A note about the TRON Beatjazz Controller Campaign "Perks"
I figured that this is a good time to go over the specifics of what the "perks" are and when they will be delivered. That way you'll have a much clearer idea of which perk you will want to go for (hint, hint...)
The perks are things that I give you in return for contributing to the TRON Beatjazz controller campaign. These are my way of saying thank you. I have created the perks list in a manner that will ensure I can fulfill the orders no matter how few or how many contributions I get.
The campaign itself ends on Feb. 21st. At which point, the project officially begins. This is the point where all funds associated with the campaign are released to me. at this point I will move the project to a project space, like BetaHaus here in Berlin, and continue the work that I have already begun, but with better tools and resources. With the number of talented people that I have working with me on this project, it should be "finished"-meaning, functional enough to use at a show- by mid April. It is at this point that I will start compiling my notes and putting together the content for the DVD and the EP. I will be recording the EP starting the last week of April and it will take no longer than a 2 weeks to complete ( I work fast). So fulfillment of deliverables is set to begin on the second week of May.
If you contributed $5 toward the EP, as well as all other contributors, you will get a download code at this time. The EP will not be available to the public...only to contributors. For those that went for the party pass ($15) you will get the download code and an e-ticket for the Tron Controller Debut event which will happen the last weekend in May. I already have a venue here in Berlin but I do not want to say which one, until I have a written confirmation from them, but rest assured, it will be hot and well worth the amount contributed.
If you have ever received one of my CD projects, you will know that I am into hand painting them, and this will be no exception. The DVD ($25) will be a maze of various forms of digital content, stitched together in a way that I hope you find entertaining. it will contain the EP as well as a documentary of the making of this system, PDF notes and a Pdf copy of my soon to be completed book, “the 21st century Musicians Guide to Busking" which is part “how to” and part philosophy and theory about the now and the future of playing sans a venue. Even if you aren’t interested in busking, I hope you find it to be an interesting read along with the other content on this disc. knowing myself as I do, I’m sure that there will be quite a bit of interesting content on this DVD and as with the other items, this is a campaign exclusive; no more of these will be produced after I have fulfilled orders to contributors.
The book ($50) will be hand bound, meaning that I want it to have a classic look and feel although I will be creating them one by one, here at home. They will all be signed by me and serial numbered, for whatever that is worth. I just think it looks cool to have a serial number on the front, but that's just me. I also found some really cool paper at the local art's shop, MODULOR, that looks like scroll paper from some old biblical movie. I can get loads of it in bulk which will keep the cost down, while creating an object that is waaaay cool.
The studio sessions are different. I will start scheduling them from mid April starting with the first contributor to purchase this perk. You do get the DVD, but not the book. I can do multiple sessions during the same period but there are a couple of stipulations. You must have Skype and a webcam. You "should" have an indabamusic.com account but if you don't we can use a number of other methods to work together. You can use your 5 hours all at once or in multiple session totaling no more than 5. I’m not trying to do 20 15 minute sessions. Work with me here...but during those sessions, you will access to my full arsenal of sounds and skills and we will work together to make sure that we make your track sound dope. Side note; I usually charge quite a bit more for session work but I want to say thank you for contributing, so…
You may have noticed that I threw my old iphone 3G ($250) into the mix. I thought it might be nice to load it up with goodies and offer it to anyone interested. The things on offer here are exclusive to contributors. This phone, which is jailbroken, works on any network, although the wifi has crapped out. It will be loaded with loads of music, and exclusive videos that I have never released before as well as all the content from the DVD. And you still get the EP, the party pass, the DVD and the book! The installed apps will be cydia sourced so you don't have to worry about losing the content in you sync with another computer. You even get the original sim that came with the phone, just in case you’re not down with jailbreaking. Win, win!!
From here, it’s all about the controller variations. let me say now...I love building stuff and I look forward to building these controllers, but I am not yearning to be the next M-Audio, meaning, after this campaign, I probably will not be building anymore controllers except for my own use. Who knows? Maybe I will change my mind, but I love playing music too much and I don't see me spending a big chunk of my life building controllers for people, so these will probably be the most exclusive thing on the list!
The first model is the wired version based on my original design ($400). It will have two wired hand units leading to a central processing unit and a wired headset. It will have the integrated color synthesis system and it brains will be based on Pure Data. I will start fulfilling these the second week of May, starting with the first contributor to buy any of the 3 controller packages on offer. I will go down the list. please allow 3 days in between each order (i.e., of you are 20th on the list, you will receive yours a few weeks after the first one ships. maybe sooner, depending on how fast I can assemble them.) Upon receipt of the controller, I offer an hour of Skype to help you set it up.
The wireless controller ($800) is two wireless hand units and a headset that houses the lip and breath sensor, wireless transceiver and rechargeable battery. It follows the same stipulations as above with the addition of 5 hours of instruction and setup help. 5 hours is a really long time so by the end of our (no more than 5) sessions, you should be a Beatjazz god.
The difference between the "Gig" package and the VIP package, beside the contribution ($2500) is that you get one of only 5 of the carbon fiber controllers systems that will ever be made, by me anyways. 2 systems are mine- a primary and a backup, 1 is for the ultimate package and 2 are for the VIPs package. The only difference between this and my personal system is the carbon fiber headset that will house the lip/breath interface. There is also no mic or in ear monitoring. Besides that, it is identical and will definitely be a show stopper. Let me tell you what’s gonna happen. many people are going to pass on this package except for the 2 persons that actually buy it and when other people see it in action they are going to ask where they can get one, at which point you can tell them that its one of only 5 that will ever be made. Believe! That’s exactly what’s going to go down...don't pass on the opportunity. Get it while the carbon fiber is hot!
And last but the exact opposite of least, we come to THE ULTIMATE PACKAGE!!, PACKAge, PACkage, Package,package, packa...I have been told that this is wildly underpriced but it’s my first campaign so I’ll charge more next time;-) with this baby you get it all. The EP, the book, the sessions, the DVD but the big difference is that you get a preconfigured netbook to house the brains of the system and you get all of the original notes, sketches and schematics (I usually scan the stuff for my own records). All you have to do is connect the computer to your musical system and you are Lawnmower man! Need help with that?! Well, I will personally deliver this baby to your HOUSE, and sit with you, at your place! for 2 days! And show you everything I know about this system, about Beatjazz, how to play it, the concepts behind it...everything! Hell, I’ll show you how to make perfect pancakes while I’m there too! And after this 2 day crash course, you and I will put on a concert together for your friends and family! And with this package...YOU GET A HELMET!! YAAAAAY!!! But, as with the rest, there are a few stipulations;
· Upon purchase, I will need your hat size so we can make your helmet. It will be a slightly different design than mine, but it will still look very cool and house all of the electronics. The hand units will be a more general ergonomic configuration, so you won’t have to get a mold poured as I did.
Delivery to your home is contingent upon a few stipulations as well;
· The cost of round trip travel including ground transportation and hotel cannot total more than $1200. We can put more towards travel to places that are waaaay out of the way, if I stay at your home, but that is not a stipulation.
· NO WAR ZONES! I will Google your town/city/village...if the kids are armed and people carry machetes, I’m not coming! We can meet in a city or country that is less violent.
That’s it. My goal is that you are happy with your acquisition.
So I hope that makes the whole "perks" thing more accessible. I really want you to dig whatever perk you decide on because I really want you to know how much I appreciate that you would assist me in creating such a project. I know that you don't have to do it, which makes it that much more special to me. You complete me (Ed; no, a little less...) Thank you. Have a safe weekend. (Ed; Better)
Click to share thisClick to share this
