"MSHouse Nation (FM4 Edit)"

"MSHouse Nation (FM4 Edit)" [mp3 removed -- updated version is on Bandcamp]

Am working on a few variants of "MSHouse Nation." In this one a synthesizer solo fades up at the end and adds some additional counterpoint to the parts already playing. This may eventually replace the previous edit--still trying to decide if the solo is necessary.

"MSHouse Nation"

electribe rmkiicarbon2

"MSHouse Nation" [mp3 removed -- updated version is on Bandcamp]

By rough count, this is the 500th song I've posted, including some remixes and collaborations. The rhythm track was done a while back using the Electribe groovebox to the left. "Carbon 2" was used for the keyboard parts. Some additional bass and percussion was added. One of the best compliments I've had was from an artist who noted the similarities in my music, drawing and animation work. The title is in honor of what I hope is an essential home computer nerdiness, working across media.

"Graphic Absence"

"Graphic Absence" [mp3 removed]

Native Instruments' software synthesizer Absynth annoys for a number of reasons: overly arty HR Giger-ish display; odometer dials; too many presets that sound like vague electro world music.

This tune is based on a couple of beat presets that were messed with in real time: changing pitch, filter parameters and also the mix of oscillators. The changes were very disruptive, causing pops and crackles that had to be snipped out in the editing process. (Slicing out the noise or even redrawing the wave form by hand.) When my attention started lagging, listening to the live recordings, I added some drum hits from another percussion synth (Linplug RMV) with and without "midi echo." So this is a mix of organic and synthetic drum sounds, still vaguely world-folky but also American-suburban-nerdy.

"Graphic Equality"

"Graphic Equality" [mp3 removed]

Ambient Default music: two "techno" loops are beatmatched and run concurrently. Parameters for one, such as echo and filtering, are virtual-knob-twiddled in real time; parameters on the other are set in advance (including a long LFO-driven filter sweep). The fixed-parameter loop is a drum and bass beat slowed to about half-speed.

"Amen 2011"

"Amen 2011" [mp3 removed]

Hammond B-3 organ sniggles were added to "Amen 2011 (Beats)." Also piano at the end. This is a pretty dense and frenetic minute. Prog rock on steroids, etc.