Double Yr Panda

Hear, hear. As if last week's Panda Bear love-in wasn't enough, I thought I'd direct your eyes to an article I found rather interesting. A few weeks ago, The Guardian in the UK asked Noah Lennox what his favourite piece of technology is, and the answer? Read here or simply read on...

What's your favourite piece of technology?
The Boss SP-303 Sampler.

Is it good for your art?
Most definitely. I had to rethink ways of songwriting because of it - in a good way.

When was the last time you used it, and what for?
I used it - actually two of them - in Vienna two nights ago to play some music with Dave and Brian from the band.

What additional features would you add if you could?
First off, I'd make them way tougher and more heavily built. I'd also want to upgrade some of the inboard effects a little and I'd improve the time-stretch quality for sure.

Do you think it will be obsolete in 10 years time?
I think it's obsolete already. Boss has a new version out, the SP-404, and the 303s use an already obsolete card technology called SmartMedia.

What one tip would you give to non users?
I'd say give the 303 a try if you're looking for a cheap machine that can do a lot with just a little.

Do you consider yourself to be a luddite or a nerd?
Well, I don't know what a luddite is so I'll go with nerd.

What's the most expensive piece of technology you've ever owned?
My iMac 65 cost me about €1,500. I'm not too big on mega expensive or fancy things, really.

Mac or PC?
Mac, but mostly because I'm used to it. I'd get a PC no problem. To be honest, I'm really, really excited about the fact that the next Mac OS will run Windows at native speed.

What song is at the top of your iPod's Top 25 Most Played?
I don't know for sure because I don't have it with me but I'm positive Amazing by George Michael, Tessio by Luomo (the Vocalcity version) and Il Grande Silenzio By Ennio Morricone are way up there somewhere.

What piece of technology would you most like to own?
I'd really like one of those top-of-the-line, classy coffee-makers because really good coffee is totally worth it for me.

So it seems fair to say that at the heart of the most innovative album of this year laid "obselete" technology. O how fast the world spins!

BANG! BANG!...Rock 'n' Roll!

I recently traded in my old PC for a MacBook. There are plenty of pros and cons flying my way, though thankfully more of the former. One of the big bonuses of the change has been the inclusion of GarageBand software.

Back in high school I dabbled in AcidPro, EJay and music-making programs of that ilk. Mind you, this was before the Evry1 can b a DJ!!1 age. A friend and I collaborated under the moniker of Stylus to self-release two sub-Avalanches/DJ Shadow cut’n’paste masterpieces.

Since then I’ve had limited experience with the gear that every musician loves to hate (and vice-versa): ProTools. It’s fun.

I was thinking of all these programs in relation to my last blog post. While they may not have the romance of the ol’ four track or dictaphone (!), these tools do breed a certain DIY ethic. Again, there are pros and cons, and it all comes down to the statement “anyone can make music”. Cool, my girl and I can record our gratuitously lo-fi demos with a minimum of fuss and technological know-how, and my punk neighbour can record his gratuitously swear-filled diatribes. Power in the wrong hands…

I’ve heard stories about how some high-profile bands have recorded entire albums straight to computer. I don’t know where I stand on that. All I know is that it is rather easy. Below is a song I wrote, recorded - and promptly forgot about - in under an hour. I might update it later.