This video was made near where i live. At the beautiful “Chateau de la reine blanche” that i can translate in “White Queen Castle”. I’ve added some subtitles for our english friends ;). For this one i used the DSLR and a Sigma 18/50 2.8. Ok i must admit that this video sounds like a report ;)

Click here to view the embedded video.

This one was taken in my garden. Beleive me. In front of my house. I used the Canon 100mm 2.8.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This winter much snow fell which is quite rare. The lakes were also frozen. I used this moment to make some panoramic pictures and put those in a little movie.

The music was also made by me. Especially for me a way to test the new plugin that I just purchased called Garritan. You can also judge its quality.

The photos were taken with my old SLR. The assembly was done in After Effects and iMovie. Music in Ableton Live.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Download the mp3

This weekend, I looked out the window and I saw these clouds to go away but at the same time the sun went down it gave a strange sensation. The clouds formed a sort of hole in the sky. They had gathered in one place. At this moment, i imagined the possibility to cross the sky. To discover something else. No no I did not take drugs ;) Just my mind which goes away from time to time.

I tried to transcribe what I felt in music …. and pictures …
Sorry the video quality is not so good but I did not choose the proper video format. Also the movie has made more than 8 hours for encodes. So I won’t do it again ;)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Download the mp3 (6.8Mo)

This is a subject that regularly returns to my ears. I am often asked how the “lives” of demovibes were made. How do I remix my old songs, how I create new and especially what software do i use for that?

To answer that i every time ask the same question. What exactly do you want to do and what is your budget?

Some programs are easier to use than others, some are more specialized in sequencing, in composing, in publishing, in mixing …

And the answer is always the same? “I want to make music easily, quickly.” So first, let’s be clear. There is no simple and quick way. In all cases figures you will have to adapt the software on which you cast your vest. However, there are programs that are easier to grasp than others.

Musician experienced or rookie

Before answering the question there are several axes to consider. Have you ever made music? If yes, Logic or Cubase Studio is certainly better for you. You’ve never done? In this case Ableton Live may be the right choice. You have a past in the demoscene ? In this case Renoise, Reason or FruityLoops is undoubtedly a very good choice.

Budget

Here is the most painful moment. Let’s be honest. The price of some programs are substantial and have not to be overlooked in a budget.

Here is a summary of current prices to give you an idea.

These rates are indicative because publishers offer packages that include more or fewer options. I relate prices that seemed the most correct from what the basic application have to be. I want to make music and I am a beginner and I need a package or the essential elements are present.

As you can see from this table the budget is not negligible

Regarding this, there is something to add, the VST instruments. Your software is the trunk of your tree and VST instruments are the branches and leaves, but we see this a little further. Especially with software like Ableton Live comes with a number of instruments.

The approach of each software

Each of these programs in a completely different one from another. Apart Cubase and Logic Studio.

Ableton Live

Live is based on an approach of “blocks” of music that you create in the session view and then come together in the arrangement view.

I invite you to watch the video presentation of Ableton live.

This method has the enormous advantage of being able to create music quickly by clicking in the so-called piano roll by copying and pasting your blocks one after another to create your music.

The weakness of this software, in my point of view, is that the arranger is not very precise and somewhat “simplistic”. I’m not saying that arranging is not possible I’m just saying it does not go as far as a Logic.

However it is a very powerful tool, that mastering a few days. You can further download a free evaluation.

This is the software I personally use for 3 years and that gives me full satisfaction
Also Ableton Live community is very active and always help you find a solution to your problems

If you need some tips and tricks I recommend the blog of Jon Margulies giving you tons of tips and tricks not always documented)

Renoise

Renoise is a program that looks like the famous soundtracker released in the 90s which were developed for the Commodore Amiga

The approach is easier for people who are not familiar with the music as you create music within tracks by positioning your notes (C, D, E..). Patterns march and play simultaneously all the notes you have placed in your various groups. Knowing that every general can play a different sound (thanks to the VST).

This is by far the cheapest and most efficient way and you don’t need to know the music theory.

It is good to know that some famous musicians started on this kind of software as Brothomstates, Llorca (ex scener), Atjazz and more …

Do not hesitate to download the trial version of Renoise.

Logic Studio / Cubase

These 2 softwares are eternal rivals and so far the 2 most popular products in the world of computer music. Needless to mention names of artists who use these 2 software because it is 90% of musicians.

What is different from other software?

These solutions are “all inclusive” with effect modules see very realistic novel, they are very powerful in terms of audio quality, they are usually delivered with a string of total production (recording, arrangement, export, print …).

But what most distinguishes this software is they work mainly with scores. They are clearly more oriented real musicians. More capabilities and opportunities in terms of arrangement are endless and very sharp. And these are some details on this very powerful software.

See specifications Logic Studio
See specifications Cubase

Pro-tools

Pro tools is reserved for studios and professional musicians in the fortunate position or Pro Tools runs on dedicated hardware but rather it is primarily dedicated “final production.

It goes without saying that 90% of worldwide studios are equipped with Pro Tools and the working format of PT has become a standard in the world of music. Go see the manufacturer’s website to understand what I mean …. And ready money.

The instruments and VST effects

To keep things simple. A VST instrument is a program that allows your computer to emulate a number of specific sounds.

Generally each VST specializes in a particular area. Garritan specializes in sounds of classical instruments, Omnisphere sounds in Ambient, Plogue Chipsound specializes in re-creating the sounds of old computers or consoles .. etc. etc..

VST effects are programs that emulate the effects qiu were once hardware (machines). These concern both VST effects like delays, reverbs etc. that mastering, EQ etc …

Most of these effects are sometimes paid but often has low prices.

If you want to get an idea of prices VST instruments you can visit the KVR VST which today is the benchmark in terms of library VST.

If you do not have much money I recommend the search engine KVR database. You can get free plugins very good bill.

Conclusion

As you can see there’s something for all tastes and especially to all prices.

The most important before embarking on a program is primarily to ask the right questions.

Or I want to go. Up or I want to push my creations, is what I prefer simplicity at the expense of more complexity, but more power. And of course. How much time is it gonna take me to learn my program.

Feel free to give and share your experience with others.

We were all part of #traxfr channel on IRC and we were all musicians. You can see on this picture many of the French active musicians at this moment. This picture was taken by Made.

From the left to the right (upper row)

Double, Willbe, Med, Me, Rez, Traven, can’t remember, Lluvia, can’t remember, Hardfire

From the right to to the left (down row)

RR, Torone, Maf.

11 years ago….

On this one you can see me, traven, lluvia, ?, nytrik, maf, patapom, flubber, made, ak ?

Some of you really loved my remixes of those famous Sids  ?

Then i share with you my Ableton Live files that i made. (using ableton 8.1.1)

Those files are in .als format. I’ve stripped them a little bit, erased the instruments (vst) i used and deleted the -drums- parts (quite complicated and not really useful in remixes).

Now you’ve got the chords, leads, bass, pads sections. You can play with the clips. Tweak them and make some brand new Remixes.
This pack includes Ace2, Thanatos, Commando (end part) Delta 2 and Goldrunner.

Enjoy.

Download the files (78Ko).

I have a laptop on which i can only use 10 tracks max. So you always loose time to scroll from right to left when you use sends.

I think this time i have enough space ?

I thought it was time now to focus on those 3 releases that i consider really important to me.

The principle is very simple. We revisited some of the most famous themes composed in Amiga and PC demos. To each buddy his favorite style : while Willbe did remix well-known 2000’s newskool classics from Little Bitchard, Dune and KB… Moonove gave his vision of the early 90’s oldschool era, exploring the music of Jogeir, Nuke, Moby and so many others.

For the first edition we had the support of Viktor Furiani who provided the psychedelic VJing during the concert.

For the second edition, Vjing stuff were hard-coded by Neq a.k.a Knos. Quite interesting to see him manipulating his pc while he was sending visuals on the Huge screen :)

The playlists are the following :

Demovibes 1 :

01. Willbe – Demovibes Live intro
02. Clawz – Cyberotica (Moonove remix)
03. Tip & Firefox – Hyperbased (Moonove remix)
04. Shaman – Heaven 7 (Willbe remix)
05. Karsten Obarski – Sarcophaser (Moonove remix)
06. Little Bitchard & Mel Function- Variform (Willbe remix)
07. Jogeir – Love (Moonove remix)
08. Reed – Meet the family (Willbe remix)
09. Travolta – 9 Fingers (Moonove remix)
10. Virgill – Wonder (Willbe remix)
11. Nuke – How 2 skin a cat (Moonove remix)
12. Mellow-D – TE-2RB (Willbe remix)
13. Moby – Arte (Moonove remix)
14. Mystical – Plastik (Willbe remix)
15. Jester – Cyberide (Moonove remix)
16. Dune – The nonstop Ibiza experience (Willbe remix)
17. Purple Motion – Second Reality (Moonove remix)
18. KB – FR-08 (Willbe remix)

Download demovibes live 1

Demovibes 2 :

1. Moonove – Demovibes Live 2 intro
2. Wayfinder – The Popular Demo (Willbe remix)
3. Tip & Firefox – Hyperbased (Moonove remix)
4. Sumo Lounge – IX (Willbe remix)
5. Jester – Harm me with Harmony (Moonove remix)
6. LFODD – World Domination (Willbe remix)
7. Mad Freak – Space Debris (Moonove remix)
8. KB – Candytron (Willbe remix)
9. Jugi – Dope (Moonove remix)
10. Mel Funktion & Little Bitchard – Aether (Willbe remix)
11. Travolta – 9 Fingers (Moonove remix)
12. Reed – Che Guevara (Willbe remix)
13. Moonove – Mör (feat. samples from The Secret Life Of Mr Black by Dune)

Download demovibes live 2

Demovibes 3 :

01. Clawz – Cyberotica (Moonove remix)
02. Tip & Firefox – Hyperbased (Moonove remix)
03. Jogeir – Love (Moonove remix)
04. Travolta – 9 Fingers (Moonove remix)
05. Jester – Cyberide (Moonove remix)
06. Jugi – Dope (Moonove remix)

Download demovibes 3

Demovibes the making of :

Id you are interested in the making of demovibes live, you can read this post

I wish you all a real happy new year fullfilled of nice music and great releases.

Be seing you in 2010.

Well. Today i had to build everything again, reinstall wordpress, import datas, cleaning things…. and i still have many things to clean but the main part is available.

I have lost many comments, lost all the “views” informations. But well. The website is back and alive. It reminds me “again” that regular backups are always useful :/