For 2020's Inktober, because I can't draw to save my life and likely wouldn't have enjoyed trying, I took up my good friend Matt's suggestion of "why not do it with music instead?". While I equally can't music to save my life, I feel at least a little more able to do so than by drawing, and as I'd been trying out (and yes, buying) a fair few VST (Virtual Studio Technology) instruments and effects, I thought it sounded like a great idea. The initial brief was to do a 30-second clip per prompt, though you'll find that that turned out to be... More a guidelines than a rule. What follows here is a breakdown of my intentions, sometime-thinking process and used tools for each of the month's prompts. I have a folder of exported tracks if you wish to listen to them as you read.
Headphones or system with decent dynamic range is recommended for intended experience.
(Start at 03 - 128 Grazer, and work down from there; N01 and N02 were completed after #31)
When mentioned after this, tools are:
nolly: Neural DSP Archetype Nolly - Guitar Amp Sim
Sample Science XXXX: sampled instruments, usually with an 80s vibe
BBCSO: Spitfire BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover - subset of samples symphony orchestra instruments
PSAM: Project SAM Free Orchstra
sound clips: all obtained from freesound.org, some CC-0 others CC-BY
iZotope Ozone 9 Elements: mastering EQ, limiter and "stereo-ifier" (assume this is active in some way for 99% of tracks)
Actually-done after #31 as I started three days late. I wasn't super happy with how this turned out, but it was interesting for me to find that almost everything in this was from the Spitfire LABS' Tundra Atmos (all but the ship's horn, which was a pitch-shifted tuba). Originally I'd wanted to make a scene of a backwoods fisherman relaxing while waiting for a bite, but i couldn't get anything together past getting a banjo-like effect through the Valhalla Supermassive. A change of tack, then, meant another soundscape, of sorts. played with track panning and volumes more than anything.
Spitfire Audio LABS Tundra Atmos
BBCSO tuba
Pitchperfect pitch shifterLike N01, this was done last. In fact, due to it being done directly after n01 was finished, it may be that it was a little rushed. Perhaps lazy. Who knows. I don't think I was looking to have the two I originally missed out on be the tracks that I wanted to be most proud of (which I'm glad of as it certainly isn't the case); it was more that I wanted to know I'd completed the set of 31. For that, then, this one is... More experimental, and is a bit more of a one-trick-pony than even the others on this list. I used the VST version of PaulXStretch to make some "otherwordly" and "etheeeeereal" sounds which, when listened to at normal stretched-ness... Are just me, breathing and whistling.
PaulXStretch
Acoustica Instruments' Howling WindThe first of these inktober things I did, I based the "inspiration" on the same thing Matt had (as he was the person who suggested I start this project, and I had absolutely no clue what I could do to start). 128 Grazer is one of the bears in Alaska's Katmai park, and often-time contender in "Fat Bear Week".
sound clips: close-to-a-small-river-in-the-forest-austria-wald-viertel by noctaro, grizzly-bear-growl-eating by nivatius
nolly
GGD Invasion drumsMatt suggested something with a saturated tone, to emulate an old radio. I decided to put it in an elevator-music setting, which gives us... This. There's a second version that has more saturation and a bit of added vinyl wobble. "imagine you're in a really shitty elevator... and then a really shitty elevator from the 30s".
Sample Science's VHS Dreamwaves
nolly
Valhalla Supermassive Reverb
doubled-up Samsara TS-1 Tape Saturator
iZotop Vinyl"a former wielder, forced to live by something other than that which he has known his whole life. he walks alone in the city at night, wondering: "what has become of this world?"".
Acoustica Instruments' Santur
Acoustica Instruments' Rain
sound clips: police-cars-pass-by-with-sirens-blaring by timbre, dmp-car-passby-2 by martypinso, car-driving-past by amthomas101On my assumption that I couldn't learn to play and mix Ghost's Rats in a night, I elected to find a Guitar Pro tab of the song, and instead use the MIDI output from that in my DAW, changing the instruments used so that it was more "orchestra-y". There are a couple of things I would change were I to do it again, chief among them the main bass backing.
BBCSO (celeste, flutes, bass, celli)
PSAM (solo violins)
GGD Invasion drumsWhat's more fancy than a harpsichord waltz? (It's really hard to find a good free harpsichord VST). Quite plain, trying to focus on improving timing and phrasing.
DSK Overture's Harpsichord
OrilRiver reverbI didn't really have much in mind for what this was going to be except I knew I wanted it to be sawtooth-based ("everything is either a saw-tooth wave, or, in the case of the persistent beat, teeth chomping on a piece of pasta").
VK-1 Viking Synthesizer
Sample Science's Vapor Drums
sound clip: pasta-crunch-teeth by spanrucker"as in "throw down (a gauntlet)" - I couldn't get anything to work with the throwing sound effect, so i decided to try modelling some more chip synth sounds. also, arpeggiator yay"
YMCK Magical 8-bit Plugin
Helm (w/ arp enabled, octaves automated)When everything seems lost, and there is no hope - a light shines in the darkness. The first version uses the Acoustica Instruments' Choir, but Matt pointed out (and I agree) that next to the live-instrument samples it sounds too obviously fake. Turns out there are some really good choir VSTs, but are around 50GBP minimum so... Virgin Choir by Angle Studios it is! That's the "hopier" version.
BBCSO (tubular bells, bass)
PSAM (dystopian drone)
Acoustica Instruments' Hell's Bass Drum
DTC-1 Compressor
What is that thing? Tried with this to really sell that it was something to be feared. Something beyond comprehension. Even the mere thought of it would be enough to drive you mad, such is its evil. rahr.
Spitfire Originals - Epic StringsThe story of a cat burglar, sneakin' around doing his thang, until... He gets seen! He then has to elude capture before continuing on his way. "instrumentally and mixingly, a little bland. i tried to focus more on timing and apparently giving myself way too much of a challenge with it. (I started off with the idea to do a light-hearted ice cave theme, you know, clockenspiels celestes and 0bright0 coloured things like that, but... apparently i like me some celli)"
BBCSO celli
GGD Invasion drumsPerhaps one of my favourites. I wanted to have a feeling of loneliness, persistence, monotony, but with a little bit of otherwordliness. I had originally intended to do another overlaid part, but nothing I came up with fit so I had to leave it at the first only. This is one I intend to return to. Also, this was one of the tracks not utilising Ozone 9; it's purely through the Nolly and Valhalla.
nolly
Valhalla Shimmer
Valhalla SupermassiveCould think of nothing else to do for "armor/armour" other than this; it's a collection of sound clips combined to hopefully create a scene bigger than its parts, and the first of several similar ones in this collection. The most difficult part, I was surprised to find, was finding sound clips that fit the exact image I had in my head. I certainly have a new-found respect for foley artists, and the professionals who do this on a daily basis; it's hard!
BBCSO brass horns, untuned percussion
EU ProMixEQ-10A
Pitchproof pitch shifter (for the drums)
Spitfire Audio LABS - Tundra Atmos
sound clips: knight walking on lawn by fabian 13cz, plate armor rustle 5 by samulis, advance british male by theuncertainman, drawsword01 by yap-audio-production, sword-pulled-2 by jobro, #258207 (title too long) by ylearkistoThis might have been the only prompt I made two tracks for. Space came first, then terra. I would have made this on Sunday 18th, which would explain the ability to do two.
Used just the Nolly and Valhalla Supermassive to try to create a space-y feel. The Supermassive continues to impress; both the pippy delay and the giant reverb come from it.
Now for something completely different. As the owner of a small outpost just south of the local frontier town, you have to keep yourself occupied, but there's gotta be time to have a rest too. First time trying to properly use a slide (not sure I really did it justice in any way), and managed to find out that if I applied a -12st setting on pitchproof, I could get a bass-level sound from my guitar.
space
nolly
Valhalla Supermassive
terra
DTC-1 Compressor
nolly
OrilRiver reverb
Pitchproof pitch shifter
Valhalla Shimmer (for the "wind")I found another arpeggiator, and this one has a "pirate" rhythm. I'm a space pirate! But then... I don't know, maybe I see the error of my ways and turn to be being an upstanding galactic civilian, standing up for what is good and just, and promoting exploration and the betterment of all. Originally I'd wanted to portray the launch of a rocket, perhaps the wonder of exiting our atmosphere and braving of worlds and galaxies unknown, but I think finding that jaunty arp sequence got something embedded in there that needed to be got out.
VK-1 Viking Synthesizer (the bassy dundundundun)
Ultra Analog Session 2 (the rest)
Valhalla Supermasive (spaaaaaace)"I liked the rain, once. Falling down from on high it felt like it would wash away all the fears and insecurities I once had. Make me clean. Fill me again with hope. I don't remember what hope is like. Maybe the rain will help me remember."
Acoustica Instruments' Rain
Pancake2 panner
Spitfire Audio LABS - soft piano
Valhalla SupermassiveThat's no moon... Is what I wanted to base this prompt on, but I couldn't think of anything for it. Matt suggested I tell a story, so you now get: the explorer, exploring explorably the explorable creepies, finds themselves trapped! But... Escapes!
BBCSO violins, celli, bass, oboe, piccolo
PSAM short violins
sound clips: door lock falling into trap by philstrahl, door rattle by harrietniamh, #408046 (title too long) by 170048-virtualwindow-co-zaI realised I'd not really done anything with the Valhalla Space Modulator, despite having used both the Shimmer and Supermassive quite a lot. Do you get dizzy when you take The Drugs? Don't know, who cares! It's about peace and love, Man, not the things you take along the way. But woah. Like, that's a drone, Man. Righteous.
nolly
Valhalla Space Modulator (as flanger)
DTC-1 CompressorFor this I wanted a feeling of floaty happiness, that hopefully would put the listener in mind of the beauty of marine corals. It doesn't come across too well I don't think, but the track ending where it does (un-resolved and on a half bar) was supposed to provoke thought; the track ended prematurely, not of its own accord. I wonder what else is following that path. . . . . . (though the chords leading up to that cut-short end were meant to elicit hope for the future). Could be perhaps I stayed too long with the arpeggiator, but damn I do like arps.
Ultra Analog Session 2
Valhalla ShimmerAttempting an ambient-drone sort of sound, with sprinkles of lighter elements. Interestingly enough, this is another track without the Ozone 9, much the same as the other Valhalla tracks.
nolly
Valhalla Supermassive
Valhalla Shimmer (combined with the SM)
DTC-1 CompressorDue to having a bad time on 22's allocated day, I missed a day. Combining the prompts for 22 and 23, I originally wanted to make a story of a murderous chef, who would "rip" the flesh of his victims, but... Surprisingly enough it was impossible to find the right sort of sound clips in the timeframe. Instead, we start with the chef as i'd somewhat intended, berating a plater ("what do you call this; it's shit; I don't care, do it again; now") but then - on Matt's suggestion - we switch to a hastily-learnt-in-an-hour rendition of the first few bars of Mick Gordon's Rip and Tear from the Doom (2016) soundtrack. The drums were from a Guitar Pro tab, exported to MIDI and messed around with to suit the GGD Invasion's default maps (because I've yet to make full custom maps for myself). One version got cut in half, but I kept it as it seems strangely appropriate. Timing is out on large parts of it, but by the time I'd had things ready it was a tad too late to care.
sound clips: service bell ringing angry by epicwizard, saucisse by stef68480, asian restaurant by gusgus26, restaurant kitchen by cognito-perceptu
nolly
DTC-1 Compressor
Pitchproof pitch shifter
OrilRiver
whiteLABEL TENQ EQThe second solely-soundclip-based track. Ozone 9 definitely helped with the space and presence in this one I feel.
Acoustica Instruments' Wind
BPA Listener (to match L/R signals)
DTC-1 Compressor
sound clips: wood-crunching-footsteps, wood-crunching-footsteps-2, shovel-dirt, shoveling-dirt by andersmmg; see you soon, please don't forget me by girlhurlI messed up on the mixing for this a little; the backing progression is that from The White Stripes' We're Going to be Friends, but the bass is too high and drowns out the rest unless your sound system is particularly dynamic. That said, the tone of the guitar on the melody-track is one of the nicest I've had out of the Nolly and my Fake JEM; it's the sort that makes you want to keep playing, even if you don't really know what you're doing. This is one I'd like to perhaps not revisit, but take the tone from.
DTC-1 Compressor
nollyThe third "soundscene", we follow a hunter having come back from their most recent hunt, wanting to trade with the local barkeep. I spent far too much time trying to find the right voices, so the mixing/levelling is ridiculously out for the voices. The Spongeboob reference (apologies for the volume there) references how long it usually takes me when managing inventory with traders.
Acoustica Instruments' Rain
EtherealWinds Harp v1
DTC-1 Compressor
sound clips: mugs-glass-cups-putting-in-cupboard by nickmaymusic, footsteps-on-wood by mydo1, mug-wood1 by robbeman, mug-on-table by drakulla, what-can-i-do-for-you-npc-british-male; well-met-npc-british-male by theuncertainman, heavy-money-bag-1 by spacejoe, rpg-female-protagonist-lines by shadowisp, sevendayslater by insanty54, Another missed day, 27 became 27 and 28; music and float. Not sure how I came to it, but my interpretation for that was "EDM trance". Have you taken your methamketamine and popped your glow sticks? I wanted to use a step sequencer, and found the T-Force Alpha's built-in one to be really good (beating the self-contained T-Force Trance Gate). Added some plate-ish delay to the drums and (accidentally) found they sounded really nice, and to my poor memory, a little White Ladder Babylon.
T-Force Alpha Plus
whiteLABEL TENQ EQ
Voxengo Boogex EQ (to dull the highest pitches)
OrilRiver reverb
TAL Dub 2 delay
Sample Science's Vapor DrumsFourth soundscene. A woman finds her way through the streets, overshadowed by storm, to enter the cathedral and find... Oh no. Oh God. Anything but that! Another track where the levelling is rather bad; too much bass in the latter half. First use of submixes to layer the chanting, labelled "cat chant" given the lyrics are what they are. Once again, the difficulty in finding that sound clip that's just right puts me in awe of the people who have to do this for a living.
Acoustica Instruments' Rain
PSAM Dystopian Drones
Spitfire Audio Originals - Epic Strings
OrilRiver reverb
Ozone 9 Elements (per-track basis)
sound clips: stereo-street-soundscape-rain-after-storm by musicvision31, heels-walking-on-pavement-looping by robinhood76, church-door-opening-and-closing by bonnyorbit, high-heels-on-marble-floor by avakas, old-church-bell by dsp9000, rpg-female-protagonist-lines by shadowispIt's Halloween, and the spookiest prompt! But there are things far more creepy about, and we can't afford to forget that. The fact I found the (tamer than most) voice line on a site riddled with adverts for "how to pick up girls" boggles my mind. How are we - societally - still like this? I guess that could be said for a number of things happening in the world at the moment, too. Well, Happy halloween everyone x
DTC-1 Compressor
nolly
Kuassa EfektorWF3607 Wah
whiteLABEL TENQ EQ
Pitchproof pitch shifter
GSnap Pitch Correction
sound clips: roomtone-bar-1 by emilijoan, loud-walking-on-carpet by musicandsoundyay, slap by mootmcnoodles, ass-hole by pyro13djt, chairscrape10 by sinatra314