When thinking about about this project, and what I wanted to create, I decided to start with something very ambient that evolves over time into something bigger and anthemic. I wanted to play with tempo, rhythmic elements and synthesis so I decided that I'd create a piece of music that was divided by the way they sounded, rather than a gap in the tracks. Something you'd listen to in one run, instead of having a favorite track.

I started designing sounds in Ableton using Analogue and Operator. I created some ripping lead and bass tones, and used Filters to reign them in before automating the filter frequency and resolution to control their build. I used an Arpeggiator to create the main progression and then looped the piece, performing over it until there were 4 or 5 layers. I then added the tempo automation, gradually increasing tempo up to about 128bmp for the transition to the second part.

For the lead instrument, I wanted something deeper. I mapped the filter frequency and resolution to the xy pad on a controller, and the depth and phase to two rotary encoders. Coupled with a foot pedal, I was able to hold notes on the keyboard, and affect them using the padKontrol, moving back and forth for a unique performance. 

I prefer to play in my melodies as this gives music a human element. Years ago I would program most of my patterns with the mouse, but this always led to basic progressions and limited harmonic elements. Now I will create sounds and then perform with them for a couple of hours, selecting the best parts for use out of a recording. A nice offshoot of this is that I'm a much better keys player now.

When creating the second part of the piece, I chose to duplicate some of the tracks used for the bass and mid section, changing the progression on them and the arpeggiator settings, but retaining the timbre and tone of the sounds. This creates a consistent sound throughout, relying on songwriting and arrangement to create differentiation instead.

I spent a while creating a new arrangement, and sampled a TR-8 to get the drum patterns down. I didn't really like the raw sounds so I synthesized a second kick drum to beef up the original loop using operator. I also used this second kick to trigger the sidechain ducking on various other parts of the track.

I eq'd out some of the bass on the loop, and added some distortion and reverb to make them stand out. I also created a return channel with a brickwall compressor/limiter on it to send some of the drums and bass to. This was summed to mono in order to use it as a sort of center channel.

I applied similar tempo automation, gradually increasing to 140 bmp. This created a real sense of energy on the track. I then created some new sounds using operator. These ad similar filter automation applied to the sounds in the first section. I initially used some sounds from the foley session for the end section but it still didn't feel finished.

I had previously made a few loops using Vacuum in Protools, one of them fit the melody and I decided to use that. I brought them in but they were a different tempo. I time stretched the left and right channels independently which created an intense, double tracked phaser effect. 

This new loop completely changed the feel of the new section but I liked it so I went with it. This necessitated some changes to the arrangement. I didn't want to just have this new part on loop throughout so I designed a new synth part using Operator and an arpeggiator to write a new top line. I used a stand A-B pattern alternating these parts, before finally adding an intense reese like synth for the outro.