Title: Apollo Lee - Abstractism Date: December 31, 2008 Software: Logic Pro 8 Genre: Ambient Timing: 6:18 @ 40 bpm
What I Like About It
This harmonic structure is something I haven’t tried to improvise on before. It’s a scale consisting of only six notes, the whole tone scale in C (C, D, E, F#, G#, A#).
I managed to equalize out most of the phase distortion.
It sounds much different than lots of the 16-note grid-based compositions lately.
Dominant and major “chords” lead in unexpected directions.
What I Don’t Like About It
Too much of the music here is below middle C. Of the notes high on the keyboard, I need to practice landing a little less aggressively.
There’s still a little bit of phase distortion in mid frequences, but it’s only noticeable on good headphones at very high volume.
Note: These are rough drafts. Constructive criticism is welcomed, of course.
Title: Apollo Lee - Zillah Date: December 31, 2008 Software: Logic Pro 8 Genre: Ambient Timing: 7:36 @ 40 bpm
What I Like About It
I’m using the full keyboard here, instead of a drum pad controller as usual (my Korg padKontrol’s settings knob that lets me choose note values broke off). The harmony is simply on the D minor scale, wavering between the natural and melodic minor.
I’ve used the patch before. It’s unobtrusive and just floats.
Many of the transitions are smooth, even when multiple notes change simultaneously.
What I Don’t Like About It
The equalization is terrible, with lots of phase distortion that makes this whole piece sound muddy.
Some of the chords are just too clustery.
Due to my clunky fingers, sometimes the wrong notes stick out dramatically.
Note: These are rough drafts. Constructive criticism is welcomed, of course.
Title: Apollo Lee - Vicissitude Date: December 10, 2008 Software: Logic Pro 8 Genre: Ambient Timing: 7:24 @ 40 bpm
What I Like About It
I’ve used this patch before, but I love the subtle ringing aftertouch.
The harmony is in descending seventh chords, diatonic to Db (DbM7, Cm7b5, Bbm7, Ab7), making it easy to transition from rich openness to clustering tension with the movement of just a couple of notes.
The low notes contrast the highs, but not overbearingly.
Transitions are subtle and always shifting.
What I Don’t Like About It
A few of the notes are a little bit heavy and stick out too much.
I should have done more with effects processing and the mod pad.
Note: These are rough drafts. Constructive criticism is welcomed, of course.
Title: Apollo Lee - Umbriel Date: December 05, 2008 Software: Logic Pro 8 Genre: Ambient Timing: 5:06 @ 40 bpm
What I Like About It
This instrument is very unusual with strange bouncing filter effects, lethargically jumping around. I never thought of using this patch before, but it drives the urgency of the piece and gives it a very unique sound.
The harmony is in minor Rhythm Changes (Fm7, DbM7, Gm7b5, C7), which I love a lot, because of the delicious tensions it lends.
Multiple note transitions and a faster harmonic rhythm makes this seem more interesting.
The low notes contrast the highs beautifully, especially with the filter bounces.
There are subtle harmonic phases that make almost imperceptible countermelodies right at the periphery.
What I Don’t Like About It
There are places where the lows are gone entirely for an unreasonably long period of time, which makes the piece feel unanchored.
I probably could have done more with the aftertouch effects.
Note: These are rough drafts. Constructive criticism is welcomed, of course.
Title: Apollo Lee - Tactility Date: December 02, 2008 Software: Logic Pro 8 Genre: Ambient Timing: 7:30 @ 40 bpm
What I Like About It
The harmonic structure is in minor rhythm changes (Am7, FM7, Bm7b5, E7). I’ve used it before, but it’s easy to get some nice tensions with this chord progression.
It’s very quiet and has a light touch.
The effects processing and equalization are unnoticeable, but effectively eliminate most of the distortion that’s endemic in a piece such as this.
Moving multiple notes at a time gave a more singing, evocative feel.
What I Don’t Like About It
There’s still a touch of phase distortion in a couple of places.
There isn’t enough on the high end to counterbalance the deep lows — everything is just sort of in the middle.
Note: These are rough drafts. Constructive criticism is welcomed, of course.
Title: Apollo Lee - Siskiyou Date: November 21, 2008 Software: Logic Pro 8 Genre: Ambient Timing: 7:30 @ 40 bpm
What I Like About It
The harmonic structure is much different than the set ups I usually use. FM7, Am7, BbM7, C7. This made everything mostly consonant, while allowing for tensions that were easily resolved.
I used a light ring modulator again, with a number of other effects that flesh out the sound of this pad.
There are some beautiful lows and sweeping highs.
What I Don’t Like About It
I could have used more challenging harmony.
There are long periods with no bass anchor.
Note: These are rough drafts. Constructive criticism is welcomed, of course.