Filed under: Audio, iLife, Multimedia, Software
Trent Reznor Rules
Steve Jobs should forget about all his elbow-rubbing with U2 and John Mayer. Trent Reznor just did one of the coolest things an artist could do, and he did so in a specifically Apple-centric way. He released Nine Inch Nails' new single, The Hand That Feeds, as a 70MB stuffed DMG file containing the entire song in Garageband format with a note from Trent himself. Here's where you can find the download link. In the included note, Reznor writes, "For quite some time I've been interested in the idea of allowing you the ability to tinker around with my tracks - to create remixes, experiment, embellish or destroy what's there. . . . What I'm giving you in this file is the actual multi-track audio session for 'the hand that feeds' in GarageBand format. . . . Drag the file over to your hard disk and double click it. Hit the space bar. Listen. Change the tempo. Add new loops. Chop up the vocals. Turn me into a woman. Replay the guitar. Anything you'd like."
Amazingly cool. I'm going to get started turning Trent into a woman! You should do the same; however, mind the words of Trent: "There are some copyright issues involved, so read the notice that pops up. Giving this away is an experiment. I'm interested to see what comes of it, what issues are raised and what the results are."
Also, it seems to run on Garageband 1, despite Reznor's warning otherwise.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ixtapalapaquetl said 4:16PM on 6-16-2005
Hot. So very, very, hot. You gotta respect TR's pure intellectual curiosity - "wtf is gonna happen?" Actively encouraging artistic mutation in the age of DRM and RIAA? What a concept! It's high time for this legal niche to grow up, and this could really force some issues.
First time ever that I wish I had a Mac.
PS - word on the street is that Metallica is going to be next to follow suit
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Emu Tree said 11:35AM on 9-25-2005
WHOA. I've used Garageband for remixes before, but since you have to have a capella and instrumental versions of the song to really get anywhere decent, this is a HUGE step up - every instrument isolated. Whoa. It would be superb if this started a trend among Mac-using musicians. Or if Apple noticed and licensed Garageband versions of tunes for a .Mac promotion or something.
But for now - sweet. It even encouraged me to go buy the song from iTunes. Just a way to show my support for his awesome gesture (and it's a good song obv. too).
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Rob Knight said 4:16PM on 6-16-2005
This is awesome...just awesome. Trent, you rule. (I had to bring back some mid-90's dialect for this comment)
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Aaron Jacobs said 4:16PM on 6-16-2005
I also have to say that this is *really* cool, and I respect Trent a ton for doing it. Now I have to wait until Monday when I can install GarageBand at work. :(
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Brett said 4:16PM on 6-16-2005
I have never really been into NIN, and I definitely think this new song is weak, even for them. HOWEVER, it is extremely cool for any artist to release their pro quality song to the masses to play with! Trent has always attempted to be a musical pioneer, and I think he definitely succeeded with this idea.
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Mike said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
Here's a few I made quickly:
http://www.iodine.org/archives/2005/04/thanks_trent.php
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Scott said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
I <3 TR
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elliott bledsoe said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
trent reznor is another brilliant artist taht realises that in order to be successful he does not need to own (or as usually happens sell off to big companies) every part of his music. he understands that a fan base is stronger when they feel a sense of connection with their idols, and what better way than allowing people the ability to rework the music they love.
now all i need is to convince NIN to use creative commons licences lol :D
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jeyadev said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
I'm so glad to see that serious professional musicians appreciate Garageband. I work at a Apple Reseller, and its really going to help more people to use Garageband now that Trent has helped out like this.
Thanks Trent !
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Blacklily said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
I loved this idea. What rent did was cool because to him, and established artist this is a loss. At the same time generating word of mouth for the upcoming cd release. I did a couple remixes but one guy actually redid the whole song as elvis with a moulin rouge music base. Only keeping basic rhythm. Check out the collaborations section of iCompositions.com ( http://www.icompositions.com ) to find numerous versions. As a side note this kind of activity goes on regularily among unsigned artists there all the time. A new community for the next generation of music business.
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Blacklily said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
wish there was an edit button... many typos in last comment
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zeroslugfm said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
:) come everyone let's play his little game. Trent you really know how to motivate us. There is no doubt now that GarageBand can be used as a successful sequencer for remixing. Could this be the spark of a new trend in industrial dance music? :) we'll soon see.
sure to make the ultimate fanbase, not making him an idol but making him a peer amongst us all here committed to experimenting with music, as well as those searching for new sounds to hear.
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Terry Stump said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
A great evolution of marketing. It really raises the bar for what an artist is putting out there for the high-end consumer of this type of music (DJs, remixers, experimentalists, and other musicians, etc.) and it is brilliant.
Love ya Trent.
mailto:TerryL@interrobangproductions.com
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Destructor said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
Absolutely frakkin fantastic. I didn't think I could love this man more, but he just gets better!
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Gabs said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
Here's mine: http://www.angelchrome.com/mp3s/thtf_angelchrome.mp3
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david suycott said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
"Steve Jobs should forget about all his elbow-rubbing with U2 and John Mayer. Trent Reznor just did one of the coolest things an artist could do, and he did so in a specifically Apple-centric way. "
give me a break, how far up steve and trents arse is your nose...
yeah the apple-centric way of pure marketing, lite on the substance.
seems to be the way of the USA as of late.
oh yeah peter gabriel amongst others have been doing this a lot longer, so get over it it's old news.
besides there are other aps that sound a hell of alot better and do way more for a similar cost of garbage band, don't get me wrong i am an avid apple user for over 15 years but mediocre is mediocre and the mix of this track off of itunes is very mediocre...if that's the best garbage band has to offer,,,,, ouch.
d
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Deputy Doofy said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
Trent is awesome for doing this. I've already done my first (crappy) remix to his tune, but I'm just glad I was given the option.
Forget Tiger on 4-29. I'm waiting for With Teeth as of 5-3. :D
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Eric said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
Just found out about this last night and couldn't sleep, so I stayed up 'til 4:30 this morning putting this together:
http://www.ericprescott.com/thtf.m4a
This is probably the coolest thing to happen in music since the iPod, IMHO. Probably the closest I've ever been to the career I gave up years ago!
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Casey Kelley said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
http://www.apple.com/hotnews/
You guys are on there for this. Sweet!
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Audiohead.net said 4:17PM on 6-16-2005
You can also import the individual tracks from Media folder into Logic Pro.
For more on Trent's recording process, see
http://www.audiohead.net/interviews/nin/
:) Audiohead.net
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