Sliding Study #1 (disquiet0249) by MtnViewMark-Bits published on 2016-10-09T00:46:01Z I didn't quite follow the Junto instructions, instead drawing inspiration form Steve Reich's later techniques. This is really a study for a compositional element that I've been slowing thinking about for over a year. This is the first time I've recorded anything based on it, and it is certainly a bit rough, hardly a finished work. The source material is just two, 2 bar marimba phrases in 4/4 time. These two phrases are played against each other at various poly-rhythmic patterns: first 4:4, then 3:4, 4:5, 3:4, and finally 2:1. However, the shifts from one poly-rhythm to the next are accomplished not by jumping, but by slowing or speeding up the tempo of one or both parts smoothly. (It takes quite some math to get the timing to work out!) Further, in this work, the loops are allowed to repitch (like tape, so a nod to the Reich's use of tape loops), and so not only do you get a new poly-rhythm, but also a new interval between the two parts. An additional metal gong accompanies the start and end of each glide, and a shaker carries the tempo of one of the phrases. This technique is inspired by both the various phasing techniques of Steve Reich, and by the glissandi piece by Richard Borovosky —— More on this 249th weekly Disquiet Junto project — “Wish the minimalist composer Steve Reich a happy birthday” — at: http://disquiet.com/0249/1 Genre Experimental Comment by Daniel Diaz @mtnviewmark-bits: Marimba is a bitch to record but easy to fake. I did a rec session to replace a kontakt sample, ended up using the sample in the final mix; lol. Great job here. 2016-10-25T08:02:39Z Comment by otolythe ^____^ 2016-10-11T23:20:44Z Comment by 337is (three three seven is) @mtnviewmark-bits: Impressive. Well done working it out. Thank you for sharing more details of your process. 2016-10-10T17:48:29Z Comment by MtnViewMark-Bits @suss-musik: (sheepishly) It isn't a recording, it is Ableton's Collision synth, with the standard "Marimba1 Classic" preset, with some slight tweaks by hand and some reverb added. I only wish I had real marimbas to struggle recording! 2016-10-10T04:07:51Z Comment by MtnViewMark-Bits @337is: I used tempo automation in Ableton. But since it automates the whole set, I had to have two sets, one for each line: Record 8 bars of marimba at 115bpm (the starting bpm). Simply loop that for the length of the piece, but set the warp mode to re-pitch (which is really no warping - just normal speed up/slow down to match the tempo, like tape.) Now automate the tempo (on the master track), then record the output. Repeat for other track (with totally different tempo automations). Finally, mix the two recordings together (well, with some extra work for the metal gongs and shaker tracks). -- The production was mostly mechanical, once I figured it out. The harder part was working out the math of tempo-glissandi, and getting the two parts to hit each mark at the same time! 2016-10-10T04:04:38Z Comment by Suss Müsik Your marimbas sound better than ours. It's a tough instrument to record. Nicely done. 2016-10-10T00:29:18Z Comment by 337is (three three seven is) How did you accomplish the tempo glides? I like that you allowed the material to repitch with them. 2016-10-09T21:43:47Z Comment by MtnViewMark-Bits @wust: thanks... now to figure out how to use compositionally! 2016-10-09T16:40:46Z Comment by WÜST very nice approach 2016-10-09T13:05:58Z
