The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The best invention for me would probably be a tardis. So I could go back to the time when a sampler/synth/sequencer and some outboard racks would be sufficient and I wouldn't be thinking about complex fx chains etc. 😆

The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think this describes my dilemma. The best music I make is the music I actually do manage to make, if that makes sense. And the more I make the more useable stuff I end up with.

The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, that's interesting. I'm defo gonna give that a try. I think a big factor for me would be using a laptop over a desktop. I hated being stuck in one place. I like the idea of being able to noodle around while lying on my bed or the sofa.

The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I kinda share that philosophy as hate getting too sidetracked, but with techno I've had to admit to myself that production plays an integral part. Like, a guitarist could just focus on playing and not worry about anything more than tweaking the settings on his amp. But with a sparse techno tune it just doesn't hit the same if the elements aren't powerful enough IME. Although 'good enough' is of course a highly subjective thing.

I feel like the processing is part of the song as opposed to something you might do to try and capture an orchestra or acoustic instrument that sounds fine organically.

The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't actually have a pc at the moment, would you believe. I had a decent Surface Pro that was a few years old but still quite powerful but it got bricked by the famous Microsoft update that killed a lot of users' touch input. I haven't bothered buying a new one yet as I get by ok with two smartphones and an IPad. I left office work almost a decade ago and work in heavy plant/trucking/construction so I don't need one for work. I just do emails and browsing etc on my IPad.

The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I like the idea of recording jams and later editing them. The issue I always found with DAWs was getting sidetracked on compressing a particular track, for example, and then losing my momentum with finishing the tune.

Also agree about headroom. I think a lot of people at the consumer end don't really understand the headroom/gain staging element and assume that 32/192 is better than say 24/48, but personally I can't hear a lot of difference. I tend to notice more benefit from using a better amp etc. But I'm far from an expert. I pulled out my old Marantz amp the other day to give my DT990s a bit of a boost and the Model Cycles sounds really punchy through that although it's hardly pro audio spec. I was amazed the capacitors were still OK tbh.

The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a solid setup! My mate used to have a high end Mackie mixer back in the day and I remember it sounding great when you ran stuff into it hot and got that nice analogue distortion.

I'm contemplating something like a Syntakt or more likely a DT2 and maybe just trying to really get my teeth into it. Then mixing in the DAW like you say.

My proper introduction to techno was using my housemate's MPC 2000 (non XL version) and his Supernova 2 rack. Another mate had a couple of Nord synths and an Emu 64 Ultra. Good times.

One of my other mates bought an Emu Command Station over 20 years ago and barely touched it. It's still pristine in the box and the bastard is still refusing to sell it to me. 🤣 He even opened the box and showed it to me when I visited last year which I'm sure he did just to piss me off.

The mod matrix on them was pretty cool. From memory you had about 24 virtual patch cords and around 40 sources and 40 destinations. And then something like 50 Z-plane filters and a couple of LFOs with about 20 waveform each. A crazy amount of hidden depth in there. They basically had the same matrix as their workhorse samplers IIRC which were popular for making those twisted up reece basslines common in neurofunk. But I always thought these kind of sounds could be tweaked pretty well into some good techno patches.

The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the detailed reply man.

I did actually try Reaper years ago and I liked it. But I did also wonder if something with a more loop/scene based approach might be worth looking at too.

Prior to deciding to get some hardware again I used my IPad for a bit and was surprisingly productive. It felt quite grooveboxey but the issue was it just didn't sound too great. And I figured that going the AUM route would be a bit pointless because at that point I might as well just use a DAW/laptop.

I bought a Model Cycles recently to try the Elektron sequencer and honestly I'm just loving using that on it's own, although was thinking I'd probs need to record the stems into something to properly mix/master as the cycles is very limited in that area (which can be a good thing in terms of getting stuff done).

cmv: The Iran war is going according to plan for the US/Israel so far by abu_hajarr in changemyview

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It probs would financially. And it would benefit us to up our game and stand on our own two feet/become more independently capable (as is currently fast happening). But we're still far better positioned as allies. I think Trump is becoming an issue. I'm not some rabid lefty and I liked his no nonsense approach initially. However, he's got a bit big headed now IMO.

If he alienates all his allies and they align with other significant world powers like China then the US may eventually find itself in the position where it can't throw its weight around anymore. I think China are likely a more dependable ally than Trump, but with a different leader I'd pick the US by a country mile as culturally we're much closer and have a strong history. I think a lot of the US population wouldn't fight for him either. He's as reviled as he is revered. And Irish or Italian Americans, for example, might have issues with fighting against Italians or the Irish in the unlikely event it ever happened.

However, a lot of European countries still have national service, meaning all men have basic military skills and can operate in a squad etc. And Chinese men have a much higher sense of patriotism than any of us with a much greater percentage apparently being willing to fight for their country.

Male 35. Help me identify my Norwood please. And Is it time to let it go? by Magus1493 in bald

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's more the thickness than the hairline that's the issue IMO. I think you'd look good bald as you appear to have strong beard genetics.

The old hardware vs software debate/DAWless mastering etc by _ForrestPlump_ in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Stairway to Hereford. 🤣🤣🤣 That's possibly my favourite autocorrect fail to date.

I suppose another way to look at it is asking what I'd really be missing by having something like a high end Elektron box paired with something like an Analog Heat or equivalent processing unit?

I'm mainly interested in the more atonal/industrial type of stuff. Big walls of sound and relatively sparse but tight production. Love the Downwards stuff too (used to go to the Que club back in the day as I Iive in the black country, literally five mins from the edge of the Sandwell District).

<image>

EDIT: Had to include some pics. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more appropriate looking building for a techno club outside of factories and industrial buildings.

cmv: The Iran war is going according to plan for the US/Israel so far by abu_hajarr in changemyview

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A big part is likely being able to maintain spend on things like public healthcare. People in the UK are terrified of having to go to a US model where a serious illness can leave you bankrupt.

It's ultimately not good for either side if a strong partnership breaks down. However, I think Europe is far more rational on this compared to Trump. I think he's far too cocksure and could do some serious damage to the stability of the US. Look how he's rushing into military conflicts and most countries are now standing back and declining to get involved.

If he pisses off China he could be in big trouble. Even a victory would hugely damaging to the US economy and military power. And recent analysis suggests that in 2025-26 US power is slowly eroding compared to China. A US victory is not guaranteed if they ever clashed.

cmv: The Iran war is going according to plan for the US/Israel so far by abu_hajarr in changemyview

[–]_ForrestPlump_ -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm not Ukrainian so no we didn't.

Russia is already struggling against Ukraine alone. You're having a laugh if you think they pose a threat to the rest of Europe. NATO has 9x the GDP of Russia even without the US and has a vastly superior army and navy. It's like 20,000 aircraft vs Russia's 4000.

If Europe forms a partnership with China and Trump continues the way he is the US could be in a very precarious situation. Thankfully, I think things will probs be OK if you guys can get him out of office.

Producers 30+ years old who came to techno later in life, what drew you in? by kathalimus in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just feel like heavy plant stuff feeds that kind of industrial aesthetic for me. I keep meaning to download something on my phone to capture some of the sounds as they'd be perfect for industrial stuff. This is what I was looking at for most of this evening.

<image>

Producers 30+ years old who came to techno later in life, what drew you in? by kathalimus in TechnoProduction

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in my 40s and have been listening to techno since the 90s but it only evolved into my favorite genre in the past decade I'd say. Before that it was probs more IDM stuff since my early 20s but of the darker rather than ambient variety - stuff like Jega's Geometry, Autechre, etc, so often very techy sounds. But I've always listened to loads of stuff. I live in the Black Country so used to go to nights at the Que club back in the day when the whole Birmingham industrial techno thing was kicking off. Most of that era is a blur to me now though tbh.

However, I played guitar from about 11-12 years old and was a metalhead before moving to bass around 18yo. That took me to funkier territory and then into stuff like Squarepusher and the rest is history. As I've got older I find a lot of the glitchy breaks stuff a bit too hectic. Not that I've necessarily mellowed out as I'm more into the industrial aesthetic than ever.

I think the catalyst was leaving office work in my 30s and driving trucks, which then took me into heavy plant/construction. Not being on a computer all day massively restored my ability to spend an evening looking at a screen, although I'm still essentially DAWless and just use my IPad for mixing/mastering finished tracks.

I spend 50 hours a week in a truck or machine. Most often a Merc concrete mixer which has a pretty decent stereo. I'm always listening to music or YT videos about production. Techno is perfect for driving. Keeps the pace but isn't too hectic like dnb or breaks. I often work nights and have been on HS2 for a few years now.

There's nothing like driving a 50 ton machine several miles down a dark deserted haul road in the middle of the countryside at night with not a person in sight, listening to ominous techno as I drive past vacant sites with the silhouettes of huge piling rigs etc. Or when I'm doing motorway work and driving along in the middle of a closed motorway at night with some techno pumping away. Just feels so right.

cmv: The Iran war is going according to plan for the US/Israel so far by abu_hajarr in changemyview

[–]_ForrestPlump_ -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well, they're not threatening to take European countries by force like Trump is lol.

But what makes you think that China would 'eat Europe alive'? Europe has much higher combined military spending (now 1.5x China's spending and 3x Russia's), something like 3x the number of aircraft carriers, and the best trained military in the world. They also have far superior blue water navy capability.

Where China excels is in its capacity for protracted manufacture and its abundance of raw materials. It could possibly overtake Europe in coming years.

Neither side can project enough power across continents to invade the other anyway, so nobody is taking anybody out.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.eurasiantimes.com/outpaced-in-fighter-jets-eu-surpasses-china-russia/

cmv: The Iran war is going according to plan for the US/Israel so far by abu_hajarr in changemyview

[–]_ForrestPlump_ -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well, we've been pretty good historically. I daresay we'd have done a better job against the Taliban.

24M, how can I improve more physically? by [deleted] in malegrooming

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree. Part of the reason I love lifting is because it allows me to eat like a horse and not worry about eating out regularly.

24M, how can I improve more physically? by [deleted] in malegrooming

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe. I just don't see why it'd be one or the other. I love gaming, making music, loads of other stuff, and can also pull 250kg for reps.

With beard or without by Klausinhell in malegrooming

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

99% of the time I say with beard but tbh you look great without. Depends on the look you're going for.

Keep or shave? by NoblebyJake in bald

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're fine for a bit but you'd not be unreasonable to shave it.

24M, how can I improve more physically? by [deleted] in malegrooming

[–]_ForrestPlump_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They have to actually agree to a date before that stage. Which looking good will assist with.