CREATIVE LOG - RHYTHM & STRUGGLE.

INTRO

Rhythm and Struggle began as a MIDI-based arrangement in Ableton Live, where I first developed the core rhythmic ideas using virtual instruments. This initial sketch was then taken into he studio, where I recorded Live flute, drums & selected percussive instruments to add cultural texture and authenticity to the piece. The recorded audio was integrated back into the Ableton session, allowing me to refine the composition and blend electronic and acoustic elements. Finally, I returned to the studio to produce a hybrid mix, combining in-the-box techniques with analogue hardware to enhance depth, warmth, and dynamic expression.

Performance Material:

In The Box

1. Ableton Drum Rack with FX chain: Kontakt: West Africa Instrument (Samples loaded into drum rack).

2. Roland: Zenology: Software synthesiser that is a comprehensive creative tool for modern production (The bass and other counter melodic piece was played through this).

3. Splice: Various African vocal-inspired samples, shakers, and Foley birds.

4. Stems in Daw: A total of 69 tracks/stems were used creatively in Ableton

5. Audio/Sound Effects: Stock delay, compressors, EQ and Convolution Reverb.

   Hardware in room: Apollo Twin Audio interface, Roland Midi console.

Live Studio Set up

1. Live Flute Player: Mics used: Sony C37A (Pair) - Tube condenser, Smooth highs and lows. Ideal for capturing detail while eliminating harsh overtones.

2. Live Drums: kick in/out - Mic: D112, Snare Top/bottom: Shure SM57, Hat: C451E, Toms: MD421, Overheads L/R: Sony C37. All live instrumentation was routed from the live room to the SSL in the control room to designated channels.

ARRANGEMENT BREAKDOWN:

SOUND DESIGN & SAMPLING (MAIN ELEMENTS)

- I'll just be discussing the most creative sound design techniques here

Djembe Drum Rack Boost Effect

Reversed Flute Pitch layers

African MegaPhone effect

One Note Synth Manipulation

MORE SOUND DESIGN INFO:

To expand on the sound design information, most elements within the arrangement were subtly manipulated to achieve a tonal balance that combined an earthy, organic character with a refined, modern electronic edge. This was accomplished through spectral shaping, textural layering, and the selective use of modulation effects to enhance natural timbres while introducing contemporary sonic details. The resulting hybrid aesthetic reinforced the thematic intent, allowing the sounds to feel grounded yet forward-looking, bridging the gap between organic authenticity and modern production sensibilities.

IN THE BOX STEREO MIX

For the hybrid mixing stage, the stereo output from Ableton was routed into the SSL desk using channels 1 & 2 to carry the full mix in stereo. This setup allowed the analogue circuitry of the desk to impart its sonic character onto the mix, effectively "printing" the warmth and depth of the analogue path back into the final render. By integrating the SSL desk into the workflow, the mix benefited from both the precision of digital production and the tonal richness of high-quality analogue processing.

To the left is the patch bay where the hardware connects to the desk, allowing the tools to route into the assigned instruments, for example, the bass using the TubeTech compressor. The image on the right shows the signal flow of the hybrid setup.

Pictures/Video's:

Flute Recording day.

Home Setup.

Live Room Flute.

Hybrid mix day in the Control Room.

IMW studio Drums live room.

Challenges & Creative Solutions:

Balancing Live & Digital Elements

The challenge was combining live-recorded flute and drums with midi/programmed elements without losing the authenticity of the live recordings.

The solution to this was careful EQ and dynamic control to preserve the natural timbre of live instruments while still blending seamlessly with digital layers.

Layering Dense Percussion Without Overcrowding

Multiple percussive instruments (Djembe, toms, shakers, cowbells risked clashing in the same frequency space. My solution was strategic panning and frequency carving to give each percussion element its own "space" in the stereo field, and controlling dynamics so certain hits cut through while others sit in the background.

Transition smoothness

Moving between atmospheric, flute-led passages and high-energy percussive sections without sounding abrupt. The solution varied from section to section, using reversed flute swells, risers, percs and ambient noise beds to bridge sections.

Personal Reflections

Rhythm and Struggle allowed me to explore a part of my musical identity that feels connected to my South African roots, while also pushing me into new creative territory. I am usually drawn to cinematic and structured drum-driven compositions, but here I worked with more raw, layered percussion and environmental sound to shape the narrative. Blending live flute and percussive recordings with digital textures taught me the value of preserving authenticity while still sculpting a cohesive, polished production. It also reinforced how rhythm can serve as both a musical and emotional language, carrying political weight, cultural memory and storytelling power without needing a traditional song form. This segment has strengthened my ability to merge cultural influence with modern production, and to trust rhythm, texture, and space as primary storytelling tools.

Final Mix & Master

References:

Brian Funk (2025). How to Reverse Sounds in Ableton Live. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqr1YIzghsA [Accessed 17 Aug. 2025].

 Matos, T. (2022). Easy Telephone Effect for Vocals in Ableton Live. [online] thalesmatos.com. Available at: https://youtu.be/neqNXYv9wA4 [Accessed 17 Aug. 2025].

modeaudio (2025). Layering & Pitching Tonal Textures | ModeAudio Magazine. [online] ModeAudio. Available at: https://modeaudio.com/magazine/layering-ambiance-and-tonal-textures [Accessed 17 Aug. 2025].