Hello, I don't post on here much...

I really want to try taking on my own ambient project a la Devlab, but don't know where to start. Sure I can get a lot of random sound effects and stuff to use, but I want to know how Devin does the various underlying hums and atmospheric background noise...I'm pretty sure they were completely created on the computer and he's not just micing the ambience of some kind of crazy rooms.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about/know how to help?

I suggest getting a midi controller and download a bunch of free softsynths to experiment and find what you like

been there, done that

I made my own little DevLab project a while ago (and people here liked it, which REALLY kicks ass) and off the top of my head I'd say that

- you probably need a keyboard. Doesn't even have to be an expensive one. Sonftware synthesizers like ABSYNTH for example are pretty cool, too
- square waves, sine waves and tri-waves are your best friends for REALLY spine-chilling sounds.
- you need a program like Adobe Audition or Samplitude etc for arranging your stuff
- the low hums are usually a result of EXTREMELY exaggerated use of low pass filters, delay and notch filters
- miking up stuff IS always welcome. Everyday sounds rock my hairy anus. And distorting them until they sound like a monster kicks my hairy anus even more

Place a mik in a relatively quiet place with people in it, like an office. And use plenty of quiet, humming noises, synthesizers are good for this.

IBrokeAString, have you managed to make clean sounds with ABsynth? I get utter distortion no matter what I do, even if I use sine waves.

IBrokeAString, have you managed to make clean sounds with ABsynth? I get utter distortion no matter what I do, even if I use sine waves.

I've had no such problem with it so far, but I only use it marginally. Mousing over the software keyboard thingy there, no fancy stuff yet because I just hook up my user-bank infested Casio to the soundcard and let fly.
maybe the master volume slider is the reason for the distortion? Or maybe check the input level of your midi in (if you have your keyboard hooked up over the midi port)? *scratches head*

I'll check it out. I unfortunately have no midi port, so I run it on usb.

Man, you just got to be really creative to make good ambient stuff. Sample shit, loop, reverse, eq to hell, anything that'll get you a desired effect. Oh and don't forget the delay and reverb.

I'll check it out. I unfortunately have no midi port, so I run it on usb.

Sounds more like your sound card is not cutting it and/or you are very low on RAM.

I have a good sound card (Creative Audigy Soundblaster) and plenty of ram, I am 100% sure I don't know exactly how to use all the filters.

we two even have the same soundcard

I have a good sound card (Creative Audigy Soundblaster)

afraid to say it dude but that's not a good sound card, unless you're using it to play games...

they've got another name - Fraudigy because they're not exactly the most honest of soundcards. their performance is somewhat Lacking.

check out E-Mu or M-Audio for good stuff.

aint been looking round soundcards for a while but those are two manufacturers that I would use. own the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 and love it to bits.

Man, you just got to be really creative to make good ambient stuff. Sample shit, loop, reverse, eq to hell, anything that'll get you a desired effect. Oh and don't forget the delay and reverb.

on a side note...cut out when EQing instead of adding. It makes more space for all the layers and wont cancel out certain frequencies.

I wish I had enough money for absynth

I wish I had enough money for absynth

Hiya,

I'm an electronic music producer who lives in Switzerland and lurks here a lot.

I'd suggest hanging out on Harmony Central and going for any of the free synths.
I'm using Logic/Protools and a bunch of outboard synths and hardware, but this is my job and I am a total gear addict.
You can get a lot out of a fast PC (or Mac, ideally ) but to really get what
I consider to be a releasable sound quality you need to mix in a pro studio.

You will not get an even and transportable mix on a home computer with headphones/cheap monitors.
Even if you have great gear you will not get a great mix in a normal room because of a lack of acoustic treatment.

I am not trying to take a swipe at your confidence here, but it is a lot more complicated than most people think- getting a good sound in your room is not the same as getting a release quality recording.
A soundblaster card isnt up to scratch, neither are M-Audio or Emu, frankly.
I'd look at an RME Multiface, Motu 828 mk II or digidesign 002 as entry level if you want to get a release.

Good luck

JR

I just finished my pown project where I made some kind of ambient music right after an emotional breakdown...
If I knew how to upload it here I'll do it!
I made the whole thing on ProTool LE (w. Digi 001 - OOOOOLD system!)

Minik