Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
TraxWeekly Issue 099
.
founded march 12, 1995 _| : _____ t r a x w e e k l y # 99
______________ |___| _ _______/ /\___________________________
/ ____________/ /\__\ _ _______/____/_____________________________
/ / _________ \/__/ ______\ \_____________________________
/ / / `_ . .~ \____\/ _ __ ___
/ / / _____ . _ \ __ ___ _/__/\
/ / / / /\ _ The Music Scene Newsletter __ __\__\/
_/__/ / ____/ /__\_________________________________ _____ ___ _
/ /\/ /___ __________ _ ______ _ ___ \/ /\ / /
/____/ \ \ / /\ / __/\ / /\ \ \ / \ /____/
/ / \ / \/ /_ \___/___/ \ \_/___/ / \_/ / / \ ___\
/ /_/ /______/\/ \ /______/\/ \ /_____/ // \ \ / / / \
/ / \ \ \ \_\ \ \ \_\ \ //____/\____\/ / / /
/ / \______\/ \______\/ \_____\/ \ \ \ \ / / /
/ \____\/\____\ / / /
/ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ / / /
/__/ w /\___/ /\___/ e /\___/ /\__ / l /\___/ /\____/ / /
__/____/____/____/____/____/____/____/____/____/____/____/________/ /
__\ \____\ e \____\ \____\ k \ ___\ \____\ y \__________/
\____\/ \____\/ \____\/ \____\/ \____\/ \____\/WW
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| TraxWeekly Issue #99 | Release date: 22 May 1997 | Subscribers: 920 |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/-[Introduction]------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------/
Welcome to TraxWeekly #99.
Someone sent me an article titled "why tracking is a perfect art form"
several weeks ago. Unfortunately, I don't have an author name or address
with the article. It is being run this week under "anonymous." If this
is your article, please email me so that we may credit you appropriately
for your contribution.
The Modsquad's account at modsquad@juno.com apparently got hacked by a
disgruntled former member of the group; it appears they won't be putting
together any articles for awhile. Which is pretty strange, considering
the volume of feedback we've recieved about the Modsquad's articles. Also
this week are the many opinions of music scene-ers about the whole Impulse
Tracker wave driver business.
Well, a small release after three weeks of heftiness. Not too bad. =)
Be on the watch for the landmark 100th issue of TraxWeekly, hitting your
friendly Hornet ftp site May 30th!
Gene Wie (Psibelius)
TraxWeekly Publishing
gwie@csusm.edu
/-[Contents]----------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------/
________ _________________________________________________________________
/ ____/_/ __/ \ __/ / _____/ \ __/ __/ ___/_
< \____\ \ \\ \ \\____ __/ __/_\ \ \\____ \_____ \__
\ \ \ \\ \ \ww\ \\ \\ \ \ \ \ \_
_\________\________\\___\____\ \_____\\_______\\___\____\ \_____\_______\
Letters and Feedback
1. Letter from Chris Jarvis
2. Letter from Coplan
3. Letter from Lachlan Barclay
4. Letter from Steve Gilore
General Articles
5. Why Tracking is a Perfect Artform.............Anonymous
6. The Future of #trax: A Poem...................Nova
Closing
Distribution
Subscription/Contribution Information
TraxWeekly Staff Sheet
/-[Letters and Feedback]----------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------/
--[1. Letter from Chris Jarvis]---------------------------------------------
From cjtrack@student.adelaide.edu.auMon May 19 22:56:56 1997
Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 11:56:57 +0930 (CST)
From: Chris Jarvis <cjtrack@student.adelaide.edu.au>
To: gwie@mailhost1.csusm.edu
Subject: Impulse Tracker
Having seen the Impulse Tracker project progress from the planning stage
through to the incredible program that we love to use I think it is sad
that Jeff Lim has had to sign off in this way. As a friend from Uni I've
seen him put off exam revision the night before to fix a problem bug or
finish a new bit of code. The amount of time Jeff put into this is really
amazing but that's not to say it was a chore for him - he loved doing it
and thats why he kept making new improvements and features.
The thing that bugs me is that it became unenjoyable for him because of
the type of abusive mail from unappreciative lamers who were not prepared
to give a little back. These people don't deserve the benefits of Jeff's
enormous effort, and its these people who have put an end to the project.
Many thanks must go to Jeff for providing the scene with the best damn
tracker in the world and for the enjoyment that users have gained from
it. At least now we might hear more great music from Jeff - after all
that's what its about...
Chris Jarvis / KFMF / Analogue
cjtrack@student.adelaide.edu.au
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--[2. Letter from Coplan]---------------------------------------------------
From coplan@thunder.ocis.temple.eduSat May 17 16:55:31 1997
Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 23:54:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: Coplan <coplan@thunder.ocis.temple.edu>
To: Gene Wie <gwie@mailhost2.csusm.edu>
Subject: Re: [TRAX-WEEKLY:124] traxWeekly Issue #98
> nice mag, just one request... please kill those columns by the
> modsquad. they're silly and and have no redeeming content. they just
> take up space. their columns have gone on for god-knows-how-long, and
> they just get stupider each week. no offense, but these lame articles
> have no place in an otherwise quality mag...
>
> let me hear your opinions.
>
> laters,
> - anonymous former tw columnist =)
>
> Hmmm...well readers, what do you have to say? -psib.
I personally belive that the modsquad articles were at once high content
articles that were a bit of a help. However, anymore, they are space
fillers. I agree, there's no reason to keep publishing them unless they
try to bring back the content (and get rid of the jokes and sillyness).
I don't even bother reading them anymore.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--[3. Letter from Lachlan Barclay]------------------------------------------
xFrom s943011@mhs.schnet.edu.auSun May 18 22:55:26 1997
Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 11:22:41 +1000
From: Lachlan Barclay <s943011@mhs.schnet.edu.au>
To: gwie@mailhost1.csusm.edu
Subject: Traxweekly content
I would like to reply to the attack on Modsquads articles. Shit, their
better than nothing! I mean, if you don't like em, don't read em. Sure not
all of it is related to tracking, and obviously the point of most of it is
just humor, but why not? As long as we don't substitute good articles for
space reasons, leave em in! But there have been some useful hints in (some)
Modsquad articles. Yes the last one was a bit dodgy, but let's give them a
chance.
I would also like to say something about poor Jeffrey Lim, who has
spent hours writing a fabulous piece of software that we all use. Fuck'n
hell, I've spent ages myself writing software and there are some complete
assholes out there who will happily blatantly rip off your hard efforts.
Well I'm not one of these people. Thanks Jeff for writing a great piece of
software, it's pretty much the only program that I use on my computer,
[apart from Word (arrrggggg)]. Well done, shame you have stopped producing
IT, it's really made me a happy person.
Does anybody else agree with me?
Lachlan Barclay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--[4. Letter from Steve Gilmore]--------------------------------------------
From rebriffr@netcomuk.co.ukSat May 17 16:54:56 1997
Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 01:25:31 +0100
From: rebriffr@netcomuk.co.uk
To: gwie@mailhost2.csusm.edu
Subject: Re: [TRAX-WEEKLY:124] traxWeekly Issue #98
Hey There,
In response to Pulse's excellent and well deserved diatribe against
those, let's face it, utterly bereft human beings who probably also take
pleasure in pulling wings off flies...
Too many times I see my favourite programs being ripped off when *I*,
and a great many others at least have enough respect for the authors to
pay the measly sums they usually ask for their software. Take, for
instance, the much maligned MOD4Win. Here's a stable, decent program
that you can buy for the same US$30 and how many cracks have we seen for
this? Hundreds, that's how many. Not to mention the *acres* of bitches
and moans you hear about and other great (but still young?) programs,
none of which is the fault of the author but the bigger software giants
who strangle this electronic world of ours.
Folks, ever hear the story about killing the Golden Goose? That's what
we are *all* doing to the very thing that we all profess to love so
much. Fellow trackers, do you feel guilty that you haven't registered
your copy of FT2? Nah, course not. It's supposed to be free innit?
Weeellll, not quite. The makers of this software suggest that you pay
them an even measlier sum of US$20 to show your appreciation for the
tool these guys laid in your hands.
How many of you have done that?
Pulse, I think IT is the best tracker around by miles right now and
although we haven't used it as a tracker yet, it makes a brilliant
player so I'll go ahead and register it on that basis. Why don't you
let me know the details - by publishing them here - and maybe we might
find there will be some others who agree that not all users are users.
--
Steve Gilmore
Rebel Riffs - Not the Only UK Trackers....<g>
rebriffr@netcomuk.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/-[General Articles]--------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------/
--[5. Why Tracking Is The Perfect Artform]---------------------------[???]--
"What a stupid thing to say!" might be your inital reaction, but big thanx
to those who said, "woo!" or even "w00p!" =) . . .
The second thing you might say after reading that heading, is "What the
hell's the point of this article?" Sadly, this article has no point,
except to remind fellow trackers (and to some extent the scene as a whole,
and myself =b) how lucky we are to have such a beautiful medium with which
to write and create our music...
Now, I don't wanna start some silly argument with graphicians and ppl, so
just don't bother, I am perfectly aware how protective many people are of
their art and their means of creating, I'm just saying that (to musicians)
there's no better way of making music than the tracker. k? =)
Right. Disclaimer? Check. Stupid intro? Check. Point? Nope...
Top Reasons For Tracking Like Crazy:
-.,-._,+-.,-._,+-.,-._,+-.,-._,+ + +
1 - Anytime, anyplace, anywhere (almost . . .)
You can write music any time you feel like it (well, as long as you have a
computer). We've all done it, you're half way through dinner and what
happens? You think of the greatest riff in the whole world! What can you
do?
Tape said riff, mashing it's awesome power to little bits with your
terrifyingly bad singing? Try to get your sausage-like fingers to play the
tune on some stupid instrument you've been trying, like, ten years to
learn (ahhhumm...)?
Nope, being trackers, we're not completey stupid - we'll load up our copies
of IT or FT2 (or whatever, blah... =) ), load the instrument that's in our
head and bash the thing out. Pretty damn cool, huh?
And what's more, if you've got yourself an orchestral piece floating 'round
in your head - no matter how good your voice - multi-track that and it'll
sound like aural vomit. 'Specially if you have timpani . . .
"The tracker rools!"
2 - Anystyle, anyspeed, anythingatall!
So, you're a gabber demon, or some wacked-out jazz freak, or some guy who
loves speed-metal played reallydamnquick. It's a shame you haven't got
a cool synth, or a tenor sax, or a brand new custom Jackson (with
twirly-round guitar strap and "skull & crossbones" inlays), isn't it? And
even if you did, would you have the first idea how to program it, play it,
or twirl it? Well?
If the answer(s)'(s) "No!!!" then I'm afraid you'll either have to
get a group to play your song (yeah right), or track it . . .
What if it's unplayable? Remember Frank Zappa's Grammy Award winning album
"Jazz From Hell"? Most of the whole album... completely unplayable by
humans. Now, obviously he didn't track that album, but he -did- use a
Synclaviar, which (by a large stretch of the imagination) could be
considered IT's super powerful partner in crime, like Batman and Robin...
If it's in your head, then you can track it (well, as long as you have the
skills...) and that's very cool, right?
=)
"Long live the tracker!"
3 - E'Cool - Experimentation, Co-Operation, Liberation...
Yeah, I just came up with that heading on the spot, cool or what? ;)
So, where were we? Right... E'Cool.
Experimentation - So, you've got some of your tune worked out, in fact it
goes a little like this:
B---S---B-B-S---B--BS--SB-B-S-B-
or
boom, shah - boom, boom, shah - boom, booshah, shaboom, boom, shah, boom
And you've got some crazy, wild, stupid idea of having a bassoon go:
E---Eb--C---E---F---G-F#E
and a juxtaposition with
E-Eb-C-F-E-Eb-C-F-E-Eb-C-F-E-Eb-C-F-
played be piccolos at double the speed (except in triplets, excluding the
last repetition which should be played as a broken quintuplet) . . .
Now, I don't care how friendly you are with your local orchestra - or even
just the wind and percussion sections - you'll not get them to play this
little ditty. Why? Cos' it'll be very difficult to, and it'll sound
completely crap (to my ears) as well... But if this is what you want, you
can track it and do whatever the hell you like to it!
Want the bassoon to double the ridiculous piccolo part? Go for it! How
about changing that bass drum to a car horn? Yes, do it!
Okay, that example was prolly a little bit extreme, but I'm sure you see my
point . . . =) I mean go mad, why not?! You actually -have- the chance
to do silly things, or brilliant things - play violins OUT OF RANGE!
Invert a piano envelope, detune and write Cosmic Boogie-Woogie! Write a
song that contains a personal letter to your girlfriend, and make it sound
good by encrypting it, and playing it using a "rub your finger 'round the
rim of a wine glass" instrument . . .
Whatever . . . =)
Wow, I really did get carried away . . .
Co-Operation - Well, it seems as if this is a most controversial aspect
of our little tracking community. But aside from all the hideous co-ops
(and the amazing ones), we have what is perhaps the most co-operative,
unique and self-contained feedback process in the world of music.
I mean, where else can you write a tune, or even half a tune, go along to
a place, full of like-minded people, friends and fellow composers - and
get a critique of your song within a few minutes? That place could be your
local board, or #trax, or on an even wider scale the internet email system!
-That- is cool... =)
And what's more, these people could be your tracking peers (?!) or even
your all-time biggest tracking idols (or 'idles', they often walk hand in
hand . . . =] ).
We have musicdisks, where we can band together and release albums of
material by separate artists, with one main musical vision.
Where else do you see that?! And no, Warren G featuring Nate Dogg does
-not- count... =)
We have competitions where we can 'compete' with our fellow musicians, and
what happens? We vote, we can vote high for who we like, and
constructively criticise songs that we don't. This is co-operation. This
is what helps us become better trackers, and in turn better musicians...
Here's a personal example:
tt#25 - Where'd I come? 12th. Not a fantastic position, no - but I was
content... (yeah, right . . .) =)
Someone commented that the leads were too loud, and the chords were
dissonant. Initially, I was like, "Sod off, dissonant, yeah really . . ."
because I knew what chords I was using and what keys I was in. Then I
listened to the song, and true enough, the leads were too loud for the
tune, and the bass note of the majority of chords was so low that the
chords were indeed out of tune... What happened? I re-mixed the song and
that was my first release... Woo!
I know that some of this seems a little rose-tinted, but goddamn, it's
pretty damn wonderful stuff... And has the potential to be even better
(but I'm not here to preach... blah, blah, blah . . .)
And finally we come to:
Liberation - Okay, I need an 'L' to complete the acronym, but where else
can you get songs, almost immediately from the composer/performer/sequencer
of the actual piece?! No where, except at your local pub where some group
is playing their arses of for no money...
That comparison has just struck me, and it's made a strong impression. The
two scenes (pub band scene and the scene scene), are similar in many ways,
so I'll side-track a little:
o Both involve a lot of hard work, that can amount to nothing except a few
tunes with which to impress your mum.
o Both are full of inexperienced newbies and the attitude to newcomers is
equally hostile in both. e.g. "What! You dunno how to rig up that PA?
Hah, you failure!" or "What?! You dunno how to go to triplets from eighth
notes in FT2?!"
o People in both scenes have the opportunity to make money and make
something of themselves by doing the thing they love, namely creating
music. Admitedly, you're probably never gonna be the next U2 or whatever,
at least not yet, but in the future who knows? I believe the music -we-
produce is without a shadow of a doubt viable, unique and creative... So
there... =)
I think the most striking difference (apart from the fact we don't play
live and rarely get -any- money) is the fact that most of our music is
heard by other musicians, and I think it's -this- that stops the scene
growing and evolving. It is a 'scene' - nothing more. It's gonna be while
before you hear the average guy on the street go, "Oh yeah, I like Orbital,
Pantera, Ministry and The Doors... oh, and Purple Motion as well, of
course..."
But I'm sure the time will come, eventually . . .
So there you go, from the composition to liberation of our tunes, there's
nothing better (to my knowledge) than the tracker. We write them, we mix
them, we produce them, we re-mix them(!), we publish them, we distribute
them and then of course we delete them . . . =)
"You're always cacker, if you're not a tracker-whacker . . ."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--[6.The future of the trax scene: a poem]--------------------------[Nova]--
Little Joey wrote his tenth song this week
He worked all night on NNA's
Added extra strings and a saxophone squeak
All morning he changed the S87's to S88's
And added comments and greets
And a message about his new group
He's too busy to worry about other people's songs
And he wonders why everyone is too busy to listen to his.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/-[Closing]-----------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------/
TraxWeekly is available via FTP from:
ftp.hornet.org /incoming/info/ (new issues)
ftp.hornet.org /info/traxweek/1995/ (back issues)
/info/traxweek/1996/
/info/traxweek/1997/
TraxWeekly is available via WWW from:
www.hornet.org, under section "Information" and subsection "TraxWeekly."
To subscribe, send mail to: listserver@unseen.aztec.co.za
and put in the message body: subscribe trax-weekly [yourname NOT address]
To unsubscribe, mail same and: unsubscribe trax-weekly (in message body)
Contributions for TraxWeekly must be formatted for *76* columns,
must have a space preceding each line, and have some measure of
journalistic value. Please try to avoid the use of high ascii
characters, profanity, and above all: use your common sense.
Contributions should be mailed as plain ascii text or filemailed
to: gwie@csusm.edu before 11:00pm PST every Wednesday.
TraxWeekly is usually released over the listserver and ftp.cdrom.com
every Thursday or Friday between 12:00am-11:59pm PST.
TraxWeekly does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, political
or religious statures and standpoints.
The staff can be reached at the following:
Editor: Psibelius (Gene Wie)..............gwie@csusm.edu
Writers: Atlantic (Barry Freeman)..........as566@torfree.net
Mage (Glen Dwayne Warner).........gdwarner@ricochet.net
Zinc (Justin Ray).................rays@direct.ca
ascii graphic contributors:
Cruel Creator, Stezotehic, Squidgalator2, White Wizard
TraxWeekly is a HORNET affiliation.
Copyright (c)1995,1996,1997 - TraxWeekly Publishing, All Rights Reserved.
/-[END]---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------/
::
::: :
. ..... ..............................:::.................:....
::: :
:::: :
.::::. .:::::.:::. ..:::: :::: :
:: :: ::: .:: :: :: WW:::: :
::. :: ::: .:: :: .:: :::: :
:::.::. ::: .:: .:: .:::::... :: :::.. ... ..: ...
..:::::::::::::::: .:: .::::::: :::::::: ::::::.. ::: ::: :::
:
until next week! =)
.. ... .. ....... ............... .................:..... .. .
:
