Creating custom Sound Scapes and Ambient sounds
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- KVRAF
- 3511 posts since 27 Dec, 2002 from North East England
I find the layering and mixing of long sounds is the way to go here.
You really can't do good ambient sounds by just holding down one key on a synth. Instead, record yourself holding down one key on lots of synths/patches through lots of different effects configurations then get layering. Add layers, take them away, dip them in and out etc. I prefer to use processed recordings of real instruments for this, but synths will do fine.
I also like to make/record a few short, non harmonic (i.e. noisy) sounds then sprinkle these around as incidentals to keep up interest.
You really can't do good ambient sounds by just holding down one key on a synth. Instead, record yourself holding down one key on lots of synths/patches through lots of different effects configurations then get layering. Add layers, take them away, dip them in and out etc. I prefer to use processed recordings of real instruments for this, but synths will do fine.
I also like to make/record a few short, non harmonic (i.e. noisy) sounds then sprinkle these around as incidentals to keep up interest.
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- KVRian
- 1209 posts since 6 Aug, 2005 from albuquerque NM
If you want to make your own synths and sounds from the ground up, you can get to know synthedit and Csound.
You can also do a lot of recording in the field, and use those sounds - the Future sound of london did that a lot.
If you use synths right off the bat, I suggest using synths that let you tweak the sound a lot and create with it - change the attack and make lots of pads, use lots of off the wall sounds or plenty of Pulse waves. Reverb always seems to have a big place in ambient (at least the stuff I make).
If I may suggest a synth that is geared towards sound design, check out my company's synth, Nexsyn:
http://www.keytosound.com
I've used it in a lot of ambient work.
Of course, listen to some FSOL, Eno and Simon Fisher Turner - that'll get you in the ambient mood.
Good luck!
You can also do a lot of recording in the field, and use those sounds - the Future sound of london did that a lot.
If you use synths right off the bat, I suggest using synths that let you tweak the sound a lot and create with it - change the attack and make lots of pads, use lots of off the wall sounds or plenty of Pulse waves. Reverb always seems to have a big place in ambient (at least the stuff I make).
If I may suggest a synth that is geared towards sound design, check out my company's synth, Nexsyn:
http://www.keytosound.com
I've used it in a lot of ambient work.
Of course, listen to some FSOL, Eno and Simon Fisher Turner - that'll get you in the ambient mood.
Good luck!
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