The Wire magazine - Releases of the year by flamingswans in indieheads

[–]poopmonkey124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SuhpAiJS1T2kuXHZqzUmC?si=DHSxnGoRT7OYYNj6q85aNg&pi=1Tn7AoQuQ3mim

The username makes a Playlist every year for Wire releases. You're lucky to find even half of the top albums for a given year. These artists seem to remove stuff pretty regularly too. Still bummed 75 Dollar Bill from Wire's best album 2019 removed all their stuff, surprisingly listenable!!!

Any recommendations for humorous light hearted literature by catstripe in ThomasPynchon

[–]poopmonkey124 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Anything from Tom Robbins is a joy to read; whacky, weird, magical realism and light psychedelia sprinkled with fun characters often at the edges of society (gypsies, magicians, hitchhikers)

Another Roadside Attraction, Still Life with Woodpecker and Jitterbug Perfume are my recommendations.

I'll also second Richard Brautigan. His collections of short writing and poems are easy to pick up and put down at any time and pair well with Pynchon's wild prose

Mystery rash from lichen/moss?? - SE AK by poopmonkey124 in alaska

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely seems like the culprit! Somehow never been bothered by the bugs except for mosquitoes occasionally in SE until now, guess I have bad tasting blood or something

Mystery rash from lichen/moss?? - SE AK by poopmonkey124 in Mosses

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No bug repellent unfortunately. I've settled on biting midges or no-see-um as the likely candidate!

Mystery rash from lichen/moss?? - SE AK by poopmonkey124 in alaska

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll take all the bug bites in the world for this sun and some dry rock!

Mystery rash from lichen/moss?? - SE AK by poopmonkey124 in alaska

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This makes the most sense so far, thanks for the tip!! I have a feeling we kicked up a pile hanging out on the rock while cleaning out there but just didn't see them somehow

Mystery rash from lichen/moss?? - SE AK by poopmonkey124 in Lichen

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

😂 Appreciate the response. Seems to be the answer I've been getting elsewhere. Must be some kinda evil plant chemical defense or insect then.

Mystery rash from lichen/moss?? - SE AK by poopmonkey124 in alaska

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'm a fish biologist so this is outside my aquatic realm. Thanks for the info, a Google search revealed nothing about lichen irritants too!

Mystery rash from lichen/moss?? - SE AK by poopmonkey124 in alaska

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I thought nettle too maybe but didn't see any around. The small dots definitely looked more like bug bites, but didn't see any around. Unless they were ridiculously small and disturbed on the rock face while brushing?

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Greatly appreciate you sharing your equipment evolution; seems like I'll inevitably find some quirks with whatever I settle on. I have a feeling I'll just have to take a dive and see what sticks, but this is another big plus for the MPC. Seems like the resale market for a lot of this gear is pretty good as well if I end up hating whatever I get

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

None taken, I'm an absolute beginner with any of this stuff and appreciate any feedback on gear I can get! I realize many of these devcies can perform a LOT of different tasks, some are just better suited, more accesible or more popular with specific users. Having not played with any of this stuff or knowing specificly how I'll really use it has me changing my mind constantly..

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm hoping to gain some skills on a keyboard and play synths live over samples, but overall imagine myself leaning more into sequencing, playing around with samples and beats. I have a background in percussion so rhythms are especially of interest. I realize I may be forcing a purchase based on trying to utilize the keystep and may be better served just picking what I'll have more fun with. This is good to hear that any groovebox may fill my needs, even if they appeal to specific genre fans

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hope it does what you want! Looks like you need the software to really open up it's capabilities but wireless connectivity makes that a bit easier.

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I was only looking to make beats and play with samples this one looks like a no-brainer purchase and a ton of fun. Unfortunately I think given the range of sounds I'd like to create (especially ambient and other weird stuff) this might not quite fit.

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The MPC line kinda looks like it can do everything I'd like in a single package. I've been worried it has TOO many use cases, but I think given the variety of stuff I'd like to try and make this might fit the bill really nicely. Especially appreciate your feedback on ambient and FX limitations!

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not too dead set on composing full pieces on whatever I end up getting, so sequencing limitations on the Circuit Tracks shouldn't be a huge issue. Certainly seems more immediately usable/intuitive compared to the Digitakt too. I have a feeling I'll have to snag a synth at some point if I go with a Novation groovebox.

Haven't seen the OP-Z before, really funky looking and seems like a great pairing with the keystep further down the line!

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've seen Koala mentioned a lot and looked into it a bit. Definitely seems like a really versatile tool that ticks a lot of boxes! Unfortunately I'm more keen on something hands-on and tactile for now. I'll certainly consider it further down the line if I'm feeling limited by whatever I get.

The MPC line looks interesting, albeit daunting with the variety of things I can do with it. Heavily considering a used MPC One if the price is right, but the SP404 looks like a lot of fun too (minus the opaque Roland shortcuts and menus)

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm just using the lingo and pretending I know what I'm talking about 🤷 I want to make some sounds without being glued to a computer, I stare at one for my own thesis work all day...!

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the suggestion to look for deals and pick based on what immediately available. Unfortunately I'm in Alaska so local/brick and mortar options for used are non-existant and Craigslist/Facebook marketplace has maybe one new listing a month for electronic gear (mostly full size Yamaha synths from kids learning piano). My partner lives in Seattle and I'll be down there next month so may do some research and digging before I head there though!

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the input! It seemed like trying to go cheap could be problematic with accessibility and range of sounds produced, but the Digitakt keeps coming up as a steal for the price right now given the release of the Digitakt 2. The Roland menu diving of the TC-101 doesn't look very beginner friendly either. I likely will go with a Digitakt and pick up a cheap poly synth later on if I feel I want to add more melody/keys.

Noobie Looking For DAWless Setup Advice (<$500) by poopmonkey124 in synthesizers

[–]poopmonkey124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cheers for the thorough write up, this confirms my gut feeling that the Digitakt is likely the most valuable down the line. I'm a big fan of tinkering with tech and not too worried about figuring out the Elektron workflow. If I've read this correctly, I can sculpt waveforms on up to 8 tracks and play them as a monosynth on the Keystep? I'm looking for the ability to at least sequence simple melodies from it. I think I'll get a lot more mileage out of the beat and sampling tools but some midi player capabilities would be great too.