fed up with software

[Triptonizer]

Lately I've been listening again to Autechre's mid nineties stuff, I'd happily trade in all the cd's I bought since Cichlisuite, if I can keep that one. What I'm trying to say is, that the digitalization doesn't appear to have brought so much new or exiting ideas, all I like about music can be found in that short ep. And with the latest trend of loading yer samples neetly in a handy laptop (sooo easy for all those artists on the road) and play them 'live' the Ableton way (what a laugh), things only have deteriorated (seriously, when talking to touring musicians, this is in fact the only reason they can give for using Live: it's so handy --sissies, since when is music about 'handy'; they don't seem to realize that soon everyone will start sounding like 'playing Reaktor loops in Ableton').

I must admit I'm in a real anti-software mood these days.... in the last two years I've almost been using nothing but, and I just made the realization that I hate it and everything that goes with it: computer mouse, hours of staring at the screen, constantly having to cope with stupid little annoyances like faltering hard drives, sessions exiting with no apparent reason, I have tons and tons of Reaktor projects that took many useless hours to build, and ended up unfinished because one or two things just refused to work (or I got bored with it) -- anyone wants em? I vaguely seem to remember my first adventures in audio software were all about making music...... I seriously need to get my joy of performing, jamming, improvising back, or else I'll start collecting rare butterflies or so.

[c s]

hmm i don't get your point completely i think. autechre's older works where somehow cooler ? yes. all music made since then is boring ? no. all late 90s-today music was made on laptops ? no. all laptop artists sound the same ? perhaps many, but definitely not all. all laptop artists now use ableton ? i don't think so, and i'm personally not a big fan of playing back sampled loops either - why use ableton when you can synthesize it in realtime from reaktor on a notebook ? but if reaktor itself became all boring to you (which i don't understand), what's your solution now, what are you going to do ? is it really more fun to stare at tiny lcd-displays and navigate through dozens of menus for hours ? lol

[arar]

You said that music was'nt supposed to be handy so why are you complaining about all the problems with yer computer then!

Ive been using a demo of ableton, I only use it for tracks between using making waves (yes for live sets, its more flexible than ableton you can fuck about in more detail with individual tracks and samples believe me) I still think making waves is really under-ratred and a lot of it is down to snobbery...

I do a lot of work on samples before they get played out, doesnt that count then

I dont use midi...its for wimps!, it always make me laugh when people bang on about software being boring and a cheat, when all they're elements are kept in time by midi..this is probably the same people that slag people who use beat counters to help them mix vinyl (its a funny old world)

[actionjetzon]

Midi is for wimps? hahaha, what the shit you´re talking about man!?!

I began to use software some months ago, and i really like some stuff....but only as supplement to my midi-/hardware.

I never would make music only with SW...-i´m definitively on triptonizers site! Starring on the monitor....computer mousse....that sucks after a while!




....damn....what i do now......? I´m a wimp

[mattp]

I've long since given up caring what I use .... as long as I like the results ... hardware/software/drawing on CDs and sampling em. .. oh and my latest fad is to copy loops to compact cassette and then pull the tape out and screw it up ... and then sample the tape.... hmmmm nice. :()

cheers

matt

[arar]

I think any methods OK as well.....Im taking the piss Im afraid, its also funny looking at people struggling with midi cable...I was in bands 25 years ago and had enough of other musicians and ridiculously heavy bits of gear back then, Im now to old and weak to carry the crap...cheer up trip self doubt is a good sign, never trust anyone who is totally happy with the way they work all the time..Ive been using the memo fuction on my mobile phone to sample little bits and pieces, its really handy actually....my PA set up is held together with a wing and a prayer...its all I can afford, and certainly makes life exciting

[piscaries]

midi is definately NOT for wimps. how do you think all your favorite old techno tracks were made? with midi gear. i use software, but mostly hardware. my main arguement: a computer sound card does not sound as good as a synthesizer that was designed around outputting a synthesized tone. what do you think sounds better: the sound card in my laptop, or the sound engine in a nord modular, or the sound engine in a machinedrum? yes, they're all digital, but synths are made to make sounds. it's all they are made to do! it's just a nice bonus with a laptop. unless you go and spend lots of money on a nice sound card. i'd rather just use gear.

[pille'ocheoni]

i really feel what your saying but i stand in too diffetnt place's as a software novice. considering my years of trumpet and four track noise.i miss the improv lots ,but i hold a dieng love for new info and programming. software has shown me alot and also put me in a box,but all and all im seeing a new light for myself in niose.niose art that is.ive been buying all they casio's and yamaha little keyboard's i can get and recording pure shit.it feels good sometimes to make complete and udder shit.well not really shit but you get the point.im the envious type at heart i cant help it but it also gets me in my moods of exploration.so if a novice could give advice,id say go more lo-tec,try some old patterns,work on those songs that are hidden from two years ago and crop chop and fuck them to pieces and see the worst song you can make.[p]

[anarchosyn]

I've recently taken this sentiment to heart, but in a slightly different fashion.

Currently, the (home studio) setup I'm working on looks something like this-->

Stage 1)

*Old P4 "shit for audio" PC running cubase -> sending midi master synch to G4 powerbook and maybe a few cubase created linear midi elements.

Stage 2)

*G4 running MAX: acting as a complex midi thru for cubase, and processing + generating midi data (I'm new to max, and over time I hope to rely on cubase less and less for the primary data *or* purchase logic for mac to be run in the background of max assuming that wouln't hurt the overall performance of MSP).

Stage 3)

* A handful of older gear boxes (with a few new): MS20, drumstation, pulse, minikorg, nord modular, small modcan system. Running sequences from the previous stages and outputting the audio (after being submixed down externally for treatment by my external effex rack) back into the G4.

Stage 4)

* G4 processes the audio (or simply mixes it) with MSP, and other vsti's used primarily for granu-experimentation and sampler purposes.

Stage 5)

* G4 either exports the audio to my minidisc system for recording, records it to the drive via msp or ports to dat.


---

To me, this is the perfect mix of digi and analogue.. I should also stress that this is just a sketch of my current plan, and my studio (as of now) looks nothing like this :)..

In a nutshell though:

Real Gear = Limited power and clarity, serious problems some of the time, amazing tonality.

Virtual Gear = Amazing power and clarity, minor problems all of the time, flat sounding tonal quality (IMHO).

[thetonewrecker]

the ears don't lie...
there will always be the arguement between the external gear camp and the computer users. It is useless. Create and explore. mix and match. learn from the mistakes and find what makes you tick when you want to jam. Interfaces are the key to working quickly and comfortably on computers. Slider/knob boxes and even a digital tablet instead of a mouse can greatly improve what it feels like to sculpt your sound.

Anyone try the new tablet pc's yet where you can draw/tap right on the screen?

[Sheridan]

yes tonewrecker is right. control surfaces are the way to go. after learing pro tools at school I have made a few tracks using the control 24. being able to mix, automate, edit, and more with out even touching a mouse is the best. which led me to my purchase of a digi 002 control surface. digital audio workstations (for me) seem to be the best route. you can use all kinds of outboard hardware gear and software synths all in one program. keeping it streamlined and relatively simple. getting the best of both worlds.

[CHIP TRONIC]

Synths are built to make music.
According to that definition it doesn´t matter whether you use hardware or software if you want to make music.
It´s only a matter of what you prefer.
As to me i love reaktor,ableton live and fruity loops and all those other plug ins and instruments i don´t want to miss.

I am certainly going to buy some more hardware in the future.
but only for some additional luxury, for i actually don´t need them, because i produce everything digitally.

it´s so much fun!!!! REALLY!
Of course this is my personal opinion.
But i am a person who loves programming source code.
I don´t care about staring at the screens and i am content with a mouse and a computer keyboard.

[TEC-HO]

unless you master on to anologue tape you loose that anologue warmth anyway ,you can warm soft synths by using the right fx

ps. for audio/midi programming nuendo is better than pro tools by far

[M H]

I don't care what anyone uses....

...omly what it sounds like....

[thetonewrecker]

Originally posted by M H
I don't care what anyone uses....
...only what it sounds like....

oh. go back to playing the coconuts... I know you care.

[Sheridan]

Originally posted by TEC-HO
ps. for audio/midi programming nuendo is better than pro tools by far

no doubt! pro tools midi leaves much to be desired, but I think with pro tools v6.0 it will get better. but until then motu's digital performer will do nicely.