GRollins

As many here know, I'm fond of the Moog house sound--at least their traditional sound...I'm not so sure about where they're going now, and frankly I'm not sure they know where they're going. I "reviewed" the One elsewhere. In a nutshell, I didn't bond with it. My impression was that Moog chose to splice some Dave Smith/Prophet DNA into the thing in an effort to entice people who are into Smith's house sound. It doesn't work for me. I don't begrudge them the attempt, but I don't intend to drop money on a One, either, even if the price drops. My primary intent this time was to look at the Subsequent 37, which is some sort of descendant of my Little Phatty. Do I need to replace the Little Phatty? No. I actually like it quite a bit...enough so that I kept it even after getting a Voyager. It was just a matter of curiosity. Would the 37 entice me or would it leave me with the same lukewarm impression that the One did? As background, I need to note a few things: 1) I'm not actually a keyboard player, I'm a string player. Most of you know this by now I guess, but it's relevant for those who might not know because my impressions are not those of a seasoned player with many years of experience on keys. I know what I like and what I want sonically, but that's not the same as being what I call a "real" keyboard player. I have far more (and far better quality) keyboards than I deserve and I freely admit it. My only excuse is that I use the stuff I've got to compose and I hear certain sounds in my head and I'll do 'bout near anything to get those sounds right. 2) Anything I say needs to be filtered through the fact that I was in the Moog store in Asheville, NC. In the past (several trip's-worth) it has been relatively calm and quiet. This time was noisier and more confused, even though it was just a random Saturday in January. 3) People will inevitably take #2 and say my impressions are invalid. They'll also complain that the headphones aren't high enough quality, etc. I looked at the headphones they provided on the 37, but can't remember what they were. That said, my response to criticisms of that nature is that if it takes a pair of $500 headphones to hear the sterling qualities of any given piece of gear, then it's a fail (other than, arguably, in a studio setting) because in a live setting, with the vagaries of room acoustics, crowd noise, and with a PA system of non-hi-fi standards, all bets are off. The audience ain't gonna hear the differences that you think are so important. The Model D has that "it" factor. It sounds good even on an AM radio station. I'm not so sure the One would pass that test; it's too generic sounding. Synth-lite, so to speak. Other than the polyphony, it sounds too much like all the other synths out there, especially given the cost. Okay, so... 1) I didn't much warm to the sound of the 37. Like the One, I had wanted to like it, but came away disappointed. I'll be keeping my Little Phatty (unless I get a Slim Phatty to save room, but that's another question, entirely). 2) Something I didn't expect--the keys are smaller than I'd want. It was sitting next to other keyboards, and the keys were something on the order of 1/2" shorter than the others. 3) Devastating: The pitch kept drifting. I'm not talking LFO-style, I mean random drift. I'm assuming it was temperature related, but don't know the details of how the 37 maintains temperature for the semiconductors in the oscillators. I pointed it out to one of the sales critters and he allowed as how he'd played the 37 the other day and felt that something was off. What the hell? This disturbs me on a deeper level than just my personal inconvenience. Why would Moog have a 37 on the floor that's not at peak performance? Those who might have read my impressions of the One may recall that I was talking to a salesman about how the One wasn't working for me and he'd said that he didn't think the One on the floor sounded all that great, but that it was a firmware revision or two behind and that the one in back sounded fantastic. Well, that may be true, but why is your demo not sporting the latest and greatest of everything? It's not like it takes all that long or costs anything to update a keyboard. What the hell is going on at Moog? While I was there I also spent a bit of time on a Model 10. Much better, other than the fact that it was hooked to some POS miniature 1-1/2 or 2 octave Chiclet keyboard (What? Moog can't spring for a real keyboard on a $10,000 system?). More what I expect from a Moog, but that's not surprising given that it was designed during the same era that I was forming my notions of what a synth was and what it should sound like. Perhaps I'm just attached to the old school sound to such an extent that I'll never like the newer synths. I'll own up to the possibility. While I was playing the 10, I asked the salesman about the Keith Emerson Wall-O'-Moog modular sitting next to it. It was, for the first time ever in my experience, turned on. I asked if I could play it for a minute. He said he'd be glad to let me...but no one knew how to operate it and that some modules didn't work! (WTF? See above.) He said that he knew the sequencer worked and was kind enough to pull out some cables and patch it across to the 10. On the one hand, I got to play with one module out of the Emerson clone/tribute rig. Yay! On the other hand, they've got hardware on the floor that doesn't work properly and no one knows a thing about. Boo! He indicated that Keith's old tech works at Moog and he hoped to be able to get the guy to take a look at the rig. He also said that they would be getting in some sort of sound system that they would be hooking it to...so, no headphones for that synth...? Unclear. Anyway, maybe, just maybe, that will be fixed up the next time I get up Asheville-ways. While personal responses to the 37's sound quality will vary, I would appreciate it if someone with a 37 could let me know if their unit's pitch drifts. I'm pretty sure that the answer will be no, but still... Grey Addendum: In another indication of disarray at The House That Bob Built, the salesman told me that the reason they had the stupid little Chiclet keyboard on the Model 10 was that the guys in the back couldn't be bothered to stop and make a cable (gate, S-trig, and all that jazz to MIDI) for the store. They'd had to order a cable (and maybe the little keyboard?) in off the Web. Whaaat? I...I just...I...dammit, something' ain't right up there in Asheville. I hope I'm not witnessing the beginning of the fall of Moog. That would break my heart.

I am conflicted. While I'm dead set against tracks, I find myself living in a musical wasteland where there are few musicians and the few who exist are deathly afraid of (any kind of) original material--especially the kind of music I want to do. In desperation, I've taken to using sequencers and all kinds of tricks to fill in vacant chairs as I build my music. I hear it. I want it out of my head and out into the real world where I can fuss over it and attempt to make it better. If that takes technology, then...dammit, I'll just have to hate myself for using a crutch. There's close to zero chance of playing my kind of music in front of an audience (at least in this part of the country), so I don't have to confront that issue. In the one-in-a-million chance that I should ever play my stuff out in the world, I'd have the very devil of a time figuring out a way to get the job done. I am, by nature, a string-oriented player. I'd be happy to turn over the keys to someone else--someone who's a "real" keyboard player--but Emerson's dead and Wakeman's tied up with his "Grumpy" tours, so it's just me...Chief Cook and Bottle Washer. Grey P.S.: I went up to Asheville this weekend and had a lovely time chatting with a fellow I was buying some gear from. He's not in my groove, musically, but he's not too far off, either. It was such a pleasure to talk with someone who had even remotely similar interests that I stayed far longer than I should have (to the annoyance of my sons, who went along for the day). Visited the Moog store (about which I may start a thread once I organize my thoughts). Still, I got more musical interaction in six hours in Asheville than I've gotten in six months hereabouts.

I find it interesting that they would have such high end instruments available. I could see something more mid-line, but Bösendorfer and Steinway? Cool. Grey

As much as I want a 2600, at $5500 (list) and $3900 (Sweetwater), I'm going to have to pass. That said, it looks like a sweet li'l piece of hardware. Grey

I confess that I was never a big Rush fan--couldn't get past Geddy Lee's screechy vocals (though I loved his bass playing)--but I always enjoyed the instrumental parts of their stuff. When they announced that they'd no longer be touring I wondered if it was due to illness on the part of one of the band members. Turned out to be true, I guess. I'm sure there was mention of Peart's cancer somewhere but I never saw it, so it was just speculation on my part. Sympathies to those who were major Rush fans. Best wishes to Peart, his friends and family, and the band members. Cancer sucks. Grey

A few thoughts: 1) My first impression on looking at the thing was that it was a sequencer. 2) This guy is clearly a genius in a mad scientistical sort of way. 3) It's probably a good thing that his channel didn't exist when I was younger and more impressionable. I might have tried to do something foolish. Grey

It's been almost two weeks since I've seen the movie and I'm still not settled on how I feel about it. Technically (special effects, etc.), I find little to complain about. Musically, I cannot recall a single riff from Williams' score, but at least part of that is the way it was mixed--the music wasn't as prominent as it was in, say, IV (which I've just rewatched), where the music is so far forward in the soundtrack as to almost warrant being a walking, talking character in its own right. In IX, it's below everything else. The acting's good. It's the plot/direction that divides me. I am not fully aligned with either the critics or the audiences, which seem to be at odds this time. Grey

I use charcoal lighter fluid. It's basically naptha. Cheap. Effective. Works on all sorts of nasties. Grey

Grey

I believe I recall reading that Ford had had an intestinal virus and felt like shit (ahem) and was seeking a way to end the shot quickly as he could barely stand. He improvised, and the rest is history... Grey

Eurorack: Winter Modular Eloquencer Grey

The problem is not that Star Wars left us, per se, it's that Lucas changed the fundamental nature of the movies between the first trilogy (now #4-6) and the second (#1-3). In the first movies you, I, or anyone else could aspire to be a Jedi. All we needed was a Jedi Master to teach us the ways of the Force. The movies vicariously provided us with Obi Wan and Yoda as our teachers. We listened and learned. Then, without warning, in The Phantom Menace we were rather rudely informed that it was Nature, not Nurture, and if you weren't born with a high midichlorian count you need not apply at the Jedi temple. From then on we were pushed out of the classroom, relegated to the role of observers, not students; outside looking in, rather than being active participants. The Star Wars movies became superhero movies, with the characters performing feats that we could no longer hope to emulate. Took the wind out my sails, it did. It's no coincidence that the Marvel characters I admire most are Tony Stark and Dr. Strange...they're the ones who did it on their own, using their brains, rather than being born to it (e.g. Thor) or having their powers bestowed upon them by accident (e.g. Bruce Banner). They went to school, applied themselves, and became superheros by pure force of will. We once had that dream with Star Wars, then had it taken away forcibly (not Forcibly...). We were cast out of the school and it forever diminished us. Grey

Blazing Saddles, yes? Absolutely loved that movie. (Saw it about a hundred times in the theater...the only way you could see movies back then--no VHS, no Betamax, no DVD, no Blu-ray...nuthin'...and Blazing Saddles wasn't going to be on TV any time soon...) No friggin' way that movie could be made in today's socio-political climate. More's the pity. To wit: "Rape, murder, arson, and rape." "You said rape twice." "I like rape." Like I said. That movie would never get made these days. Grey

Okay, I've seen the movie. I will refrain from detailed discussion until more have had a chance to see it, but I will say this much: 1) It is easily the best of the recent trilogy. Arguably better than #1-3. #4-6...we'll talk about that later. Go see it. 2) Sadly, I can't hum or whistle any new music from this one. Williams has done a very good job of supporting the movie, but nothing stood out and, frankly, so much of his work was buried under the sound of explosions, gunfire, and other mayhem that I'm not sure we had a proper chance to hear what he had to offer. Maybe someone will upload the soundtrack to YouTube. I have the original vinyl soundtrack album from the first (aka #4, bought new, thank you very much!) movie and could gladly sit and wallow in that music for any number of reasons: nostalgia, musical genius, etc. Until I've heard Williams's current music as a standalone effort, I'll withhold judgement. 3) Those who say the movie looks good are correct. It's a visual feast...but so is every other "superhero" movie these days (and make no mistake, this is a superhero movie), so I can't honestly say that it's above the norm in that category. The soundtrack? Okay, like many others here my hearing isn't what it once was, but dammit, 20% of the dialog was buried or indistinct. I have other family members whose hearing hasn't been subjected to the same abuse that mine has, and they agree that there are passages that are simply not clear. And, at least in my theater, it was too loud. Yes, some of this is undoubtedly "get off my lawn" old-fart-ism, but not all of it. Like concerts, I'm starting to worry that we should begin wearing hearing protection to movies. It sucks, but we've reached a point where we can beat an audience into submission sonically. "Hey, I must have had a good time...my ears are ringing!" Hearing loss is real, folks, take it from one who knows. There's no need to be so goddamned loud...other than the fact that if you're in a multi-theater (as we were) in the quiet(er) passages you can hear the theater next to you (which is also playing too loudly...natch). If they batter you with enough volume, you can't hear Jumanji or whatever they're showing on the other side of the wall. 4) Get your popcorn and go pee before the movie starts. It's frenetically paced, from start to finish. 5) Yes, the reviews, comments, and complaints about nods to previous movies are correct. Some of the touches were handled well. Some were annoying--at least to me. More, I will not say...at least at this juncture. Grey

We've got tickets to see it Sunday morning. I'll be honest, my expectations are fairly low. The author in me is rankled that there's no clear story arc like there was in the Marvel universe, for instance. I cared about those folks. I haven't got a clue who Rey is or why I should really care about her, other than the fact that she's been anointed the Last One Standing. Well, that's nice, but I still don't see that there's a clear plot surrounding her. She's an orphan...maybe. The Force is strong in her. She's conflicted, wanting to know her place in the whole thing. Well, sweetheart, I want to know how you fit in too, because the last two movies were just...I dunno...they were just kinda there, you know? They were standard issue SF extravaganzas, not friggin' STAR WARS movies, which are--or should be, to my way of thinking--a cut above. I remember seeing the first one (aka IV, aka New Hope) back in the day. Man, I was supercharged for weeks. Practically levitating. That movie stuck to me like glue. Nowadays I walk out of a new Star Wars, yawn, and say, "That was nice. Now...didn't we need to stop at the store for a gallon of milk?" If someone had tried to talk to me about something mundane like milk after seeing The Empire Strikes Back, I think I would have beaned them. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'MILK?' Remember when Yoda said, 'There is another.' Who do you think it is? What's going to happen to Luke? What about when they..." On and on and on. The last two had no such effect on me. Don't get me wrong, I really, really hope that this one gives me a proper Star Wars fix, but I'm just not hopeful. You know what I am excited about? I wanna hear what John Williams has cooked up, musically. That man terrifies and amazes me. It's an honor to share the planet with someone who's that talented. If I had 1/100th of his ability, I'd...I'd...well, I dunno what I'd do, but it'd be amazing. Grey P.S.: I never disliked Jar-Jar the way some people do. I don't get why he stirs such strong revulsion in some people. I see him as comic relief, which is a structural component that I can understand--I use it in my Victor & Martin stories, for instance. What didn't work for me was seeing him in robes as a politician. Lucas should have kept him the way he was, rather than try to rehabilitate him and make him serious. It didn't work, at least not for me.

Looks like they've got some seriously cool gear. I wish they were closer to me--I'd love to pay them a visit. Grey

One of my degrees is in psychology--I tend to get literal about such things. (Plus, I never was much into The Police. Born too early, I suppose.) Grey

It's weird...they never play Africa on the radio around here, but they dusted it off last night as I was coming home from taking the kids to karate. It's been years since I've heard it. Synchronicity. (Jungian, not The Police-ian...) Grey

Yeah, had my flu shot. That doesn't cover GI tract stuff unfortunately, just respiratory. Grey

As one who's done the puking thing recently...not funny. Lemme at least get my feet back under me first! Nausea is my least favorite sensation. I'll take pain (within reason) over nausea. Grey

A friend of mine had the condensation/rain in the tail lights problem. We solved it by drilling a discrete 1/16" hole at the very bottom of the lens so the water could drain. Worked like a champ and the price was right. So I mentioned the vomiting/diarrhea thing, which was two weeks ago. Well, last night I woke up and puked again. Fever, too. WTF? Didn't I just do this? Shouldn't I be granted immunity or something? Turns out it was just a one-shot, over quickly. Seems likely that it was a reaction to my second shingles shot, which I had yesterday. Oddly, I didn't have any sort of reaction to the first shot other than a little soreness at the injection site (for those who haven't done this, it's a two-parter with a couple of months between the two shots). Okay, I can live with it, I guess, if that's all there was to it. Still...weird. It's been cold here all day and the heat pump seems to be struggling. I am majorly hoping that it's not needing service or--horrors!--replacement. That would be an expensive proposition, indeed. Grey

Yeah, I'm not big on emojis. I depend on context and (putative) skill with words to get my point across. (duck! incoming!) But, yeah, of course it'll be your (plural) fault if I get whacked with some monstrous bill, because I'm not superstitious and don't believe in jinxes...except when I'm walking under a ladder on Friday the 13th, and a black cat crosses my path but, hey, everybody gets the heebie-jeebies when that happens...right? Grey

You assholes are going to jinx me for sure...if I get hit with some big, unanticipated bill, it'll be your fault(s). That said, my big bills tend to come in two batches, winter, and late summer. It's time for the winter onslaught. However, given that things like property taxes hit every year at the same time it's not too hard to foresee that they'll be showing up around a certain date--I even have notes in my spreadsheet as to when the bills are likely to come in (in addition to when they're due...separate dates...that way I know to watch the mailbox). So far, cross fingers, nothing unanticipated. But... Lawsy me, there's a hell of a lot of super-stressful stuff going on. Had one of those vomiting/diarrhea things that are supposed to last twenty-four hours. This one didn't get that memo. Lasted forty-eight. Lost nearly ten pounds in that time, a large fraction of which was burned fat due to sustained high fever. I'm not carrying a lot of excess avoirdupois, so the loss of ten pounds hit me hard. My older son is having some sort of emotional meltdown and we can't figure out why he's acting up. He ain't talking. Lots of anger and craziness...it's not like him to be that way, because he's the more laid-back son. It's a mystery. On and on...etc. etc. etc. To date, the stress-inducing things haven't cost too much money, but they're taking a toll, nonetheless. I'm about ready for a vacation. Let's all pack our bags and meet in Asheville. Go see Moog. Watch for snow. Eat/drink at Barley's and/or White Labs (yes, the yeast people, they've got a restaurant of all things, go figure, but also one of the best beers I've tasted in a month of Sundays). Just...damn, guys, I'm ready for a break, ya know? Grey

Positive online reviews on manufacturer or retail sites are a waste of time. Negative reviews, however, are guaranteed not to be ghosted by the company. I use the Sort By box to flip the reviews upside-down, such that the worst ratings are on top, and start looking for patterns. In this case, blown drivers, blown amps, jacks or knobs that get loose after three gigs, that sort of thing. If there are few negative reviews (after the item has been out for at least six months) and if the problems seem to be scattershot (one about the carpet coating, one about the logo coming off, one about a blown driver) instead of focusing on one or two failures repeating over and over, then you've got a contender. If the negative reviews keep coming back to the same things over and over...run. Grey

And there I was, thinking that you'd made new artwork for R2-D2's chassis... Print your piece of paper, complete with labels--choose some easily read font and make it as large as possible in the space you have available. Do the plastic laminate thing. Then cut out the voids with an X-acto knife and a steel ruler. --or, variation on a theme-- Cut your voids slightly oversized before laminating--by maybe 1mm or so, all 'round. Laminate. (This way the plastic will seal around the edges of the voids, thus protecting the otherwise exposed edges of the paper on the insides of the holes.) Then recut, leaving a thin border of sealed plastic around the holes. (This is why you cut the voids slightly oversized--so there'd be room for the plastic to meet and seal, front-to-back.) Does that make sense? Grey