Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is a live cinematic synthwave electronic music performance inspired by minimalist concepts of composition, where simple pulses are set up in different time signatures against each other. This isn't a pure minimalist composition, as I later add more cinematic themes and structure, but I've found minimalism to be a great way to build suspense and tension in a scene. This is an entirely live and unrehearsed improvised performance, and I included annotations to show some of what I'm thinking about and also to demonstrate the different musical themes weaving in and out of the texture. This is also a bit inspired by Tangerine Dream, because one can't do cinematic synthwave without some of that influence.. This is a very simple setup to make a big sound. I hope this is educational for you as well, in terms of how I put these performances together. Hopefully this camera angle also helps you learn something!
If you enjoyed this, please consider supporting my Patreon: patreon.com/ethanjamesmusic
My shorts channel: youtube.com/channel/UC_BcJob-VaouHlwAKm7mxkA
My long form channel: youtube.com/channel/UCggb6vbFk8aWDY8zqlgK47Q
Patch Notes:
Instruo CS-L channel one to Bubblesound filter to Erbeverb. Maths envelope generator
Instruo CS-L channel two to QPAS to Tapographic Delay. Maths envelope generator
Bass is AJH vintage VCO to Bubblesound filter.
All eurorack going through Eventide H9
DFAM
VCO2 to VCO1, pitch to VCO2 only
Pitch to noise
ARP-2600
Three oscillators detuned from each other, portamento, vibrato set to maximum depth and delay.
Moog Grandmother
S&H to filter frequency and run back into Mod oscillator speed
This is a live cinematic synthwave electronic music performance inspired by minimalist concepts of composition, where simple pulses are set up in different time signatures against each other. This isn't a pure minimalist composition, as I later add more cinematic themes and structure, but I've found minimalism to be a great way to build suspense and tension in a scene. This is an entirely live and unrehearsed improvised performance, and I included annotations to show some of what I'm thinking about and also to demonstrate the different musical themes weaving in and out of the texture. This is also a bit inspired by Tangerine Dream, because one can't do cinematic synthwave without some of that influence.. This is a very simple setup to make a big sound. I hope this is educational for you as well, in terms of how I put these performances together. Hopefully this camera angle also helps you learn something!
If you enjoyed this, please consider supporting my Patreon: patreon.com/ethanjamesmusic
My shorts channel: youtube.com/channel/UC_BcJob-VaouHlwAKm7mxkA
My long form channel: youtube.com/channel/UCggb6vbFk8aWDY8zqlgK47Q
Patch Notes:
Instruo CS-L channel one to Bubblesound filter to Erbeverb. Maths envelope generator
Instruo CS-L channel two to QPAS to Tapographic Delay. Maths envelope generator
Bass is AJH vintage VCO to Bubblesound filter.
All eurorack going through Eventide H9
DFAM
VCO2 to VCO1, pitch to VCO2 only
Pitch to noise
ARP-2600
Three oscillators detuned from each other, portamento, vibrato set to maximum depth and delay.
Moog Grandmother
S&H to filter frequency and run back into Mod oscillator speed
