In this video, I go over how I would create a mastering chain for my live set.

Live set mastering is a lot easier and more gentle that mastering for an album. Your goal should be to achieve level at 0db without clipping an having a clean and consistent sound through out your set. You don't need to be so accurate and discerning to make it sound good coming out the PA. One of the key differences being that your creating a chain to accommodate for multiple tracks, rather than creating a tailored mastering chain for each individual track. Thus, you have to be a lot more gentle and general with your processing.

I cover EQ, Compression, Limiting and even Mid Side processing.

Hope it helps

-Andy

Just finished mastering Spoonheads Debut Album. That boy's really stepped it up I tell ya.

Full of tasty NZ outdoor style progressive, big breaks and glitchy psy.

Check him at..

www.estuaryrecords.com

www.myspace.com/rayspoonhead

So I've been away for the past few weeks up in beautiful takaka, in the top of the South Island of New Zealand, while attending and playing at Luminate Festival. Was an amazing festival with may amazing musicians featured. While I was away we went for a few walks in the stunning bush and took some nice field recordings. Heres a selection of samples which we took.

Theres some nice stream samples, lots with rocks, atmosphere, birds, wasps... All sorts. appologies for the stray voices in there, just hangin..

I hope its of some use to you all.

Download File

Cheers, Andy..

So its not too often you stumble across an album that your so enthused with, ya just wanna share it with everyone. Well this album was like that for me. Mostly leaning toward the downbeat glitch side of things, its a mellow dream worth indulging in. 

Its atmospheres are gleaming, creamy, and feel like they're glinting in the sunlight, full of original and inspiring soundscapes, rich and smooth. It is also highly melodic, well contstructed and often, fully glitched out with mashed up beats, jungle, and even a touch of acid.

If this sounds like its up your ally, I'd recommend grabbing it.

I would have to name "Over the Hill" as my favorite track. A silky smooth mix of everything good tech.

http://www.bumpfoot.net/foot103.html

Check it..

-Andy

If you live in New Zealand and make sweet electronic music, add it to the SoundCloud group and have it featured on RDU 98.5fm's NZ Lectronica Show, "The Green Room."

If its electronic, tech, digital, made from buttons and dials, get it on!

http://soundcloud.com/groups/new-zealand-electronica

http://www.rdu.org.nz

Thanx, looking foward to hearing them all

-Andy

This is a short tutorial video, introducing you all to a small preset for Ableton Live I've created. Its an audio slicer, for creating small percussive snippets out of all kinds of audio.

Its constructed out of 16 Simplers, set up specifically for this purpose, and then placed into 16 channels of the drum rack.  

The Simplers are then sub-grouped into sets of four to enable an easy and quick interface via macro nobs. 

Just drag samples into the Simplers and off you go..

I've found this absolutely great for Minimal Techno Percs!

Enjoy!

Download File

Here's a sample pack designed to help augment any bass patch you may be working on.

Its a 1.5 octave Multisample pack (C0 - G1)  containing just the sweet, pure sine wave sub bass produced from my Korg MS2000B.

The MS2000 is one of the sweetest sub bass synths out there, and I'd recommend grabbing the pack.

Use it to fill out the bottom end of your soft synth bass. Chuck a high pass filter on the other bass instruments and let my MS2000 do the rest..

Also included is an Ableton Live Project File. Open the project file and the sampler preset should work.. 

Download File

Enjoy.

-Andy

This is Part Three of a Three part series of tutorial videos in Track Construction

In this series I demonstrate how I would approach writing a chill/dub track from scratch.

I cover such topics as Sound Design, Section Construction, Arranging and Mixing, and use only Ableton Live native instruments.

So I've been thinking recently about the fundamental elements that a track needs, in order to make it exciting and exceptional!

Of course this is a subjective topic, but this Is what I've figured out through years of writing and listening to music.

I've tried hard to keep these elements non specific to any specific genre.

Also, these elements Im talking about, are more aimed on a deeper, subliminal sense. Elements that you don't hear and think about, but more that, you feel. They generate excitement and emotions automaticlly, and MAKE you like it!

Here we go..

1) Phat Bass

Tight and phat bass really generates a deep drive. You feel it in you gut and it makes you move! This can be one of the most challenging aspects of writing music and mixing. The bass you create needs to be tight, solid and clear. Appropriate EQ and Compression can help a great deal toward this, but the first and foremost aspect of good bass is the source of the bass. Some synthesizers have it and some just don't. But, where possible, hardware synths definitely seem to do the job best,

2) Interesting and Appropriate High end

Soaring, gliding and sparkling high end can generate alot of excitment in music. Ever noticed in a big build how the high content builds and rises? Ever noticed how Hooks usually have the most high end? How does it feel when you hear this in music? The fact is, less high end makes a section or track sound mellow, and a good amount of high end, makes your put your hands in the air, and yell! Use it appropriately though. A hook should be the most exciting part, so should contain the most. Establish a groove, build it up and hit it. Create waves of excitement so your listeners can ride it. Be carefull though. Too much, will result in hands on ears!

3) Musical and Emotional Chord Progressions

This is the part where your listners feel your music, your expressions. Write chords that pluck on the emotional strings, and resonate with your listners, and they'll be coming back for more and more of those good feelings your giving them. Take em on a journey, but generally, at the end, leave them resolved and rested. 

4) A Groovy Rhythmical Section

Now this is how you make em move! You want to write music that makes people tap their feet, stand up and wiggle, without even thinking about it. 

All elements in you sections should interlink on this one. That synth stab, percussion, leads and licks, all work together toward and over all groovy feel.

5) Overall Presentation of the Track.

So all this is great so far, but with out this last point, it can all turn to mush.

The sounds and ideas you use, need to be interesting and origional. Put your own slant on everything, don't just regurgitate the norms. If the sounds you use sound too cliche, work on them, change them a bit. 

The movements between sections need to be lucid, fluid, sometimes expected, sometimes unexpected. If a movement sounds too expected, make it unexpected, if a movement sounds too unexpected and sudden, make it expected.

Everything you use must slot together, all feeling and sounding natural together. Everything inhabits the same space your creating, and everything needs its own space in the audio environment. This starts with the sounds and sound sources you use, and ends with appropriate EQ and Compression. I like to try fill up the audio spectrum, 20Hz to 20kHz. Each element filling its gap, but not overstepping its bounds.

Lastly, keep the energy up through out. If a bit sounds boring, and energy drops where you don't want it to, you may need to full the gap.

Even if you get everything else right, without this last point, you track may still sound boring and clunky. 

Well there ya have it. 

I hope these Ideas help! If anyone else has any ideas or comments they'd like to shear, pleeeese do!

-Andy

Here's  mix recorded on Christchurch NZ's bnet FM station RDU 98.5fm, a show by Simon Kong called Radio909, in reminiscent of the late great 909kick, and, a rocket.. which NZ recently sent into outer space.

House/Deep House, Disco Tech, Deep Dubstep, totaly groovy.

Check it..

http://radio909.tumblr.com/

Direct Download of the mp3 is available at the link

Also...

http://www.rdu.org.nz

Just in case.

-Andy

Here's a nice free digital re-release from Sick Cycle, a Drum and Bass/Dubstep/Breakbeat duo from Christchurch NZ. Coming from one of the world’s biggest per capita drum and bass scenes, these boys are the real deal. From savage and dark to light and melodic, they pull it off, and always with a uniform, impressive, lucid production style.

This album however, is a 2006 release, written and produced by Michael Westy himself, before Levon joined the team. It moves from vocal style break beat trip hop, into their much revered and established drum and bass. Unlike some of their other works, this album never delves too dark and dirty (respectively), and establishes itself in a happy medium, making it accessible and enjoyable to almost all listeners.

Download the album from HERE

Or directly from HERE

Also check out http://www.deliciousmusic.co.nz/SickCycle for another free EP

And their website http://www.sickcycle.tk/

-Andy

This is Part Two of a Three part series of tutorial videos in Track Construction

In this series I demonstrate how I would approach writing a chill/dub track from scratch.

I cover such topics as Sound Design, Section Construction, Arranging and Mixing, and use only Ableton Live native instruments.

            IDM Forum’s net label's latest release, IDMF007-Continuum, is a statement, to the high level of production quality being reached by the IDM community, a multitude of obscure producers, tweakers and electro acoustic artists, you’ve probably never heard of.

            Spanning the lengthy scale between the most luscious ambience, gentle glitch and melodic, sound scape downbeat, right through to abrupt and abrasive glitchcore, imbedded with heavy dubstep and twisted glitch hop influences.

            My favourite track on the album would have to be “Cozy,” by “Atoms of an Addict.” Aptly named, this track conjures up feelings of warmth, comfort and satisfaction. Emotional chord changes and melody’s are supported my attentive drum and glitch programming, all wrapped up in a silky smooth mix.

            Although all styles represented, may not be my exact niche cup of tea, the high standard of production and intricate programming displayed by these artists impressed me all the way through. This album is a gem I feel I will treasure for some time.

This wonderful album can be found and downloaded for FREE at.. http://label.idmforums.com/idmf007-continuum.html

This is Part One of a Three part series of tutorial videos in Track Construction

In this series I demonstrate how I would approach writing a chill/dub track from scratch.

I cover such topics as Sound Design, Section Construction, Arranging and Mixing, and use only Ableton Live native instruments.

Estuary Records, New Zealand's new electronica label, have just released their first V/A, titled Garden Spores.

The first compilation showcases 11 of our finest dancefloor gems, filled with rich sounds, uplifting melodies, interesting rhytms and unique basslines.

This compilation gently spans across a diverse musical range,  warm progressive house influences set the mood, then moves into the more structured trance sound. After the hight of bpm is reached, the dub influenced sounds emerge exiting to an ending of ambience.

Certainly a fresh new breeze, which guarantees to satisfy a wider audience this upcoming Summer season!

Available at www.estuaryrecords.com

Delicious Music Production Workshops!

Tonight's class will be the final part in my Track Construction Series.

So far we wrote a loop in Ableton Live, which became our first Hook in our track, then striped it back to and created a progression from Intro, to Groove, then into our first Hook. Then we took that, and developed and extended it, up till a break. Next we introduced a second Lead, and a second chord structure to build the foundations of our second Hook.

Tonight we will extend out the second hook, and progress toward an outro!

Then we will mix it down into a tight wee mix, and that'll be the conclusion of the track we've been writing in class.

This will also be the last Workshop for a while.

Thanx for all the support and interest from everyone, its been a great wee project.

Classes will start up again next year, and you will all be informed as we go.

WE HQ, Lvl 1, 1 Bedford Row, Chch

6.00 - 6.30 is Open Question Time

6.30 - 7.30 will be Class Time

And, if you can't make it in, Class will be Streamed online at...

www.livestream.com/delicious_tv

This series on Track Construction has also been recorded and will be uploaded to www.tronaudio.com for viewing, if anyone missed it.

Thanx Again, Andy..

12 Live acts, 9 DJs, 4 Zones...

This download contains an Ableton Live Remix Pack for Nausicaa

In this pack you'll find an Ableton Live session file containing 24bit, 48kHz multi track renders, plus MIDI files for chords and lead sounds.

Feel free to mix it up and make something new! And, I'd really like to hear the results of what you've done too, so please, if you'd like, send me the tracks when you're finished.

The only condition is that you don't use this pack, or any resulting tracks that come out of it for any commercial purpose or gain. Please, give 'em away for free :0)

Download File

This is a Multi Sample Pads Pack containing a selection of Dark and Atmospheric Pads.

It contains 5 different pads, all rendered down to two octaves worth of 24bit, 48kHz deep dark audio.

It also contains a Ableton Live Project File, so you can just open it up and go!

If you do dig this, please, feel free to buy me a digital beer with any of the donate buttons around the site. Helps me keep making more :0)

-Andy

Dowload File

This download contains an Ableton Live Remix Pack for A Dwelling at the Foot of a Tree ft. The Ragamuffin Children

In this pack you'll find an Ableton Live session file containing 24bit, 48kHz multi track renders, plus MIDI files for chords and lead sounds.

Feel free to mix it up and make something new! And, I'd really like to hear the results of what you've done too, so please, if you'd like, send to me the tracks when you're finished.

The only condition is that you don't use this pack, or any resulting tracks that come out of it for any commercial purpose or gain. Please, give 'em away for free :0)

Download File

This is a sample pack dedicated to squidg! its made up of a variety of drums and percussion sounds

This set contains 26 samples

4 Kicks

4 Snares

4 Hihats (open and closed)

10 Squidgy Percussion Noises!

All samples are rendered down to 48kHz, 24bit

Enjoy :0)

Download File

This is a multi-sample pack, containing a selection of big gaping pads I've created. 6 pads in total.

Each of the pads has been rendered down into two octaves of multi-samples, at 24bit, 48kHz, for maximum quality.

Plus, for all you Ableton Live users, I've included an Ableton Live Project File, so you can open it up and off ya go..

If you do dig this, please, feel free to buy me a digital beer with any of the donate buttons around the site. Helps me keep making more :0)

Download File

This is a sample pack containing Drum and Random Percussion Sounds which i made for all of you..

It contains a variety of Drums and Percussion.

5 Kicks

5 Snares

5 Hihats (open and closed)

1 Rim shot

6 Percussion FX

Each sample has been rendered down at 24bit, 48kHz for maximum quality goodness. enjoy!

If you do dig this, please, feel free to buy me a digital beer with any of the donate buttons around the site. Helps me keep making more :0)

Download File

This is a sound design tutorial video, based in Ableton Live. It demonstrates how I might go about making a big swishy lush pad.

Hope u all enjoy.

If you do dig this video, please, feel free to buy me a digital beer with any of the donate buttons around the site. helps me keep making more :0)

-Andrew

Tracklist:

01 Native Planet
02 Windswept
03 A Dwelling at the Foot of a Tree ft. Ragamuffin Children
04 Desolate Blue
05 Nurture
06 Nausicaa
07 A Quiet Place to Terminate the Signal

In this work I've attempted to explore sonic-scapes and habitats, using mental imagery and emotions to express places that can only be imagined. Trudging through dark valleys, windswept hillsides and gaping horizons. Past forgotten civilizations in the deep jungle,. Then to rest in a place of quiet solitude. 

Artist: Invader Tron
Album: Native Planet
Genre: Ambient / Downbeat
Duration: 60:00 mins
Format: 320k mp3

Download File