March 2013

"Polyphonic LFO Trio"

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"Polyphonic LFO Trio" [4.6 MB .mp3]

Four synth parts played polyphonically: sustained chords, then some permutational melodies. (Not using the modular, this is a conventional analog I was testing out before taking it to the shop for some knob repair - more info than you needed, sorry.) At the end, FM modulation adds grit, and I really like the tune at 1:15, which sounds sort of Canterburyish (Egg?), not sure why.
Bass lines and conventional jazz drums were added to make the "trio" with the imaginary synth player.

"Sonic Ute"

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"Sonic Ute" [mp3 removed -- a remixed version of this track appears on Bandcamp]

Using the Octatrack sequencer as a midi controller for the modular synth and also as a sampler and multitrack mixer of the sounds thus produced. Still at a primitive stage here but was able to get three parts playing with some simple harmonies. Then, post-production: some of the synths were treated with an "amp simulator" so they sound like guitar distortion. Also some breakbeats underneath.

chas. freeman speech

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Charles Freeman on what the US achieved in Iraq (i.e., nothing):

If the idea was to showcase the virtues of the rule of law and American-style civil liberties, then our behavior at Abu Ghraib, our denial of the protections of the Geneva Conventions to our battlefield enemies, and our suspension of habeas corpus (as well as many other elements of the Bill of Rights) at home put paid to that. These lapses from our constitution and the traditions of our republic have left us morally diminished. They have greatly devalued our credibility as international advocates of human freedoms everywhere, not just in the Middle East. We have few ideological admirers in the Arab or broader Islamic worlds these days. Our performance in Iraq is part of the reason for that.

Freeman was a first-term Obama almost-appointee nixed by the forces of darkness. The above excerpt comes from a speech given 13 days before Mitt Romney lost; long but worth a read.