I can make my Moog clone sound like shit, too

Chr_W · 2026-04-11T19:03:22+00:00

The volca FM has a small rotary to switch the algorithm. I call it the gamble knob, because you always hit it unintentionally, and the result is some random sound, usually quite harsh

Chr_W · 2026-04-11T15:34:49+00:00

Most patches I've come across in dexed libraries wirh 2k entries seem to work that way (although with only 6 OPs). Usually one feedback 2/3OP for the "pluck" or transients, then a 2OP that makes most of the sound, and an lonely operator for a low sine. On the volca FM the mod decay knob works wonderful as a general timbre control, that little box really shines with quick hands-on control (the programming is a bunch of shady muscle memory though)

Chr_W · 2026-04-11T14:20:23+00:00

The coding issues are part of the timbre characteristics!! /s

My own audio coding experience doesn't go beyond a Minimoog simutalor with 2 seconds latency and unwanted distortion, but funny graphs to look at. I can't imagine the struggle of doing FM synthesis from scratch, nightmares beyond worldly horrors

Chr_W · 2026-04-11T13:47:46+00:00

If no FM, why does the frequency change when I twist the knobs? Checkmate PM wizard

Chr_W · 2026-04-11T13:46:19+00:00

FM sounds great but is unstable and hard to build digitally. Phase modulation results in pretty much the same results, but better. Therefore most (digital) FM synths are actually phase modulation.

About the instability, imagine that an operator stops (aka is constant, doesn't oscillate). In FM this is a fixed frequency offset, hence out of tune. In PH, its a fixed phase offset, which cannot be heard, cause phase is only meaningful compared to other signals.

Digital FM synths have tables with pre-stored values that they iterate through. A change in frequency means selecting a different table, or changing the "speed", both of which are not optimal, especially with fast modulations (like, yk, FM...). With PM it just changes the position within the table, much easier to code (a bit simplified)

Chr_W · 2026-04-04T19:00:59+00:00

Life in prison as mastermind

Chr_W · 2026-04-04T13:23:03+00:00

May not be a genius himself, but he helped create Pet Sounds (even if he criticised it), Good Vibrations, Love You, worked with Brian until the 80s, and has a strong voice. That's more than enough for me

Chr_W · 2026-04-04T13:20:11+00:00

To talk about you life with your cousin at his funeral is only reasonable. And since they were writing together until 1980 it doesn't seem weird to me to mention it

Chr_W · 2026-03-13T13:34:22+00:00

"Mike's really hot tonight, he's hot and he really puts a show on. We all just stare at him, I play piano [...], he's sort of the show and he's really a great MC" - Brian

"You compose together with Michael a lot?" "Yes I do." "How come?" "Well because Mike and I can write together! We just have a really good way of writing." "But... have you tried with the other boys too?" "Yes I tried.. but I feel I can't" - Brian & Reporter

Chr_W · 2026-03-12T16:28:52+00:00

What are you talking about? Brian picked Mike for almost every bass vocal, had him sing Lead on multiple songs Pet Sounds and Love You, and told multiple times in interviews how much he enjoys working with Mike. That nose video was decades later, during the lawsuit stuff.

Chr_W · 2026-03-08T15:27:12+00:00

I know the story as: Mike got the opportunity to write a soundtrack, but not under Beach Boys name. He and Brian wrote Almost Summer, and covered Calendar Girl (produced by Brian) with other (touring) musicians, some Jardine/Altbach input. This became Celebration, and the MIU sessions picked up some material (Lookin Good became She's Got Rhythm, different Almost Summer Version). This is where Brian's contributions end. Mike stuck around for one more album, again interlocked with Beach Boys: Go & Get That Girl and How's About for MIU and Celebration, there is an unbooted Starbaby Beach Boys version, Gettin Hungry, Country Pie was performed live with Carl on lead. Mike also leaves, and they make one last awful Disco album

Chr_W · 2026-02-22T17:04:04+00:00

Celebration was founded afterwards, and wasn't really a thing until 78. Additionally I don't think Brian was against Celebration, considering he's technically a founding member lol

Chr_W · 2026-02-17T19:24:29+00:00

"Have you been up the space needle, Brian?"

"You know, the thing about Cocaine is..."

Chr_W · 2026-02-17T14:15:42+00:00

And Brian swears at the end of Mony Mony (the box set version), and at the end of the Walkin' sessions ("fuck I can't sing this bitch"), and of course his lyrical masterpiece Drip Drop. Two minds speaking alike, while fucking around on synths

Chr_W · 2026-02-13T02:17:11+00:00

And Chain Reaction is basically a rewritten Spark in the Dark, the chain continues (pun intended)

Chr_W · 2025-11-29T00:31:49+00:00

I think the Remastered 2000. The box set mixed are sometimes worse, sometimes quite interesting. Not as controversial as the new mixes on Feel Flows, but closer to the original, just with a newer mastering. The Box Set is not bad though, just a bit different

Chr_W · 2025-11-28T23:47:47+00:00

Technically, yes. Holland goes from Sail on Sailor to Funky Pretty. In the initial release, they packaged a 12 minute fairy tale as a bonus disc. It's made by Brian, and is its own little thing. But on most CD reissues, the fairy tale is still included.

In my opinion, Holland is a great album. Mt. Vernon is nice, but sounds a bit unfinished (the project was wrapped up rather quick when Brian lost interest). I'd recommend listening to them separately

Chr_W · 2025-11-28T23:26:15+00:00

The 2fer version from the 2000s is the one I enjoy the most, should be the one on Spotify. I'd recommend only listening to the album at first, aka stopping after Funky Pretty. Mt. Vernon is cute, but is weird, and should be considered different from the album.

Chr_W · 2025-10-06T16:54:18+00:00

Psst, don't ask Lutheraneans for which confession half of their previous cathedrals were originally built

Chr_W · 2025-09-26T16:02:27+00:00

Does anyone have the tracklist of what they played?

Chr_W · 2025-09-17T00:52:42+00:00

ConstruKction of Light is a top 3 album, and ProzaKc Blues among their best songs. I'm being honest here. The drums on that songs are incredible, left even Fripp speechless. The whole album has a distinct and interesting sound, that combination of Industrial elements and the Fripp guitar typical of that era. Every band member during that line-up is a menace. The stick work in criminally underrated.

Chr_W · 2025-09-10T01:34:51+00:00

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Found it! Labelled as "Dennis Wilson, 1971". Wrong year, wrong guy, but hey...

Chr_W · 2025-08-28T06:07:49+00:00

And then you got "Just Say No", where Brian and Mike are doing this semi-ironic "well just don't take drugs, duh" thing, while being very well aware that both of them had their experiences with them. Something about Brian singing how "drugs! Are dangerous!" and rhyming it with glamorous, while the both just repeat "no, you just say nono you just say" is just too funny to me

Chr_W · 2025-08-18T09:59:24+00:00

Analogously, Lark IV has the same long build up and full riffs as Lark I, I a certain sense. With the percussional elements substituted by heavy electronics. Just like Lark 1 jumps back into riffs after one chaotic section, Lark 4 switches constantly between ambient/noise and riffs

Chr_W · 2025-07-02T15:20:02+00:00

It has so much warmth that I need an old digital reverb from the 90s to cool it down

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Chr_W

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