//// pictures of our sound-making machines ////

[fahmi_m]

Thanks @Senorakubra . I like it because modular synth in battery operation (possible for me bring it when I go travelling), West Coast synthesis with scale quantising, and randomisation functions also. It have no MIDI, but I like to experiment with piezo/contact mic to trigger sounds in volca modular.

[zYklen]

Yup, imagine it’s the only Lizard Point which has so specific an appearance?
Been inspired myself to write music having visited many times (https://zyklen.bandcamp.com/track/lizard-point was written after visiting on a misty day in mid 90’s before the lighthouse was automated and old –spooky sounding– fog horn decommissioned).
Stunning location to interact with the environment.

[Hovercraft]

Lizard Point, eh? No idea how I acquired it, but I have a small book of souvenir photos of Lizard Point in my desk (in Maryland). I don’t suppose the Poldhu Hotel and the Marconi Wireless Station are still there?

[killingtime]

Wow! Yes both those places still exist, I did a gig with an Irish folk outfit in that hotel last year for the residents, it is now a care home for the elderly, the Marconi wireless station is still there as a visitors attraction I believe

Marconi on the Lizard

fabulous that you have these old photos

[killingtime]

Just listening to this now, really love the atmosphere you have created, it does put me in mind of being on the point in the mist and fog… i wish i had a recording of the old foghorn, when i first moved to Cornwall I lived near Pendeen Lighthouse which still had its old deep sounding foghorn- eire as hell. i recently made a piece with recordings of the modern foghorn at Lizard pitched and sequenced on the modular if your interested

and a video shot at Lizard Point by Michael Swallow looking out to sea with the foghorn soundtrack

[Senorakubra]

My happy place. Having just finished an ep (see Latest tracks + videos), this photo is a fair representation of the melee of my desk currently. I would like to say working from home during C19 is the reason my desk is untidy, but that wouldn’t be entirely true.

I have enjoyed looking at other setups in this thread, but am surprised by how neat they are. Sure, I tidy up once in a while, but real life (and wires!) soon collude to add some colour to the arrangement. I’ve added this photo of my setup largely to present another reality from the community and to encourage everyone to share their place, tidy or not.

The Linnstrument is a recent welcome addition. Coupled with a SWAM vst, it provides some easy expression to my DAW focussed tracks. As a terrible keyboardist, I have been delighted by being freed from the tyranny of the zebra layout. Finally, all notes feel on a level playing field. Equality!

The Kordbot from Isla Instruments is a fun tool. Mine has a few issues with double triggering / timing with a couple of the pads, which may be due to being an early model. I particularly like the small form factor and the quick access to so many chord shapes, which i tend to iterate through before saving the good ones to the trigger pads.

Faderfox EC4 is the midi controller du jour, having taken over from the midi fighter twister, due largely to the ability to label controllers. 4 characters is ok, but still requires parsing, 6 would have been far superior.

The windows laptop is really where the magic happens. Whilst recording the latest EP, I bought a Bitwig license and have enjoyed getting started with a new DAW. Also using Ableton still, especially for Max for Live, but Ableton isn’t MPE capable. Using some beloved 32 bit plugins in Bitwig without a third party wrapper has been great (looking at you SQ8L & Supatrigger).

Other honourable plug in mentions for gullfoss (instant mud remover), MJUC (my fave compressor) and RC-20 for colouring (picked up after a recommendation here - thanks).

Norns and Grid are new additions in August. Looking forward to getting into Less Concepts, Cheat Codes 2, Takt, Samsara et al.

[jmsiener]

Love the TX81Z! So crunch!

[zYklen]

Thank you for the kind words @killingtime. Your recording also captures the openness and eerie quality of standing on a promontory in the fog and mist. Did you record this during your visit?

Wish I had the equipment to make a recording on the day of my visit, the sound was enveloping and echoed back and forth between the rocks, headland and coves, never experienced before or since.

The stretch of coast around Penwith is also very inspirational. Do you still live in Cornwall? I grew up in Falmouth, but now live in Plymouth, so don’t get down that way as often.

@Hovercraft that photo album is awesome, it’s travelled a long way… as @killingtime mentioned those locations are changed very little other than a change of use.

[TomFoolery]

I had to pack up my music gear to make room for my wfh office, but have been enjoying getting out small focused setups on the weekends, and have been surprisingly productive this way.

This was my setup on the weekend used to make the following release: https://tomfooleryandthefamilyjewellery.bandcamp.com/album/naiad-15082020

[killingtime]

yes , still way down west!

[pipehouse]

The sound of the foghorn made me feel eight years old again, camping down the Lizard, thanks for sharing

[killingtime]

Your welcome, very glad if that brought back some happy memories

[mola]

@zYklen @killingtime Should we just go ahead and start a Lizard-inspired thread? Here’s my contribution: https://mola-recordings.bandcamp.com/track/lizard-point

[Petajaja]

Hah I recently moved to Plymouth! I find the areas around here can be pretty inspiring too, we’ve been exploring the moors a bunch and often feel like I’m in the stone age up there… I love it around here.

[Albit]

some of the setups here are stunning, how good would it be if there was an exhibition where you got to see all these in the flesh somewhere.

[zYklen]

It’s looking that way. Great to know so many people are inspired by the location.

[zYklen]

@Petajaja nice to meet you neighbour. You’re right, Plymouth is surrounded by beautiful countryside and coastline. So many inspirational places to explore.

[youngest_brother]

Looks like a nice set up to me - you need more volumes of Akira, though

[cirrus_oxide]

I did a fun live in-studio performance/collaboration with a video artist last night. I haven’t had to pack gear for a show in months, so this is what I settled on…

[tyleretters]

Alright, I can’t take not knowing anymore. What are the wooden doohickies?