The Sergent's

dev-config.el

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

;;; dev-config.el --- Development tools and programming modes -*- lexical-binding: t -*-

;;; Commentary:
;; Configuration for programming languages, completion, and development tools

;;; Code:

;; Company for auto-completion (but prevent RET from completing)
(use-package company
  :ensure t
  :diminish
  :defer 1
  :bind (:map company-active-map
              ("M-n" . company-select-next)
              ("M-p" . company-select-previous)
              ("<return>" . nil)   ; Prevent RET from completing
              ("RET" . nil)        ; Prevent RET from completing
              ("TAB" . company-complete-selection)
              ("<tab>" . company-complete-selection))
  :custom
  (company-idle-delay 0.2)
  (company-minimum-prefix-length 2)
  (company-show-quick-access 'left)
  (company-tooltip-flip-when-above t)
  (company-require-match nil)
  :hook
  (prog-mode . company-mode))

(use-package eglot
  :ensure nil  ; Built into Emacs 29+
  :hook ((python-mode . eglot-ensure)
         (go-mode . eglot-ensure))
  :bind (:map eglot-mode-map
			  ("C-c n" . flymake-goto-next-error))
  :custom
  (eglot-autoshutdown t)
  (eldoc-echo-area-use-multiline-p 4)
  (eglot-confirm-server-initiated-edits nil)
  :config
  ;; (setenv "GOFLAGS" "-buildvcs=false")
  (setq eglot-stay-out-of nil)
  (setq eglot-report-progress nil)
  (setq eglot-workspace-configuration
      '((:gopls . ((env . (("GOFLAGS" . "-buildvcs=false")))))))
  (add-to-list 'eglot-server-programs
               '(python-mode . ("ruff" "server")))
  (add-to-list 'eglot-server-programs
               '(go-mode . ("gopls"  "-remote=auto"))))

;; venv madness - this is kind of a mess, but it works somehow
(defun dws/set-python-path (directory)
  "Set up PYTHONPATH to use the given DIRECTORY.
If eglot is running, reconnects it to pick up the new path."
  (interactive "DPython path directory: ")
  (let* ((expanded (expand-file-name directory))
         (old-pythonpath (getenv "PYTHONPATH"))
         (new-pythonpath (if old-pythonpath
                             (concat expanded path-separator old-pythonpath)
                           expanded)))
    (setenv "PYTHONPATH" new-pythonpath)
    (when (boundp 'python-shell-extra-pythonpaths)
      (setq python-shell-extra-pythonpaths (list expanded)))
    (when (and (bound-and-true-p eglot--managed-mode)
               (not (string= old-pythonpath (getenv "PYTHONPATH"))))
      (message "PYTHONPATH changed, reconnecting eglot...")
      (eglot-reconnect (eglot-current-server)))))

;; Syntax checking with Flycheck
(use-package flycheck
  :ensure t
  :diminish
  :defer 3
  :hook (after-init . global-flycheck-mode)
  :custom
  (flycheck-check-syntax-automatically '(save idle-changes mode-enabled))
  (flycheck-idle-change-delay 1.25)
  ;; (flycheck-python-pylint-executable "~/python/bin/pylint")
  (flycheck-flake8-maximum-line-length 120)
  (flycheck-disabled-checkers '(go-gofmt go-build go-test rst-sphinx html-tidy python-flake8 python-pylint python-pycompile)))

;; Go Mode Configuration
(use-package go-mode
  :mode ("\\.go\\'" . go-mode)
  :hook (before-save . dws/go-save-hook)
  :config
  (defun dws/go-save-hook ()
    "Run formatting before saving."
    (when (bound-and-true-p eglot--managed-mode)
      (eglot-format-buffer)
      (eglot-code-action-organize-imports nil)))
  (setq indent-tabs-mode 1))

;; Python development
(use-package python
  :ensure nil  ; Built into Emacs
  :hook ((python-mode . dws-python-mode-hook)
         (python-mode . eglot-ensure)
         (before-save . dws/python-save-hook))
  :custom
  (python-shell-interpreter (concat home-dir "/python/bin/python"))
  (python-indent-offset 4)            ;; Emacs default indentation
  (python-indent-guess-indent-offset nil)
  :config
  ;; Custom python-mode hook
  (defun dws-python-mode-hook ()
    "Simple Python setup."
    (setq-local indent-tabs-mode nil)   ;; Don't use tabs
    (setq-local tab-width 4)
    (add-hook 'before-save-hook 'delete-trailing-whitespace nil t))

  (defun dws/python-save-hook ()
    "Run formatting and organize imports before saving."
    (when (and (bound-and-true-p eglot--managed-mode)
               (derived-mode-p 'python-mode))
      (eglot-format-buffer)
      (eglot-code-action-organize-imports nil))))


;; Web Development
(use-package web-mode
  :ensure t
  :defer 10
  :mode ("\\.html\\'" . web-mode)
  :hook dws/setdjangoengine
  :config
  (setq web-mode-engines-alist
        '(("django" . "\\.dhtml\\'")
          ("go" . "\\.gohtml\\'")))
  (setq web-mode-ac-sources-alist
        '(("html" . (ac-source-emmet-html-aliases ac-source-emmet-html-snippets))
          ("css" . (ac-source-css-property ac-source-emmet-css-snippets)))))

;; Projectile configuration
(use-package projectile
  :ensure t
  :diminish
  :defer 1
  :bind-keymap
  ("C-c p" . projectile-command-map)
  :custom
  (projectile-completion-system 'default)  ; Works with vertico/consult
  (projectile-indexing-method 'native)
  (projectile-enable-caching t)
  (projectile-ignored-projects '("~/" "/tmp"))
  (projectile-globally-ignored-files
   '(".DS_Store" ".git" ".hg" "g/src/kfnm.us/vendor/" "build" ".stversions"
     "sites/thesergents/public" "sites/leapfrog/public" "sites/twlk9/public"
     "blog/public" "g/src/pkg" "g/bin"))
  :config
  ;; Project type detection
  (projectile-register-project-type 'fossil '(".fslckout")
                                  :project-file ".fslckout")
  (projectile-register-project-type 'python '("requirements.txt")
									:project-file "requirements.txt")

  (defvar my-projectile-ignored-patterns
	'("\\.DS_Store$" "\\.log$" "\\.pyc$") ; Add more patterns here
	"List of regex patterns to ignore in Projectile.")

  (defun filter-out-ignored-files (files)
	"Filter out files matching `my-projectile-ignored-patterns` from FILES."
	(seq-remove (lambda (file)
                  (seq-some (lambda (pattern)
                              (string-match-p pattern file))
							my-projectile-ignored-patterns))
				files))
  (advice-add 'projectile-project-files :filter-return #'filter-out-ignored-files)
  (projectile-mode +1))

;; New version (projectile)
(defun dws/setdjangoengine ()
  "Set django as web engine when in django dir."
  (when (projectile-project-p)
    (when (file-exists-p (expand-file-name "manage.py" (projectile-project-root)))
      (web-mode-set-engine "django"))))

;; Magit Configuration
(use-package magit
  :ensure t
  :config
  (defun git-commit-finish-query-functions (force) t)
  (setq git-commit-summary-max-length 500))

;; YASnippet Configuration
(use-package yasnippet
  :ensure t
  :diminish yas-minor-mode
  :custom
  (yas-snippet-dirs '("~/.emacs.d/snippets" yas-installed-snippets-dir))
  :config
  (yas-global-mode 1))

;; Utility Packages
(use-package avy
  :ensure t
  :demand
  :bind (("M-m" . avy-goto-word-1)
         ("M-g f" . avy-goto-line)))

(use-package expand-region
  :bind ("M-SPC" . er/expand-region))

;; Programming mode common configuration
(use-package prog-mode
  :config
  (defun toggle-comments ()
    "Comments or uncomments region or current line if no active region."
    (interactive)
    (let (start end)
      (if (region-active-p)
          (setq start (region-beginning) end (region-end))
        (setq start (line-beginning-position) end (line-end-position)))
      (comment-or-uncomment-region start end)
      (forward-line 1)))
  :bind ("C-c c" . toggle-comments))

;; Electric pair mode configuration
(setq electric-pair-inhibit-predicate 'electric-pair-conservative-inhibit)
(electric-pair-mode t)

;; Uniquify buffer names
(use-package uniquify
  :demand
  :custom
  (uniquify-buffer-name-style 'forward))

;; TRAMP configuration
(use-package tramp
  :custom
  (tramp-default-method "ssh"))

;; Ansible YAML configuration
(defun dws/in-ansible-directory-p (file)
  "Check if FILE is in an ansible directory or its subdirectories."
  (and file
       (string-match-p "/ansible/" (file-truename file))))

(defun dws/set-yaml-mode-for-ansible-files ()
  "Set yaml-mode for files without extensions in ansible directories."
  (when (and (not buffer-file-name)
             (dws/in-ansible-directory-p default-directory))
    (yaml-mode)))

;; Add to auto-mode-alist for files without extensions in ansible directories
(add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("/ansible/.*/[^.]+\\'" . yaml-mode))  ; matches files without extensions
(add-hook 'find-file-hook #'dws/set-yaml-mode-for-ansible-files)

(provide 'dev-config)
;;; dev-config.el ends here

init.el

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

;;; init.el --- Modern Emacs configuration -*- lexical-binding: t -*-

;;; Commentary:
;; Core initialization and package management

;;; Code:

;; Fix home dir when it is a symlink (and other directories)
;; Always resolve symlinks in file buffers
(add-hook 'find-file-hook
  (lambda ()
    (when buffer-file-name
      (setq default-directory
            (file-name-directory (file-truename buffer-file-name))))))

;; Canonicalize home directory on startup
(setq default-directory (file-truename default-directory))

;; Performance and startup optimizations
(setq gc-cons-threshold 100000000)      ; 100mb
(setq gc-cons-percentage 0.6)
(add-hook 'focus-out-hook #'garbage-collect)
(setq read-process-output-max (* 1024 1024)) ; 1mb
(setq process-adaptive-read-buffering nil)   ; Disable adaptive buffering

;; File handling
;; You already have create-lockfiles nil and backup settings, so skip those

;; Display optimizations
(setq bidi-inhibit-bpa t)                    ; Disable bidirectional parenthesis
(setq-default bidi-paragraph-direction 'left) ; Disable bidirectional rendering
(setq bidi-display-reordering nil)           ; Disable reordering of bidirectional text
(setq inhibit-compacting-font-caches t)      ; Don't compact font caches during GC

;; Terminal responsiveness and scrolling behavior
(setq redisplay-skip-fontification-on-input t)
(setq fast-but-imprecise-scrolling t)
(setq echo-keystrokes 0.01)
(setq scroll-conservatively 101)
(setq scroll-margin 0)
(setq scroll-preserve-screen-position nil)
(setq auto-window-vscroll nil)

;; Minibuffer optimizations (add to your existing completion settings)
(setq enable-recursive-minibuffers t)
(setq read-buffer-completion-ignore-case t)
(setq read-file-name-completion-ignore-case t)
(setq completion-cycle-threshold 3)
(setq completions-detailed t)

;; Basic UI settings without use-package
(menu-bar-mode -1)
(when (fboundp 'tool-bar-mode)
  (tool-bar-mode -1))
(when (fboundp 'scroll-bar-mode)
  (scroll-bar-mode -1))
(global-eldoc-mode -1)
(delete-selection-mode t)
(save-place-mode t)

;; Basic settings that don't need use-package
(setq inhibit-startup-screen t
      use-dialog-box nil
      frame-title-format '("Emacs: %f")
      icon-title-format "Emacs - %b"
      case-fold-search t
      column-number-mode t
      create-lockfiles nil
      current-language-environment "utf-8"
      default-input-method "utf-8"
      indent-tabs-mode nil
      standard-indent 4
      large-file-warning-threshold nil)

;; Package setup
(require 'package)
(setq package-archives
      '(("gnu" . "https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/")
        ("melpa" . "https://melpa.org/packages/")
		("nongnu" . "https://elpa.nongnu.org/nongnu/")))
(setq package-enable-at-startup nil)
(package-initialize)

;; Bootstrap use-package
(unless (package-installed-p 'use-package)
  (package-refresh-contents)
  (package-install 'use-package))
(eval-when-compile
  (require 'use-package))
(require 'bind-key)

;; Package list (preserved from original config)
(defvar dws/package-list
      '(async
        avy
        company
        company-jedi
        diminish
        emmet-mode
        expand-region
        epl
        flycheck
        go-mode
        markdown-mode
        magit
        multi-term
        nginx-mode
        org
        popup
        projectile
        python-environment
        python-mode
        solarized-theme
        use-package
        web-mode
        which-key
		vertico
		orderless
        yaml-mode
        yasnippet))

;; Package installation function
(defun dws/install-packages ()
  "Install my list of packages."
  (interactive)
  (unless package-archive-contents
    (package-refresh-contents))
  (dolist (pkg dws/package-list)
    (unless (package-installed-p pkg)
      (package-install pkg))))

;; Helper macro for conditional library loading
(defmacro with-library (symbol &rest body)
  `(when (require ,symbol nil t)
     ,@body))
(put 'with-library 'lisp-indent-function 1)

;; UTF-8 configuration
(set-terminal-coding-system 'utf-8)
(set-keyboard-coding-system 'utf-8)
(prefer-coding-system 'utf-8)
(setenv "LANG" "en_US.UTF-8")

;; Path setup
(defvar home-dir (expand-file-name "~"))
(let ((my-paths (list
                 "/usr/local/go/bin"
                 "/opt/homebrew/bin"
                 (concat home-dir "/bin")
                 (concat home-dir "/python/bin"))))
  (dolist (path my-paths)
    (add-to-list 'exec-path path)
    (setenv "PATH" (concat path path-separator (getenv "PATH")))))

;; Backup settings
(use-package files
  :defer 5
  :custom
  (backup-by-copying nil)
  (backup-directory-alist '(("." . "~/.emacs.d/autosaves/")))
  (delete-old-versions t)
  (kept-new-versions 6)
  (kept-old-versions 3))

(use-package exec-path-from-shell
  :ensure t
  :config
  (when (memq window-system '(mac ns x))
    (exec-path-from-shell-initialize)))

;; Default simple settings
(setq-default tab-width 4)
(fset 'yes-or-no-p 'y-or-n-p)

;; Load the rest of the configuration
(add-to-list 'load-path (expand-file-name "lisp" user-emacs-directory))
(load "ui-config")
(load "dev-config")
(load "org-config")
(load "shell-config")
(load "keybindings")

;; sometimes yaml still goes back to tabs
(add-hook 'yaml-mode-hook
          (lambda ()
            (setq indent-tabs-mode nil)    ; belt
            (setq-local indent-tabs-mode nil) ; and suspenders
            (setq yaml-indent-offset 2)))

;; trying to catch when this changes
(add-variable-watcher 'indent-tabs-mode
  (lambda (symbol newval operation where)
    (message "indent-tabs-mode changed to %s in buffer %s by %s"
             newval
             (buffer-name where)
             operation)))

(provide 'init)
;;; init.el ends here
(custom-set-variables
 ;; custom-set-variables was added by Custom.
 ;; If you edit it by hand, you could mess it up, so be careful.
 ;; Your init file should contain only one such instance.
 ;; If there is more than one, they won't work right.
 '(column-number-mode t)
 '(custom-safe-themes
   '("5a4cdc4365122d1a17a7ad93b6e3370ffe95db87ed17a38a94713f6ffe0d8ceb"
	 "51ec7bfa54adf5fff5d466248ea6431097f5a18224788d0bd7eb1257a4f7b773"
	 default))
 '(tool-bar-mode nil))

keybindings.el

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

;;; keybindings.el --- Custom keybindings and functions -*- lexical-binding: t -*-

;;; Commentary:
;; Custom key bindings and utility functions with conflict resolution

;;; Code:

;; Simple aliases
(defalias 'qrr 'query-replace-regexp)
(defalias 'tmm 'tmm-menubar)
(defalias 'qrs 'replace-string)
(defalias 'qfs 'flymake-show-buffer-diagnostics)

;; Utility functions
(defun dws/rename-current-buffer-file ()
  "Renames current buffer and file it is visiting."
  (interactive)
  (let ((name (buffer-name))
        (filename (buffer-file-name)))
    (if (not (and filename (file-exists-p filename)))
        (error "Buffer '%s' is not visiting a file!" name)
      (let ((new-name (read-file-name "New name: " filename)))
        (if (get-buffer new-name)
            (error "A buffer named '%s' already exists!" new-name)
          (rename-file filename new-name 1)
          (rename-buffer new-name)
          (set-visited-file-name new-name)
          (set-buffer-modified-p nil)
          (message "File '%s' successfully renamed to '%s'"
                   name (file-name-nondirectory new-name)))))))

(defun dws/kill-other-buffers ()
  "Kill all other buffers."
  (interactive)
  (mapc 'kill-buffer (delq (current-buffer) (buffer-list))))

(defun dws/revert-all-buffers ()
  "Refreshes all open buffers from their respective files."
  (interactive)
  (dolist (buf (buffer-list))
    (with-current-buffer buf
      (when (and (buffer-file-name)
                 (file-exists-p (buffer-file-name))
                 (not (buffer-modified-p)))
        (revert-buffer t t t))))
  (message "Refreshed open files."))

(defun dws/join-line()
  "Join lines at point."
  (interactive)
  (join-line -1))

(defun dws/set-path ()
  "Set up Emacs exec path and PATH environment variable."
  (interactive)
  (let ((path-from-shell
         (replace-regexp-in-string
          "[ \t\n]*$" ""
          (shell-command-to-string
           "$SHELL --login -i -c 'echo $PATH'"))))
    (setenv "PATH" path-from-shell)
    (setq exec-path (split-string path-from-shell path-separator))))

;; Terminal management
(defun dws/switch-terminal ()
  "Switch between eshell and multi-term based on context."
  (interactive)
  (if (or (eq major-mode 'shell-mode)
          (eq major-mode 'term-mode))
      ;; If we're in a terminal, make a new one
      (multi-term)
    ;; Otherwise switch to most recent terminal or make new
    (if (get-buffer "*shell*")
        (switch-to-buffer "*shell*")
      (shell))))

;; Global keybindings
(bind-keys*
 ;; Basic editing
 ("C--" . undo)
 ("M-j" . dws/join-line)
 ("DEL" . delete-backward-char)  ;; Instead of C-h to preserve help
 ("C-w" . backward-kill-word)
 ("C-x ," . dabbrev-expand)
 ("C-x C-k" . kill-region)
 
 ;; Window management (preserved as they're unique)
 ("M--" . enlarge-window-horizontally)
 ("M-0" . delete-window)
 ("M-1" . delete-other-windows)
 ("M-2" . split-window-below)
 ("M-3" . split-window-right)
 ("M-5" . balance-windows)
 ("M-o" . other-window)  ;; Single definition
 
 ;; Buffer operations with safer bindings
 ("M-k" . kill-buffer)
 ("C-x C-s" . save-buffer)      ;; Standard Emacs binding
 ("M-G" . goto-line)            ;; Changed from M-g to preserve goto prefix
 
 ;; Terminal management (unified)
 ;;  ("M-/" . dws/switch-terminal)  ;; Single smart terminal command
 ;; setting back to eshell for now
 ("M-/" . eshell)
 
 ;; Custom functions
 ("C-c r" . dws/revert-all-buffers)  ;; Simplified from C-c C-M-r
 ("C-c d" . delete-frame)            ;; Simplified from C-c C-d
 ("C-c v" . dws/rotate-windows)      ;; Simplified from C-c C-v
 
 ;; Mac-specific (preserved)
 ("H-8" . toggle-frame-fullscreen))

;; Mode-specific keybindings
(with-eval-after-load 'term
  (bind-keys :map term-mode-map
            ("M-p" . term-send-up)
            ("M-n" . term-send-down)
            ("M-b" . consult-buffer)))

(provide 'keybindings)
;;; keybindings.el ends here

org-config.el

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

;;; org-config.el --- Org mode configuration -*- lexical-binding: t -*-

;;; Commentary:
;; Configuration for Org mode and related features

;;; Code:

(use-package org
  :commands (org-agenda org-switchb org-capture)
  :bind (("C-c a" . org-agenda)
         ("C-c b" . org-switchb)
         ("M-c" . org-capture)
         ("M-t". org-set-tags-command))
  :mode ("\\.org\\'" . org-mode)
  :custom
  (org-stuck-projects
   '("+LEVEL=2/-DONE"
     ("TODO" "WAITING" "DONE")
     ("FLAGGED")
     ""))
  (org-adapt-indentation nil)
  (org-fontify-whole-heading-line t)
  (org-log-done 'time)
  (org-log-into-drawer t)
  (org-agenda-files '("~/Sync/v/kf/todo.org"
					  "~/Sync/org/gtd.org"
                      "~/Sync/org/blog.org"
                      "~/Sync/org/guitar.org"))
  (org-return-follows-link t)
  (org-refile-use-outline-path 'file)
  (org-outline-path-complete-in-steps nil)
  (org-agenda-include-diary t)
  :config
  (setq org-refile-targets
        '((org-agenda-files . (:maxlevel . 4))))
  
  (defun dws/org-mode-hook ()
    "Setup for org mode."
    (visual-line-mode 1)
    (flyspell-mode 1)
    (auto-fill-mode 1))
  (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'dws/org-mode-hook)

  (defun dws/journal-here ()
	"Build the Year/Month/Day hierarchy in the current buffer and jump to it."
	(interactive)
	;; This "unlocks" the functions you couldn't find
	(require 'org-datetree)
	;; This builds the tree for today
	(org-datetree-find-date-create (calendar-current-date))
	;; This moves you to the bottom of today's entry
	(org-end-of-subtree t))
  
  (setq org-capture-templates
        '(("j" "Journal" entry
           (file+olp+datetree "~/Sync/org/journal.org" "Journal")
           "***** %^{Description}\n%?\n")
          ("n" "Notes - in journal" entry
           (file+olp+datetree "~/Sync/org/journal.org" "Notes")
           "***** %^{Description}\n%?\n")
          ("g" "gtd" entry
           (file+olp "~/Sync/org/gtd.org" "Inbox")
           "** %^{Description}\n%?\n\n")
		  ("t" "kf todo" entry
		   (file+olp "~/Sync/v/kf/todo.org" "Current")
		   "** %^{Description}\n%?\n\n")
          ("b" "Blog" entry
           (file+olp "~/Sync/org/blog.org" "Ideas")
           "** %?\n*** concept\n***draft\n\n"))))

(provide 'org-config)
;;; org-config.el ends here

shell-config.el

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

;;; shell-config.el --- Shell and terminal configuration -*- lexical-binding: t -*-

;;; Commentary:
;; Configuration for shells, terminals, and related tools

;;; Code:

;; Eshell configuration
(use-package eshell
  :bind ("M-/" . eshell)
  :custom
  (eshell-buffer-maximum-lines 10240)
  (eshell-scroll-show-maximum-output t)
  (eshell-scroll-to-bottom-on-input 'all)
  (eshell-scroll-to-bottom-on-output 'all)
  (eshell-where-to-jump 'begin)
  (eshell-review-quick-commands nil)
  (eshell-smart-space-goes-to-end t)
  (eshell-hist-ignoredups t)
  (eshell-cmpl-cycle-completions t)
  (eshell-history-size 10000)
  (eshell-status-in-mode-line nil)
  :config
  (setenv "EDITOR" "emacsclient")
  (setenv "PAGER" "")

  ;; Set modules
  (setq eshell-modules-list
        '(eshell-alias
          eshell-basic
          eshell-cmpl
          eshell-dirs
          eshell-glob
          eshell-hist
          eshell-ls
          eshell-pred
          eshell-prompt
          eshell-script
          eshell-unix))

  ;; Set path - now uses exec-path

  ;; Define custom command to handle beginning of line
  (defun eshell-maybe-bol ()
    "Go to beginning of command line prompt, then to beginning of line."
    (interactive)
    (let ((p (point)))
      (eshell-bol)
      (when (= p (point))
        (beginning-of-line))))

  ;; Eshell hook for customization
  (defun dws/eshell-hook ()
    "My eshell hook."
    (define-key eshell-mode-map (kbd "C-a") 'eshell-maybe-bol)
    (rename-buffer "*eshell*" t))

  ;; Add aliases
  (defun eshell-add-aliases ()
    "Add custom aliases to eshell."
    (dolist (aliasvar '(("ff" "for i in ${eshell-flatten-list $*} {find-file $i}")
                        ("fo" "find-file-other-window $1")
                        ("fsl" "fossil $*")
                        ("ll" "ls -l $*")
                        ("ltr" "ls -ltr $*")))
      (add-to-list 'eshell-command-aliases-list aliasvar)))

  :hook
  ((eshell-mode . dws/eshell-hook)
   (eshell-post-command . eshell-add-aliases)))

;; frequently used dirs with z
;; (use-package eshell-z
;;   :after eshell
;;   :ensure t
;;   :hook (eshell-mode . eshell-z))

;; eat for visual commands
;; You'll need to 'tic -x ~/.emacs.d/elpa/eat-0.9.4/eat.ti
;; Version will obviously change over time
(use-package eat
  :ensure t
  :hook (eshell-mode . eat-eshell-mode)
  :config
  ;; This ensures the variable exists before we try to add 'jj' to it
  (with-eval-after-load 'eat-eshell
    (add-to-list 'eat-eshell-visual-commands "jj")))

ui-config.el

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

;;; ui-config.el --- UI configuration -*- lexical-binding: t -*-

;;; Commentary:
;; Visual and interface settings

;;; Code:

;; Custom cleanup function instead of midnight mode
;; run manually like (dws/cleanup-buffers 4)
(defcustom dws/cleanup-buffer-excludes
  '("\\*scratch\\*"
    "\\*Messages\\*"
    "\\.org$"
    "TAGS$"
    "\\*compilation\\*"
    "\\*grep\\*"
    "\\*Backtrace\\*")
  "Regexps of buffer names to exclude from cleanup."
  :type '(repeat regexp)
  :group 'convenience)

(defun dws/cleanup-buffers (hours)
  "Kill stale buffers not visible and unmodified, older than HOURS."
  (interactive "Kill buffers not seen in the last N hours: ")
  (let* ((now (float-time))
         (age-threshold (* hours 3600))
         (killed '()))
    (dolist (buf (buffer-list))
      (with-current-buffer buf
        (when (and buffer-display-time  ; only process if buffer was ever displayed
                   (not (get-buffer-window buf t))     ; not visible
                   (not (buffer-modified-p buf))       ; not dirty
                   (buffer-file-name buf)              ; file buffer
                   (not (string-prefix-p " " (buffer-name buf))) ; not internal
                   (> (- now (float-time buffer-display-time)) age-threshold)
				   (not (seq-some (lambda (re) (string-match-p re (buffer-name buf)))
								  dws/cleanup-buffer-excludes)))
          (push (buffer-name buf) killed)
          (kill-buffer buf))))
    (if killed
        (message "Killed %d stale buffer%s (>%dh): %s"
                 (length killed)
                 (if (= 1 (length killed)) "" "s")
                 hours
                 (string-join (reverse killed) ", "))
      (message "No stale buffers older than %d hours." hours))))

;; run every couple of hours
(run-with-idle-timer (* 120 60) t (lambda () (dws/cleanup-buffers 5)))

;; Modeline cleanup - simplify while keeping line/column numbers
(setq-default mode-line-mule-info nil)          ; Hides "U" (UTF-8)
(setq-default mode-line-client nil)             ; Hides "@" for emacsclient
(setq-default mode-line-remote nil)             ; Hides "-" for remote
(setq-default mode-line-frame-identification nil) ; Hides " " or "F1"
(setq-default mode-line-percent-position nil)    ; Hides "Bot", "Top", "45%"
(setq vc-handled-backends nil)                  ; Disable VC (hides "Git:..." and speeds up startup)

;; Window system specific configuration
(when window-system
  (server-start)
  (menu-bar-mode 1)
  (bind-key "C-x C-c" 'kill-buffer)
  (bind-key "H-n" 'make-frame)
  (bind-key "H-w" 'delete-frame)
  (bind-key "H-o" 'other-frame)
  (bind-key "H-m" 'lower-frame)
  (bind-key "H-h" 'lower-frame))
  
  ;; ;; Font configuration
  ;; (when (member "Source Code Variable" (font-family-list))
  ;;   (set-face-attribute 'default nil 
  ;;                       :font "Source Code Pro:pixelsize=14:weight=regular:antialias=1")))

;; Old way to load the theme - doesn't like starting as a daemon
;; (use-package nord-theme
;;   :ensure t
;;   :config
;;   (load-theme 'nord t))

;; new way to load the theme.
(use-package nord-theme
  :ensure t
  :demand t ; Ensure the package code is available in the daemon
  :init
  (defun my-nord-theme-setup (frame)
    "Load Nord theme only when a frame is created."
    ;; The with-selected-frame ensures the load-theme command
    ;; is executed in the context of the new client/frame.
    (with-selected-frame frame
      ;; This check prevents the theme from being loaded multiple times
      ;; if you open several windows, but still loads it if it's the first time.
      (unless (member 'nord custom-enabled-themes)
        (load-theme 'nord t)
        ;; Also make sure true-color is set for this frame
        (setq x-term-true-color t))))

  ;; Add the function to the hook that runs when a frame is created
  (add-hook 'after-make-frame-functions #'my-nord-theme-setup))

;; (use-package solarized-theme
;;   :ensure t
;;   :config
;;   ;; Optional: tweak options *before* loading the theme
;;   (setq solarized-scale-org-headlines nil    ;; e.g. disable headline scaling
;;         solarized-use-less-bold t
;;         solarized-distinct-fringe-background t)

;;   ;; Load Zenburn-inspired variant
;;   (load-theme 'solarized-zenburn t))

;; for the function/class hints
(which-function-mode 1)

(use-package vertico
  :ensure t
  :init
  (vertico-mode)
  :config
  (setq vertico-cycle t
        vertico-count 12))

(use-package orderless
  :ensure t
  :defer 10
  :custom
  (completion-styles '(orderless basic))
  (completion-category-overrides '((file (styles basic partial-completion)))))

(use-package marginalia
  :ensure t
  :defer 10
  :init
  (marginalia-mode))

(use-package consult
:ensure t
:defer 1
:bind (;; Modified from your previous ivy bindings
	   ("C-s" . consult-line)  ; replaces swiper
	   ("M-y" . consult-yank-pop)
	   ("M-b" . consult-buffer)))

;; Mac-specific configuration
(when (eq system-type 'darwin)
  (setq mac-option-key-is-meta t
        mac-command-modifier 'hyper
        mac-option-modifier 'meta)
  
  ;; Clipboard integration
  (defun isolate-kill-ring()
    "Isolate Emacs kill ring from OS X system pasteboard."
    (interactive)
    (setq interprogram-cut-function nil)
    (setq interprogram-paste-function nil))

  (defun pasteboard-copy()
    "Copy region to OS X system pasteboard."
    (interactive)
    (shell-command-on-region
     (region-beginning) (region-end) "pbcopy"))

  (defun pasteboard-paste()
    "Paste from OS X system pasteboard via `pbpaste' to point."
    (interactive)
    (shell-command-on-region
     (point) (if mark-active (mark) (point)) "pbpaste" nil t))

  (defun pasteboard-cut()
    "Cut region and put on OS X system pasteboard."
    (interactive)
    (pasteboard-copy)
    (delete-region (region-beginning) (region-end)))

  (isolate-kill-ring)
  (bind-key "H-c" 'pasteboard-copy)
  (bind-key "H-v" 'pasteboard-paste)
  (bind-key "H-x" 'pasteboard-cut))

;; Linux-specific configuration
(when (eq system-type 'linux)
  (setq x-alt-keysym 'meta))

;; Which-key configuration
(use-package which-key
  :ensure t
  :diminish which-key-mode
  :defer 10
  :config
  (which-key-mode))

;; Global diminishes for built-in or already-loaded modes
(with-eval-after-load 'eldoc
  (diminish 'eldoc-mode))
(with-eval-after-load 'autorevert
  (diminish 'auto-revert-mode))

(use-package tramp
  :config
  (add-to-list 'tramp-remote-path "~/bin")
  (add-to-list 'tramp-remote-path "~/python/bin")
  (add-to-list 'tramp-remote-path "/usr/local/go/bin/")
  (add-to-list 'tramp-remote-path 'tramp-own-remote-path))

;; Window management functions
(defun dws/rotate-windows ()
  "Rotate your windows."
  (interactive)
  (cond ((not (> (count-windows)1))
         (message "You can't rotate a single window!"))
        (t
         (setq i 1)
         (let ((numWindows (count-windows)))
           (while  (< i numWindows)
             (let* ((w1 (elt (window-list) i))
                    (w2 (elt (window-list) (+ (% i numWindows) 1)))
                    (b1 (window-buffer w1))
                    (b2 (window-buffer w2))
                    (s1 (window-start w1))
                    (s2 (window-start w2)))
               (set-window-buffer w1  b2)
               (set-window-buffer w2 b1)
               (set-window-start w1 s2)
               (set-window-start w2 s1)
               (setq i (1+ i))))))))

(provide 'ui-config)
;;; ui-config.el ends here

Emacs is Life

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:40:00 -0500

It’s been a minute, but here we are again. Been an emacs user since 1991. The configuration has grown and grown. Some of it is old and crusty. Some of it is new and crusty.

I keep everything organized under ~/.emacs.d/ and it goes something like:

.emacs.d/
|-- init.el Main configuration file
|-- lisp/  (sub directory for everything else)
|   |-- dev-config.el Development setup (mostly Go and Python/Django)
|   |-- keybindings.el Keybindings! What else?
|   |-- org-config.el Org mode is good, though I don't use it as much as I should
|   |-- shell-config.el Always messing with shells inside of emacs
|   |-- ui-config.el Eye candy

Less Wet More Dry

Wed, 11 May 2022 09:23:17 +0000

Another go through Jer’s wet/dry rig setup. Always a lot of fun

Compunction Dysfunction

Bar One

Hulchy

Dogpile Of Chaos

NWS Intermezzo

Rain Wrap

Free Time

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 09:18:17 +0000

Picked up an old Mesa Boogie Mark IIb (1981) that needed quite a bit of work. Managed to get it back into good-enough shape for a Wenj. New reverb tank and probably more caps and resistors to replace. Still sounds pretty cool for an amp that appeared to be stored in a barn for last 20 years.

Sword Cop

Wafer Thin Mint

Bad Jack

81 Stun

Wet and Dry

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:20:17 +0000

Jeremy set up his ensemble of amps in a wet/dry configuration. Effects only going through the kitchen sink leaving the Z-Wreck all dry. Was a lot of fun to try out and I think it sounds fantastic.

Abochon

Illative

Nager

Astrut

Wakerife

Isogeny

Krimmer

Post Date

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:15:17 +0000

Finally posting from last month. First foray with the little mesa I believe.

Deliquesce

Sumgumption

Dongle Dinger

Bastardo

Random Conversations

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 14:52:17 -0600

Two weeks in a row! What a streak. Played the Mill City guitar through the Z Wreck Jr. again. Quite a match in my opinion. Growly. Brought over pedalboard Rev 219. Recent additions include a BOSS OC-5 octave pedal that I found used at Lavonne music. Impossible to find since the chip shortage started. Also picked up the Fairfield Circuitry ~900 fuzz (about 900) from El Diablo my all time favorite music store.

A Brief Excursion

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:52:17 -0600

Didn’t have a ton of time which might have been a good thing. Get right down to business. Just showed up with a guitar and played through Jer’s Z Wreck Jr. Great amp. Jer laid down some killer grooves. Good time now matter how brief.

Remeant

Interdendritic

It did get loud

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 14:32:17 -0600

Back in action! It might get loud? No, it definitely got loud. First night for the Mill City guitar to see the Sanctum Sonorum. Red amp, red guitar. Unplanned, but welcome.

And a happy Wenj to all!

Ruly

Alectryomachy

Kilderkin

Unruly

Levo

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:12:12 -0600

One even challenge to get something written. Not the greatest. Not the worst. Drums still challenging for me with this setup. Soldier on.

Levo

Finalize

Sun, 02 Jan 2022 12:12:12 -0600

This was an old uncompleted doodle I found in the recording directory of a USB drive. Just cleaning up. Had a good start on something. Think I did this last spring break (2021).

Finalize

Moments of Brilliance

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 15:59:17 -0600

Another great gathering. With moments of brilliance. LOL. At least much fun was had. Dave in town again for an all-to-brief jam session. Again, so much fun to have actual bass in the room. It always goes way too fast though. Not much planning, just a lot of playing.

Pinch Pants

Goatlike

Just One More Nip

Xanadont

Scuffed

Foggy To

WheelHouse

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 18:41:02 -0600

Replaced the old EV-12L tank of a speaker in the Mark III with a new Eminence Wheelhouse. The neutron star of an amp lost about 16 pounds and will no longer rip your arm off while trying to pick it up. It remains heavy, but manageable. Think it sounds absolutely fantastic. Maybe a little less in the high end, but not in a bad way.

Also learned what Avunculus means thanks to Jeremy. Not the most inspired playing, but always fun. Lose about 10 points in blood pressure every time.

Cantanqueurin

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 07:33:01 -0600

Trying to get back into doing some home recordings again. Spend a lot of time messing with programming the drums. Just not that speedy at it yet. Still a lot of fun.

Mesa the 3rd

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 11:37:17 -0600

First night with the old Mesa Boogie Mark III from 1985. Black dot special. It sure can get loud, but can also be quite reasonable. Jeremy on point with the naming once again.

Frangible

HighwayMirage

LaBreaTreaclePit

Marzipan

NogginIt

Rootless

Blue Angel

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 10:17:17 -0600

First night with the Mesa Boogie Blue Angel. It’s way louder than I thought it would be. Has some nice punch. Add some RAT type distotion and it can get down right nasty, but still holds together. Sounds pretty incredible. I love all the amps!

Did some experimenting with different sounds and levels. Reverb is pretty drippey when cranked up. Has a nice natural growl when turning the mids way up. Overal a great little (heavy) amp.

Wrecked

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 11:37:17 -0600

Jer got a new amp! Very exciting. Got to try it out. Just a King Tone miniFuzz used once in a while. Otherwise it was guitar into amp. Fantastic.

FourToes

TheWahl

Tatterdemalion

Dromedary

WaxyWalrus

Careful

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 14:37:17 -0600

The time goes by so quickly when the jamz are on. A few hilarious ones in here. Always a good time.

Mordelae

Hhhhah

Hans

Vlad

Ingestion Relief

Break Time Over

Sat, 25 Sep 2021 14:32:17 -0600

Life gets in the way, but we return triumphant! Sometimes it takes a while to get warmed up and going, but eventually the good stuff comes out. Not in chronological order. I need to document these sooner after they happen and not three months later.

Photoautotrophic

ThePointyEnd

LeadOut

SuperDuperNovae

D4E

Death Wears Tweed

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:26:17 -0600

Jer comes up with the best titles. Very under appreciated. This must have been the Princeton tweed in use with some heavy distortion. Classic amp. Scary noises.

Interspersed

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Death Wears Tweed

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Locus

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Baekwards

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Subduction

Is this August?

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 14:17:17 -0600

Knocked a whiskey glass off the Mod84 we were so loud. Highly impressive.

Broad In Beam

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Octans

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Tumbler Toppler

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Impending Autumn

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Phat Albert

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Meeting of the Minds

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 13:09:17 -0600

First time in a long time! We all got together for a weekend jam. Dave zoomed into town with BASS. Much fun was had. Hours of music was played some of which is posted below. Prolific! Unfortunately I lost the actual order in which this all occurred. No matter.

Hall of Mirrors

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Gossamer Threads

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Dos Digits

Sweaty indeed

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:02:12 -0500

It was hot in there. I think this was the first night with the new/old Swart from 2007. Very cool. That was the only thing that was cool. Everything else was hot. Did I mention it was hot?

Number 36

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Got Bent

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Regale Ya

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Swarty

Low School, The Musical

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 07:56:21 -0500

This one was a lot of fun. I brought over my Swart Mod 84 this time and just let’er rip. Hit it heavy with some fx tonight as well. The ambient stuff seems to turn out better. At least in this context. Some may disagree. Lay it on thick and see what happens!

Jer’s drumming was on point. My playing wasn’t half bad. I think this may be one of my favorite jams in quite some time.

Crunch your Sole

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 07:56:21 -0500

Back to somewhat regular jams again. Brought the old BC Audio No. 8 amp for more gain. Sounded great, and would be better if my timing was a little more on. Did spend 2 hours in the dentist chair earlier that day, so I’ll use that as an excuse. Not that I’m just rusty actually playing in real life with another human. Still some gems to be had in there I think. Even if you have to dig a little.

Extrude, Wenj the return

Fri, 28 May 2021 07:56:21 -0500

Extrude at jeremyulstad.com

The first Wednesday night jam in over a year. Used Jeremy’s new 3rd power spanky amplifier for guitar gloriousness. So good to get together again.

Prelude

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Occlude

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Illude

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Almude

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Quaalude

Ides of April

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 11:29:13 -0500

Had a ton of fun with this one. There might actually be some good nuggets in there.

About Ninjam

Ninjam allows people to jam over the internet by introducing whole measure of delay. We are hearing each other basically a whole measure behind. If you turn off the metronome, like we did, then it’s an arbitrary amount of time behind. Amazing that it works at all.

Firm Avocado

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Fresh Jabs

Hurled

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 03:48:12 +0000

Trying to get things set up again for easier recording in the office. This was the little test. A bunch of keyboards parts in play. A little octave down on one guitar part. Some clean guitar with a bunch of delay courtesy of the meet maude.

Hurled

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February, 2021 MFB JaMz

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 11:24:28 -0500

No snappy names this time, just the jamz man.

About Ninjam

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JustF

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 15:19:05 -0600

Here we have an experiment with some Fuzz. Was having maybe too much self-indulgent fun.

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New21Jamz

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 15:00:50 -0600

First jam of the new year. I think there was a marathon one in there.

About Ninjam

The Clump

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Spectral

UpandOut

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 15:07:07 -0600

Got a new Swart amplifier with some really liquid tremolo going on. Had to record a little loop type thing I had going.

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DaveZDay

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:55:17 -0600

Dave birthday jam night! I think we did okay. Can’t remember because I’m posting this weeks and weeks laters. Totally forgot to document anything about this. It shall remain a mystery…

Oh, and I don’t think any of us were being overly forthcoming on the names.

About Ninjam

Holidaze

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:14:24 +0000

Pre holiday wenj with the boys. Virtually of course. Possibly one the best yet? Maybe some of the longest.

It will be great to play in person some day soon.

About Ninjam

EntMoot

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 14:51:23 -0600

On this episode…

A little cleaner audio all around
Some improved playing
A few neat grooves

Commence Decanting

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Grunk

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Marathong

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Boo

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 12:01:01 -0500

Went with some dissonance and some fuzz for a Halloween inspired track this time. Recording ended up being a little noisy. I’ll say it adds to the grit just so I don’t have to figure out what happened.

Used a mix of amps and guitars. All recorded DI though. No microphones were harmed. Did pick up some impulse responses from Own Hammer which I really liked. Figured out that reaper has an IR loader built right in. Just use the ReaVerb pluging and load your own file. Then set the dry to 0 and use the wet as a volume of sorts. Works great. No werid plugins needed.

Glide

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 11:22:33 -0500

Ran out of motivation and time working on this one. Had the best intentions to make a longer piece. Schedules were not going to allow for such a thing this week, so this is all there is.

Seem to be getting more comfortable with the recording part of things. Doesn’t take up as much brain bandwidth. Final mix feels a little off still, but getting there.

Played on the awesome BC Audio No 8 through the two notes topedo captor in to reaper. Getgood drums for the drum track.

Cobra Chai

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 04:23:23 -0500

In honor of completing the first season of Cobra Kai I have composed a completely cheesy piece mostly devoid of any musical intelligence. Recorded direct from Mesa into the Two Notes Torpedo with some Getgood drums

Recording direct is fun, but has it’s drawbacks. There is a tiny bit of latency which threw me off a little while using a delay and trying to stay in time. Interesting to remember, but not something to be overly concerned about. Show some adaptability.

Lord of the Flings

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 18:55:00 -0500

Welcome to the next installment.

About Ninjam

Serpentine

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Who Dat?

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ZZY

Pholder

Sun, 13 Sep 2020 12:02:44 -0500

Hit record and let her roll. 42 minutes and several interruptions later managed to get about 2 minutes worth of something not completely terrible.

Recorded with EJ strat into the rectoverb with a little fatbee for flavor on the solo guitar portion.

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MFB United

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 22:23:22 -0500

Jeremy took the helm again and split up the long meandering jam into edible chunks. This was a last minute jam that started with some technical difficulties. Mostly just my issues. Much fun was had in the end. It’s a bit of a time-warp.

Ninjam The Second

Sat, 15 Aug 2020 22:23:22 -0500

Many thanks to Jeremy to editing down the master, naming, and posting these. I’m just copying here for redundancy.

Dave on bass, Jer on drums, and my scratchy guitar.

The Reek

Sat, 04 Jul 2020 08:08:08 -0500

Spent a couple mornings getting used to recording Neural DSP amp sim guitars in Reaper. Also used GetGood Drums for the first time. This was a lot of fun.

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Ninjam Trials

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 22:23:22 -0500

Had been meaning to post about this for quite a while. Jeremy and I had been getting together weekly for really laid back jam sessions at his super cool sound-proof home studio. Then the Covid hit and with it quarantine. The jams have sadly been absent for quite some time now. According to his site March 4th, 2020 was the last. Until now.

Enter Ninjam. Brought to us by the same people that created Reaper, the most excellent recording software.

oLoP The Loop, Mark I

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 20:05:04 -0500

First result of trying to record more frequently. Often times at night I get little grooving loops going that are cool, but completely miss recording them. Disk space is cheap, so I’ll try hitting record and just let it go. If there’s something cool. Cool. If not. Cool.

Friedman into BC Audio with a little delay from an echo rec.

Sloothing

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 15:13:05 -0500

Fun sunday morning with Neural DSP plugins and silently recording to Reaper. Really amateur job on the mix, still a lot of fun.

Quiet Looping

Sun, 24 May 2020 17:04:04 -0500

Quick loop made with the Swart amplifier. Used both ribbon and dynamic microphones I believe. Can’t remember what guitar or what else was going on as I’m documenting it 3 weeks after the fact.

Uncontrolled Fury

Sun, 10 May 2020 16:53:00 -0500

First recording using reaper since the very very early days. Decided to switch from Cubase. Spent the majority of the time figuring out how to do things again, so the playing itself is a bit lacking. Evenutally I ran out of patience and called it done for the day. Maybe worth going back for a revisit at some point.

MFB III (collab)

Sat, 02 May 2020 11:24:01 -0500

Another COVID-19 related collaboration. With all of us stuck at home it’s a really fun challenge. Jeremy hit us with a more traditional drum groove. Dave cranked in some awesome bass. Guitar again on me.

Thrusty Thursday (collab)

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 09:06:00 -0500

Due to the current circumstances it seemed like a really good idea to do some remote collaboration. Dave on bass, Jeremy on Drums, and myself on the guitar. Jer hit us with a cool shuffle groove on the drums with an odd time signature as a challenge. Accepted!

This was our first all around attempt at this I believe. Dave and I had tried one earlier. More to come hopefully! Very fun.

DSP

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 03:23:02 -0500

Experimenting with VST plugin guitar amps. Might have gone a little over the top to start with. It is unfamiliar so the sounds were a little harder to dial in. Did most of the recording before 8am on a Sunday though. The flexibility of recording silently is a big advantage.

Exported out to Ogg and mp3 just for fun. Can’t tell any difference through crappy speakers at least. Might need some good cans to get a read on it.

PB Jamz the Second

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 22:02:02 -0500

Another fun little jam, same night as PB Jamz I. This guitar sound was brought to you buy the letter Friedman guitar into the Beetronics Fatbee pedal.

PB Jamz the First

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 09:10:10 -0500

Goofing around with a little jam idea on Easter Sunday. Started using the beats sequencer again and wrote the bass line first. Guitar last. Could it be better? Sure. Was it still fun? Yes.

Guitar recorded with Friedman into Mesa Mark V with a load of Slo reverb. Bass was same Friedman guitar using the EHX Bass9 pedal.

Opus 2, Number 14

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 09:23:10 -0500

Fun little jam using the volca beats for drums. Tried making some drum switches on the fly, but ended up not sounding dramatically different. Hardly different at all. Still, fun experiments.

Opus 2, Number 13

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 09:23:10 -0500

Rambling jam with the new Korg Volca Beats and Bass that I picked up on the cheap. Sequencers and synthesizers have always been a point of interest. A whole lot of fun to mess around with. First attempt and weaving some guitar into the space. It’s a little awkward.

Opus 2, Number 11

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 09:34:10 -0500

This is a little idea that had been rolling around in my head for the last week or so. Still feels like something that is familiar. Funny such a happy sound can come out in dark times.

Opus 2, Number 10

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 12:40:59 -0600

Clean little etude type piece with hybrid picking. Clean channel of the Mesa with Friedman guitar. Had meant to switch guitars for something with a little warmer tone, but forgot. Demedash delay prominently featured on this one.

Opus 2, Number 9

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:54:12 -0600

Jeremy has been pointing me to lots of resources on recording techniques. Trying some of them out here. Mostly eq’s and mic preamp plugins and the like. Moar Toans.

MemoryShack

Sun, 12 Jan 2020 09:09:25 -0600

First track of the year! Starting off right.

Picked up a little Kork Volca Beats sequencer. First attempt at using it and of course had to try an odd time signature. A little messy, but still fun. If listening through headphones you’ll be sure to be sickened by the copious amounts of panning.

Opus 2, Number 5

Sat, 21 Sep 2019 09:23:10 -0500

Another in the looping series. Intention was to change setup to make two tracks and ended up only playing. Not a bad thing overall. Leaves the experimentation for later and anticipation.

Opus 2, Number 4

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 09:15:56 -0500

Quick looping experiment. Built the loop first then hit record and doodled over top. Sounds okay, but the levels are off. In real life it sounded fine. On the recording the loop is very quiet. Might try recording the loop to a second track some how. Maybe different amp or DI?

On this day in history my messy pedal board looked like this

Da Feelers

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 13:20:01 -0600

Day off! Quick morning fun with a kinda strange beat. Strat through amp1. No other fx besides some delay in post. Switch to the PRS Vela some time through for no particular reason. Need more time to really nail something cool, but this is still a tonne of funne.

Tin Six

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 11:11:01 -0600

My entry into the Hans Zimmer school of pop instrumentals. Messing about with learning Halion SE in Cubase and wondering if I could get guitar to mix with a synth.

Since it was a nice quiet Sunday morning I used the Torpedo to record the Bad Cat silently. Combo of pedals used: Yellow Cake Furry Burrito, JAM Rattler, Keeley Red Dirt.

Crevice

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 08:04:01 -0600

Post dating this as it was recorded some time ago. This was straight into the No. 8 with some delay from a Boss DM-2w for the second part. Captured with the e609 played on the PRS Vela.

Forbidden Toppings

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 16:46:07 -0500

Resuming recording. Sam’s baseball season complete which means I should have nights free again. Hand mostly healed up from whatever injury I caused it. Almost 60% capacity which is about 40% better than it was, but still 110% less than the old days.

Recorded using the Charvel and the BC Audio No. 8 into a 10" Eminence RF10C. Some delay from a BOSS DM-2w I believe. Captured with Sennheiser e609 into Scarlet Focusrite 2i2. DAW is Cubase Elements 10. Drums were some standard Groove Agent thing. Does it really matter?