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The James Blake Sound

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:59 pm
by asbjorndub
Hey DS'ers!

I'm digging the James Blake sound a lot by the time, but i can't figure out, which setup he has...
Do any of you guys know an answer any of the following questions?

- What DAW is he using?
- Would Reason be a good choice for making his type of music?
- What kind of program can be used to make his autotune-effect?
- What do you think has been his inspiration for his debut?

Generally, i'm just very interested in his sound, so if any of you know an answer to one of the questions above or know how to create music like him, please make a reply!

Peace! :)

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:06 pm
by therapist
Just sample his tracks, minutes at a time.

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:07 pm
by CBK81
Trollin?

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:26 pm
by asbjorndub
??

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:28 am
by zerbaman
Get some real instruments and sing?
Don't really listen to his stuff, but you may have created a flame war.
If you're not trolling, good luck. If you are, congrats

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:37 pm
by sixth sense
I recall reading somewhere he's using logic and if toro y moi uses reason to make the stuff he does I'm sure you can find a way as well

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:53 pm
by Kochari
I've come pretty close to his keys sound using triangles/saws/tiny bit of noise, with a sharp envelope modulating the cutoff (to give that PLING at the start of the chord).
All DAWs can do the same thing man, I wouldn't worry about that too much, just stick with what you know :)
Try these threads, while not packed with advice there's some inspiring stuff in there:

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... t#p2210518
http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... t#p2137490
http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... t#p1998466

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:10 pm
by cloud capture
First thing you'll need is access to a time machine. What I'd like to try and pull off here is replacing him with you inside his mothers womb only hours before his birth.

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:17 pm
by benjam
His stuff is only unique because hes found his own sound. I think you be better trying to develop your own.

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:33 pm
by baron1225
gotta say, I love james blake. Caught him live for a couple shows at SXSW 2011. Obviously he's unique in a lot of ways, but his beautiful analog synth chords are done with the relatively affordable DSI Prophet 08 keyboard. Find myself wishing I knew which vocoder he used as well!

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:54 pm
by Sharmaji
having something to say, having a voice w/ which to say it, and a style within which to fit that voice is a good start.

the rest is just buttons and knobs, really. His cover of "limit to your love" is extremely bare in terms of the EDM side of it. it is, however, a hauntingly good song from the get go, with a fantastic performance from him.

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:29 pm
by oprs
there is only one james blake
there is only one datsik
thank god there is only one skrillex
there is only one you.
stop trying to emulate

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:06 pm
by soosh21
i think its cool for people to be inspired by his sound. Just as he was inspired by the dubstep scene a few years back which took his music to a new direction. The obvious point is he's a talented musician, classicaly trained. You can hear that in his chords, i think if you can play keys properly you can get somewhere near that sound with all the soft synth and hardware synths out there. its not reallt a question of gear or what daw/synths to use..... some basic understanding of synthesis, and the ability to actually play an instrument musically will get you far.

im inspired by many artists, but as long as you try and filter that into your own sound thats the main thing. I dont really know why he gets so much hate..... its good to see someone pushing new sounds. ive seen him live recently, and it was mesmerising. true talent.


Soundcloud

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:11 am
by nowaysj
oprs wrote:there is only one you.
This remains in doubt.

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:13 am
by oprs
Image

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:18 am
by AllNightDayDream
sixth sense wrote:I recall reading somewhere he's using logic and if toro y moi uses reason to make the stuff he does I'm sure you can find a way as well
Didn't know this. Very re-assuring

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:49 pm
by sixth sense
AllNightDayDream wrote:
sixth sense wrote:I recall reading somewhere he's using logic and if toro y moi uses reason to make the stuff he does I'm sure you can find a way as well
Didn't know this. Very re-assuring
http://emusician.com/interviews/profile ... i_profile/

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:21 pm
by hifi
does james blake really have his own sound? i mean a signature sound that people know him for?

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:50 pm
by legend4ry
Remember - James Blake uses analogue synths to get his sounds in the newer stuff - though they sounds are quite simple its the actual synths what give them that rich, crisp sounds - look for some software emulations of them. Its also the notes he plays what gives his chords such lush tones, just like when you make a pad, the classic "jungle" pad is a very simple sound but if you play it right it can sound amazing!

He doesn't use auto tune, he uses a Vocoder - its Auto Tunes older brother.

Without being a snob - I doubt Reason could give you this kinda sound without some sort of rewiring and external plugins with a lot of ease.. Not saying its not possible but it'll be harder to use solely Reason.

Re: The James Blake Sound

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:19 pm
by asbjorndub
Okay, thanks for the reply!