| 1. I would like to book Lektrolab for XYZ festival / educational department / institute / organisation. | |
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email: emma@lektrolab.com Email us with your ideas for your event and what you think you might like us to do. We have our own range of off the shelf workshops but we do specialise in coming up with individualised workshops specific to an organisations plans. |
| 2. What types of workshops do you offer? | |
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We offer workshop packages
in: |
| 3. How much does it cost? |
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This is entirely dependant on the project. For example: one of our off-the-shelf DJ workshops in the London area we charge 200 pounds per day for each workshop leader plus equipment rental and local travel. For projects outside London, we require travel and accommodation to be covered by our client. Materials used in projects - like those in circuit bending workshops we work within your budget of a limit per student. All costs are subject to VAT [excluding EU clients with an EU VAT registration number.] Just let us know what you need and we can come up with something to suit no problem - it's our specialty. |
| 4. What does Lektrolab provide for the workshops and what do I need to provide? |
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Everything will be worked out in detail beforehand. We are know exactly what we need for these workshops and can provide specific lists for each workshop once you let us know what you are interested in. Together we can work out the best way to put this list together - you may have your own equipment store, we have some equipment and there may be materials for circuit bending projects we need to purchase. We do expect that the client would include the cost of equipment and venue in their budget, but we undertake it as our duty to arrange the hire and delivery of equipment or purchase of materials. |
| 5. I'm based in a different country. What special information do you have for me? |
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We conduct our workshops in English, however we have worked previously with translators in other countries. |
| 6. What is a DJ and what skills might a partipant learn in a workshop? |
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DJ stands for "Disc Jockey", and a DJ mixes audio in a live setting. Traditionally a DJ used records. Today a DJ could also use CD's, MP3's, iPods or laptops. The simplest way to make music is to play a record. Learning to DJ is the simplest and easiest way to learn about one piece of equipment integral to electronic music production, recording music or live music show production. Typically, in our off the
shelf beginners DJ workshop we cover: plugging in a set of decks
to a mixer and how to generate sounds, hands-on practise and knob-fiddling
to find out what they all do, how to mix using a cross-fader, information
about EQ and sound levels, the fundamentals of beat mixing some ideas
about what kind of equipment you would need if you want to pursue DJing.
The format of the lessons is simple enough that people who have never
touched decks in their life and want to know what all the fuss is about
will easily be able to pick it up. We demystify the whole DJ process and
show that DJing is accessible to anyone willing to put in the practice.
You dont need to have any music experience - you just have to count to
eight. |
| 7. What is circuit bending and what skills might a partipant learn in a workshop? | |
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Briefly, circuit bending is the manipulation of existing electronic devices for artistic purposes. Specifically, we crack open things like doorbells, old Casio keyboards and electronic toys, mess about with their circuits and make very unique musical instruments out of them. A typical circuit bending workshops starts with an brief explanation of the tools and equipment you need. There will also be a safety demonstration to use a soldering iron which we ask everyone to participate in, experienced or not. Then using all that information [usually takes about 15 minutes] the good stuff starts and we just get cracking with the electronic toys and making something new out of it! |
| 8. What is a VJ and what skills might a partipant learn in a workshop? | |
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VJ stands for "Video Jockey", and in the same way that a DJ mixes music a VJ creates and mixes visuals in a live setting. Generally speaking in a VJ workshop we aim to cover: where to find original material and how to create your own, freeware available as a VJ tool, familiarity with a VJ mixer, discuss the equipment required to be a VJ, where to look for more information about VJing. Usually this workshop is aimed at beginners who want to get started. |
| 9. What is Nintendo Hacking? | |
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In computer lingo, hacking means "re-programming". Video game consoles are essentially computers, so Nintendo Hacking means re-programming old Nintendo video games. The chips in the Nintendo's game cartridges are removed and replaced with re-programmed or modified chips, and the Nintendo console happily runs our "new" carts - playing graphics, or music or a modified version of a classic game. |
| 10. Does Lektrolab do anything else besides workshops? |
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Yes, Lektrolab run two other ventures: Heavy Media, an artist management and booking agency which represents cutting edge electronic music performers, and The Heavy Shop, an online store carrying a range of unique vinyl, cd's, fashion and music production tools. In addition Lektrolab has experience with event production and promotion, consultancy, and curating, and all of us have individual careers in the creative industries - please feel free to check our bios. |
