As this area of my CMT course is of particular interest to me I wanted to continue on from my 1st Post. For some time I’ve been interested in Computer Technology and how it is shaping the music we listen to, Acoustic and Electronic. Through programs like Ableton Live solo Acoustic Musicians and Vocalist can now create entire tracks with all parts i.e. Leads, Bass, Drums, Percussion etc with out the need for other band members. (The following video shows a professional Beat-boxer using Ableton Live in this way).
Over the next 3 years of Laptop musicianship I hope that I can learn to use this program and others like it to be creative with my music production and who knows even get to grips with visual technologies.
Using a Laptop to perform a set does have its limitations, unlike a Guitarist or Pianist the DJ finds it an ongoing struggle to draw the crowd in based on their actions and movements. Any DJ can play a good track but what makes the top guys unique is the way they use all available technologies including Midi controllers, effects units even synthesizers to create their own sound. As you see them moving around the DJ booth playing with this and that, it naturally draws the audience in closer. This is where the DJ can become the Artist.
Whilst studying this course, I hope to experiment using motion censoring devices as Midi controllers for example the Nintendo Wii remotes would be ideal for imitating the role of a drummer. Like wise the the Iphone could be used in a similar way to a Kaoss Pad as an effects unit but of course the choice of application is endless. These devices can be used to trigger midi tracks and/or audio samples, edit and rework a piece or even to play in a new part. I hope to learn how to incorporate this type of control in to my DJ set and start to feel like an Artist and less of a fancy Play button or Itunes media player.
(see below the Wiimotes in action)
What ever next?
0 Responses to “Continued – Laptop Musicianship”