My "The Hutch" playlist of EDM Style / electronic pop tracks, remixes and covers using synthesizers. All recorded from scratch with vocal stems from various online sources.

Forgive Me, I Have Synth'd

"Cold Hard Cache" : The Android Trap. C2021
+++ Original Music by D.Cook. Part of the Android Trap E.P. : https://soundcloud.com/made-in-the-hutch/sets/the-android-trap-e-p
+++ A synth based trap instrumental recorded mainly with Ableton stock instruments / FXs / Simpler (a Sample Player).

I saw the robot image on Pexels and that sparked off a sequence of inspiration. I have two more like this in progress, so I will make a "mini EP" of this probably under "The Android Trap". 
Enjoy... FEEDBACK WELCOME !!!

Cover Art :  A.I. Adobe Firefly Beta

The Android Trap

Cold Hard Cache

The Android Trap: Cold Hard Cache

#saiina #metapop #nativeinstruments
This is a remake/mix for the Metapop Challenge using vocal stems from Saiina's latest release called "Hypnotise". Saïna (pron. Sa-ee-na) is a North West London-based singer/songwriter/producer influenced by Neo-Soul, Rnb, Jazz & Hip Hop.

I recorded all the instrumentals, apart from the jazzy sax phrases. The original was very jazzy, so I energised this up a bit with a new drum kit, synth bass groove, pads and ePianos. I used Saiina's superb vocal stems. Recorded & Mixed In The Hutch Nov 2022. Ableton Live 10 / NI Kontakt / Ozone.

Hypnotise (Hutch Remix)

Hypnotize : Saiina/Metapop/Hutch Remix

#metapop #cyberpunk #synthpop
"March of the CyberPunks" is part of the Android Trap E.P. https://soundcloud.com/made-in-the-hutch/sets/the-android-trap-e-p
++++
A new and original synth' composition for an online competition by Metapop. The brief was to create an original piece of electronic synth based music / track... anything futuristic, computer-game, electronic, doom sounding goes.

This is my entry and actually fits well under my The Android Trap collection. Whilst I love acoustic and guitar based pop/rock music... the electronic/computer based stuff is still a fascination with endless sounds to explore. It's amazing! 

Composed / Recorded: Derek Cook / The Android Trap
Using Ableton, NI Komplete, iZotope Ozone, Guitar Rig
Cover Art :  A.I. Adobe Firefly Beta

March of The CyberPunks

I'm Good [TEAL Ed.]. This demo*Made In The Hutch
++++++
I'm Good by David Guetta & Bebe Rexha is a modern banger of the EDM Dance genre released in 2022. The original track was a long time coming and kind of a happy accident for Bebe/Guetta but now a multi-billion seller track online.

This is probably the most modern track I have tried to record! Whilst this genre is way out of my comfort zone, I am very fascinated by the sonics of the modern synth and "trippy" dreamy sound of this genre. I had to know more and the best way is to re-construct the track as a learning aide in music production. So I took it on after watching a few videos by David G.... How he takes a 2 bar chord sequence and masters it to a global hit in electronic dance anthem.

Whilst this simple 4 chord/2 bar loop (throughout), and its arpeggiated riff is easy to play, turning it into a heavy beat 3 minute rave track was a challenge. I learned a lot. How did I do?

TECH / CREDITS:
Artist: The Hutch (D. Cook)
Recording/arrangement: Made In The Hutch 2023
Original Composer: Guetta, Rexha, Kamille and Plested
Vocal Stem c/o Recisio KK Ltd
Sound / Production Kit: Ableton Live, Native Instruments, Vital, Ozone 9
*Demo. Not for commercial release

I'm Good [Teal Mix]

I'm Good (Teal Ed.)

My 2023 cover of the EDM mega-hit "I'm Good" by #DavidGuetta & #BebeRexha, mainly using the presets in my new synth collection: Arturia V Lab 'Augmented Strings' collection. #arturiavlab

Keys / Midi Controller: Native Instruments A49 Komplete
DAW: Ableton Live 10 Suite
Drums / Percuss: Custom 808 Kit 
Vocal Stems c/o Recisio KK  
Arturia V Lab “Augmented Strings” Presets: 
Club Chocolate Arps
 Sick Tone Bass
Airy Strings
Beautiful Swell
Deep Blossom
Old School Drama
#####
Having recently purchased this range of Soft Synths and Virtual Instruments, I wanted to learn more. So as a test-bed, I set out to re-construct the track using mostly preset sounds, a custom 808 drum kit and great vocal licensed from Recisio.

I took this on after watching a few videos by David Guetta and how he took a simple 2 bar chord sequence and mastered it to a global electronic dance anthem with BILLIONS of streams!

Whilst this simple 4 chord/2 bar loop (throughout), and its arpeggiated riff is easy to play, turning it into a heavy beat 3 minute rave track was a challenge. I learned a lot. How did I do?

TECH / CREDITS:
Artist: The Hutch (D. Cook)
Recording/arrangement: Made In The Hutch 2023
Original Composer: Guetta, Rexha, Kamille and Plested
Vocal Stem c/o Recisio KK Ltd
Sound / Production Kit: Ableton Live, Native Instruments, Vital, Ozone 9
*Demo. Not for commercial release

I'm Good [Arturia Strings Ed]

I'm Good (Arturia Strings Ed.)

The Cyber Warz E.P. Track #1 "The Vanguard". 
Copyright c2023 Made in The Hutch
The Android Trap presents an original cinematic / soundtrack style composition as a follow-up to "March of the Cyberpunks". The Vanguard blends electronic/synths sounds and classical influences in a track that could befit a futuristic video game soundtrack or as a TV / Film theme.

The Android Trap is working on fantasy futuristic style electronic music with EDM, rock/pop and classical overtones. The influence is robots / drones / A.I. and cyberspace fantasy. 

Composer: Derek Cook
Artist: The Android Trap
Production: Made In The Hutch
This is an Original & Copyright work. You must seek permission to use this track for commercial / braodcast purposes.

Cyber Warz E.P.

Cyber Warz. The Vanguard

The Cyber Warz E.P. Track #2 "The Algo Rhythm". 
Copyright c2023 Made in The Hutch
The Android Trap presents an original cinematic / soundtrack / gaming style composition as a follow-up to the "March of the Cyberpunks" E.P. The Algo Rhythm blends electronic/synths sounds and classical influences in a track that could befit a futuristic video game soundtrack or as a TV / Film theme.

The Android Trap is working on fantasy futuristic style electronic music with EDM, rock/pop and classical overtones. The influence is robots / drones / A.I. and cyberspace fantasy. 

Composer: Derek Cook
Artist: The Android Trap
Production: Made In The Hutch
This is an Original & Copyright work. You must seek permission to use this track for commercial / broadcast purposes.

Cyber Warz. The Algo Rhythm

Demo #1 Release c2018 / Remixed 2023. 
Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FB1kshb_Ocw 

The pure pop icon that is #KylieMinogue had a global hit with this EDM Style dance track. As much as I detested it on release (not a KM fan) I have come to realise it is pure pop genius. It's hard to ignore that infectious hook, simple loop structure & it is well produced. The title fits perfectly. Of course having Kylie do the track with that provocative video... well it just could not fail.

Thoughts: So I though I'd try something a little more modern, for me at least. As a rocker, this is not in my comfort zone but I enjoyed making the track using mainly EDM sounds. Plus, I wanted a way to try out my new NI A49 keyboard. I pretty much tried to recreate the track as the hit to learn more about midi electronic music production. Yep I learned a lot and I can already see where I need to re-work and the potential of virtual instruments. The vocal stem is courtesy of Karaoke Version, which is not far off Kylie's version I think.

Tech: Native Instruments A49 + Audio 6 interface, Ableton Live 9.7 DAW, Tele Guitar, Guitar Rig 5 FX, AKAI APC key25, Kontact Instrument Library / Synths (e.g Massive / FM8 / String Assemble).
NOTE # Demo only, not for resale or distribution. #cantgetyououtofmyhead

Can't Get You Out Of My Head

A flash-bang-wallop version of Tchaikovsky's Sugar Plum Fairy featuring the 'Trash Can Drum Kit', (percussion recorded from the street).

OK, The Sugar Plum rebelled ... she put on some DM boots, ditched her too-good-to-be-true persona and stomped around the trash cans, junk yards and street furniture making a heavy racket!

So this experimental track is based around Tchaikovsky's Sugar Plum Fairy theme. It started life as a series of street sounds recorded on my Zoom H1 digital recorder and processed in Audacity to make the Trash Can Drum Kit! 

So listen out for the "bass kick" from the trash bin and the crunched autumn leaves for the snare/clap and then keys rattling, bus stop poles, a coat zipper, wire fence scrapes, bin clanks, beach pebbles and door slams! Then all overdubbed with FXs and a heavy brass/string performance of the iconic "Sugar Plum" dance theme.... this is a demo only! LIKE IT? ... then hit the heart icon.

Digitally recorded & mixed in The Hutch Jan' 2019 using Ableton Live 9.7, Native Instruments, A49 keys, Audio 6 I/O and stock VST instruments. Played and arranged by D.Cook. :-)

Junk Yard Fairy, The Sugar Plum Rebel

Junk Yard Fairy (The Sugar Plum Rebel)

Written by David Arnold & Michael Price.
This demo recording, arrangement and mix made in The Hutch. Jan' c2019. Please LIKE. Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DqpwrcKZ5kc 

Based on the popular BBC "Sherlock" series this is one of the main musical themes used. I challenged myself to create something orchestral and this 8 bar melody fitted the bill. It is purely for experimental and learning purposes in arranging 8 to 10 different instruments such as piano, strings and wind. I am quite happy with the end result, particularly in changing the tempo and feel with every loop. 

Recorded in The Hutch with Ableton, Native Instruments and APC hardware and software. Not for sale or commercial distribution. Please seek permission to use.

Cloak And Dagger

Jan 2019

BBC Sherlock Theme

c2019 (Updated 2023) The Hutch  presents: "Apache Winter" .
An original instrument composition by D Cook. 
Made in The Hutch
+++ YouTube : https://youtu.be/fnqO_G7VeWM +++
It's a very cold winter in the Northern Hemisphere as I write. The news is full of bitter hardship stories as the snow flutters down... so I think that was the first influence of this theme. After a working title of "The First Snowfall" this progressed with a "twangy guitar" melody which gave it a Spaghetti Western sound. So my thoughts turned to Native Indians and Cowboy movies... Anyway "Apache Winter" seemed to fit this cinematic style theme.

NOTE: Demo ed. Not to be distributed, broadcast, copied or adapted without permission from the composer.

Apache Winter

Apache Winter (Cinematic Theme)

c2019 Performance & Recording The Hutch : Demo Version
++++ Not for sale, hire or mass distribution +++
This is my EDM-ish take on the classic Queen stadium rocker "We Will Rock You". There are quite a few Freddie Mercury vocal stems around... so I included his real vocal on here. What a voice!

*** Please LIKE or COMMENT - FOLLOW ME ! ***
I am a big fan of the early Queen stuff from the 70's after discovering them on "The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC TV) before they were famous. Such awesome musicians and performers. And how can you not like the simple beat and rhythmic lyrics of this party song. Hail Freddie, Hail Queen! And because of that beat it lends itself to many interpretations. 

Recorded as a demo in The Hutch. Demo only, not for sale.
Ableton Live 9.7, Native Instruments VSTs, A49 keys, LTD guitar EC1000.

We Will Rock You (Drum & Bass)

We Will Rock You (Drum & Bass Ed.)

A Hutch Remix / Cover c2019. This song by Vina Rose uses her vocal stem for a re-write/remix competition offered by MetaPop & Native Instruments. The first prize would be nice but it was more a learning exercise for me.
+++++ #metapop #nativeinstruments +++++
"Breathe Again" is the uplifting and instantly catchy single for the summer from Vina Rose, whose sound is described as Sia meets Katranada. 

So, yes, I am out of my comfort zone again to learn more about EDM Pop music production. This was harder than I anticipated as I only took the original Vina Rose & Backing vocal tracks, some FX but pretty much re-recorded all the musical parts from scratch including my own string outtro section.

As much as I enjoyed this track, having 20 single tracks and trying to mix / master to a final copy was a labour and frustrating to get the clarity and dynamics right of a Pro'. I admit after a few tries this is the best I could do. But overall I am more than happy with the results and Vina's vocal was awesome to work with. #vinarose #breathagain #metapop

DEMO ONLY: Not for sale.
This version by The Hutch
The orig' copyright and stems are courtesy of Vina Rose. Website : https://vinarosemusic.com
An Extended Remix #1  c2019. / Competition Entry via METAPOP
Orig Stems : https://metapop.com/pages/promos/vina-rose-breathe-again-remix-competition

Breath Again (Extnd Remix)

Breath Again : Vina Rose /Metapop/Hutch Remix

Recorded Oct 2019: Remixed, restructured and rearranged for MetaPop  +++ This is my 3 minute radio remix of "Cast A Spell On Me" by Andromedha & Linnea Schossow a EMD Trance track (Elliptical Sun Records).
+++++ #metapop #nativeinstruments +++++
I have used a few vocal, midi and fx stems from the original song. But pretty much added all new instruments and a new arrangement from scratch.  So enjoyed this foray into electronic dance music (EDM) and working with synth instruments and FXs.
+++ This also features percussion from my "Trash Can Drum Kit" ( a self made drum rack made of street sounds from my local town , like doors, trash cans, railings, lamp posts, keys and even the rustle of autumn leaves !!!)
+++ Feedback welcome of course on how to improve this +++

NOT FOR SALE OR PROFIT - My entry for the REMIX competition in conjunction with MetaPop, Native Instruments and of course Andromedha & Linnea Schossow (Original Artists)

Made in The Hutch:  Native Instruments Kontakt / A49 / Ableton Live 10

Cast A Spell On Me

Cast A Spell On Me : Andromedha/Metapop/Hutch Remix

Dance Monkey (Rock Radio Mix)... #dancemonkey #tonesandi
+++ Play Loud Please ! +++
Made famous by Tones & I. This recorded performance by The Hutch c2019

I am not normally one for the current charts but I stumbled on this global chart topper by Tones & I over a streaming site, just three days ago (Nov 2019). The peculiar voice and catchy chorus got my attention. So I checked the artist out! WOW! My first impression of Tones & I was "anti-popstar" image and wow again as a one-woman act. And the YouTube video had a staggering 158 Million views!!

Credit to that girl. After listening to her "The Kids Are Coming" I thought maybe I could cover one of these as a music making project. I chose "Dance Monkey" as it was so addictive, a simple chord sequence (repeat F#m - D - E - C#m) and I could get a vocal stem for it. What a joy to make :-)

Here's the end result... a first demo, rockier I think, as it features electric guitar but I think still maintains the EDM Pop feel and is just as bouncy as the original. 

Again, your feedback is more than welcome as I learn music production and would love to know what it sounds like to you on your sound system.

Tech Notes:
+ All instruments, samples and music recorded in The Hutch
+ Drums / Keys, scored and midi'd
+ Keys: Native Instruments A46 / Komplete Kontrol
+ Guitar: LTD EC1000 Deluxe
+ Bass: Ibanez GSR200 Bass
+ Vocal Stem: c/o KaraokeVersion.com
+ Cover Images: c/o Pexels.com & Markus Spiske temporausch.com

Dance Monkey (The Rock Radio Mix)

Dance Monkey

Dance the Bolero +++ A Short Teaser Demo +++
Well as you know Torvil and Dean iced danced perfectly to Maurice Ravel's Bolero to win the Olympic Gold over 30 years ago. I am no big Ice Skating fan but when you see and hear perfection it's human nature to be in awe of such skill and art. Of course the choice of music was well considered. It's emotive, sets a scene and builds to a crescendo even though it's a very slow 3/4 tempo.

In a mad impulse and with time to spare, I studied this music years ago just to see what made this Bolero so emotive. I downloaded the score and tried playing the parts on guitar or synth. It soon dawns on you how this is a brilliant study of looping a main melodic line into a theme, as does a lot of classical music. And then building it in orchestral layers to make it less repetitive, give new flavours and of course make it emotional. 

The choice of instruments in the arrangement, that continuous 16th triplet snare pattern, the simplest of C & G bass lines and that discord in its scales over the main chords to build intensity is a musical education and intriguing. Pure Genius!

Of course most modern popular music now uses looped patterns in almost a "cut & paste" way in a typical ABABCAB structure. And then uses layers and FXs, vocals and lead breaks to add variety over the repeated sequence. It works... we love that even more if there is a "hook". 

Ravel's Bolero has that melodic hook moving from a major to eastern sounding minor scales that entices me and sounds exotic. It's repeated over 13 times !!! (depending on which version you listen to).

So why I am wittering on about this? Well for years I harboured a desire to try and do a version myself even though it was overwhelming for an average musician like myself. Whilst, I realise I can't be that real organic orchestra live at the Albert Hall, with the new digital technology I think I can now give it go! We have the stop/start recording techniques, great sounding virtual instruments and indeed "cut & paste" options! 

And that desire has been on/off for a few years now but lately it's been haunting me to finish. It's a personal goal in orchestration, fun and an experiment in how far I have come in home studio production. Plus, I wanted to incorporate my guitars and my "trash can drum kit" (used in my Sugar Plum Fairy rendition) to give this almighty classical piece a new edge! A kind of "Bolero for Group and Orchestra" like Deep Purple did way back. Maybe too ambitious? 

+++ So it is still a work in progress but coming along in this first draft demo at least, a short "teaser" section of the main themes on my Sound Cloud channel for now. Much more to do though.... Please listen. +++

Will I finish it? Well that's the intention but it's proving tricky in parts... Why can't I keep things simple?

To be honest, most music is simple at its core but that "pizzaz and power" is when the experts add those skilled nuances, energy, performance "X", harmonic arrangements and excellent music theory to take it all up many notches.

We'll have to wait and see how this turns out. ;-)
#madeinthehutch #TorvilandDean #bolero #ravel

Bolero

Ravel's Bolero (Trash Can Edition)

Bite The Aggressor (Take #2)
+++ Made in The Hutch +++ June 2020
Copyright Material - An Original Composition
Update: Remixed, arranged and added harmony guitar outro... to be continued. This is an early demo only.
Recipe: Take just two chords and 4 bars, mix it up, bake all day and consume! Gone in a flash! So this new and original composition takes its name from two tweaked presets in the Native Instrument's Massive synth "Bite" & "Aggressor"... I loved the electro piano and thud bass sounds. 

So a jam over the rhythmic Cmin7 and Fmaj chord loop and go-for-it with the lead guitar. The end result I really like. 

I could have used more of the guitar jam about 15 minutes of self-indulgence but this (1.40 minutes) is as far as I can take it right now. I think it has potential if only as a video or game soundtrack. But I can hear vocals over this and to add a contrasting middle 8 to pep-it-up.
### Please LIKE OR COMMENT. #madeinthehutch ###


CREDITS:
Composer : Derek Cook
Recording : Made In The Hutch
Cover Art :  Stephan Müller from Pexels.com
DAW / Plugins : Ableton Live 10 & Ozone 8 Elements
Hardware : NI Audio 6 + A49
Synth : Massive (Komplete Kontrol)
Guitar : LTD EC1000 Deluxe / EMG p-ups

#electronicrock #rockguitar #harmonyguitars #madeinthehutch #rockmusic

Bite The Aggressor

Made in The Hutch! Copyright Material
A remix project for MetaPop / Julia Khan's single "Light On". (July 2020)
+++++ #metapop #nativeinstruments +++++
My remix is more pop, organic and "slow dance" ballad-esk, based around the intro piano & and Irish fiddle melody line. I didn't make it easy for myself, preferring to re-arrange and add new instruments including a string quartet section. This took far too long trying to get the verses/chorus / bridges to meld together but i think it is there or thereabouts. So overall, I am very happy with the remix and rearrangement now. I think I added a new flavour to this song. What do you think? Please leave your feedback. 

CREDITS & NOTES:
Original Artist: Julie Khan / Bryan Todd
Stems Used : Kick/Snare, Bass, Pads/FXs, Vox
Remix by: Made in The Hutch
Additions : Drums, Piano/Keys, Strings, Guitar Drones
DAW: Ableton Live 10
Mastered with : Izotope Ozone 8
Hardware: NI Audio 6, A49, LTD 1000Deluxe
V Instruments: NI Kontact Berlin Grand / Scarbee One, Guitar Rig 5, Session Strings, AnnaPad, MT PowerKit


BBsounds : I like it!!
Sergey Konkov : Cool guitar fxs!
George : The piano is unbeaten!
SteSch : I love the piano and strings you added.. catchy tune
Ian Collins : I really like the keys you added, and the drums are varied and interesting.  The strings following that piano line at 01:22 and again around 02:38 give a pleasantly acoustic feel to things.

Light On (The Slow Dance Remix)

Light On (La Romantica) : Julia Khan/Metapop/Hutch

"Clowning Around" c2020 Made in The Hutch
+++++ #4 Candyfloss Capers +++++
The challenge here was to accompany an old quirky fun tune (when I first started using DAWs)with a short video by CottonBro (c/o Pexels.com). This tune was meant to be part of my Candyfloss Capers EP for a Berklee music course. I considered unfinished and too quirky at the time! ... more comedic than anything. 

So a quick re-listen and thought it had somewhere to go and might be a short interesting project and challenge, which it was. The video clips are more comedic horror but help as eye candy.... it will be on YouTube soon : https://www.youtube.com/user/halfspiral/videos 

All done in Ableton Live with NI Instruments, AKAI / Novation keys and mastered with Izotope Ozone.

Candyfloss Capers

Clowning Around

Clowning Around (#4 Candyfloss Capers)

" We Seek To Control" by The Android Trap. 
++ c2021 Original Music by D. Cook.
++ Part of the Android Trap E.P. : https://soundcloud.com/made-in-the-hutch/sets/the-android-trap-e-p
++ Again a new genre for me but one I enjoyed making as I have a limited set of devices right now. So this was an unplanned "happy accident" recorded entirely with Ableton stock digital instruments and FXs. 

++ So I was learning Simpler (an Ableton Sample Player) to make a new bass sound and then added a 606 Drum Kit. I randomly produced a Trap beat to start with and added simple chords. After seeing the Droid image by Erik McLean, it sparked off a sequence of inspiration.  Using synths I have a new composition and two more similar in progress. I may make a 3 track "mini EP" of this probably under "The Android Trap" if all goes well. 
++ Enjoy... FEEDBACK WELCOME !!! Hit the LIKE please.

Cover Art :  A.I. Adobe Firefly Beta

We Seek To Control

The Android Trap: We Seek To Control

WELCOME - SO GLAD YOU CAME.
This is my muso' home, a sanctuary, a creative cauldron of musical ideas, covers, new stuff, original and maybe sometimes off-centre. Even a few surprises as I go where my changing musical interest goes. I am a hobby producer and musician. Those 12 notes are still fascinating me.

If nothing else, this is first and foremost, for my own greater good, to ease a wary soul, shield me from the slings and arrows of modern life. So, keeping me from insanity in a broken world.

Enough rambling, I'll let the chords and the melodies do my talking.
++ Please HIT THE LIKE button, it encourages me ++

NOTE: Yes, constructive feedback is always welcome :-)