I really should have filled this in before now as the experience was worthy of documentation.The session at Radio Newcastle went pear-shaped very quickly and it was only through luck on my part and professionalism on their part that we got through the experience relatively intact.
I was on-air to promote the forthcoming SynthFest event, which is all about synthesisers and DIY music. I decided to take some kit along to give the listeners a demo of what we were all about. I’d recorded a thirty second backing track on my MacBook and had a small, hand-built DIY step sequencer to illustrate the DIY process.
The first problem - the studio staff weren’t fully prepared for the amount of stuff I’d brought with me. We agreed to leave most of it disconnected.
The second problem was the killer though - the Mac Book died two minutes before going on air.
On the point of giving up, I set the JD800 synth down on a spare table and left the ARP Odyssey propped up against a wall.
With little or no time to relax, the interview began… and it all went very well indeed. I was able to demo the step sequencer, then give the presenter (Jonathan Miles) a go on the synth, which he seemed to enjoy.
Back home, I reset the Mac Book with the traditional three-fingered salute and it’s worked normally ever since.
The moral of the tale is this : simplicity is it’s own reward. Do not over complicate matters and if a piece of kit isn’t 100% necessary then leave it at home.
Right now, I’m coping with a nasty little bladder infection and therefore not in the best possible frame of mind right now. I have a course of little white pills from the Doctor and they’re working well, and I expect to be my usual charming self in a few days time. Meanwhile, apologies if I am a right arse. It’s not deliberate just a result of my body no fully cooperating with the master plan.
- January 26
- , 2011
