Sequential

Dream Sequence.

Instruments Used:

HARDWARE/ Korg Volca Beats, Arturia Microbrute, Moog Slim Phatty

SOFTWARE/ TAL-UNO-62, TAL BassLine, Logic ES2, Ultrabeat, Gforce Mtron Pro, 

Dream Sequence

"At First Light"

At First Light, we'll have a chance to begin anew.
This is an instrumental piece made as a reflection on the Winter season and the implications of one more year finished, and the chance to set a new direction in the New Year. Farewell 2015, Hello 2016! 


instruments used:

HARDWARE: 
Arturia  Microbrute 
Moog Slim Phatty
Korg Volca Beats

SOFTWARE:
Logic Pro 9
ES2
ESX24
TAL-BassLine
TAL-U-No 62
GForce MTron Pro


I wrote this track over a few days after Christmas. Despite the minor chord progression, there’s a send of reflectiveness, but also one of looking forward in the track. The “reflection” is also built into the song structure - it’s “mirrored” and symmetrical.

I started with a simple, repetitive chord progression and built a soundscape over that. The intro, and the base of the song, is MTron Pro with a mix of MkII Piano and Vibes 2. Listen for the Orchestra tape as well. TAL-U-No 62 is handling quite a few duties on this track; there are 4 instances handling everything from brassy undertones to a plucky “harp” or ethnic plucked sound. ES2 is playing a Vox Humana-ish patch. BassLine is playing a portamento lead in the back of the mix.

On to the hardware: The Microbrute is handling bass duties - this is now my go-to bass synth. I used the sidechain/ducking effect using the Volca Beats bass drum (more on the Beats later.) The Moog Slim Phatty is playing the solo part in the middle and near the end. I deliberately mixed the lead “into” the mix so you’re more consumed by the soundscape - it really lets you hear the instruments playing off of each other better. Percussion was handled mainly by the Volca Beats. I really don’t understand the criticism that this machine draws - it’s easily one of the best pieces in the Volca lineup. The bass drum is handling the low end, and I layered that with a 909 sample for more attack. I used a snappy snare sound (mine is not modded) and layered that with the Volca’s Clap and ESX24’s Indie Kit snare, washed in the “gated reverb” sound. This is the first track I’ve used the Beat’s toms, and *damn,* they’re sexy when used properly.

Thanks for listening to “A First Light.” I’d love to hear your thoughts about it, or answer any questions you have about it!

Dream Sequence

kbaileyaudio