A Cool Site to Spark Song Ideas

I'm in the process of finishing up the recording of the next Assemblage 23 album and part of that entails tightening up some themes and lyrics for the songs. We all wish we were an endless font of inspiration at all times, but the fact is, sometimes you just need that initial push to get an idea rolling.

RandomWordPlus, is a cool site that will generate random words or combinations of words with user controls for what type of word or phrase and how common its usage should be. Given that it's random, don't expect everything it fires out at you to be useful, but give it a few clicks, and you may find the theme for your next hit, or even a new band name.

The Source of the iPhone Unlock Sound

In film sound, one of the very important jobs in helping to create a convincing scene, is that of the Foley Artist. The Foley Artist is responsible for re-creating the sounds on screen in a manner that is appropriate for the scene. This idea has crossed over into the world of computer software and video games, where sounds are required for actions on the part of the user.

The 99% Invisible Podcast revealed the source of a sound many iPhone and iPad users are undoubtedly well-acquainted with, the "unlock" sound. Turns out, it was a simple vice grip opening. Check out the whole podcast for more interesting info on sound design...

http://99percentinvisible.org/post/3230995265/episode-15-the-sound-of-the-artificial-world

Yamaha CS-15 on eBay

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Roland SH-2 on eBay

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Alesis Ion on eBay

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Ensoniq ESQ-1 on eBay

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Crumar Performer on eBay

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Great Article on Recording Acoustic Drums

Many of electronic musicians take it for granted how easy it is to plug a sampler or drum machine into our audio interface to record our drum parts. If you're strictly software-based, it's even easier. But what if you're confronted with recording an actual acoustic drum kit? It seems easier than it really is, as is usually apparent in any low-budget recording that uses real drums. It's insanely easy for a powerful, dynamic instrument like a drum kit to sound like a bunch of soggy cardboard boxes if you don't know what you're doing.

With that in mind, here is a helpful article via wikiaudio on various ways to mic and record a real drum set.

Was Stonehenge Inspired by Sound?

Stonehenge, a mysterious monument located in England estimated to have been built sometime between 3000 - 2000 BC, has puzzled scholars since its discovery. Many have speculated that the arrangement of the gigantic stones was inspired by the heavens and the alignment of the stars.

However, scholar Steven Waller has a different theory - that the arrangement was actually created to disperse sounds in a compelling way. Check out this interesting article via the BBC for more info.

Korg Mono/Poly on eBay

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360 Systems Systems Midi Bass on eBay

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Drumfire DF-2000 on eBay

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ARP 2500 on eBay

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Free Sample Friday: Broken Glass

Today's Free Sample Friday comes to us via Adam who reports the following:

"So two months ago I dropped a 4' mirror on the hard tiled bathroom floor. Making the best of it, I grabbed my portable recorder for the clean up.

And a hammer. :-D"

Thanks, Adam! Here's hoping the 7 years of bad luck was worth it!

GO GET THEM!