Production notes: One (2023)

Headphones or proper speakers recommended since most laptop, tablet and smartphone speakers won't play low frequency content.

Also available on SoundCloud

I had a sudden inspiration to record a quick soundscape track and to publish it.

Tascam DP-006 multi track recorder was a natural choice to this quick project because it is very straightforward to use. With Yamaha Reface CS synth it is quick to seek for interesting new sounds. Of course an ambient soundscape calls for a massive reverberation so Eventide Space reverb pedal.

First I recorded a stereo backbone track with Yamaha Reface CS. I pressed a low E key once and then let it repeat using the built-in looper. I used LFO, oscillator and filter controls to modify the sound and run it through Eventide Space. It was a linear recording and it was ready on second or third take.

Secondly I tested a few sound ideas that would go well with the backbone track. Ended up with a simple sound and only three notes. Did a couple of practice runs and then recorded the performance on first take on a stereo track. It was a linear recording.

After the two tracks I felt it needed something more. Got an idea to add vocals or spoken words instead of synth sounds. Tested singing some notes but they did not fit well to the mix. Then tried a few spoken words and ended up just saying a single simple word “one”. It became to be the name of the track. The microphone used was Shure SM57 and it run to Electro Harmonix V256 Vocoder just to alter the pitch of my voice. Eventide Space provided the reverb. Linear stereo recording. First take.

I mixed the track on Tascam DP-006 to a stereo master track. Exported the track as WAV file. Since Tascam DP-006 has no EQ nor effects for tracks nor for mastering, I used Audacity on a computer to normalize the track, filter curve eq to tame down the lowest frequencies and compressed the track lightly (ratio 1:1.5).

• Tascam DP-006 is so simple to use that I have never opened the manual nor googled for anything.
• Tascam DP-006 has no limiters nor compressors available on its input. These would help a lot.
• The backbone sound track created on Yamaha Reface CS oscillator and filter is mostly low frequencies. Laptop, tablet and smartphone speakers typically have zero bass reproduction so they won't play the track properly.