At NAB this year Soundfield announced the SPS200. It basically a light small and cheap version of the big daddy Soundfield, which comes in a few flavours. I can’t wait to check this mic out and have a listen to it. I’ve used the larger Soundfield on a bunch of different projects over the last few years and I have to say that it’s one of my favourites, not only because it sounds great, but also because you’re getting a B-format recording as well.
Just checking around the web on this mic led me back to re-reading some of the great articles that are found on (or near) the ambisonic.net page. This is a general all round top page with links to tons of stuff on surround and ambisonics. The scalability of b-format recordings is one thing that I really like. To be able to take a recording and reproduce it on systems with 1 thru to 16 speakers is totally awesome. Once we can get over our obsession with having to have screens with our surround sound systems, it seems that ambisonics is the way ahead for immersive sound.
I just found this via createdigitalmusic. Yes, it’s a page dedicated to anything where cats and synths come together. And I mean anything. I though it was relevant as Nicole and I were in the studio yesterday, finishing the last mix touches to the Dust record, and I was saying how I’d rather watch ‘cats on treadmills‘ videos on YouTube rather than ‘Australia’s Biggest Loser‘ on TV.
Those kind of TV shows are too much like have a insane couple yelling at you from the corner of your living room. Thier violently clashing fashion sense mesmerizes you to the point of allowing their insane and incoherent ramblings to penetrate deep into your subconscious.
I’d prefer to have exercising kitties in my dreams instead.
My point-man in the UK, Corp. Ghee Frasay has written an excellent post about the death of Kurt Vonnegut. I suggest you read it before you inevitability follow Kurt’s example. Also have a listen to Kurt being interviewed by Phil Adams on Late Night Live in 2005. There are some great moments, such as when Kurt talks about the last words of a prisoner before execution, “Well, this is sure gonna teach me a lesson.” As for Kurt himself, when asked about his epitaph the reply was, “Music was the only proof he needed of the existence of God.”
A bunch of totally killer sound and music articles popped up on Metafilter today. Metafilter is one of those blogs that delivers the internet goodness on an hourly basis.
First off there is…
Music with Roots in the Aether: “Robert Ashley’s Music with Roots in the Aether. Each episode features a ‘landscape’ (unusually-staged informal discussion) with a contemporary American composer, followed by a one-hour performance of his or her work.”
Then…
Berliner Trance: “Berliner Trance. A 1993 documentary tracing the origins of modern trance music in East Berlin. Featuring interviews with many of the biggest names in trance, including a very young Paul Van Dyk, now currently ranked as the #1 DJ in the world.”
For desserts…
Golden Ratios: “Did the roof of the Pantheon influence Copernicus? Are the planets of the solar system aligned in accordance with a nearly-forgotten hypothesis known (unfairly) as Bode’s Law? A fascinating wide-ranging discussion on BLDGBLOG with Walter Murch, the visionary editor and sound designer for such films as The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, The English Patient, THX1138, and many others. [Murch's film work has previously been discussed here and here.]“
And finally an aperitif..
Did it matter, like really matter?: “Have you ever stopped to listen? I do, when it’s not bad, always. I’ve missed trains, I’ve been late. I’ve given all the money I had on me.
I’ve been reminded of - X -.
I wish I had been there; I fucking love that Chaconne. It’s like the perfect prayer.”
All of this great stuff via MetaFilter.
