Trash_Audio

Yesterday I did two small software upgrades to some gear. I installed the Evilx0x (.5) firmware on my x0xb0x and also found there was an update for the Virus TI 2.7 Beta software, it’s now at Beta 4. I was happy to find that the Atomizer is now a lot more stable when using it in Logic 8. So with the two upgrades, I decided to test them both out at the same time. On the x0xb0x, the new firmware lets you do some new interesting things while it’s playing such as various swing modes and shortening of the pattern to 8, 4, 2, or 1 steps in length. The Atomizer effect on the TI is basically a live audio slicer/freezer kind of thing and the mod wheel controls which frequency’s will be effected by this, left untouched it will slice the whole frequency spectrum, and as you move the mod wheel you can chop just high frequency content, or just low frequency content…

Anyway, I recorded everything I was doing as I was figuring it all out, here are some random chunks:

x0x meets atom – 1
x0x meets atom – 2
x0x meets atom – 3
x0x meets atom – 4

“Hi, I am sleeping. Oh I mean, I KAN HAZ SLEEP, or I CAN HAZ SYNTHESIZER, or… fuck it, we’ll do it live.”

Most people are probably pretty familiar with the x0xb0x by now. If not, basically it’s the closest TB-303 clone you could possibly get/make created by ladyada. The kits to build these have just been discontinued To attain one of these clones you have to be put on a waiting list for an indefinite amount of time, but you can still build one, you just have to source all the parts yourself (Which could be a little difficult with some of the rare components you’ll need).

With that said, I’ve just found on the fourms this nicely modded x0xb0x created by a character by the name of Subatomic, and it sounds mental:

CLIP 1
CLIP 2
CLIP 3

More info here.

Just a quick update, Surachai and I are both using Twitter now, so if you use it too, add us! I am (user name) justinmcgrath and Surachai is of course (user name) surachai. Also, I’d like to get a show of hands (via email on right) of all of the people living in the Chicago area. We’d just like to send out event notices for possible upcoming Trash_Audio events. We’re not quite sure what this will entail, it could be anything from a small gathering with beer, to a show, or a 25,000 person analog modular rave. Now, back to my helicopter…

*update: Sorry, I am still using Web 1.3, added actual useful links to our accounts.

I found a message in my e-mail saying that I might be interested and yes I am! There are too many worthwhile things to list from the video that if I’d be describing every single frame. So instead of that, press play…

You might be interested in the trailer for my forthcoming documentary called ‘Totally Wired’, which is about Andreas Schneider and his infamous analogue store in Berlin, Germany, called ‘Schneider’s Buero’. The doc explores the relationship between the boutique builders and gear- lusty musicians who make Schneider’s Buero an interface in its own right. Doc features some heavy inventors like Wowa Cwejmann, Dieter Doepfer and Ken Maccbeth as well as musicians like Ricardo Villalobos, Daniel Miller and Junior Boys.

Niamh Ahern
Director, ‘Totally Wired’

Trailer for ‘Totally Wired’ from Niamh Ahern on Vimeo.

Just released today by Access, the version 2.7 Public Beta of the Virus TI Software which now includes:

- The Atomizer (Glitch/Beat chop effect, controllable via keyboard)

- Support for multiple Virus TIs on one system!

Coming to future Beta/Release versions: USB Audio Input and Virus Control Center software which will let you overwrite ROM banks, make backups, and install OS versions.

Image via Flikr/Matrixsynth, original here.

On a side note, I have been a long time Virus user starting with the Virus A then the B (Indigo 1) and I’ve just picked up the Virus TI Polar. I can defiantly say that the integrated/plugin aspect of the TI system has really increased my productivity and my work flow. It really does work just like any normal plugin with the added benefit of having the full hardware right in front of you and total patch recall on song load. On previous versions of the Virus, I was mainly using it in single voice mode and recording each part into the computer. Now I take full advantage of using the multitimbral capabilities as well as the various output configurations. My typical setup has the main analog outputs of the Virus normalled to a DBX386 tube preamp while having the two (now three!) USB outputs running parallel to this in coming from the plugin in Logic.

Also, I’ve got two tracks made primarily with the virus TI streaming here: polyfuse.net if anyone is interested in hearing the sound of the TI.

I’m playing a secret ambient show in Chicago tonight with minimal gear, Virus TI + Waterphone.

Via matrixsynth.

Pro Guitar Shop Youtube
Here is something I’ve been searching for and think is a valuable resource when it comes to pedals. Without too much backstory, a few years ago I worked at a music shop in Maryland called Atomic Music. They employed mostly guitar buffs and I watched them talk their alien language while helping people with keyboards and recording. Since then I have been obsessive about delays and various high end/interesting pedals. I found a youtube account that has demos an array of interesting pedals that are worth checking out. As of this posting they have 150 videos ready to rock your bank account.
Props to whoever knows what pedal on the left is.

And because all that ass kissing makes me sick, I’ve made some samples to share with you. Paris + catacombs closed for repairs = alone time with the modular. Repairing catacombs. Is it me or does that sound like a paradox? Anywho. these files are raw, no normalization, no compression, no sweetning. Mono, 16 bit, 44.1 Khz. Enjoy! You can download them here.

From the zip file:
Because I’m in Paris and my audio interface is in Chicago, I decided to use the line in on the Macbook. While I never done this before, It seems to work pretty well.

Use these samples however you want. Though I’d love to hear how you’re using them. You can send products, questions and comments to: trash@thedeepelement.com
Best,
-surachai.

The current modular tour setup is:
Livewire Dalek
Cwejman VM-1
Doepfer A-188-2 BBD
Doepfer A-142-3 Quad LFO
Doepfer A-155 Sequencer
Harvestman Malgorithm
Harvestman Polivoks VCF
Plan B Mixer