Comments on: Outstanding turntable performance of Drunk Trumpet http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 01:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Peter Hollo http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1412932 Peter Hollo Thu, 03 May 2012 14:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1412932 Here he is doing Moon River on 3 turntables. He does a melodic solo in the middle on turntable #3 which is pretty gorgeous. And the phasing in and out of the two copies of the song is also beautiful. https://vimeo.com/26801000 Here he is doing Moon River on 3 turntables. He does a melodic solo in the middle on turntable #3 which is pretty gorgeous. And the phasing in and out of the two copies of the song is also beautiful.
https://vimeo.com/26801000

]]> By: Jason's Robot http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1412653 Jason's Robot Thu, 03 May 2012 05:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1412653 I dig watching good mixers.  Fun and freaky what they can do. Your robot bigotry makes me sad.  Not cool. btw: what you call 'skynet' became self-aware a long time ago. I dig watching good mixers.  Fun and freaky what they can do.

Your robot bigotry makes me sad.  Not cool.

btw: what you call ‘skynet’ became self-aware a long time ago.

]]> By: Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1412322 Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst Wed, 02 May 2012 23:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1412322 Luckily, I am not tired of flipping out over things. Yay for things! Luckily, I am not tired of flipping out over things. Yay for things!

]]> By: giantasterisk http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411625 giantasterisk Wed, 02 May 2012 14:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411625 Saw Kid Koala work his magic a few years ago. He had 5 turntables going at once and moved with an ease and precision that is, for me, impossible to describe. Looked like he had more hands than there were turntables and he made it look easy. Great great show. Saw Kid Koala work his magic a few years ago. He had 5 turntables going at once and moved with an ease and precision that is, for me, impossible to describe. Looked like he had more hands than there were turntables and he made it look easy. Great great show.

]]> By: peeatwork http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411591 peeatwork Wed, 02 May 2012 13:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411591 I liked Kid Koala when it was cool to like Ninja Tune music. Not so cool anymore. Seems dated and old now. Sigh. I liked Kid Koala when it was cool to like Ninja Tune music. Not so cool anymore. Seems dated and old now. Sigh.

]]> By: noah django http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411388 noah django Wed, 02 May 2012 09:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411388 >The other record is a continuous repeating blues-swing backup music kinda thing then, yes? Hard to say if it was a long loop or just a long jazz song featuring just drums and bass.  The later seems unlikely, though.  I never _heard_ a loop, but I wasn't paying close attention.  A glance at the label would be illuminating, which is exactly why he covered it up. >So what he's doing is more of an 'instrumental' solo via turntable and knobs. More like turntable and crossfader, but yes, I think you've got it.  But having seen him live, make no mistake, he _can_ mix; and quite rapidly, too. >I'm not Jason.  I'm his robot. Well, that's out then.  There's a sign on the door, no robots allowed.  Never know when Skynet will become self-aware :P >The other record is a continuous repeating blues-swing backup music kinda thing then, yes?
Hard to say if it was a long loop or just a long jazz song featuring just drums and bass.  The later seems unlikely, though.  I never _heard_ a loop, but I wasn’t paying close attention.  A glance at the label would be illuminating, which is exactly why he covered it up.

>So what he’s doing is more of an ‘instrumental’ solo via turntable and knobs.
More like turntable and crossfader, but yes, I think you’ve got it.  But having seen him live, make no mistake, he _can_ mix; and quite rapidly, too.

>I’m not Jason.  I’m his robot.
Well, that’s out then.  There’s a sign on the door, no robots allowed.  Never know when Skynet will become self-aware :P

]]> By: noah django http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411365 noah django Wed, 02 May 2012 08:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411365 I'm so tired of people flipping out over this clip.  Araab is a toy and a biter.  DiViNCi has been doing this for over a decade, he's the only dude SPONSORED by Akai, and he plays THREE MPCs at once.  Sometimes with his face.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaiqGNa8Hh0 I’m so tired of people flipping out over this clip.  Araab is a toy and a biter.  DiViNCi has been doing this for over a decade, he’s the only dude SPONSORED by Akai, and he plays THREE MPCs at once.  Sometimes with his face.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaiqGNa8Hh0

]]> By: Jason's Robot http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411364 Jason's Robot Wed, 02 May 2012 08:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411364 Got it.  Cool trick. The other record is a continuous repeating blues-swing backup music kinda thing then, yes? So what he's doing is more of an 'instrumental' solo via turntable and knobs.  Not what civilians would normally think of as DJ mixing and scratching. I'll totally hang at your crib, noah, but I'm not Jason.  I'm his robot. Got it.  Cool trick.

The other record is a continuous repeating blues-swing backup music kinda thing then, yes?

So what he’s doing is more of an ‘instrumental’ solo via turntable and knobs.  Not what civilians would normally think of as DJ mixing and scratching.

I’ll totally hang at your crib, noah, but I’m not Jason.  I’m his robot.

]]> By: noah django http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411361 noah django Wed, 02 May 2012 08:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411361  It took me a second, too, but I'm pretty sure what he's using is called a "skipless break," which in turn is part of a "battle record," a staple of the modern scratch DJ.  The math on this is pretty impressive, actually.  In this case, three notes of a trumpet were sampled and looped so that the tempo of the loop is--IIRC--133 beats-per-minute.  Then, a few minutes of that loop were pressed onto that particular band of that record (the other bands likely contain other scratch sounds, beats, and more skipless breaks.)  But the really great part is that even if vigorous scratching makes your needle jump out of the groove, it will land on the SAME note in the next or previous groove due to the mechanics of 133 BPM at that radius of the record (they're always toward the middle of a 12" record.)  The stickers on the vinyl give the DJ a visual reference point--kinda like fret dots, eh Jesse Nikolic? So, this particular skipless break gives the DJ a six-note range (3 notes @ 33.3 rpm, 3 notes @45 rpm,) which can then be selected in any sequence, plus an unlimited amount of notes in between when manipulated by hand, as KK so effortlessly demonstrates.  But of course, guitars can also be impressive. Come over to the crib sometime, Jason, and I'll demonstrate it properly.  It took me a second, too, but I’m pretty sure what he’s using is called a “skipless break,” which in turn is part of a “battle record,” a staple of the modern scratch DJ.  The math on this is pretty impressive, actually.  In this case, three notes of a trumpet were sampled and looped so that the tempo of the loop is–IIRC–133 beats-per-minute.  Then, a few minutes of that loop were pressed onto that particular band of that record (the other bands likely contain other scratch sounds, beats, and more skipless breaks.)  But the really great part is that even if vigorous scratching makes your needle jump out of the groove, it will land on the SAME note in the next or previous groove due to the mechanics of 133 BPM at that radius of the record (they’re always toward the middle of a 12″ record.)  The stickers on the vinyl give the DJ a visual reference point–kinda like fret dots, eh Jesse Nikolic?

So, this particular skipless break gives the DJ a six-note range (3 notes @ 33.3 rpm, 3 notes @45 rpm,) which can then be selected in any sequence, plus an unlimited amount of notes in between when manipulated by hand, as KK so effortlessly demonstrates.  But of course, guitars can also be impressive.

Come over to the crib sometime, Jason, and I’ll demonstrate it properly.

]]> By: steveboyett http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411351 steveboyett Wed, 02 May 2012 08:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411351  He's taking a recording of a solo and playing it forward and backward at different speeds. He knows the vinyl so well that he knows exactly where the break points are and how fast to move the platter to hit the note he wants. He's doing it in time and on key with the other record playing. Essentially he's soloing. If you think that's somehow inferior or fundamentally different from using a MIDI keyboard to trigger sampled notes in sequences that you arrange yourself (which is essentially any sampler or synthesizer), you tell me how. Yes, 12-bar blues is simple. Simple is a far cry from easy. A good jazz technician can do a dazzling 64th-note double-hand-tap run up the fretboard. A good blues player can break myheart with a single note on a shitty pawnshot guitar. It isn't about technique, it's about communicating something. Koala is clearly having fun with an instrument with which he is proficient. And I don't really think that impressing you is his Everest.  He’s taking a recording of a solo and playing it forward and backward at different speeds. He knows the vinyl so well that he knows exactly where the break points are and how fast to move the platter to hit the note he wants. He’s doing it in time and on key with the other record playing. Essentially he’s soloing.

If you think that’s somehow inferior or fundamentally different from using a MIDI keyboard to trigger sampled notes in sequences that you arrange yourself (which is essentially any sampler or synthesizer), you tell me how.

Yes, 12-bar blues is simple. Simple is a far cry from easy. A good jazz technician can do a dazzling 64th-note double-hand-tap run up the fretboard. A good blues player can break myheart with a single note on a shitty pawnshot guitar.

It isn’t about technique, it’s about communicating something. Koala is clearly having fun with an instrument with which he is proficient. And I don’t really think that impressing you is his Everest.

]]> By: noah django http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411348 noah django Wed, 02 May 2012 07:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411348  heh heh.  I see that you play the guitar.  but...  don't you tune a string to a single note and alter the pitch of it by altering it's length (and thus the _speed_ of it's vibration?) also, see below.  heh heh.  I see that you play the guitar.  but…  don’t you tune a string to a single note and alter the pitch of it by altering it’s length (and thus the _speed_ of it’s vibration?)

also, see below.

]]> By: Jason's Robot http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411272 Jason's Robot Wed, 02 May 2012 05:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411272 What would his left side record sound like if left to play normally? Seriously.  Is it an actual song, a solo trumpet, someone's voice, or what..? What would his left side record sound like if left to play normally?

Seriously.  Is it an actual song, a solo trumpet, someone’s voice, or what..?

]]> By: Jesse Nikolic http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411180 Jesse Nikolic Wed, 02 May 2012 04:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411180 It's also an existence proof of the innate simplicity of a I-IV-V progression. Isn't he just taking a recording of a single note and changing the pitch of it by altering its speed? I remain unimpressed. It’s also an existence proof of the innate simplicity of a I-IV-V progression.

Isn’t he just taking a recording of a single note and changing the pitch of it by altering its speed? I remain unimpressed.

]]> By: BijouxBoy http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411131 BijouxBoy Wed, 02 May 2012 03:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411131 I'm a musician too, and it's always just called a I-IV-V where I come from. We all KNOW that there might be variations, but rather than being an annoying pedant who absolutely MUST must nit-pick, it's just called that. It's nothing to be too concerned about when there's good jamming to be had. I’m a musician too, and it’s always just called a I-IV-V where I come from. We all KNOW that there might be variations, but rather than being an annoying pedant who absolutely MUST must nit-pick, it’s just called that. It’s nothing to be too concerned about when there’s good jamming to be had.

]]> By: dorkhero http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411123 dorkhero Wed, 02 May 2012 03:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411123 See, occasionally, when no one is looking, something cool will happen in San Antonio. See, occasionally, when no one is looking, something cool will happen in San Antonio.

]]> By: Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1411015 Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst Wed, 02 May 2012 01:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1411015 Nice one. I remember hearing Dj Shadow once say that Q-Bert was the best DJ in the world.  Nice one. I remember hearing Dj Shadow once say that Q-Bert was the best DJ in the world. 

]]> By: wrybread http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410984 wrybread Wed, 02 May 2012 00:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410984 Dunno. I've been playing for coming on 25 years, and I've  heard people say "its just a I-IV-V" countless times when describing a song that uses those chords, whether its 12-bar or not. Its shorthand. But we're quibbling. I'm much more interested in the purported superiority of the I-IV-V over the infamous <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw3eYsnl31c&feature=fvst" rel="nofollow">I-V-VI-IV</a>... Dunno. I’ve been playing for coming on 25 years, and I’ve  heard people say “its just a I-IV-V” countless times when describing a song that uses those chords, whether its 12-bar or not. Its shorthand.

But we’re quibbling. I’m much more interested in the purported superiority of the I-IV-V over the infamous I-V-VI-IV…

]]> By: David MacDonald http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410983 David MacDonald Wed, 02 May 2012 00:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410983 I've never heard the blues called a I-IV-V progression. I-IV-V to me implies that the IV has predominant function, which it does not in most blues that I know, including this one. Perhaps it's called that in some circles, but none that I know of. I’ve never heard the blues called a I-IV-V progression. I-IV-V to me implies that the IV has predominant function, which it does not in most blues that I know, including this one. Perhaps it’s called that in some circles, but none that I know of.

]]> By: sincarne http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410967 sincarne Wed, 02 May 2012 00:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410967 That was meant to be a reply to Lennoxx. Sorry! That was meant to be a reply to Lennoxx. Sorry!

]]> By: sincarne http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410966 sincarne Wed, 02 May 2012 00:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410966 Don't forget "Rock the Bells": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU-BWOR25VI&feature=related Don’t forget “Rock the Bells”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU-BWOR25VI&feature=related

]]> By: bluest_one http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410953 bluest_one Wed, 02 May 2012 00:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410953 In America, everything is made better by the hollow, joyless bellowing of "YEAH!" Otherwise, cool. In America, everything is made better by the hollow, joyless bellowing of “YEAH!”

Otherwise, cool.

]]> By: teapot http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410951 teapot Wed, 02 May 2012 00:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410951 All good suggestions, but I think it's also worth including DJ Shadow, Mixmaster Mike and Flying Lotus (Steven Ellison). All good suggestions, but I think it’s also worth including DJ Shadow, Mixmaster Mike and Flying Lotus (Steven Ellison).

]]> By: steveboyett http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410942 steveboyett Tue, 01 May 2012 23:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410942 Kid Koala absolutely rocks. DJ Z-Trip is another fave turntablist. If you like Koala, Q-Bert, etc., check him out: http://youtu.be/JR0liKEoVoE Kid Koala absolutely rocks. DJ Z-Trip is another fave turntablist. If you like Koala, Q-Bert, etc., check him out: http://youtu.be/JR0liKEoVoE

]]> By: Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410918 Lennoxx Bllaze Wesst Tue, 01 May 2012 23:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410918 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvIpFYN-E6A I think this might have been on here before, but it bears a repost. Not as musical, but simply astonishing.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvIpFYN-E6A

I think this might have been on here before, but it bears a repost. Not as musical, but simply astonishing. 

]]> By: PaulMorel http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410917 PaulMorel Tue, 01 May 2012 23:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410917 David is right. I have never heard a 12-bar blues referred to as a "I-IV-V" progression ... and I have played hundreds of jazz & blues gigs. Yes, those are the chords used in a 12-bar blues, but if you said "I-IV-V" in F, for example, the players would most likely play F-Bb-C-F (most likely some variation thereof). Perhaps the 12-bar blues is called a I-IV-V in some parts of the country, but not others? David is right. I have never heard a 12-bar blues referred to as a “I-IV-V” progression … and I have played hundreds of jazz & blues gigs. Yes, those are the chords used in a 12-bar blues, but if you said “I-IV-V” in F, for example, the players would most likely play F-Bb-C-F (most likely some variation thereof).

Perhaps the 12-bar blues is called a I-IV-V in some parts of the country, but not others?

]]> By: Sxe http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410914 Sxe Tue, 01 May 2012 23:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410914 Make it talk, son, make it talk! Make it talk, son, make it talk!

]]> By: wrybread http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410900 wrybread Tue, 01 May 2012 22:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410900 (Which is also called a I-IV-V progression. In other words, it doesn't have to be in that order to be called that. Could also just call it 12 bar blues.) And damn this video is great. He makes it look so easy. And amazing how similar this version is to the album version. (Which is also called a I-IV-V progression. In other words, it doesn’t have to be in that order to be called that. Could also just call it 12 bar blues.)

And damn this video is great. He makes it look so easy. And amazing how similar this version is to the album version.

]]> By: solstone http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410896 solstone Tue, 01 May 2012 22:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410896 I've been to see Kid Koala perform a couple of times, and would recommend anyone to go and check him out if you get a chance. He so visibly enjoys doing what he does, and has at least as much fun as the crowds that come to his shows. I remember one time that I saw him that was billed as 'An intimate evening with Kid Koala', which he joked about in the middle of his set saying that it must have sounded better than 'A Wednesday night with Kid Koala...' I’ve been to see Kid Koala perform a couple of times, and would recommend anyone to go and check him out if you get a chance. He so visibly enjoys doing what he does, and has at least as much fun as the crowds that come to his shows.

I remember one time that I saw him that was billed as ‘An intimate evening with Kid Koala’, which he joked about in the middle of his set saying that it must have sounded better than ‘A Wednesday night with Kid Koala…’

]]> By: deaduncledave http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410884 deaduncledave Tue, 01 May 2012 22:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410884  I've always been rather fond of Kid Koala's cover of Basin Street Blues. The animation is a nice touch, a little southern gothic romance that fits the somber cadence beautifully. http://youtu.be/ItYp6ctPGI8  I’ve always been rather fond of Kid Koala’s cover of Basin Street Blues. The animation is a nice touch, a little southern gothic romance that fits the somber cadence beautifully. http://youtu.be/ItYp6ctPGI8

]]> By: David MacDonald http://boingboing.net/2012/05/01/outstanding-turntable-performa.html#comment-1410869 David MacDonald Tue, 01 May 2012 22:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=157649#comment-1410869 Cory, the music prof in me would like to point out that this is not really a I-IV-V progression. It's  a blues progression. I for four bars, IV for two bars, I for two bars, V for two bars, I for two bars.  Cory, the music prof in me would like to point out that this is not really a I-IV-V progression. It’s  a blues progression. I for four bars, IV for two bars, I for two bars, V for two bars, I for two bars. 

]]>