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How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

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Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#41

Post by falsenapkin »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #8
Hanschri wrote: post #3

Aphex Twin has been a large influence for tons of well-known artists today. There is just something special in how his songs convey different moods and feelings, with one of my favorites being Avril 14th, which reminds me of playing Minecraft as a young lad, although I think 180db_ [130] is my all-time favorite.

Funny how Avril 14th is one of his most popular and recognizable songs while... not being anything like most of his works. It's a straight and fairly straightforward piano song.

This cover sounds almost more like the rest of Drukqs with a prepared piano https://twitter.com/kellymoran/status/1250132140290977800

Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#42

Post by bfuller »

justaj wrote: post #10

> James likely also used the onboard sequencers on the Roland SH-101, while using CV and MIDI to keep different devices in sync. > These ambient pads were likely recorded with the Yamaha DX-100 or DX7, as these were the only polyphonic synths James mentioned owning at the time. He likely used the DX strings patches, as they have long attack and release times as well as mellow, sine-like oscillator sounds. > These wer…

Sounds like speculation, but the sh-101 (which was re released as a fun little $300 battery powered toy, great gift idea) was at the time one of the most accessible synths at the time. Knowing that, they are probably just extrapolating that he would have had access to it because it was so cheap and widespread.

Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#43

Post by unfocused »

If you like that selection of music, there's a nice 1hr mix from 1994, from Hearts of Space: https://v4.hos.com/programs/details/356 (track list info)

You can also listen to it here through your browser if you don't have an account: https://www.mixcloud.com/deepspace5/aphex-twin-hearts-of-spa...

It really is timeless, relaxing music.

Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#44

Post by anthomtb »

billfruit wrote: post #13

Anyone else find the music of Apex Twin not appealing? Like in comparison with for example, Daft Punk, what makes some people consider Aphex Twin as interesting music?

When and where do you usually listen to music? For me it's either while driving or while coding. In the former scenario, Daft Punk is great while Aphex Twin is too boring. In the latter, Aphex Twin is amazing while the melodies of Daft Punk are far too distracting. Perhaps that means Daft Punk is "better" since it is more likely to capture your attention.

But really, as others have pointed out, Daft Punk and Aphex Twin are different genres. It's like trying to compare Metallica with The Ramones. To an extremely untrained ear they might seem similar but they really aren't.

Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#45

Post by dijksterhuis »

justaj wrote: post #10

> James likely also used the onboard sequencers on the Roland SH-101, while using CV and MIDI to keep different devices in sync. > These ambient pads were likely recorded with the Yamaha DX-100 or DX7, as these were the only polyphonic synths James mentioned owning at the time. He likely used the DX strings patches, as they have long attack and release times as well as mellow, sine-like oscillator sounds. > These wer…

> directly sourced based on what RDJ himself said?

RDJ is well known for bullshitting interviews on purpose.

Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#46

Post by technonerd »

Everyone seemed to be influenced by AFX in the 90s? Or at least it was the in thing Todo, make ambient techno. Digging through the back catalog of techno artist you seem to find LOTS of 90s ambient / IDMish techno that are beautiful pieces of music. Speedy J's ginger and gspot albums and Luke Slater's the 7th plain albums come to mind for 90s ambient but now they are playing mind bending techno.

Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#48

Post by weatherlight »

i_am_proteus wrote: post #6
Synaesthesia wrote: post #4

He used pretty standard pieces of gear, (Kroger MS-20, DX7) the difference is the obsessive amount of time he spent making music, and what he managed to get out of that gear. Weird, detuned moans, crazy skittering beats, all kinds of odd filter modulation and crazy stuff, and it all works well together. Then he bought himself a Mac and made the Richard D James album, that was 1996(!)

(with tongue firmly in cheek) From here on out I'm referring to MS-20 mini as the 7/11 MS-20, to distinguish. The kit is obviously the Ikea MS-20.

This is funny and I'm not sure why its getting downvoted.

Korg - Ikea, whatever.

Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#49

Post by ggrelet »

elevaet wrote: post #36
billfruit wrote: post #13

Anyone else find the music of Apex Twin not appealing? Like in comparison with for example, Daft Punk, what makes some people consider Aphex Twin as interesting music?

Aphex Twin: musical genius Daft Punk: bangers They're both great, but for totally different reasons.

Even though I love Daft Punk, Aphex Twin has way more bangers than them, probably in his back catalog only.

He's on another world, imo.

Re: How Aphex Twin Made Selected Ambient Works 85-92

#50

Post by weatherlight »

billfruit wrote: post #13

Anyone else find the music of Apex Twin not appealing? Like in comparison with for example, Daft Punk, what makes some people consider Aphex Twin as interesting music?

1) I love Daft Punk. 2) His discography is so vast compared to Daft Punk, everything from prepared piano, ambient, acid techno, drill core, IDM/Braindance.

lots of different niche genres, but they all sound like him. you hear an AFX some and you're like, yep, that's RDJ."

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