MsgId: *emedia(1)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:01:01 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
Welcome to eMedia. I'm the moderator, Paulette Hodge. Tonight's guest is Jimmy
Hotz, interactive musician who's done work with such musicians as Bonnie Raitt,
Steve Winwood, and others. Jimmy, are you online?
MsgId: *emedia(4)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:07:38 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
Yes Indeed!
MsgId: *emedia(5)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:09:26 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.33
Okay (whew!). Well, as I said before, Hotz, you're an interactive musician,
using synthesizers and other electronic equipment to create music online. Can
you explain a little more about your background in music, and why you decided
to create an interactive music forum?
MsgId: *emedia(7)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:13:55 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
Hi, Jimmy. Are you still with me?
MsgId: *emedia(8)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:15:34 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
Sorry, Netscape blew me away.....But I'm Back.
I have been a professional musician for most of my life and I wanted to
empower all people to play music on a level they could only hear in their
minds and interact with one another in a way that was previously impossible.
MsgId: *emedia(11)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:21:54 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
How did you get involved with working with synthesizers? How did working with
synthesizers evolve into The Hotz Corporation?
MsgId: *emedia(13)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:26:31 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
I had played guitar since the age of 7 began working with Electronics at 12
and Keyboards at the age of 13. I started working with synthesizers in the
early 70's and have lead many major stars into the use of technology.
MsgId: *emedia(14)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:29:34 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
One of those persons mentioned is Mick Fleetwood, who helped finance The Hotz
Corporation when it was starting. How did you develop a relationship with
Fleetwood?
MsgId: *emedia(15)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:34:39 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
I began working with Fleetwood Mac in 1975 as a sound consultant and have
worked on several Fleetwood Mac records as well. Mick and I were working on a
B.B. King record together and had a long discussion one night that inspired me
to go ahead and create the first Translator. I had been carrying this idea
around in my head for close to 10 years.
MsgId: *emedia(16)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:37:50 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
What is the Translator, and how does it enhance the performance of the user?
Just a brief explanation of your invention.
MsgId: *emedia(17)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:40:25 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
A brief background on the Hotz Translator Technology: In order to fully
appreciate the full implications of translator technology it must be
understood that for the first time in the history of musical instruments an
otherwise lengthy learning curve has been virtually eliminated. This concept
effectively removes an imposing barrier faced by anyone attempting to play
music for the first time and gives the experienced musician a quantum leap in
musical capability.
The key to this essential concept lies in the fact that the computer is
utilized in an area in which it excells thus freeing the musician to explore
the territory of expression and deal with the "human elements" of
making music without being burdened by the mechanical and technical side of
the equation.
Traditionally the process of becoming accomplished on a musical instrument
involved years of training. This is because the human brain must learn certain
technical skills by repetition. In addition to the co-ordination and physical
conditioning required to accurately play traditional instruments, there is
considerable musical knowledge which must be absorbed and put to use in making
"musically correct" choices within the genre that the musician has
chosen to perform.
This all means that real proficiency on a traditional musical instrument is
a daunting obstacle. Even musicians with many years experience and
considerable technical expertise often find themselves still lacking ability
in some areas. For the majority of musicians there are still some limitations,
some barriers.
Translator technology opens a new door by short-cutting a huge part of the
learning curve. The years of repetition and practice needed to aquire
technical skill is all but eliminated by automating this process with the
translator engine. The vast musical knowledge of chords, scales and the
intricacies that define various musical styles are now contained in the most
comprehensive database ever assembled, for instant access at the touch of a
proverbial button.
In essence it is machine doing what it does best and allowing humans to do
what they do best by supplying the spark of inspiration that can, for the
first time, translate directly into music.
MsgId: *emedia(20)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:42:32 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
In the description of your website, you describe the Hotz Trax system as
simple enough that users without formal music backgrounds can use it. How does
Hotz Trax help someone who wants to compose original music, but has only very
basic music reading skills? Is it possible to have no experience in music and
still be able to use Hotz Trax?
MsgId: *emedia(21)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:44:01 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
Sorry, Jimmy. I think you've answered the question I'd just asked...
MsgId: *emedia(22)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:46:58 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
How would a person with very basic or no musical background use the Translator
through Hotz Trax? Is Hotz Trax for experimenting, or can someone just
learning about music use it as a teaching guide to song composition?
MsgId: *emedia(23)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:51:25 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
Absolutely, as just stated all of the years of preparation that were necessary
on a conventional instrument have all but been eliminated. A beginner can have
immediate gratification with Hotz Trax and a shareware version of this product
"HotzPlayer" is available for free downloading on www.hotz.com ...
HotzTrax and HotzPlayer use the same patented Translation Engine as the Hotz
Translator but have a limited feature set.
MsgId: *emedia(24)
Date: Mon Sep 30 21:56:06 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
How much of your time in the interactive space is spent working with beginning
composers/musicians? Or do you work more with more experienced and
experimental clients?
MsgId: *emedia(26)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:03:57 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
For the most part I have worked with professionals over the last 25 years.
However, I created Hotz Trax for the masses and it is not merely another
software package for your computer. It transforms your PC into a new kind of
musical instrument for the Digital Age. It's an instrument that you can play
instantly -- even if you've never played a note before. More than just an
instrument, though, it's actually a powerful interactive music system. You're
going to be able to play along with songs you choose from every style
imaginable, even your favorite artists. Best of all, you can't play a wrong
note!
That's just the first level. Hotz Trax is tons of fun, but a toy it's not.
You can take this new instrument as far as you want to go. You can record
yourself performing along with backing tracks recorded by studio pros. You can
jam with friends in real-time using the PC keyboard, mouse, and external MIDI
controllers. You can also send files you've recorded across the Net to friends
-- where they can listen and jam along using the Hotz Player. And if they have
Hotz Trax too, they can add their own tracks to the session and send the
results back to you! You can even publish your tunes in the Hotz Virtual Music
Studio (http://www.hotz.com) to share your music with the world!
MsgId: *emedia(28)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:07:34 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.33
How did you get involved with Craig Moody and Charles Abronson, (President/CEO
and Chair, respectively, of Hotz Corp.)? Who are some of the studio musicians
you use to handle Hotz Trax recordings? Do you find that those who start out
with Hotz Trax then move onto the Translator system, or feel they should have
some formal music training?
MsgId: *emedia(30)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:16:43 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
In the process of growing into a company that can bring the Translator
Technology to the world I have met with a host of individuals over the years.
Of the two gentlemen you mention, Chuck Abronson was the first to team up with
Hotz which included myself and Mick Fleetwood along with other partners. He
was a highly qualified individual who has been successful in bringing a number
of companies to a high level of success. Craig Moody had been the Chief
operating officer of TimeWarner Interactive as well as a founding member of
Merisel. Backgrounds on both Chuck and Craig as well as more information on
the Hotz Corporation are available on www.hotz.com.
MsgId: *emedia(32)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:22:15 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
Sorry. To finish my last question: Or do Hotz Trax users feel like they would
like to have some formal training before they go further with their music
composition?
MsgId: *emedia(33)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:28:35 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
Only after achieving a certain level of mastery on the process listed above,
do you really start to play music [the fun part] rather than just prepare
yourself to do so. On a conventional instrument it can take years of practice
and study to develop a reasonably well rounded musical vocabulary. Even the
most accomplished, proficient and well trained musicians' have a limited
musical vocabulary and continue to practice and learn new structures
throughout their life.
The Hotz Translator is an empowering Technology that enables anyone who
desires to play an instrument to start immediately at the fun part of the
music making process, rather than the frustrating "old method"
starting point described above. In a Hotz System the entire process of musical
structure memorization and physical pattern layout are handled by the
computer. This leaves the user free to concentrate on the most creative
aspects of the musical process.
The "Hotz Translation Tables" handle the same exact structure
memorization functions as the mind of the most accomplished musician, only it
does it on a Super-Human level. Also the Translator can place all of the notes
for the current Chord and Scale[each can have their own area's if you desire]
in a continuous and efficient layout. This creates a playing environment that
is 100% efficient for the current musical structures and frees the performer
from the fear of hitting the wrong notes.
The feeling of freedom and release this gives to the performer is much like
a feeling of flying under one's own power musically. Instead of relying on
your own musical knowledge and physical dexterity to conform to the myriad of
possible fingering contortions, you allow the computer to become your
real-time musical partner and handle the tedious mathematical memorization
while you concentrate on the feel and emotion you wish to express.
MsgId: *emedia(35)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:30:37 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
Hotz Trax seems like a program which would be extremely helpful in teaching
young music students how to create music and understanding it. Is Hotz Trax
used this way now, or will it be used in schools in the future?
MsgId: *emedia(38)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:37:05 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
I had posted this section prior to my last statements but it did not seem to
come through. If you look at the following statements in conjunction with the
previous I hope it will make it clear that this is actually a new to both
learn and play music.
Until the development of the Hotz Translator, learning to play a musical
instrument, other than some very simple or percussive device, required; The
ability to memorize and instantaneously retrieve information from one's own
mental database, all of the notes that comprise the musical structures [Chords
and Scales] that are to be used in the performance of a song or piece of music
and this must be done continually in real-time[at the exact moments the music
changes and progresses]. Simultaneously one must remember and execute a
multitude of various physical hand positions and contortions required to
transform the knowledge stored in that mental database to the proper note
positioning on the instrument, once again in real-time. Additionally, for a
reasonable level of satisfaction for both the performer and listener, the
entire process of mental retrieval and physical execution must be as second
nature and free from mistakes as possible, since a note played out of key with
the rest of the music usually creates an unpleasant reaction in most
listeners.
It is important to understand that the Hotz Translator contains the most
complete database of musical structures available anywhere in a single
reference, the bulk of the accumulated expert knowledge base of Musical
structure from around the world over the past several millennia is embodied in
the Hotz Translator engine. Additionally, it contains many unusual and unique
structures that have not been previously classified. It is hardly conceivable
that any non-computer assisted human could memorize or mentally access a
musical database even remotely close to this, let alone have the training and
dexterity to flawlessly perform all of these structures. It is not physically
possible on most conventional instrument for one human to play many of the new
and unique structures which may be played as simple gestures on a Hotz
Translator Instrument.
MsgId: *emedia(41)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:48:47 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
Who are some performers you would like to work with using Hotz Translator
Technology, among modern groups who seem least likely to use
digital/interactive music media (such as folk singer Jewel)?
MsgId: *emedia(46)
Date: Mon Sep 30 22:57:13 EDT 1996
From: Jimmy At: 207.147.204.214
I believe that eventually the Hotz Technology will be used in the full
spectrum of music creation in all fields much like we use any of the tools of
the Trade that have become Standard. I am currently working on a project with
several of my friends such as "Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac",
"Jon Anderson of Yes" and "Paul Hasslinger formerly of
Tangerine Dream" that could potentially usher in a new musical era. Such
is the power of the Hotz Technology. It is my hope in the near term to awaken
a host of other musicians at all levels and fields to this powerful creative
tool.
MsgId: *emedia(48)
Date: Mon Sep 30 23:02:31 EDT 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.17
Thank you, Jimmy Hotz, for appearing tonight. Check out the Hotz site at
www.hotz.com. Next week's guest will be Doug Rushkoff, who'll be discussing
his latest book on cyberculture, called "Playing the Future," from
9-10pm EST.