22 June 2008 - Looking For A Simple MIDI Sequencer |
I am looking for a simple MIDI sequencer, something that looks like "Band in a Box" (a product that I had a long time ago). Preferably a free one.
The idea is that I can select a rhythm pattern (say, rock, pop, jazz, or variations of them) and then I can enter chords by typing their name (say, "C" or "Dm" or "CM7" and so on). After that I can play the composition.
Actually, I need this for my guitar practice. I have melodies in my head that I need to practice. Or I have some ideas (melodies) that I want to try and make modifications of them. To do so I need a rhythm that I can play over and over again. (Or I can ask a friend to play the same chords over and over again. That's going to be boring.)
After that, I also need a program that can convert (render) the MIDI sequences to MP3.
Any suggestions? |
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21 June 2008 - Still Injured From a Futsal Game |
It has been two weeks (perhaps 3?) ... I am injured from a futsal game. My right ribs was hit hard by two players. I was the keeper and these two strikers ran at the ball. I grabbed the ball, but they couldn't stop. So they feet landed under my ribs. Since then I still have pain in my right body.
We are in a local league. Today there is a match. This is going to be our third match. We won one and lost one. The guys said that if I don't play, we lose. Today is going to be a tough one since our opponent is supposed to be the best.
Now, I am thinking of coming back to play. But I think I shouldn't force myself. What do you think? |
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15 June 2008 - Almost Giving Up |
To be frankly, I am almost giving up writing in this blog. Chandramoon is kind enough to pull me back. :D
At one time I had a hard time accessing this blog. I was frustrated and decided to write my stuff in Bahasa Indonesia (in one blog). That blog was soo popular that it reached 3000 visitors a day! It was considered one of the most popular personal blogs in Indonesia. Interesting.
The thing is ... I am busy again with my work. I am on the road most of the time. I can only access my blogs from my cellphone. Those blogs (and microblogs) that are available through my cellphone are the one getting my attention.
But I guess I should give efx2 another run. This was one of my home base anyway. So ... here I am. |
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28 January 2008 - Saturday's Gig |
Last Saturday, my band had a gig in a private (birthday) party. We played 5 songs. They're just cover songs. It was great!
During practise we sucked. That was because our bass player couldn't make it to the practise. So we had to do away with whatever we had. I was worried and skeptical. But it turned out great. Sound was great. We had full control of the sound. Our gig was 10 times better than the practice (or the gig in previous week). I am excited ...
That's the second gig this year. More to come.... I'd like to make 20 gigs (at least) this year. :D |
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22 January 2008 - The World Without Me |
What would happen if I cease to exist?
Would the world stop from spinning?
I am just a dust
... blown into a soundless corner
Is it time for me to go now? |
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20 January 2008 - Still standing |
I am still standing here
... while thousands have faded away
You cast your spell
... burning my desire to live
[picture taken somewhere in Indonesia. 19 January 2008. yesterday - budi rahardjo] |
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13 January 2008 - More music in 2008 |
One of my resolution this year is that I will do more music stuff. I am more serious into this.
Last week I bought pieces-by-pieces new gears for my guitar. This time I bought a "Vintage Tube Overdrive". Yeah! I love the sound. I wish I have a real tube amplifier, but this is good enough (for now?).
I hope it will improve my sound and music capabilities. Here's a picture of me practising my guitar skill. I think I was playing a song by a UK band called Jadis. Great band, by the way.
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13 January 2008 - Ache ... |
Damn it. My body is aching. Well, it is actually my "fault". Yesterday I was so into futsal (indoor soccer), that I played for almost 2 hours non-stop. With an old body like mine ... I am aching all over my body. I played as a goal keeper. I had to jump and do all the tricks :)
Anyway, I am actually happy. I've been playing futsal for more than 1 year now. Every Saturday.
But the good thing is that I don't have a heartache. :) That would be more difficult to cure. Somebody said time will heal (your heartache wound). Is it true? |
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25 November 2007 - Watching old guys playing music |
I am watching Foreigner DVD right now. It's 25 years of music. They have good music, but their live show is kind of empty. I think it's the stage. It's so empty and simple. They should add more stuff. I don't know. One thing for sure, the old age shows up (bald, chubby, and such). Ha ha ha. What can you do? You cannot fight age.
Then it dawned on me that ... that's what I look like when I am playing on stage. I am old. Hah! |
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20 November 2007 - Guitar(ist)s |
Last Saturday I pulled a group of guitarists to perform on stage. They are basically my friends and family. :) We played 5 songs. At the end we took pictures. Here's one of them.
Nice picture, eh?
Next gig I want to add more guitars ... :D I enjoy playing live with a bunch of people. It's just so exciting. After that gig, I went to another one (in the evening). That one was also great. It was a regular band with 3 singers. It was hot too! I felt the stage lights shining on us. I was sweating like crazy. Not because I am nervious, but because we were having a good time. Good stuff! |
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18 November 2007 - in terms with self |
I have had a nice and beautiful Sunday, today. Previous days were so hecktic, that I only slept 3 or 4 hours a day. I enjoyed those high tempo days, though.
Today was a relaxing day for me. I planned to sleep the whole day, but didn't get a chance to do it. I did slept a few hours though, but that's not what I enjoyed. I had a chance to think about many things, but mostly about myself - about how lucky I am. The day was not so bad either. It was a sunny and beautiful day. I went out just to order lunch for me and my son. My wife went to visit our family in a different island. There's a wedding there. I have to stay home with my son.
I planned to read books, watch DVDs, and many things, but ended up ... sleeping, reading books, watching tv, and thinking ... This is so nice. It's a picture perfect!
(My wife sent a text message; food is great there! And of course, I told her I don't believe it. Send me a picture! or better yet, bring some home. ha ha ha.) |
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10 November 2007 - ATTENTION: Trackbacks Need To Be Disabled. |
| Attention Blog User:
There has been a recent outbreak of spam that is sneaking past our spam filters and using the Post Trackback feature. This feature, if enabled on your posts, will allow spam to get in and post comments - those of which no one wants.
Since Keith is currently offline and not available, us Community Leaders have taken it upon us to find a temporary solution until Keith can do something.
Here's The Fix:
You need to go here: http://www.efx2blogs.com/manager/tra...ttings.php
and make sure "Trackback Default for New Entries" is set to 'Trackbacks Disabled' in the drop-down menu and also, "Autodetect Trackbacks?" is set to 'Autodetect Disabled' in the drop-down menu.
This will disable trackback on all new posts you make.
*** If you are apart of multiple blogs, you will need to select specific blog in which the problem is first in the blog control panel.... and then click that link for the settings to appear. ***
For previous posts that have been attacked you must Edit that post and just below the Post Edit Box you should see a link "Advanced Post Options" - click that and you should see an option for "Allow Trackbacks?" and make sure it is set to 'No.'
--------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your participation in this matter and helping us alleviate the problem.
- The Community Leaders (leaders.efx2blogs.com)
THIS POST CAN BE DELETED. |
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20 September 2007 - (yet) start again ... |
 i am starting this blog (again ... for the n-th times). you might get bored with this welcome message. but what can i do.
would i get my old posts back?
we'll see ...
in the mean time, let me learn how to use this blog. i am new to the environment. it looks cool cause you can customize it. but, at the same time, i am going to waste a lot of time tinkering with this blog. oh well ...
One think that I miss from this blog is the "recent visitors" info. That is very useful feature which is missing in wordpress-based blogs.
Before start tinkering, I think I should wait for a while until this blog is settled. I don't want to modify my blog only to find out that I have to redesign it again (and again, ... and again). I know, I know that I should be thankful, and I do. But, it's just tiring to us. Can't satisfy people like me, eh? Sorry. See you guys around.
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3 September 2007 - z z z Z Z Z ... |
It's pass midnight. My presentation slide is not finished yet. I could stay up a little longer, but that would mean I am going to stay up until morning. Another option would be to hit the bed right now and wake up (very) early in the morning. I'll do that.
zzzZZZ ...
good night, world! |
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31 August 2007 - Super busy mode ... ON! |
School is back ... It has been two weeks. I have to go back to my teaching mode again. Lots of new students in my class. They should be, because it's a first year class. :D
Projects (with multiple "s") are also starting. Now, it is tough for me to manage my time.
Last week, a person was angry with me. He wanted to see me (and perhaps he planned to give a project to me?). I just couldn't see him. I was just too busy, but he couldn't understand it! I wanted to yell at him, but that's just rude. If I tell him what I am doing, he wouldn't believe me. He would think that I just made it up.
Let me see, there are 4 (paralel) projects running and two classes to teach (1 undergrad course and 1 post grad course). On top of that, I still have 2 bands to practice and perform. Last month I had three gigs! And ... a couple non-profit organizations to run. And ... (I don't think I am running out of "and") ... a dozen blogs to maintain, two articles to write each month, and ... and ... and.
In short: Can't you see that I am busy? Take off, will ya ... |
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18 August 2007 - New Guitar |
 I've just got a new guitar. Yay ...
This is my 4th guitar. It's a "Gilmore" guitar, made in Indonesia. I love supporting local industry.
It called my name, when I was in the store :D To be frankly, I fell in love the first time I tried this guitar. I was going to buy an Ovation, but decided to take this instead.
After I bought this guitar, I left it at home for a few days since i had to go out of the city. Today I had a chance to play with it. It's great... Not sure whethere I am going to take it for gigs thought. I think I will. It's just a matter of time.
Next: accessories for this guitar ... :D |
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12 August 2007 - Last Week Gigs |
Checksound a day before, but ended up playing. :D Playing guitar and singing. Phew ...
Playing guitar (one with the cap on) with my second band of the show that night. I still don't have the picture of the first band. I played in three bands that night. Yes, 3!
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29 July 2007 - Saturday Night ... |
Last night, Saturday night, my son and I decided to go to a movie. We went to see Transformers, but before that we went to a Japanese restaurant. My wife sent a text message, saying happy birthday to my son. That morning, my son forgot that it was his birthday. Hah! (My wife was away visiting our daughter.)
Food was great. I ordered salmon sushi and my son ordered ebi donburi (rice with prawns). Movie was great. We went home almost midnight. Tired but was happy.
[This morning, woke up a little late ... Ah. It's Sunday, but I have to write 4 presentations and 2 articles! Starting the (working) week from Sunday? What can I do ...
Update: I decided to relax a bit. After all, this is Sunday. So, I went around to a food court and now ... I am going to watch a DVD. I'll start working tonite.] |
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