Swimming Through the Kelp

davajonah

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Description

This is a long track, nine and a half minutes. It's very gentle and I hope I have managed to keep the dynamics intact! I did very little mastering, as the mix seemed OK to me. Please tell me if it isn't.

I've used the Albino and Zebra synths for all the sounds, and a little bit of dub delay here and there.

Thanks for listening.

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Song Stats

Hits: 933
Comments: 33
Fans: 16
Plays: 71
Downloads: 49
Votes: 3
Uploaded: Apr 16, 2009 - 02:03:55 PM
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2009 - 02:03:55 PM Last Played: Feb 03, 2010 - 06:43:07 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Hardware:

G5 Imac, Korg Nanokey, Rokit 5s

Software:

Logic, Dubstation, Albino 3, Zebra 2

Comments

Feter	Feter said 338 days ago (April 16th, 2009)
	Swimming Through the Kelp Classical electro song ...for me its a film score ..its how I felt it .. as the sustain of the same passage come and go ...not expert of this kind of music but I would ask for a change in the middle ..very deep and evocative thnx alot for sharin !!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

davajonah

davajonah said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)

Thanks Feter
Film music! If only someone would make me an offer. :-) I don't watch an awful lot of TV, but do like science and wildlife programmes. I tend to watch them here on my computer and so have the benefit of listening through some very decent speakers. The music is often amazing in these shows and lends to the power of the message that the film maker is trying to get across. Someone is making that music, and earning a good living doing so. I wish it was me!

I actually like the mid section in this piece, so I won't change it!

Thanks, as ever, for listening and commenting. You are a star in this place sir!

Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

Ex_Silentio

Ex_Silentio said 338 days ago (April 16th, 2009)

Ambient tour de force (pardon the cliche)
This is a beauty. This has all the sustained hypnotic power that makes ambient such a beautiful art form. So nice to hear you offering up longer works. Do more. It sounds like something new for you. When the bass synth comes in at 3:12, I said, "Yes, that's davajonah" (I don't often talk to myself). Don't listen to Feter. Any change would have diluted it. Drive it home. I know you can't resist putting playful sounds into your work (7:50), and that would be my only complaint. On the other hand, it marks a transition back from a meditative state, back to the real world. So, maybe I retract that. Fabuloso, sir.

Check out my latest song called Shorelight

davajonah

davajonah said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)

Crescendo
Is what I was after at the end of this piece, a big swell sound to end it. It was really difficult mixing in all those sounds and giving them their own little space, but I have to say that I like the tinkly synth that comes in and think it sits well with the others. So there! Only joking of course. I consider your comments to be high praise indeed; your own forays into ambientia are amongst my favourites.

I think I shall try to do more stuff like this, it does get under your skin indeed.

Thank you so much.

Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

dajama	dajama said 337 days ago (April 16th, 2009)
	Very cool A great soundscape. This has a lovely feel to it, and the dynamics are there - just enough to keep the ear pleased, but not so dramatic as to ruin the mood. A perfect arrangement I would say. Very cool. Nicely done. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

davajonah

davajonah said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)

Thank you
Yes - the dynamics! When I'd finished mixing this, I stated to do some mastering as it was very quiet most of the way through. It didn't work - i kept losing the dynamics I wanted and I couldn't isolate the sound at the end that was causing little peaks. I ended up putting a limiter on the master track, and upping the gain on the whole thing by 3dbs. It worked I think!

I know very little about mastering [or mixing, for that matter] I do everything by ear, trial and error. But the original mix seemed OK to me and I'm glad I didn't do too much to it.

Thanks once again. :-)

Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

kassia

kassia said 337 days ago (April 16th, 2009)

interesting title
very cool opening with the wobbly long synth notes, cool harmonies, and then the zappies come in. i really love your synth choices for this, all of them are gorgeous. layer upon layer this fills up with dappled sunshine and gentle waves. this is a wonderful meditative journey with just enough sonic texture changes to keep me engaged, but also enough of the ambient underlayer to keep me hypnotized and dreamy. perfectly done and thank you for making it last a long time. i love this a lot.

Check out my latest song called Beach Walk

davajonah

davajonah said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)

Kelp
The title came after! My wife said it sounded like the sea, and I have this memory of snorkelling through kelp forests in North Wales when I lived there. Very magical, the way the sunlight and the kelp fronds create patterns of light. The music seemed to suggest this, hence the title.

Your comments are extremely flattering and so I extend to you a big thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

MidiOrleans	MidiOrleans said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)
	Download Much enjoyed and to be enjoyed in the future. Thanks for posting. Check out my latest song called Procession of the Saints

davajonah

davajonah said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)

Thanks Scotty
I get really embarrassed sometimes when I receive positive comments from proper musicians about my humble efforts at manipulating midi here at this tiny workstation. It's very humbling, I have to say, and I always feel like I'm cheating in some way. I don't play anything very well you see; nonetheless, it is a joy to make sound, for sure, no matter how it's done!

Thanks again!

Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

Reinholt56

Reinholt56 said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)

Hi.....
My initial thoughts are that this is a superb Ambient mix, and listening a half dozen times since yesterday does not make me change my mind any.

The way that you have mixed the Zebra 2 and Albino 3 presets into the music adds quite masterly changes to the overall soundscape and add further interest to an already brilliant overall wall of evocative sounds.

I would love a 60 minute version, maybe using a vLFO that will mutate the preset in some way, to change slightly the actual sound, over time. just a thought. (Or a 15-20 minute version, or anything longer than this mix)!!

It's one of my all time favourites from any artist on Macjam's. The 9 minutes passed by very, very quickly.

Take care.

Paul

Check out my latest song called Cosmic Journey

davajonah

davajonah said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)

Paul
Thank you so much. I'm not sure I deserve such high praise really, but I'll take it!

I have to say, this tune has really got to me. I'm usually sick to death of stuff I do, by the time I post them up! Not so this time however. I actually still like it, so I may do one of the things you suggest.

I notice that, in the scheme of things, we are almost neighbours. Except of course, that you are from the wrong county, cricket-wise. ;)

Thank you once again.

Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

bud	bud said 337 days ago (April 17th, 2009)
	This kind of Ambient track is really hard to pull off - and I think you did a great job. Just the right blend of ingredients and change and suspension - a very fine balance. Well done. DL'd for late night listening. Check out my latest song called All Fall Down w/Particledots

davajonah	davajonah said 336 days ago (April 18th, 2009)
	Thanks Bud When someone tells you they've DL'd, it's a great compliment, especially with such a big file. And you could listen early morning too, if you want! Cheers. Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

anomalous	anomalous said 336 days ago (April 18th, 2009)
	very cool. Not much to say other than i like it, its going on my pod. Reminds me a lot of Orbital, but of course, without the techno drums! Check out my latest song called Fire

davajonah	davajonah said 334 days ago (April 20th, 2009)
	Thank you I've just got back from Wembley and I'm very happy! Happy to read your comments too. :-) Thanks again. Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

davisamerica	davisamerica said 334 days ago (April 20th, 2009)
	the fastest nine minutes I have had in a while. You think the "mix is OK" ... you are wrong ... it is brilliant! Check out my latest song called Shine (MJ Collab)

davajonah	davajonah said 332 days ago (April 22nd, 2009)
	Cheers! 60bpm - maybe I should slow it down a bit! Thanks for listening and the kind comments. :-) Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

lengold	lengold said 332 days ago (April 22nd, 2009)
	Sorry I'm so late to this Dave. I was waiting until I had the time to listen properly. Glad I did. This is lovely. Cheers Len Check out my latest song called A Little Crazy with cchaplin

davajonah	davajonah said 332 days ago (April 22nd, 2009)
	Cheers Len Didn't make it to Johnny N'dangas this weekend, but ate plenty of pies and much Fullers! Maybe on the 30th May I'll get down to the Mile End Road! Thanks for your comments - much appreciated. ;) Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

Char	Char said 329 days ago (April 24th, 2009)
	Goodness, I'm just pulled in. I want to leave my eyes closed, relax and float on your sounds. I had chills course over me a couple of times. The body responds to sounds that evoke sense memory. There is a reverential quality, as well. Remarkable piece of work and I am happy you shared it. In a way, it is like being born. Thanks. Check out my latest song called Intangible Bud mix

davajonah	davajonah said 329 days ago (April 25th, 2009)
	Thank you Char! Kind of you to give such nice comments. Like being born??? That sounds like a good comment! Talking of which, all my replies have disappeared! Where they go?? Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

saymme	saymme said 329 days ago (April 25th, 2009)
	.. ..very meditative which i enjoy ALOT - love that its so long now its on replay : ) tx my pleasure...!(!) (& yes i love your avatar...nice bio hehhehe ! )

davajonah	davajonah said 321 days ago (May 3rd, 2009)
	Thank you! What do you mean "avatar"? That's my photo... ;) Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

Henke

Henke said 322 days ago (May 2nd, 2009)

Excellent ambient!
This is really some great piece of music, that could be enjoyed in many circumstances. One of them is NOT while having a browser window open with some computer game blipping away at the same time, and not noticing it! Well, that happened to me the first time around. I hit play, and then noticed the volume was put to zero and turned it on. My feelings were a bit mixed, it was sort of interesting in a way, but rather monotonous and not quite what I have become to expect from Liverpool! Well, luckily I have rediscovered this excellent and yes, dynamic, piece and I am very happy :-) :-) :-)

Thanks again for posting these masterpieces. Also I am glad you make music in the same way I do, by listening and tweaking until it sounds right. I guess your ear is better than mine, of course, but still it feels like maybe someday I too could reach for something as good as this...

Take care!

/Henrik

Check out my latest song called Heading for Alpha Centauri (mj space race 2009)

davajonah

davajonah said 321 days ago (May 3rd, 2009)

You say the nicest things!
I wouldn't mind writing a piece for a computer game, for sure. Can't see this being the one however!

I'm listening to your back catalogue [my wife is moaning that I should be helping her with some painting work we are doing, but art is art, hey!] and can't help but feeling that our tastes in listening to and in making music, are very similar. It's a good thing to know!

My "studio" btw, is very similar to your own. :-)

Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 320 days ago (May 4th, 2009)
	It floats A very gentle tune that makes you feel suspended in nothingness. Nice job. Check out my latest song called Big man

davajonah	davajonah said 317 days ago (May 7th, 2009)
	Thanks Vic Suspended in nothingness is how I'd like to feel right now! Had a busy last few days! Thanks again for listening! Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

bobnisbet	bobnisbet said 317 days ago (May 7th, 2009)
	Fade to White I can see using this music in a video I'm contemplating. It's about internet dating, failing again and again, then you meet someone special, she kisses you, while the image slowly fades to white and a narrator says there is hope for love...I'd use the pulsating part of this tune at that point. It would be cool if I could find the time.

davajonah	davajonah said 317 days ago (May 7th, 2009)
	Cheers Bob Sounds like a very cool project and you're very welcome to use the music if you think it will fit. I've just myself started to use Final Cut. What a beast! Harder than Logic methinks. If you do use it, would be cool to have a link of course. Thanks! Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

Moviz

Moviz said 303 days ago (May 21st, 2009)

Hi Dave
Re your reply to Feter about film music..... this is ideal stuff for that medium. I could just imagine this being used by the BBC for those fantastically filmed documentaries they show. This would be right in place with any that I've seen.... it really is beautiful as if I'm gliding over beautiful landscapes anywhere around the world or under the sea....... or even out in space....... It's also very meditational. I wonder where/ who you could send this to at the 'beeb' as an offer for them to use.... there must be someone in charge of that kind of thing.... it's just so grand and majestic sounding, regards M

Check out my latest song called The Hub of Life

davajonah	davajonah said 302 days ago (May 22nd, 2009)
	Hey! Thanks Mo. I love to do some film music. Wouldn't that be cool. Thanks for dropping by and your really kind comments. :-) Check out my latest song called Padmini's Jewel

Doug Somers

Doug Somers said 276 days ago (June 17th, 2009)

Suspended
Vic has already used the word that came to my mind, but I will use it anyway. You have really set an environment here that is like diving or snorkeling - nowhere to go, nothing to do except notice what is going by. I love the way you take some of the synths that have a slightly harder edge and weave them in so that they bring in just what the music is calling for at that moment. The effect is dreamy but I never lose my interest into what you are so expertly bringing forth here.

Brilliant!

Many thanks,
Doug

Check out my latest song called Desert Dance II (MJRF2010)

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Artist Info

Name: Dave Jones

I'm from Merseyside. I was born a while ago and I'm still around. ... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

Ambient music is a loosely defined musical genre that incorporates elements of a number of different styles - including jazz, electronic music, new age, rock and roll, modern classical music, reggae, traditional, world and even noise.

More songs in Ambient:

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