With a total of 9 knobs, the Drone Commander offers two manually-tuned oscillators and two LFOs, plus an unusually colorful and nasty filter. LFO1 is an analog variable-shape oscillator, and LFO2 is a pulse waveform that auto-synchronizes to LFO1 at a ratio of 2x, 4x, 8x, or 16x. Both LFOs can be routed to the filter for rhythmic patterns. A line-level output jack is provided for connection to amplifiers or effects. The Drone Commander is housed in a dark green military ammunition case with engraved aluminum control panel. The case is welded steel with an easily removable, rubber gasketed lid. There is almost no plastic in the drone commander! It measures 10″(w) x 7″(h) x 3.5″(d), and weighs about 6 lbs. The unit is powered by a 9V battery accessible through a slide-out drawer in the side, as well as a 9VDC adapter. Filter CV input (0-10V) and clock pulse output (+8V) are now standard features. (View Grendel Drone Commander on Eric Archer's official site here)
Recent discographic works: * Zn'shñ, "Butoh sweets" (odl.9173-659) July 2010 here * Franck Smith, "Théorème de point fixe" (odl.9173-658) Nov 2009 here * Zn'shñ, "II" (odl.9173-657) Sep 2009 here * Zn'shñ, "++" (odl.9173-656) Apr 2009 here
Zn'shñ + Morihide Sawada @ Next Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
Live performance of Zn'shñ (Franck Smith & Elvire Bastendorff: electronics) + Morihide Sawada (drums, voice) @ Next Sunday, Tokyo, Japan. (Recorded September 10th, 2010) * N.B.- drums & voice parts are not shown on screen.
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Zn'shñ + Morihide Sawada @ Koenji High, Tokyo, Japan
Live performance of Zn'shñ (Franck Smith & Elvire Bastendorff: electronics) + Morihide Sawada (drums) @ Koenji High, Tokyo, Japan. (Recorded September 7th, 2010)
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Zn'shñ's electronic setup: - Biscuit (by Oto Machines) - 2x Sleepdrone 5 (by King Capitol) - Glamour Box (by King Capitol) - Kaossilator Pro (by Korg) - Restyler (by Sherman/Rodec) - Space Echo (Boss RE-20)
Discographic works: * Zn'shñ, "Butoh sweets" (odl.9173-659) July 2010 here * Zn'shñ, "II" (odl.9173-657) Sep 2009 here * Zn'shñ, "++" (odl.9173-656) Apr 2009 here
Live performance of Zn'shñ (Franck Smith & Elvire Bastendorff: electronics) + Kouhei Harada (computer) @ Shibuya Lush, Tokyo, Japan. (Recorded September 8th, 2010)
Zn'shñ's electronic setup: - Biscuit (by Oto Machines) - 2x Sleepdrone 5 (by King Capitol) - Glamour Box (by King Capitol) - Kaossilator Pro (by Korg) - Restyler (by Sherman/Rodec) - Space Echo (Boss RE-20)
Discographic works: * Zn'shñ, "Butoh sweets" (odl.9173-659) July 2010 here * Zn'shñ, "II" (odl.9173-657) Sep 2009 here * Zn'shñ, "++" (odl.9173-656) Apr 2009 here
[Video 1/3] Zn'shñ + A Qui Avec Gabriel + Cal Lyall @ SuperDeluxe, Tokyo, Japan
[Video 2/3] Zn'shñ + A Qui Avec Gabriel + Cal Lyall @ SuperDeluxe, Tokyo, Japan
[Video 3/3] Zn'shñ + A Qui Avec Gabriel + Cal Lyall @ SuperDeluxe, Tokyo, Japan
Live performance during Test Tone 61: Intersecting Streams of Consciousness @ SuperDeluxe, Tokyo, Japan (Recorded September 14th, 2010). Featuring: Zn'shñ (electronics) + À qui avec Gabriel (accordion) + Cal Lyall (hydrophone)
—Notes from official program—
Specializing in electronics, French artists Zn'shñ (aka Franck Smith & Elvire Bastendorff) creates expansive soundscapes of the highest order. Under the Odiolorgnette imprint, Zn'shñ has produced albums and soundtracks steeped in minimalist sensibility, influenced by artists such as Ryoji Ikeda and butoh legend Hijikata Tatsumi...
[here] Zn'shñ's sound artistry meets with the sublime accordion playing of À qui avec Gabriel, a Tzadik recording artist with a string of successful collaborations under her belt — joined by improvising artist Cal Lyall, who creates watery ambiances using effected hydrophones (underwater microphones) submerged in strange and hypnotic water sources. * Visuals & projections by Onnacodomo (DJ Codomo, Yasuko Seki and Ruka Noguchi).
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Zn'shñ's electronic setup: - Biscuit (by Oto Machines) - 2x Sleepdrone 5 (by King Capitol) - Glamour Box (by King Capitol) - Kaossilator Pro (by Korg) - Restyler (by Sherman/Rodec) - Space Echo (Boss RE-20)
Discographic works: * Zn'shñ, "Butoh sweets" (odl.9173-659) July 2010 here * Zn'shñ, "II" (odl.9173-657) Sep 2009 here * Zn'shñ, "++" (odl.9173-656) Apr 2009 here
Zn'shñ is a dual electronic unit devoted to noise-manufacturing, designed for soundtrack production & live performances. "Specializing in electronics, French artists Zn'shñ (aka Franck Smith & Elvire Bastendorff) creates expansive soundscapes of the highest order. Under the Odiolorgnette imprint, Zn'shñ has produced albums and soundtracks steeped in minimalist sensibility, influenced by artists such as Ryoji Ikeda and butoh legend Hijikata Tatsumi." (from Test-Tone program, Tokyo, Japan).
