'Jaws' theme tune

I thought I'd explore another way of generating music from the sonic washing machine by using it to play pre-made MIDI files. I was very impressed by the singing tesla coil on youtube and especially like the way it handled the theme tune to the movie 'Jaws' by John Williams.

I searched for a MIDI file of the piece and soon found a copy which had be sequenced by someone called JThor. Using Reason I was easily able to import the MIDI file and then chose some suitable samples to fit the material. Importing pre-made sequenced material is obviously easier than recording or programming it yourself. I suppose I could have produced something more homemade, but felt no desire to re-invent the wheel. It did take a very long time to tweak the samples to get the desired result, so I kind of feel justified in my actions.

I did not attempt to re-create all the orchestral instruments, as I wanted some of the washing machine's personality to shine through. I did however want it to be recognisable so modelled some sounds to be similar such as using a high pitched tone for the flute and low rumbles for the bass strings.

This mini project throws up some interesting questions. I'd like to be able to add it to my myspace site, but as I am not John Williams the original composer, or JThor who sequenced the MIDI file then do I have any rights as the 'samples re-mixer' (if that can even be a phrase). I have contacted the MCPS-PRS (which exists to collect and pay royalties to musicians when their music is used) in order to find out.

Sonic Washing Drum Machine

I have created a drum machine as part of the forthcoming Sonic Washing Machine refill. It uses the Redrum device to map selected samples, which can then be used to produce drum patterns. It's very quick to produce beats so I've made a quick track called 'Washing Drum Machine' which can be heard on my myspace http://www.myspace.com/sonicmachines.

Some of the sounds are a bit quiet, but running it through a compressor sorts that out.

I've also produced another skin called 'SWM Lighting' (above pic) to give it an indivudal look. It's inspired by the recent weather which is forcing me to stay in and work on Reason, instead of going outside to play in my vegetable patch.