Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Well, after 2 years or so, I guess I should stop lurking and
actually post! :)

Thanks for the kind words about Tokyo DisneySea!!!

As Paul mentioned, I was involved in this park (and many others)
as Musical Director and a sound designer.

I first started building my MOTM setup in May or so of 2000, and I
wound up using it considerably from that date forward, both in
the studio here in L.A. and then in Japan. I took 3 SKB cases-full
with me, and am happy to report they weathered the trip just fine!

The modules were used on many music and sound effects
tracks--- standout examples include "Journey to the Center of the
Earth" and "20,000 Leagues".

Maybe the coolest usage was for the volcanic rumbles of Mt.
Prometheus (the 14-story volcano in the center of the park). I took
the SKBs out onto the promenade inside the caldera, and wired
the MOTMs into the sound system (via Pro Tools). I created
low-end rumbles with 3-300 VCOs and the LPF module, and
tuned the sound to resonate with the space and the structure.
With 70 Meyer subwoofer cabinets (each refrigerator-sized!)
spread throughout the space, I could have flattened the whole
park with one false move of the VCF's cutoff knob! :)

The performance was recorded live in the space, and
edited/mastered on Pro Tools. I did similar things in other rides
and shows.

As Paul also mentioned, I had the pleasure of hiring my two
synth heroes, Larry Fast and Tomita, to produce music for the
park. Larry did an hour for "Port Discovery" and Tomita and I
wrote the Main Entrance "Aquasphere" music, which combines 3
complete synchronized arrangements/recordings of the London
Philharmonic Orchestra with Tomita's Moog synth effects and
sweeteners/melodies.

So, as for me, a belated "hello, I'm the new guy" to the MOTM
group--- I've been a modular synth buff since I built a PAiA
P-4700/J in the 70s. I've been doing soundtracks and sound
design for theme parks, film and television since 1981. You've
heard my work at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and on
all the Warner Bros.' animation, like "Animaniacs" and "Batman".
Also worked on toys and computer games, like Teddy Ruxpin,
and many Disney Interactive titles. Now I'm working at NovaLogic
on 1st-person-shooters that keep Paul from going postal in
real-life....! ;)

I've lost track of how many MOTM modules I've built--- but it's 50+
I'm sure...! (The SKBs just hold the essentials.) Paul's designs
kick ass, and I can attest that several high-powered audio
engineering types on the DisneySea project had their jaws drop
when they saw how quiet and precise the modules are.

Anyways, sorry I've been silent for the most part these last two
years--- but I've been too busy making noises! :)

best,

Russell