Most Excellent Happenin Video Link Here

Further adventures in controlling Jitter video with Ableton Live.

Guitarist and electronic musician Christopher Willits continues his monthly series from SoundArts studio. In this episode, he expands on what he began last episode: integrating video footage with live performance using Ableton Live and Max/MSP/Jitter.

Tune in once a month as Christopher shows us some of the ways he produces his own music, as well as the many cool things you can do with recording software. According to Christopher, “I simply want to excite people’s imaginations and creative processes so they can more easily create the sounds and music and art they love.”

]]> http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/05/xlr8r-tv-what-you-talkin-bout-willits-part-11/feed/ 0 http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/02/whats-up-in-february/ http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/02/whats-up-in-february/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:39:08 +0000 jeanyaste http://blog.soundarts.org/?p=297 Full Speed Ahead!

We’ve got lots going on this month, here’s the skinny:

Upcoming classes:

* Music Production Workshop. Sat. & Sun. Feb. 14 & 15, 2009
* Mic Techniques. Sat. Feb. 21, 2009
* Voice Over Workshop. Sat. & Sun. Feb. 28 and March 1, 2009

For the current list of scheduled classes, prices and descriptions, or to sign up for a private instruction session, give us a call or visit www.soundarts.org

Overlap Salon

On February 4th, Sound Arts partner organization, Overlap, hosted a FREE event where users of Cycling 74′s powerful New Media creation software Max/MSP/Jitter were invited to join us in a mix of presentations, discussions, and discoveries. Topics included preset storage using the pattr system and tips and tricks for integrating preset communication into your patches.

We will be hosting the salons once a month throughout the year, so be sure to check in to get the next date. Everyone is welcome regardless of previous experience, and all are encouraged to bring laptops and libations!

Lily Taylor Releases “Overtones”

Lead engineer Ryan Kleeman has nearly wrapped producing up and coming artist Lily Taylor’s debut album “Overtones.” Together they infused her haunting vocals with ethereal drops of piano strings, creating the perfect soundtrack for watching skies ablaze in the jaded desert. And did we mention she’s originally from Santa Fe? Hear something new at: www.myspace.com/thelovelylily

Sound Arts is rolling out a distinct new set of class offerings for 2009. In the face of today’s economy, having more professional skills can only help you get ahead of the competition.  Our tailored courses, including sound design for film scores, audio post production, and DIY pedal building; are customized to maximize the students’ creative and professional prowess. We will teach you the skills, get you into a live studio to try them out, and then link you up with professional opportunities throughout the Bay Area. In addition to group workshops and private instruction, we also offer the brand new customized Sound Arts Certificate, where you can pick the curriculum and learn at your own pace. Once earned, this certificate will enable you to work within our professional and creative network, possibly even Sound Arts itself!

Please visit www.soundarts.org or www.soundarts.org/education to learn more about Sound Arts Education.

You can also Download the Spring 2009 Course Catalog or email eduation@soundarts.org for more info.

Upcoming January Group Workshops:

Once a month, Christopher WIllits, the electronic musician and guitarist guides us through recording and production techniques, basic electronic programs and other technical skills that he uses to create music. In this episode, Willits explains automation clips—setting them up, as well as their role in recording and playing live. Past episodes have included techniques he’s used on his albums, like processing sounds through MIDI pick-ups and synthesizers.

Tune in once a month as Christopher shows us some of the ways he produces his own music, as well as the many cool things you can do with recording software. According to Christopher, “I simply want to excite people’s imaginations and creative process so they can more easily create the sounds and music and art they love.”

http://xlr8r.com/tv
http://christopherwIllits.com

Wow!

What an awesome week. Over 15 tracks recorded, 10 artists and bands, and 80 solid hours of hands on experience for our interns and engineers. I think we all learned a ton about recording, producing and coordinating. Everyone did an exceptional job! Mixes are now in progress and should be ready to review by the end of this month.

We are currently playing with the idea of showcasing the work from the week through an event sometime around October or November. Depending on funding, location availability, and potential partners this could be a big promo opportunity to connect with other artists, engineers, and labels plus a chance to field questions about everyone’s experience and creative process. In the meantime, check out the pics, learn more about the participating artists, and keep on blogging!

Project Renovate
Wisecrack
60 Watt Kid
Christopher Willits
Gabriel Coan
The Blank Slates
Sean Niesen
League 510
The Dervish
Max Paz
Midori/Audioclique

- Adam Shaening-Pokrasso

Christopher Willits was the featured artist in the studio today, and was accompanied on the Drums by Gabriel Coan, a very experienced and versatile drummer. Chris has released several albums through his labels 12K, and Ghostly International. After observing him in the studio and hearing his music I would categorize his style as Experimental Pop. Although Chris is mainly a guitarist, he incorporates other instruments and noise to create the perfect sound. He uses unique computer processing to disguise and color the sound of the guitar but still keeps the rhythmic structure. Some say Chris has truly redefined the sound a guitar can make!

Today Chris created 2 new tracks, on the 1st track, he played a single note for 7 minutes straight, and layered it at least 4 times to create a variety of harmonic tones. Gabriel Coan joined us for the afternoon to contribute to Chris’s second piece. Chris and Gabriel have collaborated several times in the past and today, continue share their musical ideas. When Gabriel arrived, he had no idea what the track sounded like, and basically free-styled his performance. It totally blew me away!

Until recently, Gabriel was part of a San Francisco based band by the name of Continental, that’s been around since 1998. According to U-Dot Music, “Continental has a reputation for making smart, cinematic music.” I look forward to some of the new projects that Gabriel is working on.

For more information about Christopher Willits and Gabriel Coan, checkout:

www.christopherwillits.com
www.myspace.com/christopherwillits

www.myspace.com/goodadvices

If you would like to hear some of the stuff we’ve created today, the 1st track – THE TONE MONSTER! will be added to our compilation CD of all the artists who recorded at Sound Arts during Sponsorship week and the 2nd track will be featured in his upcoming album through 12K and Ghostly international.

- Priscilla Fallas