As mentioned in my previous blog, I have decided on what I wanted to do stylistically and what I wanted to accomplish in general. In this blog, I will talk about my overall plan so far for the piece. What instruments I want to use, what sounds I want to create, and how it’s all going to come together.
- DAW?
The DAW (digital audio workspace) I use is Ableton. The reason I like using Ableton as a sound artist is the room to experiment. The way Ableton is designed is to give the artist a lot more creative control. I like the layout of Ableton, it’s quick to access instruments from the DAW itself and very stress-free to record external equipment. This is why I gravitate towards this DAW for my projects.
2. Instruments (Analog)
Mother 32 – The Mother 32 is a semi-analog desktop synthesizer by Moog. It has a patch bay, but it’s not required to make sounds. The Mother 32 is great for creating buzzing and low drones. Particularly when being run through a reverb like Valhalla Supermassive, the sound feels wide and dense. One of the best features of the Mother 32 is the frequency knob, which when used can create a very unsettling and uncomfortable atmosphere. Overall, I enjoy using it to create a solid base to work with. It also helps to expand my knowledge about analog gear.
3. Instruments (Virtual)
Ablet0n has a wide range of instruments. Additionally. you can download packs with specific sounds on their website. Personally, I am very fond of a pack called ‘Drone Lab’. ‘Drone Lab’ is an experimental sound pack that comes with samples of drones, noise, and other experimental sounds. It also comes with midi kits to create your own soundscapes and instruments. This pack is great for adding more to the piece or to help you build a foundation to then expand.