Anybody like the idea of synchronized music?

plumblove · Post by **plumblove** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:09 pm

I'm a big fan of the Mutant Vehicles on the Playa. I even brought one my virgin year. The Perambulator. This year I'm making a bigger and better one for my 4th trip out.

I had an idea that may be counter to the concept of the individual at BM. But I thought I'd suggest it anyway. With all the tech available today it wouldn't be very hard to set up a LAN or other wireless system so that at certain times art cars and camps could all play the same music. Events like the man burn or at certain posted times of the night would be great. The discordant music is fun at times but I thought that synchronizing it could be a unifying and wonderous experience.

Any thoughts?

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:11 pm

will you play any Wayne Newton?

surely, that would bring us all together.....

or Zamfir?..........

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:19 pm

...I have often thought of this (and discussed it with others). Many have said it would be neat, but how would we do it (at no cost to us)?

Others have said; "Isn't that what Radio is for?"

...to which I have an answer to neither...

Do you?

p.s. - Our Village is considering a common P.A. / Muzak / announcement system....that is also kind of what you describe.

I think there is a common vibe here that could be exploited by an individual with tech savvy and some funds (or the ability to write a good grant proposal to the BMOrg or Homeland Security)

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:43 pm

dragonfly Jafe wrote: "Isn't that what Radio is for?"

Precisely!

But in the real world of BRC, it ain't gonna happen. There's too much independence, and the fact that what's "music" to some is "noise" to others.

But assuming it WAS gonna happen, for the sake of discussion, radio is the answer because everyone already has the ability to plumb a radio signal into their sound system. Any other high-tech shit would require investment and somehow getting everyone to set up the same system.

However, it might be possible, and cool, to arrange something like this with the organizers of the large-scale sound camps at 10:00 and 2:00. Imagine the awesome stereo effect that could be achieved out in the deep playa at night!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:53 am

Anyone else for panpipes?

[youtube][/youtube]

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:08 am

Dougly, "we reach" (obscure line from Star Trek)

[youtube][/youtube]

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:34 am

I just have an idea that any song chosen is going to be something I find unendurable.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:11 pm

Presenting Ruby Rhod! He's so talented, don't you think? I just love him... he's so sexy...

[youtube][/youtube]

Yeah, we're green!

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:44 pm

Look at all that leopard! Are they space ranger mentors?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:40 pm

Yet another reason to build a jammer.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:50 pm

A ballet of remote controlled MVs, accompanied by a live classical orchestra.

There, that would be unique.

zachass · Post by **zachass** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:52 pm

Must. Watch. 5th. Element. Tonight.

Playa outfits abound in that silly movie. I love it. One of my favorites.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:31 pm

Agree on that point.

Also the movie The Cell.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:58 pm

Are we green then?

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:14 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:A ballet of remote controlled MVs, accompanied by a live classical orchestra.

There, that would be unique.

I'd love to see that.

Sounds like a project to pitch to Burning Man radio. perhaps they could broadcast a message with a target day and time for everyone to tune in for a bit. I wouldn't presume to pick a song. Anything would be cool though if you could hear it everywhere. What would be even stranger though might be 60 seconds of no amplified music.

plumblove · Post by **plumblove** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:10 am

I honestly have a problem even remembering there is a radio station. My fault. Not theirs. But I was thinking of more of a wifi thing. I would guess that most of the dance camps and probably 50% of the large mutant vehicles are running their music from laptops. Laptops already have wifi. So there wouldn't be much of an investment for most. Just for the 'hub' vehicle that spread the signal. I wouldn't be so brave as to suggest a song either. But I do think that any song played by a majority of the music venues would be neato!

Playa Tom · Post by **Playa Tom** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:23 am

Can't you see it? From 10 o'clock come 56 mutant vehicles each playing "Volare." From 2 o'clock come 48 mutant vehicles playing the "Chicken Dance." And from Center Camp come 63 mutant vehicles playing "Stairway to Heaven." As they meet in a horrible grinding crash at The Man the world comes to an end.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:48 am

plumblove wrote: I would guess that most of the dance camps and probably 50% of the large mutant vehicles are running their music from laptops. Laptops already have wifi. So there wouldn't be much of an investment for most.

I think you'll find more running iPods. That's what I do, sealed inside a taped-shut plastic bag. Playa dust isn't so good for laptops!
Doing if wifi will greatly reduce your chances of widespread cooperation. Everyone knows about BMIR and a few other radio stations and most can receive it. Very few will know about the wifi station, how to get it, or be able to get it. I just don't see the advantage in that. It might have more gee-whiz geek factor and would be fine if you want to have a private thing set up in advance with a few certain camps or vehicles, but if you'd like to see widespread public participation in the project I think you'd get better results the easier you make it for everyone.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:40 am

Captain Goddammit wrote:
plumblove wrote: I would guess that most of the dance camps and probably 50% of the large mutant vehicles are running their music from laptops. Laptops already have wifi. So there wouldn't be much of an investment for most.
I think you'll find more running iPods. That's what I do, sealed inside a taped-shut plastic bag. Playa dust isn't so good for laptops!
Doing if wifi will greatly reduce your chances of widespread cooperation. Everyone knows about BMIR and a few other radio stations and most can receive it. Very few will know about the wifi station, how to get it, or be able to get it. I just don't see the advantage in that. It might have more gee-whiz geek factor and would be fine if you want to have a private thing set up in advance with a few certain camps or vehicles, but if you'd like to see widespread public participation in the project I think you'd get better results the easier you make it for everyone.

Undt, ven vee adt zee mint kontrol algorythm, vee can zen haff effryboty doink egzctly vat vee vant.......berhops, evfen, zee polka!!!!

Bwahahahahaa

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:40 am

If you aren't aware, wifi is radio, just like mobile phones.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:05 am

nuh uh......it's like electric street cars.....you have to have a rod on the top of your receiver, and rub along the wire to get connection............

It'd totally mess up the sky view of BRC if installed everywhere..........all those poles and wires.........

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:39 am

I DO like the idea of some city-wide synchronized music. BMIR would seem a logical source. Participation would be spotty the first time, but it could become a tradition eventually. "The Noon Radio Music Review"?

There must be some music that 98 % of us would enjoy hearing for a short session. Suite Judy Blue Eyes? It's Only Rock'n'roll, But I Like It? Jessica?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:28 pm

If everyone is going to play the same song, it could only be 'The Teddy Bears Picnic'!

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:57 pm

gyre wrote:If you aren't aware, wifi is radio, just like mobile phones.

No shit Sherlock...

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:14 pm

I did not know that. A new local store is a wifi hub. Do I need a special radio to hook up to my desktop pc or is it a card on the hardware? Is it only for laptops? To I need to subscribe to some service or can I just use my isp Netzero? Can I plug one into a port? Does it plug into a phone jack?

Really, I know nada about wifi...

plumblove · Post by **plumblove** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:41 pm

How about "Copacabana" at midnight?

So how do we get in contact with Black Rock radio? And how do we convince/contact all the uber cool people that run the large dance camps and party buses to get on board?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:56 pm

Oldguy wrote:I did not know that. A new local store is a wifi hub. Do I need a special radio to hook up to my desktop pc or is it a card on the hardware? Is it only for laptops? To I need to subscribe to some service or can I just use my isp Netzero? Can I plug one into a port? Does it plug into a phone jack?

Really, I know nada about wifi...

Anything can be wireless.
Laptops usually have the card already.
Many approaches for adding it, but it is usually with the installed card or a usb device of some sort.
Long range antennas are also available from Hawking Tech, so it's possible to split service with someone from some distance.

I found rangemax usb adapters for $15 refurbished.
Quality and sensitivity vary among products.
I've picked up signals from several hundred feet away and more is possible.
I'm running on a netgear rangemax router now from 20-30 feet away, through plaster.
Right now I'm directly behind electronics in steel cases and tapes which block signals very well.
I'm still getting a very good signal, usually excellent.
Running 54 m, limited by the card in the laptop.

If you want to dx, I recommend the better Hawking rigs.

This is a good one.
http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/pro ... ProdID=374

I have the small directional dish, usable with a laptop.
Not as sensitive, much cheaper.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:09 pm

[youtube][/youtube]

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:41 pm

I can hear it now,
emanating from all corners of the playa.
Mv's swaying, folks swooning........

[youtube][/youtube]

zachass · Post by **zachass** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:06 pm

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GOT UP ON A PARADE FLOAT!