Erik and I have both recently worked on orchestral related tracks which made me think that perhaps we should try to do more in this vein.  I never work well unless I have deadlines set for myself, so we came up with the idea that we collaborate on a split ep with a somewhat orchestral theme with some sort of project completion date set beforehand.  We also decided to create sample sets for each other, thus thwarting attempts at falling back on old tricks.  After many transgressions, we settled on the parameters for the project. 

The sample sets we create for each other must contain:

• 2 minutes total of pre-existing orchestral material
• 2 minutes total of non-layered material
• 2 minutes total of sampled material

Rules for Sampled material:

• All material must be sourced directly from orchestrally related instruments (with no tricksey sidestepping).
• All samples must be created only using the instrument and some means of recording.  In other words, using a lo-fidelity device to record the sound is acceptable in that the effect it has on the sample will be from the recording process itself.  However, further editing the sample in logic is forbidden. 

Rules for use of material:

• 2 10 minute tracks will be made by each artist using only the sample set created by the other person. 
• No new material may be recorded, however heavy dismantling of aforementioned samples is acceptable. 
• Violation of any of these rules or guidelines will be grounds for immediate termination. 

This will be quite a challenge.  Not only do we have to create 20 minutes of music from a total of 8 minutes of sampled material, but we’ll have to adapt our ideas depending on what sounds the other person provides.  End results will be able to be attributed partially to the sample maker for arguably imposing restrictions and limitations, and partially to the composer for figuring out how to circumvent them. 

Erik, you’d better provide some decent material or I swear I’ll kick your butt when you get to New York!

Also, big up to hecanjog for making this nifty little blog thingy.