Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with music and art

How can I loop audio in realtime?

supyo — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:09:14 -0800

What software should I use to replicate the delay/looping effect that this video employs? I would need a metronome monitor separate from the input mix. It would be amazing to tweak the length of the decay too. http://vimeo.com/7722804 I looked at the Vimeo comments and found some helpful information. But I would like to hear of any other software suggestions people have. I do not have access to Ableton Live. I'm a classical musician wanting to experiment with realtime looping.

Quoted from the Vimeo comments:
"I had a laptop in a bag over my shoulder with Ableton Live running, but it's just a long delay with feedback set to 90% so it dies out and allows for development rather than looping into a noisy blur!"
"this is pingpong delay right?"

How much memorization does art dance performance require?

Joe Beese — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:52:35 -0800

How much memorization does art dance performance require? I assume it varies between genres - and between roles within genres. But can useful generalizations be made about how much performance data retrieval per minute is involved compared with, say, playing in a symphony orchestra?

Riot at the Concerto?

cmoj — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:52:01 -0800

What ever happened to a good old fashioned art riot? I have a recollection that I can't find reference to now that at the debut of some piece by either Beethoven or Mozart (though evidently maybe someone else) the audience was so surprised and confused by what they heard that they simply rioted. Does anyone know what 'm talking about? I also seem to recall anecdotes about people fainting at the sight of Caravaggio's Doubting Thomas.

I can conceive that something could have defied their expectations so much that it could amount to an upset to their worldview equal to an acid trip or something, but I don't know. Why did (or would) this happen? Is it closer to the Beatles hysteria, or the anger and rejection surrounding Fountain and the Armory Show?

Are there other examples of art (of any kind) blowing peoples' minds so much that they simply flip the fuck out? Note that I'm not asking about plain old self-righteous outrage like the way people reacted to that dung-Virgin Mary painting.

Why doesn't this happen any more? Sure, people get pissed off about Damian Hirst and thousands of girls scream at Backstreet Boys (or whatever the kids are into now) concerts, but not on the order of the examples I recollect so hazily. What would it take?

Death of the Sun original artwork

BlackLeotardFront — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:34:50 -0800

Can anyone identify the painting from which this album cover appears to be cropped? Death of the Sun, by Cul de Sac. It's not credited at the label's site and no one seems to refer to it anywhere else on the internet.

Have cymatics techniques been used in music videos?

codybaldwin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:42:32 -0800

Cymatics techniques used in music videos Just saw this video: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/timelines/ on TED, and at the very end are various DIY screenshots from individuals who have used the technique for artistic purposes. I saw one and it reminded me of some kind of electronic muscician's music video. Perhaps the music video for a Squarepusher or Aphex Twins song might have been where I believe I've seen this technique.

Can anyone direct me to production facilities that have done this for music videos, or links to the music videos themselves?

Guilty Downloader Here.

the NATURAL — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:01:11 -0800

Just curious: If I buy the vinyl version of an album, will the artist be supported just as much as if I had purchased the CD instead? I listen to (mostly) rap and hip hop, and though I often don't feel compelled to buy albums, when I particularly love one, I feel like I need to support the artist (and that the artist has earned my support).

However, since I've probably already sampled the album via torrent, would it still have the same sentiment if I purchased the vinyl instead? (You know - cooler to have around, maybe I could put it on my walls, etc.)

I suppose this is mainly a question of guilt rather than numbers, because what difference does one customer really make?

trashcan sinatra

Potomac Avenue — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:29:25 -0800

What crazy looking instruments can i build with a minimum of skill + resources and a maximum of WTF. i'm in a band playing keyboards, and sometimes i have nothing to do. tambourine and shakers are fine but sometimes i would like to make percussion noises like this:
BONG BANG BOMG BOOM

or sometimes I would like to make noises like this:

crashhhhh PING clang ttttttttcccchhhhhhhhhh AxAxAckAx riiiiiiiiitttchhhhhhhh
pppppsssssssss!

or sometimes maybe a little bit of eeeeeeeeeeeeexxxxxxxxxxCCVVVVViiiiiiiiiiiREOW! like a dying robot

Have you made strange percussion instruments? What did you do? Have you made traditional folk instruments in bizarre artistic shapes, or re-purposed regular household things to make amazing noises when you hit them together? Example: I used to play a big cardboard box with fly swatters-- it was beautiful.

Electronic suggestions are great too but i really dont know how to sauder or wire anything--but if you think of a toy or piece of electrical equipment that makes a crazy sound I'll take it.

Even if you haven't actually made them before please help me think of some new cheap but wild ideas out of your brain instead!

finally it'd be ideal if they are easy to transport and repair on the road.
anything i build i will obviously post pictures of them herein.

i thanks you and my adoring public thanks you in advance.

if you must know, yes i totally stole this idea from Drink Up Buttercup

Gear Porn

Juliet Banana — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:42:48 -0800

Tomorrow, my boyfriend and I will be photographed nude and somewhat covered in electronics (music making equipment and cords). Is there anyway to attach expensive, somewhat heavy mixers and controllers to our bodies? For non-music nerds, imagine we're covering ourselves with video game equipment. The items range in weight and size from a video game controller to an old school Playstation. Here's some of the stuff we have to work with; the major pieces are a Korg KP3, a Monome, a Korg Kaossilator, some guitar pedals, and a laptop.

Worst case scenario, he's going to hold his Monome sixty four (yeah, he got it) over his bits and I'll cover up with a Kaossilator and we'll wrap a few cords around ourselves. I wouldn't mind getting a bit more coverage, through, half to illustrate the concept and half for modesty's sake.

The concept? We're modeling for a sex-themed issue of an extremely small press art magazine. It's a riff on the cover of Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins (NSFW). The more gear we can fit into the shot, the better.

So, how the hell do we cover ourselves with music geek paraphernalia without breaking the gear and ripping off skin? I own some skin-safe double stick tape, but I doubt it could hold up the Kaossilator, much less the KP3. Rig the items to the cords wrapped around us? Rope? Duct tape? Just pile it around our feet?

Baby Mozart, and Massanet, and Meyerbeer?

notquitemaryann — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:16:11 -0800

A little something for my biggest fan... seeking ideas for classical songs that I can sing and record for my 19-month-old nephew. I'd like to do a series of recordings to send to my sister in cd and mp3 format as gifts for my wee nephew, Ben. I'm thinking I will probably save folk songs and modern music for when he's a bit older and may be more interested in singing along. What are some classical vocal pieces in various styles and languages (suitable for lullabies or playtime music, nothing too bombastic) that will help give him an early familiarity with good music? I'm more or less a mezzo with a wide range, though the lower the better on the lullabies, as the deeper notes seem to be very soothing to him. On his last visit, he enjoyed Solveig's Song, L'amour est une vertu rare, and Ombra mai fù.

What's happening in Montreal this weekend?

ajliberto — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:27:21 -0800

What's happening in Montreal this weekend? So I'm driving up to Montreal this weekend from Boston with a couple of first timers (I was there once before). I am hoping to get some suggestions for some exciting times for artsy/designy/musiciany twenty-somethings who are into openings, live music, dance parties, etc... We're staying in the plateau, but have a car, so we can get around a bit. Oh, and I've been keeping an eye on stilepost.ca, so anything in addition to that would be awesome!

"Welcome to hell^H^H^H^HAskMetafilter, here's your accordion."

Blazecock Pileon — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:25:35 -0800

If I wanted to learn how to play an accordion, what advice would you have, with respect to: which type of accordion, buying or renting (new or used), lessons, the best music to play, etc.?

Music for Markmakers

effluvia — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:54:46 -0800

I would be grateful for suggestions for music for drawing in the classroom. I am hoping for music that encourages the perceptual side of the student rather than the text, writing, thinking. I teach Observational Drawing at the college level. I arrange still life objects relevant to specific concepts that progress toward figurative drawing.

Students walk into the classroom and see the prearranged still life as their first visual impression. I require that they spend most of the four hour period drawing to earn academic credit for the class.

The music I currently use favors traditional Classical genres, Hildegarde Von Bingen, Vivaldi, Bach. The student population is extremely culturally diverse, many of them from non-Western cultures or poor urban backgrounds. Understandably, they find the Classical music stodgy.

Rather than giving them the “eat your peas and carrots” lecture, I would like to consider music they will find conducive to drawing.

When I work, I like music that has a strong, fast repetitive groove; it’s there with me but not demanding singular attention. Mostly on the sugarless side, and I prefer a discernable human touch. I typically play the same song over for an extended period until the music becomes a second skin. I obviously can’t do that to my class.

Here are the conceptual progressions:

Line
Value
Changeant Color
Skin Tones
Drapery
Biomorphic

Each week the still life theme supports these concepts.

Thanks for any suggestions regarding musical pathways for the exercises.

Should we stay or should we go?

mediocritease — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:29:29 -0800

Where do you draw the line when paying your dues? I'm keenly aware that an up-and-coming band has to make the rounds for exposure, refinement, humility (or ego building, as is often the case) and experience. My question is, where's the line between paying your dues and just taking abuse?

By way of further explanation, my band is a pretty conventional pop act. We've all got good taste and like more unconventional things, experimental electronic stuff, indie rock and the like, but we like making pop rock. I feel like we're more tailored to certain scenes and locales, but our front man continues to book us at venues where we aren't really received well. Places that cater to punkers and metal heads, dance kids, or people with more cultivated taste. Is this par for the course, or should we be making a more concentrated effort to find scenes where we'll be considered more palatable?

Who are the best feature writers out there?

reenum — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:21:10 -0800

Who are the best magazine and newspaper feature writers, past and present? I've been on a magazine and newspaper kick lately. I've gotten tons of articles by Michael Lewis, William Langewiesche and Jack Hitt. For sports, I love Gary Smith. I also like to read the in-depth articles put out by ProPublica.

Could you suggest others who write deep, delving pieces about a subject? The subject itself doesn't matter; I care more that the writer have the ability to engage a reader and explain a situation or subject in an interesting way.

Thanks!

How to fill up a week?

FatherDagon — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:28:59 -0800

Going to Seattle for all of next week - anything awesome going on? We'll be getting in Monday and leaving Friday, so I'm looking for excellent things to check out during the week. I checked Pollstar.com and it looks like The Haunted are playing the night we get in, so hopefully we'll be able to catch them. Any other interesting events/art showings/etc going on? Industrial/goth/rock club nights that must be seen? Great places to eat at odd hours? Awesome shops to buy bizarre things, antiques, underground music, clothing, old books, or the like?

Help me find widely ranging podcasts

reenum — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:22:05 -0800

Looking for variety of different podcasts or radio shows to listen to. Please give me many recommendations. After a lot of experimentation, I've found out what I like in a podcast.

1. Documentary podcast: A podcast where people tell stories to give more insight into the news or culture, a la This American Life, BBC Documentaries, and to a lesser extent, B-Side Radio. I'm not really into podcasts that primarily do reporting, such The World or 60 Minutes.

2. Music podcasts: I like percussive, drum based music like afrobeat and hip hop. I also like gentle low-key music like bossa nova and chillout. I loved Radio Freetown, but it seems to be on hiatus or off the air. I also like WEFUNK.

3. Comedy podcasts that touch on many topics: I love You Look Nice Today and Widely Ranging Interests. Need more like these.

Any suggestions as to what I need to add to my playlist?

Dancing about Architecture: Songs about art?

The Whelk — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:54:29 -0800

Dancing about Architecture: Songs about art/artists? I've got to create a mix about visual artists, art, and ect and I have no idea where to start. I've got "Andy Warhol" by David Bowie that's it. Any recommendations for songs about art and artists? Bonus Points for songs about painters. Extra-Super-Bonus points for songs about the model-artist relationship.

More fun in Montreal

kenzi23 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:49:16 -0800

What's fun and funky in Montreal next weekend? Going to Montreal next weekend (1-4 Jan) and I'm looking for fun and funky stuff to do there. What my friend and I like:

ethnic food (really authentic)
interesting local food
cool design - shops, museums
indie bands
punk/electronic bands
good DJs/dancing
interesting people
international stuff
art
really amazing croissants and coffee

Is there a free paper/guide for Montreal that I can pick up or see online? Any recommended listings for the kinds of things we are looking for? Is there a good neighborhood to stay in to be close to the kinds of places we will like? Any must-see for us?

Thanks!

Why do professionals in music and art like to use Macbooks?

rintako — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:20:19 -0800

Why do professionals in music and art like to use Macbooks? Many music artists such as DJs and design artists like to use Macbooks for their work? Why do they prefer Macbooks over (for example) a Dell when the Dell is much cheaper and can be more easily upgradeable at a cheaper cost.

I have heard that Macs can load certain software at a faster speed such as Photoshop (3-5 seconds faster probably) but that still doesn't justify a $200-$300 difference.

What to do in Pittsburgh between October 16th to the 19th?

radiocontrolled — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:01:13 -0800

I am a student in Critical and Curatorial Studies in Toronto and some class-mates and I are going on a field trip to Pittsburgh this Thursday - Sunday. We will be seeing all the museums and galleries but I was wondering if you could suggest any concerts, cool events, vintage shopping areas and anything of interest going on.

Help me find this audio experiment.

TheCoug — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:17:04 -0800

I read about and heard an experiment about acoustic resonance. A guy made a tape in a room of his voice, then made many generations of recordings of the original recording. At the end all that was left on tape were the fundamental frequencies of the room. I can't find it anywhere. Ring any bells?

Hola Amigos

cloeburner — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:49:54 -0800

What are some simple music, art and other activities I can do with a group of Spanish speaking kids with ages ranging from 5 to 10. I am volunteering at a small school in the North of Argentina teaching music, art and other stuff 3 days a week. I don´t speak a large amount of Spanish yet and no one at the school speaks English so communicating complex ideas and games is a bit difficult.

Nevertheless, I would love to know some great simple art activities, music activities and just plain activities or games to do with the kids. The school has no money so try to think of things that don´t require dinero.

Tom Waits on a Penny-Farthing!

oh really — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:53:43 -0800

I seem to remember some Tom Waits album art that featured a man (possibly Waits) on an old-timey bicycle (which I just recently learned is called a "penny-farthing"). I want to get this as a tattoo, but despite owning the majority of his albums, I can't seem to find it. Help!

Physical cut-ups: Making Frankenstein vinyl records and books

0bvious — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:29:01 -0800

I want to physically cut-up vinyl records and books into pieces, which I will then glue back together in various, alternate combinations. What are the best methods of doing this? Artist Christian Marclay did a similar thing with records (anyone know any sources of info on this?), so that when he glued them back together the frankenstein records could still be played. This would mean that the cutting technique did not destroy any of the vinyl's structure, it also meant that each record had to be cut very precisely, otherwise the fragments from several different records could not be glued back together.

I also wish to do a similar thing with old books, so that you get a kind of frankenstein, mish-mash of different book combinations. It would eventually be like doing a Burroughesque cut-up on physical forms.

Any ideas on technique would be greatly appreciated. How would I go about doing this? Have you seen similar things done by other artists?

Thanks

Now, where have I seen that before?

Melismata — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:06:27 -0800

Looking to make a list of famous artists, in all media, who "started it all." I'm making a list of brilliant artists who are so now part of the mainstream culture that when I finally read/view/hear the original, it is almost anticlimatic. For example, I recently saw an Agatha Christie play and thought, "hmm, this is nothing but a cliched mystery story. Oh, wait, she's the one who INVENTED the genre."

Other examples include:

Tolkien--"this is every fantasy story I've ever read. Oh, wait."

Picasso--"this is just an abstract, cubist painting. Oh, wait."

The Three Stooges--"these are just a bunch of guys engaging in slapstick humor, hitting each other on the head. Oh, wait." (Similar: the Marx Brothers)

Beethoven--"how come his music seems to straddle both the classical and romantic period? Oh, wait--he invented the romantic period."

And an oft-quoted one, Shakespeare--"these plays have too many cliches in them. Oh, wait."

I'm looking for any and all "oh, wait."s Thanks much.