Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Ambient guitar is typically defined by air, space, delay, and reverb. Adding percussion sometimes feels like breaking the rules of the genre. However, sometimes a composition feels incomplete without a rhythmic foundation. I am currently working on a piece for my next album that required exactly that kind of adjustment to sit right in the mix.
In this walkthrough, I demonstrate my process for integrating percussion while maintaining the atmospheric character of the recording.
Purchasing from Sweetwater? Support Chords of Orion with this link: sweetwater.sjv.io/75D9DQ
TC Electronic 2290 Pedal: sweetwater.sjv.io/Wq071n
Recent Gear on Bill's Pedalboard: (Sweetwater Affiliate links, see disclaimers below):
1. Levy's guitar strap: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXaq7Y
2. Kiesel Leia Guitar
3. TC Electronic Polytune 3 Mini Tuner: sweetwater.sjv.io/q444Ag
4. Strymon Compadre Compressor: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXP9dM
5. Strymon Riverside Overdrive: sweetwater.sjv.io/eK4mZO
6. Strymon Iridium Amp Modeler: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gb402
7. Walrus Audio Canvas Volume: sweetwater.sjv.io/enKqaX
8. TC Electronic Flashback Triple Delay: sweetwater.sjv.io/Wqqq6e
10. Pedaltrain Classic Pro Pedalboard: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQQQ2D
11. Strymon Zuma Power Supply: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyLXmA
Video Chapters:
00:00 This Made Me Question Everything
00:36 The Guitar Performance (where it started)
01:29 Drone: Locking in the Foundation
02:51 Bass: Low-end Pulse
05:07 Percussion: Complement to the Guitar Performance
07:34 Drums: The Drama Maker
11:05 The Verdict: Should I Have Added Drums?
Sweetwater Affiliate Disclosure:
Chords of Orion is a participant in the Sweetwater Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for Chords of Orion to earn fees by linking to sweetwater.com.
Ambient guitar is typically defined by air, space, delay, and reverb. Adding percussion sometimes feels like breaking the rules of the genre. However, sometimes a composition feels incomplete without a rhythmic foundation. I am currently working on a piece for my next album that required exactly that kind of adjustment to sit right in the mix.
In this walkthrough, I demonstrate my process for integrating percussion while maintaining the atmospheric character of the recording.
Purchasing from Sweetwater? Support Chords of Orion with this link: sweetwater.sjv.io/75D9DQ
TC Electronic 2290 Pedal: sweetwater.sjv.io/Wq071n
Recent Gear on Bill's Pedalboard: (Sweetwater Affiliate links, see disclaimers below):
1. Levy's guitar strap: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXaq7Y
2. Kiesel Leia Guitar
3. TC Electronic Polytune 3 Mini Tuner: sweetwater.sjv.io/q444Ag
4. Strymon Compadre Compressor: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXP9dM
5. Strymon Riverside Overdrive: sweetwater.sjv.io/eK4mZO
6. Strymon Iridium Amp Modeler: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gb402
7. Walrus Audio Canvas Volume: sweetwater.sjv.io/enKqaX
8. TC Electronic Flashback Triple Delay: sweetwater.sjv.io/Wqqq6e
10. Pedaltrain Classic Pro Pedalboard: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQQQ2D
11. Strymon Zuma Power Supply: sweetwater.sjv.io/QyLXmA
Video Chapters:
00:00 This Made Me Question Everything
00:36 The Guitar Performance (where it started)
01:29 Drone: Locking in the Foundation
02:51 Bass: Low-end Pulse
05:07 Percussion: Complement to the Guitar Performance
07:34 Drums: The Drama Maker
11:05 The Verdict: Should I Have Added Drums?
Sweetwater Affiliate Disclosure:
Chords of Orion is a participant in the Sweetwater Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for Chords of Orion to earn fees by linking to sweetwater.com.
