Archive for November, 2006



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SNATM Podcast: Forgotten Land

Thursday, November 30th, 2006

My latest radio production for Sunday Night at the Movies (SNATM) on Sydney community radio station FBi 94.5 FM is now available as a Podcast (also at libsyn). The FBi site doesn’t currently mention this piece, but if you subscribe to the podcast it is available.

The fantastic story and narration is by Ben Falkenmire.

Here’s the promo blurb:
Nick Mariette and Ben Falkenmire take a bizarre journey to discover life’s lost answers - in a forgotten land where advice sprouts from inquisitive flamingos, nonsensical sand crystals and offensive cacti.

singing sadie and al duvall

Tuesday, November 7th, 2006

at lanfranchis last saturday: another unique gig by dual plover, featuring singing sadie and al duvall.

singing sadie and al duvall

Proliferating Ambisonic Microphones

Saturday, November 4th, 2006

There seem to be many ambisonic microphones popping up around the place - both high-end and mid-range commercial microphones, as well as home-built DIY microphones.

Here are some photos and links.
(all images’ copyright owned by their respective manufacturers).

The premier ambisonic microphone range by Soundfield is soon to include a (presumably cheaper) A-Format microphone, the SPS200 (pdf link).
Sound Field SPS200 ambisonic microphone

AGM Digital are redeveloping their MR1, originally developed with Danish Pro Audio using matched B&K 4011 capsules.
AGM Digital ambisonic microphone

Core Sound are about to release their TetraMic a-format ambisonic microphone.
Core Sound TetraMic

On the DIY side:
In 2005, I made my own DIY ambisonic microphone using Panasonic electret capsules, which turned out to be great quality for a cost of around $300.
Nick Mariette's diy ambisonic microphone

Also in 2005, Etienne Deleflie built his Sound Thief ambisonic microphone using Rode NT5 microphone parts (capsule and phantom preamps).
Etienne Delelfie's Sound Thief diy ambisonic microphone

Earlier, Henry J. Walmsley had already built his own ambisonic microphone also using Panasonic capsules.
Henry J. Walmsley's diy ambisonic microphone

In late 2006, I heard of two more new DIY ambisonic mics:
Rafael Kassier’s mic built from Oktava capsules:
Rafael Kassier's DIY ambisonic mic

and Paul Doornbusch’s beautifully constructed DIY mic built with Transound capsules:
Paul Doornbusch DIY ambisonic micdoornbusch5.jpeg

Probably you could find out about more diy ambi mics by joining the Sursound list.

Gail Priest. CD Launch.

Thursday, November 2nd, 2006

Gail Priest launched her cd, “imaginary conversations in reverberant rooms” this evening at lan franchi’s. She played a beautiful laptop set, with occassional live vocals. I don’t have words to describe music in general, so you should really just visit her website and track down the cd or some samples.

Here’s a photo of Gail performing; and one of Julian Knowles who also performed on the evening; other sets were performed by Jasper Streit and Peter Blamey.

Gail PriestJulian Knowles