Slack Water (Seismic Melancholia)

[seismic1]

I made this piece of nostalgic melancholia in September 2024, just over 2 years after I took the photo on the SoundCloud page.

https://soundcloud.com/whatsisname/slack_water

Gear and Gadgets

Recorded/Mixed in EnergyXT2.7
Mastered in T-Racks 5

Izotope Iris 2
Cakewalk Z3ta+2
IL Harmor
Arturia ModularV2
Ribs
Aether
NewFangled EQuivocate
BlueCat Gain3 Stereo
u-he Satin
IK Linear Phase EQ
IK EQP-1A

DR - 9

Edit:20260117 - I remixed it in January 2026, bringing down the volume of the "birdcall" synth by a couple of dB. It was mastered using the same chain used on the original version.

[enroe]

"Slack Water": The song begins with just a synth note that you fade in and
develop. It feels like slowly painting a scene, a tentative step forward, a
slow sunrise. The sound selection is exotically interesting and gives the
scene its distinctiveness and uniqueness.

Perhaps it really is a still body of water, a kind of pond, mysteriously hidden
among the grasses of a flat, expansive landscape?

Overall, a beautiful, epic instrumental that can be interpreted in many ways –
and that stimulates and inspires the imagination. Brilliantly done!

[seismic1]

"Slack Water": The song begins with just a synth note that you fade in and
develop. It feels like slowly painting a scene, a tentative step forward, a
slow sunrise. The sound selection is exotically interesting and gives the
scene its distinctiveness and uniqueness.

You are very close in your description. The photo was taken at sunset, on a river, just as the tide was about to turn. A perfect time for fishing, too. The pad consists of a couple of PaulStretched vocal chords and some granular processing.

Perhaps it really is a still body of water, a kind of pond, mysteriously hidden
among the grasses of a flat, expansive landscape?

Overall, a beautiful, epic instrumental that can be interpreted in many ways –
and that stimulates and inspires the imagination. Brilliantly done!

Thanks very much for taking the time to listen and the thoughtful commenta, Andy. Glad you liked it

[justin3am]

You created a captivating space in this one. The sounds just hang in the air. That modulated sound that comes in occasionally contrasts with the relative stillness of the piece.
Really well done! Thanks for sharing!

[wagtunes]

Very well done. Interesting musically and nice production. Merry Christmas and hope you have a great 2026.

[Frantz]

This is a very calming piece that is ideal for contemplation in the early evening hours.

Regarding the 8-bit vocal-ish sound which first appears at 0:38. I found it pulled me out of the trance a little bit. Because the rest of the track is so smooth, that element felt a little sharp in contrast. It might work better if it were tucked further back in the mix or used more sparingly so it doesn't interrupt the flow.

I wouldn't mind if the piece being extended. Great job overall.

[seismic1]

You created a captivating space in this one. The sounds just hang in the air. That modulated sound that comes in occasionally contrasts with the relative stillness of the piece.
Really well done! Thanks for sharing!

I went for a walk along the riverbank at sunset, while the tide was turning. I think you can see a fishing-rod in the photo. At this time, this stretch of water is popular with anglers.

Thanks very much for listening and commenting, Justin. Glad you enjoyed it

[eassae]

The sparseness in this creates a very nice sense of space and gives the individual voices a lot of gravity and impact. I didn't get a sense of melancholy—for me it was more contemplative and peaceful, but to each his own:) Great work!

[markkuja]

Nice track. I liked the sound scape and ambiance. Good orchestration and sounds.

[seismic1]

Very well done. Interesting musically and nice production. Merry Christmas and hope you have a great 2026.

Thanks very much for listening and commenting, wagtunes. Glad you liked it

[seismic1]

This is a very calming piece that is ideal for contemplation in the early evening hours.

I wrote this piece as a musical souvenir of the Norfolk Broads (where the photo was taken in 2022). It's a place that I have visited many times over the last 50-odd years, and hope to visit again soon.

Regarding the 8-bit vocal-ish sound which first appears at 0:38. I found it pulled me out of the trance a little bit. Because the rest of the track is so smooth, that element felt a little sharp in contrast. It might work better if it were tucked further back in the mix or used more sparingly so it doesn't interrupt the flow.

I wouldn't mind if the piece being extended. Great job overall.

That synth sound at 0:38 was intended to be a representation of an unspecified bird-call! I may take a look/listen to that in the next few days - maybe pull it down by a couple of dB.

Thanks very much for listening and for the useful comments, Frantz. Glad you liked it

[Allomerus]

Great track Tim. It very much sounds like the sound of the photo...
Achingly beautiful and empty with flashes of insects?
Well done!

[Genetic_Junk]

I've listened a few times now. Great sound design with the synth representing a bird call. The pad/wash slowly moving in and out of the scene reminds me of a cool evening breeze. I really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.

[frank1985]

Great sound design as usual .... I'll probably give this another spin tonight before bed

[ChameleonMusic]

That is one VERY effective, ambient soundscape!

It really does have a shiny, glassy, reflective edge to the overall sound...yet it also has some considerable depth as well....very rounded and warm!