No Dough Records is back with their second commercial sample library and have something very different to offer in contrast to the previous NDS-1 House Music. This time out, No Dough has created fully-mapped multi-sampled instruments sourced from the famous Roland Alpha Juno. If you're into dance music, you undoubtedly already know about the legendary part the Alpha Juno played in the Rave scene as well as early 90's techno and trance. You know those hoover sounds you're always asking about on every electronic music forum in existence? That sound originated on the Alpha Juno.
NDS-2 consists of 150 multi-sampled Alpha Juno sounds processed through outboard gear and recorded in ultra-high fidelity. You'll find basses, keys/brass, leads, and polysynth patches represented here, all with a distinct 80's sound to them. If you're looking for something with that retro sound, these ought to make you very happy. Icy DCO-strings, warm PWM pads, spikey basses, detuned leads, and more are all in abundance here.
The quality of the recording and looping is excellent and for the most part the multi-sample points are not noticeable unless you're playing chromatic scales. The multi-sampling helps give these sounds more of a "real" vintage sound, with the subtle inconsistencies from sample to sample lending a more alive sound than similarly-themed softsynths.
So if you're looking for some 80's-tastic sounds or are just a fan of the Alpha Juno sound, definitely give this set a listen. [9/10]
Recently we had this guy in for a interesting podcast, Audema is a new act from P.A.S. who has also featured in our podcast series and is a an old friend of Towies from when he first started to dj. So Towie sat down and asked a few probing questions so we could find out a little bit more about the man behind it all.
Well, it’s ace to have you on here paul and thanks for your time. First off why not tell everyone a little about yourself, who are you and what floats your boat?
Hi , im P.A. Smith but I go under the name [Audema]. I grew up in Lytham, near Blackpool and have been living in London for 8 years. Ive spent the last 3 years in Hackney, London
I have been keeping busy with digging! finding old, new tracks from any genre, weather its on website, blog, podcasts, record shop then getting the chance to play it to a crowd or some friends. That does me just fine really!
Tell us how you ended up getting involved in music all those years ago, what inspired you to start life as a DJ and where did you see yourself going with it? Was it ever a career opportunity for you?
My first pursuit into music was following indies & grunge bands like CARTER, Neds Atomic Dustbin and early Blur. It wasn’t until I saw my godfathers son Dick Johnson AKA Majik J’s Decks one day at his flat that I started to follow electronic music. The first time I heard some of the now Hacineda classics at his house I was hooked. He helped me with a couple of belt drive decks and I bought a Tandy mixer and a pile of promos he didn’t want and that was it. Collecting Vinyl, following music, DJing has been a part of my life ever since. It did become a career move back in 2002 when I was living in Bali. I started touring the circuit for 6 months solo and with an old friend and DJ Matthew Hudders (DJ Golddigger)
I think I would still be full time but I was also keen on design and co founded and set up a Tshirt brand called Eat the Rich. Fashion & Design has become my full time job. I always kept up my interest and played weekend/residencies gigs in Nottingham, London & Bali .
What was your first ever bought record and where from? And more importantly, do you still have it?
Yes, I do! Grow More Pot – Public Information Feat samples of Jello Biafra.
Just dug it out for another listen. Its a pretty odd record but back then I was buying Rave, Jungle and hardcore mostly. Its a 4x4 acid rave track with a political message voice over about growing more pot. Admittedly the Picture disc with majurana plants on one side drew me in but loved the track too. There were plenty of nights sitting around listening to this….
Compared to the days of vinyl shopping and lugging around ridiculously heavy record boxes, what is your opinion on the takeover of digital these days? Does digital play a large part in your life?
I switched to digital 3 years ago. I think like most people its made DJing easier and more affordable. It’s a shame but vinyl will always be around but just not to the extent it used to be. I still buy vinyl but I also download MP3s, rip, borrow, steal….whatever I can to get the track. I think its all fair play if you give a bit back and help spread the word.
Reflecting back on your first podcast (check here) for us under your P.A.S pseudonym, how would you describe the evolution of your style?
From the last Podcast I wanted to start with a warm up. The Catcher mix is part 1 of 2 and is made up of artists ive been following for the past 18 months like Flying Lotus, Kelpe, Mount Kimbie, Lukid, Gold Panda, Paul White. For me its about the beat of any genre – be it house, glitch, hiphop, disco, Dubstep. Ive also been listening to podcasts like Senator Adams – Nod your head, Brainfeeder and ye old faithful Gilles Peterson religiously so its with thanks to them for inspiration really.
Whilst we are on the subject of podcasts, you have mixed another sterling and much more alternative composition of music for us (listen here), however this one is titled Audema, which is a new chapter in your musical endeavours. Explain in more detail about Audema, and what can we expect from it?
The aim of [AUDEMA] is to start a Podcast series. I think DIY Podcasts have finally come into their own and it’s a good way to get my mixes out there. I’m producing a little too, mainly re-edits and have been working with Andrew Saviours from Malpas on a collective idea with his live band. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Malpas/121335731088 http://www.myspace.com/malpasmusic
We worked together under the name Malpas Sound System on a mix that included some Malpas tracks, 5 mash ups and the rest made up of my favourite tracks at the time. Its the DJ arm of the Malpas electro-folk octopus. We mix folk music of all ages with modern electronica. It's strange but we like it. Im currently working on some new mash-ups to use this summer. Heres the last mix: http://soundcloud.com/audema/malpas-sound-system
Would you like to see yourself playing these kinds of tracks to an audience, or was this tracklist specifically chosen for podcast purposes?
Definitely, I played a small gig at Secret Garden Last year but its fairly new so early days.
We know you’re involved with promoting nights too in the east London area, Cut & Shut Disco & Mat Honres POOT. Enlighten us? (Feel free to use this part of the interview for pure self promo).
Cut & Shut Disco is a collective started by Bradley Lucke & Andrew Edney years ago. They both have a great knowledge of good house, disco & electro and the night is a well known in London. Weve had a string of great guests including Michael Cook, Ray Mang, Pete Herbert, Ashley Beedle, and most recently Andy Blake. Last year we were the residents for Matt Hornes SESSION night at the queen of Hoxton, London. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=160314249863
The 12th first birthday night we warmed up for Zane Lowe which was a good night….hes got ridiculous skills on CDJ’s! POOT is what came out of that but lets us play more of what we want basically. That’s a monthly residency at various locations. Last month we had Rev from the Prodigy play with us. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=135166073180754
Do you find yourself tied to musical boundaries when playing out in London? What would you like to see more of?
Sometimes, depends on the venue and area. Weve noticed a huge change in Shoreditch, the nights aren’t as good now and the best parties tend to be one night event or towards dalston/hackney .
Have you ever dabbled with music production, if not – why not?
Yes a little, but mostly re-edits and mash-ups on Ableton.
From the nature of your past mixes and long years spinning records, you certainly enjoy a wide variety of musical tastes, what are the ingredients for an ideal night out?
impromptu is always best!
And lastly, for the listening pleasure of our readers, as we know you are a closet techno fan- what is your all time favourite techno track and why?
HaHa, ill get some in my next mix…but ALL time, that’s a hard question…. Probably Dave Clarke - Red 2 – early techno but still good!
