Getting ready to attend the Cycling ’74 Expo this weekend, I uploaded a small video of the pendulum/photoresistor/Arduino/Max/Nanokontrol instrument I’ll be presenting as part of their Science Fair. Â It’s generating some nice music and I’m content with the state things are in.
If anyone is also attending, please introduce yourself. Â I’m excited to meet people in person that until now I’ve only had virtual contact with.
The video is simply a phone recording. Â Disclaimers about sound quality apply.
I recently acquired my first true analog synthesizer (not counting the Monotron). The Moog Slim Phatty has been a complete inspiration and I’ve been writing constantly ever since picking it up. I’ve made a custom sequencer in Max featuring summed LFOs and pattern editors, and coupled with Petri, it’s been a great way to work organically and step away from the software sequencer paradigm. Â I’ve long avoided the tired debate of analog vs. digital, and still value the latter greatly, but it is astounding how alive this instrument is. Â I find myself fantasizing about it while I’m away from it during the day.
My wife seems okay with that. Â 🙂
If you haven’t already, follow me on SoundCloud. Â I’m starting to give away tracks for free, and there are 6 new ones available featuring the Moog and Petri.
Most importantly, Petri 1.1 is now available. Â Basic MIDI synchronization is now included. Â I’ve personally tested it with the Alesis Ion, Korg Electribe EMX-1, Logic 9, and Live Intro, and have been happy with the results. Â Beta testers have reported success as well, but I encourage everyone to test out the demo prior to purchasing to see if it works the way you like beforehand.
Petri 1.1 also has a bit of ReWire included. Â Now, before everyone slams me with emails, I’ve found this to have some wonkiness. Â Sometimes things work perfectly and all syncs up correctly and the clouds part and chocolate bunnies glide down on rainbows performing the sickest percussion I’ve ever heard, and other times things are … a bit off. Â So, ReWire is kind of in there, but your mileage may vary. Â I think it has something to do with Max’s [sync~] object, as even the help patches within MSP exhibited some weird behavior, confirmed by beta testers. Â So, have fun with it, or don’t. Â It’s straddling the fence between official and not but I figured I might as well keep it in there in case it’s helpful/fun/awesome, no?
Also, if you hate reading manuals, quick start guides, and mouse-over hints, now you can just sit back and let my gravelly voice walk you through the main features of Petri with this YouTube video:
I am in need of a few good beta testers that can try out the new demo of Petri 1.1. Â It will include very basic MIDI clock sync with external gear. Â As my resources in studio are limited, I need a wider base of people confirming that the app is behaving as expected prior to public release. Â Ideal testers will work quickly and be prompt in their feedback.
If you are interested in helping to test Petri 1.1 out, please drop a line at [k at sineqube dot com] to let me know. Â 😀
Tonight’s the Frequency Friday show at Fuse Factory!  I made another track using Qbloop with my homemade electronic instruments to give an idea of the kind of sound you’ll hear at the gig.  Doors open at 8 PM.  Admission is $5.  Here’s information on the location, Wild Goose Creative.
For those that have been to past sineqube shows, you may be expecting ambient guitar looping. Â While there will likely be some of that, I’ll also be showcasing some of the hacked and homemade electronic instruments at the performance. Â To give you a taste, here’s a little recording I made today using my custom live looping software, Qbloop.
 I will be playing guitar using my custom looping software, and it will mark the debut of my homemade electronic instruments in a live setting. Hopefully nothing blows up. The show will also feature an interactive component using a repurposed game controller similar to the Art Pad shows, so come out and play along with me.  😀
Richard Bowers conducted interviews of the performers and put together this video to give you a taste of what you can expect Friday night:
I’ve recently been privileged to get to know and work with John from Highly Liquid. He specializes in retrofitting pre- or sans-MIDI gear, and produces original MIDI hardware for standalone projects created by musicians, technicians, artists, and hobbyists. Working out of the Columbus Idea Foundry, John used the laser cutter there to repurpose a cigar box as a unique MIDI controller. I was asked to prototype a demo in Max/MSP to demonstrate its functionality. Details on the build, and instructions on developing your own can be found at the Highly Liquid blog. Â I highly recommend checking it out. Â And while you’re there, check out the MIDI wall he created at the Foundry.
I figured it was about time to try out this classic schematic, originally designed by the venerable Forrest M. Mims III.  I’ve included my own schematic using photoresistors to control the unit’s parameters, as well as allow for CV control from my little sequencer.  Video also uploaded to YouTube.  Overall, a fun and easy build.  😀
Atari Punk Console/Stepped Tone GeneratorI also added toggles to switch the photoresistors on and off.
