget. Best of all, even though you can see the end coming about 30 seconds in, you can't help but watch anyway.</div>Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-34714101496501505062010-02-26T15:19:00.000-08:002010-02-26T18:30:44.811-08:00music labels to bands: "Social network - or else!!"That's the basic gist of this <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10460660-261.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20">reformatted press release</a> over on <a href="http://www.cnet.com/">CNET</a>.<br /><br />Skip about halfway down the article to read quotes that make Daniel Glass sound like a class-a jerkface. His tone is indignant and borderline self-righteous as he describes how he skipped signing a band to his label because they wouldn't tweet their every stage move. Seriously, check this quote:<br /><br /><blockquote><i>"There may be some indie hipper-than-thou artists who want to let the music speak for itself . . . they are probably not for us."</i><br /></blockquote><br />How <b><i>dare</i></b> these impudent punks deny the all-powerful marketing tool of social media and slow the flow of dollars into Glass' pockets?!<br /><br />Wait . . . huh? Money? Pockets?<br /><br />Well, yeah. Think about it. How does the band's effort to promote itself through social media pay off for them? An active facebook, myspace or hosted webpage will result in some extra people showing up to see your band when you roll through town. If you set up an e-commerce store you might sell some tee shirts or cds direct and make some cash.<br /><br />But I'll bet you a <a href="http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Mobile-Phones/ci.Motorola-CLIQ-US-EN.services">Motorola Cliq</a> that's not what has Glass hot and bothered over your twitter account. He's hoping your online activity will generate music sales that put dollars in the label's coffers, and pennies in yours. Because in today's internet world social media = marketing = sales. Theoretically, at least.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong; none of these things are bad by themselves. Maintaining a prominent profile with its online fans is important for most bands. Making it easy for its fans to support and follow them is a good thing. Bands deserve to get paid for their music, the same way doctors gets paid for their medicine. But making social-media-savviness a prerequisite for a record contract is ridiculous.<br /><br />In fact, if social media is going to start having an influence on record contracts, the flow of influence and dollars should be going the other direction. If a band chooses to utilize the internet to promote itself, the label should pay them for their marketing efforts the same way they'd pay an in-house marketing staffer or a&r rep. Let's see a band's manager or lawyer bust that point of view out during contract negotiations and see how Glass reacts. <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Afterthought:</b><br />I'd also like to see some analysis of the time a band spends promoting itself online through social media and compare the payoff against the time spent doing other work with its music (concerts, recording, practice, etc.) to see which is the more productive.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-69457309707400803062008-04-22T12:15:00.000-07:002008-04-22T12:19:09.734-07:00Deconstructing The Gibson RobotAt the Embedded Systems Conference, teardown expert and guitarist David Carey disassembled the electronic system on a Gibson Robot Les Paul. CNet <a href="http://content.techrepublic.com.com/2346-1035_11-197523-1.html" target="_blank">posted pictures</a>.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-64438929780201323492008-04-17T13:30:00.000-07:002008-04-17T13:40:05.556-07:00Last.fm Streaming Good For Music Sales<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3bI3mmFTo96rADEcOXmoKcEfd-3BR_qblqXR8r3ksUj74HD3xfPLCb__YUk2I00En4hLvC5pxJvKCyIbIORAD49SXbdkh_Y431UtSr307NURVjR0aVoo7vJWQS4EzZyPpUO9bVrvHWY/s1600-h/last_fm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3bI3mmFTo96rADEcOXmoKcEfd-3BR_qblqXR8r3ksUj74HD3xfPLCb__YUk2I00En4hLvC5pxJvKCyIbIORAD49SXbdkh_Y431UtSr307NURVjR0aVoo7vJWQS4EzZyPpUO9bVrvHWY/s200/last_fm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158820795003871410" /></a><br /><a href="http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/04/lastfm-says-ful.html" target="_blank">Interesting news</a> from over at Wired's <a href="http://blog.wired.com/music/" target="_blank">Listening Post</a> where Mr. Van Buskirk sez the early returns from Last.fm's <a href="http://musical-machines.blogspot.com/2008/01/lastfm-is-cleared-to-stream.html">full-track streaming</a> are <a href="http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/04/lastfm-says-ful.html" target="_blank">good news</a> for music sales.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-39448528541410859472008-04-17T10:08:00.000-07:002008-04-17T10:19:49.882-07:00Laugh Gleefully Or Cry In Despair?<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_SGwDhKTrwU&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_SGwDhKTrwU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />That's how I feel after finding out that Yamaha will finally be <a href="http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/04/17/tenori-on-in-america-us1200-may-1-limited-run/" target="_blank">releasing the Tenori-On in the United States</a>. The happiness? Because the <a href="http://www.global.yamaha.com/tenori-on/" target="_blank">Tenori-On</a> is <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/this-gadget-rocks-the-worlds-newest-musical-instrument-791234.html" target="_blank">f'ing cool</a>.<br /><br />The tears? Because Yamaha is only releasing 100 units a month, with the run rumored to top out at 1,000 for the year. Plus, the price tag will be about $1,200.00 (US dollars). That means some of us will end up paying about double or triple that on eBay for the Tenori-On, used or new.<br /><br />If you can't stand the wait, or if you don't have $1,200 to throw at it, you could always tide yourself over with a <a href="http://www.music123.com/Korg-KAOSSILATOR-Dynamic-Phrase-Synthesizer-703051-i1383195.Music123" target="_blank">Korg KAOSSILATOR</a>. At $200, it's a lot more affordable and offers a modest slice of the geeky musical goodness of the Tenor-On.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-92014710421673256182008-04-16T16:56:00.001-07:002008-04-16T16:59:13.048-07:00Save Your Ears<a href="http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Prevent_Hearing_Loss" target="_blank">Protect your hearing</a>. This cool wiki page on the <a href="http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Main_Page">Wired How-To Wiki</a> gives you some tips.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-5388075456029720842008-04-16T16:53:00.000-07:002008-04-16T16:55:24.600-07:00Crazy Record Labels<a href="http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/04/music-labels-co.html" target="_blank">Hahhahahhaha.</a> Phew.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-67051493737786315892008-04-04T16:27:00.000-07:002008-04-04T16:39:10.276-07:00MAN! More Cool Pitchfork TV News<a href="http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/" target="_blank">Pitchfork</a> <a href="http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/49743-radiohead-film-exclusive-performance-for-pitchforktv" target="_blank">announced today</a> that <a href="http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/" target="_blank">Radiohead</a> will be joining the launch of <a href="http://pitchfork.tv/" target="_blank">Pitchfork.tv</a>! The band got together in Nigel Godrich's basement to shoot a live performance of the song "Bangers & Mash" from the <em>In Rainbows</em><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> album</span></em>. Obviously Pitchfork is thrilled, and I'm sure there are a lot of fans out there who are, too. I'll definitely be watching. Is there any band in the world as cool as Radiohead right now? I think not. It just seems like they're firing on all cylinders in the right direction at the right time.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-48251184028522826872008-04-03T13:08:00.000-07:002008-04-03T13:13:34.926-07:00FindSounds Internet Sounds Search Engine<p style="padding:0 10px 10px 0;margin:0;">Now THIS is cool! Ever wish you could find a sound on the Internet? Not a song, necessarily, but a sound. You know they're out there, you've heard them on websites, but it's not always easy to locate them. The other day I stumbled upon a unique search engine called <a href="http://www.findsounds.com/index.html" target="_blank">FindSounds</a> designed just for that purpose. You can search for <a href="http://www.findsounds.com/types.html">all types of sounds</a>, from aardvarks to jet airplanes. And you can even filter for certain types of files, like 8-bit, AIFF, mono, WAV, sample rate, etc. Pretty cool.</p>Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-33908189189434890582008-04-02T09:11:00.000-07:002008-04-03T11:30:39.049-07:00Woohoo! More Pitchfork TV News!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5H8jGf83V9VCOs-MetAUyHzMEUWJGJMLjHOtaKeoUqbTzqepzSpihh2_xVtDNT1TEggVUR02UOHTy_r2puCuO6rElyPTP2SJdqsGDt7hn0cTL66XhA4hcvu-a66qgYJiA96Ou5UwHco/s1600-h/pitchforktv.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5H8jGf83V9VCOs-MetAUyHzMEUWJGJMLjHOtaKeoUqbTzqepzSpihh2_xVtDNT1TEggVUR02UOHTy_r2puCuO6rElyPTP2SJdqsGDt7hn0cTL66XhA4hcvu-a66qgYJiA96Ou5UwHco/s320/pitchforktv.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174072129507534082" /></a><br /><p style="padding:0 10px 10px 0;margin:0;">Remember back when I <a href="http://musical-machines.blogspot.com/2008/03/ha-yuge-news-from-pitchfork.html" target="_blank">posted this</a>? Well, we're in the homestretch now for the launch of <a href="http://pitchfork.tv/" target="_blank">Pitchfork.tv!</a> I don't know about you, but I'm really excited. I got even more pumped when Pitchfork <a href="http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/49611-pitchforktv-launches-in-one-week-schedule-revealed" target="_blank">posted their initial schedule</a> on Monday.</p><p style="padding:0 10px 10px 0;margin:0;">The highlights include the most-excellent <a href="http://www.4ad.com/pixies/" target="_blank">Pixies</a> documentary <em><a href="http://loudquietloud.com/" target="_blank">loudQUIETloud: A Film About The Pixies</a></em> which follows the band around on their 2004 tour, <em>Juan's Basement</em> will finally surface, there will be a rooftop performance by excellent punk-poppers <a href="http://www.thethermals.com/" target="_blank">The Thermals</a>, and some up-close-and-personal time with the folks at <em><a href="http://www.deathbyaudio.net/" target="_blank">Death By Audio</a></em>, makers of some of the craziest noise blasters around. Good times for music lovers.</p>Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-63137654160349908482008-03-28T10:33:00.000-07:002008-03-29T14:01:13.879-07:00Earth Hour: You can make a difference tonight (Saturday)Okay, so this has nothing to do with music. But this is an issue that's bigger than just music and affects us all as human beings, not just musicians.<div><br /></div><div>Tonight from 8pm to 9pm is <a href="http://www3.earthhourus.org/" target="_blank">Earth Hour</a>. All across the globe people will be turning off their lights to conserve power and show their support for the planet and green living. The idea is simple and easy, but as it scales upward can have a truly tremendous impact. The Earth Hour initiative was started by the <a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/" target="_blank">World Wildlife Fund</a>, but has quickly grown into a much larger movement. <a href="http://www.earthhour.org/take-action" target="_blank">Join in</a> tonight!<div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. – If you're unhappy about this post, I'll gladly refund your money for this issue. </div><div><br /></div><div>P.P.S. – I jumped the gun just a bit yesterday. Hey, what can I say? I'm an eager beaver. Earth Hour is tonight (Saturday, March 29) from 8 to 9 PM.</div></div></div>Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-39772085171723911642008-03-27T08:52:00.000-07:002008-03-27T09:01:22.367-07:00Dying Weird Isn't EasyOne of the things I'm always amazed by is the crazy ways many musicians meet their demise. Drinking, drugs, plane crashes, etc. So you'd think (at least I did) that there would be more musicians on <a href="http://www.neatorama.com/" target="_blank">Neatorama</a>'s list of the <a href="http://www.neatorama.com/2007/03/12/30-strangest-deaths-in-history/" target="_blank">30 Strangest Deaths In History</a>. But no, only two musicians made the list. I won't spoil the surprise for you. Go read the article and find out for yourself.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-28422903504236146642008-03-25T10:00:00.000-07:002008-03-25T10:05:29.122-07:00Busking The Day AwaySomeone on the <a href="http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=29" target="_blank">HCFX forums</a> posted this awesome video of two guys busking outside a Japanese train stop. I miss the city.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0M0Zj3WRtMA&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0M0Zj3WRtMA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-31949846195282858912008-03-21T17:27:00.000-07:002008-03-21T17:31:02.205-07:00Fun For FridayIt's been linked to many times in many places, but for Musical Machines readers, I present the <a href="http://www.gigwise.com/index" target="_blank">Gigwise</a> gallery of <a href="http://www.gigwise.com/gallery?page=1&id=37656" target="_blank">Worst Album Covers</a>. Enjoy.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-427991421480423572008-03-20T15:49:00.000-07:002008-03-20T16:52:52.262-07:00Music Gear Spotlight: Korg pitchblack<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbLAHHG5AQVUtpISi65T1_sCTkmb861BCo1e-4X7iGIHk9lwrt1faH1W0WMZCUvzvb4DYhiLTJ6Fcyd4_PPs0xckNeNsC0sfc-0bpmBPqb8nDChzAOVvoBWLkVaPKf3dNo4evletcXIM/s1600-h/korg_pitchblack_tuner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbLAHHG5AQVUtpISi65T1_sCTkmb861BCo1e-4X7iGIHk9lwrt1faH1W0WMZCUvzvb4DYhiLTJ6Fcyd4_PPs0xckNeNsC0sfc-0bpmBPqb8nDChzAOVvoBWLkVaPKf3dNo4evletcXIM/s320/korg_pitchblack_tuner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179975716843828850" /></a><br /><br />Okay, okay . . . I can hear the head scratching already, "How does something as mundane as a tuner deserve a spotlight?" The answer? When it's as flat-out cool as the <a href="http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=PITCHBLACK&category_id=5" target="_blank">Korg pitchblack</a>. If you've never used a nice tuner (and by nice, I mean something rackmount or that costs more than $100), you don't know what you're missing out on. And no, this is not one of those audiophile geek things where they plug in two different cables and swear that the one hand-wound by virgins on a super-secret Japanese island using pure copper in a de-oxygenated environment <a href="http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?s=97d4a3c39d247bf955a57b3953326a34&p=15412&postcount=28" target="_blank">sounds like liquid gold</a>.<br /><br />Tuning is a purely functional thing. When you tune, you want it to be fast, easy, and accurate. The pitchblack is the stone that kills all three of those birds with one throw. Cheap tuners are not usually fast (jumpy needles and slow note attack recognition), they are not easy (dim displays, flimsy cases, and crappy buttons), and they are not accurate (poor fundamental tone recognition). The pitchblack does all of these things very, very well. It recognizes notes super fast, its display is ridiculously easy to read, the case is solid cast aluminum, and it has a heavy-duty metal footswitch. These are the facts, not flights of fancy. I've got the tuner and it works like a champ.<br /><br />You can pre-order the pitchblack right now on <a href="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Korg-Pitch-Black-Pedal-Tuner?sku=210087&src=3XBLWXRC" target="_blank">Musician's Friend</a>, <a href="http://www.music123.com/Korg-pitchblack-Chromatic-Pedal-Tuner-210087-i1386425.Music123" target="_blank">Music123</a>, or <a href="http://www.guitarcenter.com/Korg-pitchblack-Chromatic-Pedal-Tuner-210087-i1386425.gc" target="_blank">GuitarCenter</a> for $89.99. Throw a cable or some picks or strings in the cart and you're over the $99 free shipping limit, and you don't even have to leave your house to get the coolest pedal tuner around.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-32885451838879294802008-03-19T09:03:00.000-07:002008-03-19T09:16:17.569-07:00Happy Easter, Suckaz!Technically, this is not musical or machine like (although there is a soundtrack), but it's just so damn funny I had to post it.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UDtmFdfBgxU&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UDtmFdfBgxU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-49859862748737979512008-03-15T16:29:00.000-07:002008-03-15T17:01:17.694-07:00I Want My Link TVHere's a couple of music links to check out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN1543941120080315" target="_blank">Reuters/Billboard story</a> about music e-commerce, indie style, with a spotlight on <a href="http://www.mergerecords.com/" target="_blank">Merge Records</a>.<br /><br />The new NIN album <em><a href="http://ghosts.nin.com/main/home" target="_blank">Ghosts I-IV</a></em> <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080314/music_nm/nineinchnails_dc" target="_blank">is doing well</a>. In just over a week, it's already cleared 1.6 (cue Dr. Evil voice) <em>million</em> dollars. Proof of new distribution concept?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/-Concerts-a-emporter-?lang=en" target="_blank">The Take-Away Shows</a> has <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKN1443935320080315" target="_blank">passed 6 million views</a> on the web. In light of this success, I'm <em>extremely</em> interested to see how the <a href="http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/49084-pitchfork-to-launch-online-music-tv-channel-april-7" target="_blank">newly announced</a> <a href="http://pitchfork.tv/" target="_blank">Pitchfork.tv</a> performs.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-21095612436440382552008-03-14T14:04:00.000-07:002008-03-14T14:11:35.124-07:00Listen To Sharin Foo<a href="http://www.daytrotter.com/" target="_blank">Daytrotter</a> has a <a href="http://www.daytrotter.com/bookery/1184/bookery-raveonettes" target="_blank">page</a> up where you can <a href="http://www.daytrotter.com/bookery/1184/bookery-raveonettes" target="_blank">listen to Sharin Foo</a> of <a href="http://www.theraveonettes.com/" target="_blank">The Raveonettes</a> read a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Andersen" target="_blank">Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale</a>, "The Little Girl With The Sulphursticks." She's pretty good at it, considering this is probably her first time narrating a story. Plus, it's Hans Christian Anderson. You really can't go wrong here.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176180736776088964.post-28401946126637430852008-03-14T09:48:00.000-07:002008-03-14T14:01:08.110-07:00Music Gear Spotlight: New Boss SL-20 Slicer Twin Pedal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYjiP6A5L-d8ER_AQ03lcV2IBnNYCHNUdyRikBD64hoSZaHWoIRZXGaRXCY436yPm6fooFsv5JowgKE1g6b4HPUADnuF9tpZsCvphfohzU96166uqXcFFdWjJzGxfMUX9ce6R7BheQ44/s1600-h/Boss_SL20_Slicer.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYjiP6A5L-d8ER_AQ03lcV2IBnNYCHNUdyRikBD64hoSZaHWoIRZXGaRXCY436yPm6fooFsv5JowgKE1g6b4HPUADnuF9tpZsCvphfohzU96166uqXcFFdWjJzGxfMUX9ce6R7BheQ44/s320/Boss_SL20_Slicer.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177704285334849250" /></a><br /><br />Ooo, kewl. <a href="http://www.bossus.com/" target="_blank">Boss</a> just announced a new pedal over at <a href="http://musik.messefrankfurt.com/global/en/home.html" target="_blank">Musikmesse</a> in Frankfurt, Germany called the <a href="http://messe.harmony-central.com/Musikmesse08/Content/Boss/PR/SL-20-Slicer-Twin-Effects-Pedal.html" target=_"blank">SL-20 Slicer</a>. This pedal combines several of my favorite things: synthesis, arpeggiation, tremolo, and general sonic mayhem. I love it already. The audio "slicing" is handled by 50 different onboard patterns. It's also got looping, tap tempo, stereo panning, and filter-type effects controllable by expression pedal. Cool stuff abounds.Musical Machineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068837952382114409noreply@blogger.com0