Prophet 2000 update!

So, my main keyboard controller / sample-based instrument, the mighty Prophet 2000 from Sequential Circuits (happy birthday, Dave!) has sadly not been functioning properly since late last year. It appears to be suffering from an electronics issue of a kind that could only surface in a weirdo digital / analog hybrid wunderbox of this vintage (circa 1985). The good news is that the underlying sound generation circuitry is intact and in good working order: that's not where the problem is. Not only that, but it is still currently plugged in, turned on and still capable of selecting among presets and all parameter settings. That means the CPU still works as well.

But it won't make any sound.

Boo! But why? Well, (adjusts propeller hat and weighty collection of pocket pens), fairly early on I surmised it must have something to do with the concurrent lack of response from the Parameter Value knob. You know, the one adjustable universal parameter value knob that was supposed to make programming synthesizers easier by simplifying the interface; the one famously introduced on the Yamaha DX-7 in 1983 and much derided by many actual synthesists since... Yes, that one! Well, it stopped making parameter value changes, but bafflingly (and this really threw me at first) the Parameter Value *buttons*, both increment and decrement, were still 100% operational! You can only imagine my confusion.

Not only this, it turned out the circuitry associated with the knob was also operational, and the knob control itself was fine. Nevertheless it wasn't sending a changing train of pulse widths to the CPU according to the instantaneous knob position per the design spec. This involved long hours staring at the schematic and carefully poking around the boards with a voltmeter and a homemade logic probe. What I eventually discovered was that certain control signals from the CPU were not reaching their intended destinations due to corrupted logic circuitry further downstream. Repairing the issue will involved carefully tearing the bad chips out of there and replacing them with new ones. Fortunately the old Proph is mostly standard CMOS and TTL logic with only a few custom chips; none of those are thankfully at fault here. Once the chips are finally replaced the remaining front panel controls multiplexed on the same lines will again become operational and the machine will begin to work properly again.

So why exactly doesn't it make any noise if it's plugged in, turned on and the sound generation circuitry is intact? Essentially it's because the volume control which, like the parameter value knob, is not an ordinary volume pot but a voltage divider sampled by an ADC, is stuck at "0" and can't be moved. That's why I said this was a problem somewhat unique to 1985. The balance control is stuck permanently at 100% left map also, which means half the sounds can't be heard even if (as I eventually did) you change the volume back to some value other than "0" via MIDI. Unfortunately, and likely due to space constraints in ROM, the Prophet 2000's left map / right map balance can't be changed via MIDI. I know because I tried! It was a good idea though...

I'll keep everyone informed of course.

SIDAKA & Weary Woodsman

I had the extreme pleasure of meeting the man himself down at Shuga Records earlier in the week. It's difficult to imagine meeting a friendlier, more down-to-Earth, more humble or hardworking human being than SIDAKA. I hope you enjoy this fuzzy, crackling ambient odyssey through roots, shoots and stars as much as I did, as it serves also as a "stellar" introduction to his sound and style. It's immensely satisfying to bring this music to a wider audience, as there is so much interesting electronic, ambient & experimental music going on in and around the Chicago area these days that doesn't fit into any established tradition. Shame I missed this live event (typical for me sadly); here's hoping there will be many more such opportunities!

PS: with all my gardening projects getting underway outside the city, I am now indeed A weary woodsman in my own right, but of course not THE titular Weary Woodsman. Just wanted to clarify 😏

WARPed opinions, part 2

Well, ok. They're not ALL that bad, really. The Plaid album from a few years ago was solid, as have been certain reissues (exceptng the massive and overhyped retooling of Selected Ambient Works Volume II: what was wrong with the original CD?). Danny Brown continues to impress. It would be unfair to say they aren't relevant anymore, but in a way they've become a victim of their own success. So many other labels have followed in their footsteps and found ready audiences in all kinds of niche areas (think of Musique Pour La Danse, Editions Mego, Ghost Box, Houndstooth, and others) that it's likely be somewhat difficult for a longtime stalwart like Warp to stand out as much as they might have used to.

So yeah, perhaps I'm being slightly vindictive in the wake of my latest album being something of a runaway success, combined with the fact that one of my favorite labels (seriously, you know I love you, right?) has never taken anything I've done at all seriously as far as I'm aware. Is that allowed? Am I permitted to ask such unaskable questions in the face of what appears to be a situation in which I am becoming the ironic, bratty (and possibly more virtuosic) stepchild to Warp's carefully orchestrated mayhem?

I think I could get used to that.

New twist in the human origin plot

A growing body of evidence suggests human beings arrived on the scene much earlier than previously thought. But that's not all. These revolutionary new findings could upend both longstanding conventional wisdom about where the human species emerged and the established record of co-existing hominids. While still controversial, the results paint a radically new picture of early human development alongside our close relatives. Watch the video from New Scientist below to get the details:

 

Fascinating. However, the question I and no doubt many other people have immediately upon seeing this is, "why is the model ancient skull green?"

Of course, anyone who has seen Spinal Tap already knows the answer: It IS green!

New studio performance

Yes we can!

Today millions of Americans stood up for democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Across the nation an outpouring of sentiment sent a message that resounded from every town hall, living room, place of business or worship. That message was united and clear: save our democracy from the illegitimate and illegal authoritarian power grab represented by Donald Trump and his Republican Party. The actions of their administration have not only further delegitimized the US government and ruined the reputation of a country once admired and emulated throughout the world, they have literally killed thousands of innocent people whose lives depended on the solid, competent governance of a potent and wealthy nation. Both we as citizens and the world deserve much, much better than to have that wealth siphoned off and hoarded by a small group of cynical, manipulative con artists in the service of some of the most lucrative business interests in the country and then wasted in the most profligate and inexcusable fashion on a pointless series of military escapades culminating in the death of American citizens and a violent international war which has already caused widespread destruction and death; a conflict presenting no easy resolution and one apt to merely line the pockets of the defense industry while the rest of the country languishes in poverty or burns.

Today the people of this country showed what is possible when ordinary citizens take matters into their own hands to protect what the Constitution guarantees to everyone: freedom of speech and assembly. The right to criticize leaders and powerful interests. They showed that you don't need to be rich or well-connected to use the tools at your disposal to enact real change; that people in all parts of the country are united behind a common purpose and are not afraid to speak up. That is an incredibly powerful message, and I would like to thank everyone who participated in this movement for their admirable courage and fortitude. We are not alone. Together, we can work to unseat the authoritarians and roll back their heinous agenda that has poisoned the discourse of the nation and so weakened us a people and reduced our standing as a respected and trustworthy partner on the international stage. Keep up the pressure and let's take this momentum to the polls to defeat the MAGA movement for once and for all!

British imperialism continues

To be completely honest, it's been quite a while since Warp released anything I had any genuine interest in. Nala Sinephro's was pleasant but almost willfully insubstantial, Squid were tentacular but constrained, and let's just get this one out of the way right now: do we need to hear (or buy) another Autechre album?

But is that even really the issue now? You know a label is past relevance when they start churning out cuter, slightly more marketable versions of you, (or at least what some ad agency's algorithm thinks you might be like) with many more tatts and piercings, and then expect you to pay for them.

The latest entry in Warp's "paint by numbers" series is no doubt a similarly chunky, uneven pastiche of 'genre' (as if those words meant anything anyway), proving once again that you just can't fake naturalism or good taste. The soccer ball on the rear cover pretty much says it all, but fortunately this independently minded musician has long since left the Warp fanboy club.