some news

live at Krautok 2011

2011-08-21T13:34:00.003+02:00

Still a great event, 24h only liveacts, enjoyed it there again. Good practise!

2011-07-13T17:38:00.001+02:00

moving to the countryside in 3 months...so does all studio gear and records...the new space is great

other place setup - improving

2010-11-22T16:50:00.003+01:00

I may have to bring back the Mackie SR 32 to this, TAC doesn't have enough channels...

DJ & livesets downloads

2010-06-21T16:58:00.006+02:00

http://soundcloud.com/pac

live @ club Maria 6-2010

2010-06-18T11:04:00.003+02:00

soundcheck for the live tonight...all running

new week new soundcheck

2010-05-17T16:23:00.003+02:00

the next weekend, playing with Surgeon and Joton at Sala Orosco Burgos Spain

test run for Madrid all OK

2010-05-14T22:48:00.007+02:00

checked all connections, off to Madrid tomorrow

ghost has arrived

2010-04-01T20:39:00.002+02:00

my new main mixer, Soundcraft Ghost

kind of new dj setup

2010-03-16T20:49:00.002+01:00

need a mobile setup to make ableton "DJ" mixes...this will do

basslines

2010-03-01T15:27:00.001+01:00

picked up another x0x cheap, very well assembled

live at Toledo

2010-01-07T10:24:00.002+01:00

another check another liveset

2010-01-04T15:52:00.003+01:00

rolling for spain shows

2009-12-19T01:36:00.000+01:00

soundcheck done - ready to move

nord rack 3

2009-12-17T19:27:00.001+01:00

here finally

zoom H-4

2009-12-13T14:48:00.003+01:00

New mobile recorder/ walkman/USB ASIO stereo audio interface. While I was still wondering whether to get an ipod for no good reason I came across this thing, finally it combines a number of uses for me.

Anyware Inseqt arrived

2009-12-13T14:42:00.001+01:00

This one took nearly 18 months to surface. Well worth the wait, basically the ultimate analog sequencer.

Faderfox

2009-10-15T20:02:00.002+02:00

controller for ableton and traktor...

planning live @ Tresor 3rd oct 09

2009-09-30T09:42:00.002+02:00

here is a possible setup...first idea

live in spain

2009-09-28T03:46:00.003+02:00

Very good "hands-on" experience with Machinedrum UW (for 909 parts), MFB 522 (for 808 parts) and TR-727 percussion this time. In this case I took only the acidlab bassline, just reaching the 20 kg baggage limit for flight, cause I brought the mixer along. The synth side can easily be extended with the x0xb0x-->evolver/micromodular/dark energy/DX 100 etc...weight and space are the limiting factors.

prepare the spain liveset

2009-09-22T20:45:00.003+02:00

small gig in northern spain

R-8 arrived

2009-09-17T22:02:00.003+02:00

Classic 90s machine - without the 2 cards just 60 euro.

Dark Energy

2009-09-10T22:31:00.002+02:00

Thanks to Schneiders' reopening megadeal I got this small new synth. Its similar to a MC 202 or SH09, with better LFOs and modulation options. And its really tiny, a rocket in the pocket :-)

Nord rack 2 returns

2009-09-07T17:41:00.003+02:00

I sold the NL3 a bit too early, thinking I could exchange it for a rack. Unfortunately there are no NL3 racks in the market as it turns out. The "3" is by a big mark the best of the series...will be on the lookout. So for the time being, stepping back to the nord rack 2. These go really cheap at the moment, 315-360 Euro. For what they do, really a steal.

Boss DR-880

2009-08-27T13:54:00.003+02:00

All the Roland classic TR sounds are actually in there, but its marketed as garage rock band gear...nevermind that!

multiface 2

2009-08-24T23:03:00.001+02:00

Backup/upgrade for the standard multiface.

Krautok

2009-08-23T23:13:00.001+02:00

Played a liveset at this Berlin party series. Meanwhile I got the Machinedrum UW, this one does the job.

Machinedrum SPS-1 Mk II

2009-07-20T23:36:00.002+02:00

Nice sequencer and hardware, good flexible engines, but nothing really hitting the exact spot of 808/909. Might get the UW version...

slew limiter

2009-07-15T09:58:00.002+02:00

Another essential for the modular, a slew limiter added today

basslines

2009-06-22T17:10:00.002+02:00

Sold the middle "standard case" x0x now.

small "optional" set for spain

2009-06-16T16:49:00.003+02:00

Not sure if I'm actually playing a liveset or just DJ? This is just an "all inclusive" like february, small enough to bring stuff for all options.

MFB 522

2009-06-08T02:03:00.005+02:00

Cute new drum machine, small brother of the 808/ miami. Lots of features packed into the tiny box. In fact it is a bit small to be perfect. But the sound is great. Very good for "on the road".
Below a picture of the recent livesetup May 2009. Additional options would be TR 626, ER-1, nord micro modular, SE70 FX - all of them cut into the 20 kg baggage limit.

modular update

2009-05-16T00:06:00.006+02:00

I've got the MS 20 like "Xtreme" filter (A-106-1) today, also noticed that the A-190 Midi interface is not working because the small extra 5v power supply is missing (duh!). Here is the current state:

DJ mixer

2009-04-22T16:25:00.002+02:00

After a bit of research I ended with the Allen & Heath XONE 4:2 as home setup. Sounds very clear with the Shure M44 systems.

CEM chips

2009-04-17T22:57:00.002+02:00

Picked up 2 CEM 3340 at 35 Euros each. Nice!
Those are the VCO of SH-101 and a number other synths from that time, plus Doepfers modular A-111 VCO

MC-202 mod 1

2009-04-08T05:07:00.004+02:00

OK so the first step is to make the MC-202 receive CV/ Gate directly. It can be done easily by reconnecting the input jacks to the right access points. It makes sense to put a switch between internal sequencer --> sound source and the external CV/ Gate mode. Will be added later....

MC 202

2009-04-06T14:49:00.005+02:00

Picked this up on a random search.

x0xb0x

2009-03-30T14:43:00.003+02:00

Got one of these handbuilt 303 clones today. Definetly sounds as close as it could be.
While the acidlab has better ergonomics (great sequencer), the sound especially when tweaking around is certainly different.
With the new OS this X0xb0x also has shuffle, random pattern, backwards play, pattern "roll/nudge" etc. - all features one could think of. Only minus is the limited layout...because the OS is now so much better then when the project started.

planning setup for liveacts

2009-03-20T21:00:00.027+01:00

The miami will probably be substituted by MFB's 522 soon (but I'll keep it in the studio of course). 727 maybe by the 626.
Post updated 2nd april with the definitive setup.

miami day

2009-03-14T15:35:00.011+01:00

Yes there is a bit of difference between old and new machine but its all good. The 808 can gracefully retire now ;-)

A / B sound comparison (starting with the 808) http://www.sendspace.com/file/pe6pkz

individual sound comparison:

Bassdrum : the miami bassdrum rules, there is no other word. The frequency is a tiny bit lower than on my 808 and it has a crazy long decay. Miami wins.
Snaredrum : my 808 Snare has a higher basic pitch and more noise (due to the internal TM 4 pot setting which also affects the toms) . Different sound on both machines result but both are authentic.
Toms : my 808 toms have a slightly shorter sound (especially set to conga) and more "room noise" added (again due to TM 4). The Miami conga sound is a bit too long for me in this comparison, so advantage to 808.
Rimshot : slightly lower pitch frequency and more body on my 808 (less piercing attack) - I prefer the 808 here
Clap: my 808 clap has more attack, lower frequency, less decay. The parameters attack/decay are set by internal pot TM 3 - its possible to tweak between clicky attack with no decay and endless noise) - I adjusted my 808 to my preference, miami has the "roland standard sound"
Maracas: the miami "shaker" sounds like a "scratch", not very smooth (could be due to pot settings) - clear advantage for 808 here
Cymbals : lower basic frequency and longer decay on my 808, no important difference for me
Open HH : higher basic frequency on my 808 and slightly smoother sound (probably due to a high pass filter setting) - the miami could bring a better result in a recording mix cause usually the high frequency of the 808 HH cause problems in the mastering

the comparison has been done in a "microscopic/ clean" a/b sound check. I believe it will be impossible to tell the machines apart in a live setup or a mixdown.

detailed check for above text http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DIJKZFYQ

cache 12 mastering

2009-03-04T22:19:00.005+01:00

Finally got the next 12" on the way today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy_vckZO3Fs

used:
nord lead 3
DSI evolver
Anyware Instruments Semtex XL
Roland TR-808
Roland TR-909
Roland TR-727
Korg EMX-1
Boss RE-20
Boss SE-70
Pioneer EFX 500
tc electronic M One
acidlab Bassline 2
Ableton 7 with RME Multiface
Mackie SR32VLZPro

new rme pcmcia card

2009-02-21T00:54:00.001+01:00

this one with the standard firewire plug, might be a little more stable...otherwise, same as the old one, rock solid quality

cache 12 session

2009-02-20T07:05:00.002+01:00

currently working on the next single

setup spain live

2009-02-17T01:56:00.004+01:00

This worked reasonably well, options to add (if the event can supply a mixer) are either the upcoming acidlab miami, Korg ER-1/ EMX-1, and the TR-505 for drums, and Boss RE-20 for FX. For this show I simply brought the small Mackie along to be on the safe side.
Extension is not really the main problem but the 20 kg baggage limit...

NL 3

2009-02-13T14:08:00.003+01:00

just in, great machine

miami: t minus 1 month

2009-01-29T13:15:00.003+01:00

Instead of wasting money on the WMC (ghey overpaid house DJs hangin at the pool- wtf) I'm getting the MIAMI drum machine - a 21st century 808 clone.

plan b news

2009-01-20T18:23:00.004+01:00

2 modules from sunny california arrived today - other pic: current state of the system

interesting new things....

2009-01-16T01:04:00.003+01:00

Ableton 8 coming up with the APC controller, looks good. A few other good items at the NAMM...
I'm getting 2 small modules from Plan B - buffered multiple and ELF LFO/ VCO. What else could be added? Maybe 2 filters and sequencing things, there is space for A-155.
The newly developed acidlab miami is scheduled for end february, I'm on the list ;-)
Basically though, a slow start into 2009.

going thru CD-Rs

2009-01-05T00:18:00.003+01:00

A few more days and I'm done going thru the backcatalog session CDs. Most projects (Tresor, Djax, Music Man, Konsequent) already complete and remastered.

old tracks remastered

2009-01-03T16:47:00.003+01:00

All tracks of previous Djax and Music Man releases (1999-2003) now remastered for possible digital release. These have only been out on vinyl.

recovered tracks

2008-12-26T10:45:00.012+01:00

I managed to recover most of my old discography: missing at the moment are still 5 tracks of the "Symbolic Language LP", and a track for Coletiva de Gigolos (Gigolo 23)

free downloads of restored/ remastered releases:

Funque Droppings 02 (1998)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/urhicn
http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=BK2K926L

Remix for FUD 003 (1998)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/y4eyxc
http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=4RUJT7I9

track for FUD 004 (2000) "Donna"
http://www.sendspace.com/file/fgvovu
http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=LL9UJPSJ

roh 0164 (1996)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/zgpiji
http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=X4E6S1TN

dj/ live set

2008-12-23T14:26:00.002+01:00

This setup worked better than expected, 300 housetracks, the acidlab bassline and a 909. Instant remixing!

DAT is dead, kind of

2008-12-10T01:23:00.008+01:00

The mechanical parts of my old DAT are about to die...10 years good use. But I managed to recover a few old goodies from the time there was no CD-R around here, 96-99. The machine is still good as a A/D/A interface, connectivity is great.
I'm also sharing one of the recovered releases now:
http://www.zshare.net/download/52499779ebd61dd0/
http://uploaded.to/?id=2u1n6q
http://www.sendspace.com/file/zgpiji
http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=X4E6S1TN

This was actually my first own vinyl single, back in 96.

that time of the year

2008-11-26T08:35:00.002+01:00

Computer needed a clean install badly. This laptop didn't work 100% right with the first installation, it was OK for normal day-to-day use and as a clipboard for wav files on the move. After a clean install I noticed that the display drivers never worked correctly...well, today made the change.

2nd afg, new HD

2008-11-25T19:21:00.002+01:00

X-mas a bit early so to speak, Livewire "out of the blue" came up with the first regular batch (after the initial limited edition) of the AFG. Another thing, needed a new HD and got the RAID 1 mode 1 TB Western Digital. Will do for the wav copies of *some* vinyls...

Nachschub

2008-11-17T19:09:00.001+01:00

new modules, Z3000 VCO and the Doepfer XP Multimodefilter

2008-11-07T17:57:00.001+01:00

Testing a setup for 2 upcoming shows, got the Mackie 1402 for these + checking the DD-20

new: Boss DD-20 delay

2008-10-30T13:00:00.002+01:00

After the good experiences with the (remade digital) Space Echo, DD-20 joins the party.

moving sound

2008-09-26T01:43:00.005+02:00

Playing vinyls over to HD, all stored in .wav for upcoming travels. Finally the signal goes from Shure 97 to the 640P, then to the DAT analog in and via S/P-DIF thru the RME.
The normal noisefloor with needle on the record (not moving) is around -72 dB, thats about as clean as it gets. Good enough since a fresh vinyl never really exceeds -55dB.

signal path experiments, part 2

2008-09-20T21:21:00.007+02:00

Now received a Vestax GFE 1 and a Shure 97 system, The GFE is a bit noisy but maybe good for DJ sets and special FX.
Some further testing revealed only rather small differences between a normal dj setup (Shure 44-7+Pioneer 600) and "audiophile" (Shure 97XE+Cambridge Audio 640P), differences to the master recording are obviously in the higher end towards the second half of a 12" - but the regular dj setup gives a surprisingly good image.

soundcheck

2008-09-19T10:29:00.000+02:00

for the show at 5 years "locked"

cache 11 whites arrive + phono preamp

2008-09-12T18:55:00.005+02:00

The 12" sounds rather good - who would have expected that!!!!!!11eleven...
Besides I received the excellent phono preamp.

nemo session

2008-08-25T22:54:00.004+02:00

Getting the nemo rolling now, sequencing is a bit more complex than on the Doepfer stuff but still pretty straight. A lot more options now...

extended spaghetti monster

2008-08-18T18:00:00.001+02:00

added LFO + wave multiplier (really nice!)

promo liveset

2008-08-15T16:55:00.010+02:00

moog Little Phatty

2008-08-12T16:35:00.003+02:00

I traded in the Nord lead for this one

08-08-08

2008-08-08T15:29:00.001+02:00

heres a tr-808 set, sounds directly from the machine

a minisynth + a new old mixer

2008-08-04T16:44:00.004+02:00

The VCA for the modular got here - creating the first "regular" signal path. Then also the TAC. Its old and used, hope it does the job for some time. The sound is obviously way ahead of the Mackie.

and growing

2008-07-30T17:46:00.008+02:00

Some small planning revealed that I will need another frame. The first one will be filled quickly with basic stuff. Adding some more interesting modules will need more space...

almost sound

2008-07-25T19:16:00.001+02:00

only a few bits missing still...

summer holiday

2008-07-24T10:41:00.002+02:00

Last year only 1 day (too short for anything), I took some more time out on this trip to Ibiza.

new snapshot cam

2008-07-18T18:45:00.005+02:00

After the untimely departure of my old Sony DSC in Barcelona (just stopped working without reason) here is the replacement, in time for my holiday...A Canon Ixus 860, not the "latest model" but good reviews allround.

starting a modular

2008-07-15T00:09:00.010+02:00

First parts, a SEM like filter and a Plan B VCO...this project may take a while to grow into its function.

captain nemo

2008-07-09T16:34:00.001+02:00

At a glance. It's DEEP.

Prophet 08 rack

2008-07-04T01:57:00.004+02:00

A short while after selling the FR 777 I just got this rack, effectively it was a swap, same price. Also, my Genoqs "Nemo" sequencer will be shipping next week.

AN 200

2008-07-01T16:01:00.002+02:00

Yamaha brought out this little VA synth box together with the DX 200 a few years ago. Nice sounds for small money.

nord modular keyboard

2008-06-29T23:46:00.003+02:00

Taking chances this week, I scooped up a nord modular keyboard for the same price I just sold the rack version for.

micro X

2008-06-23T22:40:00.005+02:00

Right after returning from my Barcelona holiday I got this cute little machine, apparently theres a Triton inside of it ;-)
I have grown a bit sceptical of Korg stuff but will give this and the EMX a try, from the specs and layout there must be something good in them *somewhere*

Korg EMX-1 incoming

2008-06-17T13:26:00.004+02:00

Picked one up again fairly cheap, also sold other less-used stuff now, FR-777, the bigger nord modular, the yamaha mixer, MAQ 16/3 (in perspective of Genoqs Nemo coming soon) and the MS-404 which is outperformed by SH-101...

Cache 10 finally out

2008-06-04T13:24:00.004+02:00

after some unnecessary delays, the vinyl finally arrived

808 MIDI

2008-06-04T13:09:00.006+02:00

About to install MIDI @ the TR-808. The Trigger points still need to be soldered...Sync I/O changed already, works as before, Cowbell sound tuned lower

DSI Evolver

2008-06-02T12:16:00.001+02:00

Small, feature-packed Monosynth, great sound.

bassline is back

2008-05-26T09:47:00.003+02:00

For some small adjustments, the acidlab bassline was sent to the manufacturer, its back now with improved sound: http://www.mediafire.com/?pgnl2zz34cs

critical delay cache 10

2008-05-20T11:43:00.002+02:00

Unfortunately, the pressing plant now causing a critical delay in the production of cache 10, pushing the release to june (close to the "dead sales" july-august period), despite the fact I sent out the order may 9th. Usually their production time was 10 days. I may have to change for a more timely (but more expensive) plant.

perfect organization Awakenings@Graansilo Rotterdam

2008-05-15T07:47:00.004+02:00

From start to finish, a perfect gig. Excellent hotel (Sheraton Amsterdam), on time transfer, seperate stage manager, fridge on standby, helpful and competent sound technician...if only this would be a standard !
The set can be downloaded here www.mediafire.com/?lchhtgevltw

echo audiofire 4

2008-04-29T17:32:00.002+02:00

also today, this great little audio interface arrived. Instant plug and play 4 channels with just a firewire connection, ideal for small liveacts and possibly DJ setups.

megapole midi

2008-04-29T16:19:00.004+02:00

Picked up this 24db moog style filter unit as an extension of the semtex

Doepfer MS 404

2008-04-25T15:00:00.002+02:00

After 7 weeks this unit was finally sent out by the guy I got it from...very impolite policy to say the least...

cache 10 new whitelabels

2008-04-17T18:17:00.002+02:00

the whitelabels with the new B side arrived today, together with the masterplate and the stamp negative of the first B side, it was definetly worth the extra money I believe

recut yesterday...

2008-04-09T14:58:00.001+02:00

new b-side for the next single

DJ sampler

2008-04-04T13:52:00.002+02:00

the DJ loopsampler with some improvements (namely a 3-way filter) just got here, normally a fairly expensive gadget, found 1 for 120 Euro

working...

2008-04-02T18:07:00.002+02:00

on new material for a recut of cache 010 b side

next shows

2008-03-27T23:53:00.002+01:00

mostly compact live PAs
apr 5 Utrecht
apr 18 Madrid
may 2 Tresor Berlin with Dave Clarke
may 3 Zurich
may 10 Awakenings Rotterdam with Joey Beltram
may 24 Sopot

nemo

2008-03-26T08:22:00.002+01:00

I was feeling a bit adventurous last night and pre-ordered a nemo sequencer. I've been looking at the "octopus" (its bigger version) for a long time but this thing always seemed a number too big both by size and price. Nemo is a completly new product, they will ship about august 2008.

cache rec showcase@ Tresor

2008-03-20T23:32:00.005+01:00

tomorrow big live PA preparation day...

update: show went quite well

family meet :-)

2008-03-14T00:22:00.002+01:00

cut number 10

2008-03-13T11:49:00.002+01:00

done yesterday, release may 2008
meanwhile the 009 is doing good, lots of positive feedback

TR-808, Cache 10

2008-03-11T05:12:00.003+01:00

I got the 808 a few days ago, looks neat. Cache 10 tracks are ready to go, cut is wednesday.

TR-606 #2, ML-303v4 special, FB 383

2008-03-04T11:37:00.003+01:00

this 606 in very good condition, plus a unique modified ML-303v4, the square wave PWM sounds amazing. MAM MB 33 with different branding...

some small bits and pieces

2008-02-25T00:47:00.003+01:00

Picked up a Yamaha RY-30 and a MAM FB 383 today at bargain prices. Production work for my possible Cache 10 release is half finished, hopefully ready to cut on mar-01.

update: RY-30 the display doesn't work, has to be returned unfortunately...the MAM is good

db9

2008-02-23T15:33:00.005+01:00

heres the deep bass 9, at a glance, it left a "below average" impression to me as a bass synth (acidlab 2 blowing this thing away), maybe still useful for midi/cv conversions...some pots are crapping out too...its probably worth 100 Euros realistically (original store price was around 600 Euros 1996).

update: sold after some weeks...eventually no good use in my setup - I got it to work OK, filter sounded kind of weird (not near a 303) sketchy design