JWM - Bending Reality (30+ Minute Ambient in Cubasis 3)

jwmmakerofmusic

So, I've been working a day ahead for Jamuary, and tomorrow's Jamuary entry is by far the most fucking incredible thing I've made this year so far...

I tried to go for the vibe of Jean-Michel Jarre's "Waiting for Cousteau". Not to copy the piece nor instrumentation, but rather to make a long-form masterpiece of Ambient that can relax me like nothing else. For me personally, I think I hit the nail on the head. Here's how I did it...

First, I loaded this FM bass sound from Neo FM, mucked about with it, slapped on some effects (including FAC Phazer), programmed in a couple long MIDI notes, and froze it. Then came Cubasis' Lofi Piano which I drove with Ioniarics, mucked about with filter automation, and froze it. Quite simple really. Then I found this wind instrument under the Halion sounds and drove that with Ioniarics, mucked about with filter automation, and froze it.

For the upper pads, I used Twin 3 with a bunch of slow XLFO modulation to affect the filter, the reverb wet/dry signal, and the chorus amount. I also enabled its phaser. I programmed this pad with long MIDI notes, added Cubasis' filter, automated that.

I added a little 808 hi hats sparsely, but quietly. Programmed the drums, added filter automation, and froze those. Finally came the Koto sound, which came from Beathawk. I drove that with Ioniarics, messed with Cubasis' filter automation, and froze that.

I mastered everything with Doctor Vibe, Grand Finale 2, Cubasis' Brickwall Limiter set to -1dB, and Youlean's Loudness Meter.

You can listen to it actively with intent or passively in the background. Or you can skim through the piece to get the gist and feel for it. However you wish to consume the piece, I hope you all enjoy it. ☺️

EDIT: Shit, I forgot to mention something. I used Timeless 3 and Stratosphere Cloud Reverb for the effects sends.

jwmmakerofmusic

I also forgot to add a special "thank you" to everyone who contributed to my thread here.

https://forum.loopypro.com/discussion/63697/question-how-to-produce-ambient-lasting-longer-than-30-minutes-for-installations#latest

With their advice and ideas, I'd not have pulled this piece off.

jwmmakerofmusic

Just a bump up. I'm still proud of this one. ☺️

thesoundtestroom

@jwmmakerofmusic That was really good, I think you nailed it, I listened to the whole piece of music, it was very relaxing and took me away.

Suspension of time is a hard thing to do and this worked perfectly, I’d been listening for a few minutes I thought but when I checked it was already 8 minutes in, brilliant.

You also did a really great job at restraint, it’s very difficult not to keep adding more and more layers, especially with a piece of long form ambient like this.
You seem to have found your niche, excellent stuff and very Cool Beans😊

jwmmakerofmusic

@thesoundtestroom said:
@jwmmakerofmusic That was really good, I think you nailed it, I listened to the whole piece of music, it was very relaxing and took me away.

That makes me so happy to hear, my friend. 😊

Suspension of time is a hard thing to do and this worked perfectly, I’d been listening for a few minutes I thought but when I checked it was already 8 minutes in, brilliant.

Losing track of time is one of the goals of any piece of Ambient.

You also did a really great job at restraint, it’s very difficult not to keep adding more and more layers, especially with a piece of long form ambient like this.

I agree. Which is why I kept it to 5-6 maximum. ❤️

You seem to have found your niche, excellent stuff and very Cool Beans😊

Thank you again so kindly. ❤️ I used Cubasis 3 by the way. I have a feeling you and @jakoB_haQ love that DAW, and so do I. It's perfect for Ambient production. 💯 From its internal effects, Halion, FM Classics and Neo FM, and track freezing where I can edit the audio further, it's a powerhouse app! ☺️

Dav

Very well done. I had to listen to this is sections, but I heard all of it. Listened in headphones and it sounded great. This has all the elements of what an ambient track should have. I agree with thesoundtestroom in regard to the restraint, I’m always adding too many layers on and it gets too heavy. You hit it out of the park (home run). I’m going to listen to it again in one sitting.

jwmmakerofmusic

@Dav said:
Very well done. I had to listen to this is sections, but I heard all of it.

Thank you for taking the time to listen, even in sections. 30 minutes is a long time to spend in one sitting for sure.

Listened in headphones and it sounded great. This has all the elements of what an ambient track should have. I agree with thesoundtestroom in regard to the restraint,

Thank you so kindly, and I'm also in agreement with Doug. I'd say no more than 6 layers, or the Ambient "cake" is spoiled.

I’m always adding too many layers on and it gets too heavy. You hit it out of the park (home run).

I love this analogy as a huge baseball fan mate. 😉 Three more months before the Brewers home opener!

I’m going to listen to it again in one sitting.

Best of luck mate. You can put it on in the background while paying bills. I don't mind. That's the point of Ambient after all - as interesting as it is ignorable. ☺️