Beat Lands

I've slacked on writing this the past couple of days, but I won't say it's because I've been too busy with work. Because I haven't. I've been circling in my beat cave, grooving to the chilled loops that revolve at a cool 97 bpm. Q Tip hasn't called me yet, but with time, surely he'll be begging to spit some of his lyrical genius down and around these tracks. Maybe not. But it's good fun, and I'm starting to get away from the cheesy ass loops and into the dirty drum and bass. If I can figure out how to trip-hop anything like DJ Shadow in 1996 -- I'm set.

The Kaossilator had to go back to the toy-mill that it came from. It's novelty had worn off after three days, and it's limitations made it frustrating to use as an actual tool. It had one function that was pretty useful from a production standpoint though: the tap-tempo button would help me figure out the bpm of the track I was working on, making it easy to synch up my layers (because if I play the synth line first, then adjust the bpm of the drum machine to match it, it also adjusts the bpm of the synth parts...). It turns out that the metronome on my phone has the same ability.

While returning the under-used beat-pad to the store, I fatally asked a few questions about recording live instruments into my computer and of course found a useful tool with a floor-model price of 2/3 the MSRP. I couldn't resist, because with it I will be able to chain my friend to it and force the completion of our debut EP. The sound clarity is really good with it too, I'm very pleased. Amigo with all the voice talents (amongst others) called me the other night and will be returning to town within a week, so we're set to destroy ears soon.

Audiotunes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6s5xhcBiDw
DJ Shadow - Stem/Long Stem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whVtrLrTWwE
Nine Inch Nails - Down In It (live on Dance Party USA in the late 80's)