Breakz Newz

For once, though, you can sample legally. Creative Commons' ccMixter project is encouraging composers and remixers to employ interview samples from George Clinton -- and Chuck D (Public Enemy), De La Soul, DJ Qbert, Matmos, Coldcut, and Negativland -- in music submissions to a contest. The interviews come from Copyright Criminals, a new documentary on sampling and legality. The winners get their music on a CD distributed with the film, with the top choice on the documentary's DVD. In addition to adding George Clinton and Chuck D to the mix, the contest's organizers have extended the deadline to March 14, so you've got time -- get (re)mixing!

Creative Commons Copyright Criminals Remix Contest [ccMixter]

Step Away From the Sampler: Court rules all digital sampling illegal and the record industry objects — but you still have options [January 2020 Keyboard Magazine -- I wrote this story, though it's curiously missing my byline.].

This Mac tool, newly available for OS X with an expanded feature set, is a unique way of exploring pitch and chords. If you know nothing about theory, you could use it to adventure through pitches in new ways, just by fiddling with your guitar. If you are into theory, you can get deep into harmonic relationships and creating your own custom guitar tunings. As a composer who's struggled a bit with guitar tunings as a non-guitarist, it has yet another dimension.

Bio Rhythms v1 Evaluation (via SteamSHIFT)

The whole thing is built in Max/MSP: plug in a sensor, and play. And yes, this is yet another example of why Max is a compelling tool for translating data from sensors into sound and imagery. It's music with heart.