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T E K N O - D O I T Y O U R S E L F ! By Phagex of LSD/Ecstasy Airport So then, you've just brought your latest 12 inches of Hard Acid-Kore from your local tekno specialists and as you listen to the gurgly liquid synth sounds that eminate from your 250wtt you think to yourself: I had that idea! yeah, I could have done that! Ah Haa!, so why didn't you! Well, I ain't got any of those incredibly expensive synths that they've got, have I! Yes it does pose a bit of a problem doesn't it? But don't let that get you down. AND DON'T GO LOOKING FOR THAT YAMAHA SYNTH THAT YOUR GRAN GAVE YOU FOR CHRISTMAS! No matter how hard you try, your Yamma (or Casio) 30 key kiddies keyboard wont help you in the squidgy-noise department (or any other!) No, what you need is HELP, and a decent guide to tekno synths, well you're here! Yup, give me your hand and I'll guide you through the mysterious technology that is TEKNO! We all know the basic essentials: Drum machine, Synth, Effects Unit, a Decent Tape Deck and some form of mixer. DRUM MACHINE: Now, there are plenty to choose from, but the only ones with any power for techno are Roland Analogue machines (and I MEAN machines!) as Roland (as they advertised in 1981) designed the future! I don't think they realised how true that Ad-Slogan would become. There's no other set of synths that even come close to a Roland beat-box. Anyway enough chatter, here's what you need to know: (in order of model code) ROLAND TR-505: Hmm, not the best Box of beats, but usable anyway. Has a fairly reasonable LCD display to make specifc programming easier. The usual set of drums/percussion, but all the noises are preset and you can't fine-tune to your taste like the other series. ROLAND TR-606: (Drumatix) Described as "Cheesey", I don't know a great deal, but its small and perfectly formed, LEDs for drum-status etc. Each instrument has a volume and accent (kind of pitch-control) has a level control, very basic, but easy to use. Twinned with the TB-303 (more on that later). It can't be that cheesey because Aphex Twin uses one. ROLAND TR-626: A more modern digital drum synth, uses samples and can be expanded using the PCMCIA memory port, its fairly usable, a bit complex to understand but I've got one of these and I've made a fair few snappy snare breaks with it. Twice the size of the 505 and better samples. Has a small advantage over 808/909 in the way you can precisely control accent/volume on your sequence on individual instruments, certainly makes a difference. ROLAND TR-707: Now I haven't seen one, but I've heard it and it sounds different from the rest, poorer mainly. I don't know what Roland did to the noises, it's not that bad, but I don't think its tekno-ish enough. A different taste of snares/etc. from the 505/626 stable. ROLAND TR-727: Same as 707 but with greek and ethnic type instruments, all which sound decidedly dodgey. Your best buying a specific sample CD if you want a good selection of ethnic stuff. Probably a good buy for those who can't afford a sampler yet.. ROLAND TR-808: Now we're getting there! This is TEKNO and I think everybody should have at least one of these! The 808 is a slick black device with LOTS of knobs and buttons (not quite Dr. Who though) and is unique amongst the Beat community. Each instrument has complete control, pitch, attack, level, tuning, decay etc. Various buttons for sequence, recording and editing live. This is a BIG Mother! Roland made separate circuits for each instrument (I know, I've been IN one) and it shows. ROLAND TR-909: Who doesn't use one of these? (all who can't afford!). A refined 808, smaller in a smart white case, styled keys and the absolute best! I just cant believe Roland found they could improve on the 808. Better editing, slightly better sound and generally a lot neater than the 808 performing wise (more mem). Slightly less electronic-sounding. Used by countless groups and rightly so! ROLAND R-8 HUMAN RHYTHM COMPOSER: Used in hardcore/tekno a fair amount, well, I don't know much about it I really so I can't say much apart from Orbital have one, so do 808 state. There are other Roland drum synths, usually Old CR-7*** with added Tango and Bossa Nova (NOOOOO!) or digital ones, with samples, usable, but definitely not the best for tekno stuff! Hehehe, now the synths! Now Roland have countless synths, old analogue and digital, I won't mention any digitals because they're too numerous, and not used much in tekno, yeah some people use 'em to good effect, but not all of us are talented! Analogue doesn't need talent, just someone to press the keys! Hehe, well, only slight amounts of creativeness. ROLAND SH-101: One of the first "budget" synths launched in 1981 for a few hundred quid. Stylish grey (or Limited edition blue and red) which you can wear like a guitar! Had amazing features for a commercial synth, Voltage Controlled Oscillators, Low Frequency Oscillators (BAAAASS!), VC Filter and modulation (Like Vibro), White Noise generator, VC Amplifier and Envelope control, and to top it all a sequencer to record your tunes! Yes, more than enough to get you bleeping and also a good candidate for ACIID! Yes, gurgles can be made with the 101! Not exactly acid mind you, but good enough with lots of slider-pushing, or Aphex-type modifications. ROLAND MC-202: The Beep Box! Yup, the size of an old ZX Spectrum, but definitely more beep controllability than the poor speccy! Much the same as the 101, but a different sound in a smaller box, better for sequencing, but the small keyboard deosn't accomodate big fingers! (or playing live!) DuoPhonic, ie twice as much sound capability than the 101 and another candidate for ACID! (someone said there was no difference between 202 and true acid, but I don't agree.) ROLAND TB-303: Yup, that's the beasty. Everyone can be an Aceedo Kid with one of these boxes of pure silver! Nothing on this planet makes exactly the kind of noise this does! Even I own one! Yet again, typical Roland functions, filter, resonance, tuning etc., but a distinct sound from distinct circuitry. Typical 1983 circuit with analogue oscillators controlled by a digital 6502-type (650) chip with on-board ROM and limited battery backed ram. Masters of frequent tekno orgasms when using this box of tricks. -+- Effects: As the sound out of all the Roland babies is all mono you need something to knock some more balls into your tekno. Just fading a mono output between the Stereo channels will just about satisfy home-listeners, but really you need a good type of effect to add a certain something to your track. The most obvious is an Echo/Digital Delay, this definitely is the most essential effect, adding an ambience to your instrument, instead of it being hard-placed. There's nothing wrong with echo-less tekno, its just really the type of tekno/or the feel that usually decides whether or not echo should be used. Then you can add stuff like Chorus, Phaser, Pitch-Shift, Equaliser and various stuff. Its really a matter of personal preference, but can make big changes to the sound of your music. There are plenty of effects and stuff to take your fancy and plenty of manufacturers. I don't know of any specific Roland stuff, but I did notice a review in UK music mag "Future Music" for a BOSS Stereo Effects Processor SE-50, which looks cool! Oh, and there's quite a few pedals (guitarists effects), which you can use to good effect in tekno! I've got a phaser (excellent on manic drumbeats) and a digital delay/reverb. Pedals are quite compact and the BOSS series are excellent! They have a big pedal switch that you stamp your foot on, I find a good sturdy desk and a heavy-fist works wonders. -+- Now, how do you obtain these goodies? And what's the cost? I know saying "scout-around" is a bit vague, but really is the only way your gonna' find these things. I've got all my stuff second hand, from Music shops (you don't say) and mostly second hand shops; every second hand place has something to do with music (amps, "kiddies keys", Tape decks, etc.) and hidden in a dark corner is always what your looking for! And recession brings even more goodies into the poor-mans hands! Although the decent stuff (if the guy in the second had store knows what he's talking about) will never change prices. Still, here's a list of availability and prices for the stuff mention in this article: *** Roland SH-101 *** A fair amount of SH-101's still floating around but are quickly being snapped up by budding Tekno Freaks! I think they'll start drying up soon, be Quick! Cost: From 70 quid poor condition, 110 in Good condition and as high as 140-150 for a top-notch one. *** Roland MC-202 *** A bit rarer than the 101. I think, I've seen a few go for 80 to 110 quid and up to 200 for a good 'un. *** Roland TB-303 *** The BASSLINE! No Aceedo kid can do without one of these, so they are extremely rare! Saying that, a lot of people are desperate for money and 303's are appearing more regularly in the second hand Ads, but they're all snapped up literally within seconds! Cost: I got my 303 for 45 quid! It was broken, but nothing a soldering iron and my electronics knowledge couldn't sort out! yo'll have to pay 150+ quid for a 303, (and it'll probably have seen a LOT of ware!) but I see a price averaging at 300 quid at the mo, even up to 450 (just 4 a noise eh?). *** Roland XX-404 *** Does a 404 exist? I haven't a clue! (I'd like to know though). *** Roland TR-505 *** Fairly good supply, not really a great demand though. But saying that, one popped up in a local shop for 65 quid in a terribly ruff condition (I call having its own concrete/cement stained off-white case RUFF!) and sold in less than a day! (I can only think Torquay's Tekno scene is really DESPERATE!) But shops sell em for about 75 - 100 depending condition-wise. *** Roland TR-606 *** Slowly becoming popular again, (a poor mans 808!). As cheep as 50 quid, up to 90 for manuals and case type affair. *** Roland TR-626 *** I haven't really seen much of these, as in somebody somewhere must have 'em? Mainly used for non-specific music (anything) and anybody may have one, I have and I paid 100 quid for it in spanking good condition (no scratches!). *** Roland TR-707 *** Hmmm, you couldn't sell me one! Well, somebody would no doubt part with their's for about 80 to 110 quid. *** Roland TR-727 *** The above 707 applies here only a bit rarer and about 150 quid. *** Roland TR-808 *** Extremely popular, but still a good amount flowing out there to be tapped. You'll be lucky to pick up one for 200 quid, they average about 300, and go up to 360. A mate of mine picked his up for 130! (don't we get all the luck?). Only because it had to have a few buttons fixed. *** Roland TR-909 *** More popular than the 808, but pricier too. A fair few around, they won't vanish in a hurry, but getting popular by the day! I've seen ludicrus prices of up to 950 quid! You may pick up one in a faulty condition for less than 200 (believe me, someone's been giving these poor machines some stick!), but average going rate is around the 500 quid mark. *** Roland R8 *** Not as popular as the analogue series with tekno-heads, but useful all the same, average price around 350-450. *** Roland CR-Series *** Hmm, you may find these doing the round with Uncle Joe's Banjo band, just doing the odd Bossa Nova beat, very old, very crusty, all look like small old electronic tills! Hanging around a S/H shop near YOU. Prices are pot luck and not usually worth it! 80 quid, but you must be desperate, or deaf. *** Boss FX Pedals *** Much to numerous, you can buy brand new over the counter, but older stuff floats around with no loving home. I got a phaser for 20 quid, and a digital-delay for 60 quid, basically they vary quite a bit, shop around. *** Various FX *** I've seen Echo machines go for 50 quid, good looking stuff, bargains which I've missed at the local shop. (one thing about Torquay's Scene is bargains don't hang around for long!). Much dosh has been spent in these S/H shops. A good Multi-purpose FX device ranges from 90 to 170. -+- TAPE DECKS and MIXERS Two things I've neglected to mention so far are Tape Decks and Mixers, they are the most common bits of technology and you shouldn't have much difficulty in finding them. I can't comment on quality etc. because there's so many around, but what I can recommend is that you try before you buy, because mixers and especially tape decks can look all-so luverly on the shelf, but you try them and realise underneath that polished exterior is absolute rubbish! So always try and take a personal stereo, some headphones and a good selection of leads and INSIST that you try it before you pay anything! Oh and take a good multi-voltage PSU with you, honestly there are some real thick pillocks in second-hand shops who don't know anything about what they're selling! A mixer is fairly essential when you get your act together and stop playing with the instruments individually, as just wiring up each synth into the same wires that go into the tape deck input just doesn't work how you thought it would! You might find one instrument over-powering the others, or perhaps you want to fade in and out, a mixer will handle it with minimum amounts of fuss. Try to get a mixer with a good range of inputs, nothing to over-the-top just a simple 4 or 6 way stereo mixer, preferably with sliders for each channel, maybe panning controls, again its personal taste, but quite a few musical and electronics shops should have a good range to choose from. Make sure you test all the controls and listen for crackling and bad connections! If you want to record your music at a later date, if you've bought a dodgy mixer, which crackles and pops, then this'll put the mockers on all your hard work! Even I don't have a mixer yet, but I'll probably make one with my electrical knowledge, all they are are a few variable resistors (volume sliders) and a pre-amp. Maplins Electronics do a few simple mixers and FX pedals and stuff, why not have a look in their catalogue in WH Smiths one day? Tape decks vary, but I up-rated the quality of my small CD/Radio/Tape thingy by tuning the speed motor up to full blast, so I now have a extra twiddly knob poking out the side of the case rather dodgidly, variable-speed tape fun! The actual quality is a bit better, but I have noticed a little Bass missing, but an amp or mixer can soon make up for that and I can't really hear much difference between my deck and a DAT recorder! (I have naff hearing, tooo much PA BASS!) Another problem to be aware when you set up is MAINS! Yup, you'll get that inevitable mains humm if your not careful, but keep the mains leads and power supplies away from the sound leads and instruments and 50hz should be well away (although it may add a rare finesse that I don't know about!). FINAL NOTE: Overall, I base it all down to luck! I've been lucky and unlucky, lucky in acquiring such wares like the 303 for 45 quid, FX pedals and my trusty Amiga but unlucky with other financial mistakes, eg. buying a useless 19,200 modem for 100 quid (ONLY CONNECTS TO A NETWORK!) and various financial errors involving hundreds of pounds. But all in all it should even out if your clever in what you choose/use. You can contact me if you so wish, my current address is at the end of this article, Please, don't phone before 2.00pm GMT as I'll most certainly be on another planet and don't phone after 11.00pm as I'll be safely tucked in bed.. Steve, Retro Corp, 11 Bampfylde Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5AR. Tel: (0803) 294775