Q:Did you use Logic Pro to produce music from the very beginning of your digital music career? I got Logic Pro recently, but I don't really have any experience in music production and I have no idea what any of the technical stuff means. Should I just stick to Logic Pro, or should I start with easier software first?

Anonymous

I feel your pain; Logic is the most complicated and confusing piece of software I’ve ever had the privilege to learn.

I started out using Garageband, which, like its sister Logic, is also made by Apple. Both programs run on the same engine and their interfaces and functionality are highly similar. The difference between them is that Garageband is designed for those who are new to making music, and since it comes installed on every Macintosh computer it is much more accesible and intuitive than Logic, which Apple markets more in the direction of professional producers. Making the transition from GB to Logic was silky smooth for me, and probably would be for you too!

I would recommend that anyone on a Mac computer start their musical journey with Garageband; I personally spent my first few years there. When you start to feel the program holding you back, you’ll know it’s time to move on to more complex software.

And remember that these are Apple products, which means that there is an unbelievable level of online documentation and customer support. I’m constantly checking the manual for Logic Pro, even after four or five years of using it nearly every day.

Q:how'd you come up with plazmataz? it sounds really cool

Anonymous

It was a nickname given to me long ago during the early days of my internet-using career. I’m afraid I can take no credit for its inception.

Q:Do you like Gymnopedie by Erik Satie? The beginning of Day That Never Came made me think of that song, and I really love the beat you put into it. Also, would you happen to have an instrumental of Day That Never Came?

Anonymous

The beginning of Day That Never Came is an effected sample of the iconic first Gymnopedie! In answer, I do like Erik Satie.

I do not have an instrumental of it, I never felt that was one necessary! Astro Kid and Diana Ross go together like peanut butter and marshmallow fluff.

Q:Hey! I just want to say that I adore Austin, Atlantis. I actually want to ask about it: What, besides Pärt’s Magnificat and Dirk Strider, inspired you to write it like you did? What can you tell me about it? I'm using Austin, Atlantis as part of a project in Music class (if that's OK), and I just need a bit of information about it. I'm sorry for bothering you.

Anonymous

Like most of what I do it was a really organic composition process, coming together as a result of fruitful experimentation and exploration of sounds.

It started off with me tinkering around with audio processing. I used a highly effected Beatdown to create the opening soundscape. Sampling Arvo was a whim; I had to modify the pitch of Beatdown to match the choral performance, which I discovered was somewhere on a flat quartertone. I really liked the way it sounded, and I started to improvise some piano to follow it up (I had pull the piano down in pitch as well, 33 cents flatter than standard), and I had fun working in Homestuck themes like Explore and Flare. The second processed soundscape was derived from Atomyk Ebonpyre, in keeping with the Strider aesthetic. The off-beat percussion is a sliced up clip from a Battlestar Galactica episode, which was also an experiment-gone-right.

As a composer, happy accidents are my best friend.

  • 4,932 Plays
  • Austin, Atlantis (piano duet)Clark Powell

Download: Austin, Atlantis (piano duet)

I decided to remaster the piano duet and choral interlude from my old Homestuck tune Austin, Atlantis. Track art by the magical Tynic.

Happy 4/13, Homestuck!

I composed this song as a commission for a company that produces board games, specifically for their most recent game Baldrick’s Tomb, which is currently Kickstarting (I played the prototype, it was a blast).

Composing this song was an interesting challenge, because I decided to write music that sounded the way that playing the game felt. In the end I went for a cautious curiosity, and arranged the parts for various stringed instruments. I think it came out well!

You can download the song from my Bandcamp page.

Source: SoundCloud / Plazmataz

Q:Do you have any plans to release sheet music for Symphony Impossible to Play? I am very interested in playing this piece.

hiromiyamoto27desu

I’d love to put out a piano reduction of the symphony, but I just don’t have the piano experience to do something like that.

Maybe I should hire Tyler to help…

Q:So, I read that you created, or helped to create, crystalmethequins. I noticed the beginning of that song sounds similar to songs from the video game series Metroid: Prime. Is that purely coincidental or was that inspiration?

enigmaticbrandon

Kenji Yamamoto is always, always an inspiration.

See my commissions info if you’re interested! Whether you have a project that needs a killer soundtrack or you’ve got a musical idea that you’d like to see through to its end, I am your expert. Like most self-employed artists, I am always looking for work, and no job is too small. Even if you aren’t looking to commission me at the moment, giving this post a reblog is an awesome way to support what I do!
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See my commissions info if you’re interested!

Whether you have a project that needs a killer soundtrack or you’ve got a musical idea that you’d like to see through to its end, I am your expert. Like most self-employed artists, I am always looking for work, and no job is too small.

Even if you aren’t looking to commission me at the moment, giving this post a reblog is an awesome way to support what I do!