The music on both Avante and Next Frontier was created in entirety by myself
using 7 synthesizers along with my Macintosh & PowerMac running a 32 channel
Steinberg Cubase MIDI sequence software along with Digidesign and Logic Audio
softwares. I composed, arranged, performed, programmed, recorded, and
digitally mastered the entire project. What you hear on the CD was created
by myself at my private project studio.
Why is this CD called "Next Frontier"?
My intensions for this project was to introduce a new music genre which
portrays my interpretation of nature, emotions, and technology in harmony.
My music is the next frontier of NewAge music with a very melodic style
along with simple but very striking orchestration.
What kind of instruments were used on this CD?
This CD was created using sample playback synthesizers (such as the Korg 01/W
FD) which brought to life both the delicacy and magnificance of nature
without destroying the touch of technology.
This track portrays the cool dawn atmosphere along the shoreline.
Difficulties with the track:
It was difficult to manipulate the timing of the sweep for the high delicate
X3 Synthesizer timbre (instrument or sound) with the Alesis acoustic piano
timbre in real time. No click track was used.
Outcome of the track:
Very relaxing and natural...one can almost feel the piano and the caressing
high delicate timbre uniting as one instrument. When this track fades out,
it brings forward an anxioty to blast off into the break of dawn.
Track 2. September 27 Time: 2:43
This track portrays the celebration of looking ahead into the optimisitc
future.
Difficulties with the track:
This track was remastered 5 times. It was very hard to emphasize the
blasting timbre in the background. I had to use a simple but technologically
embarrasing technique to get the track sounding as good as it is on the CD.
Outcome of the track:
Very powerful and energetic. I am very pleased with the transistions of the
track.
Track 3. Midnite Harbor Time: 3:05
This track portrays the chanting of the waves in the cool, dark, harbor with
lights flickering in the docks. The X3 and M1 solo instruments interprets
the cool ocean breeze.
Difficulities with the track:
This track was originally more than 4 minutes long. I digitally spliced off
about a minute of music. It was somewhat hard to find the 0 crossing points
of the waveform inorder to smoothly edit the part out. The LogicAudio
software should be commended for the smooth edit.
Outcome of the track:
I am very pleased with the soothing solos and the calming background
arrangement. I do not think anyone can find the 2 digital edit points
either.
Track 4. Aqua Trail Time: 3:59
This track portrays the waters of the ocean with whales moving gracefully
with bubbles of air trailing behind them floating up to the surface.
Difficulties with the track:
None.
Outcome of the track:
The most dramatic part of this track is near the end where the orchestra
timbre comes in with the mellow SY55 explosion sample in the background. I
was interpreting two whales shoot for the surface, spray the water out from
above, and dive back into its home.
The two solo instruments throughout the track portrays two whales weiving
back and forth embracing themselves with harmony.
Track 5. Grand Alps Time: 4:01
This track portrays the magnificance of the Alps viewed from the Vinus Line.
Difficulties with the track:
Since the entire track uses a long wide reverbration on the main Roland
electric piano timbre, it was hard to emphasize the reverbration on the
Alesis snare drum.
Outcome of the track:
Very rhythmic and powerful. I am very pleased with the energy which closely
interprets the excitement I felt when I experienced the Alps.
Track 6. Ghost Town Time: 4:02
This track portrays a silhouette of a burnt town out in the valleys casted by
the burning clouds of dusk.
Difficulties with this track:
I had about 4 versions of the Alesis piano / Roland electric piano solo verse
about 3/4 of the way into the track. It was hard to make the solo sound
lively but conservative to keep the verse consistent with the theme.
Outcome of the track:
I emphasized the lifelessness of the town and the memories of life it once
had. The introduction has a very monotonus melody, but if you listen for
the X3 Synthesizer bass timbre it is highly articulated. The track leaves
you with the industrial noise sample in the background fading out with the
reality that no one would ever come back. The overall recording quality is
the best on this CD.
Track 7. Desert Dawn Time: 4:28
This track portrays the atmosphere of the mysterious sunrise in the desert.
Difficulties with the track:
It was difficult to make the introduction's volume consistent with the rest
of the track without loosing the interpretation of the quiet dawn atmosphere.
The "Desert Dawn" voice was used directly off the Korg 01/W FD.
Outcome of the track:
The shuffle drum track is one of the first ever used on my music. This track
has a mysterious image with a personality and groove.
Track 8. Outcast Time: 3:33
This track portrays the power of faith.
Difficulties with the track:
This track uses the M1's solo synthesizer pulling the melody throughout the
track. Without the use of the Wind Instrument controller, it is very hard to
put life in an electronic instrument.
Outcome of the track:
Although different from the other tracks on the Next Frontier CD, it still
shares the same simple but articulate arrangement. I am very pleased with
the solo verse and the final chorus verse of Outcast. It wraps up the story
with a simple fairytale like ending.
Track 9. Terminal Oath Time: 4:17
This track portrays a promise made by a dying significant other that
everything would be alright.
Difficulties with the track:
None.
Outcome of the track:
Very original music. This track has a very intriguing story-like melody.
The change in key at the 2nd chorus verse near the end adds an additional
icing on the cake to really give the track a twist. If someone was looking
for an intensely dramatic track on the CD, I feel Terminal Oath would be one
of them.
Track 10. Ocean's Province Time: 4:14
This track portrays as the title, the home of many aquatic animals.
Difficulties with the track:
The Alesis bass drum and X5DR bass line on the original track off Avante was
changed to a more simple arrangement.
Outcome of the track:
The track describes the vast ocean with its M1 solo trumpet timbre along with
the Roland electric piano and strings arrangement. This track maybe more
suitable for the older generation although I have had many young listeners
like it too.
Track 11. Angel of the Night Time: 4:56
This track portrays cute romance.
Difficulties of the track:
This track has many real time Alesis piano passages which was very hard to
synchronize with the computer. There were very intense editing involved in
some areas of the track to manipulate the live performance. The majority of
the Alesis piano track was unedited.
Outcome of the track:
Very fluid with a groove closer to Contemporary Jazz than New Age. The part
I like most about this track is the sence of innocense with a spice of
intimacy. The ending Roland orchestra timbre pulls the track to a close with
the delicate fade out for the entire album.
The next generation project is planned to come out by Fall 1998. I am
planning to augment the drum programming techniques and percussion
arrangement.
Thank you for visiting my homepage. If you are interested in the Next
Frontier CD, please contact me by email or snail mail.