My all time favourite film!!
nostr:note12dg6xff77j9tmw7dv4mswrhts9l9kg7wwhlz68acqsgl65e3sptqftccpe
Same here! “Why are you speaking with that ridiculous accent?” “Bring me a shrubbery…. Ni! Ni!” “None shall pass!”
Here goes my first proper long form Nostr post - yay!
## What is Modulations? How did it begin?
I joined Substack when it launched and started writing a blog about a lot of general stuff and it had no direction, then during Covid I started getting back into music production, exploring music theory, learning synthesis which led me to becoming deeply fascinated in it all - I originally got into music as a youngster, learnt guitar and some keyboard playing in my teens and into my twenties back in the 90s. I wrote a simple piece of music software on both my Commodore 64 and Amiga 500, later moving on to the PC learning Cubase at the point in time when it was rather fresh to the world - it all made sense and I wrote a few tracks, releasing them on what was known as MP3.com at the time.
Fast forward some 20 years or so!
Around 2018, I started getting interested in Ableton and can remember rekindling my Yamaha CS2x to use with it and then two years later during Covid, this became a big thing for me, it helped keep me sane during the lockdowns.
Not long after Covid I started a Substack called Modulations, which makes use of it's blogging tools, audio and video embedding, podcasting and so on.
It's gained a lot of subscribers, did have some paid subscribers for awhile but since I've lost them, another good reason to gradually move the project over to Nostr.
## What’s the plan going forward
I’ve always enjoyed journaling and writing about my music, the tools I use and the tools that I would like to try out in the future; of which there are many of course. These days so many new products are launched every month, all of which I tend to either ignore or add to my “maybe buy someday” list.
They come in two main forms, software or hardware and then they can all be divided into Synth, Sampler, Sequencer or FX.
There has been a desire in many to switch to what we call DAWless which I can’t help but think at times is a network effect of YouTubes influencers. Don’t get me wrong many of them are good at what they do and are aware that there are some highly desirable products out on the market.
*For the non computer based musicians out there, who don't know what DAW means, it stands for Digital Audio Workstation.*
Do we need them all though? Do we need to go DAWless, stick with the DAW or go for something in between?
I’m asking this for myself if I’m honest. I bought gear these past few years, sold some because I didn’t gel with it or it was gathering dust.
2025 may well be more of a Hybrid studio year, where I explore using Ableton, in conjunction with some hardware devices. I have my eyes on a couple, that will fit in well with what I already own.
In the meantime, check out https://modulatioos.substack.com
It will continue there for awhile but the dream is to Nostrify it completely if I can!!
Just spotted a typo in my article, it should be https://modulations.substack.com
I’ve no idea why the blank first image was added and I can’t remove it. Anyway click through to the second image!!
GM - I’m back. Hold on, didn’t really go anywhere else. Lol.
Oooh, came up with some awesome noises with this the other night.
That’s a fantastic onboarding!
I remember watching the video as it happens and how tricky it was. A friend and I once setup an image depicting a glass of wine being poured and that it had to have a little splash, I’ll dig it out and share because it took us all day. It ended up being used on wine bottles in California. Alamy helped but the guy who wanted to use it, contacted me directly and paid me himself.
I know! Quite uncanny! I’ve only been here since September and I think it’s got a bright future. My tip is to try the different apps, Primal, Nostur, YakiHonne, Damus and so on. They all offer something different. Though you may notice the feeds may not match up and this may depend on the relays you’ve selected. I just let Damus set these up for me originally, as I didn’t really know! Engagement is great here, just check out this conversation! This wouldn’t happen elsewhere.
Nice to meet you by the way!
Spotted your post about this on Substack earlier! It’s so true though, that light box effect that snow provides is magical.
It’s a pleasure to meet you all! Rubbing shoulders here with some great artists, thanks nostr:npub157auxypn0me5y360svgefxn38fsljqpdz3k82jflaanz3lnm003s55855k for the mention.
Great podcasts out there such as nostr:npub1ka8wt0eveh896xddy3gwyy75fy8auaglwggv3lzahnmhvjn3hd6sat0vwh and others I’m getting to know each week at the moment.
GN
One of my latest YouTube videos went out today.
https://www.youtube.com/live/EPYcox3leuc?si=F9HWVD8c1dB8KEso
Mario Nieto has produced two of this years best music plugins by far.
Mexico is at the very top of my bucket list of place to visit. I am not sure what kind tracks you usually produce, but I have been listening to some great music from 'Tropic Vibration' , which is Mexican inspired. I will send a link here for the track 'Down by the Ocean'.
Another brilliant young musician I have been listening to is Prezence. Here is a link to one of his tracks.
Maybe you can get some inspiration from these nostr:nprofile1qqsdl378s5lkkudkk0rt2fmk0g9e3hkwyvd6ffd2h0hvktsrfs7xzaqpp4mhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mqpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduq3qamnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wwa5kuegrucr8c
Thanks for sharing these two tracks, both brilliant! My own music is more ambient, IDM sort of stuff, no vocals as I’m not a singer but it would be great to work with a singer one of these days.
Prezence has a great message and the locations in the video looked fantastic. I know he’s from Arizona but it might have been filmed elsewhere.
https://fountain.fm/show/GT5qIkp33spJGwEJJDkE
New episode published!
The hotel was incredible and the local wildlife coexisted with it all and it was notable how the locals took this very seriously, the whole peninsula of the Yucatan would have been rainforest and thankfully mostly still is.
The sound of nature there was, spectacular and had a great time.
Really pleased with the recordings I took.
Have no idea how I’m going to weave these into a track yet but I’ll figure something out. It will be an ambient piece that’s for sure.
That’s the plan! Plus I’m spending time organising my recordings and samples. I’ve also got a lot of video from Mexico I can extract sounds from those too. Must be apps out there that can help pull all of this together.
I have just been flicking through my sound recording app back to the Mexican trip and I was transported back to the Yucatan rainforest. We have Monkeys, Grackle and Other animals. I also captured the rain storm we had the rain lashing down on the forest plants. https://video.nostr.build/76c6e8e0da9dc731e290fa6712a3e669630b4528b15bb1682edf6f5bf41c4b22.mp4
Good night everyone. Flipping heck it’s gone midnight again. Turning into an insomniac at this rate!