This weekend I am playing two live shows in East Germany in the same night. I play at The Sky Club in Leipzig from 2:00AM – 3:00AM and I play an large event called Hard & Smart in an abandoned sugar factory from 4:30AM – 5:30AM. I’ve done this kind of thing before but I always laugh a little thinking how crazy it is (especially considering I am flying from NYC to do it). Everything could go smoothly because the booking agency will be driving me and watching the clock. Howver, I do wonder if I will start my show on time at the Alte Zuckerfabrik (Old Sugar Factory). Reason being I played there before and it get so crowded it’s hard to get to the stage and set up without people stopping you to chat. Here’s a photo from the last time I played there:

I will test out a few new songs and if I am not too sweaty I will break out the iPhone and use sampleToy (iTunes link) live. Before each show I send out a Madmimi promotion. I highly recommend Madmimi for email marketing. You can see the latest one here: http://mim.io/570f2

Madmimi recent also created mini sign up forms you can embed on your websites like this one below the contact form on my record label’s website: thingstocome.com/contact/

If I have internet in my hotel I will surely report in!

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With the release of the iPad immenent it’s clear a MIDI interface for the pad or iPhone could be put to good use. I’ve been enjoying the lack of MIDI and the simple sound mangling apps such as Bebot, Curtis, TOPLAPapp and sampleToy. However, some Apps such as synthPond scream, “I want to be hooked up to to a DAW in sync and use me with external sounds”.

“MIDI Mobilizer is the only MIDI interface for Apple iPhone and iPod touch. Play, record, and backup MIDI information from any MIDI device, any time, any place.” – line6.com

We may not need a new MIDI standard but how about a new tiny MIDI plug?

For more info: line6.com

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If you rent a room in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude or if you are a crystal meth dealer there is a speaker system designed just for you. The Harman Kardon GLA-55 has chrome tubing and touch sensitive volume controls. For those with $999 you can get a set via Amazon: click here. I admit some strange part of me likes these speakers. It’s the same part that like the new 2010 Hyundai Sonata’s design:

“Founded in 1953 by Dr. Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon — two men with a deep interest in music and the arts — the company helped create the high-fidelity audio industry. In 1958, Harman Kardon introduced the world’s first stereo receiver, the Festival TA230, once again aimed at non-technical users in an attempt to make high-fidelity widely available. Stereo sound was achieved by using one channel from the AM Band, and one channel from the FM Band. The first true FM Multiplex Stereo Receiver was sold by HH Scott in 1961 with introduction of the Model 350 tuner.” – Wikipedia.org/Harmon_Kardon

So what do you think? Are these ridiculous or show pieces for your futuristic apartment?

For more info: harmankardon.com

via futuremusic

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What’s one way to spend your musician skills? Improving on Chatroulette of course! Slightly funny and awesome.

“This of video of Merton doing piano improvisation with random strangers on Chatroulette wins for most hilarious Chatroulette video created so far.” – Laughing Squid

For more info: chatroulette.com

via Laughing Squid

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Everyday Looper has become my favorite iPhone app period. If your a musician go grab this thing. It’s really fun to play around with and although you can’t tell by my loop it get’s your creative juices flowing. $4.99: click here

Eins Zwei Mouse Bear Stove by thingstocome

For more info: mancingdolecules.com

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Last night I was happy at home during a big storm that hit the NYC area. I did a little test using Skype and Ecamm Network’s Call Recorder. As you can hear it works as advertised:

Skype Call with Leslie by thingstocome

“Install Call Recorder and you’ll instantly see recording controls in Skype. Use the Record and Stop buttons, or activate Call Recorder’s automatic recording feature. The recorded files are saved into a folder on your Mac, neatly named with the caller’s name and the date. That’s it!” – ecamm.com

Photo credit: re-ality

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“Propellerhead Software’s product specialist James Bernard kicks off this series of tutorials with a demonstration on creative uses of the Record mixer’s dynamics section to create rhythmic gating effects, also known as ‘trance gate’.” – PropellerheadSW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jnZ1EwvW88

“In this week’s episode, James Bernard shows how to create a typical dub step wobble bass sound in Record and Reason.” – PropellerheadSW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mKL2xCw1Ds

“In the third episode, James Bernard gives you even more tips on creating dub step wobble bass sounds in Record and Reason.” – PropellerheadSW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGPYBnpt1ZA

“Week 4 is here and this time James shows you the basics of the Contol Volt and Gate features in Reason and Record. Many users shy away from CV/Gate for fear of not knowing what they do, but CV/Gate is an immensely powerful feature and quite straightforward to use once you grasp the basic concept.” – – PropellerheadSW

For more info: propellerheads.se

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I was pleasantly surprised to hear an ice cream truck on my block yesterday. I snapped a photo and recorded the melody the truck was playing. It has to be one of the happiest sounds ever created.

Ice Cream Truck by thingstocome

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Here’s a pro-audio podcast I just discovered while listening to SonicTalk. Audionowcast is quite similar albeit with a more USA centric accent. They are up to 80 episodes and if via the iTunes download page you can troll through some descriptions to see if you want to hear any older shows. Subscribe page: click here

“The AudioNowcast is a podcast that covers all aspects of audio in the music, recording, film & television industries. Topics include: song writing & music marketing; recording & mixing; location sound, sound design & sound editing. Our panel is made up of industry professionals who share their insights, stories and tips.” – nowcastnetwork.com

For more info: nowcastnetwork.com

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzQLRPwZjIo

I’ve been having fun with Everyday Looper and it’s a good App. This guy makes it look great (in a French way)! About $5.

“I just spent two sessions with the Everyday Looper (5 hours and 3 hours, respectively) and I can honestly state that this $4 program gives my $250 looping pedal a run for its money.” – ProfHop

Download now on iTunes: click here

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