12. F# Major (128 BPM)

Episode Description:

The Balls of Fate are ready to get the energy amped up with a whopping 128 BPM tempo on Episode 12 of ‘10 Minutes to Make a Loop.’ Oliver starts with a synth sound in F# Major (although probably more accurately, in D# Minor) that has an ambient, atmospheric side and an arpeggiator side. By using the tone wheel he plays a simple melody on the Akai MPK249 that alternates between both sides. It’s then over to the bass synth to lay down a basic, rough pattern to fill out the low end before Oliver records a quick drum loop using an electronic kick drum and rim shot, coated with a touch of reverb. He then hops back over to fix the bassline before adding a secondary layer of warm bass synthesiser. Once the loop is put together, Oliver tries a few different keyboard sounds; alternating between Rhodes sounds and pianos with varying ages and effects before finding the perfect one to sprinkle some light, twinkling notes over the top. He decides to use this layer as a way to change things up and add another level of dynamics to the music later while he jams over the loop. A minute before the timer is up, Oliver grabs the guitar to add some lead lines and brings the loop jam to a close by travelling through Lydian and Mixolydian modes coloured with wah, distortion, reverb and tape delay.