llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 9:01 am ideas for cheap nonstandard synth controllers? Trying for ondes / theremin / or even lap steel sort of sounds between the piano keys. I think similar sounds can be created with glide settings, but I wanted to try something without using a keyboard that can be physically played.

Here are the inputs on my synth:

I’ve found some ribbon controllers but not really sure where to go with it - some of them look like they require complicated eurorack setups I don’t care to get into.

Maybe get some inspiration from the master blaster himself https://authorandpunisher.com/

TylerDeadPine wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:06 am Maybe get some inspiration from the master blaster himself https://authorandpunisher.com/

LOL. "Well.....i DO have a 200lb steel ingot just sitting around doing nothing..."

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:35 am

TylerDeadPine wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:06 am Maybe get some inspiration from the master blaster himself https://authorandpunisher.com/

LOL. "Well.....i DO have a 200lb steel ingot just sitting around doing nothing..."

We have a mutual friend so I've punished him a few times with questions. That's kind of how it evolved, I forget where the ingot came from. Mechanical engineer day job so there's that. Very cool guy

TylerDeadPine wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 4:36 pm

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:35 am

TylerDeadPine wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:06 am Maybe get some inspiration from the master blaster himself https://authorandpunisher.com/

LOL. "Well.....i DO have a 200lb steel ingot just sitting around doing nothing..."

We have a mutual friend so I've punished him a few times with questions. That's kind of how it evolved, I forget where the ingot came from. Mechanical engineer day job so there's that. Very cool guy

Same on the mutual friend, though ive never talked to the guy. And I also am a mechanical engineer with an engineering day job.

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 8:26 am

TylerDeadPine wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 4:36 pm

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:35 am

LOL. "Well.....i DO have a 200lb steel ingot just sitting around doing nothing..."

We have a mutual friend so I've punished him a few times with questions. That's kind of how it evolved, I forget where the ingot came from. Mechanical engineer day job so there's that. Very cool guy

Same on the mutual friend, though ive never talked to the guy. And I also am a mechanical engineer with an engineering day job.

Ha! Small world. I love that he purposefully made the machines satisfying in their tactile response (like smooth guides) but hard to actually use so he has to fight through a set. It’s my favorite heavy/dark electronic set to watch

Sound on Sound?

As with anything, its use is all over the map but it feels a but underrated as far as recording resources tend to go. They have a decent online archive I’m happy to pay for. And industry reviews are what they are, but at least SOS seems to take cost into account more than Tape Op has in years. Like, yes you should test an $1800 compressor versus its equivalent plug-in in a review and $1800 is still a lot of money regardless.

Plus that long form Albini interview from some time ago is a favorite I refer to often. I think I’ve almost bought every decently priced mic he mentions in it.

(yes I work at a computer)

How would you all feel about flying with a pedalboard as checked luggage?

Details:
I carry my board in an old school, hard molded plastic Samsonite suitcase. It sits in there with a pillow over the top which is held taut by one of those clipped section dividers suitcases have. The board has pretty limited wiggle room.

On the one hand these are velcro mounted metal boxes, not a wood instrument. On the other hand, baggage handlers can be savage and the pedals add up to over $1k in gear rather quickly.

I'm thinking about maybe adding a couple wraps of bubble wrap and a fragile sticker for peace of mind.

I'd check a pedalboard no problem, but I'd put it inside a modern roller case and surround it with clothes. I've also flown with a small enough board to do the same thing, but with a carry-on that fits in the overhead compartment.

So, you ever do that thing where your drummer quits and you become a drum machine band, and everything is really cool, better even. Then gradually you bring in some synth sequencing, and it sounds great. But then you realize shit's gotten out of hand and you realize you now spend way more time managing machines and less time making music?

Just me?

Does anyone have any experience with learning/relearning piano at a later age?

I took lessons as all Asian kids do when I was young, tried again in my 20s and still didn’t stick, am 37 now and am trying to get back into it. I brought my MIDI controller and iPad to band practice today and despite my lack of skill managed to come up with me just on keys then grabbing my guitar halfway through and half-assedly doing that thing where I was fretting with my left hand and hitting keys with my right.

Is there an app/website like JustinGuitar that all the kids who are learning piano from scratch use or is it better to try to get into lessons as opposed to self-learning?