Cybernetic Broadcasting Circa 2006

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For a number of years this was the CBS website, considered an Electronix Utopia.
Content is from the site's 2006 archived pages providing just a small glimpse of what this site offered its Robots, Aliens and Spacelings visitors.

Greetings!
You are about to enter Electronix Utopia. Here you can be whatever you wanna be and go nuts about electronic music and all other things Robots, Aliens and Spacelings need. We cherish freedom of speech like we cherish electronix but if you do not behave or respect your fellow Robots (or spam the forum) you will get banned from the forum and the stream. BEWARE: We have seen people here subscribing to our forum to spam their Ebay sales. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LINK TO YOUR EBAY SALES UNLESS YOU HAVE REACHED THE 'ROBOT' TITLE. Ignoring this rule will get you BANNED. NOTE: If you do not receive your password after your registration please contact hotmix@hotmix.nl Last but not least: You also need Flash Player to watch more features on the forum.
DON'T RUN WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS!

 

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OK I get that there are rules here and I could be banned for misbehaving or trying to post links to my ebay page. But I have noticed people posting crazy shit here claiming to be Donald Duck or Mr. McGoo and their posts are still up. Also check out the post from Dov Hertz NYC claiming to want to buy Madison Square Garden to add to his empire. Dov is very well known in NYC, but super sure he is not actually posting here. So my question is why are my CBS Stardates being ignored or deleted? I submitted several - the best one is my cat singing (on key) along with Springsteen's "Born to Run". I guess it is possible that you never received them, but they were submitted multiple times. Please respond. Barky l'Bane

 

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Greetings robot !
What's Streaming Today?

 

There's many things you can do for the CBS, not that we don't appreciate you listening but we appreciate your input even more: We need your content.

Like Mixes, tracks, sounds, shows, non-stops, jingles/promos and CBS Stardates.

What are CBS Stardates?
Those are short recordings made with a portable device on location. You can record sounds, like the sound of the ambulance in Paris, Hong Kong, etc. Or do an interview with your (local) hero for the CBS. Just call them out of their beds! Interview rejected? Make sure you recorded it. A dialogue in a driving car? Your boss firing you? Or your cat in heat? Get it on tape, anything goes. It must be at least 22 seconds in length so also the playlist displays it. (It don't show titles of tracks shorter as 22 seconds) Just make sure you don't record too loud. We can adjust low volume, don't worry about it.

Same goes for Jingles & Promos. Either make shouts (Like a short acapella with your vocoder or your boy/girlfriend) or a promo. Make sure your promo is at least 22 seconds up to 1 minute long. Edit, cut, paste or create your own sounds with your analogue studio or synth plugins for your favorite computer. By all means neccesary...

Tracks: Are we missing anything in our database? Send it to us! Our data records are very large - large enough to require a data science consultant to make sure we keep our house in order. Big data means big opportunity, so make use of our resource!
If you have your own label or make your own productions you can send us your tracks too ofcourse. Many recordlabels and artist are already supporting the CBS and thus themselves.

How do I deliver my shows and sounds to the CBS?
Either as .wav, .aif or at least 192kbps mp3. You can upload your files via www.sendspace.com or a service alike and make sure robotdjx@gmail.com knows about it.
Shows/Mixes/Non-Stops should be not longer as 1 hour per file. So send 2 hours as separate files.
But we especially love (Mega) mixes from 15 to 30 minute minutes which fits easily in the programming. Or provide a 1 hour mix for the Mix at Six.
Longer is not the key, intensity is.
Make sure our playlist can identify your file by giving it name of the artist/author and/or a title. Always nice to see your name in the playlist when your stuff is running.

 

 

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More Background on Cybernetic-Broadcasting.net

The Cybernetic Broadcasting System (CBS) was an influential internet radio station that operated from 2002 to 2008. Founded by Dutch electronic musician I-F (Ferenc van der Sluijs), CBS played a pivotal role in popularizing obscure electronic music genres and fostering an international community of music enthusiasts. Though relatively short-lived, CBS left an indelible mark on internet radio and electronic music culture.

History and Origins

CBS emerged during the early days of internet radio, when streaming technology was still in its infancy. I-F, already an established figure in the electronic music scene, launched CBS in December 2002 as an outlet to share his eclectic musical tastes. The station's name was a playful reference to the major American broadcaster CBS, with CBS's "all-seeing eye" logo replaced by an "all-seeing UFO".

Initially started as something of an experiment, CBS quickly gained a devoted following. It filled a niche for listeners seeking underground and obscure electronic music that was difficult to find through traditional radio or record stores. The station operated out of The Hague, Netherlands, which was becoming a hotbed for electronic music production and DJ culture in the early 2000s.

Programming and Musical Focus

CBS was known for its diverse and carefully curated musical programming. The station focused primarily on electronic music genres, but cast a wide net that included:

• Italo disco

• Electro

• Minimal wave

• Obscure soundtracks

• Early Chicago house

• Acid house

• Experimental electronic

A hallmark of CBS was its willingness to seamlessly blend different styles and eras of electronic music. A typical broadcast might feature a 1980s Italo disco track followed by a contemporary electro cut and then an obscure film soundtrack. This eclectic approach reflected I-F's own wide-ranging musical interests and helped expose listeners to new sounds.

The station became particularly renowned for championing Italo disco, a genre of 1980s electronic dance music that had fallen out of favor but was experiencing a revival in the early 2000s. CBS played a significant role in fueling renewed interest in Italo disco among a new generation of listeners and producers.

Technical Operations and Innovations

CBS was at the forefront of internet radio technology in the early 2000s. The station streamed 24/7, which was still relatively novel at the time. CBS operated on a shoestring budget, with I-F handling much of the technical work himself.

The station's DIY ethos extended to its programming. Many of the shows and mixes were created by volunteer DJs and producers from around the world, who would record sets and send them to I-F for broadcast. This global network of contributors helped give CBS its diverse and international flavor.

CBS also pioneered the use of online forums and chat rooms to build community among its listeners. These became lively hubs of discussion about music, with users sharing track IDs, debating genres, and connecting with like-minded fans.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Despite its relatively short lifespan, CBS had an outsized impact on electronic music culture in the 2000s. The station helped popularize numerous obscure tracks and artists, particularly in the Italo disco genre. Many songs that became "classics" of the Italo revival were first exposed to a wide audience through CBS.

CBS also played a crucial role in fostering an international community of electronic music enthusiasts. At a time when music scenes were still largely local, CBS brought together listeners from around the world who shared a passion for underground electronic sounds. This global community helped fuel new musical movements and collaborations.

The station's influence extended to fashion and visual aesthetics as well. CBS embraced a retro-futuristic visual style that melded 1980s imagery with sci-fi themes. This aesthetic became closely associated with the Italo disco revival and electro scenes of the 2000s.

Notable Shows and Features

Some of CBS's most popular and influential programs included:

• The CBS Top 100: An annual countdown of the station's most played and requested tracks, which became a highly anticipated event for listeners.

• I-F's personal mixes and shows, which showcased his encyclopedic knowledge of electronic music history.

• "Intergalactic Gary's Disco Mix": A series of influential disco and Italo sets from fellow Dutch DJ Intergalactic Gary.

• "Cybernetic Soundtracks": A show dedicated to obscure electronic film and TV scores.

Audience and Reach

While exact listener numbers are difficult to determine for an internet radio station of that era, CBS developed a global cult following. The station was particularly popular in Europe and North America, but had dedicated listeners as far afield as Japan and Australia.

CBS's audience tended to be knowledgeable and passionate music fans, often including DJs, producers, and record collectors. The station became a vital resource for DJs looking to discover rare tracks to play in their sets.

The End of CBS and Its Afterlife

I-F made the decision to end CBS in 2008, feeling that the station had reached its natural conclusion. In a characteristic move, he "destroyed" the station rather than letting it fade away, abruptly pulling the plug on the stream.

However, the spirit of CBS lived on in various forms. Many of the DJs and listeners who had been part of the CBS community went on to start their own internet radio stations and music projects. The musical styles championed by CBS, particularly the Italo disco revival, continued to flourish throughout the 2010s.

In 2008, I-F launched a successor project called Intergalactic FM, which continues to operate today. While similar in some ways to CBS, Intergalactic FM features multiple channels catering to different genres and moods.

Critical Reception and Media Coverage

CBS received glowing coverage in electronic music press during its run. Publications like Resident Advisor and DJ Magazine praised the station for its adventurous programming and role in breaking new (and old) music.

The station was often cited as an example of the democratizing potential of internet radio. By operating outside traditional broadcasting structures, CBS was able to play music that would never find a home on commercial radio.

Some critics noted that CBS's esoteric tastes and insider references could make it intimidating for casual listeners. However, most reviewers saw this uncompromising approach as part of the station's charm and integrity.

Cultural and Social Significance

CBS emerged at a time when the music industry was grappling with the disruptive effects of the internet. While major labels saw online distribution as a threat, CBS demonstrated how the internet could be used to cultivate niche audiences and revive overlooked genres.

The station also reflected broader trends in youth culture in the 2000s, particularly the blending of retro and futuristic aesthetics. CBS's embrace of vintage electronic sounds alongside cutting-edge productions mirrored the mash-up culture that was becoming prevalent.

In a broader sense, CBS represented a kind of cultural globalization enabled by the internet. It allowed geographically dispersed listeners with niche interests to form a cohesive community, foreshadowing how social media would reshape cultural consumption in the following decade.

 

The Cybernetic Broadcasting System may have only existed for six years, but its influence on electronic music culture was profound and long-lasting. By leveraging the new possibilities of internet broadcasting, CBS created a global community united by a passion for obscure and forward-thinking electronic music. Its legacy can be heard in the continued popularity of Italo disco and other genres it championed, and in the thriving ecosystem of niche internet radio stations that followed in its wake.

 

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