Eryk wrote:
>Yes, but certainly there are several collaborations
that can go out without real time. And there is a general midi-based
network thingamabob that lets you jam in real time, though
you are stuck to general midi which is limiting and not very fun
after a while<
This is closer to what I was thinking about. Although I see no need for real
time. I envisioned using midi (.mid) files in an "add and pass" manner
(somewhat akin to a mail-art collage or collaborative artist's book but with
sound). For example each of us could choose an instrument so if there were
3 people we could have a drummer, a bassist and a pianist( we need to define
who plays what in order to create a proper band structure although people
could play different instruments on different tunes)The drummer could begin
everything by laying down a drum track (using general midi sounds on channel
10) in a suitable sequencer then saving that drum track as a .mid file and
e-mailing it to the bassist who opens the file in his or her sequencer and
adds the baseline then saves the new .mid file (drums and bass) and e-mails
it to the pianist etc. etc.
You could build everything from a whole orchestra to a garage band in this
way. Sticking to the general midi standard would mean that it would sound
the same on everyone's computers( okay those with FM soundcards may not hear
such good things as those with wavetable cards but they could still enjoy
the rhythms and melodies and add something). Sequencers like evolution audio
will even run on a 386sx so really anyone with a 386 and above and access to
e-mail could take part. Midi files are very small so are easy to send as
attachments also.
Once the file has been passed round and finished the result could be
rendered as a wav file(with high-quality synthesis) and written to CD ( I
have facilities to do this and I guess others of you do too) also the wav
could be converted to MP3 and put on MP3.com
To me this seems an interesting way to form a band/orchestra. Also it'll be
impossible for any one person to know what the whole thing will sound like
until it's finished. Granted using midi means no vocals but that's probably
not a bad thing anyway.
So is anyone interested in doing this. Working like this will mean that each
person can record their part again and again until they're happy with it and
you won't feel nervous about playing in front of people either. For those
who've never used sequencers it's pretty easy, if you don't have a midi
keyboard you can add a track just using the mouse or some packages allow you
to "play" your computer keyboard.
I would suggest that initially we could make a 4-track EP or something. I
would be happy to produce the whole thing on CD and send copies to all the
participants.
cheers,
Sol.
