You make really weird stuff Ben. That's not a bad thing either. Love your attitude you have towards creation in general. It's inspiring and reminds me to keep that 'kid in a candy store' feeling as I learn stuff, rather than beat the heck out of myself. (Going into the "I suck" downward spiral like the Tidy Bowl Man riding the whirlpool is something I'm SUPER at! And working hard to stop doing.) Your stuff is freeing though. Thanks!
You can get really trippy swells by using convolution reverb, not just using standard impulses. If you start mostly wet with slightly lowered overal volume and transition into a dryer sound you can get this cool effect kinda like a camera coming into focus, except the convolution reverbs that are more out there make the picture not just faded like with regular reverb but instead warped. You can soften it with regular reverb mixing and eq btw
Hey ben- I had an interesting idea for a musical game. 1)Write a slow melody, in half notes or whole notes. 2)Harnonize with that melody, creating a second line. 3)Wait a day to get melody one out of your head, then harmonize with only the second melody. 4)Repeat as desired, always harmonizing with the most recent melody you made. On the final day, listen to them all put together. The result may be a strange and inspiring chord progression.
That sounds cool in theory but I'm pretty sure the original melody would still be in the back of my mind when harmonising with its harmonisation so it'd inevitably affect my decisions unless I actively strove to avoid this which would probably result in gratuitous weirdness.
Keep trying, the fact that you can see the flaws in what you are doing means you have a good ear. The fact you're still doing it means you're improving.
Hey Ben! What audio recorder are you holding in the first part of the video? I'm looking to buy something portable that I can have on hand for spontaneous improv adventures
I dunno what his is specifically but in my experience the zoom h5 is great for spontaneous and portable recordings and it’s even capable for more serious recordings
At 12:13 "needs bass", then a rinky midi kb sound is used. gah. gotta vibrate some real strings, bonus points if you had a fretless on hand. i think it would have fit the ethos perfectly.
radiohead next's single sounds very good here
I was going to say the same thing!
Radiohead finally becomes Bjork
You make really weird stuff Ben. That's not a bad thing either. Love your attitude you have towards creation in general. It's inspiring and reminds me to keep that 'kid in a candy store' feeling as I learn stuff, rather than beat the heck out of myself. (Going into the "I suck" downward spiral like the Tidy Bowl Man riding the whirlpool is something I'm SUPER at! And working hard to stop doing.) Your stuff is freeing though. Thanks!
Bless you, Ben Levin! Every time I get in a creative slump I check out one of your videos and I find a new way out.
Gotta love the OP-1 with the cow
You could also try using a filter sweep instead of volume automation to get that swell effect on some of the chords
Your process is always fascinating to watch thank you for inviting us into your songmaking
ben levin you absolute mad man you insane genius you wild visionary
You can get really trippy swells by using convolution reverb, not just using standard impulses. If you start mostly wet with slightly lowered overal volume and transition into a dryer sound you can get this cool effect kinda like a camera coming into focus, except the convolution reverbs that are more out there make the picture not just faded like with regular reverb but instead warped. You can soften it with regular reverb mixing and eq btw
Inspiring the exploration of creativity. Thanks Fake doctor Ben.
This was a great exercise! You have a beautiful voice!
For what its worth. I like the way(s) you work Ben. Its like musical sculpture. It gives me some ideas, very inspiring
Nice!
So cool how the piece gradually takes on shape and clout. Great stuff!
Love this experimentation
This is such weirdly creative visionary stuff I love it.
these videos are so fun
you're so helpful, ben, and seem lovely. thank you!
MAKE A WHOLE SONG. WE NEED It! Please
Sounds a little bit like Arca. Love it!
Super good stuff
Hey ben- I had an interesting idea for a musical game.
1)Write a slow melody, in half notes or whole notes.
2)Harnonize with that melody, creating a second line.
3)Wait a day to get melody one out of your head, then harmonize with only the second melody.
4)Repeat as desired, always harmonizing with the most recent melody you made.
On the final day, listen to them all put together. The result may be a strange and inspiring chord progression.
That sounds cool in theory but I'm pretty sure the original melody would still be in the back of my mind when harmonising with its harmonisation so it'd inevitably affect my decisions unless I actively strove to avoid this which would probably result in gratuitous weirdness.
I love pitchshifting with the keyboard shortcuts on Reaper
wow the Baba Is You 2 soundtrack sounds legit
BABA IS SWELL
You always inspire me
Thanks :)
That's swell.
Oh my god, at 1:50 that's Hindemith's composition manual, the second part, isn't it? I absolutely love those books.
Jeez what it this it's sooo damn cool
Omg Ben liveeeen. It's.ben liveeeen! Omg
Nice shirt!
Hey Ben, great video. What audio interface are you using to record your op 1 and other instruments?
Someone has been listening to the second to latest Björk album!
every time im not watching dr. levin do cool shit or trying to do cool shit myself i feel like im wasting time
Keep trying, the fact that you can see the flaws in what you are doing means you have a good ear. The fact you're still doing it means you're improving.
Hey Ben! What audio recorder are you holding in the first part of the video? I'm looking to buy something portable that I can have on hand for spontaneous improv adventures
I dunno what his is specifically but in my experience the zoom h5 is great for spontaneous and portable recordings and it’s even capable for more serious recordings
Sounds like Ben has bronchitis, too. That stuff has been kicking my ass for the last month.
12:13 BASS!
That pop filter tho
is that a justice cow on your OP-1?
Sounds like age of adz or something baths would make
Definitely a baths vibe
This sounds like the Damon Albarn meets Adventure Time
How can i get one of those Bent Knee shirts?
Swell
Hi Ben, i love u so much!
Your vocals really remind me of Damon Albarn
Holy shit I definitely hear it lol
Well... Ain't that swell...?
At 12:13 "needs bass", then a rinky midi kb sound is used. gah. gotta vibrate some real strings, bonus points if you had a fretless on hand. i think it would have fit the ethos perfectly.
FIRST!!!
Hi ben i love you
Pedozzi I actually got in before you. Cheers.
I feel like I'm on acid
It's like Beach House meets Grizzly Bear... or something. Sounds good
What’s your favorite Thelonious Monk tune?
What’s your favorite Thelonious Monk tune?...yes. :-)
Pannonica
Chris CORRECT!
@@dmcatakedownstrikeonsmilingdog glad someone agrees. Great changes in that tune :D
Swole chords eh?
Do your chords even lift, bro?