Summary of The Batsh*t Software Aphex Twin Used

Summary

The video titled "The Batsh*t Software Aphex Twin Used" delves into the innovative software and techniques employed by Richard James, known as Aphex Twin, during his influential career in electronic music, particularly in the 1990s. The speaker emphasizes Aphex Twin's profound impact on the genre, transforming it into a platform for experimental and imaginative music.

Key Technological Concepts and Software Features:

• Metasynth:
  • A software that allows users to create sound using visual elements (color representing panning).
  • Used by Aphex Twin for tracks on the "Window Liquor EP".
  • Continues to be updated and sold, demonstrating its longevity and relevance.
• Composer's Desktop Project (CDP):
  • A powerful sound design tool that originally operated without a graphical user interface (GUI).
  • Known for its complex sound manipulation capabilities, it has been made more accessible through third-party front ends.
  • Utilized by Aphex Twin for tracks like "Buis Bouncing Ball".
• Dr. T's Tiger Cub:
  • Software used for programming older music, specifically noted for its use in Aphex Twin's work.
• Player Pro:
  • A tracker software that allowed for code execution for custom sounds.
  • Used by Aphex Twin for melody creation, showcasing the complexity of his compositions.
• Youpic:
  • A synthesizer designed for experimental applications, highlighting the breadth of tools available to musicians.
• RAM Music Machine:
  • An early MIDI-capable add-on for the ZX Spectrum that Aphex Twin used as a teenager.

Reviews and Guides:

• The speaker shares personal anecdotes about their own music journey and the influence of Aphex Twin on their creative freedom.
• Encourages viewers to explore the mentioned software and engage in experimentation, emphasizing the importance of creativity over commercial appeal.

Main Speakers/Sources:

• The primary speaker is an unnamed YouTuber who shares insights and personal experiences related to electronic music and Aphex Twin's work.
• Richard James (Aphex Twin) is referenced throughout, with insights into his creative process and the tools he used.

Overall, the video serves as both a tribute to Aphex Twin's genius and a guide for aspiring musicians to explore unconventional software and methods in electronic music production.

Notable Quotes

— 00:21 — « I'm not being hyperbolic at all if anything I'm actually understating this man's impact on music in general. »

— 07:18 — « The second track alone flim is one of the most beautiful heartbreaking deeply thematic melodies I've ever heard in my life. »

— 08:00 — « The audio of this sample is eventually torn apart in ways that nobody had ever heard before and it's recycled into new completely batshit insane sequences. »

— 21:40 — « We lost patience and we lost the obsessive focused mind that came with an Apex Twin album in the 1990s. »

— 23:31 — « There doesn't have to be any rules in electronic music or music at all. »

Category

Technology

Video