Hi folks,

I’m experimenting with a new theme. I like this one quite a bit. I’m working on customizing it. There also seems to be a stylesheet problem for comments in Safari 4.0.2. If I can’t get that sorted out, I’ll need to move to another template.

In the meantime, enjoy and let me know what you think. If you run into a problem with the template, leave a comment with your operating system and browser version info. Thank you very much.

Cheers.

UPDATE: I got it sorted out! If anyone wants to know how, leave a comment and I’ll contact you.

Straight from the new Google group set up by Peter McIlwain and crew at CEMA:

CEMA is pleased to announce that it has received additional funding to continue the development of Nodal. We are currently in the process of updating the current version, along with releasing a version that runs under Microsoft Windows. These new versions should be released around February 2009.

Further development of Nodal will continue in 2009, where we will move to charging a small fee to purchase an updated version of the software (Windows and Mac compatible). Fees collected will go back into further developments of the software. Updated versions will include technical support, a more detailed manual and tutorial guides. Please check back on this page throughout 2009 for updates.

This is exciting. I hope they figure out an easy way to sync this thing with my DAW… I highly recommend checking this out at the link below.

___________________________________

• More info on Nodal is here.
• The Nodal Google Group is here.

OK. So I was, um, not thinking. If I had been, why would I make a resolution only TWO WEEKS before NAMM to NOT buy any new synth plug-ins before June 2009? I don’t even have the excuse of being hung over. Oh well…

Here are some damn interesting things announced on the first day of NAMM, several of which will migrate into my possession at some point this year. (Note that except for a short discussion of Live8, this is mostly a list with links. I’ll write more on each of these in the future.)

Ableton announces LIVE 8…

The biggest surprise to me was the announcement of Ableton Live8. Caught me completely by surprise.

First, if you have not checked out the videos on Ableton’s site, please do. Reading about the new features is not nearly as effective (IMHO) as seeing some of them in action. I’ve provided links to YouTube videos below, but better quality videos are available directly from Ableton at this link: http://www.ableton.com/home?movie=4

First up, there is an overview of Live8…

embedded by Embedded Video

But it gets so much more interesting. Check out “Share” for remote collaboration…

embedded by Embedded Video

Then there is “Extend” the integration of Max/MSP into LIVE…

Just a quick note. I’d like to increase readership and participation. If you’ve been following the blog (or are just here on a random visit) and like what you see, please consider:

• leaving a suggestion on what you would like to see covered in the future
• passing the site address on to others
• linking to the site
• leaving a comment
• signing up for the eventual newsletter (email addresses will NOT be sold, shared, or given out in anyway)

Also a quick update: Unfortunately, I have had to start moderating  comments because there is a constant stream of ‘bot messages that assault the site everyday. I’m pretty good about making sure things get posted fairly quickly however. As soon as I figure out how to install a ‘Captcha’ type verification system (a bit of a PIA IMHO but necessary I guess), I’ll do that and remove the moderation.

To everyone who has checked out subnoto::indico so far: Thanks and please continue!

cheers.

nk_e

Hey!

Another quick update, this time on music production and music tool tutorials.

When you post a “how-to” question about music software on some discussion boards, you can often get a “RTFM” (Read The Effin’ Manual) response. And although I essentially agree with the sentiment, I find that a) I hardly have time,** and b) the softwares we are dealing with are increasingly complex. And those two facts tend to reinforce each other.

Because of this, I think my learning style has changed. I appreciate and enjoy video tutorials. I can see and watch how something is done, and I pick it up much quicker. Of late, I’ve come across some really nice tutorials:

• Digital Performer by MacAudioLab– First up is a set of new DP6 tutorials from MacAudioLab. These were just released in the last month or so. They are the only comprehensive set of tutorials on DP6 on the market at present. (The other set of DP6 tutorials out there by TutorialDepot are decent bite-sized chunks, but I’d hardly call them comprehensive.) Some of the material is taken from their DP5 tutorials (the bits that have not changed between versions), but there is A LOT of new material including several tutorials on MOTU’s VIs (MX4, MachFive2, Ethno) plus other material.

“Practice.”

It’s an old joke, but one that has some truth to it.

After 20+ years with various and sundry keyboards, I finally took the plunge a couple of years ago and started taking formal piano instruction. (If you are interested in music instruction and you live in the DC-MD-VA area, you really owe it to yourself to check out the Levine Music School.) I had always been a proponent of avoiding the “straightjacket of orthodoxy” and discovering music creation on my own or in collaboration with like-minded individuals. I’ve come to the conclusion that it is easier to break the rules if you first know them. And besides, for my personal interests, some of the rules are helpful!

My focus is really on developing my finger dexterity so as to make it easier to write pieces at the piano with more spontaneity. I also am trying to develop a much more formal understanding of theory and harmony as I have aspirations to one day work with film.

But you got to start somewhere, and if you want to also, then Hanon, Hanon Revisited, and Beyer should be your new friends.

The issue of course is finding the time.