Long time techno artist Richard Bärtz gives us a new EP on the famous Cologne-based Kompakt Extra label, who prefer to number their releases rather than name them which isn’t a bad thing! This latest piece of work is number 61 in the series and is comprised of two tracks. Diamond Girl is a stabby, fragmented, minimalistic-but-funky floor filler (you will understand after listening). All Night Thing is a deep and more melodic / spaced out track. Click the play icon to listen.
Today I was sent a link by Lars to an awesome sound comparison test page. The test and comparison is of the original acid machine, the Roland TB-303, and a few of its numerous clones around. The Acidvoice website has sounds clips for no less than nine 303-clones of various riffs and waveforms to study for your pleasure. The in-depth analysis button next to each machine reveals all the extended clips.
This great site has much more info and sounds, including the obligatory but very cool owner’s kit list.
Also recommended is the acid distortion pedal test at the bottom of the page :)
Sébastien Léger and Chris Lake have released a two-track tech house EP named after its two tracks - “Word / Ghost” - on Rising Music. Word is a slightly pumping track that alternates a somewhat evil synth with disco-guitar-like elements. The real shiner of this EP, however is the other track; Ghost. Despite the name of the track this is a true piece of summer music. Its nice chords and bassline are bound to bring a smile to your face. Click the play icon to listen.
Long time techno pioneer Sasha released a wonderful track just a few months ago that I have completely missed. It is this one-track EP called “Who Killed Sparky?” This tech house track just keeps on building, from a minimal track to an almost trancelike climax, and is a real feel good piece of music, especially when played loud. If you haven’t heard this track before give it a go. The sample below is from the earlier, quieter part of the track. Click the play icon to listen.
An artist unknown to me until today, Taras van de Voorde, has released a wonderful two-track techno EP on Stolen Moments entitled “Larize”. The EP consists of the original techno track, which is kind of moody but funky, and a great breakbeat/electro remix by Artificial Latvamaki, another name unknown to me until just now. Promising new talent? Click the play icon to listen.
Spirit Catcher & Compuphonic have released a nice two-tracker tech house EP on the 20:20 Vision label. The EP is simply titled “Mastermind / Dream Machine” after its two tracks. Neither of the tracks is overly original but both tracks have a wonderful untz to them and just work. Dream machine is slightly laidback and spacy tech house. Mastermind is more abstract and would be great for the dance floor. Click the play icon to listen.
The Hobnox website is offering a web application written in Flash by the somewhat uninspiring name Audiotool. The app itself is nowhere near uninspiring: consisting of two TB-303 clones and a TR-909 clone it is many tech head’s favourite old-school setup. To make it even better: the web interface makes it easy enough for anyone slightly familiar with these classic machines to create an acid / techno track within a few minutes. Just connect the machines to the mixer by dragging their outputs to it to get going. As an added bonus there are also a couple of effect pedals that can be inserted between the synths and drum machine and the mixer.
Link: Hobnox Audiotool