alfr123-blog

[alfr123-blog]

For these drafts the audio is only mono because my audio interface is only one input.  This was a problem as it meant my piece was sonically very bland.  To resolve this I found a Fostex digital recorder that I forgot I had.  This allowed me to record in stereo as well as keep my set up totally DAWless.  I did encounter a couple of issues whilst recording still however.  The main issue was balancing the mix in stereo.  The levels of left and right are equal but some tracks are heard more on either the right or left channel.  An example of this is in the delay where it’s playback louder in the left channel.  To improve this in the future I will spend more time balancing the levels ensure each is equal and not slightly stronger in the left or right channel.

[alfr123-blog]

Here is a link to a folder containing some my rehearsals, initial ideas and my final performance:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l6LbKqSNWrdH6UOxJ3pv_gufbkVB2Vd5/view?usp=sharing, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zie-HQs-W_vvszvaimoPhVHpcMvLLcIV/view?usp=sharing

[alfr123-blog]

Here are a couple of photos from the start of my prototyping phase. I have also linked some videos too.  Initially I considered using exclusively the SP-404 but found that it was far too limiting and the workflow did not make for an interesting performance.  Then I tried sequencing it through the octatrack.  And whilst this did render interesting results I still felt it was too limiting and sampler based.  So I started using the Behringer 2600 as a synthesiser.  Initially it was sequenced by the Korg SQ-1 however I felt this was too limiting again due to the struggle of trying to link up the octatrack to play samples and drums along with it.   I also tried using thew Korg Volca beats for drums as that was much easier to sync with the SQ-1 along with the 2600 however I did not like the sound of the Volca beats at all and whilst it could’ve made my performance more interesting I preferred to use the octatrack as it allowed for more flexibility within my performance.  I then started using the octatrack to sequence the 2600 via midi and using the SQ-1 only to sequence one of the oscillators of the 2600 to create melodies on top of the initial sequence from the octa.  ONe big issue I had with setting up in this way was how to clock the SQ-1 to play in time with the octatrack as the octa does not have CV out at all.  My solution to this was to use the Cue out from the Octatrack as this wouldn't be heard in the performance.  I used a square wave clip sample with hard attack and release to create a signal that could be received as a CV signal in the SQ-1. I linked the machines via a jack to mini jack cable.  Because one of the oscillators was being used for melody I used the midi thru port of the 2600 to also clock a Korg Volca Bass to add further texture to the synths within the track and add some amount of bass.  Along with this I knew I wanted to use the SP-404 and/or a delay pedal of some kind.  For my first drafts of a piece with this setup I was using a zoom multi effects pedal for delay and no SP.  However I did not like the sound of the guitar pedal even with low input level the sound was still too distorted for me, so I then took inspiration from the Matt Karmil video where he uses the SP just as a reverb.  Whereas in my piece I use the SP for its delay which I found very effective.  I could then also fade it out and switch effects much easier which I will do in the final piece and switch it to the DJ effects looper to create a sort of build up.

[alfr123-blog]

Research Stage

To begin my research stage I looked at videos of artists using similar technology to that which i have access too.  My first reference was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOmS6EB5x30.  This track by Matt karmil uses multiple pieces of gear I have at my disposal most notably the octatrack which he uses two of and the roland SP-404 which can be used as a sampler by itself but for this setup he uses it for reverb.  Another reference I had was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXsBQF7dOjQ&t=256s. This track incorporates the korg 2600, a clone of the arp 2600. I have recently acquired the Behringer clone of this synth and believe it could be a powerful performative synth for this project.  I really like the simplicity of this track to create a very effective sonic performance that is emotive and complex enough to keep the listener focused.  A couple of tracks that I also listened to whilst researching for this project was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN0QzsTbgmg, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYxheEGl2oM. I really like the way these tracks develop fairly slowly into big crescendos.  I feel this style of development for my performance would be good as the performance needs to be at least 15 mins long.  Whilst these tracks develop fairly slowly they do keep the interest with subtle changes and additions to the track.