Tag Archive for 'DJ'

4 Rock Docs or Music on Film

Published
by
kubton
on July 24, 2008
in DJ, movies and video
. 0 Comments

I always in the mood for a good Rock Doc. Below a collection of music documentaries that I have enjoyed recently.

1. Dig!

Even though I am not really a fan of either the Dandy Warhols or The Brian Jonestown Massacre(or clever references to overrated 60’s artist in your band name for that matter) I this found this a very good watch. It is billed as a story of 2 bands one finding success and one not but it is really more of the the story of the one that does not. That is the interesting part especially band leader Anton Newcombe. Aton is referred to a genius through out the film. He is painted as kind of a mad eccentric genius. I doubt the genius part but the mad part is certainly there. I wanted to smack Aton and the tambourine player(yes The Brian Jonestown Massacre have a full time tambourine player) for there pretension. If you love ‘em or hate ‘em it is fascinating to watch a band that had a good chance to make it just not get along and stay sane long enough to make there chances count. The last of those chances when they get a showcase they blow it in the most spectacular and rock ‘n’ roll way. A must see.

The Film:

2. Scratch

It is a history of DJ and Turntablism and a good one but it is deeper than that. It is about culture and art. DJ Shadows in an amazing basement of records gets down right deep in the philosophical sense. And of course there are performances form the best turntablist out there.

The Film:

3. The End of the Century

This documentary follows the Ramones from start to finish. There was the epic struggle of personalities between Dee Dee and Joey in band that just wouldn’t quit. Through the CBGB days, Phil Spector, line up changes, a mountain of animosity and Dee Dee attempting to bend the world to this will what strikes you most is how the just kept going because it was the only thing they knew to do. They played music and lived the same way they played.

4. The Devil and Daniel Johnston

This is one of the better documentaries I have seen. I someways it reminds me of the excellent Crumb. In some ways it is because Robert Crumb’s bother Charles reminds me of Daniel Johnston. But in both films you feel like you get to know and artist even part of the knowing is the understanding that you’ll never fully understand them. And wonderful unique art work mix with a love of unique music. Daniel Johnston is not eccentric like Robert Crumb. Daniel Johnston is possessed by madness. To fragile and mixed up for really life he goes crazy. It is interesting to ride the ups and downs with him for a while but you’ll be glad you can get off the ride.

Trailer:

Aurora or Open Source Mixer

Published
by
kubton
on July 17, 2008
in DIY, controller, controllers, dj, gear and open source hardware
. 0 Comments
aurora open source mixer

Aurora open source mixer

The Aurora Open Source Mixer might be the perfect solution for DJ types with a DIY streak that are currently unsatisfied with current mixers type MIDI controllers. I am all for open source projects like this but they are tricky to pull off. Most people don’t want to make there own PCB’s. And in the the case of this project the components are expensive if bought for one project. Keeping prices down with electronic is all about being able to buy in bulk. Thankfully there are plans for a kit. I am hoping it can work out to be affordable because it is an awesome little device that look great.


aurora Open Source DJ Mixer\MIDI Hardware w/ Ableton Live from mcubed on Vimeo.

A kit would make the device accessible to a much wide group of musicians. Here is hoping there is an affordable kit soon.

Melancholy Monday or Knowing is Half the Battle

Published
by
kubton
on December 17, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

This is kind of Melancholy good for a Monday in the gloomy holiday season.

I remember these from my youth. I have the tools to do this of course but it hard to do than it looks. This ridiculous nonsensical humor kind of humor that I love can be tough I make to much sense for it. I can’t believe that last line would apply to me. There is so much fodder of over dub the comedians out there with simple audio tools.

NIN Remix or The Joy of Tinkering

Published
by
kubton
on December 6, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

The NIN remixsite has bee n up for a while the legal issue kind of ignored. It is pretty cool site and a lot of good mixes are there for you enjoyment. The DVD containing the music in multi-track forum is well put together. It is reasonable priced for what you get. It is not just the individual separate tracks but actually individual is it own sample. But better than that songs can be open in fully arranged Ableton Live projects. A live demo is included. Click on the screen shot below to embiggen:


I am assuming the it does the same for Garage Band file open the same way. And there is project for Live Lite also. I have long got to spend a little time with it but is is great fun and makes remixing easier. I hope to find the time to get some of my own done which will require Herculean task of ending my endless tinkering which becomes really interesting and easy with this setup.

The is one small negative that I can find in this whole deal. I am a big fan of Nine Inch Nails but the mangled the distorted sounds don’t always lend themselves to some kind of remixing. I like to distort and mangle all the audio I can get my hands myself but most of the samples it all ready has been pretty process. The isn’t a lot of “clean” sounds to start with but that is to do with the nature of the music rather than any deficiency in the product. You always can mix in you own tracks though.

I there are more things like this to come and I hope it cross genre lines. It is wonderful for all us tinkerers.