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tape loops on the radio



I hope Jerry does not mind if I forward his nice story from the broadcast
world to the loop world. Maybe you all know who Joe Frank is. I did not and
have an idea now and would like to hear his *tape around mic stand loops*:


>Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 22:11:10 -0700
>To: deckusers-l@teleport.com
>From: ag506@lafn.org (Jerry Summers)
>Subject: TANGENTIAL to "Positive Experiences"
...
>
>Joe Frank is a radio artist whose various weekly program series ("Work in
>Progress," "In the Dark," and "Somewhere Out There") have been distributed
>continuously for more than 10 years by National Public Radio, and aired by
>NPR affiliates all over the country.
>
>He explores various facets of the human psyche - dark, twisted, quirky,
>etc.  In each program, he weaves several seemingly unconnected stories
>together, sometimes monologues, sometimes using actors, sometimes using
>found sound from the real world.  Aside from his distinctive voice, his
>sonic signature is use of continuous music loops and drones running under
>the stories.
>
>He makes these loops the old-fashioned way, on 1/4" tape, often 20 or 30
>feet long using mic stands to turn the corner, go down the hall into the
>studio, turn around, and come back.  (BTW, the source is music from
>commercially available CDs, and as I understand it, use is covered by 
>NPR's
>blanket agreements with ASCAP and BMI.)
>
>
>Agreed as to precision, finesse, elegance, whatever you name want to give
>to the power of DAWs.  And dragging regions wins hands down over having
>dozens of pieces of 1/4" taped to the walls, cabinetry, sides of tape
>machines, etc.  So many times for so many years I've mused, "Wouldn't it 
>be
>great to just push a button and....."  Now I can, BUT....
>
...

>Here we run headlong into the issue of rock-solid, totally uncompromised,
>reliability; I suspect that the reel-to-reel will remain the medium of
>choice for this particular situation for some time.  I fully expect that
>DAWs will prove to be a giant leap forward for segment production, but for
>the forseeable future, when it comes to beating the clock and having
>unshakeable faith that the equipment won't fail.....
>
...
>================================================================
>
>Jerry Summers
>         ag506@lafn.org  jsummers@muse.calarts.edu
>
>I'll defend to the death my God-given right to be totally wrong.
>
>================================================================
>