Open Source Musician Podcast
Your guide to Open Source for musicians.

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Syndication

4Intro:

Banter:
 
Software Releases:

Hydrogen 0.9.4 - http://www.hydrogen-music.org/
  • A new soundlibrary manager
  • Mute groups
  • Playlists
  • Improved midi support (now configurable)
  • A tap-tempo (a.k. BeatCounter) with auto-start
  • A new audiofile browser with integrated preview
  • Official support for OSX
  • Several new translations
  • New manual
  • Save/Load/Import/Export patterns
  • Download drumkits/songs/patterns from external servers
  • Uses the Qt 4 library

Mixbus : Ardour + Harrison DSP for OS X: - http://www.harrisonconsoles.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=42

Harrison, the manufacturer of world-class analog and digital consoles, along with Paul Davis, lead developer of Ardour are proud to announce Mixbus®, a customized version of Ardour for OS X.

Mixbus enhances Ardour by providing critical mixing functions in a knob-per-function interface called "True Analog Mixing"(tm). True Analog Mixing is based on Harrison's renowned 32-Series and MR-Series console designs, combined with Harrison's proprietary digital mixing technology. Mixbus enables the user to record, edit, and mix a musical performance "in the box" while achieving a sound that harkens back to the golden age of album recordings

Audio Releases:
The Book of Love by The Turncoats - http://yoyo.its.monash.edu.au/~loki/The_Turncoats-The_Book_Of_Love.mp3

New album Unwell by Noval Watson - http://soundcloud.com/norv/unwell-1

Tips:
IRC user 'scofield' gave us these great links on apps that slow down music so you can learn easier:
Play it slowly: http://29a.ch/playitslowly/
Transcribe!: http://www.seventhstring.com/

IRC user 'unixhag' gave us this link on an app that helps you improvise and notate
Impro-Visor: https://www.cs.hmc.edu/~keller/jazz/improvisor/
ABC Notation hub: http://abcnotation.com/
Five Line Skink (ABC Notation GUI program): http://celticmusic.ca/skink.html
abctab2ps - converts abc notation (also lute tablature done in abc) into postscript
flabc is the gui editor and wrapper around abctab2ps: http://www.lautengesellschaft.de/cdmm/ 
 
IRC user 'mccanless' also suggested noteedit as a score editor compatible with both abc and lilypond:
NoteEdit: http://noteedit.berlios.de/

IRC users 'HerrZen' and 'trece8' show us there is a gui for ninjam under linux:
gNinjam: http://www.gehrignet.de/cms/programming/ninjam.shtml
Tuxguitar - A multitrack tablature editor and player http://tuxguitar.herac.com.ar/
       
          IRC users 'holstein' submits another nice notation editor called muse score: http://musescore.org        

Ardour shortcut cheatsheet:
Gear:
Basic Live setup:
  1. Zoom H4
  2. netbook
  3. jack_capture http://archive.notam02.no/arkiv/src/?M=D
  4. Icecast + darkice/darksnow

Announcements:
OSM Live:
Live musical performances to icecast server from OSMP community members and friends. Go to http://live.pipemanmusic.com to schedule a live internet gig or find out when one is happening.
New website:

Rants:

Tech Segment:
ClaudioM - midisport firmware

New series: How I record
Stuzz

Interview:
 
Listener Feedback:

Contact Info:
E-Mails:
osmp@pipemanmusic.com
Twitter and Identi.ca:
Blogs:
Forums:
IRC:
irc.freenode.net/#opensourcemusicians

Podcast Out!

Song:
Stuzz - Smooth Moves - http://stuzz.lineof7s.com
Direct download: OSMPEpisode24.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 9:13 AM

Interview with Paul Davis from the Ardour project.
Direct download: OSMPEpisode23.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 9:16 PM
Comments[1]

OSMP Episode #22


Intro:

Banter:

Software Releases:

Audio Releases:

Tips:
The story of a person connverting their studio from Mac to Linux.
Link:
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/08/04/linux-music-workflow-switching-from-mac-os-x-to-ubuntu-with-kim-cascone/
Blog post by Josh Lawrence about setting up a Linux studio
Link:
Gear:
Behringer BCF-2000, BCR-2000
Specs:
  • Unique, total recall cascadable desktop MIDI controller with analog feel and an intuitive user interface
  • 8 ultra-precise 100-mm motorized faders for ultimate control of virtual mixers, organ-drawbars (inverse mode) or virtual synths and samplers
  • 4 virtual groups with 8 dual-mode, high-resolution encoders that feature LED rings and an additional push function
  • 16 + 4 illuminated buttons freely assignable to all types of MIDI functions from note on/off, control change and program change to MMC and system exclusive data
  • All panel elements freely assignable—manually or via user-friendly learn mode
  • Additional multi-function foot switch and foot controller connectors can be used to address all types of MIDI data
  • 32 user presets each with 4 encoder groups
  • Configurable MIDI and USB modes for ultra-flexible system integration
  • 1 MIDI In plus 2 MIDI Outs, usable as an additional USB to MIDI interface
  • Multi-function 4-digit LED display with real-time parameter indication plus write-in fields for your own labeling
  • MIDI input with merge function for cascading several control units
  • Easy connection to any computer/expander etc. using standard MIDI In/Out connectors
  • Generic USB MIDI support with Linux

Pros:
  • well supported in linux
  • motorized faders give you a more analog feel for mixing
  • BCR version has tons of rotary encoders
  • easy to assign and use

Cons:
  • no touch control

Review:

Conclusion:

Announcements:

Rants:

Tech Segment:
    Sim: Tips on working with drums (samples and synthesizing)
        Links: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan02/articles/synthsecrets0102.asp
                http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Feb02/articles/synthsecrets0202.asp
                http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Mar02/articles/synthsecrets0302.asp
                http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Apr02/articles/synthsecrets0402.asp
                http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Nov01/articles/synthsecrets1101.asp

Interview:
 
Listener Feedback:
Stuzz78 (Stuzz), Mike of LinuxDSP.co.uk, Mixing of new theme song and starting up a community track - confusing ftw.

Contact Info:
E-Mails:
osmp@pipemanmusic.com
Twitter and Identi.ca:
Blogs:
Forums:
IRC:
irc.freenode.net/#opensourcemusicians

Podcast Out!

Song:
Hong Kong - by Maddi in IRC (

Direct download: OSMPEpisode22.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 5:56 PM
Comments[0]


Interview:  Rich Wielgosz (Recording Engineer/Podcaster/Linux User)

Rich's Personal Web Site:                       http://richwielgosz.com/
Bloodthirsty Vegetarians Podcast:       http://bloodyveg.com/

Time marks:
00:00:00:00 - Intro music
00:00:44:00 - Steve sets up whats to come in the recorded interview with Rich, Dan and Steve
00:01:24:26 - Rich is introduced -tests our knowledge of 70s TV
00:01:57:28 - Dan lays down the background on Rich
00:02:26:00 - Rich describes the podcast he was a part of called Blood Thirsty Vegetarians (bloodyveg.com)
00:04:28:00 - Dan and Rich discuss what Rich does in music - recording engineer, guitar, clarinet
00:05:32:08 - Why Rich uses Linux - free speech, free beer, OS of choice - now messing with Ardour
00:06:26:00 - 2 students of linguists agree - Ardour is pronounced like other 'our' words such as Honour
00:07:05:13 - Rich waxes on the early days of Ardour and up to the present with Ardour
00:08:49:06 - Rich to credit for recruiting peeps 2 #opensourcemusicians - diverse talent in the room
00:10:42:00 - I heard I'd get chicks if I ran Linux!
00:13:19:02 - Rich talks about the roots of his recording and musical interests-studios he has worked in, analog and digital
00:17:41:15 - Rich describes mixing a song he has not tracked. And being geared to sound work - science vs art
00:19:45:15 - Dan asks the question: At what point do you start thinking about reverb, Rich answers other Q's on reverb here
00:23:08:00 - Plate reverb ftw - spring reverb ftl unless its an effect - lol
00:26:27:15 - Wet vs. Dry rooms - RT60 spec. and convolution reberbs and gverb and reverb presets
00:30:10:15 - Do you have any interesting war stories - tails from the road and studios - spinal tap - its all true ... yup :)
00:36:36:00 - Remix the new podcast theme - sounds like fun
00:38:56:15 - Working with tracks - ear fatigue, enforced breaks, having a tune to aspire your mix to a/b, volume to listen at
00:43:29:00 - Diss the Canadian time - Overrated bassist Geddy Lee - how could you!!! - Dave Matthews rhythm section ftw
00:45:58:15 - Dan discusses his appreciation for Eric Clapton's album Journeyman - Toto comes up and Piano riffery
00:48:04:15 - Rich is a fusion fan, Dan considers himself a blues man, Steve defends the listeners and the blues
00:49:40:13 - Gentle Giant is the greatest compositional band ever! - Rich has eclectic taste in music
00:51:25:27 - Music is a great mood changer - SOD, Simon Fox ftw
00:52:56:15 - Do you *need* to enjoy the music you work on in order to do it justice? Nope
00:54:35:15 - Bloody Veg love and props - archive.org please also Rich and Dan make fun of my Canadian isms
00:55:52:16 - Music as therapy? Younger vs. Older, Blowing the beer budget on music - Careful Listening. CD vs. Singles
00:59:48:00 - Concept of making an album going away?  
01:02:08:00 - Rich interested in doing mixing for hire - contact him! - also the concept of working music on the internet
01:07:30:15 - Send money - cash is good, benefit concert - partial lols
01:09:41:00 - Rich may remix the theme song
01:10:37:00 - Thanks and looking forward to talking again
01:10:47:00 - Release schedule fail
01:11:36:00 - Bring the Veg back - solicit John!
01:11:48:14 - Rich thinks Dan sounds like Zack Braff (Garden State/Scrubs)
01:12:26:00 - Shins ftw
01:13:09:00 - Thanks all around - goodnight
01:13:47:22 - Song by Rattlebasket - All Over Me - (Recorded and mixed by Rich)


Contact Info:
E-Mails:
osmp@pipemanmusic.com
Twitter and Identi.ca:
Blogs:
Forums:
IRC:
irc.freenode.net/#opensourcemusicians

Song:
    Band: Rattlebasket  -- Song -- All over me   (recorded and mixed by Rich)

Direct download: OSMPEpisode21.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 11:21 AM
Comments[5]

Intro:

Banter:

Software Releases:
    Ardour 2.8.2:
Contains a fix for a another critical bug on OS X that causes ardour to crash when deleting plugins with Carbon-based user interfaces. There are also two other small fixes - logarithmic plugin parameters can now be modified sensibly, and when importing files using the "copy files to session" option, an existing BWF timestamp is no longer lost. All OS X users are recommended to upgrade immediately - for those who have paid for any previous 2.8-series version, it is a free upgrade. Linux users may choose to wait for 2.8.3 in a couple of weeks which will contain a dozen or so other bug fixes. Thanks to Thomas Vecchione for help with debugging the crash, and Nick Murtagh for those two other fixes.

Audio Releases:
Julien Claassen:
Title:
"Dreams of music for a new world"
Review:
I liked it. There was some constructive feedback on LAU and he is working on another mix of it. Very atmospheric with real samples of the ocean.
Link:
Tips:
Great Resource for Linux audio information:

Gear:
M-Audio Delta 1010lt:
Pros:
  • Reasonably priced
  • Well supported
  • Available everywhere
  • Lots of inputs and outputs.
  • GUI Controls
  • Hardware Mixer
  • MIDI
  • Digital in/out
  • 24 bit
Cons:
  • Unbalanced RCA connectors
  • No support for higher sample rates ie. 196
  • Not the best converters in the world
  • PCI
Specs:
  • 8 x 8 unbalanced analog I/O
  • 2 built-in mic preamp
  • 1 x 1 MIDI I/O
  • Word clock I/O for sample accurate device synchronization
  • S/PDIF digital I/O with PCM and AC-3/DTS surround
Conclusion:
Great mid level card that will expand your studios capability. I highly recommend it as a place to start out with multi-track recording.

Announcements:
RatHoleRadio:
Linux-audio italia podcast:  Listener - 'becks' in our IRC channel hosts a Linux Audio podcast in Italian                
Link:
Nick Wilbanks:
Nick has completed basic training and is now officially a United States Marine. Congratulations Nick!!!
Rants:
Steve:
Compiling a kernel ate up my weekend results in a jump from Slackware 12.2 to Fedora 10 with Planet CCRMA - laziness ftw
Dan:
Community Participation in the podcast
  • Feedback
  • Segments
  • Promotion
  • Music Submissions


Tech Segment:
  • Discuss community music track (need to set submission deadline)
  • Sim's Side Chain Compression Segment

Listener Feedback:
Pronunciation Fails!:
Steve corrects his poor pronunciation on last weeks featured songwriter -  its pronounced Mike Holesteen.
Steve also gets corrected by Paul Deshaw via email - lol.  Paul also directs us to Brian's Bedroom Linux Audio Blog for some Hydrogen Midi Drum Templates.
http://briansbedroom.org/hydrogen/hydrogen-drumbeat-templates-a-non-drummers-best-friend
http://briansbedroom.org/hydrogen/funk-hydrogen-beat-templates/
http://briansbedroom.org/hydrogen/jazz-and-blues-hydrogen-drum-beat-templates/

Contact Info:
E-Mails:
osmp@pipemanmusic.com
Twitter and Identi.ca:
Blogs:
Forums:
IRC:
irc.freenode.net/#opensourcemusicians

Podcast Out!

Song:
"I am the one" - by Lashmoove
Artist Bio:



Direct download: OSMPEpisode20.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:57 PM
Comments[1]

Intro:

Software Releases:

Ardour 2.8. 1:
This is primarily a bug-fix release. However, the bugs that it fixes are important enough that it advised that all users, especially those on OS X, will choose to upgrade. Crashes when deleting AudioUnit plugins, and a very important potential data loss  issue with session cleanup are now fixed. 2.8.1 also has a builtin  "Chat"  option to connect (via your web browser) to our IRC channel. To download, visit the download page at

Link:
Jacktrip 1.05:
Jacktrip is a system for high quality audio network performance over the internet.  This is a different project from netjack and is being developed at CCRMA by the SoundWIRE group.
It supports any number of channels (as many as the computer/network can handle) of bidirectional, high quality, uncompressed audio signal streaming.

        Link:
Denemo 0.8.6:
Denemo is a music notation program, which is available for Windows, Linux and MacOS (via third-party builds) as source and binaries. Denemos notation-functionality is ready for daily and professional use and aims to be the only tool you ever need for notation and an Open Source alternative to Finale, Sibelius or other unfree software, because the tools for producing art and culture should be free.

Link:

Gear:

Behringer UCA202:

Pros:
  • A cheap beginner USB audio device that works well under linux.
  • The device is simple and works as advertised. 
  • At the price, there isn't really anything that competes to this device - a great entry level purchase. 
Cons:
  • Steve had to disable on-board sound for Slackware 12.2 Linux kernel 2.6.29 to play nice with this device - you may not have this issue.
Specs:
  • 2 channel RCA in/out USB audio device with built in headphone monitoring (has volume control on device) and optical out. 
  • 48 kHz A/D and D/A converters for high-end audio quality.

Conclusion:
        Decent entry level device at a very affordable price.    

Link:
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx


Indamixx Laptop:

Pros:
  • Runs Linux
  • Pre-installed with Ardour and Hydrogen
  • Compact
  • Custom Ardour Skin to fit on the smaller screen

Cons:
  • No audio interface included
  • No Firewire

Specs:
  • Based on an OEM version of the MSI Wind
  • Intel Atom 1.6Ghz
  • 250GB Hard Drive
  • 6 Cell battery
  • Operating System (OS) - Transmission 3.0
  • 2GB ram
  • 10" LCD
Conclusion:

Link:

Tech Segment:
  • Discuss new podcast theme being finished - vocal tracking and mixing.
  • Releasing Ardour session of the theme for remix

Contact Info:
E-Mails:
osmp@pipemanmusic.com
Google Profile:
Twitter and Identi.ca:
Blogs:
Skype and SIP:
pipemanmusic@ekiga.net
PipeManMusic
deadbeatguitarist@ekiga.net
Forums:
IRC:
irc.freenode.net/#opensourcemusicians

Podcast Out!

Tech Segment:
Sim's Segment about LMMS

Song:
Early Autumn Rain - by Mike Holstein
Direct download: OSMPEpisode19.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:44 PM
Comments[1]

This week is just an interview with Steve Baer who is a linux musician from Vancouver Canada. He also goes by the handle _guitarman_ on IRC and is the creator of our IRC channel freenode.net/#opensourcemusicians.

Steve's website:
    http://deadbeatguitarist.com

Email:
    osmp@pipemanmusic.com
Twitter:
    http://twitter.com/pipemanmusic
Identica:
    http://identi.ca/pipemanmusic
Skype:
    PipeManMusic
IRC:
    freenode.net/#opensourcemusicians
Direct download: OSMPEpisode18.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 9:40 PM
Comments[0]

This episode is just a farewell to Nick Wilbanks our favourite co-host.
Direct download: OSMPEpisode17.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:56 PM
Comments[0]

OSMP Episode #16


Intro: 0:00 - 1:27
SELF Promo

Banter: 1:27 - 11:18

Software Releases: 11:18 - 19:06

Audio Releases:
None
Tips: 19:06 - 21:54
Jammin internal routing
Rants:
None
Tech Segment:21:54 - 29:49
    Adding Guitars:
 
Listener Feedback:29:49 - 38:19

Contact Info:38:19 - 42:57
E-Mails:
dworth@pipemanmusic.com
Twitter and Identi.ca:
Blogs:
Skype and SIP:
pipemanmusic@ekiga.net
PipeManMusic
Forums:

Podcast Out!

Song:
New Theme with guitars 38:42:57 - 44:39
The Symmetry - Free As In Freedom 44:39 - 49:00
http://myspace.com/thesymmetry
http://www.soundclick.com/thesymmetry

Direct download: OSMPEpisode16.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:35 PM
Comments[0]

OSMP Episode #15


Intro: 0:0 - 1:16

Banter: 1:16 - 8:25
New bass drum mike mount:

Software Releases:  8:25 - 12:37
Rivendell v1.3.0:
Rivendell is a full-featured radio automation system targeted for use in professional broadcast environments. It is available under the GNU General Public License.
Featured Additions:
Podcast System Enhancements.(not sure what kind of podcasting system they have but should investigate.)
Website:

Guitarix 0.03.8-1:
guitarix is a simple Linux Rock Guitar amplifier for jack(Jack Audio Connektion Kit) with one input and two outputs. Designed to get nice thrash/metal/rock/blues guitar sounds. There are controls for bass, treble, gain, compressor, preamp, balance, overdrive, distortion, freeverb, impulse response (), crybaby(wah) and echo . A fixed resonator will be used when distortion is disabled. For 'pressure' in the sound you can use the feedback and feedforward sliders.
Website:
       http://sourceforge.net/projects/guitarix/


Rubber Band library 1.3:
Rubber Band is an audio time-stretching and pitch-shifting library and utility designed for musical applications. It allows you to change the tempo and pitch of an audio recording independently of one another.
Website:
Sonic Visualiser 1.5:
Sonic Visualiser is an application for inspecting and analysing the
contents of music audio files. It combines powerful waveform and
spectral visualisation tools with automated feature extraction plugins
and annotation capabilities.
Website:

Audio Releases: 12:37 - 13:17
None

Tips: 13:17 - 13:34
None
Rants: 13:17 - 18:52
    Don't jump to conclusions with out reading thoroughly - My Email mistake and segment on LMMS
 
Tech Segment: 18:52 - 29:57
    Adding Bass to the mix

Listener Feedback: 29:57 - 38:30
Larry Holish:

I would say that, yes, the podcast has definitely improved! You guys seem more organized and prepared with each episode. The levels of your voices seem to have stabilized and are more consistent. The recorded description of the show over the opening theme is a nice touch. It's helpful when you guys announce you're moving on to the next section of the podcast. It would be great if you could include the total running time of each podcast, and maybe a rough minute of when each section begins in the show notes.

In general, I would say that for me personally, I most appreciate when you go into detail about the technical aspects of a particular subject. Example from the latest podcast that was enlightening to me was the discussion of the right hand dominance of drummers. I'm not a drummer and hate the robotic nature of most drum machines, so I was always all over the "humanize" features of Hydrogen. I would also use "randomize velocity" from a drum's context menu in the pattern editor, anything for something a little more human. But your discussion made sense to me and I think I was probably over doing things a bit with the "humanize" pots. Hand editing of the velocity bars, keeping in mind a stronger right hand, and using the humanize features sparingly might lead to better overall results. That will be my new approach to Hydrogen.

Another example: the episode on reverb. I'll say that a lot of this discussion went over my head a bit, but that's OK. I had no idea that using two reverbs on each instrument, a short and a long, was the way to add depth to a stereo image. I really appreciated the level of detail here. I haven't had a chance to really test this out yet and I'm planning on going back and revisiting this episode (thus my request about publishing times so that I can quickly find a particular tech segment).

I'm enjoying your soup-to-nuts new show theme project. I would encourage you to post your "working" files/tracks during the process, like you've mentioned doing. As the track progresses, I would also like to know more about how you set your recording levels in Ardour for both Hydrogen and the other scratch tracks. Maybe some more discussion about headroom, your approach to mixing and mastering, and when to use plugins pre-fader vs. post-fader. Details are good.

Finally, one other suggestion for a future show topic. Dave Phillips just did an interesting article in the Linux Journal about his studio and gear. I know you've mentioned some of your gear here and there, and also your plans for sound treatment. I think an entire segment (maybe some pics, too?) about Pipeman studios, your instruments and gear, would be cool.

You'll be happy to know that you convinced me to make a donation to the Ardour project. Thanks for your efforts and keep up the good work!

Contact Info: 38:30 -
E-Mails:
pipemanmusic@gmail.com
nickishappy@gmail.com
Twitter and Identi.ca:
Blogs:
Skype and SIP:
pipemanmusic@ekiga.net
PipeManMusic
ruderobot
Forums:
Podcast Out!

Song: 42:35 - 44:20
    Greetings From Lincolnwood - Larry Holish


Direct download: OSMPEpisode15.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 9:23 AM
Comments[0]