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Joy, O joy, O everlasting joy. Two days ago I finally worked out how to export .wav files from my little wonder-software, Guitar Pro 5. Therefore, instead of having to see my ballads crushed into a cruel, confining MIDI format, I am finally able to keep the ever-so integral effects of the ‘Realistic Sound Engine’ intact. Needless to say, creativity flowed, and so far I have spawned three squirming soundscapes of about 2-3 minutes. If anyone has ventured over to the media section, I have been making ‘muzak’ for some time, but all the other files except for those marked ‘NEW’ are actually converted from the exported MIDI files (blergh), but these new ones are converted from .wav files using iTunes. Anyhow, I’m fairly proud of these, even though they are not works of art or anything outstanding: they’re just mine, and it’s nice to be able to produce something substantial every once in a while.

The first is called ‘The Place‘. I know why; I have a strict policy that the jingles have to be named the first naff thing that comes into my head. This is actually one of the only songs I’ve tabbed in GP5 that I’ve written completely first, and it’s actually what drove me to spend nigh on 2 hours working out how to export properly . A little guitar medley: a bit of rock, a bit of roll, a whole lost of strumming.

Next is ‘Effervesence‘, and yes, I was listening to Syd Barrett’s ‘Effervescing Elephant‘ when I named it. This is a slightly different, simpler piece which was written half-and-half (i.e. half writing by the computer, half writing elsewhere on guitar). Bit of a strange ending though. As when I write on words, I often go off on tangents when trying to finish a song, mainly because I can’t write in the standard ‘verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus’ style without severly restraining myself.

Lastly, it’s ‘That’s Cool‘, which is basically what I said when playing around with the crunchy noises the ‘Tube Compressor’ effect made, and thats where this song came from. Not exactly easy listening, more of an experiment into primitive drum and bass (sans drums), but a funky bass-line and some funny panning with reverse cymbals make it slightly less awkward. All the ‘percussion’ is actually muted strings on a guitar with ‘Tube Compressor’ applied, and boy what a funky noise it makes.

My creative juices are spent, which is good as I’m going to start revising tomorrow for the next batch of exams.