As my next step, I imported the sample into source A and B of Alchemy with different pitch and modulation added to each. Layering the sound had an amazing effect in particular with a decent amount of acoustic reverb. Playing with modulation and effects, the preset went from a simple Lego piece to a self generating ambient box! I saved a preset draft. I save a few drafts for each preset (3-5 drafts) before saving as final. That way, I can always go a step back if I mess something up.
Now the foundation of the sound was created and modulation and performance was in place, I went on to the snapshots. When all eight snapshots were created, I checked correct volume by playing each snapshot through a midi clip at max polyphony and full velocity to ensure there was no clipping. When done, I saved it as final preset.
Sound-Demo
I had transformed a little Lego piece into a synthesized ambient generator. I love that approach to sound design – finding unusual sounds and transforming them into another world.
I have thought about making a manual for the soundbank, describing each preset with a background history. For instance, the preset Fruits from the Lab also from Sound Effects is actually made with my Zoom H2 in the freezer. What you hear when you play the preset is the sound of the freezer after the door is shut. You can hear ice crackle and plastic wrapping from the content expanding with minor snaps caused by the small amount of heat that entered the freezer while the door was open. When you play at full velocity, you also hear the vacuum being generated the moment the door shuts! It’s a spacey sound…
In your opinion: What is so special about your library for Alchemy?
Luftrum: have focused on the ambient and avantgarde side of Alchemy. Pads, soundscapes and sound effects incorporating my own field recordings trying to do the impossible by creating sounds not heard before – in which I failed, but came close. It’s the perfect companion to cinematic and ambient scores containing sounds out of the ordinary and there is a lot of history behind the presets, in particular the presets within the Sound Effect section – but here’s an Easter egg for Pink Floyd fans: Load up the preset Lemon Fields in the Keys section, press and hold key C4 with 5 second interval. Who said Echoes?
What equipment do you use?
I got a Roland GAIA SH-01 synthesizer, a Novation SL MkII midi keyboard, a Zoom H2 recorder (for my field recordings) a Korg NanoKey and a CME UF5 Midi keyboard – a very disappointing piece of hardware, keys hanging, no driver update etc. I got Reaktor 5, Absynth 5, FM8, Zebra 2, some Audio Damage plugins (EOS and Dubstation) and some other free and commercial stuff. I have a laptop running Cubase 5 and Ableton Live 7. I have to part with my Live license as I recently switched DAW to Cubase because I never use the session mode in Live. I needed a host to compliment my work flow focused around arrangement. It’s a tough call to switch host when you’re 100% familiar with another one in the first place.
On what sort of (sound)sources is Luftrum the Library based on?
It’s based on factory samples and own field recordings. Recording of objects, the vacuum effect of a freezer, a Lego bell, ocean waves, animals, my kids, garden atmospheres etc.
How do you get your ideas, and do you use templates to get to the result?
Regarding ideas and inspiration. I get my inspiration from all kind of sources and it can appear all in a sudden, as the example with the Lego piece. I collect sounds in the forest, down the city or in my garden. I got it all surrounding me within few minutes drive. We are all surrounded by ambient music, just close your eyes and listen, record and import into Alchemy. Imagine an atmosphere from a quiet garden a summer evening mangled in Alchemy and coupled with Alchemy’s VA engine? You just got a soundscape out of this world. Of course, I also get inspired when listening to music. I’m a big fan of early Brian Eno stuff, Biosphere, Pink Floyd, Vangelis, Ishq, Carbon Based Lifeforms and Deepspace (look him up he is the ambient artist of the new century!) + a lot of other independent ambient artists around various netlabels.
Regarding templates. All the presets in the Luftrum bank are handcrafted from scratch. That might seem a waste of time for common parameters and of course I have used templates here and there but if I bound myself to templates only, I believe the bank would have become too generic. I don’t think two presets in the Luftrum bank share the exact same AHDSR envelop
How do you usually start to design a sound for an instrument?
I usually start off by designing a nice subtle pad, no matter what synth I get my hands on. Then I move on experimenting with different presets off mainstream.
Which sounds do you design/like the most?
No doubt: Pads. I think pads are my speciality as a sound designer – from old Eno FM pads to deep drone’ish Biosphere pads.
Will there be more Luftrum librarys in the near future for Alchemy or other instruments?
Alchemy is my favorite tool of choice for everything, in particular for pads and soundscapes and I will definitely make more presets for Alchemy. Currently I’m working on a soundbank for the Roland GAIA SH-01 which will be ready for release around September. After that project, I have Absynth 5 in mind or perhaps Omnisphere. I do not own Omnisphere yet. But I might jump on Absynth 5 or Omnisphere next.
Anything else you want to let the PlugINdex-users know?
Yes. Stay away from CME when it comes to midi keyboards and check out Deepspace ambient artist. Spend a few hours with the Zeitgeist movies – they will open your eyes. Call your mother after you read this and tell her you love her. Buy Alchemy. Quit smoking.
Thanks for the interesting interview and this great library and all the best!
Interview by Sebastian Hinrichsen for PlugINdex.de, Sept. 2010
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