watch on YT - https://youtu.be/r3McLS0RQoI

Nine Sines And One Noise Please

watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/AhOt2ETPVFQ

Perspectives

watch on YT - https://youtu.be/_Jdu0Hwr0lE - this piece focuses on synthesizing and re-sampling percussive sounds and patterns with solo Octatrack. The noise sample used as the source for all of the sound design was generated on the Octatrack by normalizing a recording of 'silence' to bring the noise floor up to audible levels. To make for a more interactive and reactive arrangement and performance I utilized 2 'live' re-sampling channels - one fed from the cue bus, and the other fed from track 3. I specifically avoided using the comb filter, partially to encourage a more minimal, atonal, and abstract result. Audio recorded direct from Octatrack main outs, post-production compression, EQ, and limiting applied

Abrasions [transients]

watch on YT - https://youtu.be/6OmNxY59gUA

Convenient Arrangement (Lazy)

https://youtu.be/AKrs8u3pRTQ

Like my first compositions with the Elektron Machinedrum, I found it helpful to see what is possible on Monomachine using just the sine wave and noise machines. So far while working with the Monomachine I have often ended up making  very simple and hypnotic patterns - this track uses only two 16-step patterns. I utilized song mode to help stay focused on the minimalist/repetitive aesthetic and also to program song mutes and track transpositions in order to squeeze more variation out of the two patterns. However, I kept it simple in structure, avoiding the use of the custom pattern lengths and offsets that are afforded by song mode.

this track started off with developing the kick drum sound, which is the best kick I've gotten out of the Monomachine so far, but I've also gotten a lot of great ambient sounds and I decided to combine those aesthetics for some minimalist ambient techno

I used 5 sine waves and 1 noise machine, all routed to the AB outputs. Recorded direct from AB outs, mild post-production compression, EQ, and limiting applied.

Existential Restraints (Waiting Room)

watch live performance - https://youtu.be/RpwdReZISf0

Detachment

performance video at https://youtu.be/xWEcr8JQUMM

Barn Dance

watch on YT - https://youtu.be/qZ5G_CwjubE

Essence of the Machine

watch on YT - https://youtu.be/tCnxdxWyjOI

this abstract piece emerged from experimentation with probabilistic/conditional sampling. Previously I've shown the use of generative re-sampling techniques for ambient pieces, but this time I wanted to demonstrate these techniques in service of a more explicitly rhythmic style

the only samples used were a stock drum loop and a noise sample (used to excite a comb filter). I used two internal re-sampling tracks, one which records the output of the noise track, and the other which samples from the cue bus - changing which tracks feed the cue bus then became an important aspect of the performance

I used only 1 part, and there are two main patterns. Each main pattern has a variation pattern that is identical except it will not activate re-sampling (i.e. no 'record trigs'). So if I liked what I was hearing and/or wanted the samples to persist longer, I could switch to the version of the pattern that would not trigger re-sampling

performing this piece was very interesting and challenging in a very similar way to working with my typical eurorack patches, where live re-sampling, highly interdependent signal flows, and generative techniques result in highly interactive and reactive musical systems

recorded the first day of winter December 21st, 2018 - audio direct from the Octatrack main outs, mild post-production compression, EQ, and limiting applied

Transient Spaces

watch on YT - https://youtu.be/k3CioeB89sg

Shortly after I finished curating a new and somewhat experimental sample pack, I was curious how the sounds would perform in the Octatrack environment. Since these particular samples often have rather high amounts of processing and ambiance I found that I didn't have to manipulate them in many of the ways I often find necessary, and this is one of the few projects I've done that does not utilize any neighbor machines. I used 2 'live' re-sampling playback channels, on tracks 6 and 7, and 4 'live' record buffers - R5, R6, R7, and R8 - manually changing the record buffer referenced by track 7 became an important part of the arrangement. I used two patterns.

Record buffers 5, 6, and 7 are all recording from the cue bus, but from different points in the pattern. The few times I have the mixer page open to access quick mutes, you can see that I have the cue turned down - however the recording of the cue will still clip sometimes. In this particular track I wanted a hotter level coming off the cue and was willing to accept a bit of clipping. In a less noisy track with more dynamics I would be unlikely to allow the cue recording to clip like this.

Since I have tracks 4, 5, and 6 all sending to the cue, and track 6 is always set to record buffer 6, which records from the cue, there is a bit of feedback always present in the re-sampling setup. Record buffer 8 is sampling the main outputs, and even more feedback is introduced when I temporarily set track 7 to playback from R8. This re-sampling feedback is an easy way to introduce phase issues, but for this track I chose to feature the problematic behavior rather than attempt to minimize it.

Recorded directly from Octatrack main outputs, with post-production compression, EQ, stereo image adjustment, and limiting.

the samples and Octatrack project file used for this recording are available at https://www.patreon.com/posts/28261544

Anti-Climactic Mono Incompatibility

This Elektron Machinedrum UW composition used one 16-step pattern. The variation in the arrangement is done only with mutes programmed via song mode. The melodic and harmonic statements are produced using EFM machines (particularly the cowbell), which are re-sampled as part of the arrangement using a single RAM record machine. Three different RAM playback machines access the RAM record machine's buffer. Re-sampling slightly different combinations of sounds at different points in the arrangement assists with developing a longer narrative arc with greater variation than would otherwise be possible. Recorded directly from the Machinedrum main outputs, post-production compression, EQ, and limiting applied.

Simplicity

A Powerful Sense of Dread

watch on YT - https://youtu.be/CH885STN5Pg

Tracker Berlin

watch on YT - https://youtu.be/31YUXMbTzHI

disconnect

watch on YT - https://youtu.be/I4JMDITslPQ

unidentified

forward-thinking electronic music and methods

max marco

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