[HARDKORNATE]

I was thinking that it would be really cool to have a special stage set up at festivals that would be the techno equivilant of a drum circle.

Heres how I would implement it…

We would need a decent console mixer with lots of channels. Something with many different types of inputs would be ideal. A versatile effects loop would also be killer. It would also be very helpful if we had some sort of device that would allow us to easily sync up everyones gear to a master tempo. I think most modern mixers output a midi signal, but there might be issues with the length of the signal chain if we just daisy chained everything. Also, some gear is lame and only has an input/output and no midi thru. Something with multiple outs would be great.

We would have several folding tables set up in a U shape with a smaller table in the middle. Put the mster mixer in the middle and set it up so people can just bring their favorite toy down to the tent, plug into the mixer and configure their gear to slave to the master tempo and be good to go. Various volunteers would take turns being the guy in charge of monitering what people are outputting and mixing it in to make it sound good. I figure one guy would control levels and the various options on the console and another could take charge of feeding peoples sounds to the effects loop and tweaking the effects.

I think this kind of thing would go over extremely well since a very high percentage of people that still go to events are involved in the making of music. I know that I spend a good deal of time at outdoor festivals wishing I could be collaborating with the people I am meeting instead of having it be a “one guy at a time” thing. It would also help pass those LONG daytimehours when its too hot to do anything but walk in a circle drinking beer and going on pointless quests to pass the time tillyou can get your groove on.

[damon]

I was thinking that it would be really cool to have a special stage set up at festivals that would be the techno equivilant of a drum circle.

I hope You are aware that many of those drum circle members are kinda weak musicians?  ;D ;D ;D

PS. Don't get me wrong (I've explained my point of view on old Chilluminati's board) – Juno Reactor's “Conga Fury” is my ideal track  ;D ;D ;D ;D

[HARDKORNATE]

I hope You are aware that many of those drum circle members are kinda weak musicians?  ;D ;D ;D

Thats why we wouldn't provide mic's for them. Just hook ups for anyone who wanted to bring a peice of gear and jam with others in the shade instead of wandering aimlessley till the sun goes down.

I've seen people do this on a small scale and it works. Each person contributes one instrument and one guy decides when to bring in the loop that each person is providing. If you can't make your stuff fit what everyone else is doing, you stay muted until you get with the program.

[damon]

I've seen people do this on a small scale and it works. Each person contributes one instrument and one guy decides when to bring in the loop that each person is providing. If you can't make your stuff fit what everyone else is doing, you stay muted until you get with the program.

We need MUTE men for those drummers  ;D ;D ;D

PS. Interesting idea 🙂 i think Jeff posted info about kinda similar project that took place couple months ago in hmmm southern IL?

[HARDKORNATE]

Honestly, I think it's rather odd that with the extreme saturation level we have of musicly involved people in the scene that this isn't a standard thing at festivals. Almost everyone I know owns at least one peice of gear and I know for a fact that after the first night, all the music people wish they were makin tunes when the sun comes up.

[damon]

Honestly, I think it's rather odd that with the extreme saturation level we have of musicly involved people in the scene that this isn't a standard thing at festivals. Almost everyone I know owns at least one peice of gear and I know for a fact that after the first night, all the music people wish they were makin tunes when the sun comes up.

I have a drumm  ;D

[HARDKORNATE]

Sell it and get a drum machine.

[Eklypz]

Don't do that unless you can plug it into the middle of sandbar that you waded out to in a river.

[HARDKORNATE]

I think roland is making one with that capability soon.

[damon]

;D ;D ;D ;D

I can't sell it – it was my b-day gift  ;D

[Eklypz]

;D ;D ;D ;D

I can't sell it – it was my b-day gift  ;D

I will take it, been wanting to try my hand at drumming 😛

[damon]

;D ;D ;D ;D

I can't sell it – it was my b-day gift  ;D

I will take it, been wanting to try my hand at drumming 😛

I do not think I can give it away either  ;D

[DarkLight]

;D ;D ;D ;D

I can't sell it – it was my b-day gift  ;D

I will take it, been wanting to try my hand at drumming 😛

I do not think I can give it away either  ;D

Hmm, I think Jeffz really meant that he was going to TAKE it..  😉

But anyway, this thread is awesome.

As a matter of fact, last night I just had a similar idea and planned on posting it today, until I saw this of course.  =)

To expand with you though, here's what I envision..  Instead of worrying SO much about electrifying bongos, we should just publically encourage people to bring them and other self-sustaining instruments like even accoustic guitars, shakers, clickers, noisemakers, etc. 

We could then schedule for a 'DrumJam' time, where everyone who wants to be included will meet,(& beat) at.  Like you said, H.K.N. – people definitely would appreciate something to do during the daytime hours of a weekend-long event, etc.  This would be a perfect 'filler' activity for anyone to become involved in and have fun with.  We can even feature the Drum Jam on flyers so people know it's something organized.

I still really love the idea of magnifying the circle's sound, but we don't have to get too technical and /overdo/ it..  I say we just schedule a circle near a single amplified mic,(that's all we need, right?) and crank that sucka  =)  I also agree that it would be great to have ONE rhythm machine split into the main PA so that we can keep our songs going with less interruption and/or momentum loss due to those 'musically challenged' individuals.

Can't wait to jam!

[Eklypz]

I also agree that it would be great to have ONE rhythm machine split into the main PA so that we can keep our songs going with less interruption and/or momentum loss due to those 'musically challenged' individuals.

I can press the button on the rhythm machine!  I am one of those challenged people but really want some kinda cool tribal toy thing to do like everyone else 🙁

[damon]

I can press the button on the rhythm machine!  I am one of those challenged people but really want some kinda cool tribal toy thing to do like everyone else 🙁

I think aboriginal Bullroarer would be perfect for You (if You are not scared of their religion)  ;D ;D ;D

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