Artefact 3 – DAW Track - Synthesis and Sampling
Why I chose this project:
I have chosen this project as my 3rd artefact because it shows my quick learning skills and ability to create and use synth patches and samples, in a concise and tasteful manner.
This assignment was quite early in the course, so I was fairly new to Ableton, and still wasn't fully clued up on how to use it. This assignment helped me get to grips with Ableton faster, and in a fun creative way.
Passing Criteria:
Create a track using Ableton Live:
1. Original or cover
2. Use of sampler instrument
3. Use of one synth patch
4. 4 midi tracks minimum
5. 3 audio tracks minimum
6. At least one instance of dynamic processing
7. At least one instance of time domain effect
8. 2:30 minutes minimum length
Planning and Preparation:
Once I was tasked with creating the track, I immediately decided that I wanted to create a fast paced electronic song. This is something I had not yet tried in any DAW whatsoever, so I felt as though it was a great challenge to set for myself, and would help me learn the Ableton DAW so much faster. When beginning my Track I instantly started to look for suitable drum breaks and synth patches, that fit my initial vision.
Bass Synth:
To start off my project I dragged in the Analog synth and put it down 1 whole octave. I then applied overdrive, phaser and an EQ that heavily boosted Mids. I also made the bass drop out during the break part in the middle of the song, and then changed the bassline to fit the songs second segment.
Drums:
For the drums I used a very fast drum sample break called "Bad Break" to keep the speedy nature of the track. I then chopped and levelled the sample, in context with the song and relative to other instruments volume. There is one part in the song near the middle that has a full on drum solo, making use of closely chopped sample work that makes the drums take the centre stage for a short period. I also apply a low pass filter using automation near the start of the song to the drums to give it, its muffled effect.
Synth:
For the main synth I used Ableton's Wavetable with a saw type wave. However when the reverb effect was applied and set to full dry/wet it transformed the synth into the more soft and angelic that I was looking for, which ultimately fit the track the best. I also have another Wavetable synth playing a very similar part throughout, however it is 1 whole octave up from the first.
Lead:
For the Lead I again used Ableton's Wavetable with a less aggressive saw type wave. The lead part is used sparingly throughout the song, almost acting solely as partial ear candy to the listener, with its shimmering sound, reminiscent to a metal dream catcher. It achieves this sound with the help of added reverb, phaser and delay effects, being used tastefully to create its unique tone.
Vocal Samples:
For the first vocal sample I used a sample known as "Dreams Vox", which is a brief sample of a woman singing a harmony with slight effects applied, such as reverb. I then further edited the sample by chopping it up, re-speeding it, and duplicating it. For the second set of vocal samples I used chopped up voice clips from the game "Metal Gear Solid". which I used to almost split the song into segments, whilst also using them as announcements for upcoming changes and segments.
Piano:
Finally to end the song I used Ableton's "Childhood Piano 3" to recreate the main synth part into a melancholic, slower tempo, final piano ballad to wrap the song up. I applied the send features reverb to max
