Experimental Electronic Music and Underground Art
November 27, 2005
Alesis Micron Sound Samples and Photography PreviewRecipher | 4:50 am

Sorry for the lack of updates in the last couple of months, our server got the Avian Flu. It’s got better, though. I got to sample an Alesis Micron a few weeks ago. The Micron is an 8 polyphony synthesizer which uses the ION analog-modeling sound engine. It has a nice lofi sound. The presets are a combination of Korg MS2000 style strings and techno drum arpeggiations. Nice little synth for the price, but, would prefer more knobs.
Here are a couple of sample packs which can also be found on the sound samples page. The first sample pack consists of edited drum hits from drum loops on the Micron. The second is a mix of dirty electronic growls.
September 17, 2005
The Lightsaber Sound EffectRecipher | 9:22 pm
We came across an interesting found sound that resembles the tone and harmonics of the Lightsaber, every geek’s favorite weapon. The Lightsaber sound was one of the first Ben Burtt (sound designer of Star Wars) made for the famous sci-fi series. The original sound effect was created using a mix of an old projector’s hum and the warm feedback from a microphone passing an old television set.
Today, we are going to teach you how to recreate a different version of this sound using common household items. Well, more common than the old projector and television set. The items you will need for this sound experiment is an electric shaver and a water jug (the big ones used in water coolers).
September 2, 2005
Propellerhead ReBirth Free Download, Torrent!Recipher | 5:24 pm
Propellerheads Software has released ReBirth for free! You can download this program at the ReBirth Museum, a website setup to illustrate the history, community and development of ReBirth. It looks like Propellerheads will be focusing on Reason now.
On September 1, 2005, Propellerhead Software annouced that the era or ReBirth had come to an end and create the Rebirth Museum to commemorate its history. Visitors are welcome to tour the website, learn about it’s developers and community, and take home a special memento: ReBirth RB 338- itself!
August 29, 2005
Buchla 200e Modular, Moog Synthesizer DemoRecipher | 2:38 am
On this week’s podcast from Science Friday, Ira Flatow hosted a segment about Remembering Bob Moog. Check out the article or listen to the mp3 download. Some of the highlights are discussed below. The guest on the show was Lawrence Fritts, who is the director of the Electronic Music Studios at The University of Iowa.
He pointed out that there was actually simultaneous development of the first voltage controlled modular synthesizer at the same time as Bob Moog was working on the Moog Modular. On the other side of America, Don Buchla was busy with his own modular synth creation. Buchla and Moog had agreed to share credit for the development of the modular synth. A quick peak of Buchla’s site, I found this gem, the 200e Electric Music Box. The synth has modules such as the Triple Morphing Filter, Quad Dynamics Generator and even a MIDI Controller / Preset Manager. Very expensive though, with the 18 panel unit costing almost $20,000!
August 22, 2005
We Will Miss You, Bob MoogRecipher | 3:32 pm
Bob Moog, known as the “father of the synthesizer,” passed away at the age of 71 at his home in Asheville, N.C. yesterday evening. Moog was diagnosed with brain cancer this April and was undergoing radiation treatment and chemotherapy. News spread in late July about his battle with cancer.
You would be hard pressed to find an electronic musician who didn’t admire Bob Moog or respect everything he did not only for the electronic music community, but, music in general. Moog synthesizers have been used by very big artists including, but not limited to: The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, Depeche Mode, Trent Reznor, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Phil Collins, Frank Zappa etc.
August 17, 2005
Microrecordings, Sampling with David DunnRecipher | 12:55 am
I was listening to Living on Earth, which is a podcast focused on Sound Journalism. One segment stuck me as very interesting. Much like Macrophotography, I’m sure people have experimented with microrecordings other than David Dunn. But how many is the question? David does microrecordings and has a segment in Living On Earth dealing with a beetle infestation of a piñon tree.
David Dunn, stands nearby at the edge of a grove of needleless, dead gray piñon that look like the backdrop for a Halloween play. Like me, he wears headphones and has a recording machine slung on his shoulder. But the device connected to his recorder is a microphone like none I’ve ever seen.
July 10, 2005
Tampa Bay Drum and Bass, FlirtRecipher | 3:38 am
Last night, I got to see a great show at Flirt night club in Ybor City, Florida. The night’s line up for the drum and bass room included 3 DJs (Alex M, Negative and Sicc:16) playing some of the nastiest and heaviest tunes. The live pa Error Router also played and rocked the house. Error Router is a group effort from Distilled and Koabra (formerly from Faded Nimbus).
Error Router and all of the DJs put on a fine show worthy of praise. Shouts to DFunkDamager, a very talented turntablist, who held it down upstairs with some funky breaks and hip hop.

