HEAD HURTS

The main problem with using software is that you loose the tactile control over the parameters of synths and obviously a mixing desk. With a mouse you can only control one element at a time and the arrangements and mixes on the new album are far more complex than the last. Some songs have up to 50 tracks each with EQ, Compression & plug-ins for the actual synths so controlling everything gets very tedious.

So I decided to invest in a new tool for mixing and general control of the various bits of software I use. There are quite a few control surfaces out there but I chose the Euphonix MC Control. The beauty of this device over others is the flexibility you have of assigning it's faders and knobs to anything, it also has a cool touch screen which can be configured to control anything within the software.

Although it only has 4 main faders you can bank through a project, you can also assign a group of tracks to one fader which is really useful. Needless to say I've spent most of this evening buried in the user manual, it's a really powerful control surface but hopefully it's gonna help with mixing the new album.

QUESTIONS FOR THE NEXT PODCAST

Please submit any questions you have for our next Podcast, this will be a video and recorded at the end of September.

We will be talking about progress on the album and our recent gigs.

Send them to matt@northernkind.co.uk

Thanks


Matt

NIGHT WITH THE DR

Had a great time last night, brilliant crowd and very receptive to us.

I think the highlight was when I was chatting to Dr Robert after the gig, a pretty drunk girl came up to him and said "I came to see you but their set pissed all over yours" - he politely smiled and said "Thanks" - I just burst out laughing and gave her an album.

I thought he did really well, just a guitar and his voice but really entertaining, at one point Sarah said she was mesmerized by him, I guess that is what the "X-Factor" is.

Thanks to Wout for the photos.

MYSPACE RADIO

Will be featuring our song DIRTY YOUTH tomorrow evening as track of the week.

The show is hosted by Alex Zane, tune in from 7pm Thursday 10th September.

Click here to visit the page



Almost makes me want to go and buy some chocolate... or is that the point?

Mattx

DIGGIN' THAT SCENE

Following his performance at Retrofest Dr Robert of 'The Blow Monkeys' will be making a rare appearance in Leicester this Saturday to promote his new album.

We have been asked to support him at The Donkey, Welford Road, Leicester. We will be on stage at 8.45.

Hope those of you local can make it.

Matt

WET WET WET

...kind of summed up Retrofest - although I have to say that, despite the shocking organisation ('What's a bloody bar token?', 'where the hell do we park???', 'Do I really have to push the buggy on a main road?') and having to compete with Boney M during our set, I had a really good time :-)!! It was funny hearing 'Ra Ra Rasputin', between our songs. The atmosphere was good, Bjorn Again ROCKED and I loved our groovy, solar-panelled, purple stage.  The feeling of singing al-fresco, through the dry-ice into the darkness, was brilliant and suited our moody-electro vibe.  I now completely have the festival bug - Glastonbury here we come! Thanks to everyone who braved the rain to watch us.   Sarah x

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