BlackSwan

Very cool innovation from Swan Percussion being shown at NAMM 2011 show this week. I'd love to try out this drum, looks like fun.

Link: Swan Percussion

Bali Steel Pan

Doing a little internet and youtube research tonight. While I still have my place on the waiting list for a Halo, I also stumbled onto another new Hand Pan maker called "Bali Steel Pan". Not much to go on other than a website and a youtube channel. It looks like they're being made in Bali by a trio of builders. The youtube videos offer some insight.
Current price looks to be $1050 (USD), plus shipping.

Bali Steel Pan Website

Bali Steel Pan Youtube Channel

A Halo Improvization video

Just a little, awesome teaser from Pantheon Steel and the Halo

Meinl 2011 Catalog

Meinl has their new 2011 Percussion Catalog online now. Not only is it an innovative way to present their 2011 product line, but it's also a gorgeous presentation.They are using Flash for the catalog, and I like the concept. Embedded in the catalog are videos of the new products, which demonstrate the sounds of the instrument. The only downside to the online catalog is that you need a high speed connection (either that or their web servers are overwhelmed at the moment) because it took a long time to load.

Here's some of the cool new instruments in the lineup (and just in time for NAMM):

• Bongo Cajon
• Cajon Castanets
• Foot Tamborine

Isle of Tune

Here's another new online sequencer, soon to be an app for Iphone. It's called "isle of Tune", and it uses an automotive motif to set your sequence in motion. You create roads, with cars. As the cars drive past various objects (houses, trees, lamp posts), different sounds are triggered. You set the sounds and tones of the various objects.

Seaquence

Check out this cool online musical sequencer. It's called "Seaquence" and it's an experimental, interactive sequencer. You can create and save or share your creations.

Here's a few that I created:

• http://seaquence.org/r9q
• http://seaquence.org/6lvx
• http://seaquence.org/95h

Unusual Instruments Trio in the Bay Area

The Unusual Instruments Trio is performing next week in the SF Bay Area. The group focuses on the artistry of Bart Hopkin and Jaron Lanier. Alan Tower joins them in this trio.

Bart Hopkin has been a influence of mine for many years, since he is known as one of the key instrument builders of the last 15-20 years. Bart was a key resource behind the Experimental Musical Instruments site.

Jaron is a multi-instrumentalist and a specialist in many unusual musical instruments, especially the wind and string instruments of Asia. He maintains one of the largest and most varied collections of actively played rare instruments in the world. Jaron’s musical talents and sonic explorations are vast, including pioneering the use of Virtual Reality in musical stage performance. His recent book, You are Not a Gadget (you gotta check out this book), makes an overall argument about digital experience that is spiritual, or metaphysical, in nature.

Alan composes for the Huaca, Hang and Sound Egg. His work is about reviving resonance as a way of life.

Two shows:

WHEN: Friday November 12th, 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM
WHERE: The Dance Palace Community Center in Point Richmond
PRICE: $12, $10 for seniors

More Info: http://www.dancepalace.org/calendar.html
Directions: http://www.dancepalace.org/directions.html

WHEN: Saturday November 13th, 7:30- 9:30 pm
WHERE: Kosin Loft Space, Besler Building, Oakland, CA
PRICE: $15 Presale, $20 at the door

Tickets: http://unusualtrio.eventbrite.com/


Additional Links:

• Green Music Network
• Bart Hopkin and Experimental Musical Instruments
• Jaron Lanier

Pantheon Halo Hang

I got the chance to play a Pantheon Halo yesterday at a flute circle event at Mary Youngblood's house. It was the first time that I've seen and handled a Pantheon Steel Halo with my own hands. I was definitely impressed with the quality of construction, the sound and the playability of the Halo. Now I can't wait to get my hands on my very own Pantheon Halo. I am still on the waiting list, and I just sent another email to Pantheon to check on my status in the queue. I'll keep you guys updated on my trek to obtain my Halo, and you'll be the first to see and hear it, once I have the opportunity to become an owner. In the meantime, here's a youtube video to entertain you:

Amplitude iRig

I just (pre) ordered my very own iRig from Amplitude. I am really enthralled by the design that Amplitube has pulled together here. As an occasional bassist and guitar player this looks like a great solution to providing portable amp modeling. I travel a lot and this should be a great device to practice playing. Note that the device won't let you play along with songs on your iPhone since they learned that it created too much latency, although that was the original intention of the design. They are also offering 3 different versions of the iPhone application, one free and two higher levels with additional functionality, including more amp models.

UPDATE (6/8/10): I just saw a twitter post from IK Multimedia that the iRig is scheduled to be released on 6/7/10. (9 days from now).

I've used Amplitude on my studio computer and it's amazing. I'll post a review once I receive the actual unit. Until then, enjoy a couple of youtube videos highlighting the product:

Links:
Amplitude iRiq Features
IKMultiMedia YouTube Channel

Maker Faire, San Mateo, 2010

Anyone out there going to the MakerFaire this weekend in San Mateo? I am planning to attend this weekend with my kids and check out all of the great exhibits.

What: Maker Faire
Where: San Mateo Faire Grounds
When: Sat, May 22, Sunday May 23, 2010

For more information:

• Maker Faire
• Maker Faire Schedule
• Maker Faire Map (PDF)

The Pocket Picker

Now here's a unique practice device for all you stringed instrument players out there. It's called the "Pocket Picker", and it's designed to exercise your right hand in all of those situations where it's inconvenient to practice your instrument. I am not sure if it's practical, but's definitely innovative. Out of all of the devices, I think that the bass guitar is likely the most useful, since practicing the finger technique for your right hand on the bass is crucial to your sound. The device is a small board with a course of strings aligned like an actual instrument. In the case of the bass guitar, there's actually a small part of the fretboard included so that you can practice your slap technique.

There are several different models, including one for steel string guitar, classical guitar, bass guitar, banjo, mandalin. I think that they need to add one for shamisen and go after the Japanese market...

Video: http://www.thepocketpicker.com/english/videos/files/page9-1004-pop.html

Website: http://www.thepocketpicker.com/english/bass/bass.html

Empty School with Ben Meyers

Here's an awesome "Found Music" video, produced by 17 year old Ben Meyers.

Museum of Making Music

The next time that I get to Carlsbad, CA, I am definitely checking out the Museum of Making Music.

What is the Museum of Making Music?

Founded in 1998 under NAMM’s organizational umbrella and with its sponsorship, the Museum of Making Music explores the multifaceted history of the American music products industry from its beginnings in the 1890s to today. Housed at NAMM Headquarters in Carlsbad, California (north San Diego county), the Museum tells stories of hard work, challenge, inspiration and pioneering innovation, and reveals the profound relationship between the industry, popular music, and global culture. The Museum serves as a resource for the community of NAMM members through the preservation, interpretation and sharing of the industry’s collective history in a public museum context. In addition, it reveals the unique and often unknown story of the music products industry to the general public. And, through intimate concerts, films, discussions, hands-on workshops, volunteer opportunities and programs for underserved youth, the Museum opens doors to enable people of all ages and walks of life to find their way into the richly kaleidoscopic world of music making.

Guitar player Ronnie Moipolai

Here's an awesome video of a unique guitar player. I love the way that he has his guitar setup, whether it's intentional or not, he has the 5th string removed, so that he can really wail on and emphasize the bass line.

"Ronnie Moipolai from Kopong village in the Kweneng district 50 km west of the capitol Gaborone. He is 29 years old and goes around the shebeens selling and playing his songs for 5Pula each (80dollarcents). He learned guitar from his now late father, has 3 brothers that also play guitar"

FootBass Stomp Box

Check out the FootBass Stomp Box. I in the market for a stomp box and stumbled onto these guys. I don't own one, but it looks really cool. Apparently you can only buy them on ebay, so you'll need to search for "footbass" to buy one.





Link: http://www.footbass.com/

ebay: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=footbass&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Marranzano World Festival

I was just recommended this video of the Marranzano World Festival, held in November, 2009, in Catania. The video includes some excellent footage of a variety of world instruments.

Here's the link to the YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarranzanoWorldFest

Here's the link to the Marranzano Festival site: http://www.marranzanoworldfestival.it/

Wireless Microphone Ban by FCC

If you own or use a wireless microphone or wireless musical instrument interface, it's important to know that the FCC has banned all wireless microphones which operate in the 700 Mhz range. The ban goes into effect starting June 12, 2010.

If you're curious whether the brand of wireless mic which you own is included in the ban, you need to check the FCC website: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/manufacturers.html

If your model is listed on the table, it is a 700 MHz wireless microphone and can not be used after June 12, 2010.
If you can find your manufacturer’s name and your equipment is not listed, then you may continue using your wireless microphone because it does not operate in the 700 MHz Band.

If your manufacturer is not listed, please contact the FCC for additional assistance to determine if your wireless microphone operates on the 700 MHz Band.
You can also contact the FCC’s Consumer Center for more information aboutwireless microphones or other communications issues by calling1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY1-866-418-0232 fax; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division 445 12th Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20554.

Links:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/FAQs.html

Electric Berimbau by Paulo Nenflidio

Wow, check out this electric berimbau by Paulo Nenflidio. This opens up a whole new range of tonal variations with the berimbau, and moves it from being simply an acoustic instrument to accompany capoeira to a respectable rock band instrument. I love how Paulo demonstrates some of the modified sounds that are possible with the electric, amplified signal from this new electric berimbau. I can't wait to hear what the likes of N. Scott Robinson are going to do with this instrument once they get into the recording studio.



Links:
To buy one ($1000USD): http://www.nscottrobinson.com/shop-instrumentseberimbau.php

Other interesting Paulo links:
http://paulonenflidio.vilabol.uol.com.br/
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/03/sound_sculptures_by_paulo_nenflidio.html
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=nenflidio#grid/uploads

Jazari - Midi controlled musical robot

Wow. Check out these video of Jazari, a midi-controlled musical robotic ensemble. Patrick Flanagan created the software to manipulate the musical robots with a Wii Remote. It's an amazing demonstration of a convergence of technology.





Links:
http://jazarimusic.com/

Gibson Dust Tiger

Check out the latest "robotic guitar" by Gibson.

This puppy does everything but play itself...
It tunes and retunes itself automatically.
The third generation, Gibson Dust Tiger features color coded tone and tuning banks, with a total of 98 user preset positions for sound and 99 preset positions for tuning available.
It comes with a pretty big price tag, but like they say, if you have ask how much it costs, you can't afford it...