Dad3353

If you're anything like me, the 'didn't make the final cut' bin is very rarely solicited. As proof, and by sheer coincidence, this month's entry is quite literally noise. OK, grey noise, but noise none the less. On the other hand, I might be more likely to be tempted to vote for a 'story without words' from your stable (and I'm more than half deaf, so...). ...

A bit of a shame, that; I was looking forward to hearing that winning composition. We have a Roland D110 that has gone wild, emitting only random sounds. Useless for 'live', but odd snatches can be fun for finding inspiration when the skies are grey.

Here is my contribution to the January 2022 Basschat Composition Challenge, inspired by a picture chosen by the previous winner: SkankDelVar. An audio exercise, capturing (more than...) fifty shades of real Grey Noise, representing the neutrality of The Universe, and literally pitching this beside a Human Condition notion (somewhat dark, maybe...) and a more potentially joyful version, both stemming from a deep cultural heritage going back eons. I'll freely admit, with no apologies, that it's not the most EDM of my stuff, and will not garner many votes, but that's where the picture led me, so... The fundamental key is the genuine grey noise, playing a theme from an operatic piece by Massenet thanks to Sforzanda, flanked on each side by a set of Kontakt voices, to render a human aspect, and another set of Kontakt balafons, to bring a touch of light-hearted optimism, all through Reaper, naturally. Little in the way of Fx; just a liberal sprinkling of reverb, for distance, and delay, for depth. A NY Glue compression polishes it all (all Cockos stuff, bundled with Reaper...). Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy.

Can't live with 'em; can't live without 'em, eh..? Still, seeing the picture for inspiration, a computer might not be necessary. I think it could be matched by recording yourself whistling tunelessly into your 'phone. Just a thought; no need to thank me.

And the winner is... @xgsjx ..! Here, then, is your Winner's Certificate (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ... BC_Chal_Cert_2021_12.pdf ... which looks like this (but bigger, of course..!)...

If I'm composing with samples, either my own or from elsewhere, I'm not noting the date of creation of the samples. The composition is to be of the current month, from either stuff played live for the creation, or from bits'n'pieces from wherever, whenever. Short answer: Yes, you're over-thinking, and well done for doing so. Now get back to the lab and carry on composing. 'We're good', as I think our trans-Atlantic cousins are wont to say (whatever it's supposed to mean...). And it'd better sound good, or you'll get no votes. Hope this helps.

Merry Christmas, season of generosity and goodwill towards all men (and women, naturally...).

Yes, it's eligible, no issues. Carry on, lads...

Here is my contribution to the December 2021 Basschat Composition Challenge, illustrated with a picture chosen by the Master of Ceremonies: Lurksalot. Not a lot to say about this one; it's all in the song. A long-time favourite, it's become sadly more apt and poignant as Life deals out its cards. They're not all aces. I had intended playing the instruments myself, but decided after many attempts that it would not be fair to inflict that upon you all, so I fell back on a choice of Vst's (somewhat limited due to the loss of a 3Tb USB disk...). For the vocal, I couldn't (and still can't...) find my Superlux mic, so had to buy another (Marantz MPM 1000...) which has proved to be very satisfactory. My voice, however, has not. As I said, it's not all aces. Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy, and Merry Christmas to one and all.

And the winner is... @skankdelvar ..! Here, then, is your Winner's Certificate (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ... BC_Chal_Cert_2021_11.pdf ... which looks like this (but bigger, of course..!)...

I use my PC for everything (composition and recording, but also 3D modelling and 3D printing, and more...). I have a refurbished HP8200 (low profile, so limited in choice of video card; I use an NVidia GT710...), an i5 with 12Gb of memory, with Windows 10 Pro for an OS. It does all I ask of it, and is not under-speced. A 120 Gb SSD 'C'-drive helped; next time I'd use a bigger SSD, as I have to manage what goes onto the 'C' drive. I have several USB disks hanging off it, and two NAS drives, just because of the storage needs (I throw little away...). The PC cost about 250€ or so. There are several suppliers of refurbished PC's of the sort. I'm not afraid of the Internet; my PC is always connected, but I've cut off the Windows Updates, as they walked over my drivers. Windows Defender is my Anti-virus, and works well. S'been a very long time since I had any infection at all. I do not 'surf' scabrous sites, of course. Hope this helps.

Here is my contribution to the November 2021 Basschat Composition Challenge, inspired by a picture chosen by the previous winner: Upside Downer. A celestial sculpteur, modelling a new vision for the night sky, after a fashion. Giving a fresh shine on an old, friendly face; somewhat daft, maybe, but with Good Intentions... A jazz-standard feel for the base, upon which various textures have been woven, putting my BIAB Big Band through the mill. I wasn't confident enough to do the recital myself, so Brian T'Web helped out. A bit dry, but I would have done no better, so... Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy...

And the winner is... @upside downer Here, then, is your Winner's Certificate (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ... BC_Chal_Cert_2021_10.pdf ... which looks like this (but bigger, of course..!)...

OK, OK; I'm on the case. We'll see what I can do. (No peace for the wicked, eh..? Still, keeps me fit'n'active, up to a point. Mustn't grumble, and it's good to feel wanted...)