Big Shark
We took a mini-vacation in Kona last weekend, the highlight being an encounter with a 10-12 foot Oceanic Whitetip Shark. This is the #5 most-dangerous shark in the world, according to the people who write such lists, and they pulled us out of the water when a second one showed up. It wasn’t acting aggressive (quick movements), but they have a reputation for suddenly getting cranky.
Click the image for more photos from the weekend.
Airplay, sort of
Yesterday I started building my new synth, mostly drilling panels and assembling switches. I clicked on an electronic music internet radio station called “Blue Hell” while I worked for inspiration, which turned out to be mostly beeps, boops and sound effects from synths. There was almost nothing tonal about the music coming out, but it was good enough background noise and usually not annoying. Eventually I went into the other room and tuned it out.
After a while I heard something that sounded like french horns. It was very different from everything else that they had played – a fax machine ring wouldn’t have sounded out of place – so I checked it out. I finally figured out that it was some of my music, “Not Meant to be Seen.” I assumed that the internet station had cut out and iTunes had moved to the next track, so I went in to reset it. It turns out that the station was playing my music, for some bizarre reason. It’s cool to hear my music played by someone who didn’t know me or click on my link. Unfortunately they didn’t credit me in the header, but I guess that’s life. It eventually went back to the experimental electronic music. I have no idea why they played it, but it was kinda cool for a minute or two.
Modular Synth Simulation
I’m trying to design a cabinet for my soon-to-be modular synth. Everyone tells me to plan for a bigger system than I think. I’ve read a lot of stories of people who build a box and outgrow it within a few months, and have to build another to stack on top. Since I’m planning to put mine on the top of an A-frame stand (in earthquake country), I’d prefer not to do any stacking. Some people have told me that 24u is too wide and they prefer 20u, but I thought 24u was a good compromise so I don’t need to go three rows high in the future.
This morning I cut up a box to scale, took a photo and Photoshopped a planned system together to see what it looks like (click the photo for a bigger version). It does look pretty tall. Maybe the modular should go on the bottom? I could make a slanted Moog 55-style cabinet and access it that way. I should start receiving MOTM parts tomorrow, but my organic solder won’t show up until Jan 2nd. I’ll have to fight the temptation to start building modules with the old-fashioned solder.
[Edit: I was talked out of this arrangement, the synth will be much too heavy. It will go on the bottom. Stay tuned.]
New Stand
I just got an early Christmas present, the A-frame keyboard stand I always wanted. For years I resisted, thinking it was too ’80s. But I’ve finally given in and I’m loving it.
Why a three tier stand? Muh-hah-hah-hah….
Working Moog
Well, I cracked the Voyager open and fixed the LED because it was pissing me off. Now that it’s 100% working, I really enjoy the synth. It’s a very flexible synth too. Once I got past the lovely lead and bass sounds, I started playing with audio frequency FM of OSC 1 and the Filters, Oscilator sync and some of the pot mapping features. You can get some modular-sounding stuff out of the box.
Speaking of, it looks like I might start building the MOTM again. I had been looking into smaller-format Euro and Frac systems, but I really like the feel and sound of MOTM modules. So look for that crazyness to start up again in 2008. 