It’s a screenshot of an AudioMulch patch that I’ve been using for the past year [...]]]> Electrofringe is just around the corner, and this looks to be a particularly good year. I’ll be there as usual, doing a few talks. No gig this time, but I am contributing to Patchwork, an exhibition of ‘patch art’. Here’s mine:

It’s a screenshot of an AudioMulch patch that I’ve been using for the past year or so for live performance, in conjunction with a Behringer BCR controller.

In other news, I’ve removed my blogroll. Blogrolls are over – you heard it here. Well, maybe they’re not but mine is too tedious to maintain, as I un/sub from feeds all [...]]]> I’ve opened a Twitter account for, you know, research. Pownce is supposedly better, but it’s brand new and currently invitation only, so we’ll see.

In other news, I’ve removed my blogroll. Blogrolls are over – you heard it here. Well, maybe they’re not but mine is too tedious to maintain, as I un/sub from feeds all the time. Ideally Google Reader etc. would add a feature to generate/update blogrolls dynamically, based on applying a particular tag to a feed. (I should quit the arts and become a Web2.0 entrepreneur, hey…)

If you’ve mainly been reading this blog as a feed, you might not have noticed the Links page, on which my blogroll resided. It (still) contains feeds from and links to my Google Reader shared items, del.icio.us bookmarks and del.icio.us network links, as well as Flickr, Last.fm and more. So I think that’s enough context to be going on with for now.

The full program for Electrofringe is now online. This year sees an unprecedented diversity in the Electrofringe program, as well as a stock of brilliant and stimulating events of the calibre you’ve come to expect from the October long weekend in Newcastle. Themes include accessibility and collaboration in electronic arts, wearable art, [...]]]>

Electrofringe 2007 Program Online!

The full program for Electrofringe is now online. This year sees an unprecedented diversity in the Electrofringe program, as well as a stock of brilliant and stimulating events of the calibre you’ve come to expect from the October long weekend in Newcastle. Themes include accessibility and collaboration in electronic arts, wearable art, rethought radio and new approaches to electronic music. Screen works, contemporary dance, immersive and site specific works are nestled alongside dynamic panel discussions, workshops and gigs.

International guests include Tim Hecker (Canada), Leafcutter John (UK), Sebastien Roux (France), Jason Kahn (USA) and Ralph Steinbruchel (CH) alongside local artists including Robin Fox, Machina Aux Rock, Darrin Verhagen, SpatnLoogie, Sanso-Xtro, Pimmon, Shannon O’Neill and Gail Priest, plus may more.

Head to the Electrofringe website, www.electrofringe.net to check out the program and stay tuned for further updates.

I tested the waters with Ubuntu Desktop on an old desktop PC that I rarely use and was surprised to find that the installation was completely painless – it detected all of the hardware and even set up partitions so I could keep the [...]]]> Over the weekend I installed Ubuntu Linux on two of my computers.

I tested the waters with Ubuntu Desktop on an old desktop PC that I rarely use and was surprised to find that the installation was completely painless – it detected all of the hardware and even set up partitions so I could keep the old Windows installation. But I was so impressed with Ubuntu, I got rid of XP on that machine.

I then replaced XP on my old laptop with Ubuntu Studio, which is optimised for media production. It even runs AudioMulch pretty well under Wine!

What can I say? I’m now a Linux convert! I reckon Ubuntu is the best OS I’ve used. I was afraid it would be too difficult, but if you’ve ever used the Windows command line or registry, Ubuntu is actually very easy. There is a learning curve, but it feels empowering. And of course Ubuntu is free, open source and all that good stuff. Other OSes now seem so restrictive and cumbersome by comparison. Ubuntu also has all the bells and whistles if you want them, such as the Beryl visual effects, and performance is much better on my old hardware than Windows ever was.

One of my favourite thing about using Ubuntu is that installing most programs is just a matter of selecting them from the ‘Add/Remove’ menu – no need to search the web for an installer, then download and run it – Ubuntu does it all automatically. Likewise with software updates.

Next I’m going to set up my main desktop PC to dual boot Ubuntu Studio and XP so that I can still access the few programs that I need which won’t run on Linux/Wine/OSX (mainly Adobe Audition) but mostly I’ll be using it as a file server and media center, running MythTV.

When the new Macbook Pro arrives I won’t be putting Windows on it. If anything I’ll add Ubuntu to it, but Wine also works on OSX, so I’ll still be able to access many of my Windows programs where necessary. Instead of Audition I’ll use ProTools, which is OK, since I also use it at uni. Eventually I hope to leave Windows completely.

I highly recommend that you give Ubuntu a try – especially if you have an old computer lying around. There’s nothing to lose, and you may just fall in love with it like I have!

I went to my local music store today to buy some guitar strings and left with the strings + this cute little mixer. I’m a sucker for Behringer’s cheap and useful products. This mixer will come in handy for live performances – both my own and ones that I organise. It’s perfect for laptop gigs, [...]]]>

I went to my local music store today to buy some guitar strings and left with the strings + this cute little mixer. I’m a sucker for Behringer’s cheap and useful products. This mixer will come in handy for live performances – both my own and ones that I organise. It’s perfect for laptop gigs, with some extra inputs for a mic, guitar and a few other things. The built in effects are surprisingly good, especially the reverbs, which will take a load off my poor old laptop’s CPU. An excellent purchase for $180. The only downside is that it doesn’t do surround sound (that would cost at least a couple of hundred more) so I won’t be using it at my gig this Friday, but it will get plenty of use in future, I’m sure.

This Is Not Art is on in Newcastle this weekend. It’s my favourite Australian festival – if you’ve never been, you should check it out. I’ll be doing a couple of talks and a couple of performances.

any suggestions?

oh and i got a new phone. it’s not amazing but it is a big step up from my previous one (i’m still waiting for my ideal [...]]]> i need a digital camera for my forthcoming trip. less than aud500, and with the ability to use a 2GB SD (or miniSD) card (which i already have).

any suggestions?

oh and i got a new phone. it’s not amazing but it is a big step up from my previous one (i’m still waiting for my ideal ‘portable device’ (to become affordable)). now to figure out how to use it for email… it’s a shame that the vodafone live 3g content is almost entirely rubbish, but i s’pose i shouldn’t be surprised.

This is my latest toy. I’m using it as a MIDI controller for AudioMulch (with the help of Ross Bencina’s P5 Glove MIDI software and Jamie O’Connell’s MIDI Yoke).

The thumb and each finger can send a separate Continuous Controller value (using custom flex sensors) as can each of the X, Y and Z axes in [...]]]>

This is my latest toy. I’m using it as a MIDI controller for AudioMulch (with the help of Ross Bencina’s P5 Glove MIDI software and Jamie O’Connell’s MIDI Yoke).

The thumb and each finger can send a separate Continuous Controller value (using custom flex sensors) as can each of the X, Y and Z axes in relation to the infrared receptor.

It’s fun but somewhat difficult to control. Partly it’s a matter of learning to use it, like any instrument, but also my hands are a bit bigger than it’s designed for. I’m not sure how practical it’ll be for gigging, but it makes a nice change to be able to do more obviously gestural performance (compared to using a mouse or a fader/knob box).

I’m trying to decide whether to put any more money into upgrading my desktop PC (which [...]]]> It seems to me that ‘desktop’ computers will soon be obsolete, other than for high-end facilties (with server racks & render farms) or cheap, low-end situations. Laptops (with external hard drives for extra storage/backups) are taking over the middle ground.

I’m trying to decide whether to put any more money into upgrading my desktop PC (which I’ve been doing regularly since the mid-90s) or forget about it and concentrate on getting another laptop (which I need anyway since my current laptop is still broken and will be difficult to repair).

Will my studio in five years time have no desktops but two or three laptops and a pile of external hard drives? Would I be missing anything by not having a desktop? (In practice I’ll probably keep it as a server until the processor/mobo falls over.)

I have a Korg Wavestation AD, a classic synthesizer module from the early 90s, heard on countless soundtracks and electronica albums. I bought it a few years ago, but have hardly used it. I mainly make music with software these days, and there’s now a software version of the Wavestation available. Still, hardware is useful [...]]]>

I have a Korg Wavestation AD, a classic synthesizer module from the early 90s, heard on countless soundtracks and electronica albums. I bought it a few years ago, but have hardly used it. I mainly make music with software these days, and there’s now a software version of the Wavestation available. Still, hardware is useful (this synth also has built-in FX, and can operate as a standalone FX processor) and it would be attractive to someone out there.

My dilemma is whether or not to sell it. It’s worth about AUD500, which is an awkward amount – it’d make a dent in my current debts, but it’s not enough $ to make a major difference to my life. So it’s tempting to hang on to it.

I also tend to regret selling things, or throwing them away. Most notably a ghetto blaster that I used for my early cassette cutups, which I threw out a couple of years ago. I still have nightmares about that – it was broken and useless, but had sentimental value.

This Wavestation doesn’t have quite as much sentimental value, although it belonged to Boxcar, an Australian synthpop band of which I was quite fond. And John Watermann used a (different) Wavestation AD on some of his recordings, so owning one makes me feel a bit closer to him.

But if I can sell it for $500 then I think I will…

Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project

Famous Cannabis Users

Google Idol

THE MARRIAGE OF CADMUS AND HARMONY FOR CHILDS

The Mercury Theatre on the Air

Nyet

sCrAmBlEd?HaCkZ! (awesome software!)

SONY admits that CD/44.1PCM is inferior

Stagg Chili Recipes

Video Downloader

xTal – free mp3 DJ VSTi plugin

Zaatar Mix

It has been ages since I last owned a walkman, but the time has come. [...]]]> Now that I’m a student at UoW, I have a 90 minute (each way) train journey from Sydney. And as part of my current health & fitness regimen, I also go for a long (at least 40 min) walk every day.

It has been ages since I last owned a walkman, but the time has come. I’ve been looking at iPods but *fukc* they’re expensive. And they’re a bit lacking in features.

Ideally I want something that has:

at least 20GB storage
can play mp3/aac/wav
can store other file types
includes an AM/FM radio (AM is particularly important, for Radio National/NewsRadio/Cricket).

Ability to record audio would be very nice but is not essential.
Colour screen/video (esp. xvid) playback – nice but not important.

Price should be well under AUD500

I want to get something a.s.a.p. but there are so many products out there, and I’ve yet to find one that meets my requirements, so any suggestions (including stores) would be much appreciated. TIA.

When I opened my laptop today, I had to use more force than usual, and the hinge at the bottom of the screen snapped at its base. The hinge itself has jammed. It’s metal and it just won’t budge (I’ve tried various tools). Even if I could get it to move again, I’d still need [...]]]> Bugger.

When I opened my laptop today, I had to use more force than usual, and the hinge at the bottom of the screen snapped at its base. The hinge itself has jammed. It’s metal and it just won’t budge (I’ve tried various tools). Even if I could get it to move again, I’d still need to reattach the broken metal base somehow. I can’t see this being easily repaired (and of course it’s long out of warranty). Has anyone else experienced this problem? If so, how did you deal with it? Is there anyone who specializes in these sort of repairs?

For now I’ve managed to wedge it in an open position, so it’s usable, but it can’t be easily moved without cracking the plastic case or damaging the screen. So it’s no longer portable, which means no more laptop gigs for the Time Being. I’d actually been considering taking a break from gigs this year, but I didn’t expect the decision to be made for me.

The laptop is a four year old Dell Inspiron 8200. It was top of the line when I bought it and had given me no problems until now (apart from the hard drive dying last year, but given what I put it through, that wasn’t a complete surprise).

I was hoping to get at least another year out of it before replacing it with something smaller and more capable of doing live video. Not that I’ll be able to afford it for some time (I need to pay off the credit cards before running them up again ) but what’s the best brand of PC laptop for live music/video these days? Dell was the shiz back in 2002, but appears to have lost its lustre…

BK SynthLab

Boston, Massachusetts

The Contradiction of Trotsky – Claude Lefort

Fat Ass Plugins

Fate, Resignation, Persistence, Affirmation, Endurance: Beckett and Stoicism

Hardwired to seek beauty

iZotope

The Lenin Legend

Looper’s Delight

Ressentiment

Sample Rate Conversion Comparisons

Voxengo

Zone Mobius

Elevayta

Feed on Feeds

GTG Synths

Highway Bridges and Feasts: Heidegger and Borgmann on How to Affirm Technology

Pop, art, and and Zizek

Progress Audio

Tiny Tiny RSS

victime de mode

vul3jp6