Creating Ambient Music

shanemorris · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:52 am Post subject:

In a search for new unique sounds, I have recently begun bowing some of my percussion instruments, gongs, and vibraphone.

I had bowed some marimbas and vibes in college in the 90's... but wasn't much interested in that sound at the time as I was playing rock, jazz, and latin musics.

Now that I am primarily focused on creating ambient music, I am blown away with the possibilities with bowing gongs, cymbals, found sounds, and the vibraphone.

It's a lot of fun finding the "hidden" sounds in these instruments... and bowing percussion instruments really has a "synthesizer" like sound to it. Im looking forward to processing and recording these bowed sounds more in the future and mixing them in with synths and other sounds. Very Happy

mosc · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 10:42 am Post subject:

Sounds pretty fascinating, Shane. Maybe you can post some samples.

shanemorris · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 11:29 am Post subject:

shanemorris · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 6:42 pm Post subject:

Posted some pics and a recording of some percussive bowing HERE Very Happy

nobody · Joined: Mar 09, 2008 Posts: 1687 Location: Not here

Nice^10!

Now I'm looking around wondering what I can bow.

seth0r · Joined: Sep 13, 2011 Posts: 2 Location: Pennsylvania

Hey guys. I just joined the forums just because of this post.
I recently stumbled upon some dark ambience, and as of right now, I cannot stop listening to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_zqnXlAX2s
This song in particular, and also some tracks by dyzv0r.

Anyways, I have a little bit of FL Studio experience, not much, but I've decided to try to make my own.

It's pretty static, not too much variance. It's hard for me to be "glitchy" if you understand where I'm coming from.

But, tell me what you think! Smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS1xWIZFpLk

shanemorris · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:52 am Post subject:

seth0r · Joined: Sep 13, 2011 Posts: 2 Location: Pennsylvania

Yeah, I could do that. As simple sounding and minimalistic the music is, it actually is pretty complex haha. I don't know if it's just my skill level with sound engineering, experience with FL Studio, or just my mind, but it's tough for me to get more and more sounds, and an even bigger problem for me is getting off beat for a more natural, analog feel. I also need to work on transitions, intro'ing, and ending. Need more flow! ha
Thanks for the feedback Smile

.

shanemorris · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:22 pm Post subject:

to electro-music too~

The music is complete when you feel it is complete. I hope you continue to keep creating more pieces. Cheers~ Surprised