Re: Fripp's loop technique

[David Myers <dmgraph@bway.net>]

What I never see mentioned is what Robert was doing between these two
stages.  Around the early days of KC2, he sometimes did performances with
guitar synthesizer and an E-H 16 sec. box.  I saw him do a little taste at
Tower Records (NYC) with this, and have an umpteenth-generation bootleg
(please don't release the dogs, R.) of a clandestine concert recording
apparently using this setup.  I think it was a step beyond his Les
Paul/Revox material, but not so lost in un-guitarish noise washes as the
"Soundscapes".  Damn pity he never put any of it to disk--maybe someone can
tell me otherwise.

-David Myers


>There are basically two Fripps in regards to looping.
>
>Starting with Eno, he used 2 reel to reel tape decks side by side. Tape
>would be strung from a full supply reel on the left deck to an empty 
>take-up
>reel on the right. His guitar would feed the input of the left deck. The
>playback of the right deck would also feed the input on the left deck. 
>This
>allowed a long delay usually between 8 and 14 seconds, letting Fripp 
>develop
>from single notes or arpeggios very lush textures. They would then edit 
>the
>tapes, and he would double track solos over some of them. The albums they
>made were "No Pussyfooting" and "Evening Star".
>
>He toured with a basic version of this setup for a few years, performing 
>in
>record stores and pizza shops among other venues. This setup was named
>"Frippertronics". It allowed him to explore his ideas regardig an
>alternative view of the music business and the audience performer
>relationship. It allowed him to be a "small mobile intelligent unit". Q&A
>sessions during the performances were typical. A few albums were compiled
>from these tours as well, "Let the Power Fall", "God Save the King".
>
>Fripp used "Frippertronics" in other contexts. He would copy parts onto
>multitrack tape to include with rock pieces and ballads. The album
>"Exposure" is a good example. He also did this when King Crimson was 
>reformed.
>
>Using TC Electronics TS2290 delays, he replaced the tape decks. With 
>guitar
>synth, and a rack full of delays and processors, he now produces
>"Soundscapes" which he has used on King Crimson records and with other
>artists. 4 albums and an EP of pure "Soundscapes " have been released too.
>
>Soundscapes are essentially Fripp feeding 4 delays with guitar synth. The
>delays may are may not all be set at the same delay times, but I believe
>they are normally outputed in parallel. The delay times are usually very
>long, so the sense of repetition is slight. Fripp tends to go with string
>pads, choir pads, and other "spacey" sounds, so far. Auto panning, echo,
>heavy flanging, pitch bending are all used. This can be truly stunning to
>experience live.
>
>I do recommend the CD single "Pie Jesu" for the title track. Truly
>beautiful, and practically heartbreaking.
>
>Believe me, I welcome any corrections.
>
>Reg