Recombinant Media Labs

wonderful space.
now closed.

awww… it’s closed now :-(
can’t wait ’til Naut Humon opens up a new space.

I’ve probably been to between 20 and 30 shows here over the past few years. My policy is to go to every show I can, whether I’ve heard of the performer or not. I’ve not once been disappointed.
Musicians come from all over the world to get their hands on the faciliites here, which include an incredible «16.8.2» surround sound system (complete with floor transducers, natch) and a 360 degree video screen.
The curation is as high quality as the equipment. SF is truly blessed to have a one of a kind venue such as this.

Alva Noto & Blixa Bargeld… WOW.
My ears are bleeding.

Chinscratcher’s Paradise.
The space is pretty unique, but REALLY, don’t expect a traditional experience if you’re going to hear electronic music artists here. I went to see Speedy J expecting that, since he’s a Techno artist, people would be dancing and having a good old time. Unfortunately nobody even stood up off the floor until about 20 minutes or so through the set after Mr. J himself dumbfoundedly had to motion them to do so. PATHETIC. Can you say chinscratchery? It was pretty baffling to see that people can sit still at 120 bpm like it was a funeral or something. I guess I’ll have to remember to bring my cattle prod next time. The sound is good (for San Francisco), but only maximal if you’re sitting down, as the speakers are low to the ground and the best sound is probably found in a small radius at the center of this room hence proving it was designed by and for ‘scratchers only. Oh, and there’s no bar, which is something to keep in mind if you were planning on some pre, post, or during show libations.
Sure, it’s a pretty impressive space (for about 15 minutes) and maybe worth checking out for the experience, but what’s the point of hearing music on a sweet system if you can’t dance, or even stand up for that matter? ZZZZZzZZZZzzz fest. Taking some Valium or Flexural beforehand may help so that you won’t want to dance at all and will fit right in with all the chin-​scratchers that abound here thinking it’s some kind of religious experience.
I’m a serious audiophile too, but one can only be mesmerized by the accoutrements for so long I’m afraid. I’ve heard better elsewhere, and I was also able to dance and enjoy myself too. What a concept!?!

Fucking Sweet.
Don’t believe me? Go to a show.

an opportunity to explore your inner synesthete complete with audio earthquakes and visual static.
they probably have a gigzillion channels at 2 bizimillion megahurtz… what ever it is, it looks feels and sounds good whether its the demo that uses the spaces full capacities or its deadbeat performing in stereo through the googleplex speaker thingies all over the room.
my only complaint is that after seeing the video integrated with the audio (with their own software?) in the demo, it would have been nice to have seen it used more during the live performance.

Excuse me while I TOTALLY GEEK OUT. (I just went to a Jean Jacques Perrey concert there last night.) The capacity is no more than 200 people for a concert venue, and it only works if everyone’s sitting down. But what trips me out is the wall of synth in the back room, as well as a pimped out studio with state-​of-​the-​art gear. Go figure, since they do workshops for audio applications and whatnot. And forget about 5.1 surround sound: their system is 18.2. But with all that gear, how come the house CD player kept having problems during the show? My guess is current drainage from all the analog synths…