SPX-1000 Patch

Here's yet another wicked patch for the Yamaha SPX-1000 from your neighborhood Processor of Reality, Al Peterson.

SHORTWAVE SIMULation creates synthetically that aggravating, drifting effect heard on shortwave, and also pretty accurately re-creates C-Quam "platform motion."

Beginning with SPX-1000 program #35 "Pan + Pan," both pans are set for pseudo-random overlapping times and a pretty steep phase difference. Add to this the SPX's dynamic filter capability set to sweep the hi-pass filter up and down slowly with a sharp resonance setting. End result, radio to get sick over. Between the L-to-R drift and the sweep of the filter, it sounds like a clear channel AM'er walking all over your humble little station. Very effective when the source audio is also wetted with a little satellite "white noise."

Parameter Settings:

1 PAN TYP L <--> R
1 SPEED .85 Hz
1 F/R DPT 98%
1 L/R DPT 100%
1 DLY 0.1 ms
2 PAN TYP L <--> R
2 SPEED 1.00 Hz
2 F/R DPT 100%
2 L/R DPT 100%
2 DLY 0.1 ms
PHASE +157.5
EQ D.FLT
CTL TYPE LFO
FLT TYPE HPF
F CENTER 1.6 kHz
F DEPTH 4 oct
Q HIGH
LFO FRQ 0.2 Hz
BALANCE 1 100%
OUT LVL 1 100%
BALANCE 2 100%
OUT LVL 2 100% 


198 Tracks On Your DAT

by Jerry Vigil

Do you master your promos and spots to DAT? Does your DAT machine not count beyond ninety-nine tracks? After 99 thirty second promos have been mastered, do you still have over an hour of tape left on your 120 minute DAT? Want to stop wasting it?

After that 99th cut has been mastered, go ahead and make the next cut number one. Continue mastering to the DAT as though it were a new one, working your way towards 99 again. You should be keeping a log of all the cuts on the DAT, so begin with the second set of 99 on your log, just as though you had started a new DAT.

Now, when it comes to locating cut 25 on the DAT, search the cut as your normally would. Play the cut. If it's not the right cut 25, you know it's the other one. Simply fast forward or rewind far enough to get to the other set of 99. Once there, the unit will properly search for the other cut 25. It may take a little more time to find a cut, but you'll save money on DAT tapes. Your boss will love ya, and he'll buy you a new studio for Christmas! 


Keep It Clean!

John Pellegrini/WKLQ-FM, Grand Rapids, MI, writes with this clean tip:

...wanted to mention a tip about a product I've been using for quite some time...

It's called Geneva Head Cleaner. A friend of mine who owns a recording studio first told me about it in 1986. I'm convinced it's the best stuff on the market.

The manufacturer says it's good for audio and video heads. It has no silicone lubricants, so it's safe for capstans and pressure rollers. Plus, it won't harm plastics or rubber, painted surfaces, metals, or elastomer parts.

The stuff cleans like a magnet! It even cleans off wax from crayons like it's nothing. I've used it on just about every surface imaginable, including (believe it or not) old vinyl records. Cleans great and no damage or noticeable problems. Plus, our Chief Engineer checked it over and said that the stuff won't harm the environment (he's real big on that criteria).

It's made by Geneva Group of Companies in Plymouth, MN. There is a toll free number to call for more information: 1-800-328-6795. As far as I know, the company doesn't sell direct, but they should be able to furnish a list of distributors that stock it.

Comes in three sizes: 8 ounce and 32 ounce fluid bottles, and 16 ounce spray can.

Keep tweaking those meters!