The Lab - Tech section

The Lab is the place where we write music. It is our inner sanctum wherein we lock ourselves away for days at a time. While the wind blows and the dreary Tacoma rain pours down, The Lab is the place you'll find ALTAiR.

This section also contains technical information - hard-to-find stuff everyone should have access to.

The Arsenal

Tech Section

The Arsenal

[Old Computers] - None of us have top-notch machines. It is not necessary to have the newest computer to do quality music. Like anything else, it's not WHAT you use, but HOW you use it. In fact, Erik recorded the first album using a 486-66mhz with 64 megs of ram.

--Software--

Modplug - An awesome piece of programming! Does everything you can do with expensive software, and it's free.
Fruityloops - A silly name, but the program works pretty good. Although it's a little bulky, the ts404 kicks ass. Not as much fine control of sounds as Modplug.
Impulse Tracker - Probably the best DOS music program out there. Looks good, works great. Even runs under Windows without problems. (usually)

	Korg 707
	This little-known synth is a real treasure. While it may look like a kid's keyboard, the Korg name indicates that it is a professional device. The 707 is actually what is called a "performing" keyboard, as it has guitar strap connectors and is designed to be played while being held like a guitar.

B.C. Rich Warlock

One of the coolest looking guitars ever. Used extensively in "With Inhuman Vigor" by Erik.

Siel DK80

A great "vintage" synthesizer, incredibly difficult to find. Good solid construction. I hear you can get better sounds out of it if you open it and connect potentiomenters(knobs) to certain parts of the circuit, used instead of the menu's digital control. Eventually I'll try it and put up whatever info I can here.

[Piles and piles of electronics] - Yup, we've got a lot of stuff here in The Lab. Some is old, some is new, but it all works just the same. The best way to get yourself in the mood for electronic music is to surround yourself with electronics. It's even better to know how to use it all!

Ruger GP100 .357

For those really tough jobs, sometimes the sound of synth just isn't enough.

Tech Section

This section contains Erik's collected information of obscure and hard-to-find things. Always on a quest for knowledge, he will be adding stuff here as it is acquired.
Note: Some of these items link to outside this site [OL]. For that reason, everything will open a new window. Turn off your popup blocker.

Computers

How to control a bunch of stuff from your computer [OL]

Parallel port pinout

Electronics

Hacking the Dakota "Single-use" digital camera [OL]

Real Tricorders! [OL]

Some info on Parallel port A/D circuits [OL]

More info on Parallel port A/D circuits [OL]

Useful info on the RadioShack 490-0535 keyswitch

A sequential light circuit using my favorite IC: the 4017 decade counter.

A circuit for multiplexing 8 12-bit analog channels on the Parallel port

Another 8 channel 12-bit analog circuit (much simpler)

Science (and Pseudo-science)

The schematic for the "Rife Machine" (pdf)

The tube design for the the Rife Machine (pdf)

A picture of a Rife Machine

Religion

A very interesting document regarding possible translational errors in the Bible

B.C. Rich Warlock
One of the coolest looking guitars ever. Used extensively in "With Inhuman Vigor" by Erik.

	Siel DK80
	A great "vintage" synthesizer, incredibly difficult to find. Good solid construction. I hear you can get better sounds out of it if you open it and connect potentiomenters(knobs) to certain parts of the circuit, used instead of the menu's digital control. Eventually I'll try it and put up whatever info I can here.

	Ruger GP100 .357
	For those really tough jobs, sometimes the sound of synth just isn't enough.