Created with KRONOS: Challenger 25th Anniversary Tribute

[CfNorENa]

This song really grew on me!

I have to admit, the first time I heard it, I didn't like it that much. Seemed like an 80s cliche. Then I listened again, a bit more sympathetically, and decided that the music was very period-appropriate and therefore "authentic." But then I unexpectedly found myself humming the tune, and then listened again (and again), and now I can't get that chorus out of my head!

I have no doubt that holding this back for the 25th anniversary was the right thing to do (context: I was 15 when it happened, and remember it pretty well).

Well done.

[StephenKay]

But then I unexpectedly found myself humming the tune, and then listened again (and again), and now I can't get that chorus out of my head!

Well then, sir, it appears that my job here is done.

Seriously, thank you for that - made my day.

[vEddY]

This song really grew on me!
I have to admit, the first time I heard it, I didn't like it that much. Seemed like an 80s cliche. Then I listened again, a bit more sympathetically, and decided that the music was very period-appropriate and therefore "authentic." But then I unexpectedly found myself humming the tune, and then listened again (and again), and now I can't get that chorus out of my head!

Agreed. And it made me think about Jarre's Ron's piece... Just goes to show how hurtful experiences can lead to great music. Incredible work, Stephen.

[ScottB601]

Now that there is good stuff. Stephen, if you don't mind, could you send me one pint of your blood? I want to try something..........

[Vermeer]

Wow, just discovered this thread. I love 80's music (to the consternation of anyone working next to my office) and can totally relate to that sound. I was 15 when the tragedy occurred and can remember this like it was yesterday.

Anyway, thank for posting the mp3 for *free* for everyone to enjoy. Korg probably didn't want to be associated with anything tragic, so I understand their position. Better done on your own anyway.

Still cannot believe that you have so much vocal range, songwriting and keyboard-playing skills...

- Nick -

[StephenKay]

Thanks, guys.

[ScottB601]

So.........that's a "no" on the blood?

Just ordered my Kronos 88!

[StephenKay]

So.........that's a "no" on the blood?

Depends...on how much you're offering.

Just ordered my Kronos 88!

[ChristianRock]

Hey Stephen! That is an awesome song, and I'm in awe of your voice.

But I think you shouldn't be resentful at all (and you probably aren't anyway) that Korg didn't pick it up for a demo song for the Kronos. It's very 80s, and even though I say that in a good way, the philosophy of Kronos is to be a game-changer synth looking at the future. Not that there's anything wrong with the past, but there's a philosophy about marketing a product and you usually have to stick with it.

Someone said your voice is a bit low on the recording as far as its volume, and I second that. It's also not as clear and pristine as you would get in modern recordings... that probably has to do with it coming off an old tape that has probably lost a few frequencies, or might even not have been aligned as well as it could have. Still, that doesn't take away from the brilliance of the song. I'm considering getting a Kronos for being my actual DAW, and this is the first time I've heard of someone using it that way, and being that it's someone I consider a musical genius of our time (you), that's very very encouraging!!

[EvilDragon]

O hai thar, CR!



Stephen - you have a pretty darn good vocal chords there! Great stuff!

[jeremykeys]

Very cool. I remember it like it was yesterday.

[PauloF]

Hi everyone,

For about the last 6 months, I've been working on a personal music/video project... I've now released it on
YouTube - and it uses the Kronos.

Jan 28, 2011 is the 25th anniversary of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. 25 years ago, when I was still
a professional musician chasing a record deal and dreaming of writing and recording songs, I was greatly
affected by this event and wrote a memorial song that was completed just two days after the event. My partner
Dave (a guitarist) and I recorded a demo version of it. I tried to get something to happen with it, but 25 years
ago I was an "unsigned artist", there was no internet, no youtube, no self-promotion, and it remained
unreleased and unpublished.

To make a long story short (you can read about it in more detail on the support website ChallengerTributeSong.com),
this year I decided to re-record it (using the development Kronos I happened to have in my possession),
make an inspirational video to go with it, and release it for the anniversary. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK0QE68_Dds&fmt=18

Note: this song was not, at all, written as a "Kronos Demo" - i.e., it's not about showcasing the various
programs, or synth engines, or "amazing sounds from each model" - not at all. I picked sounds for use that
I felt were appropriate for the creation of a real song, in the style I desired, to capture the message I
wanted to deliver. It's not a demo sequence like I usually do where I try to use every program under the
sun and then throw in the kitchen sink. It's a real-life usage by an "artist" (ahem...) creating a full-blown
"real song", using essentially one unit (and of course the great "real" guitar work by my partner and our
vocals, done on audio tracks.)

So if you watch/listen to this with the idea that it's supposed to "blow you away" with all the potential of the
Kronos, then I would guess you will be disappointed.

Rather, I hope you will enjoy the song/video for what it is: a heart-felt tribute to the 25th anniversary of the
Challenger disaster, and the Space Shuttle program in general, that coincidentally just happens to have been
created using the Kronos.

Even though I used Digital Performer to record the guitars and vocals (there were approximately 30 tracks
of background vocals and 20 tracks of clean and distorted guitars, although it may not sound like it), all of
the 24-bit 48k audio tracks were bounced down to multiple two-track stereo submixes, and everything was
put into the Kronos - 16 tracks of MIDI, 16 tracks of audio - and it was completely mixed and mastered in the
Kronos using the Kronos' effects, and bounced to a 24-bit WAVE file on the Kronos. In doing so, I had hoped
Korg might use it as a demo sequence, but I think they felt it wasn't appropriate for that use - and maybe
they are correct.

Anyway, what you will hear, for the detail-inclined, are (in various spots):
HD-1
STR-1
MOD-7
AL-1
Polysix
Wave-sequencing (HD-1)
stereo drums and percussion...
Some subtle uses of KARMA (intro, acoustic guitar, mallet sweep glissandoes)

And yes, that's me singing lead - from 25 years ago (the original lead vocal from the demo we created.)

Finally, let me ask a personal favor: if you like this video/song, please forward it to all your friends and
anyone who might be interested in this particular subject - I'd like to spread it around.

Thanks!

Hi Stephen,
Awesome theme and I also share your feelings regarding the Challenger disaster, which could have been avoided if greed and stupidity of some could have been stopped.

Although is not a Kronos demo, it pretty shows what can be done with it.
I'm particularly impressed by the production !!!

Very Good Job Stephen!!!!

P.S: I'm also a Karma fan, which unfortunately I can't use without a Korg or Yamaha boards... maybe next year

[StephenKay]

Awesome theme and I also share your feelings regarding the Challenger disaster, which could have been avoided if greed and stupidity of some could have been stopped.

Although is not a Kronos demo, it pretty shows what can be done with it.
I'm particularly impressed by the production !!!

Very Good Job Stephen!!!!

Thanks, Paulo!

[jick]

Being quite a fan of everything that's spacy (LOL) I enjoyed this!! Great job!

[latnjazfan]

That was wonderful.