Electro-Ambience Beaux Espirits

Electro-Ambience Beaux Espirits is an experimental ambient music composition created by various sequences produced by the SynFactory 1.15 modular software synthesizer. It is incredible that so many sonic possibilities can be obtained by the modular configuration of this synthesizer using just a few fundamental modules. Any number of modules can be configured to create virtual analogue synthesizer systems. Three separate sequences were mixed down from a SynFactory patch comprising of three primary and three secondary sinewave generators. These signal sources were then ring-modulated together to provide three ring-modulated outputs. The three outputs were then ring-modulated together to provide double modulation, and two outputs, to then be fed to two delay modules then connected to the stereo outputs. This base track then had a random chimes track added twice, with the second time-shifted to provide a richer mix of tonalities. Reverb was added to the chimes track. These elements were then mixed down to create the first composite. The Random Chimes patch consisted of four primary oscillators, with two being frequency-modulated. The outputs were fed into delay units for processing into a stereo signal. To the base track, a "shimmer" track was placed at the introduction. This was made up of short samples from the Random Chimes track, multitracked, then panned to create stereo for each track. An additional SynFactory sequence was placed at the end, more short chime samples punctuate the tracks here and there to create atmospheric shimmers of sound. A shrill modulation track was then laid using the six-oscillator ring-modulated patch. This track was copied for the duration of the composition. A random tonalities track was then laid using sinewave fluctuations. These random streams came from a very simple configuration of just two oscillators added together to both feed the FM inputs of two sinewave generators. The outputs of these were fed into delay units. A few extra flanged effect sequences and "oriental" streams from the random patch complemented the main elements of this final arrangement. All these tracks were then mixed to create the swirling surreal atmospherics of the composition. The work seems to pulsate or "breathe" in and out as different SynFactory sequences are faded in and out during the final mix. The final mix is ambient, yet strangely "organic" in feel. The work was inspired by the incredible electronic score of the 1971 film "The Andromeda Strain". The visuals were created by animated repeating coloured patterns subjected to various mixes of positive and negative superimposition, then undergoing various generations of positive/negative processing and duplication. A background layer was created, then to this more modulating patterns and pulsating lighting effects applied. The result is a strange organic, shimmering ambient electronic composition that seems to possess a life of its own as the music swells and contracts with each combination of processed Synfactory 1.15 sequences.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• electro
• electronic
• ambient
• ambience
• ring
• modulation
• experimental
• music
• synthesizer
• synthesis
• sequencer
• analog
• analogue
• digital
• software
• SynFactory
• 1.15
• modular
• oscillators
• sinewaves
• atmospheric
• surreal
• superimpose
• dreamscape
• New
• Age
• darkwave
• shimmer
• oriental
• etheral
• alternative
• electronica
• animation
• metamorphic
• esoteric
• abstract
• patterns
• meditation
• metaphysical
• organic
• morph
• fluid
• contemplative
• videography
• transcendental
• Andromeda
• Strain
• random
• tonalities
• pulses
• FM
• chimes
• pulsations
• swell

[JeffreyPlaide]

Hi there,

I keep all my music project files, samples and tracks, and I could make some variations on these. Yes - you may lay down a vocal track, or spoken word. Keep in touch, and we may be able to work out something. With my voice, I use much processing to create a kind of vocoded choral effect.

Jeffrey S.

[raygoshay1400]

I was wondering if you'd be interested in cross-germinating material. I'd like to lay down spoken word on a piece like this and/or you set a soundscape to one of my readings.

[JeffreyPlaide]

Thanks for this information - I must look into this. Many thanks too for your compliments. I had great fun with SynFactory 1.15, but one could have also created the work using a physical modular system with FM-modulated oscillators. I did spent many hours manipulating with SynFactory (in real-time), and the work just formed from these combinations. I am also working on another SynFactory composition (this time with a Gothic or Bauhaus-like feel). I am currently working on the visuals now.

[raygoshay1400]

Have you heard his masterpiece score for A Cold Night's Death? There's quite a reward in creating music purely from inner vision and emotion. Shaping a cohesive musical outcome out of chaos as did Mellé or Varèse, is a big challenge. I think you attain such an outcome.

[JeffreyPlaide]

Many thanks for this. And yes - I was inspired by Gil Melle and his "Andromeda Strain" electronic music score. I had alot of fun extracting interesting atonal sequences and "shimmer" effects.

[raygoshay1400]

Brings to mind Gil Mellé... this is excellent.