See bottom of post for today’s clip.
I’m still here!
Greetings from Lima, Peru! I’ve been here since february on an exchange semester for my bachelor’s degree in media technology, which lasts until the end of july. I’ve written a couple of blog posts from Peru, and will write some more eventually. Too bad summer is over here, but at least I’ve handed in my bachelor thesis! This means that I finally have more time to spend with friends, both all the amazing people I’ve met here; and with my music. And writing blog posts.
I like Perú
Moving to a new place has been quite the experience. I love how socially accepted it is to talk to people you don’t know here. I’ve taken part in so many cool experiences, I’ve learned spanish quite well in a very short time, it really never rains here, things cost little, and I’ve met so many wonderful people I’m proud to call my friends. I haven’t traveled much yet, so I have that to look forward to as well in a month or so. I really couldn’t be happier with my decision of coming here.
Music time
I have however failed to integrate music time in my routine here. School work needs to be done, and friends need to be seen. Because of this, I’ve somehow not managed to establish a routine of writing and composing. It could also be because making music suddenly requires more effort, because of some equipment issues:
Equipment is kind of important
I have previously said that equipment isn’t important when making music, and I still stand by the statement. However, the sudden change of routines and equipment has been difficult. Making music on a laptop isn’t as fun. I have missed all the equipment I had back in Norway, such as:
- My desktop computer; which handles all the Omnisphere and processor-heavy effects I want without breaking a sweat.
- My speakers; because my headphones get uncomfortable, mess up my hair, and speakers feel easier on the ears. My headphones sound really good though!
- My audio interface; the sound on my laptop lags occasionally and I get some artifacts on dark sine wave tones. It sounds like they’ve been lightly bitcrushed, which isn’t nice.
- My keyboard; which is perhaps what I miss the most. I’ve had some good times playing church organ on full volume, fingerdrumming while waiting for downloads to finish, or jamming on the piano with friends. You just can’t do these things with just a laptop. Besides, a keyboard is ready to be played in an instant, and doesn’t require a computer to run.
- My screen. Don’t underestimate the importance of screen space. Scrolling back and forth when making music is boring.
General MIDI sounds
Some of you might be familiar with keyboards that have 128 sounds, which include standard piano, organ, bassoon, fantasia, square lead, drum kit, helicopter, telephone, applause, etc. I found a SoundFont which has all of this. And it’s beautiful. I was overjoyed when I came across it, and it’s just so much fun to make music with. The sounds are as cheesy as they come, and I love it. Also, it requires very little processor power, so now I can suddenly have tracks upon tracks, just like I could back home!
- Download Cakewalk sfz (VSTi plugin) if you’re not sure if your DAW plays soundfonts. In my case, Ableton Live’s Sampler does (Simpler doesn’t)
- Download FluidR3 GM.sf2. Registration is required, but it’s worth it.
- Enjoy.
I do know it’s possible to access the soundcard’s built-in synthesizer too, which has similar sounds, but I couldn’t get it to work very well. This solution is easier from my experience.
How has this changed my idea of making music?
Well, I’ve realised that having a keyboard and good equpment is really nice, but it isn’t essential. I still think equipment almost doesn’t matter at all. I feel sorry for the perfectionists who constantly seek advice about mastering, synthesis and mixing, while ignoring the fact that they should rather be having fun, telling a story, and stop taking themselves so seriously. I hope that I’ll be able to spread this message out there; it’s in everyone’s interest as far as I see it. 