I have a dream.....

[Headphones Dude]

I have a dream. It starts out small. It gets bigger, and bigger, and it becomes a record label, but for it's begginning, it would be a seed planted in the ground.

I begin the dream by paying off some debts, and getting my huge collection of Vinyl back. But I no longer have 1200's or my dj mixer, so for now, I just start slow.

I decide to start off with just 3 things. A digital Roland mixer, 2 digital monitors, and a Korg sound module. The korg module will process other instruments, so anybody with a guitar, bass, or can figure a way to rig their dj mixer into 1/4" plugs that can go into this little box, we can make some funky shit. Then I get the drum machine, that will process 2 different instruments, or 1 in stero. We learn these 2 simple analogue step module machines, and figure out some bass lines, beats, etc.

The next step is a Vocoder. I like the idea of having a vocoder doing backing tracks, or even processing the sounds we feed it, so we can tweak it, and get interesting results.

Then we save the money for a realllly nice, fully loaded up AKAI sampler. If possible, a dj brings over a 1200 and a mixer, and we sample grooves, basslines, vocals, breaks, scratches, or whatever we fancy.

Now we need a keyboard. I don't need anything too fancy, but I really love analogue ones, so we can tweak and fiddle with sounds, and make realllly nice phat sounds.

We're by now, perhaps ready with the ideas. Now it's time to record them. We invest in either a ADAT or roland digital hard drive recorder. We sit down with either or, and we build tracks. We learn these machines inside and out. We try things that aren't possible with 4 or 8 track cassette or mini disc recorders. We then burn cd's. We start small, and sell them for a small profit. We maybe have an ep worth of songs. We may even give them away free to dj's, or the public, just to ask them what they think.

With more revenue, and better ideas, we buy a DAT machine, and have our best track ready to be printed at a Vinyl pressing plant. Hopefully, it doesn't just sit and collect dust in a record store.

I need help to make it happen. Girl, boy, rich, poor, all are welcome to collaborate. Any style, anything you want, it can happen. Together, in music, anything is possible....

Don't dream it....Feel it....

Aaron

if this sounds good to you, e-mail me at TopMan2k@aol.com

[Parteekyd]

HEY HEADPHONE GUY lol i met ya at redemption on the couch in the jungle room. i have on a green sweater and a collared shirt. don't know if ya remeber but thats ok. well anyways your dream sounds real good. i have been having the same type of dream of making clothing thats fun to dance in and colaborates on styles that i see that i enjoy but need improvment. so maybe one day we can do something like CAFFINE. ill design the clothes you do the music hehe.
-dave

[Headphones Dude]

Hi Dave,

Thanx for the support, and although I never considered starting a fashion/record label, it's just hit me on the head how much a good idea that can be. I don't know much about fashion, but I imagine, if you can mass produce the shirts/jeans cheaply, and they sell like hotcakes, you can easily after awhile gain enough revenue to come up with the dough we'd need to start that dream studio...However, I know nothing about fashion really, I guess with a few more people, with the same goal, but different abilities, anything is possible. Maybe to get money, we throw a cheap party, get revenue from that to fund money to make a legitimate business, part fashion, raves, or music studio. Who really knows? But you're welcome to get back to me......Afterall, Caffine got started this way didn't they???

[lifejustice]

hey, just to let you know- I play bass guitar and am interested in doing working a crazy techno operation. my inflences are Red Hot Chili Peppers, RageATM, and Primus.
Strong flemenco and power funk.

-Peace.

Shaun

[lifejustice]

Also - you can get jacks - from radio shack even that are R-L audio jacks and convert to either mono or stereo 1/4 inch jack.

I also have a Yamaha DJX keyboard and play if you are interested. I am currently working on some projects using that and computer synths, and am interested in more collaborations.

[BEATnik]

Hey there,
I am in the pcc music program and am learning midi.I have been playing records for about four years and am just staring to get into producing. I am working on my studio. I have a computer and a ton of software for it which I would be more than happy to share. I will have A keyboard next week and maybe a drum machine shortly after that with more on the way. I am very interested in collaberating on anything!
Please let me know we can exchange numbers and get together. My email address is Soulfunk1@msn.com

Much love and life
Damien Davies
Sunshine Tribe
"And I think to myself what a wonderfull world" Louis armstrong

[Headphones Dude]

Hey everybody.


Thanx for the support once again. The more people we can pool our time, money and talent into this dream of mine, the closer it may someday become true. Unfortunately, for now, I have zilch to contribute to it. I'd be looking at at least January to contribute any money the items I just mentioned. I've determined my first piece of gear is the roland digital mixer. Without monitors, it doesn't do a whole lot for us(except for listening to on headphones), but it wouldn't take long to get those I imagine. I think though, with enough people, and a decent space to mess around, we can actually pool our resources, learn secrets of Midi, not just sample, but program and arrange our own beats.

Lifejustice, the keyboard you mentioned might not be quite enough power or "oompf" that we need, but I'm sure it will be better than nothing. But your bass guitar will most definately come in handy. My roomate also has a bass, so with those Korg drum/sound modules (only $400 each! What a bargain!!!), we can definately try and sample or record what you play, while I process and tweak in realtime what you're doing. While I'm playing a part that follows your groove more or less. Your influences as far as music might mesh with my ideas, and they might not. But I'm willing to try and collaborate. I'd like to start off with some decent house music, possibly breaks. But if a drum n bass guy or gal approaches me, sure, I'll at least try and accomodate them into this too!!! I think what you and me might create would be a sorta NIN/RATM techno project. Different, but why the fuck not???

Beatnik, most definately your knowledge of MIDI, software and whatever else you've figured out will come in handy. I once had Cubase, but never ever figured out how to use it, or get it to work, so I sold it. Oh well, let me ask you. What kind of drum machine and keyboard were you considering? I don't know your budget, but I know a good drum machine is the Boss 202. It easily sinks into the 202 sampler, and has bass lines. You can easily make drum n bass attack sounds, or progressive house with it's features to loop the beat hella fast for as long as you hold the button. Keyboard? I have no idea how much you're going to spend. But I'd reccomend something that either is analogue, so you can make sounds, without annoying menus on a tiny lcd, or a digital keyboard with tons of flexibility. (Korg Trinity if you got the dough, and if not, Roland XP series). Don't limit yourself on a Casio. Sure it's nice for cheap sounds, but anything that sounds worse than a 8bit sound card ain't going to be what we'll need. Don't forget, you're going to need a converter to your pc to midi, and the more devices you buy(sampler, drum machine, rack mount sound module, effects module, etc), the more inputs and outputs you'll need. Guitar Center has Mark of the Unicorn midi rack mount boxes that will sync up everything into the cheapest midi shareware, to the most powerful software you either bought or hacked/downloaded for free/copied. Oh yeah, if you buy a drum machine, you'll need a cheap mixer. You can maybe find one used, or buy a small $200 or less Spirit mixer. That's all you'd need for awhile. Just practice on your keyboard lessons, and then spend time making bass lines, appregiated rythms, loops with the software once you figure it all out.
Like I said, if somebody has got a really nice sampler, well then all we're gonna need is digital hardware to record it on. I'm sorry, why waste time on a 4 track mini disk? They're way too limited. Roland's harddrive recorders are studios in a box. Built in effect. Unfortunately, they ain't cheap. Not to worry, if we ever get enough dough saved, we can have this baby easily pay for itself. Just tell anybody who wants to make their own demo, mix tape, or bring in their own equipment and ideas, and is willing to contribute some money to pay for studio time(of course we wouldn't charge as much as the pro studios...although we could if we wanted to...), could just come to whoever's crib, do their thing, and walk away happy. Maybe if they're on our wavelength, they can even decide to join our label. It's up to them, but first, we'd just have to worry about collecting the equipment. Anyway, I'll be getting back to you guys soon. Any other musicians, dj's, diva singers, or regular people much like myself who has any interest in this, please get in touch!!! I won't turn away anybody who listens/enjoys something I don't. (Heck, if somebody wants to do happy hardcore, I know zilch about it, but sure, go ahead and we'll all collaborate on a happy hardcore tune....)

Don't dream it....Feel it...

Aaron C

[dogod]

I can bust out tight rhythms on hand drums...
its been hard to convince djs that live hand drumming would make the beats sound THAT much better.

[BEATnik]

K heres what Ill have by the end of next week!

An ensonic Eps Sampler keyboard thats expandable with an onboard sequencer.
A fully functional Logic audio program and a DR5 drum machine. Its all used equipment that im getting for a steal. I also have a four channel Gemini mixer with eq. Sound like a good enough start?????
I think live drumming is awseome in house and techno look at Dubtribe or Liquid skychurch for example.
Its time for our music to evolve the more variety the better is what I think.
Well thats all the time I have right now gotta go to work.

I also have some other software like rebirth and rubber duckie and will have cubase soon.

Then its time to learn how to use it and what I like best.

Peace love and keep it goin!
Damien

[mokey]

hey speaking of fashion, I design lotsa clothes. I'd love to get together with yall and get some ideas going. And my friend has his own radio show...i don't know how that would help... but i just thought of it.. he he.... I am completely in on this!!
lv=mokey

[Acidraver]

I'm down with all of this....I'm expecialy into the whole fasion thing! I luv making clothes! If anyone wants to schedule a meeting of peepz and get everyone and all of our ideas into one room i'd love to show up. Hope to hear from ya all!
PLUR!!!
~Matt
www.halcyon.com/procont/matt (http://www.halcyon.com/procont/matt)

[Headphones Dude]

Hello Everybody.....


I'm really looking forward to the day I can sit down with you all, and unwrap the very thing we need, to mix all our ideas. I haven't even really spent time with this thing, but I do know, digital mixers are really amazing, because just like analogue instruments of today, whenever you make any changes, the digital mixer will remember those changes, and when I need one track louder than another, it does it for me! Plus the sound will be about as clean and clear as a DJ's Rane mixer...Then the next step would be for me to get instruments, and the monitors of course! The good news is, I have midi cables & wires(most of them monster cable). I'm suprised the fashion thing will take off as well, but like I said, maybe that could be a seperate, but related element of this dream label that might come together. What worries me, is how the more people that join us, the ways and means in which we decide, (who is in charge?, who is the treasurer, who will buy the next piece of gear we need, or determine how much fabric and supply you 3 get to make your clothing, and how much everybody gets in profit, should we somehow ever make one? But I definately have room for the people who wish to make the fashion, but it's up to you guys to decide if you'd be willing to make clothes, and possibly the same ones, over and over and over, so we can find a web site or find some way to show them off, and take orders that way...(maybe a pre-party fashion show??) Anyhoo, I think a after-hour or pre-party would be the best way to bring us all together. Let's just see what happens. We may need some sort of game plan. Finding people who want to organize time and energy into what they want to do. Music or fashion. Then it's just a matter of figuring out how to make sure everybody is recognized for their talent, and if somebody made a track, or a jeans, and it wasn't the best thing we've seen/heard, how to offer constructive criticism on how they can do it better. Part of the reason I wish to collaborate, is so I can learn all this together with somebody who might know how to program a anaolgue drum machine, or tell me how to get a certain breakbeat, or even be a better DJ!!(I suck at beat matching). Now for quick responses....

shamankinetic... Fuck yes! Just as soon as you got a mic, we'll get you sitting in a bathroom with some decent acoustics, and have a mic in there sampling your crazy bongo rythms!!! Quite possibly, with some long enough headphones, you can keep cadence with a drum machine, and we just figure out how to record your rythms as a wave file, and then just sync that into any song we're working on recording. Quite possibly as well, I'll hook that mic up to a vocoder, and make your drumming sounding borderline electronic/acoustic....(if that would work anyway) I've heard the magic of conga rythms at the Lish house once. These 3 hippies brought conga drums to the small room, and let me tell you, they were banging away along with whatever the dj was spinning. I know that's the kinda magic we need for a nice dreamy deep house track. (Or trance, possibly breaks)

Beatnik Perfect. You've got a keyboard with some power, and a sampler!!! And your drum machine and gemini mixer will be just fine too. The dr-5 drum machine is perfect for building a rythm for lifejustice to play along to (has a built in guitar in jack, and I'm sure it will support a bass guitar). I think it's only weakneses, are it wasn't really built in with the features of the 202 I just mentioned earlier. With those as it's weakneses, it has a few strengths. It has the ability to sequence 4 tracks of different instruments, so you can just take that puppy to the bus with you, or on your way to a outdoor party, and build a song without needing to take your whole studio with you. Your Gemini mixer will be ok for now, if all you have is a drum machine and sampling keyboard. Perhaps you could considering buying a 1200 turntable, since that way, we have a way to record loops, breaks, acapellas, etc...

mokey & Acidraver.. Like I mentioned above, we should all get together before or after a party, and discuss how we get you 3(and lifejustice) to be the fashion end of this project. I'm hoping, with enough profit, you guys would be the team that could help us all take out a business license, and then we maybe borrow enough money to split into 2 ways. One for the fashion part, the other the music. But for now, I'd love to see how your ideas would mix together, and hopefully, being cost effective enough to make a raver want to buy what you all make, and not just shrug their shoulders and say "Fuck that, I can make my own!!".
Another thing...we need a name for this company don't we? Let's do that as well....

Well peace out! If anybody sees me at Future Impact, let's make plans to hang out, go equipment window shopping at Guitar Center, or better yet, sit down and mess around with Beatnik's software/keyboard (with your permission of course), so all us wannabe musicans get our feet wet, and we learn how to awaken the dreams in our soul, and let the music in us free.....

Don't dream it...Feel it...

[dogod]

I have two drums and have played with live with cranked reverb, ssshhhhiiittt...its like i am playing two drums at once. The loops sent me for a ride.
Not enough cash flow for a mike. I have no knowlege of how I might be able to hook up to some effects, like through a board or something. All this terminology you guys are using! I am fascinated to learn more about what it all means.

[lifejustice]

I have a cheap mic you can use.

As for equipment, I can supply

Bass
American Metal Distortion
Korg Effects Processor
Getto Yamaha DJX
Computer w/
Rebirth-full mods
ACID
SoundForge
CakeWalk
Fruitloops
DanceStation, blah blah blah
Midi cables
Various jacks (countless) 1/4 - 1/2,1/2-1/4
Audio - 1/4 stereo and mono

and 2 FP 845's (fisher price "my first record player)-under construction for adaptation to a mixer.

[Headphones Dude]

Hi shamankinetic.


So you got 2 drums! Excellent! You were a little lost on some terminology I've been spitting, so I'll have to take you down to guitar center to show you, but for now, here's some quick reference. I'm sure you've heard a vocoder, it was used on the Beastie's "Intergalactic". It makes your voice sound robotic. But did you know, it could also make a boring old piano sound, into something else altogether? Or your regular old conga drums into a sound never before available on a drum machine? It doesn't stop there.
There's also signal processors, they are basicly 19" rack mounted boxes that contain effects. Reverb, Chorus, Flange, Distortion, etc. The good news is, we may not need to buy one at all, if I buy that digital mixer. Say you're in a nice acoustic room, but I want to make you sound like you're banging away in a cave, or a stadium, or maybe even Carnegie Hall. I'd assign the desired effect to your channel on the mixer. Boom. Now you're banging away in any of the above places I just mentioned. Each effect makes the echo, chorus, reverb etc sound a little different. Before I had to sell my effects processor, I once hooked it up to my dj mixer. I loved scratching with it's digital delay, I could just do a scratch, and listen to about 30 seconds of it looping itself as it slowly faded. Basicly, any signal fed into it, will come out with the desired effect out of it....
We haven't mentioned compressors yet. You know how if you scream in a karaoke mic, you'll see the meters hit in the red, distorting the signal? What if you could scream til people either thought you were trying to join Judas Priest, or until your vocal chords blew out, and the whole time, the signal never went in the red, and never distorted? The volume of your voice is still loud as fuck, and yet, it isn't distoring! Why? Well that my friend, is what a compressor does. What you do, is by having one of these, they kinda prevent signals from distorting. They still allow the signals to be as low or as quiet as you want, but they limit the ability for them to distort. They'll come in handy if we ever have anybody do vocals. Should come in handy for your drumming as well. Even electronic instruments will maybe need their signals compressed.
Anyway, hope that helps ya a bit..

[starrgazer]

right on. I have a CASIO CZ-101 (don't laugh-- EMF did some kick ass stuff with it) and next month I'll be adding a Roland XP-10 Digitech Synthesizer. In addition, I can spin (I'm a little rusty, so there's a learning curve on some of my blending), sratch, mix, and, well... beatbox and rap (at least I think so) :) . My influences are old school hip hop and punk/mod punk (RUN DMC, Newcleus, New Order, Depressed Mode, Strawberry Switchblade, Kraftwerk (tour de france) and Pink Floyd) I have been on the air at a small college station and I have a wide, wide, wide variety of tastes. I'm all up for getting togethter and seeing what kind of chemistry happens. The trick is doing it... so you and I are on the same page there. Drive and determination, man...

I'll catch ya later. mail me back...

[mokey]

ok i'll be wearing an outfit of mine at freak nigh three, so if u come to the premeet u can definetly see it. and as for a name for the company? somthing like PLUR. something that ravers get, know, love , and want to spread.
lv=mokey

[dogod]

Thanx for clarifying that a little bit...
I am still lost.
yeah I got 2 drums a djimbe (african) and a dumbek (turkish).
lets rock!

[phoenix]

You guys are so in action it makes my head spin! That's great! Myself and others are organizing a space in Pdx that will be for performance and also the hub of a "raver co-op where we will sell clothes, jewelry, shoes, candles, incense, herbs, books, medecines, test kits (eventually) and whatever else ppl want to see there. If you guys plan on doing some live pa, and/or you need a place to get your clothing into public view let me know and we can work something out. Im my household we also have a 4 track, several guitars, drums, 2 keyboards, possibly a mic. We also have some silk screening equipment (for printing t shirts, etc) and a sewing machine. So if you want to hook up let me know and we can flow with this. Keep the vibe alive you guys! I know you're going to make beautiful music!

[dogod]

What happened?!
I thought we were on.
This still sounds like a plan y'all.
My drums are tightened and ready to flow. We really should share our sounds with those out there who might feel like somethings lacking. I think alot of people might appreciate it.
PLUR

[orchid]

hey headphones and shamankinetic...
I have a studio started...and I have access to a kickass studio no analog, but digital analog synths, turntables some other synths, sampler, computer, compresser, effects (2) mics, phaser, mixer and DAT. If we met and could collaborate well, I could probably arrange some free studio time.

peace

[dogod]

Howdy Orchid,
I would definitely like to meet you. I am free on weekends until I get a job *uhoh the J word*
So if we could meet that would be great.
PLURpositive

[Headphones Dude]

Hey everybody,


Wow. For a moment there, I was wondering about this dream of mine. Was it all just fading away, or did people still want this just as bad as I did. Well here's some good news. I just paid off my landlord, so I got all of my records back. With that hurtle over, all I have are my parents, best friend, and my taxi company to pay off, and then I can start saving for decks and a dj mixer. I found out a few things, for one, I don't really "need" a digital mixer afterall. Digital mixers don't have all the inputs you need. When we're ready to record, is only when it's time to go spend money on a digital mixer. So I guess that means I'll eventually invest in a decent MACKIE8-12 channel mixer. However, I kinda want to get some wheels pretty soon, so I have no clue how things will go this spring. I kind of thought of a few things. Your average keyboard or sampler costs you about a grand. (And can easily go up from there). Here I am, always using the busses and taxis, and for what I'd be spending to start a studio, I'd easilyhave my own wheels and car insurance, and maybe save up for any needed repairs. Yes, I still want this drea, but if others are saying "Here, just use our equipment", at least that way, I become more familiar with MIDI, programming, grooves and maybe even being a better DJ, and then when I'm ready to plunk down alot of cash down at Guitar Center, I'll have a better understanding of what the fuck I'm getting and more importantly using. The reason I haven't responded lately is because I figured it was just one of those ideas we all want to happen, but could never sit down and discuss. Sooooooo, I say we all need to do just that. Everybody keep in touch, and let's all find some place we can all chill for coffee before a party. Whether we sit down for a hour, or 2, I seriously think if we pour out the ideas on the music and fashion end of things, we could seriously be up and running in 6 months with vinyl records or clothes. We already got a store who will sell it for us, what are we WAITING for?????
By the way, I lost my aol accout name, so here's my new one.
Topman2k@hotmail.com

AC

[dogod]

good to hear that youre still dreaming!

[This message has been edited by shamanikinetic (edited 11-19-1999).]