A fellow artist and loyal reader suggested maybe doing a question and answer series of blog posts on the topic of my process for creating chill, ambient electronica using just iOS devices and apps. The idea of interacting directly with readers is far more interesting to me then just writing out what could be a very boring and long blog all about me. I much prefer approaching this topic as a dialog. So I’m going to give it a shot, and this is my first post in what may or may not be a long or short series of blog posts about my process. Currently I have a large collection of readers questions compiled from Twitter, Facebook, this blog site, and private emails. So there is no shortage of things to discuss. I’m sure more questions will come up, and I do welcome them, so please let me know if you have a specific question that you wold like my thoughts on. I say “thoughts” because I don’t have all the “answers” and I can only offer information based on my own experiences, I can’t claim to be right or wrong, this is just about how I do it.
So I’ll start with a couple questions from, iCliffDotMeQ 1. What apps, if any, do you consider your “core” apps?
A: This question isn’t as cut and dry as one might think. My “core” apps include one or more of the following, a soft synth, drum machine, sampler, audio editor, sequencer, and a multi track recorder. Now, I have several that I use in each category and many many more. In the interest of keeping this brief i’ll name the ones I use most regularly now and also from my album. Addictive Synth, iElectribe, Filtatron, Reforge HD, *iSequence, Nano Studio (all around use including performing and arranging beats and samples etc) and MultiTrack DAW is mostly where I put it all together and master the song project. About %70 of “Technopolis Lost” was completed in MT DAW, and all before it was updated with Reverb and Delay. The remainder was made using Studio HD.
Q 2. Are there any workarounds or shortcuts you have developed to deal with interoperability issues? Examples might include apps without ACP, or perhaps mixtures of apps with Intua Pasteboard vs. Sonoma AudioCopy, etc.
A: I really almost never use any iOS music app that doesn’t have a record function and also audio copy paste, capable of audio both into and outbound. Since I’m committed to being totally wireless I’ve had no other options. I admit that early on some of my first experiments were with some apps that had no ACP capabilities at all. That was a while ago and I was using my iPod Touch mostly back then. When I discovered ACP it was all over for wires. I never looked back and I just don’t care for any apps that don’t have ACP. They are unusable for me. While ACP isn’t the “best” solution, it is currently the most practical (Virtual Core MIDI could replace ACP, and I have high hopes for it) and also a fundamental requirement in my process, including deciding whether or not I will use an app in my work. Besides, if I wanted to tether things together I’d invest in a studio. I prefer to have the freedom to make music anywhere I want without needing anything other than my iOS devices. I feel strongly that an app without audio copy paste, and of course recording are totally missing the point of mobility. They may as well just be for computers only, as far as I am concerned. I feel, why bother with the hassle of wires and other hardware? It just seems so backwards and primitive considering that simple coding in an app could do away with it needing to be wired to anything else. I understand a lot goes into creating an app, I just don’t bother with apps developed for a mobile platform that actually can’t even be used to their fullest potential while mobile. I love the virtual studio concept.
Q 3. Where do you normally start? Just playing around some apps then finding a cool sound or pattern and continue from there or do you have a clear path set ahead and use the apps most suited for it or maybe somewhere in the middle?
A: Often where I start can be also where I had once left off. I mean that sometimes I just get an idea, start creating pieces that sound good together and arrange them. However at some point I might have discovered that it wasn’t working out at all, but I managed to find inspiration in certain pieces of the failed project. Those pieces then become the beginning of something else, and that’s really how many of my tracks began.
Also, more to the point, if I come up with an idea I will almost always start with a synth by creating a patch that sets the mood I think will be the basis of the concept I have in mind for a song project. So yes, many times I just found myself creating a cool new sound, arpeggio, or sequence. As far as having a “clear path” goes, maybe not so much as I’d like to admit, but I do usually start with a concept. Take my track “Glacierized” for example. That was all about the slow passage of time, like how a glacier moves relative to how we as humans perceive time moving in our lives. I created what I thought was a pretty good simulated sound of a rumbling, crackling, huge body of ice slowly traveling throughout time. Then I composed the track going by how it made me feel while keeping it on the path that I imagined. I think it worked out pretty good.
So that’s my first entry in what I hope will be an informative series of Q & A style blogs about my music crafting process. I will answer more of the questions I have received in my next post. Thank you to iCliffDotMe, and Rodi for the great questions.
As always I welcome comments, emails, and more questions.
OH! hey, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year! I apologize for not posting as much lately. I have been super busy with promoting my album, working over time a lot at my day job as well. Not as much time to review, or blog lately. I’m sure to have more time after the holidays, probably
just like a lot of folks.
I knocked the prices way down for the holidays. CDs are a meager $7.99 or digital download for $6.99, at
SmiteMatter iOS Music 
Great work and looking forwared to the next part… But chill a bit yourself the end of the year. We can wait and you need some rest too. 🙂
Thanks Rodi! I could use a little break I guess. More to come for sure.