From FemTek Sent Sat, Jul 3rd 1999, 21:38
Hi all-- Ok, maybe this is going to sound really crazy, but i'm posting the idea to find out if it is or not. Last night, in the trance-like state that electronic music gets me into sometimes, I had an idea about (perhaps) a new way to play electronic music. see, I get bored when I go to see a live PA and it's just the musician up there fiddling with a laptop or twiddling knobs. I'm satisfied with this technique because of the sound it produces, but I wish there was a way that involved more physical action from the musician. So, like, what if there was a machine that was like a "sound desk"? It would be wired up to a computer, which would tell the "desk" what sounds (samples, short loops or notes)to wire into each area of the desk. The desk itself would be in an arc shape to allow for the most options. On its surface would be several different "pads" (think electric drumset-esque, here). When the musician hit each pad, it would activate the sound/sample/short loop/note that had been programmed into that pad for the particular track being played. In addition to the pads, there might also be foot pedals to allow for more options. Perhaps there could also be a small keyboard on there. Switches to shut certain pads off or set them into a permanent or temporary loop. Hell, it could get REAL crazy with some kind of head piece that activated sounds depending on where the head/neck/shoulders would be moving. Would this be at all possible/feasible? Would any musician actually like to use this machine if it were built? Certainly a show would probably turn into quite the workout for the musician, but I think it would be a lot of fun for the crowd to watch. Perhaps it would also get those who complain of the lack of humanity (not me!) in electronic music to take it more seriously? I'm curious as to what you think of this. _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com