We've been practicing our new set, tweaking our gear and de-bugging our tracks every chance we can get for some time now. I'm absolutely looking forward to all three shows we've got booked in the near future. They will all be in the company of friends among the bands and otherwise.
Here's a little of what else that's going on.
-We're finally building a new studio PC next month. The new machine will be absolutely sick, I promise... it's the first time I've really been able to build a computer based purely on what I *want* instead of what's available secondhand in parts or what's currently in the bargain bin at the wholesale shop. When that's finished, we'll be a whole lot closer to being able to finish more music... because right now there's a ton of stuff I'd like to do right now involving virtual hardware, but can't until we have more processing power. Particularly when it comes to getting the music sounding its best - I've been experimenting with some great tools lately, I'd like to see how they work in realtime.
-Our 8-bit machines are transitioning from being little more than goofy toys to useful instrumentation. I've got a C64 synthed-out and ready to go, with a second not far behind. Paddles control the filters, a keyboard overlay gives it a playable surface, and I plan on adding a small screen to monitor the changing parameters... more of which we'll have after getting a new synth program loaded onto a cartridge modded to handle flash memory modules. Yes, flash memory-based data being accessed from a Commodore 64 - demosceners never cease to amaze. The best I can do is put their inventions to good use as a means of showing my gratitude. Also, my Atari 2600 synth with MIDI control is complete, and we've got a Gameboy running Nanoloop to play around with too... who knows if either of them will find a way into our shows, but it'll be an idea I intend to pursue.
That's all for the moment, hope to see everyone soon.
-Owen
