A MIDI Moment:
Explorations into the Making of Anime Soundtrack Music

Having connections in the music business, show host Mark Weiss is in a unique position to dig deeper into anime music than listeners might normally be expecting. Mark's involvement with radio & television production and his unending interest in picking apart anime music to find out what makes it tick, have resulted in some interesting listening on this weekly program lately. Mark is also a certified Bass Pig. See what he uses to listen to anime music at home at www.BassPig.com

Working in a production studio and using the same equipment used in major motion picture soundtrack production, Mark arranges popular anime themes into his own special renditions and performs them on a Kurzweil synthesizer/sampler, using a variety of synth sounds and samples of real instruments.

Several examples from previously-broadcast shows are available for listening below.

Þ Þ Þ Þ Þ Þ Þ

This is probably one of the most lucid discussions on the meaning of music and what it takes to write music with passion, feeling and direction. The answer to the question, What is "fine art" music and how does it differ from "pop", "commercial and other forms of music? is answered about halfway through the interview. Highly recommended reading for anyone with more than a passing interest in music!