Tim's MP3's

Did you ever wonder what all these unusual Atari programs sound like in action? Now is your chance by checking out these MP3's. These were all created in my humble "Blue Mountain Studio's". Thanks also go to the CN -Fractal Music group for hosting these MP3's on their CN-Fractal Warehouse page.

To hear what other members are doing go here:
http://www.artsong.org/cnf/

2.AquaTwins: Seed file created on Quaderno by Diego P. Additional parts by Tim Conrardy. Mixed by Tim Conrardy. Created 2/27/02 6Megs
aquatwins2.mp3

3.Entropica By Tim Conrardy. Created with AEX : Intelligent analog sequencer simulator. Atari Falcon version. (by Dr Ambient) Piano, strings, pads added. The lead sound near the end is a DX7 using the patch "yesbunk". Kit part added by hand. Prophet 2000 used for ethnic percussion.(being played by AEX) Created 2-15-02 5106K
entropica.mp3

4.Dark Jungle: Tim Conrardy and Phil Jackson. Seed file created by Phil Jackson using ArtSong. Additional parts and jungle sounds by Tim Conrardy. Mixed by Tim Conrardy. Created 2/25/02 4326K
dark_jungle.mp3

5.Far Horizen By Tim Conrardy Applications used: MIDI GEN (Atari) for main body. Music Mouse by Laurie Spiegel. (Atari version) Flute SoundFonts. XD5 percussion module. DX7. Prophet 2000 for ethnic percussion and strings samples. Composed 2/12/2002 4956K
farhorizen.mp3

6.Goreth: Algorithmics: AEX. Real time patch changes Also uses the Falcon Softsynth ACE. 5-6-02 3840K
gorath.mp3

7.Green World Collaberation between Phil Jackson and Tim Conrardy. Seed File by Phil Jackson created in Art Song. Mixed and edited with additional tracks by Tim Conrardy. DX7 : leads and pan-pipes. Vocal and flute beds: SoundFonts. Atmospheric sounds: K1M. Created on 2-17-02 3426K
greenworld.mp3

8.Perfect Storm. Tim Conrardy . Algorithmics:Example of KOAN. DX7: Epiano and storm thunder Korg X5DR: Sax and Pad Space Guitar (played by Tim) 3920K
pefectstorm.mp3

9.SkyWay. Uses ECows MIDI Arpegiator in algorithmic mode. DX7 :Bass and space ship effects. Prophet 2000 for pads. Kawai XD5 for percussion. Space Guitar. Performed by Tim Conrardy 5048K
sky_way.mp3

10.Time Space: Digital Audio experiements with Recorded Music Mouse patterns processed in Wave-Lab and Audio-Mulch and played back in real-time to tape. Microtonal effects with DX7 in 1/4 scale Atari Falcon Softsynth ACE used throughout. Effects and sounds from Korg X5DR module and Kawai K1M. Vocal sounds from Prophet 2000 5-7-02 7156K
timespace.mp3

11.Spheris. By Tim Conrardy Created with the algorithmic program called " M "as main background, playing a Kawai XD5 module. Each note was assigned a different sound, thus the many textures. Music Mouse By Laurie Spiegel was used as well as KeyKit by Tim Thompson. M and Music Mouse are Atari applications. Key Kit was run on a PC. Live playing (chords) was also used. Created on Feb.11th, 2002 4782K
spheris.mp3

12. M42: Koan, KeyKit and Tunesmith used. Tabla, Kit percussion, DX7 and Space Guitar parts put in by hand.
m42.mp3

13. Hammers: Algorithmics: MIDI Square by David Snow: An Alternate Mouse Controller. Guitar sounds played by hand on a MIDI keyboard. It is NOT a real guitar! My Jan Hammer imitation. 1784K
hammers.mp3

14. Sunwillow :2942K Orchestration and all instruments by Tim Conrardy 9-8-02
Sunwillow

15.Trance: 2258K Created with Fractal Music Composer by Hugh McDowell. 10-7-02
Trance

16.Tribal Union 4704K Example of Autobusk by Clarence Barlow. Irish Flute added. 6-4-03
Tribal Union

17. Contact 6390K Created with Matucan's ISEQ Grid sequencer. Audio Mulch and Crusher X. Music Mouse ( Laurie Spiegel) sprinklings as well.
Contact

18. Feeling Everything 3778K Algorthmics: Midi grid recorded into Cubase. Computer voyce: Atari! ( an Atari program that outputs a computer voice to whatever you type.) Space Guitar 5-15-03
Feeling Everything

19. Castle Sky 4192K Algorithmics: KeyKit, ( PC) Tunesmith, Music Mouse ( Atari) Guitar and atmospheric bass added. Music Mouse does the bass! 3-21-03
Castle Sky

20.Purple Avenue 5224K Algorithmics: Charming Chaos. ( Atari platform) Recorded on Cubase. Guitar added. 2-19-03
Purple Avenue

21.Pulsar2 4633K Created with PULSAR in algorithmic Mode 10/21/02
Pulsar2

22. Anduin 6490K Algorithmics: AEX . CS5 analog leads. A good example of AEX in action.Created 2/4/03
Anduin

23. Lunarbell2 6922K Uses the delay lama plugin. Prophet 2000 apegiator created 1/22/03
Lunarbell2

24. Orion 6806K Algorithmics: AEX tangerine dream machine. Live playing to generated playing. Created 3/2/03
Orion

25.Rocky Road 5008K Attempt to create a "Techno-Dance commercial" piece. Uses Tunesmith( Atari)synced to Rebirth( PC)Guitar and Vocal Soundfonts added. Created 4-27-03
Rocky Road

26.Velvet Spaceace 2962K Algorithmics: Tunesmith, Music Mouse. Uses ACE softsynth running on an Atari Falcon as sound source exclusivly.An ACE demo.
Velvet Spaceace

27.Elbereth. 3768K Algorithmics: Pulsar by Neil Wakeling. Uses several softsynths: Synth 1 which is the MIDI Guitar lead. Crystal doing bass( from Pulsar) DX7 rhrodes and K1 Strings.
Elbereth

28. Dark Nebula 4044K Algorithmics: Tunesmith. Softsynths: Crystal, Moog Modular, Cube,Obersynth . This is all done on MIDI guitar playing the softsynths along with Tunesmith. Tunesmith also does all the percusion.7-23-03
Dark Nebula

29. Totem2. 7376K Inspired by Klaus Shultze's Totem piece. Uses ARP odysee and EMS VS3 VST plugins. DX7 and U-20 as well as Cs5 used for melody and shapes. Algorithmics: Arp Odysee ( sample hold rythm) and Tunesmith. 7-16-03
Totem2

30.Tribal Union 4704K . Example of Autobusk by Clarence Barlow. Irish Flute added. 6-4-03
Tribal Union

Usually I begin by fiddling around with a generative program: Tunesmith, Fractal Music Composer, M, KeyKit or whatever. Once I get something I like, I record directly into a track on my computer sequencer ( Cubase on Atari)I actually play the generative program live while it is recording into cubase, so it changes all the time and sometimes subtly. Once I get it into cubase, I start experimenting with creating layers and choosing sounds on my various hardware and softsynths.

Then I decide what "live " tracks are needed. Sometimes I put in a bass line, a melody line or percussion. Once i get everything set into the sequencer, I make sure my "layers" are good. I usually like to assign various instruments to different MIDI channels, then pan to different locations in the stereo field.

Then the fun part starts. I push play on the sequencer and record to two tracks (Stereo) on my 4 track porta 1 cassette recorder. I mix and "play" the mixer board in real time, moving instruments in and out as I go. Sometimes I even play one of my keyboards in realtime as well. A recording engineer would wince:-)

Once the sequencer parts are recorded, I have two more tracks to work with. I can add acoustic stuff like Guitar, another synth pad or effects, or percussion or even irish flute!

Once all 4 tracks are completed, I mix to SoundForge on my PC. Sometimes I add other instruments on the fly at the same time while I am mixing down.

Once I get it to wave file, I trim the beginnings and ends with fad in and out commands. Do some EQ and hiss removal and add some light chorusing as the piece demands. Then create an MP3 out of it with Music match and its ready for the web.

As far as time, I usually do all of this in one day. Sometimes I go back to it, but most of the time, I do it all at once to keep the momentum going.

This is what I have, mostly comprising of Budget synths and stuff collected over the years. A lot of the Atari systems were given to me, and I also gave some away to fellow friends and musicians.

Computers:

Atari 1040Ste 4M RAM with Toad 800M HD. Twin Atari Monitors with switcher
Falcon 030 16M RAM 80M HD 19" VGA Monitor: Rack Mounted
TT030 with 8M RAM 780M HD 19" Atari Monitor (1280x960)
520ST 1M RAM , no HD : Atari Color Monitor :Back up(and used for games)
1040STf 2M RAM, no HD : Backup

PC
2.3 GMhz with 256M Ram 40G HD,17" Monitor.Soundblaster Live.

MIDI Equipment and Synths

Yamaha DX7s (mark II Mono version) Main Controller
Yamaha DX7 (mark I: and burned from a fire)
Yamaha Tx7, TQ5, FB01,TX1P (Piano Module) TX81Z,
RX11 (Drum machine), DD5 and DD50 (drum controllers)
Yamaha CS5 Analog synth (slightly burned from the fire)
Yamaha PSR 510 (GM keyboard)Used as controller for PC.
Roland MT32
Kawia K1M
EMU Sound Engine
Ensoniq Mirage DSK
Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000 Sampling keyboard
Roland U20
Suzuki SX-500 (Analog-digital hybrid)
Casi0 SK1/ SK5
Casio SA=20
EML 200 Analog synth (The old style; you use patch cords!)
Casio DG-20 MIDI Guitar Controller

On the PC,(2 GHz, 256M Ram) I run various softsynths which include Synth1, Crystal, Moog modular, Gigastudio, Phadiz, and hundreds of other freely available softsynths.All of this controlled thru Cubase on the Atari. I also run various algorithmic apps such as Tim Thompsons KeyKit.

All of this going into a Korg KMX122 Line submixer, a Tascam M-512 Master mixer
Digitec 128Plus effects, Boss RRV10 Effects, Sony SEH-V5 10 band Graphic Equalizer(found on the Street!)and Fender M-80 pre-amp for guitar.
Tascam Porta 02 4 track cassette.
I record everything to the 4 track and mix down to PC using Sound Forge, then burn to CD or create MP3's with Music Match.

For an article on my studio and methods go here:
An Atari-MIDI Studio

Copyright © 2003 Tim Conrardy