Jeff Hijlkema | PROPHET REV 2 SynthWorkX 8 // a prophet only track @jeffhijlkema | Uploaded September 2024 | Updated October 2024, 6 hours ago.
Once in a while I play my PROPHET REV2 analogue synthesizer (61 keys), just solely, going after presets, tweaking them to my likes, storing them as a user preset, and looking for inspiration to create new ‘Prophet only’ production. I bought this fabulous synth back in 2017, inspired by the Stranger Things openingstheme, by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein.
By now I’ve released 7 Prophet only songs on this channel, the so called Prophet Synth WorkX.
My workflow with these productions goes as followed:
The Prophet REV2 is linked to my DAW (Cubase 13 Pro) as an external instrument. That way it becomes a desktop synth. The problem is ofcourse it can only play one midi track at a time, pulling a user preset out of the Prophet. So, I’m stacking track on track, recording them one by one. So, imagine this; having about 25 separate tracks that include melody, arpeggios, ostinato’s, basses, pads, all recorded from zero till 9 minutes, repeating certain phrases. That’s a huge block of sound material all together from start to finish.
Then the sculpting starts; deleting certain phrases and parts within a track, balancing, panning, fading in and out, creating sort of an intro, verse, climax, outro structure to the whole song. I see this as putting a lump of clay on turntable and start modelling it. Working on it only a few hours a day, to stay out of fatigue, specially with these impressive synth sounds that work quit pushing on my ears after a while.
After this modelling I start my true mixing in terms of EQ, compression and reverb. Creating depth, width and space. Giving every separate track more of its own place in the sound spectrum. On the full climax there are about 25 tracks running, doing their unique thing, where a lot is happing left, right and through the middle (where I still place the bass mostly). I almost see it as mixing a hybrid orchestra. On certain tracks I used side chain, specially in the climaxes, te create room for other tracks and to give things more of a pulsing, almost dance vibe.
I make use of three kind of reverbs; Stage, for putting all in the same place. Then space and galaxy kinda reverbs to create width and grandeur. All Cinematic Rooms, by Liquid Sonics.
When mastering I went for a overall warmer, wider and deeper sound while stacking all these tracks things can become pretty harsch sounding. So, hereby I present my Prophet Synth WorkX 8. Hope to see you here for the next Prophet only song.
Be well,
Jeff Hijlkema
Once in a while I play my PROPHET REV2 analogue synthesizer (61 keys), just solely, going after presets, tweaking them to my likes, storing them as a user preset, and looking for inspiration to create new ‘Prophet only’ production. I bought this fabulous synth back in 2017, inspired by the Stranger Things openingstheme, by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein.
By now I’ve released 7 Prophet only songs on this channel, the so called Prophet Synth WorkX.
My workflow with these productions goes as followed:
The Prophet REV2 is linked to my DAW (Cubase 13 Pro) as an external instrument. That way it becomes a desktop synth. The problem is ofcourse it can only play one midi track at a time, pulling a user preset out of the Prophet. So, I’m stacking track on track, recording them one by one. So, imagine this; having about 25 separate tracks that include melody, arpeggios, ostinato’s, basses, pads, all recorded from zero till 9 minutes, repeating certain phrases. That’s a huge block of sound material all together from start to finish.
Then the sculpting starts; deleting certain phrases and parts within a track, balancing, panning, fading in and out, creating sort of an intro, verse, climax, outro structure to the whole song. I see this as putting a lump of clay on turntable and start modelling it. Working on it only a few hours a day, to stay out of fatigue, specially with these impressive synth sounds that work quit pushing on my ears after a while.
After this modelling I start my true mixing in terms of EQ, compression and reverb. Creating depth, width and space. Giving every separate track more of its own place in the sound spectrum. On the full climax there are about 25 tracks running, doing their unique thing, where a lot is happing left, right and through the middle (where I still place the bass mostly). I almost see it as mixing a hybrid orchestra. On certain tracks I used side chain, specially in the climaxes, te create room for other tracks and to give things more of a pulsing, almost dance vibe.
I make use of three kind of reverbs; Stage, for putting all in the same place. Then space and galaxy kinda reverbs to create width and grandeur. All Cinematic Rooms, by Liquid Sonics.
When mastering I went for a overall warmer, wider and deeper sound while stacking all these tracks things can become pretty harsch sounding. So, hereby I present my Prophet Synth WorkX 8. Hope to see you here for the next Prophet only song.
Be well,
Jeff Hijlkema
