School Supplies: Key Addiction

-I'm a sucker for expensive hobbies. Clothing is my obvious monetary vice, and camera gear is slowly becoming an obsession, but my one true expensive love has held strong since my middle school days: Music production gear. I've shared my affinity for Korg gear a number of times, as of now my collection consists of: the microKORG- the greatest synthesizer of all time, the Kaossilator-the funnest thing in the world to do when you're high, the Kaoss Pad mini and the Nanopad, among other non-Korg music gadgets. I've already committed mentally to purchasing the microKORG XL later this year, but now I'm torn because I just saw this leaked picture of the new microSAMPLER (above). I've got a sampler already, but not a Korg one, and not one that looks cool and can hook up to your iPod, so I want it. I also want this—I just gotta save up a quick $5000 first.

-And hey as long as were talking about synthesizers, check out this photo of the Beatles' first encounter with pioneering synth a Moog. If you're uninformed about Moog and you're interested in the history of electronic music, check out Moog: The Documentary. That link is just a snippet, but if you're download savvy at all you can find the whole thing. And as long as you're on YouTube check out the endless supply of dope Kaossilator/KP vids.

-I got all this from Synthtopia, my favorite music-nerd blog.

more

Music Major: KORG Nano Series

-I've already got the microKORG and the KAOSSILATOR x KAOSS Pad set-up, so my next logical purchase is the Nano series. These controllers are super small so you can make tunes on the plane/train and they're all pretty affordable. I want. But I also need to save for the XL. Fuck.  more

Administrative: XMAS x NEWS! x KAOSS

-Firstly, let us apologize for the sparseness of posts over the Holiday, all three of us have been on trips and have had limited access to interwebs.
-Secondly, you may enjoy this video of two pieces of amazing musical equipment, the KAOSSILATOR and the KAOSS Pad KP3, both by KORG. The video is posted not only to share my excitement about the fact that I just ordered both of those items to compliment my beloved microKORG, but also to help remind people of something that I mentioned awhile back. In the next year we will be launching a few more blogs under the Class Act Media hood, the first of which will be a music nerd/synth/gadget/dj/equipment blog - the name has yet to be decided. As with any Class Act endeavor, the new sister-blog will be college-focues and written by current college scholars. I (Angelo) am in the process of finding passionate and knowledgeable people to help me with the new project (Goodie? Kurt? Clowers? Baby Kurt?) More info coming soon, so keep checking back.
-The video also reminded me to reminded you that most videos that appear on our blog can be found on our YouTube page in the favorites section, along with a ton of other videos that haven't been on the blog but we've favorited because they are amazing, like the one below. more

Music Theory: For the Visual Learners

-I don't even know why I did this, but I put together a little diagram (aka resized 6 photos) of the tunes I'm digging as of late, complete with super mini-reviews. Click to make it bigger.

-I've been listening to Emarosa's first E.P. for awhile now, mainly because they use a microKORG, the greatest instrument ever invented. The new album, Relativity is really, really good. If you like Circa Survive or Saosin, but you know, you're sick of Anthony Green's ridiculous whine, check this disc out.
-The KiD CuDi mixtape has been buzzin lately and I heard about it from my guy Yeezy, it's dope. Nuff said.
-The new Ratatat, LP3 is fucking nuts, game over status, ridiculous, amazing. I read somewhere that they recorded in some southern 70s style studio with analog gear, and you can definitely hear the groove vibe on this one.
-I've talked a lot of shit about Girl Talk in the past, mostly because I could do what he does if I had the time and money, but I'm starting to come around. Not only to I give props for going the Radiohead route and releasing a digital album, after checking out the complete list of insane samples, and reading a bit about this album, I give props to a budding musical genius. But not too many props.
-Rising Down, The Roots' latest disc, is kind of old, but I just got it (finally) and it may be the best Roots disc ever. Everyone loved Game Theory but I didn't really like it. This album has great beats, and great collaborations, including a track featuring Saigon, the Entourage alum and undisputed most underrated rapper in the game.
-The Cab is gonna blow up soon. Check out "High Hopes and Velvet Ropes." It might be the first radio hit not from Akon and T-Pain to artfully (and subtly) use autotune. more