music

MIDI files

In addition to making my own music with the computer and the TASCAM, it's a hobby of mine to sequence some covers.

So far I have finished three classic Genesis tunes:

Seven Stones, Watcher of the Skies, and The Colony of Slippermen.

I have included all three in a downloadable ZIP file (33k).

Two warnings:

1) Unlike most MIDI files on the 'net, there are no vocal melodies on any of these. I got into this hobby mostly as a means for people to help each other learn the instrument parts to these tunes. Besides, sequenced vocals always sound kind of dumb to me.

2) These files use the XG spec, so if they sound like crap in General MIDI or GS I apologize.

personal bio (the musical part, anyway)

I play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards seriously, while dabbling with banjo, mandolin, and flute.

I enjoy playing producer/engineer as well, both for my own groups and others.

My favorite music is '70s progressive, though my tastes are diverse and include folk, electronic, jazz, and a little metal.

phono cartridge alignment template

Yes, I'm still a sucker for vinyl.

If you are too, why not see what's happening in the Vinyl Asylum?

I have updated my alignment template yet again. I lowered everything to give more sight line length, moved the scale ruler down out of the way, and titled it and added my info.

I once used a two point without a sight line - rotate, tweak the arm length, go back and forth. But the arm length, overhang, and offset angle are all derivations of each other (check out the patents and Baerwald's and Loefgren's equations). Once you know what null points you want (assuming Baerwald for this template), the sight line rotates based on your spindle-to pivot length, automatically giving you the correct overhang and offset.

I know there are a lot of free templates floating around, but I really am happy with/proud of this one.

Enjoy!

PS: I have recently become intrigued by the different alignment system suggested by Pro-Ject. I have made a similar template using their points. NB: this is not Baerwald alignment.

It's been a long dry spell. My last project was writing and recording new original music with ex-Stitch bassist Pete Gossett and ex-Iconoclast guitarist Mark Smart.

A Fathers' Day present gone too far

There was once a website for this group; the host pulled it. One of us has yet to get something back up. This group was metal meets prog meets four part vocal harmony - pretty cool if I do say so myself.

Straight slammin' rock 'n' roll; no website to date

I co-founded this prog band with Chris Wellner in 1990; it lasted until 1997.

Longtime friend and former bandmate Mark Smart has started The Iconoclast Archive.

Below you'll find pics of me on the drums at two outdoor festivals back in the day.

Chord Namer Font

Here is a little TrueType font I created.

I made it because I couldn't find any one musical font to do everything I wanted when naming chords.

Add it to your Fonts folder and have minor, major, dim, half dim, flats, sharps, etc. at your disposal.