Tape swap

Subject: Tape swap
From: Bert.
Date: 22 May 98 - 12:17 PM

Diverging from the "What got you started" thread.

How do we go about it.
First we need to create a circular list of names and snail mail addresses of Mudcatters that wish to participate.
Then we have some alternatives.
One way of doing it is.... One person starts a tape by recording one song, The tape is then mailed to the next person on the list who listens to that song, writes some positive feedback on a sheet of paper, records their song as the second song on the tape and mails it to the next on the list, and so on.

Another way would be for everyone on the list to record half a dozen songs and mail it to the next person on the list who could critique it and pass it on again.

Anyone interested can start by emailing their comments along with their snail mail address to me at [e-mail].

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Max
Date: 22 May 98 - 01:02 PM

Or, everyone can record everything they know onto tapes and send them to me. I can encode them and put them online in Real Audio format, as well as mix them up and send them out on CD's. Mudcat Records, real folk.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Bert
Date: 22 May 98 - 01:11 PM

Wow, Great Max. I like it.
Bert

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Bruce V.
Date: 22 May 98 - 01:58 PM

I suggest that we swap descriptions of our styles. That way, prospective swappers can choose a style they might to hear. This could be fun.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: erica
Date: 22 May 98 - 04:18 PM

max--by putting the songs in real audio format, that means i don't have to do any queer midi stuff, right? (otherwise, i'd definitely just have to wait for the CD to come out)

but, more importantly, where do i sign up? : ) are we just going ahead with the send-stuff-to-max plan? Yay!! this is so merry!

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Roger Himler
Date: 22 May 98 - 08:16 PM

Max, You were just being facetious right? I volunteer with a folk club that meets once a week, September through May, and the unsolicited tapes seem a mile high. Can't say I dislike the idea however!

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Max
Date: 23 May 98 - 03:18 PM

No, I am very serious. I have been dying for folks to send me their own music. The mudcat is all about sharing our ideas, knowledge and art. It is the next logical step (at least for me) of the future of the Mudcat.

I really want your music. That's what folk means to me... regular people writing and playing music, and with any ART, it gets life by sharing it with others, and what better environment to share in than the Mudcat. I want your music as much as your opinions in this forum.

The Mudcat has more technology and wherewithall than we are using now. We have a recording studio. We can mix and duplicate CD's for about $2 per. We have a Real Audio server and encoders et al. I'm itching to use it all.

The Mudcat is a non-profit org with the full name "The Mudcat Cafe Music Foundation" Our goal is to develop a music community. This includes the Mudcat that you all know, as well as my local efforts to find and support eclectic musicians, and our long term goal is to have our own non-profit record label. All part of my Lomax fantasies.

Send me tapes:

THE MUDCAT CAFE
5 W. Gay St. Suite A
West Chester, PA 19380

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Frank in the swamps
Date: 24 May 98 - 06:16 AM

Max, you never cease to amaze me, you are an outstanding member of an impressive generation. I'm a hell of a procrastinator (feature of my generation) but I'll send a tape.

Frank.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Axe
Date: 24 May 98 - 07:30 AM

I just read this thread. What a great idea!!! Are you looking for original material, people's versions of traditional tunes or both?? I'll try to get tunes recorded, but I'm not sure of the sound quality. I'll definitiely be watching the progress of this.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Earl
Date: 24 May 98 - 06:43 PM

I was going to ask Axe's question. Should we send originals, traditionals or both. This could be a lot of fun.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Alice
Date: 24 May 98 - 06:51 PM

Wow, Max! This is a great opportunity you are providing. Thank you.

alice

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 May 98 - 11:38 PM

Max,

I would also like to know if you want original stuff or trad, or whatever we feel like recording? This is a great idea! I am anxious to send you something.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: wolfz
Date: 25 May 98 - 01:32 AM

IF SEND AN ORIGINAL TO MAX MAKE SURE THAT YOU COPY RIGHT THE ORIGINAL OR SOME ONE WHO IS NOT AS OPEN WITH THEIR MUSIC AS WE CAN BE WILL RIP IT OFF AND TRY TO MAKE A PROFIT WITHOUT YOU. DON'T WANT TO RAIN ON ANY PARADE BUT HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME.

I THINK THE TAPE SWAP IDEA IS GREAT BUT WANT TO HEAR MORE INFO. E-MAIL ME AT [e-mail]

CHECK WITH YOU GUYS LATER

WOLFZ

MUSIC LIVES FOREVER

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Earl
Date: 25 May 98 - 05:59 PM

At this point in my life I'd be flattered if someone stole one of my songs, but if you're more worried than me (and a US citizen) click here for info on Copyright registration. It costs 20 bucks but is otherwise painless.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Max
Date: 26 May 98 - 12:55 PM

Definitely originals and traditionals. Originals will make this REAL FOLK. I also think of the Mudcat as a songwriters forum, so this should work to keep discussions going about that. Traditionals are a great idea too, because we can associate them with songs in the threads and the database. Then people will get to hear a real version of the tune they may be wanting to learn.

Can't wait to see how this works out.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Susan from California
Date: 26 May 98 - 08:32 PM

OK Max, where and when?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Max
Date: 27 May 98 - 11:33 AM

SEND TAPES OR CD'S OR .WAV OR .RA FILES OR ANYTHING TO:

THE MUDCAT CAFE
5 W. Gay St. Suite A
West Chester, PA 19380

WHEN? HOW ABOUT NOW?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: wolfz
Date: 29 May 98 - 05:21 AM

are we going to start a cirle as someone suggested or just a complete tape of what we like to be sampled by all?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From:
Date: 03 Jun 98 - 08:55 PM

I'd love the chance to trade my music! I don't have a lot of original stuff, although I do have tapes of choir performances that I've done with my school (one of them contains a Ward Swingel arrangement of about 20 American folk songs around the framework of "The Arkansas Traveler") Most of my folk-type-stuff is Celtic in nature, but if that bothers no one, I'd be glad to share and share alike.

Sla/n, Kiwi

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Axe
Date: 06 Jun 98 - 03:15 PM

About the Tape swap and .WAV or .RA files... I just got set up to record some songs and recorded a version of "Come On In My Kitchen". Unfortunately, the file is LARGE (>10 MB). Is there a good way to compress or convert it to another format (even ZIPping it only reduces the size to about 8 MB)??? I also found I had to use 16-bit, 22 kHz sampling to eliminate hiss, snap, crackle and pop to an acceptable level. Any ideas or suggestions??? It sure would be nice to get this started. I've checked ZDNET for some .wav conversion shareware but haven't found anything useful yet.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Jon W.
Date: 09 Jun 98 - 10:54 AM

It's brand new technology, but I think .mp3 (MPEG level 3) files are promising. You're supposed to be able to get around 10:1 compression ratio with no audible loss of fidelity. The encoding takes a lot of computational power, the things I've seen recommend a 166 MHz Pentium at least. I don't seem to have kept a book mark to any of the web pages that discuss it, but there was a thread on this subject a few weeks ago in this forum, and you should be able to find more information by finding the thread (do a forum body search).

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Gene
Date: 09 Jun 98 - 11:07 AM

Download RealAudio Encoder FREE:

CLICK HERE

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Bert
Date: 11 Jun 98 - 05:11 PM

OK Guys, Where are all the tapes????

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Frank McGrath
Date: 11 Jun 98 - 05:34 PM

I saw the title of the thread three weeks ago and I thought to myself, "Shag that for a lark!! I'm not loaning my tapes to anyone, 'cos I'll never see them again"

Now that I've read the thread all I can say is,

WHAT A F&%$#@! BRILLIANT IDEA!!!!!

There will be an audio CD by international snail mail to Max tomorrow. 22 tracks of the best and the worst of the Nenagh Singers Circle. All home grown, unaccompanied "ordinary" singers doing their stuff. And some of it really is brilliant. My song is shite though :-(

Mighty stuff Bert and Max.

Frank McGrath
Nenagh Singers Circle

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Jun 98 - 08:33 PM

One o' mine will get sent tomorrow--just live concert things frome somewhere over last 30 years etc.

Art

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Cuilionn
Date: 11 Jun 98 - 11:59 PM

I can put some Scots Gaelic singin' on tae tape for ye, providin' I can get up th' nerve an' gae in tae wairk verra early some time an' use th' guid acoustics o' th' bathruim tae dae my recordin'... It'll be basic an' unaccompanied, but it micht be usefu' tae ithers whae want tae lairn Scots Gaelic songs. Ane oor twa Braid Scots bits micht mak' their way ontae th' tape as weel, but I dinnae ken.

Th' hale idea is muckle guid...oor suid I say "uabhasach math". I'll try tae get it dane wi'in th' week, providin' I can get th' courage!

An beannachd leibh,

--Cuilionn

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Anne Cormack
Date: 23 Jun 98 - 10:07 AM

I am a member of a Celtic Folk group in Perth Western Australia, called "Alliance", which has recently made a tape called "Reach Out Your Hand". I'll put a copy in the mail by the end of the week. Hope you enjoy it!!!

Best wishes

Anne

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Steve in Wisconsin
Date: 25 Jun 98 - 12:13 PM

Hi-

Haven't had time to visit Mudcat for awhile. Is this song swap still to happen? There hasn't been much activity about it recently?

Thanks,

Steve

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: JVZ
Date: 25 Jun 98 - 11:09 PM

I'm with you, Steve. I missed this thread when it was new but I think I'll re-record some of my songs and dust off my copyrights to make sure I'm cool on everything. Are we still a go, Max, or are you sorry you asked by this time?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Max
Date: 07 Jul 98 - 12:50 PM

I have received a couple of tapes, and am encoding them now. I will contact each tape sender to determine their wishes and concerns before making anything public. Send them, and I'll encode them and put them online for mudcat purposes and your personal use.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Kiwi
Date: 07 Jul 98 - 01:07 PM

Max - wow, rereading this thread I realize that it completely slipped my mind that I had promised to send you a tape. I still intend to send you a tape of stuff, but I'd like to know what you're in the mood for. As I said, I have some stuff from my own choir, as well as some traditional stuff done my a minstrel friend of mine and a local Celtic group; most of my stuff, however, is published stuff that I've picked up from local music stores and friends who were kind enough to copy their stuff for me. If you like, I can mail you a prospective list of songs and their artists.. feel free to pick and choose, and then I'll record what you asked for.

Slán, Kiwi [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Big Mick
Date: 16 Aug 98 - 12:37 PM

Just bringing her back to the top.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Tinwhistler
Date: 16 Aug 98 - 12:50 PM

I have some music I might want to share--but the only equipment I have is a cheap boombox with a built-in microphone, so tapes would be recorded live, complete with disturbing background noises and poor acoustics. Does that make the tapes more "folky" or just annoying?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Muzishun
Date: 17 Aug 98 - 09:20 PM

Dear Max: I am a brand new member (as of this morning). I think this is a fantastic idea/opportunity! I released a CD last August, and I've been struggling with getting it into circulation here in SW VA. Keeping a fulltime "real job" limits my ability to venture very far out of my home turf. It is a mix of traditional and original tunes. I'll have it on it's way tomorrow! Good luck with this endeavor and hello to everyone out there!!

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Jon W.
Date: 18 Aug 98 - 11:36 AM

Tinwhistler, speaking from a little experience, I would say that if you can plug in even a very cheap microphone into your boombox (the kind that used to come with cassette recorders before the built-in condenser mikes were invented) you will get a much cleaner recording. These mikes are probably still available at Radio Shack for around $5 - $10. The key is whether your boombox has a microphone input socket.

Otherwise, you'll need to be in a very quiet room with good acoustics to get a decent recording.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Muzishun
Date: 24 Aug 98 - 09:35 PM

Anything new?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Mikal
Date: 28 Mar 99 - 10:33 PM

Okay, Is this a sore point, or did I interupt some really interesting drama unfolding?

Did anything ever come of the "tape swap" idea? I see the thread died sometime back. Being new and all I have an interest in the idea. (Besides I do have a recording of some of my songs and stories...All copyrighted and such...)

Mikal

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 29 Mar 99 - 12:55 PM

Dear Max

Thats a Mega, Brill, Excellent & Fantastic idea. It is after all what the basis of folk music is: -

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 29 Mar 99 - 01:01 PM

Dear Max

Is a great idea it is aftyer all what the basis of folk music is about : - 'music made by the people for the people' thats us mudcatters!

Me and Bill Sables have been playing folk music for quite sometime. Bill plays loads of instruments and has been involved in folkmusic since 60's and he has guested on a couple of records in his time as ewll as doing an LP in the late 60's. He plays melodion, guitar, mandoling etc.. I have been on radio 2 twice on Kathryn Tickells program 'Bright young things' as well as getting into the semi finals of the radio two folk musician of the year. I play accordion if your wondering. I am also a northumbrian champion. Enough about all that stuff though!!

Me and Bill are starting to play together and are about to record a tape so we thought you may be interested to know Max.

Bye, Sam

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: kendall
Date: 25 Jan 00 - 03:23 PM

did this ever go anywhere?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: The Shambles
Date: 25 Jan 00 - 06:41 PM

No I don't beleive it did, in any formal sense but I may be wrong. I think there was even another thread on the subject.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Mikal
Date: 25 Jan 00 - 07:42 PM

Yo, Max:

You would do this! I haven't anything accopanied on tape as yet! I don't even have my drum on my own stuff!

There is a sample on the website Cantara of my songs, with hardcopies of some stories.... I can make a tape of a capella stuff that I have, much like what is there.

If it is a go, send me a message and I'll send you a tape!

Mikal

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: GUEST,charcloth
Date: 25 Jan 00 - 07:53 PM

I don't know if this is going anywhere But I will send you one of my tapes & a brochure of me & my partner. I may send you one of her tapes as well. I have only one original & it has a copy write.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Alice
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 10:45 AM

The Mudcat CD thread reminded me of this old thread.... sorry it took me a few days to have the time to revive it. If Max is still inclined to do this, send your tapes and CD's to him at the new address (not the one given in the May '98 post). Music sent in the past has been aired on the Mudcat Radio show. If there is a "Mudcat" cd, I think it should be Max's creation. If Mudcatters want to get together as cyber-friends and do their own compilation, that could just be an independent endeavor of those interested. If someone wants to set up a group membership "artist" page on mp3.com with those who agree to do a compilation that way, it's another path to making a cd.

refreshing for the Mudcat cd discussion

Alice

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 03:17 PM

Alice: Thanks fir keeping the idea alive. I haven't been around but for about the last 3 months and wasn't sure what had been tried in the past. A couple of weeks ago I kind of jumped on the idea of a Mud-disc and lots of real creative folks were all for it nad offered to do all kinds of things and then the thread just fell off. I like the tape idea and would be more than happy to throw a song onto it if I knew at some point in time I would get to hear the final version so that I could hear the music of a lot of folks I only know from their posts...

Should it become a CD, better yet... Bobert

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: InOBU
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 04:20 PM

HOKAY! It took me a while to note the date on the origional of this post... It looks like what was being proposed on the mudcat cd thread, so I thought at last Max is picking up the idea... I now can see why he was a little reluctant to get in on the idea... as it seems to have petered out! Well, Max... if you are still interested should we send a track or two to the same address???? Cheers Larry

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 07:39 PM

So.... ? What sayest thou, Max ? Is this a good idea ? Do the previous posts apply today ? Some buddies of mine are recording in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and Seattle, Washington, as we speak. Is this doable ? practical ?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: InOBU
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 07:47 PM

Tic Tic Tic Tic Tic... we all sit listening to the clock tick away... waiting waiting... is there a God? Is Max listening... ?

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: dagenham doc
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 08:06 PM

Same here Max. Is it still a happening thing?? I got real fired up till I noticed the thread is four years old.!!. Max?..........Max?

Doc.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: gnu
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 08:11 PM

Don't e him, I did.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Alice
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 08:17 PM

Notice at the top of the Mudcat forum page that there is often a note that asks for content (which includes recordings) to be submitted to Mudcat. Here is the current address:
Max D. Spiegel
The Mudcat Cafe
P.O. Box 3006
West Chester, PA 19381

Max played recordings on the radio shows - recordings submitted by Mudcat members. Have patience.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: dagenham doc
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 11:26 PM

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz{have patience} zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz{another four years later)zzzzzzzz

Doc. zzzzzzzzzzzz

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: GUEST,Lonesome Gillette
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:48 PM

anybody up for this?:

Some number of people, maybe six or so (could be any amount) exchange snail mail addresses and each records one song on a tape. Then each person mails their tape to one of the others, so everyone gets a tape with one song on it. Then everyone records another song and mails out the two song tapes... etc... till finally you get a tape with 5 songs from the other 5 people.

very small audience, but would be very fun I think, and each person would get a one of a kind tape.

Anyone game? email me... [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: Bert
Date: 21 Mar 02 - 12:54 AM

Anyone interested can send me their snail mail address in a personal message and I'll get things started.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Tape swap
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 02 - 03:21 AM

refresh