Guitarish melody by System-8.
Bass by Model D (reissue) with the Sub 37 as its third oscillator. Layered with the Jupiter-80 for a more modern sound.
Bell/harp by Jupiter-80.
Drums by Ableton Live.

This track was composed using the session view of Ableton Live, using a Push 2, recording MIDI loops from each synth. All synths were live, allowing me to play back the MIDI loops on the synths and jam on top of them, easily iterating on each track. Finally the tracks were frozen as audio in the arrangement view before mixing and mastering.

I really enjoyed this process. It was really effective and fun! The Push 2 in particular was so much more intuitive and hands-on than working with a keyboard/mouse combo.

I tried to keep the sound minimalistic, with just a few instruments and effects, giving each more room to breathe.

When mastering I especially tried to keep the sound bass-heavy and punchy, but not too bassy. I balanced the low-end of the basses against each other, and ducked them from the drum kicks. I also added compression and gated reverbs to the snares for a punchy, eighties sound.

Soft Edge

Lead chords by Prophet 12, MKS-70 and Alpha Juno.
Bass lines by Pro 2, Minimoog Model D (reissue) and Jupiter-80.
Arpeggios by Prophet 6.
Pads and strings by MKS-70, Alpha Juno and OB-6.
Guitarish leads by Pro 2 and Jupiter-80.
Drums by Toraiz SP-16.

Composed and arranged in Renoise. Recorded and mixed in Ableton Live.

This tune was inspired by spring in the cold north, by nature growing green again and by the vitality felt by a new summer approaching.

This is my first attempt at mastering a finished track. Hope you enjoy. :)

Sensation Green

Arpeggio by Prophet 12.
Lead melody by Jupiter-80.
Secondary melody by OB-6.
Chorus chords by Prophet-6.
Bass by Jupiter-80 and Model D (reissue).
Drums by DFAM.

Composed and arranged in Renoise. Recorded and mixed in Ableton Live.

This is actually an older track that I decided to finish after getting some experience with mastering, layering some additional synths.

It started with the arpeggio, as an attempt to tame the lively/bright sound of the Prophet 12, and create something soft and warm. The melody then came easily together on the Jupiter-80, which already has a soft, dark sound character.

I also tried to make use of the DFAMs as a sound source for "traditional" drums, rather than the crazy beats they are known for.

kimsand