Using the sampled xylophone sounds, I used the EXS24 sampler in Logic Pro X to map it across a keyboard. I found that inserting chord was difficult and didn’t know what chord progressions to use. I eventually came up with the idea of converting audio to MIDI in Logic using flex pitch. I then used the midi chords and put the pattern into the sampler creating a chord progression. I then used automation to increase the amount of echo as the piece progresses to enhance the ‘trance’ like and calming element of the piece.
After recording all the parts I needed, I had to work on the order of the composition to reflect the context – to go from very chaotic to calm. I used the initial recording of my walk in Southbank and paired it with a drum to provide some rhythm, I then used tempo automation to slowly decrease the bpm to 60bpm to represent the rhythm of a heartrate at a calm pace. I felt like this change of pace truly reflected the feeling of moving from a place of sonic business to a place of sonic sereness especially with the slow transition using both recordings. I also used the sound of a car starting up as a riser/transition between the two parts allowing for a smooth change of pace to reflect the way in which sound changes when walking through London as opposed to a quick and abrupt rhythmic change which may be seen in music.
The track contains very little low-end bass notes. This was not intentional, most of the recording contained more higher-end tones creating a very natural/non-synthetic feel – especially for the second part, using atmospheric sounds and reverberations to enhance the idea of a spatial environment