New Video (4rbitrary)

Inspired by Chris Randall’s videos I decided to explore the possibilities of the CV track on the Elektron Analog Four. The weird spacey sounds you hear are coming from the modular synth, curtesy of a lot of cross modulation between 3 Bubblesound VCOs, with trigs from the Analog Four. Most of the percussive elements are from the Maschine, but some clicks and cracks are from the A4 as well.

Ableton Live was used for recording only, effects and sequencing is all from either Maschine or the Analog Four.

The quality of the video is not the best and the track is so-so, but it’s all good practice both in terms of running a track live, and also in front of the camera.

Doepfer Soundcloud Group

If you are curious about what types of music / sounds people create with modular synths, and especially the Doepfer system, there’s a Soundcloud group you might be interested in.

In this moderated group you’ll find everything from melodic tracks to drones, space, ambient, Berlin style and techno. Check it out to learn more about the infinite sonic possibilities of the world of modulars.

New Video (Cumulus 2 – The Bridge)

Part two in the tentatively named Cumulus series. Based entirely on the modular synth, with the exception of the kick drum. This track continues to explore the theme of sound textures started with the Cumulus 1, but this time with a higher tempo.

The track was recorded in multiple layers with the Morphing Terrarium as the primary sound source, except for some guest play from time to time by the Bubblesound VCOs. Only reverb was added as an effect while mixing the layers. There are no other computer generated effects.

Of course, all layers where recorded as continues ‘live’ recordings, each track ‘over dubbing’ the previous ones. The video was recorded in separate takes for each layer, and since all I have is a web camera and iMovie the results are… not exactly stellar. But at least it gives you some pretty light to look at as an excuse to listen to the track! ;-P Not all of the layers where filmed so if you are trying to match up knob-wiggling with actual sound it wont exactly match all the time :).

Modules are from Doepfer, XAOC Devices, Synthesis Technology, Bubblesound, TipTop Audio, Pittsburgh Modular and 4ms.

New Song (Cumulus 3 – The Quarters)

This is the 3rd track in the Cumulus series. As always this is coming from multiple live overdubs using my modular synth and NI’s maschine.

This is music for very late nights, dark rooms and headphones… or any other time and place of your choice of course.

(The Cumulus series is intended to work as a conceptual soundtrack to an abandoned, hulking and alien structure. Use of rich imagination and association is highly recommended!)

Glitzerstrahl on Custom Made Music

A couple of months ago I was contacted by Dave Allison from Custom Made Music, asking for permission to include one of the Cumulus tracks on his label’s Spring Mixer collection. The Mixer is essentially a show case of new and (hopefully) upcoming artists in the genre of shoegaze, noise pop, dream pop and alternative rock.

The Mixer is printed in a limited run and distributed to radio stations, tv stations, blogs and other sites of potential review or air time. It’s really a promotional tool intended to get the word about the participating artists out as wide as possible.

I said yes of course, distribution is (almost) never a bad thing, and Part 1 of the mixer is now up on 8tracks.

The track that Dave selected from me is called Fahrbahn 14 – Cumulus Forming (Available on the Fahrbahn II album after the jump) and is made entirely using my modular synth. It represents the bridge between the first year of Farhbahn tracks into the Cumulus tracks of year 2.

Check it out via the links below:

http://8tracks.com/custom-made-music/custom-made-music-s-spring-sampler-pt-1

http://www.custommademusicva.com/

Please note that this does not mean that Glitzerstrahl is now tied to or released / distributed by Custom Made in general.