On Friday, July 29 legendary Philadelphia-based producer, DJ, and remixer King Britt stopped by Dubspot with singer and collaborator Rucyl Mills for a music production and performance workshop withAbleton Live. The duo performs live and release music under the nameSaturn Never Sleeps, and this video, they share insights into the recording process for their debut albumYesterday’s Machine, which is out now on their own SNS imprint. The bulk of the record was constructed in a live, improvised, one-take fashion, combining the duo’s intuitional musical sense. The two point to the work of avant-garde jazz revolutionary Sun-Ra as a major source of inspiration, drawing from his value in art’s of-the-moment process. Read more about King Britt’s history, as well as what Rucyl calls, “the Chakakhantroller,” a MIDI controller that she wears on her body, over on the Saturn Never Sleeps website.
Native Instruments reveals some big news for Maschine that’s … well, smaller. A new package has smaller hardware and lower price, with the same full-sized software. And an iOS version lets you use Maschine on iPad or iPhone.
As their drum machine / drum sampler / groove workstation with plug-in hosting and doubling as plug-in matures, and becomes a focus of NI’s production and performance side, things are starting to heat up. And yes, this news comes just as we learn more about an upcoming analog drum machine. It’s a Labor Day full of drum machines.
Shrunken Maschine: Maschine Mikro is, for me, the best news. It’s cheaper than the full Maschine package. It’s smaller and lighter, with a more compact controller. You might expect NI trimmed down the samples set – nope, it’s the same 6 GB ibrary. Or maybe they added a “lite” version of the software – nope, it’s the same, full Maschine version. And you still get full-sized pads. The Maschine pads are some of my favorite currently on the market – controller or otherwise – so that’s quite nice, indeed. You do sacrifice some hands-on control: the Mikro lacks the big, beautiful screens on the full Maschine, and the additional knobs and triggers. The eight macro knobs on the full Maschine are pretty handy, as are dedicated group buttons.
So, why would I think Mikro’s a good idea? Simple: when you’re on the road, or performing live onstage in cramped spaces, the Mikro looks like a winner, and all with the same software and at a lower price. For studio use, the full Maschine is still your best choice. But I’m personally going to switch out to the Mikro, especially because – like many people, I suspect – it’ll ultimately be combined with another controller in my workflow. You can have a closer look at our two product shots from NI and decide for yourself. (Yes, there’s a Maschine Bag, and yes, I was just talking to King Britt about his on-the-go luggage setup with his Maschine, but I’m still partial to smaller and lighter!)
Finger drumming video: NI has also released a promo vid of finger-drumming virtuoso Jeremy Ellis tearing apart their new hardware. It’s supposed to make you want to buy a Mikro, or something, except it may make you feel somewhat … inadequate … with your own finger drumming, instead.
Roger Linn, he of the MPC and AdrenaLinn and Linnstrument, sends us his friendly walk-through video showing you how to get started actually using the upcoming Linn/Dave Smith Tempest analog drum machine. We’re awaiting details on when this unit is actually shipping; I’ll update this post once we hear.
What you get instead, though, is nearly twenty minutes of Roger walking you through every single function – this is as much a video manual as it is a “quick start.” It’s nice to see some clever workflow features in action, and you get some very in-depth looks at how the Tempest operates. This is documentation, not marketing, in a good way.
Incidentally, lest you think the Tempest is late — or, at least in terms of its last known shipping projection — Dave and Roger technically have until the Autumn Equinox, which in 2011 falls on September 23 inclusive, in order to ship in summer 2011. I’d go further to say that they have until the end of the date of the equinox Pacific time, which gives them a few additional hours beyond even the majority of their customer base. They’re currently listing the Tempest as due in “late summer 2011,” but unless they mean “late” as in early fall, they have until the 24th of September before they become seasonally incompatible.
I believe it’s briefly on the cusp of the Autumn Equinox on which MIDI clocks start running backwards, or vocoders talk without carrier signals, or something.
Happy Labor Day weekend, USA (and labor lovers everywhere). Happy Fifth of September, everyone. Only (??) shopping days until the Tempest ships.
The one you've been waiting for is here. As announced in July, 5 Magazine is very pleased to present Cajmere's Funky Fresh for 5: Volume One - the debut set of a new mix series from Chicago's pride, Cajmere, appearing monthly exclusively for 5 Magazine at 5chicago.com/cajmere.
Cajmere (Facebook, twitter, soundcloud) is currently riding the success of his latest collaboration with Gene Farris, Chicago Style, which has been nestled in the Top 10 on Traxsource since it's debut a couple of weeks ago. Cajmere also does a live stream broadcast called Funky Fresh every Wednesday from noon to 3pm Chicago time on ustream.tv, which is the inspiration for this new series with 5 Mag.
The full playlist, download and iTunes subscription links appear below.
We're extremely e
xcited to announce this new series, and would like to thank Cajmere for this new collaboration! We're as eager as you are to see this series evolve and look forward as much as you do to the next set, appearing in October 2011.
Cajmere: Funky Fresh for 5
Volume One
Released: September 1, 2011
From the flurry of excitement surrounding the original ‘Atjazz Remix’ of this classic house song featuring the sultry vocals of ‘Saturna’ we bring to the table a brand new set of beat ridden floor fillers, in the form of ‘Moment (Atjazz Re-Fixes)’. Although the term ‘Re-Fix’ may hint that there was something broken with the original remix, this is not the case. Martin ‘Atjazz’ has once again spun the deep house world around on the spot and has ripped things up even more with these stunning house bouncers.
Following the original arrangement, the ‘Re-Fix’ explores a more experimental rhythm, starting things off with it’s usual Kick & Click this song helps you to feel at home and then it all bumps in with newly formed afro-tech drums that drive this new ‘Re-Fix’ forwards with nothing holding back its development, If you like house music of any style, we’re sure you’re going get your head around this one.
Mr. Atjazz has also delivered one of his trademark ‘Astro Remixes’, one for the heads you might think, but these astro workouts are fast becoming a trendy piece of dance-floor art to have as a constant in the old CD Pouch. Broken beat is more than alive and kicking here and this particular recording boasts the snazzy character this genre always had. Bubbling bass & beats coupled with lush chords is pretty much all we need for a good night out and we hope this brings you as much pleasure as it brings us. This is a true killer on the dance-floor and is a must for all house DJs.
