Change is sometimes good

I have felt for a long time that the need for me me to write about such a specific subject area has kept me from writing anything at all.  Aside from the simple fact that there are plenty of people who write on the subject the equipment centric aspects of creativity and do it better then I, I feel that I am as an artist and as a human being far to multi channeled to function in this way.

I don't know whether I will make some minor changes to the other all blog in terms of links or old content or i'll just move forward. Actually, it's entirely possible I will post this and then disappear for another year or so.

Stay with me if you will, perhaps I will put on a decent show.

Tommy Dog, NYC.

another one

His snare drum arrived today and I started fucking around with positions.

I did manage to fry one transistor in the outputs but that was my first fail in a while.

nitty gritty

Before I get accused of calling a single solenoid being held by a puppet a robot, let me fill you in on some of the details of how this little guy is actually set up in real life.

The controller board from Highly Liquid allows for MIDI input to trigger solenoids and motors. I am writing a number of apps in Max/MSP to allow for things like randomization of different parts of the playing within a clocked rhythm.

The Robot Drummer's set up actually has 16 channels set up divided between two boxes, one is set up for a 12 volt load the other for 24. So stuff like his eyes of different strikers can be individually controlled.

Robot Drummer Preview

I wanted to build a Robot Drummer back around 1990 but I was even more lacking in the skills needed to do it. Along came Highly Liquid with awesome products that made my dream become a reality.

In recent months a flurry of obsessive work has made it impossible for people to be around me without being forced into talking robots.

Yeah I know there are a lot of drumming robots out there. A quick google search will reveal some of the lamest shit excuses for bombastic drum wankery in video form. People who do this 1. don't have a clue where there sense of humor might be and 2. seem to like both drum machines and over playing.

My robot is made to play Punk Garage fuck you music. He's meant to make a racket. Now I can tell Plague Monkey to go fuck himself, he's been too gimmicky for too long.

The sad part is that most people will be disappointed when all is said and done because how could I live up to the hype. The good part is I don't give a rats dick hole what anyone thinks. I am pleased as a pig in donut fat with myself.

I should say that John from Highly Liquid was awesome as hell and David & Jeff really were great friends and teachers and shit, my wife should have tossed me out months ago for bringing home all kinds of garbage every day.

Anyway, here's the first real peek at the Robot Drummer.



UPDATE: for some details go here

shits and giggles

If you don't know what project I've been obsessively working on the last few months this video isn't for you.

Actually it really isn't for anyone but me, I just wanted to document something.

"hello David"

Here's a little improv done with Livewire, Doepfer and Bubblesound modules. The main voice is the ULFO and the Doepfer A-112

It got it's name because when I heard the sound I thought I should push David to get a A-112 because it sounded great processing the ULFO in oscillator mode.
Hello david by Tommy DOG

computers can really suck

So I'm all happy as I pop another TB HD into my computer and I look to see a drive I bought in December is SMART coding on me. What? yep, back up everything son and walk away quickly.

Great. I "might" be able to return the now dead drive BUT I am at a stand still because I am running out of space and all my bays are otherwise taken.

Trojan Man? Liquid Plumber? Mr. Clean?
"Jane, stop this crazy thing..."