Label

Before (and during) writing my review of it, I mentioned that that the only way to get to grips with a piece of gear was by really focusing on it. That's essentially what I've being doing with this.

The RD-8 and RD-9 are not currently connected and, with the variety offered by the LM Drum, I've not been missing the classic Roland sounds.

Just switching between sample banks (and being able to create my own) has been enough to trigger fresh inspiration, especially with the way the machine works.

The workflow is also more relaxed than the others mentioned above. For example, on the RD-8 & 9 you have to switch between Mute and Pattern modes whereas, on the LM, the layout allows access to both at the same time.

They say that just buying a new piece of gear won't make you happy or make better music, but that's exactly what's been happening.

The ambient mix is also on YouTube:

I've wanted to have a play with one of these since they were first announced ages ago. While the RD-8 and RD-9 are "clones" of a single machine, the LM Drum has six different kits and is also a sampler.

This is some of the best work I've done and am really proud of.

When I used to make music and upload it to the old mp3.com back in 99/00 I used to create a lot of melodic acid where the 303 lines would be just a component and not the main focus. A few of the tracks on this EP are returning to that kind of feel.

I'm really trying to develop a more minimal 80's style but struggle to find the right vibe. I always want to add more to a track to fill it out as I'm never really comfortable with a pared back approach. I need to become more confident with space and basic grooves, being more hypnotic than varied.

It'll come.

"I've been very creative in a short space of time; it's not really burn out but like all the ideas have come out at once and left me a bit empty."

I feel like I need something to give me a push in a new direction but don't know exactly what that is or where it will take me.

Acid Worship was definitely the start but that's gone down a bit of a dead end. I'm hoping that the strange noises I've been sampling from the Syncussion take root somewhere in my subconscious and provide the spark I need.

Yesterday saw the arrival of a new mount for the "Producer Series" devices (Behringer Crave, Edge & Grind) and I decided to completely strip down the "studio" ¹ and reorganise it all.

Previously, I didn't have everything out all at once and spent a lot of time moving things about. The aim is to make it easier and more flexible but that will still involve moving cables around depending on what I want to use.

I don't have enough channels on the audio interfaces to leave everything always connected. Ideally, my next purchase should be a new multi-port interface but even the "cheap" one is more than the next synth on my wishlist.

Still, the way things are arranged, and actually labelling cables so I know what's what, will help.

Curiously, I've sorted out all the power leads but haven't reconnected all the midi cables. I don't know what's holding me back. Maybe it's just procrastination — if I can't use it all (because it's not connected) then I've got a ready made excuse for not producing something new. If everything is ready to go then a lack of ideas is all on me.

I probably just need a break to recharge the creative batteries.