Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Help make a difference! Support charity and enter our prize draw by creating your own Harmony Track music. Visit genelec.com/harmony-tracks to get involved!
Michael Gray won the Grand Prize draw of Genelec Harmony Tracks in 2023 and has now been welcomed as a Harmony Tracks Ambassador for 2024.
Listen on SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/genelec_oy/michael-gray-thematic
Michael's Harmony Tracks interview:
1. Who are you, and what do you do?
I am a UK-based Software Engineer with over a decade in the industry. I have only recently moved into production this year, after spending the past 18+ years as a multi-instrumentalist who was originally self taught.
2. Can you tell us a little about your usual creative process?
Typically, I will start a piece of music by tracking out a motif on my guitar (instrument of choice). This gives me a bedrock from where I can start working out the movements of the piece. Once I have a series of motifs down, I will then try to determine how I want the track to evolve, usually going from a dark to light or light to dark theme. This then allows me to better pick the modes or chordal structures I want to develop across the track.
3. How did you apply your creative process to this Harmony Tracks challenge?
I wanted to try various layering techniques and plucks to keep the track quite "open". As such, there is a constant percussive sound along with a heat-beat effect that runs throughout the track to give the feeling of movement – and all the while the synths gradually change in their texture as the track develops. Everything has a form of echo that I've tried to ensure fills the space of the previous instrument to keep a constant organic flowing feeling.
4. What is behind your choice of sound and what fed your inspiration?
I've had melody in mind for a while that I didn't know how I wanted to expand upon. I decided to go for something that felt like a journey through an unknown world – something along the lines of Alice in Wonderland. I wanted the track to evolve from a mysterious feel to a more emotive feel half way through.
5. What advice do you have for others about to create their Harmony Track?
I always try to start with a motif, and slowly build layers upon it. I've found this allows for a more natural progression allowing for a much more chill vibe. I'd say if you're struggling to come up with a melody, the best thing you can do is walk away, have a coffee and come back. This always seems to give me a new lens to look through things. On top of that, a reference track or video playing in the background definitely helps.
6. Do you have a nice memory of Genelec you would like to share with us?
I was always having issues trying to find my tonal centre in my music, and it wasn't until I picked up my 8030s that my whole viewpoint and understanding of why a good set of monitors really helps changed. As a result, I can only thank Genelec for the non-stop late nights composing and the inability to shake the music production bug.
To find out more about Harmony Tracks and enter your music, visit genelec.com/harmony-tracks
Help make a difference! Support charity and enter our prize draw by creating your own Harmony Track music. Visit genelec.com/harmony-tracks to get involved!
Michael Gray won the Grand Prize draw of Genelec Harmony Tracks in 2023 and has now been welcomed as a Harmony Tracks Ambassador for 2024.
Listen on SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/genelec_oy/michael-gray-thematic
Michael's Harmony Tracks interview:
1. Who are you, and what do you do?
I am a UK-based Software Engineer with over a decade in the industry. I have only recently moved into production this year, after spending the past 18+ years as a multi-instrumentalist who was originally self taught.
2. Can you tell us a little about your usual creative process?
Typically, I will start a piece of music by tracking out a motif on my guitar (instrument of choice). This gives me a bedrock from where I can start working out the movements of the piece. Once I have a series of motifs down, I will then try to determine how I want the track to evolve, usually going from a dark to light or light to dark theme. This then allows me to better pick the modes or chordal structures I want to develop across the track.
3. How did you apply your creative process to this Harmony Tracks challenge?
I wanted to try various layering techniques and plucks to keep the track quite "open". As such, there is a constant percussive sound along with a heat-beat effect that runs throughout the track to give the feeling of movement – and all the while the synths gradually change in their texture as the track develops. Everything has a form of echo that I've tried to ensure fills the space of the previous instrument to keep a constant organic flowing feeling.
4. What is behind your choice of sound and what fed your inspiration?
I've had melody in mind for a while that I didn't know how I wanted to expand upon. I decided to go for something that felt like a journey through an unknown world – something along the lines of Alice in Wonderland. I wanted the track to evolve from a mysterious feel to a more emotive feel half way through.
5. What advice do you have for others about to create their Harmony Track?
I always try to start with a motif, and slowly build layers upon it. I've found this allows for a more natural progression allowing for a much more chill vibe. I'd say if you're struggling to come up with a melody, the best thing you can do is walk away, have a coffee and come back. This always seems to give me a new lens to look through things. On top of that, a reference track or video playing in the background definitely helps.
6. Do you have a nice memory of Genelec you would like to share with us?
I was always having issues trying to find my tonal centre in my music, and it wasn't until I picked up my 8030s that my whole viewpoint and understanding of why a good set of monitors really helps changed. As a result, I can only thank Genelec for the non-stop late nights composing and the inability to shake the music production bug.
To find out more about Harmony Tracks and enter your music, visit genelec.com/harmony-tracks
