2 Solutions Come Out at Once

So, to fix our last problem (see last blog entry), Dark thought we could mix the parts together, but he wanted to add a third part first. He wanted SuperStar to throw down some chords. Very simple stuff just need to time it with the arpeggiator. Actually, this worked out pretty well. With the three parts, mixing was a bit easier (they also thought about what they wanted a bit more, so some direction could be provided. Now we have 3 parts on one tape (much better).

That was solution 1. However, it would be nice to have a nicer fade at the end for the chords (while the arpeggiator completed the cycle). Anyone who knows the OP-1 will know that the knobs are not smooth, but step functions. On recording, you get about 15 steps from silent to full (so you can hear the change - something I have tried to hide in the music). On playback though you get 100 steps (so much smoother). The problem with the 100 steps is doing it smoothly (you can twist, but at some point you have to stop and reposition).

There is a solution and Topper came up with it (and was somehow able to communicate it to me). It is to use the crank. I have a crank that I can put on one knob (in this case the volume for the tape being recorded). I have not used it much (sometimes to move the tape, like I did on Best Day Rewind). However, it can be turned without having to reposition, so can be turned from 99 to 0 smoothly. Giving a much smoother fade. This will not work in all cases, but is something that worked here, and can be added to the bag of tricks.

Not sure how Topper communicated it to me. After playing for awhile a musician (ok I am using the term lightly) and his instrument sort of bond. I was just adjusting the knobs, and it came to me. He told the spacecraft (they are able to communicate when I put his antenna in) he was going to try and get me to try it. He has told them that he enjoys playing with me (I think that is why they are having us do some more of the parts).