vendredi 3 novembre 2023

Kitchen Notes : AkMD on Abstract Concept Of Mind

AkMD (Absolutely kinetic Mass Death) n'en est pas à son coup d'essai avec son dernier album Abstract Concept of Mind. Pas mal de titres et d'albums sont déjà sortis depuis qu'il a atteind nos oreilles en 2020 avec sa dark-electro expérimentale proche des canons de l’école texane (fans de Mentallo and the Fixer, si vous ne connaissez pas vous ratez quelque-chose).
Alex Kirdyashov a bien voulu nous expliquer rapidement comment il produisait sa musique, l'occasion de découvrir une solution (Nanostudio) dont j'ignorais complètement l'existence. Comme quoi, il y a toujours quelque chose à apprendre.

Abstract Concept of Mind album is not the first shot from AkMD (Absolutely kinetic Mass Death). Many releases have to produced since this project reached our ears in 2020 with its experimental Dark-electro matching the Texan guidebook (fans of Mentallo and the Fixer, if you don't know this one, then you missed something).
Alex Kirdyashov agreed to quickly explain us how he produces his music, the opportunity to discover a music making solution I wasn't aware of (Nanostudio). Saying that, there is always something to be learnd from these Kitchen Notes.

Gears and software

What gears/softwares did you use for Abstract Concept Of Mind ?

I mainly use programs like NanoStudio, which uses an interesting for me built-in virtual synthesizer, synthesizer plug-ins like DN-e1, polyphonic synthesizer MAGIX Revolta 2, a virtual version of a high-quality monophonic analogue synthesizer Korg MS20, Cakewalk by BandLab (for programming drums and percussion and adding effects to them) and more.

Your favorite gear(s)/software(s) ?

NanoStudio, DN-e1, Revolta 2 (Korg MS20)

Any evolution in your setup ?

I experiment all the time, it all depends on my curiosity.

Writing/composing method

What would be your main writing/composing method ? Do you start classical rythm/bassline then arrange around it ? Do you already have structure in mind ? Do you improvise, record sessions then select ? ...

It's always different, and there is a special structure in mind, I improvise with different instruments or melodies, or in general it all starts with just a simple sample from a film in my mind.

Producing/mixing method

What is your most painful / enjoyable step in track production ? Sound design, arrangement, mixing, mastering ?

The most enjoyable step is probably putting my favorite rhythms and effects into the melodic part of the material for my albums, and the most painful step is recording the vocals, it's very rare that I can record as I planned, either I have to learn and learn or I shouldn't go on at all. I'm constantly experimenting with vocals and it's a never ending activity.