Well, as a friend of 1/3 of the "band" maybe I can clear up a few questions.
quoted 2 lines The burning question is: why would a group named Prototype 909 have a>The burning question is: why would a group named Prototype 909 have a
>picture of a 303 on the cover of their record?
Taylor picked the name "Prototype 909" for the project because he liked the way
it sounded. In fact, he has this computer data base of "cool" words that
generates random combinations. When he gets one he likes he files it away for
future use.
quoted 2 lines Because that's what they use for most of the expressive sounds, and because>Because that's what they use for most of the expressive sounds, and because
>they must have *sold* their 909: It isn't listed in the equipment list.
Actually, to the absolute best of my knowledge and recollection, Taylor has
never owned a 909. He has a Roland R-8 with a 909 card in it, but he didn't
use it in the "Prototype 909" project.
quoted 3 lines If I read the liner notes correctly, this was done entirely using old>If I read the liner notes correctly, this was done entirely using old
>Roland DIN-sync equipment rather than MIDI, which means they limited
>themselves to a few old synths and drum machines.
Yep, and they did it this way on purpose. They just felt like doing it that
way, no particular burning reason. Taylor, Jason, and Dietrich have a slew of
cool old and new gear betwen them, they just felt like using all old non-MIDI
stuff for this project.
quoted 3 lines Unfortunately, it>Unfortunately, it
>shows in the music. Repetitive, acid tweaky sounds and minimal drum
>machines.
Sort of like old 1988 acid house, eh? Taylor really adored the old acid
house stuff, so it is quite fair to say that that is an influence on him.
quoted 3 lines Also, since they were limiting themselves to the built-in sequencers,>Also, since they were limiting themselves to the built-in sequencers,
>the songs don't really go anywhere. It's just boom boom boom around a
>simple idea, build it up for way too long and then fade out.
Well, nothing is MIDI-ed or sequenced on purpose: that's just the way they
felt like doing it. THey made each track by fiddling around with some ideas,
and then hitting "record" on Taylor's DAT deck and jamming for a while (Brian
Behlendorf -- or was it Mike Wertheim? -- and I happened to wander in on one
of those sessions earlier this summer; parts of it were recorded in Taylor's
bedroom). So each track was done live, and is pretty much irrepeatable -- like
jazz is sometimes.
quoted 2 lines I see these guys>I see these guys
>as purists from the German school of musical thought.
Well, I wouldn't go THAT far. Taylor, Jason, and Dietrich are just three
talented guys with lots of gear from Connecticut who decided to make a record
playing by a set of "rules" that included no MIDI, all analogue, etc. They
most certainly have done other stuff, too.
quoted 2 lines BTW: One of the band members, taylor808, posts to Internet frequently. I>BTW: One of the band members, taylor808, posts to Internet frequently. I
>think he's on the Analogue Heaven mailing list. Good stuff, Taylor!
Yes, he's also on the ne-raves mailing list.
Laura