I've been watching random tutorials about the sampler app I love messing around with called Koala. I'm not watching the videos to learn the app but more for triggering any ideas I can use for our show on 06/30. Two things stood out to me as a drummer:

Grid

The sequencer in the app supports not locking to the grid. This is cool because you can place snare hits slightly behind or ahead of the beat. You can drastically change the vibe of the song if you rush or delay the snare hit in the right context.

Tuning

It's easy to overlook tuning your kit in a drum sequencer because it's so fun to just jump into it and start beat-making. If you take the time to tune the kit to the project it is in, the results are a definite level-up.

For the guitar-only project I am working on, the drums become the bass. When I tune the kick and snare to match the dominant notes in the song, the boost to the feel and power is noticeable. Things lock together better.
 

Our next show is at a place with no space for a drum kit. A good chance to bust out the iPad and get things done with the Koala app. The only tough decision I am facing right now is what kind of drum sounds to use.

The cool/difficult thing about digital drums is infinite possibilities. You can load as many drum sounds and kits as you want. That level of choice can be very overwhelming if you go down the rabbit hole of trying out every kit.

I've settled on my favorite drum machine which is the Roland CompuRhythm CR-78. It was made in the late 1970s and was one of the earliest drum machines ever made.

Instink = bad instincts 

I am especially calm right now. There is something about being in the mountains.

When I woke up, I wanted to dive into whatever was announced at the 2024 Keynote. Then I found myself wanting to go on Mastodon and reading all the knee-jerk complaints about said announcements. Instead, I grabbed some coffee, iPad with pencil, and a spot on the couch looking out at the Skytree. Giving myself some points for fading into the day today.

When someone asks me "how was your show last night?", I usually just say it was a good show and add some memorable details. On rare occasions, something annoying happens and I do a little rant to get it out. That's pretty rare though.

What I never do is include all the things I am actually doing for a normal local show in Tokyo.

- got all my drum gear and merch ready at home (30 min) 
- carried two heavy bags to the train station (10 min) 
- rode a crowded train an hour-ish to the club's station (1 - 2 hour) 
- carried the two heavy bags to the club (30 min) 
- wait to do soundcheck (30 min) 
- did a half hour soundcheck (30 min) 
- set up a pop-up shop at a merch table (30 min) 
- killed time til we played (30 min - 3 hours) 
- played a show (30 min - 1 hour) 
- wait until the show finishes and tear down pop-up shop (1 - 3 hours) 
- carried two heavy bags (hopefully a little lighter... ( ^ _ − )b) to the train station (10 min) 
- rode a crowded train an hour-ish to home (1 - 2 hour) 
- carried two heavy bags to the train station (10 min)

By the way, I love every second of it. I wouldn't change it for the world. I do need to appreciate the basic process and that it does require a lot of time and energy.

 Latest Project

• Bandcamp
• Apple Music
• iTunes
• Spotify
• Amazon Music

There are two Homepod Minis on my desk. Randomly one will stop playing but the other keeps going. If reach over and put my hand near the one that stopped playing sound, it suddenly repairs with the other one.

Problem solved...lol.