>soundsystem

the vibecontrol soundsystem - legendary producer and performer collective originated in 1998 by frog aka tms and dj darkD and soon joined by alien k and gigantor. the original >soundsystem has been operating on an open source basis, sharing music freely on various media and on the internet and produced many exiting projects and collaborations with artists from all continents. the basic intention was to create progressive sound free from commercial pressure and beyond genres and styles and experiment with new technology to combine the best of the analogue and the digital world. besides receiving contributions from a huge network of international independent artists the soundsystem has also created original work under the vibecontrol catalogue which includes collaborations, solo records, audiobooks, singles, compilations, soundtracks and sound for interactive media which is available for licensing and distribution through interactive recordings. the catalogue includes work by frog, tms, darkD, alien k, singularity-106 aka gigantor, projekt5, ampauxq, augias amena, mixmaster todd, jess pearson,  herold, paradogs, panzumo, sonora, basicray and many others as well as a huge collection of rarities and collaborations that have been collected and presented on various sampler projects and on the online radio show new digital wave. stay tuned for 2010 with open hearts and open ears>

vibecontrol.net

vibecontrol.net - the interactive megazine. it is a channel for online culture and a platform for communication under the aspect of progress. it functions as a display of digital lifestyle and independent art. vibecontrol.net activities are being supported by individual artists, collectives and companies. the interactive content is being created on a non-profit basis through the international independent artist network. it has been described as an interactive self-growing magazine, a sustainable entity that stands alone by itself. it is a virtual spot in reality that expands into a world floating freely in a universe of sound, colour and shape. since 1998 it has created many exciting ventures some of which took on a life of their own. it has been a playground and an inspiration for a new generation of artists, it has provided a showground for multimedia, technology and interactive art. it is an evermorphing cybersomething that wants to be experienced. the vibecontrol.net userinterface has always been a very unusual design exercise, it was always experimental, progressive and very playful, truly unique. the basic idea was to transport the essence of the experience from the analogue world into the digital domain. the interface and it's navigation, the consoles, were very much alive, interactivity was the main name of the game, the intention to stimulate and motivate the user to go further and explore. interactive content was presented through the use of various new technologies like java applets, quicktime, real player, shockwave, flash, metastream to name a few. of course those may not be so new anymore, some of them may be forgotten, but in the late 1900s it was somewhat revolutionary. keep in mind that that was the time were computer screens slowly started to make the transition from black&white to color, more or less. it was a constant race between software and hardware, improvement on every level, harddrives, ram, floppy to zip to cd-rom to dvd, scsci to usb to firewire, the first serious laptops (powerbooks), digital audio, video, all that happened more or less around the millenium. vibecontrol.net was never tired to try something new, livestreams, radio, tv, webcams, chat, forums, polls, you name it. besides the use of technological improvements and possibilities there really was a lot of creativity. the initial concept was so open that we were able to gather a diverse pool of artists and supporters, each one with an individual approach which enriched the overall performance and provided the basis for experimentation and exploration. the exchange of ideas, files, designs and concepts and the new ways of communication in return created output in the real world, events, productions, product. for those who are wondering why the content of vibecontrol.net remained static since the mid2000s the answer is simple: vibecontrol.net had to rest. much had happened fast and the original ideas had been sent ahead in time. now it was time to wait and sit back to see what would become of it all. vibecontrol 2.1 THE REAL will bring back some of the memories and will present a lot of new. at some point it didn't make sense to play catch-up with technologies and codes and gadgets and devices, it made sense to let things work out themselves. a lot of interesting things have happened lately, it seems like there are efforts to work the major bugs out of the systems. It has become exciting again to dig deeper and a lot of technological improvements are becoming widely available. vibecontrol.net has always been a conscious effort by conscious people to raise consciousness and 2.1 will use it's resources wisely. vibecontrol.net is slowly awakening from hybernation and wants to present itself in it's real skin.

a byte of history [part 1]

this is going to be a short introduction to guide from the abstract, technical, philosophical topics that underlay the background of the vibecontrol label and collective to the more practical and operational facts that describe the development and evolution and represent the actual experience. the vibecontrol term popped up around 1996 in vienna/austria first as an idea, in 1997 it became the concept and worktitel for an electronic record and in early 1998 it transmorphed into a label that was initially supporting the musical endeavors of the band and production team frog and later the vibecontrol soundsystem. in summer of 1998 the first vibecontrol website was launched in new york city through earthlink and around 1999 the original vibecontrol.net went online as a selfgrowing entity and interactive megazine on our own webserver maintained through our friends and partners from manhattan multimedia. this was at the time when dotcom was booming, the internet topic was hot, a whole new wave, a brand new scene was born between silicon alley and silicon valley and worldwide and we were not fully aware of it. basically we were doing our thing, never really too structured, though we had an office that functioned as our international headquarter in the world trade center for a while. technically we were never a business, or a startup, never really thought in these terms, it really was about creating, efficiently producing interactive content and sharing openly among likeminded. never spent a dime on advertising, marketing or promotion. besides the virtual product in form of art, content and intellectual property we did create some merchandise (tapes, records, cds, dvds, t-shirts, hats, etc) which was mainly given away for free within our network, simply to give back and say thanks. somehow our projects were pretty successful, many hits on the websites, postcards on broadway, vc in the press, cooperations, international recognition. in late 2000 and early 2001 we moved our office and sever to the westcoast were it remains ever since. the dotcom bubble burst, but it didn't change much for vibecontrol. in 2002 a group of artists gathered in amsterdam/netherlands and created an interactive artinstallation over the course of a week in cooperation with the dutch communication label and agency fanclub network. the event was called vibecontrol artweek amsterdam and created the multimedia installation the message - a manifestion of a virtual spot in reality in sound, colour and shape. the event was a huge success and was definitely a highlight of our enterprises. over the years vibecontrol has created a number of exciting and challenging projects and the results can be seen and explored on the vibecontrol pages. the vibecontrol catalogue has become a collection of anlogue and digital art that demonstrates the transition and evolution of multimedia and interactive art around the millenium. starting with 2010 vibecontrol 2.1 will make an effort to organize and reorganize the collection and database and present vibecontrol works in context of space and time to honor the contributions, contributors and supporters of this unique experience. respekt the artizt [[[]]]

multimedia

multimedia is the name of the game when it comes to vibecontrol, the basic underlaying code, the interactive language that supports and enables experience, communication and art in a broader, multidimensional context. it is as much a tool as it is a way and means of expression, it may be a technology as well as a technique. multimedia is sound, colour and shape and more. it is text, picture, graphic, audio, video, animation, interactivity, software, hardware, analogue, digital, it is look, smell, feel, expression, impression, frequency, response, resonance and more. as a term it may often be misunderstood, but it is effective and it's impact is lasting. multimedia is multidmensional and multiplatform, in fact it is crossdimensional and crossplatform, it is hypermedia, metamedia, a nonlinear context and structure of data and information. it is cyber, hyper, meta, but also very subtle, it is an arrangement, an installation and it can be simple and sophisticated, even at the same time. it is educational, it has impact and translates information, impressions and concepts, the idea of multimedia in itself is rich and vivid. working in a multimedia environment is stimulating and requires a level of openness and flexibility, the creation, shaping and molding of multimedia is a multitasking approach. the combination of media and content feeds off the possibilities and restrictions of the tools, software, hardware, capturing devices, storage, technology.. expansion into virtual reality, expansion into physical space, vice versa, interactivity. the internet in it it's current form is multimedia, it can be what you want it to be. and so is vibecontrol.

generation D

the generation D, the digital generation, is a relatively new concept (at least according to a google search), it describes the population that is savvy with computers, gadgets and electronics in general. it is used to access information directly and immediately, preferably through the internet and is not defined by age.[ just for the record I would like to add that generation D is also the title of an inofficial and unreleased frog album (ca 1999) that contained a number of remixes and b-sides, it is included in the vibecontrol catalogue on interactive recordings but we never got around of clearing the samples.] in many ways vibecontrol can be linked to the expression of generation D, it's individual members show characteristics that may fit under this umbrella. the cyberspace is part of it, cybertagging on cyberwalls, cybergraffiti so to speak [big up break]. the fashion element I do want to mention, long hours on the computer require certain adjustments, you want to dress comfortably, but in style. you carry your laptop with you all the time, you need a bag. your gadgets need chargers, cables and accessories, all that needs to be organized. working at night can help with the bandwidth, especially in the old days of telephone modems, an adjustment in lifestyle, it soon becomes a lifestyle. you may spend money on computer magazines, because they keep you up-to-date and they come with cds with software and tutorials. the nutrition is important, long hours in front of the screen can be draining, eating light is the way to go, computerwork requires discipline, it is a discipline, it is in many ways a meditation, it requires focus. it also can have side effects, carpal tunnel syndrome for example, distorted vision and other side-effects of repetetive motions, but what activity doesn't? the stereotype that was created by society and the media described this new school cyber geek with a skater attitude.. the urban creative. [I had to laugh when I saw this ad in the early 2000s, this guy with the small black glasses, sporting the fauxhawk, wearing baggy pants and producing music on his laptop... as always it's time to move on when things become a "trend".] unfortunately things have gone a little over the top, in terms of expression not too much new and truly innovative has happened over the last decade, most of these "innovations" have been there for a while, they are now just being commercialized. this new generation, that follows the D is called generation e, or so I have read and the "e" being written in small case, it stands for electronic. this is the generation that can not remember a world without wireless and cellphones, it is the one that was born into cyberspace so to speak. it has conversations via text, gathers their friends on facebook, twitters the latest news to the world and is in general overstimulated. as far as the original generation D goes, I have observed that many of them have strived to find the balance between using technology for it's benefits and otherwise trying to stay in touch with nature, organic lifestyle to compensate for the long hours in front of the screen. I think that the new alternative and green energy movement, solar for example is an expression and an effort of this pioneer generation that tries to bridge the gap between the analogue and the digital domain. since generation D by definition is not described by age it can not grow older, but it may grow wiser.

technology vs technique

technology, is it a curse or a blessing? let's leave this question unanswered for a moment, because obviously it can be both. it is a fact that the vibecontrol experience in many ways was and is related to the endless possibilities that modern technology has to offer. multimedia as such on the other hand can be seen as a technique. a unique way of putting information together, of arranging data and creating patterns and sequences. the common interest of the collective as a label is based on communication under the aspect of progress, in the context of art and with the intention to generate a value of experience, to experience. technology enables and allows a transition from the analogue to the digital domain and back. expression, experimentation, scientific interest as well as personal excitement are keyfactors in the development of technologies at least from a creative perspective and the results can be used or abused. as far as the vibecontrol experience and the actual label goes it was created by the dynamic that exists between these two notions, technology vs technique, a playful exercise and an attempt to create. it is a symbiosis and a coexistence, no doubt that one influences the other. I would say that the people who shared an interest to contribute to the vibecontrol enterprise were and are very much like surfers who are out there waiting for the perfect wave and are willing to take the small ones in between to stay in shape and prepare. they are pioneers and innovators testing their new concepts and prototypes, always striving to learn and improve and are willing to freely share the results of their research. it is about exchange, development and progression, ultimately evolution. this takes a lot of effort, it is basically an expedition into unknown territory that requires preparation and commitment. the consequence and/or the subsequence leads to the adaption of a lifestyle, it becomes a lifestyle. the stereotype of the computernerd, the typical hacker in it's original and positive sense, transmorphed into the modern creative, the cybergeek, the skateboard riding laptop artist, the prototype of generation d. there is always the industrial aspect of it and of course the marketing that goes along with it. the use of technology combined with the application of a technique turns into a lifestyle and creates an image that becomes absorbed by the media and is used to advertise the next generation of the technology (in form of a product) to the next generation of user (in form of the customer). needless to say that sometimes, in fact many times, the original idea gets lost in translation and originators, innovators and inventors see their work misused and abused, but fortunately I don't think that it is going to stop them from originating, innovating and inventing. it is like the code of a software that gets out of hand between revisions and upgrades, but the next major upgrade will fix the bigger issues and makes worrying about the small bugs obsolete.. and there is always the option to forget about the whole thing all together and move on to the next thing. I think that good ideas speak for themselves and will always carry on one way or another. it may be in the intention, in the basic concept or simply in the value of the experience that provides inspiration to others and passes on the spark. as far as vibecontrol goes.. technology is part of it, but it really is a special technique.

the independent artspace

the independent artspace was the first version, the prototype, of what would later become the Virtual Gallery. artspace is self-explanatory, but now what does independent actually mean? independent in vibecontrol terms means creation and production with no major financial backing and no primary commercial interest. it means to create something of substantial value in the context of space and time and beyond and is based on creative freedom of expression, experimentation and exploration. therefore it has no initial interest in capitalization and major corporative support unless it benefits the result and improves the overall value of the experience. the result does not have to be a finished product, it can be a sketch, a fragment, an idea, a concept, a prototype, a work in progress or anything the artist wants it to be. it holds value for what it is. now this roughly and barely describes the basic parameters of the original vibecontrol approach. the basic spark came in form of a simple slogan, a campaign, a call, a simple question: "do you want to participate?" needless to to say that the result was overwhelming, due to the nature of the true artist.. people did participate. it did not involve money, it was free, free of obligation, free in form. what do you have to contribute? send us the files, through email, snailmail, burn a cd, upload yourself.. we made it easy. custom solutions for unique situations, immediate response, worldwide exposure through the interweb and appreciation, lots of that. cyberlove. nonjudgemental display on our interactive channels, multimedia in it's purest form brought amazing results and was an inspiration for all participants. playfulness with new media tools, the combination of simplicity and abstract thinking in context of the turn of the century and more than that - the millenium. a new age, a new era, the age of aquarius, new age renaissance. a new generation of artists taking advantage of the chance to grab their 15 minutes of fame.. and andy was with us, in spirit, and represented by two of his close friends, paul morrisey and stephen sprouse, and we are proud of that. this was generation d, generation digital, at the peak of it's infantry. anyhow the artspace turned into the virtual gallery and created many interesting, exiting, inspiring and sometimes mindbending projects. the combination of creativity and technology or more so the creative use of technology lead us deep into cyberspace, virtual reality, the concept of interactivity, yes the inter[.net]activity (a vibecontrol term), can  not exactly be described and may be not be recreated, it had to be experienced. it is hard to describe the excitement to follow the development of an interactive comic made in flash, to wander through worlds in vrml, spin a record on a cyber turntable (a 1210/3dsmax/flash), make a 360 in a VR for the first time or check on the weather in new york through a webcam (with accurate time and temperature). it also created exchange, brought people together, it was a connection, our connection. it was all about connecting, connecting the dots, building bridges between age, race, nationality, gender, geographical location, timezones, crossing gaps from one keyboard, one mouse, one screen to another, needless to say that it created synergies. I guess you can say that the highlight and physical manifestation of this unusual artinstallation so far was the vibecontrol artweek amsterdam in 2002 which still has it's digital imprint on the vibecontrol pages, with logfiles, media, music, lots of artwork, information and etc, but more on that later. vibecontrol works - do you want to participate?