Every now and again it's good to write an update post, on where you've been recently as a blogger on the Hive platform and where you wish to go next. Learning from what goes down well and how it can be improved.

I've never thought of producing a podcast as such, I had gone through the notions of running a YouTube channel. I do have one, check out the links under my Cast Garden profile page, which you can reach via https://cast.garden/a/nick.lewis/video-channels

(I'll update it with some more links and a newer bio)

The channel has never really gathered much momentum. I think I enjoy consuming YT content more than I do creating on there, plus the monetisation is - a lot of graft for very little return. Is Hive better though? In time I think it could be and the audience here are more engaging, I tend to find.

So Cast Garden works well, they take 10% which is fair, they have running costs and I take the remaining 90%, probably far better than the deal with YouTube. Plus there are a load of other features that sets CG and YT apart. Web 3.0, Podping, it supports audio and video in equal measure.

Choices of direction, choosing the path

I could carry on talking about Tidal Cycles and nothing else, however I have a greater knowledge and experience in other things too. I've spent a lot of time working with the iPad and Mac for music creation, with experience across both platforms and their numerous plugins. Virtual modular synthesis is a big passion.

So I am going to mic it up a bit and show you how these tools work.

There will be a mix of walkthroughs, a little more talking on my part, to help you learn some of the cool things you can do with iPad/Mac to create awesome music!

Previous episodes, if you've missed them

I've created 4 videos and 1 audio cast so far, links are below, please go and have a look.

The other thing is that Cast Garden is separate to PeakD etc, although it does bolt on to Hive as it's backend, you'll need to subscribe to stay up-to-date with updates. That said, I do reblog the posts that appear on CG's feed to my own, as you can't do that automatically, perhaps a feature Hive account@kencode and Hive account@agorise might consider?

Podcast Introduction (audio only)

https://cast.garden/w/kyqHoHp4GNkXE3edcg8Bd7

VCV Rack

https://cast.garden/w/1MgdfQsHPaa7riiRW7KaYg

Tidal Cycles, first steps

https://cast.garden/w/i35UFrizyiUw5nMyrnJET1

Tidal Cycles, different sample packs

https://cast.garden/w/qjxoitn71q7BkXbnPsqWfc

iPad music, exploring sequencers SQSL Temp and Nambu

https://cast.garden/w/ccNTyPAvS4UEWftpCkpojF

Planned episodes, ideas I'm working on

I am going to do another version of the iPad music video I did but with a few extra bells and whistles, plus Hive account@steevc will be pleased to hear, some commentary on the apps, how they work, where to get them from and other useful stuff. I'll finish the videos off with an improvised session of some kind.

The apps I am going to cover

Starting off in the iPad world, I'll demonstrate some of the things we can do using:

• Loopy Pro https://loopypro.com/
• AUM http://kymatica.com/apps/aum

There are a plethora of plugins we can then add to these for our synths, sequencers, samples, drum machines and more FX than you can shake a stick at!

Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to get exciting, I think, lol!