Home Studio Build #2

In my perfect world of composition desks, I would have an LED light indicator above each MIDI key that I could turn on and off, preferably with a choice of color. Writing for choir and need to keep track of vocal ranges? Just mark the lower and upper limits of each group with it’s own color (e.g. red for bass, orange for alto, etc.) Want to keep track of a handful of drum or string articulations while programming a part? Just mark each key as needed. As I mentioned in Part 1, Kontakt’s Komplete Kontrol keyboards do this to some degree but not in an easily configurable and customizable way. So, as long as I am already building a new desk I thought now would be the time to solve the problem. The solution I decided on is plain brute force - make a panel of 88 toggle switches that line up below each key, each of which can turn on a single LED above each key on the keyboard in two different colors. It’s a little extreme, but it makes for the quickest most direct route from wanting to keep track of a key and actually doing it. Plus, I do like the look of lots of toggle switches. I decided on the Doepfer LMK4+ keyboard because of it’s very nice weighted keyboard and because it comes without a case.

I contacted them directly and they graciously supplied me with a to-scale drawing that I could open in Illustrator to measure and line up the switches and LEDs with each key. I decided it would be much easier to mount all the switches and LEDs on two metal panels which would attach to the desk instead of trying to mount them directly in the wood itself, so I created two panels in Illustrator and laid out all the switch locations.

I sent the Illustrator file to a laser cutting place…

…and had them anodized and etched.

Figuring out how to actually power the LEDs, what the load on the them would be, what resistors I’d need, etc. was beyond my Googling skills so I contacted my friend Kent Suzuki of Right Brain Electronics. For him this was child’s play and he quickly helped me select the correct LEDs, resistors, power supply, etc. for the project and explained how I’d have to wire it all up. I chose red/orange LEDs - toggling each switch one way will turn on one color, and toggling the other way will turn on the other color.

Here are the switches, LEDs, and resistors needed for the panels…

This turned out to be a LOT of soldering…

Here’s a portion of the front of the switch panel.

Now it’s time to layout and build the desk, mount the switch panels, and finish the wiring.

-Michael

Check It Out: Moog 2020 Trifecta Raffle

The Bob Moog Foundation is raffling three different vintage synths -  a Moog Rogue, a Moog Prodigy, and a Moog Source, each of which has been fully restored. Tickets are $25 and there will be three winners, one for each synth. All proceeds benefit Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, and the Moogseum. Only 4,500 tickets will be sold. The raffle closes September 28, 2020 at 11:59pm (ET) or when all tickets are sold. 2020 Trifecta Raffle

Original & Licensed Music for Advertising (In STEREO)

TRACK OF THE MONTH / august 2020: Cookin' At the 45

Cookin' At the 45: TRACK OF THE MONTH / august 2020*

This month…"Cookin' At the 45" recalls those hep pockets of the 1990s when young acid jazz ensembles began bubbling up from the underground. Bouncy piano melodies and cool horn notes blast over layered beats and a dubstep-textured bass wobble to create an awesome contrast of vintage tones and innovative production. Imagine a distillation of Blue Note Records strewn through a sci-fi soundtrack filter.

Find this one filed under JAZZ in The Music Orange Library Online (MOLO).

*Each month, we feature a new track from the Music Orange Library online—the easiest, most intuitive online library in the industry. Enjoy the Music!

Home Studio Build #1

It finally happened. After working at home since the beginning of the pandemic lockdown it has become apparent that I need a decent composition and mix room at home. The room I’ve been working in is pleasant to hang out in but it sounds terrible, and it’s been really hard to get good sounding recordings and translatable mixes out of it. So, with a combination of excitement, relief, and minor trepidation I am beginning a DIY studio build.

The Current Setup

The first thing I want to tackle, mainly because it’s the easiest to get my head around, is a composition desk. At the Music Orange Studios, I work on a sprawling custom desk with separate areas for composing, desk work, and a mixing console:

Music Orange Studio B

That is WAY too big for my home space, and in any case I want to take the opportunity to lose the dedicated console and desk areas and focus solely on the composition area. I spent a long time looking at all the Output, Argosy, and SCS offerings but in the end decided to design and build my own.

There’s something about the look of those old Hohner Pianets that I’ve always liked and that’s the initial inspiration for the look. Of course, I’ll need room for some rack gear and a computer monitor so my desk will end up being bigger than those Hohners, but it’s starting point.

I also want to address two issues that I’ve had with every other desk I’ve worked on. The first is that piano keyboards and computer keyboards want to be in the same space (why doesn't someone make a keyboard with a computer keyboard built into the top?). I could solve that with a sliding piano keyboard drawer or by constantly moving the computer keyboard back and forth, but I’m leaning towards having the keyboard built directly into the desk so that it takes up as little room as possible. This way both the piano keyboard and computer keyboard are pretty much at the right spot at all times. The second is the difficulty (or at least my difficulty) of always forgetting which keys correspond to the relevant keyswitches for a particular Kontakt patch, or where on the keyboard a particular virtual drum articulation lies. Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol starts to fix that problem, but after watching Hector work on one for awhile I think it has too many downsides for me to go that route. First, it’s a keyboard in a case so I’d lose the smaller footprint of building the keyboard into the desk. Second, while it’s helpful that it shows the ranges of keyswitches with lights, you still need to hunt around to find each particular articulation. Third, it does not work with ALL patches and ALL virtual instruments, and that really kills it it for me. As far as light indicators go, I usually only need to keep track of a few specific articulations for a particular track - maybe legato, pizz, and marcato for a string patch and a couple of hi hat articulations for a drum patch. Being able to have lights only over those keys would be more helpful to me. And, I think I’ve come up with a solution…

Stay tuned for Part 2…

-Michael

TRACK OF THE MONTH / july 2020: Army of One

Army of One: TRACK OF THE MONTH / july 2020*

"Army of One" is a lush, chilling soundscape that begins with ominous ambient drones and pulsing tones. The contrast of pitched-down notes and sped-up vocals then unfolds into a realm where erratic beats and a foreboding bass dance dramatically around stormy sounding synthesizers. In the middle of this musical maelstrom blooms a bewitching melody.

Find this one filed under DANCE…ELECTRONICA in The Music Orange Library Online (MOLO).

*Each month, we feature a new track from the Music Orange Library online—the easiest, most intuitive online library in the industry. Enjoy the Music!

The View From One of Our Favorite Lunch Spots

The view from one of our favorite lunch spots, just a few blocks from the studios.

TRACK OF THE MONTH / june 2020: Digitalis

Digitalis: TRACK OF THE MONTH / june 2020*

This month…"Digitalis" grooves with a modern cosmopolitan coolness. Urban rooted elements give this song the rhythm of a subway, while a beautifully eerie choir of distant sounding voices builds up to an epic apex.

Find this one filed under DANCE…ELECTRONICA in The Music Orange Library Online (MOLO).

*Each month, we feature a new track from the Music Orange Library online—the easiest, most intuitive online library in the industry. Enjoy the Music!

Our Work: Google Meet Is Now Free

Music Orange has remained busy during the Coronavirus lockdown, and we’d like to share one of our favorite projects. Millions of people are connecting via Google Meet, and in response to the Covid-19 shelter-in-place orders Google has announced that Google Meet will now be free for everyone. Here’s the announcement film we scored.

TRACK OF THE MONTH / may 2020: Pajama Day

Pajama Day: TRACK OF THE MONTH / may 2020*

This month…When sheltering in place, any day can be a Pajama Day. And this bouncy ditty pairs perfectly with those cozy days when we just don't heed the need for pants. Maybe it's the intimate acoustic guitar strumming or relaxing reggae rhythms. Or perhaps it's the lazy, loungy melody. But "Pajama Day" is as comforting as your favorite pair of PJ's and it's available in the Acoustipop section of the Music Orange Library Online.

Find this one filed under ACOUSTIPOP in The Music Orange Library Online (MOLO).

*Each month, we feature a new track from the Music Orange Library online—the easiest, most intuitive online library in the industry. Enjoy the Music!

Vintage Drum Set

Music Orange’s vintage drum set. 28” bass drum, Wurlitzer snare, sock cymbals, splash cymbal, Chinese tom, and Ludwig temple blocks.

TRACK OF THE MONTH / april 2020: The Underwater Bicycle Club

The Underwater Bicycle Club: TRACK OF THE MONTH / april 2020*

This month…"The Underwater Bicycle Club" plucks, strums, and hums with organic mechanics. That is to say, these classical instruments of wood, wire, and wind play with the clockwork precision of a well-tuned bicycle. But from within these syncopated kinetics can be heard a living, breathing melody that exhales the whimsical notes of exuberance and joy - not too unlike that of a Wes Anderson film score.

Find this one filed under INDIE ORCHESTRAL in The Music Orange Library Online (MOLO).

*Each month, we feature a new track from the Music Orange Library online—the easiest, most intuitive online library in the industry. Enjoy the Music!

Crop Circles

Just trying to be good citizens and keep our marketing going while practicing safe social distancing. A giant crop circle of our logo out in the middle of an empty field seemed like a good idea.

At Home with the Aloneavirus

Recording Robin Bonnell at Michael’s house…

…and at Hector’s house.

We’re starting week three of the Bay Area Shelter-in-Place Order. We’ve set up temporary home studios, have recorded musicians in our living rooms, and otherwise pushed through with composing jobs. We know we’re lucky to have them. Both of our wives are educators who now teach and work from home, and our kids are distance learning. These are crazy times. We hope all of you are staying safe and healthy and are able to weather the storm.

Announcing Icehouse Vintage Pop-Up

Music Orange is excited to announce a new pop-up experience at our studios starting April 27th! @icehousevintage Come enjoy vintage vinyl, clothes and other retro goodies. All while chilling in our cool mid-century space. More details to follow.

TRACK OF THE MONTH / march 2020: Dark Matter

Dark Matter: TRACK OF THE MONTH / march 2020*

This month…Old school rap beat meets modern epic production in "Dark Matter," an instrumental that makes good on its title with moody melodies, shadowy vibes, and a foreboding atmosphere. Synthesized strings get dramatic arrangements that play alongside ricochet rhythms and deep, mechanical drones to sound like something that would well accompany a modern comic book movie.

Find this one filed under HIP HOP…URBAN in The Music Orange Library Online (MOLO).

*Each month, we feature a new track from the Music Orange Library online—the easiest, most intuitive online library in the industry. Enjoy the Music!

Things We Like: Femur Design Theremin Simulator

You’re probably familiar with the Theremin, that eerie, siren sounding instrument used in countless science fiction soundtracks and famously in the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.” You’ve also probably never tried one. Thanks to Femur, a company composed solely of programmer Luke Phillips, you can play a simulation on the web for free. Instead of using your hands and antennae to control pitch and volume, you use your mouse or trackpad - left and right is pitch, up and down is volume. You can select from four different waveforms and there are controls for delay, feedback, and scuzz (sounds like ring modulation). For a few bucks you can also buy the app for iOS, Android, and desktop which allows you to record. Try it for yourself.

Greetings from San Francisco

Overlooking San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Icehouse Alley in (French) Print

When we built the Music Orange Studios on Icehouse Alley back in 2005, there were no Icehouse Alley addresses. We petitioned the city to create a new one for us and as a result there is just a single Icehouse Alley address in San Francisco, which is ours - 1 Icehouse Alley. Turns out, seven years later San Francisco longshoreman and French poet and author Erich von Neff wrote a book called “Icehouse Alley Circa 1960” and the cover features a photo of our little corner. Needless to say, we hope this book comes out in English soon!

New Beats for the Studio Lobby

Had to dig these bad boys from deep, deep storage.