@ashnoodle Interesting. I am not sure there are notes on there regarding PGS. I *did* do a series of extensive threads here on Mastodon that I intend to make into a page over there, but I haven't gotten to it.

The best way to find it is to search the #PsychedelicGhostStories hashtag here and then scroll down until you find the posts also tagged with #ProductionDiary -- sadly, afaik, there's no way to limit the search to posts that have both.

I will make a page at some point, just haven't yet.

Last night I loaded up a track, and instead of playing it a few times, making a few notes and then staring into the abyss waiting for inspiration, I just got cracking on it. In the course of three or four hours I added a new section, implemented a new harmonic idea I've wanted to explore in that section, added a couple layers of percussion to the whole track, and did a bunch of cleanup/organizing on it to get it ready to do the final production push.

I've considered posting some of the early jams on SoundCloud or something... The final tracks won't sound*too* much like the early versions, but maybe folks are interested? I don't know, LMK what y'all think.

I'm also thinking I might do another EP release, or even a longer album length release, of some droney improvisations based around Strega + Terra ... So if *that* sounds appealing, LMK.

Right now, it has a weirdly jam-band vibe-- at least to me-- as I'm exploring some concepts of thru composition and layering performances inside the arrangements. But I've also been removing stuff almost as fast as I add it, so who knows where we'll end up?

The important thing, to me, is that I still feel like I'm making progress even tho my original plan completely fell apart.

Progress has been slow, but I am chipping away at it, bit by bit. It's definitely going to be recognizable as a follow-up to #PsychedelicGhostStories but it's going to be a pretty significant departure at the same time -- more exploration and emphasis on harmonic structures, and I'm attempting to use space a little more effectively on my arrangements -- it doesn't have to be so *dense* all the time!

Time for a quick #ProductionDiary Update! I'm basically back in #PreProduction, or more accurately in a hybrid preproduction/writing phase. Set up another jam last night and it was really flowing, sounded great. Going to do another performance of it tonight, then start another new one ... Finally feels like progress instead of treading water.

@LukeAymon Firstly, thanks for checking it out and the kind words!

On PGS, it's something like 60% modular sounds overall, with some tracks being as high as 100% (minus a bit of compression/EQ and other mixing/mastering tricks). I actually did an extensive production diary here, including track-by-track breakdowns. You can find those by searching #PsychedelicGhostStories and #ProductionDiary.

Otherwise, I think that is it. As always I could have used a few more days/weeks/months in any phase to do just a bit more, but I am happy with it as a document of where I am at as a creator at this point in time. I'm still happy to promote it as representative of my best efforts for the moment...and ready to start on something new. This time I think I might try to do some #ProductionDiary stuff as it happens. Until then!

https://etherdiver.bandcamp.com/album/psychedelic-ghost-stories

My favorite song? Well, like picking a favorite child but unlike that situation, no one's feelings are gonna be hurt so... I'd say "Psychedelic Ghost Story" overall but it's close! "The Mystic Swims..." is very close for me and there's nothing I don't like.

But I guess "Dream Vessels on the River of Time" works the least well for me in hindsight.

#PsychedelicGhostStories #ProductionDiary #PostMortem

#Songwriting #MakingMusic #Production

And the #MPC of course... 85% of the effects on the album are from the MPC. I used a bunch of its plugin synths. Its #workflow and capabilities shaped the album from beginning to end. And unlike #Ableton, which is an incredible program, I am able to get into true #flowstates with the MPC.

The #MicroFreak was both a driver of the album's sound ("New Machine Gods" wouldn't be remotely the same without it) and a shockingly flexible chameleon when needed (it's everywhere -- bass, drums, leads, pads, fx, frigging VOCALS!). Wouldn't trade it for the world. Love that thing.

#PsychedelicGhostStories #ProductionDiary #PostMortem

#Songwriting #MakingMusic #Production