What is live techno?

[dubathonic]

Article from Attack Magazine.

[TrondC]

Just read that one before checking the forums, nice read for us hardware addicts

[Ihatederekreed]

Also just read this earlier. Good article. Live hardware improv is where it’s at. I’ve played numerous instruments in numerous styles of bands. With current technology, and our magical elektron machines, live hardware has never been more enjoyable to improvise with.

Rarely have I enjoyed performing live more, than I do with my current setup / project.

[poonti]

Good read, thanks. Lots of good artists commenting, but first time I hear of Disco Nihilist, and I like how he ends the article:

“right now it’s cool to be raw and hardware and have a table full of boxes and people think that’s more authentically live. To me it’s more about what you’re saying. I would rather see something interesting in Ableton than another boring and mediocre version of Larry Heard with a 707 on stage.”

Always nice and fresh to end an article like this with a counterpoint!

[zfigz]

Good read, thanks. Lots of good artists commenting, but first time I hear of Disco Nihilist, and I like how he ends the article:

“right now it’s cool to be raw and hardware and have a table full of boxes and people think that’s more authentically live. To me it’s more about what you’re saying. I would rather see something interesting in Ableton than another boring and mediocre version of Larry Heard with a 707 on stage.”

Always nice and fresh to end an article like this with a counterpoint!

Agreed, not only did that last quote hit me, but this did as well…

"It’s not about making a point; we just want to enjoy our profession. Noodling over some playback or muting stuff on the desk was just boring and I just didn’t see the point of it.”

That’s exactly how I feel…I just love the immediacy and kinesthetic nature of hardware. It’s more enjoyable for me and realtime therapy…whereas, working on a computer I get muddled and sidetracked by the sheer amount of options/possibilities.

Though, when you’re performing you want it to be interesting/different.
I’ve played a handful of shows using a monome. While it gave me a sense of improvisation, I always felt a bit sonically limited.

[3l3ctronix]

Nice article, thanks for sharing it =)

[LFO]

thanks for this article and make me discover attack! seem a good read… anothers site to make me discover to read??? thanks!!

[plusn]

But arent controller like Push or Maschine finally breaking the border?

[cosmosuave]

I thought they use to call this Live PA… Good article finally some recognition…

[sicijk]

Nice one!

Thanks =)

[heckadecimal]

I read this the other day. Nice read.

But I gotta say, there aren’t many people I’d ever want to see whip up a live set in front of a crowd. Really the only one I’d have faith in is our local hero mr Paul Birken.

As for myself, I’m way too neurotic about my music to do that. I need to set everything how I want it, even if I have lots of room to go from there.

The Analog Four has some great features that encourage letting things get way out there (like reload kit/pattern) and not worrying about screwing it up too much. Hope to see more stuff like this in the future.

[Honeysmack]

This is what live is:

Live rig has been updated to include the A4 and OT (both not pictured here).

A4 is an amazing box to use live - that performance mode is sweet as.

No computers, no worries!

Love from handmadeacid.com

[zeropoint]

i’d have faith in this guy to pull it off too…steevio, the live modular improv wizard .

[BM1600]

This is what live is:

Live rig has been updated to include the A4 and OT (both not pictured here).

A4 is an amazing box to use live - that performance mode is sweet as.

No computers, no worries!

Love from handmadeacid.com

What Unicorn 303 said +1 - My ever changing rig is to the right…

Best Regards

BM1600

www.handmadeacid.com

[kln]

I would rather see something interesting in Ableton than another boring and mediocre version of Larry Heard with a 707 on stage.”

I get his point but I do think that these discussions often are out of focus in a way.
I for one listen to music, I dont see music.
If it sounds good I couldnt care less if its made on a computer, hardware or an ukelele.
If it sounds good it is good.
I often wish concerts/sets were played in total darkness. All this “need” for visuals, be it a show, video or an artist jumping around,most of the time it only gets in the way of the music. Dont know were this visual need comes from?

So I just close my eyes and listens.

[flabby]

Good read, thanks. Lots of good artists commenting, but first time I hear of Disco Nihilist, and I like how he ends the article:

“right now it’s cool to be raw and hardware and have a table full of boxes and people think that’s more authentically live. To me it’s more about what you’re saying. I would rather see something interesting in Ableton than another boring and mediocre version of Larry Heard with a 707 on stage.”

Always nice and fresh to end an article like this with a counterpoint!

To be honest, that comment coming from Disco Nihilist is a bit of a cheek. The majority of his releases sound like throwback house/techno, something like a ‘mediocre’ version of Larry Heard or Armando Gallop, He even did a track called ‘Gallop’. Plus he’s also ‘famed’ for his disco edits…which aren’t exactly a forward thinking idea either. So for him to say something like that is just hypocritical.
Personally I like those tracks that he’s made, and I don’t want to come across as hating or trolling, quite the opposite. I enjoy his stuff.
While I also agree with the sentiment of his comment, I just think why don’t you set the example then!

[cosmosuave]

I would rather see something interesting in Ableton than another boring and mediocre version of Larry Heard with a 707 on stage.”

I get his point but I do think that these discussions often are out of focus in a way.
I for one listen to music, I dont see music.
If it sounds good I couldnt care less if its made on a computer, hardware or an ukelele.
If it sounds good it is good.
I often wish concerts/sets were played in total darkness. All this “need” for visuals, be it a show, video or an artist jumping around,most of the time it only gets in the way of the music. Dont know were this visual need comes from?

So I just close my eyes and listens.

I see where you are coming from but a the same time do you make music on a computer?

[RyanElektric]

I would rather see something interesting in Ableton than another boring and mediocre version of Larry Heard with a 707 on stage.”

I get his point but I do think that these discussions often are out of focus in a way.
I for one listen to music, I dont see music.
If it sounds good I couldnt care less if its made on a computer, hardware or an ukelele.
If it sounds good it is good.
I often wish concerts/sets were played in total darkness. All this “need” for visuals, be it a show, video or an artist jumping around,most of the time it only gets in the way of the music. Dont know were this visual need comes from?

So I just close my eyes and listens.

The problem with being DJs/Producers/Musicians is that the most hardcore guys spend more time listening for:

(1) what equipment the artist might be using.
(2) what recording/mixing/mastering/fx/techniques they’re using
(3) mistakes (Tempo/Key)
(4) who the influences of the artist are and to what degree they are imitating

…and less time actually letting the music wash over them and feeling what the artist is projecting. Personally, I spend WAY too much time thinking about #4, to the point that I am hardly even paying attention to the music.

A song could be mostly derivative, a DJ set could be full of mistakes, a producer could be using a preset on a synth, but the overall finished product could have a certain feel to it that makes it special.

Which is why I think artists are the absolute worst critics especially when they’re criticizing music in a similar genre to their own.

[kln]

[quote="“cosmosuave”"]

I would rather see something interesting in Ableton than another boring and mediocre version of Larry Heard with a 707 on stage.”

I get his point but I do think that these discussions often are out of focus in a way.
I for one listen to music, I dont see music.
If it sounds good I couldnt care less if its made on a computer, hardware or an ukelele.
If it sounds good it is good.
I often wish concerts/sets were played in total darkness. All this “need” for visuals, be it a show, video or an artist jumping around,most of the time it only gets in the way of the music. Dont know were this visual need comes from?

So I just close my eyes and listens.

I see where you are coming from but a the same time do you make music on a computer?[/quote]
yes and then I mostly use Ableton Live & Rektor. But I prefer OT and MD when making music myself. No ukelele…yet.

[cosmosuave]

In reference to Ryan … I agree with everything you are saying and that is one pitfall of being a producer as I find I am always analyzing the music instead of just being a listener and enjoying the music…