Octatrack MK1 users might be getting conditional locks!

    Elektron recently launched updated versions of their boxes, including an Octatrack MKII.  Octatrack MKI owners might still benefit from this release as Elektron has now officially anounced via their website (see image below) that the MKII OS will be compatible with the MKI box and will "include the functionality of the MKII".  As you may have heard, the MKII will support conditional locks, which is a great way to add probabilities to your sequenced steps--opening up a whole lot of good fun.


    (source: https://www.elektron.se/support/?connection=octatrack#resources)

    Now, to further legitimize my suspicion that MKI will now be able to do conditional locks (aka trig conditions), have a look at the manual and you will notice that everything is almost identical between the MKI and MKII manuals except for the highlighted sections below: CONDITIONAL LOCKS and FILL MODE. (MK1 manual on left, MK2 on right)

     

    So, congrats to all MKI owners as it looks like you will have at least one more OS update to come (but perhaps more!) with additional features here and there.  Personally, I'm still waiting for program change parameter locks, which are present in the digitakt and monomachine.

    What features would you like to see implemented in the MKII OS?

    audio production, tech




Endless Instagram banner how-to

6/07/2017

A few people have asked me how I do an endless Instagram feed http://instagram.com/brainztain so I decided to put together a quick tutorial of my workflow. First of all, this is not an on-the-go type of project so you will need an actual computer loaded with the latest version of Inkscape (free, poor man's illustrator).

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VISION.VHS

2/28/2017

VISION.VHS is a 2-volume concept album and experimental art project collaboration. As an art project VISION.VHS explores limitation, intuition, and interpretation. All artists were limited to the album titles and synopsis--they had no access to the music. This limitation added an unusual element of risk as there was no music to provide the additional guidance that is so common when creating album art. Removing musical influence from the creative process allowed for each artist to have a stronger personal influence in the work.

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A beginner's guide to EURORACK

2/08/2017

EURORACK!! The new trend is here and all the cool kids are doing it! Well, nope, nope, it’s not new, and hardly any kids are doing it, mostly middle-aged nerds that can afford.

Growing up in a computerized world with access to tons of free and mind-blowingly powerful open source plugins has been revolutionary and life-changing, but many people also feel that it has cursed them with overwhelmingly monotonous computer interactions.

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Packing 6 VCAs + mixer in an 8HP DIY Eurorack module

2/06/2017

The Zlob VnIcursal Vca is a 6 channel 8hp ota-based linear vca with an additional mix output that sums any of the 6 outputs when they are not patched.  The module is 35mm deep so it will most likely fit your skiff case. The panel is made of laser cut acrylic.

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Traffic Dice: an all-in-wonder cable adapter box for your modular needs (DIY)

12/15/2016

My first modular synth was a Kilpatrick Phenol, which uses banana plugs.  Soon enough I wanted to connect it to a Microbrute so I made a bunch of banana to 1/8" cables.  Then when I built my first eurorack synthesizer I wanted to connect it to the Elektron Analog 4's 1/4" CV outputs.  That's when I realized it would be cool to make an "all-in-wonder" converter box that did it all: 1/4" (stereo/mono), 1/8" (stereo/mono), and banana.

So I ended up with what I call the Traffic Dice: a swiss army knife adapter box for modular connections.

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Phonewave EP Project

1/11/2016

The Phonewave EP is an international music project consisting of 20 tracks (38min) made entirely from telephone-recorded voicemails collected via 1-818-649-WAVE.  The project was born on my instagram feed (@brainztain) and most of its contributors were part of the Instagram community connected through hashtags such as: #vaporwave #seapunk #webpunk #netpunk #cyber #cyberghetto #sadboys #glitchart #vhsglitch #bitwave #8bit #pixelart #phonewave etc.

Track List Comments

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Kilpatrick Audio PHENOL

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