Weeklybeats is a 52 week long music project in which artists compose and publicly release 1 song a week for the entire year.
Starting January 1st 2024 GMT each participant will have one week to upload one finished composition. Any style of music or selection of instruments are welcomed and encouraged. Sign up or Login to get started or check our FAQ for any help or questions you may have.

WeeklyBeats.com / Music / Jim Wood's music / Repressive Sublimation

Repressive Sublimation

By Jim Wood on December 5, 2014 5:17 pm

In 1976, I built my first synthesizer from a kit, a PAiA 4700 — a bit wonky, it was completely patchable and had a very versatile sequencer. I recorded about 2 hours worth of material then; with only a single working reel-to-reel tape recorder at the time, I was unable to assemble anything that satisfied me. The tapes lay in a drawer until recently, when I realized that I could use Live to organize them. All sounds are derived from the original recordings, with minimal processing (quantizing, looping). Extreme pitch changes at the end: "scratching" the tape reels.

Heavy experimental stuff... I guess it's really refreshing to work on that material with all the confort of digital editing.

Do you keep the PAiA, by the way? I think there's a whole section of the "I Dream Of Wires" documentary about it

Cool stuff. I love hearing about old recordings being re-claimed and re-purposed.  It fits really well with your other work from this year, too.  Those old synths could make some really wicked sounds.  Extra cool that you built it yourself.

weeeeeeirrrrrrdddddd

laguna wrote:

Heavy experimental stuff... I guess it's really refreshing to work on that material with all the confort of digital editing.
Do you keep the PAiA, by the way? I think there's a whole section of the "I Dream Of Wires" documentary about it

I traded it to a contractor friend as part payment for a bathroom remodel. When I said "wonky," I was referring to the fact that it was always breaking down.

CosmicCairns wrote:

Cool stuff. I love hearing about old recordings being re-claimed and re-purposed.  It fits really well with your other work from this year, too.  Those old synths could make some really wicked sounds.  Extra cool that you built it yourself.

colorful grey wrote:

weeeeeeirrrrrrdddddd

Thanks, guys!

Ipaghost wrote:

Yeah, kinda like that.

Jim Wood wrote:
Ipaghost wrote:

Yeah, kinda like that.


Did I get the shirt right?

Ipaghost wrote:
Jim Wood wrote:
Ipaghost wrote:

Yeah, kinda like that.


Did I get the shirt right?

Yes, but you missed the mustache :-)

This is so cool! I love that you're using a recording that you made nearly 40 years ago and it sounds so fresh. Timeless, dude

Weird and wonderful, and really cool that you managed to use your own old recordings!

This is freaking awesome Jim.

Those sounds from the synths are fantastic. Kinda plunderphonicing yourself.

Outstanding idea, and the sounds are excellent!  Yes to more plunderphonia!

Fantastic sound ! Deep space and mix.
Good use of your old stuff smile

Great Sounds, the tape bending at the end sounds like your being talked to from another dimension.

cfurrow wrote:

This is so cool! I love that you're using a recording that you made nearly 40 years ago and it sounds so fresh. Timeless, dude

Plantrain wrote:

Weird and wonderful, and really cool that you managed to use your own old recordings!

vinpous wrote:

This is freaking awesome Jim.

Those sounds from the synths are fantastic. Kinda plunderphonicing yourself.

onezero wrote:

Outstanding idea, and the sounds are excellent!  Yes to more plunderphonia!

Tomavatars wrote:

Fantastic sound ! Deep space and mix.
Good use of your old stuff smile

ConfettiTsunami wrote:

Great Sounds, the tape bending at the end sounds like your being talked to from another dimension.

Thanks all, for your kind comments!

You need to login to leave a comment.
Login Sign-up