Holy Bot

My name is Palsen (Pälstjyven) and this is Holy Bot – established in 2013. I write about bedroom music production, mostly. But also about video games and other things. I live in Stockholm, Sweden, and work on television and video production. However, this blog isn’t about that life at all.

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A post shared by Al Hatif (@hatifband)

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Soon... https://www.instagram.com/p/CNcaaXyB_7T/?igshid=tdtx6wsmay9e

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Weekend starts here. . . . . #techno #electronicmusic #electro #analogsynth #vintagesynth #acid #303 #elektronauts (at Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI8uvyEBYsJ/?igshid=7wfr7stk7hse

[palsen]

You should follow this playlist by @lamour_records. It does include some great entries and one another surprise. . . . . #electronicmusic #electro #techno #synthmusic #analogsynth #vintagesynth #acid #monopolx (at Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIaLKbBhAWd/?igshid=pkffvhztjlub

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Music video by Monopolx performing Hexadec (Pälstjyven Remix). Taken from Dim Sum, a companion remix album to Sum. Fractal art by Vuevossa Visuals.

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At long last, our remix album is out, featuring all kinds of electronic and sonic gems. Link in bio. . . . . #electro #electronicmusic #techno #breakbeat #synthmusic #industrialmusic #synthwave #vintagesynth #analogsynth #digitalsynth #modularsynth #modular #monopolx (at World Wide) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDl9vKRhFVe/?igshid=f4sz3r7ibqx3

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@erkoperko remix is from another planet! Out August 8, hold tight. . . . . . . #electro #breakbeat #vintagesynth #techno #analogsynth #synthwave #synthmusic #erko #monopolx #electronicmusic (at Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDf4SRcBufA/?igshid=130wlksaynilp

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We put @modal_plane’s great remix as the closing track, the grand finale of “Dim Sum”, out on August 7. #electronicmusic #electro #synthwave #breakbeat #synthmusic #electronica #modalplane #monopolx (at Winter Park, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYlaa2hZr2/?igshid=1sbu61reuvy52

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@maschinebrennt is featured on the new remix album “Dim Sum” out August 7. #electro #electronicmusic #synthmusic #techno #electronica #industrialmusic #ebm #maschinebrennt #monopolx https://www.instagram.com/p/CDMfULvhQ-Z/?igshid=m9ftwj8t4wi7

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@hihenning did a really nice contribution to the upcoming remix album “Dim Sum”. #electronicmusic #electro #synthmusic #remix #monopolx #industrialmusic #techno #electronica (at Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0Q_GmhLj6/?igshid=hgws3lbtd90y

[palsen]

New home studio, summer night. Exploration will start from here. #vintagesynth #modularsynth #analogsynth #homestudio #nobasstrap #electronicmusic #electro #synthmusic #electronica #homerecording #songwriting #stillpandemic #ensoniqsq80 #alphajuno #minitaur #eurorack #eurorackmodular #apogeequartet #genelec #abletonlive (at Södermalm, Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCg-Ym8BbXZ/?igshid=km5srgap39lf

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A post shared by Monopolx (@xpalsen) on Jun 14, 2020 at 12:33pm PDT

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Make Strings Sound Better

I'm working on a new track with strings, and the way I'm doing that might make your strings sound better too.

It's okay to use stock samples sounds.

If the attack is too slow, then try nudge the notes a little to the left so the notes play legato on the downbeat.

Spread the chords on three octaves, like the triad on the top and the fifths on the bottom.

Try invert some of the chords to make them sound better.

Consolidate the same notes on chords.

If you're not playing by hand, then you should set different velocity levels on the notes.

Automate modulation and expression (or just volume) to imitate sweeping, e.g. on every downbeat of your chord progression, set a point and draw from low on the first to high on the second, and then to low on the third and so on.

Make the envelope curves you just drew logarithmic and exponential for more natural emotions.

Copy the whole pattern and put it on an octave higher to thicken it, maybe mix the volume a little lower.

Layer the top notes of your chord with something else, like another string sample pack, or a synth pad to color the overall sound.

[palsen]

Endless is the smile of the faceless. #electronicmusic #electro #synthmusic #modularsynth #vintagesynth #analogsynth #bedroomproducer #ambient #minimal #monopolx (at Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_mNK-FBGoo/?igshid=66zn3ymdf7h6

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Panning Instruments

Panning creates space in a mix. Whilst there are no rules really, the backbeat and lead vocal are the focal points of the mix in most conventional popular music. That means that the bassdrum, snare and lead vocal are usually panned dead center. For the listener, focus will be on the sounds panned either there, or at the extreme left or right.

Here's a few tips to get you started:

Try a narrower stereo image across the whole mix during the verses, and then widening by panning the elements that appear in the choruses further away from center.

If there are two sounds occupying the same frequency range, then try complimentary panning, meaning places them opposite of one another. (Also mind maintaining not only a similar timbre, but also a rhythmic feel in both speakers.)

Record the same part with the same sound twice (double-tracking), and put one recording to the hard left and the other hard right, this can result in a fuller sound.

Remember that less can be more: Try not to pan everything, but only a few interesting elements while keeping a strong center. Perhaps just make one element of the mix wide and spacious, not all of them.

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The outbreak is impacting everyone. Stay inside and listen to Sum in headphones. Link in bio. #electro #synthmusic #electronicmusic #modularsynth #vintagesynth #minimal #acid #synthwave #pixelart #retroaesthetic #ebm #industrialmusic #experimentalmusic #darkwave #glitch #analogsynth #monopolx #ambient #retrocomputing #drummachine #newwave #soundtrack #bedroomstudio (at Södermalm, Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-OedebB8tr/?igshid=mnz3tsq8yy1z

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Music video by Monopolx performing Warcom. Taken from Sum.