Frequency Freaks Update

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As you may have heard FF HQ has been under renovation since February.  We are in the final phase of that renovation and it is demanding a lot of our time.  We normally only take August off but with live performances starting back up and the state of things at FF HQ the decision was made to extend that this year.  We will be coming back though, and that is a promise!  We don’t yet know if it will be live and in person, or exclusively on YouTube but we will be back.  As a reminder if you have missed any of the workshops over the past 2 years, they are all on our channel eager for you to watch them again (or maybe for the first time)!

Please enjoy the nice summer weather, support your local artists by going to see them play live, stay safe, and make lots of cool music!

Frequency Freaks Workshop – April 2022

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This month we’re focusing on our community of amazing musicians!  

We want to hear from you no matter your level of experience.  We know it takes a lot of courage to record and submit a performance but trust us, once you do, you will want to do it again!  Remember, if you need some help with recording please reach out for help in our FaceBook group or on our Discord server.  There are no silly questions – we want to get you recording and participating!  If you are shy or nervous about showing your face in the video, don’t!  Simply do the classic video of hands playing 🙂

If you are looking for instructions on how to record and upload your performance, please see our Facebook Group or Discord server for instructions and links. To keep up to date with everything going on – including calls for performances and workshop announcements, please join our e-mail list here.

Frequency Freaks Workshop – February 2022

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The workshop begins at 3:00pm Eastern time Saturday, February 12, 2022 on our YouTube channel. Please join us for the Premiere at that time if you can make it, or watch later whenever you do have time!

This month we are continuing our exploration of Micro-sound! Michael Brooker hosts an in-depth interview with thispatcher (Michael Palumbo) discussing his use of Micro-sound in modular synths, MAX, and PureData (pd). Of course we always have time for your home studio performances! Instructions for uploading follow. We are all looking forward to seeing you play!

Upload instructions:

We want to hear from you no matter your level of experience. It might seem like it takes a lot of courage to record and submit a performance but trust us, once you do it, you will want to do it again! Remember, if you need some help with recording please reach out for help in our FaceBook group or on our Discord server. There are no silly questions – we want to get you recording and participating! If you are shy or nervous about showing your face in the video, don’t! Simply do the classic video of hands playing 🙂

Make your recording

  • Mobile phone video is great, mobile phone audio is not. 
  • Record in your DAW at the same time as you record your video. If you are in a place where you have to use headphones, try taking the Tape Out from your mixer as line input to your camera.
  • Make any EQ or compression tweaks to the audio in your DAW and then export it. Don’t chop the audio up otherwise the next part may not work so well.
  • Open a video editor – most of them should let you do the next steps.
  • Import the video from your phone or whatever camera you used
  • Import the audio that you exported from your DAW
  • Most video editors should let you use the embedded audio in the video from your phone to line up the audio you exported from your DAW. If you can’t do this simply line up the audio manually – nobody will mind if it is a little off – most of the time we won’t be able to tell anyway!
  • Disable the audio track that was embedded in the video.  (sometimes this is done for you)
  • Export the videoWhen you are ready to submit:Name the file: PerformanceName_Firstname_Lastname_FF_February_2022.mp4

IMPORTANT NOTE – performances submitted without the verifiable real name of the performer will not be included in the workshop video

Also important – by uploading a video to the location below, you are agreeing that Frequency Freaks can publish your video on our YouTube channel either as part of a workshop, as a stand alone video, or both.

.mp4 and .mov are preferred before midnight February 9th.

Include links to your bandcamp page / youtube channel / soundcloud / web page in a separate text file that has the same name but ends with .txt and we will include those links in the video description.

Please join us in our Facebook group (linked above) or on our Discord server to get the link to upload. To get access to our Discord server please send a note via the Contact Us page.

January 2022 Frequency Freaks Workshop

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Happy New Year!   We hope this note finds you well, and if it doesn’t we hope it lifts your spirits and that the workshop provides inspiration to get you through!

This time our focus is on Micro Sound & Granular Synthesis!  We have a really interesting panel discussion with Michael Brooker, thispatcher (Michael Palumbo), Intrepita (Paul Stillwell) and some additional special guests!  Of course we are always interested in performance videos from you as well!  You will receive a bounty of karma bonus points if you use some micro sounds or granular synthesis  in your performance but it isn’t a requirement!  Please join us for the event as it premieres on YouTube so you can participate in the live chat.  Instructions for sending in your performance videos are below.

Upload instructions:

We want to hear from you no matter your level of experience.  It might seem like it takes a lot of courage to record and submit a performance but trust us, once you do it, you will want to do it again!  Remember, if you need some help with recording please reach out for help in our FaceBook group or on our Discord server.  There are no silly questions – we want to get you recording and participating!

Make your recording

  • Mobile phone video is great, mobile phone audio is not. 
  • Record in your DAW at the same time as you record your video.
    • If you are in a place where you have to use headphones, try taking the Tape Out from your mixer as line input to your camera.
  • Make any EQ or compression tweaks to the audio and then export it.
    • Don’t chop the audio up otherwise the next part may not work so well
  • Open a video editor – most of them should let you do the next steps.
  • Import the video from your phone or whatever camera you used
  • Import the audio that you exported from your DAW
  • Most video editors should let you use the embedded audio in the video from your phone to line up the audio you exported from your DAW.
    • If you can’t do this simply line up the audio manually – nobody will mind if it is a little off – most of the time we won’t be able to tell anyway!
  • Disable the audio track that was embedded in the video.  (sometimes this is done for you)
  • Export the video

When you are ready to submit:

  • Name the file:
    • PerformanceName_Firstname_Lastname_FF_January_2022.mp4
    • IMPORTANT NOTE – performances submitted without the verifiable real name of the performer will not be included in the workshop video
    • .mp4 and .mov are preferred
  • Reach out to us using the contact form so you can upload your performance before Midnight, January 20th.
    • This is a dropbox link
  • Include links to your bandcamp page / youtube channel / soundcloud / web page in a separate text file that has the same name but ends with .txt

November 2021 Workshop

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We hope you’re enjoying the fall weather and scenery, and, as usual, we are making an open call for performance videos from our community members to showcase on our FF stream on Saturday Nov 13. We welcome videos you’ve recorded in the past few months at gigs or at home, or something specifically made for FF. In addition to performances/jams, we welcome videos of studio tours, module/synth tutorials, tips and techniques, DIY/design projects you’re working on, and anything else you’d like to share relating to synths and modular.

This month, we’re offering an optional theme/challenge for your patching: showcase your least popular/most obscure module! Do you have a novelty or obscure module from Etsy, Synthcube, or a designer no one really knows about that you’d like to show off? Or a module (or two) you don’t reach for very often that might take you out of your modular comfort zone and inspire a different approach to patching? Show us those unheralded gems you have amidst the Mathsssss and Pamsssss. And if you prefer to share a “regular” jam, we’d love that too!

For instructions and a link for uploading your video please join our Facebook Group or our Discord server.

October 2021 Workshop

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I must apologize for September’s workshop.  FF HQ is going through some upheaval as we spent August looking for and buying a new house and September preparing and selling the current one. Time completely got away from me and before I knew it, the date for September’s workshop had passed.  Again, my apologies for this and I hope you are all doing well!

For October’s workshop – lets focus on home studio or live performances (if you have been able to get out and play).  Perhaps you made a video of yourself performing in a park, I know some of you have performed in pubs or other venues.  Maybe you are like so many who continue to stay away from those gathering places.  Doesn’t matter where you were, if you have a video performance you’ve recorded anytime over the past 3 or 4 months we’d love to help share it with the community!

November is still up in the air as far as whether or not a workshop will happen.  The normal date would find us right in the middle of our move to the new location.  I will do a much better job of letting you know soon!

Upload instructions:

We want to hear from you no matter your level of experience.  It might seem like it takes a lot of courage to record and submit a performance but trust us, once you do it, you will want to do it again!  Remember, if you need some help with recording please reach out for help in our FaceBook group or on our Discord server.  There are no silly questions – we want to get you recording and participating!

Make your recording

  • Mobile phone video is great, mobile phone audio is not. 
  • Record in your DAW at the same time as you record your video.
    • If you are in a place where you have to use headphones, try taking the Tape Out from your mixer as line input to your camera.
  • Make any EQ or compression tweaks to the audio and then export it.
    • Don’t chop the audio up otherwise the next part may not work so well
  • Open a video editor – most of them should let you do the next steps.
  • Import the video from your phone or whatever camera you used
  • Import the audio that you exported from your DAW
  • Most video editors should let you use the embedded audio in the video from your phone to line up the audio you exported from your DAW.
    • If you can’t do this simply line up the audio manually – nobody will mind if it is a little off – most of the time we won’t be able to tell anyway!
  • Disable the audio track that was embedded in the video.  (sometimes this is done for you)
  • Export the video

When you are ready to submit:

  • Name the file:
    • PerformanceName_Firstname_Lastname_FF_October_2021.mp4
    • IMPORTANT NOTE – performances submitted without the verifiable real name of the performer will not be included in the workshop video
    • .mp4 and .mov are preferred
  • Upload the file here before midnight October 11th.
    • This is a dropbox link
  • Include links to your bandcamp page / youtube channel / soundcloud / web page in a separate text file that has the same name but ends with .txt

Thanks!

July 2021 Workshop

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This month Heidi Chan (Bachelard) spends some time with Lily (Calytrix) from New York City, Pablo Perez from Los Angeles, Cayce (Autotectonic) from Toronto, and Sofie (Sonja & Biblioteka Records) from Toronto digging into the fascinating and often misunderstood genre of music called noise.  As usual, we also need YOUR performance 🙂  Just because the panel discussion is on Noise – doesn’t mean your performance has to be – but why not try it?  You might like it!

We want to hear from you no matter your level of experience.  It might seem like it takes a lot of courage to record and submit a performance but trust us, once you do it, you will want to do it again!  Remember, if you need some help with recording please reach out for help in our FaceBook group or on our Discord server.  There are no silly questions – we want to get you recording and participating!

Make your recording

  • Mobile phone video is great, mobile phone audio is not. 
  • Record in your DAW at the same time as you record your video.
    • If you are in a place where you have to use headphones, try taking the Tape Out from your mixer as line input to your camera.
  • Make any EQ or compression tweaks to the audio and then export it.
    • Don’t chop the audio up otherwise the next part may not work so well
  • Open a video editor – most of them should let you do the next steps.
  • Import the video from your phone or gopro or whatever camera you used
  • Import the audio that you exported from your DAW
  • Most video editors should let you use the embedded audio in the video from your phone to line up the audio you exported from your DAW.
    • If you can’t do this simply line up the audio manually – nobody will mind if it is a little off – most of the time we won’t be able to tell anyway!
  • Disable the audio track that was embedded in the video.  (sometimes this is done for you)
  • Export the video

When you are ready to submit:

  • Name the file:
    • PerformanceName_Firstname_Lastname_FF_July_2021.mp4
    • IMPORTANT NOTE – performances submitted without the verifiable real name of the performer will not be included in the workshop video
    • .mp4 and .mov are preferred
  • Upload the file before midnight July 15th.
  • Include links to your bandcamp page / youtube channel / soundcloud / web page in a separate text file that has the same name but ends with .txt
  • To obtain an invitation to our Discord server please send a message via the Contact Page.

Workshop June 2021

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Please join us at 3pm on June 12 for the YouTube Premiere of this month’s workshop featuring another interview in the series of Portraits of Our Community, this time with Michael Palumbo. We also feature some very cool performances from Michael Palumbo (thispatcher), Michael White, Les Hartai and Scott Lepore, Scott M2 and Stefan Powell with his amazing Electroduochord.

Don’t forget we still have FF Blank Panels and other FF Merch!

Michael Palumbo

https://thispatcher.bandcamp.com/

https://www.palumbomichael.com/exit-points

Michael White

https://mwtoronto.bandcamp.com/

https://modular-station.com/modulisme/session/44/

Scott Lepore

https://soundcloud.com/ahonoe

Scott M2

https://dreamstate.bandcamp.com

https://www.youtube.com/c/dreamSTATEmusic

https://soundcloud.com/scottm2

https://www.dreamstate.to

Stefan Powell – New Album!

https://stefanpowell.bandcamp.com/

June Call for Performances

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Hope you are keeping safe and doing ok.  One thing that really makes our workshops is performances by members of our little community.  We want to hear from you no matter your level of experience.  It takes a lot of courage to record one of these but trust us, once you do it, you will want to do it again!  Remember, if you need some help with recording please reach out for help in our FaceBook group or on our Discord server.  There are no silly questions – we want to get you recording and participating!

Make your recording

  • Mobile phone video is great, mobile phone audio is not. 
  • Record in your DAW at the same time as you record your video.
  • Make any EQ or compression tweaks to the audio and then export it.
    • Don’t chop the audio up otherwise the next part may not work so well
  • Open a video editor – most of them should let you do the next steps.
  • Import the video from your phone or gopro or whatever camera you used
  • Import the audio that you exported from your DAW
  • Most video editors should let you use the embedded audio in the video from your phone to line up the audio you exported from your DAW.
    • If you can’t do this simply line up the audio manually – nobody will mind if it is a little off – most of the time we won’t be able to tell anyway!
  • Disable the audio track that was embedded in the video.  (sometimes this is done for you)
  • Export the video

When you are ready to submit:

  • Name the file:
    • PerformanceName_Firstname_Lastname_FF_March_2021.mp4
    • IMPORTANT NOTE – performances submitted without the verifiable real name of the performer will not be included in the workshop video
    • .mp4 and .mov are preferred
  • Upload the file before midnight June 7th.
    • You can get the dropbox link by introducing yourself through our contact form.
  • Include links to your bandcamp page / youtube channel / soundcloud / web page in a separate text file that has the same name but ends with .txt

April 2021 Call for Performances!

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We hope you are keeping well as these strange times continue.  One thing that really makes our workshops is performances by members of our little community.  We want to hear from you no matter your level of experience.  It can take a lot of pluck and courage to record one of these but trust us, once you do it, you will want to do it again!  Remember, if you need some help with recording please reach out for help in our FaceBook group or on our Discord server.  There are no silly questions – we want to get you recording and participating!

Make your recording

  • Mobile phone video is great, mobile phone audio is not. 
  • Record in your DAW at the same time as you record your video.
  • Make any EQ or compression tweaks to the audio and then export it.
    • Don’t chop the audio up otherwise the next part may not work so well
  • Open a video editor – most of them should let you do the next steps.
  • Import the video from your phone or gopro or whatever camera you used
  • Import the audio that you exported from your DAW
  • Most video editors should let you use the embedded audio in the video from your phone to line up the audio you exported from your DAW.
    • If you can’t do this simply line up the audio manually – nobody will mind if it is a little off – most of the time we won’t be able to tell anyway!
  • Disable the audio track that was embedded in the video.  (sometimes this is done for you)
  • Export the video

When you are ready to submit:

  • Name the file:
    • PerformanceName_Firstname_Lastname_FF_March_2021.mp4
    • IMPORTANT NOTE – performances submitted without the verifiable real name of the performer will not be included in the workshop video
    • .mp4 and .mov are preferred
  • Contact us to get the link to upload. Deadline for uploads is noon (Toronto time) on April 6th.
  • Include links to your bandcamp page / youtube channel / soundcloud / web page in a separate text file that has the same name but ends with .txt