Patching Echoes of Äänekoski - Generative Ambient on OP-XY & Nagra IV-S

In this new piece, I’m trying something new by combining field recordings with a semi-generative soundscape created on the OP-XY. I recently got my hands on a Sony TCS-100, a vintage stereo cassette recorder, and used it in the field while waiting for boarding at Helsinki airport. The natural texture it captures adds a grounding layer to the sometimes digital-heavy sounds coming out of the OP-XY. A nice little blend of organic and synthetic tones together.

The piece itself is built around a semi-generative track, thanks to the "step components" on the OP-XY, which allows some sequences to evolve and change on their own. This gives the track a nice unpredictability while still maintaining a bit of structure.

To take it a step further, I'm using my Nagra IV-S for the first time... and I'm EXTREMELY excited about this one. I've been hunting for this recorder for over a year, and it's well worth the wait. The Nagra IV-S is a marvel of analogue audio engineering, and the way it captures the sound of tape is just on another level. The warmth, texture, and depth it adds is something you just can’t replicate with a plugin.

So to crown the piece, all the audio is recorded on tape and recorded with the TX-6, making sure we get those maximum analog vibes throughout. The combination of field recordings, generative sound, and the analog warmth from the Nagra really ties everything together and adds a unique layer of depth to the track.

I'm super lucky to be working with such incredible equipment, and I can’t wait to share more about the Nagra. Hope you enjoy the balance of natural and synthetic in this one.

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