So, I started making my own music after searching endlessly for music I wanted to hear and finally decided to create my own.
But then I got the collector syndrome and started getting a whole bunch of synths, effects and plugins for my DAW. With so many instruments at my disposal its being kinda hard to concentrate and make the best out of my soundscapes.
I need some help in how to get maximum potential with the minimum of tools.
What is the best "minimal is maximal" equipment I can start with?
I just want suggestions to start experimenting with.
In time I'll select the ones best suited for my style.
I'm into ambient ( not that new age shit) and drones, soundscapes, manipulation of sound, textures and some noise in good measure.
minimal is maximal
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- KVRer
- 10 posts since 3 Jun, 2012 from nowhere, TX
"Je est un autre"
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- KVRAF
- 2163 posts since 17 Jan, 2008
what do you have (plug-ins and DAW) now? you may have all you need.
seems to me that you want a sampler and a delay and a reverb. maybe something that does some granular synthesis would be nice. I make drones in my DAW by time stretching audio files. paulstretch might be nice to have for what you described. I also chop up and manipulate audio in my DAW. so I guess depending on what your using, you may or may not need to have an audio editor. not sure if you are on a mac or a PC, so not sure what to tell you for a synth. I really like alchemy, although lately I have been making pads and instruments out of recycled audio from other songs. I enjoy the process of re-tooling something into a new thing altogether.
I use a lot of the ambient, soundscape type sounds you described in my music (although I like to put vocals over the top of it), and I have amassed a lot of plugins. at this point though, I find myself using the stuff that came with my DAW more than anything. i think I just know how to use the stuff better as I have been using it since I got Logic.
seems to me that you want a sampler and a delay and a reverb. maybe something that does some granular synthesis would be nice. I make drones in my DAW by time stretching audio files. paulstretch might be nice to have for what you described. I also chop up and manipulate audio in my DAW. so I guess depending on what your using, you may or may not need to have an audio editor. not sure if you are on a mac or a PC, so not sure what to tell you for a synth. I really like alchemy, although lately I have been making pads and instruments out of recycled audio from other songs. I enjoy the process of re-tooling something into a new thing altogether.
I use a lot of the ambient, soundscape type sounds you described in my music (although I like to put vocals over the top of it), and I have amassed a lot of plugins. at this point though, I find myself using the stuff that came with my DAW more than anything. i think I just know how to use the stuff better as I have been using it since I got Logic.
macbook pro 2.88 GHz Intel Core Duo, 10 gigs ram, 750GB HD, Logic Studio 9
my blog and some music:
http://rabbitearsmotel.wordpress.com/
my blog and some music:
http://rabbitearsmotel.wordpress.com/
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- KVRist
- 78 posts since 30 Jun, 2012
HG Fortune have some great ambient synths. http://www.hgf-synthesizer.de Try ProtoPlasm21 Free.
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- addled muppet weed
- 111275 posts since 26 Jan, 2003 from through the looking glass
basic sound recorder mic type thing for field sounds, i use a zoom h2 but tere are others available.
paul stretch. (can turn a srum hit into a 3 day long drone :mmm!:)
reaktor, so many sample based bits to manipulate your field recordings. plus a huge range of fx to choose from.
more fx, any and all types for processing your sound. hard to name any as it totally depends on your taste but some good delays and loopers such as mobious
a host with audio editing capabilities.
add a guitar and maybe an ebow and boom! set the world on fire!
look forward to hearing what you decide to use and hearing what you do with it
paul stretch. (can turn a srum hit into a 3 day long drone :mmm!:)
reaktor, so many sample based bits to manipulate your field recordings. plus a huge range of fx to choose from.
more fx, any and all types for processing your sound. hard to name any as it totally depends on your taste but some good delays and loopers such as mobious
a host with audio editing capabilities.
add a guitar and maybe an ebow and boom! set the world on fire!
look forward to hearing what you decide to use and hearing what you do with it
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- KVRAF
- 1619 posts since 19 Aug, 2004 from Toronto
You may want to check out this recent, similar thread:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 41#4962241
I'm tempted to suggest AudioMulch.
It definitely embodies the minimal is maximal thing for me
It has a hell of a long trial period, and is well suited to creating evolving drones and soundscapes.
No MIDI sequencer - but has other ways to sequence things.
Has MIDI in/ sync/ clock, and can host a plugin seq if you decide you want it.
I find it can be nice to get away from the MIDI sequencer paradigm, and Mulch offers many alternatives.
If you have the cash, Soundhack's pvoc kit and any of the Ohmforce plugs make nice additions to Mulch's already extensive repertoire of tools and work quite well with it (I've tested them pretty heavily).
Still, Mulch comes with ALOT and may have all you need/want.
If you do take AudioMulch for a spin - ***definitely explore the capabilities of it's Metasurface.
All this said, it is of course the ideas that matter most, but I find AudioMulch great for inspiring them.
Anywho, I also agree with Vurt that a decent audio recorder is an excellent place to start.
Sort of makes the world your palette.
On that note I can recommend the Zoom H4N (can double as an audio processor).
I also have an M Audio Micro Track recorder and the battery went to crap.
Perhaps the Micro Track 2 fixed the problem, but I'd exercise caution.
Renting first and trying a couple out may be your best option if you can do it.
Actually, if you have an iPhone there's some good ways to turn it into a pretty high quality field recorder, and it'll save you some cash.
I can also recommend the Apogee Duet for a dedicated processor - excellent sound quality/pre amps, but it'll cost yah.
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 41#4962241
I'm tempted to suggest AudioMulch.
It definitely embodies the minimal is maximal thing for me
It has a hell of a long trial period, and is well suited to creating evolving drones and soundscapes.
No MIDI sequencer - but has other ways to sequence things.
Has MIDI in/ sync/ clock, and can host a plugin seq if you decide you want it.
I find it can be nice to get away from the MIDI sequencer paradigm, and Mulch offers many alternatives.
If you have the cash, Soundhack's pvoc kit and any of the Ohmforce plugs make nice additions to Mulch's already extensive repertoire of tools and work quite well with it (I've tested them pretty heavily).
Still, Mulch comes with ALOT and may have all you need/want.
If you do take AudioMulch for a spin - ***definitely explore the capabilities of it's Metasurface.
All this said, it is of course the ideas that matter most, but I find AudioMulch great for inspiring them.
Anywho, I also agree with Vurt that a decent audio recorder is an excellent place to start.
Sort of makes the world your palette.
On that note I can recommend the Zoom H4N (can double as an audio processor).
I also have an M Audio Micro Track recorder and the battery went to crap.
Perhaps the Micro Track 2 fixed the problem, but I'd exercise caution.
Renting first and trying a couple out may be your best option if you can do it.
Actually, if you have an iPhone there's some good ways to turn it into a pretty high quality field recorder, and it'll save you some cash.
I can also recommend the Apogee Duet for a dedicated processor - excellent sound quality/pre amps, but it'll cost yah.
drab
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- KVRAF
- 1619 posts since 19 Aug, 2004 from Toronto
Vurt - I agree - audio editing capabilities are nice to have, and if they're already in your host it keeps things kinda simple.
Too bad AudioMulch doesn't offer this yet, but a separate editor can be easy to get used to (IMO), especially if the host that lacks it has features that set it apart and work for you.
Still, I'm just one guy with an obvious love for AudioMulch, but I would never suggest is the absolute way to go.
***What works for one, may not work for another.
You clearly have a wealth of experience and J.X.R. would be wise to give consideration to your suggestions.
Too bad AudioMulch doesn't offer this yet, but a separate editor can be easy to get used to (IMO), especially if the host that lacks it has features that set it apart and work for you.
Still, I'm just one guy with an obvious love for AudioMulch, but I would never suggest is the absolute way to go.
***What works for one, may not work for another.
You clearly have a wealth of experience and J.X.R. would be wise to give consideration to your suggestions.
drab
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- KVRist
- 87 posts since 7 Jul, 2012
in your case, a good DAW and Reaktor
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- KVRist
- 493 posts since 20 Apr, 2004 from hki-fi
Sounds to me like you might already have everything you need. You just need to get out of the "instant gratification" mentality and really use/learn the stuff you have aquired. Sorry I know this doesn't sound like concrete advise, but it's all I really can say - so many ways to skin that cat IYKWIM.
If you really need a "recipe" to follow, watch a lot of utube clips and find the stuff/performances that really inspire you, then find out what they are using to get there?
If you really need a "recipe" to follow, watch a lot of utube clips and find the stuff/performances that really inspire you, then find out what they are using to get there?
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 10 posts since 3 Jun, 2012 from nowhere, TX
appreciate all the suggestions everyone
I've been playing around with what I got, instead of having the "making a song" mentality
just experimenting
and now I'm saving some money for a guitar and pedals to add to the mix
(drone guitar, playing it like a sound generator)
I've been playing around with what I got, instead of having the "making a song" mentality
just experimenting
and now I'm saving some money for a guitar and pedals to add to the mix
(drone guitar, playing it like a sound generator)
"Je est un autre"