From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V5 #273 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Tuesday, November 14 2000 Volume 05 : Number 273 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Alloy: Beatnik news - Mixman StudioPro 4.0 for Mac [Robin Thurlow Subject: Alloy: Beatnik news - Mixman StudioPro 4.0 for Mac Beatnik Launches Mixman StudioPro 4.0 for MAC New Software Allows Music Hobbyists to Create and Publish Music Online SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Beatnik, Inc., a leader in interactive audio technologies and content for the Web and digital devices, today announced the availability of Mixman StudioPro(TM) 4.0 for the Mac, the popular consumer DJ remixing software designed for the music hobbyist. Mixman StudioPro 4.0 for the Mac is available for purchase online at http://www.mixman.com, http://www.apple.com and in retail stores nationwide including CompUSA, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics and MicroCenter. Mixman StudioPro 4.0 allows music fans to create, perform and publish personalized music from concept to completion using an enhanced suite of professional remixing tools. The tools include Remixing Studio for real-time performance-based remixing, FX Studio for manipulating component sounds, Editing Studio for precision composition and Recording Studio to add personalized sounds into each mix. Unique to the Mac version is the ability to control the Remixing Studio using any MIDI keyboard of input device. Also, for the first time, users are now able to export their sound-sets using Beatnik's own Rich Music Format (RMF), which provides a real-time listening experience that doesn't require streaming. Mixman StudioPro 4.0 represents the first-ever product that couples Mixman's music authoring technology with Beatnik's RMF technology. "Mixman StudioPro 4.0 is the perfect solution for people that not only want to create new music, but also self-publish and connect with the existing global Mixman online community," said Josh Gabriel, chief of consumer products, Beatnik, Inc. "Our ongoing partnerships with major record labels keeps a steady stream of Mixman Singles(TM) for consumers to download and remix themselves, allowing each user to manipulate and record their favorite music in ways they've never experienced. It's the ultimate personalization of music." Mixman StudioPro 4.0 allows music fans to upload their creations to their own personalized home page on the Mixman site called My Mixzone. My Mixzone is personalized specifically for each user to post their creations, invite friends to listen and remix their own versions of sound-sets online. In addition, My Mixzone has photo capabilities, interchangeable skins and a map indicating the user's country of origin. "Our goal in developing the product was to deliver the richest features of our Mixman StudioPro software for the PC to the creative community of Mac users," said Jade Van Doren, Mixman product manager, Beatnik. Inc. "For the first time, Mixman StudioPro for the Mac has achieved complete feature parity with the PC software." The Mixman software line enables fans to collaborate with other fans and artists online. Mixman provides mainstream music fans, hardcore music hobbyists and artists a powerful new creation and distribution suite from which to self-publish, trade and personalize versions of popular songs and original works -- building a personally vested and powerful online music community. Mixman StudioPro 4.0, as with all Mixman Studio software, gives users the ability to remix Mixman Singles, which are downloadable track files from artists, remixers and producers from around the world. Artists provide master tapes, which are then converted to the individual sound elements in Mixman TRK (track) files. Singles are easily loaded into the software program so that users can create personalized versions of their favorite songs. Mixman StudioPro 4.0 comes with an expanded library of sounds including guitars, drums, vocals and keyboards that can be used to create original songs. Also available are Soundiscs, supplemental libraries that give users an even broader range of selections. These triple-format sample CDs are designed to work with Mixman Studio and StudioPro. Each sound comes in Audio, TRK and WAV file formats to ensure that users have access to the right format for the job. From music hobbyists to working DJs, music enthusiasts of all levels can explore, shape and arrange sounds easily, as well as create entirely new musical works. Mixman StudioPro 4.0 for the Mac has a suggested retail price of $89.95. About Beatnik, Inc. Beatnik brings interactive music and sound to the Web and digital devices through its combination of technology, content and services. Beatnik's solution includes a line of applications, production music, sound content and the Mixman software product line, enabling the integration of interactive audio content into the Web experience. Beatnik develops, markets and sells its interactive audio solution to a community of creative professionals, potential licensees of its technology and consumers enabling them to build and interact with music and sound over the Web, on computers and other digital devices. Mixman Technologies, Inc. was acquired by Beatnik in December 1999. Incorporated in 1996, Beatnik was founded by musician and composer Thomas Dolby Robertson. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 09:42:52 +0200 From: jonathan.chiddick@nokia.com Subject: Alloy: RE: alloy-digest V5 #272 Hi all, something seems to have gone wrong as only the second posting of two came up in the digest which must have been confusing as the second was just really an explanation of my dumbness. Here is the first posting again: - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi all, Let's go on topic for a moment. I have news! Finally, finally, after many moons I have managed to track down a copy of Wireless Wonders. I've been trying to get this for yonks now and I never thought I would find a decent copy. This baby, until this very evening, had never been played before. The cover feels and looks as good as you could expect for an almost 20 year old record with just very minimal corner wear - just on the very tips - outstanding condition. - - anyway, I digress. As this was promo only and is a pretty early example I thought I would play it out of interest before I archived it with the boxes and boxes of other TMDR stuff I've collected over the years. On spinning it I was delighted to find that the tracks are different to other versions of the songs and Radio Silence is the guitar version that I, despite owning far too numerous copies of TGAOW, had never heard before. The songs are all a little bit more up-tempo than the 'normal' versions which was very interesting to listen to. There are also minor changes to the arrangements. "radio versions?" Most weirdly I, for some strange reason, consciously played the sides in reverse so Radio Silence was the last track of the second side I listened to. You can imagine the expression on my face as I heard the opening notes rattle my grey-matter into life as the square pegs ricochet off the round holes. Delightful; mind consuming experience! I was sure that I had everything that Thomas had released in one form or another except the guitar version of RS but I wasn't expecting it in this vinyl. As far as I knew it was only on the cassette version of the UK GAOW - which I have never been able to find. I've since found that it is on several pieces of vinyl and cassettes that I don't have and will likely never find. The experience was like meeting an old friend that you never thought you would see again. I only listened to it once so that I can ration it for future times when I feel the need for something 'new'. As new TMDR music is like rocking-horse shit these days (author take note!) a find like this was of fundamental importance. Who's heard RS in this version? What did you think? Who's got Wireless wonders? What did you think of the cover? What is the circuit diagram of? Has anyone been able to match the versions to other releases? Opinions? I liked it a lot. (read: A LOT) Anyone out there got the Beatles Anthology CD's? I love listening to those studio out-takes and different versions which lead progressively toward the final released version that everyone brains know so well now they react in an almost Pavlovian sense. Listening to different an previously unknown version years later stimulates the same sensations that you have the first time you ever heard the song. Amazing, it's like going back in time and regaining that moment - just for that moment. Sonic time travel. The worst thing is being pretty sure that Thomas has boxes of tapes and test-pressings and stuff gathering dust somewhere containing gems that never made it at the time - and never will having already 'commercially expired'. OK so I've kind of rambled a bit now but hopefully someone will know what I'm talking about. I wasn't expecting this and it was GREAT! Happy Scandinavian fathers day all! Jon - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- So there you have it. I was totally phased by this as I really had no idea that I already had the guitar version of Radio Silence already (3 copies!) on the b-sides of some singles. The thing that I am interested in are the experiences I had when hearing the song. I really was like meeting someone again that you thought had gone forever. I didn't and don't expect to hear new material for Thomas anytime soon and so it was a shock but the feelings I experienced were, as I already said, just like the first time I heard the 'normal' version of the song. It was just like slipped back about 19 years for a couple of seconds. It was all over in the blink of an eye but for a brief moment I was 15 years old again in another country. Guys were wearing double-breasted shirts and 1984 was still very definitely in the future. -just for a second or two. Bizarre. I swear to god, I travelled in time. Amazing. What are your thoughts on this? Is this just me or has anyone else had anything like this happen? > Hey Jon, it sounds as if you have quite a few very rare > things. I'm wondering, how do you go about storing them? Do you follow > museum standards for conservation at all? (humidity control etc) I live in an apartment building where the climate control is very good and stable. The vinyl items are stored in soft plastic sleeves and the paper covers also - separately naturally. All the cassettes and video tapes are bagged up tight. Print media is stored in acid-free paper files and other stuff just has to fend for itself. the CD's are OK anyway as they continue to live normal lives in the living room. all the sfuff in storage is very heavily boxed so temperature cycling is minimised. It will have to do as I don't have time or money for anything more sophisticated. The promo bottle of hot sauce is a bit of a worry. It is still factory sealed but has turned a nasty brown colour. To be honest I would be very sceptical about even opening it let alone eating it! How the hell are you supposed to preserve that? The couple of acetates that I have are stored just like vinyl and I'm really not sure whether I should do anything special with them. I've only ever played them once to check the contents. They are far too fragile for more than that. Any ideas about handling. > Also, any chance you might be putting any of your > 'duplicates' up for auction > on eBay any time soon? :) I actually do have some items but no time to do it. I buy occaisionally from ebay but I haven't sold anything for about a year now due to my contant state of frantic activity... (since my son was born) When I find a nice item in better condition than my own I normally buy it and there is a small pile of stuff which I will at some point in the future dispose of. It won't be any time soon though. I'll let alloy know if/when it happens. > Yow! Jon, you should speak to Lazlo Nibble, keeper of the Holy > Dolby Discography, to check that all these items have been duly > entered therein. Sounds like you have a real treasure trove on > your hands, well done! To be honest with you I have given up on that now. I have sent him information by mail a few times and the additions have never happened. If you look at the 'last updated' caption it is currently around 490 days ago... That guy has a whole lot on his hands with all the artists that he supports (mostly excellently supports) so I'm not surprised. I have my own discography which I update as I find new things. Nibble is pretty good actually but there are some things missing. If anyone has any of the following... Aliens ate my buick frisbee (American promo) Aliens ate my buick 6' banner sticker (Austrailian promo) Close but no cigar wooden cigar box (UK promo) ...I would like a picture or some kind of description as I haven't been able to positively confirm their existence yet. (especially the close but no cigar box, I've heard stories but nobody will actually put their hand on their heart and state clearly that they have even seen one...) OK, that's enough for today. Work calls. Jon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 19:16:32 -0500 From: Robin Thurlow Subject: Re: Alloy: RE: storing collections (was: alloy-digest V5 #272) jonathan.chiddick@nokia.com wrote: > I live in an apartment building where the climate control is very good and > stable. The vinyl items are stored in soft plastic sleeves and the paper > covers also - separately naturally. All the cassettes and video tapes are > bagged up tight. I don't know much about storing cassettes/video tapes at this point (I'm learning avidly though... :) When encapsulating paper documents, at least, we're actually told not to seal the item completely into its own 'micro-environment', because then you've got a potential science experiment going on. If air isn't allowed to circulate at all it's considered a danger. I'm not sure how this applies to tapes or if it's primarily paper you'd worry about this with. I can look into this further if you'd like. We have a world reknowned preservation/conservation expert on hand who'd be more than happy to share information on this. I'd of course think things such as magnetic objects or temperature changes in the storage area would pose grave danger to tape (how similar in structure are audio and video tape to each other?) so I'd keep them away from exterior walls or heat/cold sources, which you probably already have been. It sounds like you've put a lot of careful thought into your storage of your collection!! > Print media is stored in acid-free paper files and other > stuff just has to fend for itself. the CD's are OK anyway as they continue > to live normal lives in the living room. I've always wondered about the best way to store cds. What's the *worst* way to store them, and what's considered the best? Mine are just on wooden shelves, taken down & played constantly, but of course I want them all to last forever. Do they 'wear down' in any way through use? > The promo bottle of hot sauce is a bit of a worry. It is still factory > sealed but has turned a nasty brown colour. To be honest I would be very > sceptical about even opening it let alone eating it! How the hell are you > supposed to preserve that? Are the ingredients listed? Maybe it ages, like fine wine? I'm so intrigued by this 'Hot Sauce' promo, ever since I first heard of it! I'll see if there's any good way to preserve bottled sauces. I'm sure it must come up in historical conservation. > The couple of acetates that I have are stored just like vinyl and I'm really > not sure whether I should do anything special with them. I've only ever > played them once to check the contents. They are far too fragile for more > than that. Any ideas about handling. Are these the very thin promo recordings like those found included in magazines? The only idea I have is to store them as you would a vinyl, as you are, and to also support them with an archivally sound rigid backing board. A bookbinders' supply place might have some good materials for this... again, I can look further into this & see if there's any specific literature on these. For vinyl, I've heard some differences of opinion on how they're best stored... flat or standing on end? Does anyone have any views on this? Robin T ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 21:22:53 -0500 From: "Mary A. Brown" Subject: Alloy: RE: alloy-digest V5 #272 Dear Alloy, Move over, BC, I think the *real* male version of me has revealed himself... > If anyone has any of the following... > > Aliens ate my buick frisbee (American promo) > Aliens ate my buick 6' banner sticker (Australian promo) > Close but no cigar wooden cigar box (UK promo) > > ...I would like a picture or some kind of description as I > haven't been able > to positively confirm their existence yet. (especially the close > but no cigar box, I've heard stories but nobody will actually put > their hand on their heart and state clearly that they have even > seen one...) Yes, Jon, I can confirm the existence of the Aliens promo frisbee. It was produced by Sam Goody (a record chain here in the US). It's bright yellow (my favorite) and has the Sam Goody logo and slogan (Goody Got It!) along with the same font from the CD which reads "AAMB starring Thomas Dolby". Underneath that is the logo for EMI Manhattan. My hot sauce has turned brown as well. Have you seen the toy car some German guy has been selling on eBay which was supposedly also a AAMB promo? It is not particularly appropriate since my better half informs me it most likely is not a Buick and is completely the wrong era ('30s-'40s as opposed to late '50s). It is definitely not a 1962 or 3 Buick Skylark convertible. Nor is it red. Hopefully now you won't feel compelled to seek it out, Jon! Dolby Geeks Rule! Europa ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V5 #273 ***************************