tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30868355087625516612024-03-14T08:14:27.801+00:00DJ SL's London HQJanaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-26101076671962757832018-01-27T19:49:00.002+00:002018-01-27T19:49:18.989+00:00Back in the grove and producing a beatThe lack of blog posts is reflective of my distance from music in of the last several years. I've hardly touched my decks or producing music. These days it's definitely a hobby and other things in life have taken my time. Over the last year or two, I've been very slowly getting back into the grove. Getting familiar with the latest sounds, what's cool on the streets. Although, I think it's fair to say there is no longer a true underground/street scene given everything is instantly available on the net.<br />
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When it comes to production I've dabbled to amuse myself in the past. Fruityloops was my goto piece of software. <a href="https://www.ableton.com/en/live/" target="_blank">Ableton Live</a> seems to be popping up quite a bit. I have been eyeing up finger drumming and the <a href="http://www.midifighter.com/" target="_blank">Midi Fighter</a> 3D and Live seems to be the software that pops up. Initially, I downloaded the trial version and had a little play and pretty happy with how it all comes together which includes their website, ability to acquire sounds packs, and the community. So I've shelled out hard cash and bought a copy of Live. It let's you upload directly to SoundCloud, nice touch!<br />
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Here's an original loop that I produced, it's not based on somebody else's loop. </div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/390006957&color=%23221f1d&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>
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Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-7118010344697298182012-02-25T17:53:00.000+00:002012-02-25T17:53:09.916+00:00Dumping SoundCloud for MixCloudI signed up to <a href="http://soundcloud.com/">Soundcloud.com</a> a few years back however until very recently I didn't upload an content. And I discover it's not completely free. Fair enough that it isn't but at the same time their pricing isn't cheap either. <div>
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In search of an alternative I came across <a href="http://mixcloud.com/">Mixcloud.com</a> which it. It's not as advanced as Soundcloud.com and the experience is a little sticky but it does a solid job in it's core functionality and is free. </div>
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Find my mixes there <a href="http://www.mixcloud.com/djsl/">http://www.mixcloud.com/djsl/</a></div>
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<br /></div>Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-67912975423813253532012-02-25T17:46:00.003+00:002012-02-25T17:46:40.653+00:00Audacity, software to record and edit your mixRecent post being evidence, I've got back into the occasional mix session. Initially impressed by Soundcloud.com and particularly their mobile app which allows one to record and upload a mix all directly from your mobile. However I came across an issue, when recording via the headphone/mic socket built-in mic doesn't get muted resulting in a really crappy recording.<br />
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Therefore back to the good old laptop it was. Now I need some recording software obviously and came across <a href="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank">Audacity</a>, a free audio recording and editing application. I was expecting something basic however pleasantly surprised.<br />
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Get the job done, check it out.<br />
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<br />Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-89048956746536669742012-02-20T23:18:00.001+00:002012-02-20T23:38:49.624+00:00Sunday Mix Session: UK Garage Memories 1This weekend I felt like pulling out a few of the old UK Garage tunes. End up throwing a few 4x4 beats in between the 2-step. There's a bit of <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mj-cole" target="_blank">MJ Cole</a>, DEA Crew, <a href="http://soundcloud.com/brassteet" target="_blank">Brasstooth</a>, E.S Dubs, and Jaimeson in the mix bring you up to around 2003 I believe.<br />
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Hope you enjoy the set and it brings back a few memories for you too!<br />
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<a href="http://soundcloud.com/djsl/uk-garage-memories-1?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=blogger&utm_content=http://soundcloud.com/djsl/uk-garage-memories-1">UK Garage Memories 1 - DJ SL</a><br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F37142704&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe>Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-63737422496167882732012-02-05T20:49:00.002+00:002012-02-05T21:01:07.401+00:00Sunday Mix Session: Old Skool Jungle RefitBeen off the map for a while, the decks have been gathering dust.<br />
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12 years ago I needed the latest PC hardware, editing software, my own web server, and hours to convert and upload a mix. Before broadband we had to use CDs - even before that cassette tapes - imagine that.<br />
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Today <a href="http://www.soundcloud.com/">Soundcloud </a>squares off the hosting and their app on my <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/nexus/">Galaxy Nexus</a> lets me record and upload in 3 clicks. The mix was up on the web about 5min after I finished mixing! All that just using my mobile phone! Facebook and Twitter take care of the sharing. Amazing!<br />
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So here it is and hopefully one of many to come.<br />
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<a href="http://soundcloud.com/djsl/old-skool-jungle-refit-1?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=blogger&utm_content=http://soundcloud.com/djsl/old-skool-jungle-refit-1">Old Skool Jungle Refit - DJ SL</a>
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<br />Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-57210297922810901662008-02-20T01:20:00.003+00:002008-02-20T01:40:27.340+00:00iTunes for Windows Mobile 6I want iTunes for my windows mobile! I don't want to buy a iPod because i don't listen to music on the go that often and don't want to/need to carry another device. I don't want a iPhone because it costs money and functionally isn't what I want. I do however want to use iTunes Store to download music because there is a wide range of music available and it makes it very easy to find, preview and buy music. Not every tune is available as a "Plus" download and they cost more, I don't see why I should have to pay more to get DRM free downloads.<br /><br /><br /><br />Surely I cannot be alone on this! I want to be able to listen to my music, which I have paided for, on the go, on my windows mobile device. 90% of the time people brun to CD and re-rip or use QtFairUse to free their music and get them on to an alternative player. So why not reduce the need for this by releasing iTunes for Windows Mobile? It would probably go a little way to help reduce piracy.<br /><br /><br /><br />I have found some references back in 2005 of people blogging about iTunes for Windows Mobile 5 like here <a href="http://www.downloadsquad.com/2005/09/27/itunes-for-windows-mobile/">http://www.downloadsquad.com/2005/09/27/itunes-for-windows-mobile/</a> . There hasn't been any download info of follow ups so assume this was a hoax.<br /><br /><br /><br />Come on Apple sort it out!!!!!!Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-85881662870627496452007-11-30T02:53:00.000+00:002007-11-30T03:03:14.459+00:00Booyaka - Golden Era Jungle<p align="left"><a href="http://goldenerajungle.com/imagery/glogo.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://goldenerajungle.com/imagery/glogo.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>My mate Dave has always been ahead of the game when it comes to all things music. As such he was the one to point me towards this website <a href="http://goldenerajungle.com/">GoldenEraJungle.com</a> . If you were into your Old Skool Hardcore/Jungle (not D&B) back in the day then like us you too will love this site. It has many a MP3 of live shows and mix tapes from way back back back in time. Check it out.Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-52519218521518786302007-03-26T19:32:00.000+00:002007-03-26T19:41:46.479+00:00Sri Lankan Hip Hop Artist DeLonL.A based DeLon's first album "The Connection" 2005 is definitely worth a listen and is available on iTunes and eMusic. Out anytime now "Unstoppable" 2007 is his second album. I've heard some of his new tracks and if they are a preview of his new release boy are we in for a treat.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/delonrap">http://www.myspace.com/delonrap</a>Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-82216455218992806032007-03-26T16:42:00.000+00:002007-03-26T17:30:21.750+00:00Convert iTunes protected m4p files to unprotected m4aI've finally got around to downloading the latest bit of kit from the <a href="http://hymn-project.org/">Hymn Project</a>. This project is all about cracking the stupid <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DRM</span> (Digital Rights Management) on content purchased from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">iTunes</span> Store - please note I'm using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DRM</span> very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">loosely</span> just so people get the idea.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">DRM</span> is a form of copy protection and in this case basically stops you from playing music you bought from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">iTunes</span> Store on anything but an Apple device or software. As you may or may not know Apple insist they must have this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">DRM</span> in place because the music publisher want there material to be protected. So how do other legal electronic music stores sell the same music without this? I'm sure there are many clauses and technicalities to explain this, but do we as consumers give a doggy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">doo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">doo</span>. I don't think so. We want to be able to play the music we just downloaded legally on the device(s) of our choice, anytime, anyplace. I hear some of you say "well don't use <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">iTunes</span> to buy your music then, use some other service" or "buy an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">iPod</span>". Most of you who are saying this probably haven't used <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">iTunes</span> or probably commute to work - I don't. In my opinion <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">iTunes</span> is a half decent service these days and boasts one of the largest music libraries.<br /><br />So as I started off saying before my mini rant, Hymn are all about some software that lets you convert you music downloaded from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">iTunes</span> Store from a protected m4p format to a unprotected m4a format. As far as I understand and Hymn Project say there is nothing dodgy or illegal about this (providing you have paid for the downloads <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ofcourse</span>). You are simply making it possible to play your music on Windows Media Player or your mobile phone.<br /><br />Early version of the software was based on a cracked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">DRM</span> as I understand. So effectively decrypted the files. But then Apple caught on to this and changed the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">DRM</span>. The most reason version <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">QTFairUse</span>6 uses an architecture where it plays the tune in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">iTunes</span> then effectively <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">programmatically</span> hooks in somewhere after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">iTunes</span> has decrypted the file and before your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">soundcard</span> converts it to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">analouge</span> to play out of your speakers. It is done at an accelerated rate so converting a tune takes between 10 - 15sec.<br /><br />Just tell me how to get this working!<br /><br />1) download load <a href="http://hymn-project.org/download.php"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">QTFairUse</span>6</a>. Check the forums for the latest updates.<br />2) extract into a folder on your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">pc</span> such as 'c:\program files\<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">QTFairUse</span>6'<br />3) I also downloaded the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">QTFairUse</span>6 file and copied it over the one included in the main download.<br />4) simply double click '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">QTFairUse</span>6.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">exe</span>' will <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">lauch</span> the GUI.<br />5) your ready to free your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">iTunes</span> music.<br /><br />I've just tried <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">QTFairUse</span>6 2.5 with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">iTunes</span> 7.1.1.5 and a tune I downloaded on an older version.Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-88877737334994735152007-03-17T15:12:00.000+00:002007-03-17T16:36:12.282+00:00Behind the Scenes: Chinthy, DeLon and Iraj<p><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BVLEhrsp00E" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></p><p>Chinthy, DeLon and Iraj three of Sri Lanka's phatest artists. Here is a clip I found on YouTube of some behind the scenes footage of them in a studio in LA. Also feat. Vasantha Dukgannarala - dude with a pony tail towards the end - who writes the lyrics for a the and other artists (he is a character trust).</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.myspace.com/chinthymusic">Chinthy on MySpace</a><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/delonrap">DeLon on MySpace</a><br /><a href="http://www.irajonline.com">IrajOnline.com</a></p>Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3086835508762551661.post-88464623390500826812007-03-14T00:48:00.000+00:002007-03-14T01:36:12.979+00:00SL's Back on the WWWHello everybody I'm back. DJ SL's London HQ has been off line for probably a few years now (I've honestly lost count). What happened? There were several reasons of which the top one was "I just got bored" and lost interest in what I was doing with the site back then and couldn't think of a new angle. Also I've pretty much given up DJing so there was no promotional value in the site anymore.<br /><br />For those of you who don't know what it was all about (which is most of you :s) let's glance back. For years and years (since about 1997) this sites primary function was to promote myself as a DJ. My mission statement if you like was to offer unique or pioneering content/services. During the late 90's was a time when underground styles such as UK G were very much still underground and not easily available to the consumer audience. They were only available via specialist record shops or pirate radio. This immediately limited exposure to the UK. This site made available these white label UK Garage tunes for people to listen to (not download) all over the world.<br /><br />By the summer of 1999 UK Garage was picking up momentum and transformed from the bubbly 4/4 to 2-step via the short lived speedgarage label. It was getting more and more commercial. Artists were starting to get signed by big labels and available in outlets such as HMV. So what did we do find the next thing to do on this site. What was that? it was in the form of streaming content live and direct. Pirate radio had been part of the UK underground music scene for many yrs and used to be the no.1 connection between the up and coming artist/DJ and the consumer. But again pirate radio's reach was limited even to the extent that stations broadcasting from an estate in North London did not reach east or south London let alone the rest of the country. So what did this site do start streaming London pirate radio live over the Internet, worldwide. This was truly bleeding edge at the time. Nobody else was doing it people may have thought of it but nothing more. There were a few Internet only pirate stations such as <a href="http://www.weekendrush.co.uk/">WeekendRush.co.uk</a> and <a href="http://www.pirate-radio.org">interFACE</a> (which are still about ) but no FM pirate was available on the Internet certainly not a UK based one. By about 2004 people were generally more familiar with Internet technology and how to exploit it. 2-step was everywhere you went and fast changing into styles called Grimme and Sub-low. The pirates were looking into streaming themselves so I eventually killed the service along with the site.<br /><br />Its 2007 and over 10yrs since I first published a page on the Internet with the strap line "DJ SL's London HQ" and about time to crank this beast up again. A blog seemed like a good and easy place to start and I aim to talk about topics around music and music technology. So tune in and stay locked........Janaka Abeywardhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04523868709897380848noreply@blogger.com0