Tape Notes

TN:122 James Blake

Sep 26, 2023

James Blake discusses his album 'Playing Robots Into Heaven' and his journey with modular synthesizers. They analyze elements in a song and share mixing preferences. They clear a sample from the band Raggart Wins and explore the power of reverb. They also delve into the emotional impact of voicings and pitch changes, and the relationship between music and mental health.

01:44:41

Episode guests

James Blake

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

James Blake utilized modular synths to create unique sounds and melodies in his album 'Playing Robots Into Heaven'.

Refining drums is crucial in creating impact and momentum in a track, according to James Blake.

James Blake emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health over productivity in the creative process.

Deep dives

Overview of the Podcast Episode

In this podcast episode, James Blake discusses his new album 'Playing Robots Into Heaven' in a conversation with the host. The episode features two parts, one recorded in London at Strongroom Studios, and the other remotely from James Blake's LA studio. James Blake shares insights on the creative process behind the album, particularly highlighting his use of modular synths, which were central to the production. The episode also includes discussions on his musical journey, influences, and his approach to vocal mixing. Two specific tracks, 'Loading' and 'Big Hammer,' are explored in detail, dissecting the various elements and evolution of the songs.

Momentum in Mixing: It's Not Just Volume

01:26

Crafting Resonance: The Power of Bass Notes

01:25

Exploring Playing Robots into Heaven and the Creation Process

03:21

Introduction

5min

James Blake: Creating 'Playing Robots Into Heaven'

14min

Learning and Creating with Modular Synthesizers

7min

Creating Voices and Happy Accidents

15min

Analyzing Elements in a Song

10min

Mixing Preferences and Shifting Focus

7min

The Raggart Wins and Clearing the Sample

17min

Modulus End: Generating Infinite Notes with a Turing Machine

6min

The Power of Reverb

14min

10.

Exploring the Emotional Impact of Voicings and Pitch Changes

2min

11.

The Relationship Between Music and Mental Health

3min

12.

Prioritizing Mental Health and Finding One's Path

3min

Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.

To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).

In this episode, John is joined by James Blake to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Playing Robots Into Heaven’.

With the idea of simplifying his solo work primarily with synths and drums, James shares his process of crafting an album with the purpose of getting away from the computer, reflecting on the impact it had on his creativity and mental health.

A true master of modular synths, he talks us through the long journey learning to create ‘listenable’ music with them, discussing the ways in which they are able to create sounds that he couldn't have imagined.

Listen to discover the enlightening advice James received from Universal's Head A&R, how to best record your voice if you plan to pitch it, and how to adopt the mindset of making music for fun.

Tracks discussed: Loading, Big Hammer, Playing Robots Into Heaven

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

linktr.ee/tapenotes

Listen to ‘Playing Robots Into Heaven’ here.

Republic Records, Polydor Records, UMG Recordings

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Thermionic Culture Fat Bustard

Sequential Prophet 8

Native Instruments Massive

Intellijel Metropolis

Make Noise MATHS

Make Noise Black and Gold

Valhalla Vintage Verb

API Desk

Logic Pro

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

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TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Andy Tindall - Videographer

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

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Tape Notes

TN:122 James Blake

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Overview of the Podcast Episode

Evolution of 'Loading'

Exploring 'Big Hammer'

Key Takeaways

Summary of Podcast Episode

Momentum in Mixing: It's Not Just Volume

Crafting Resonance: The Power of Bass Notes

Exploring Playing Robots into Heaven and the Creation Process

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
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Share
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Tape Notes

TN:122 James Blake

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Overview of the Podcast Episode

Evolution of 'Loading'

Exploring 'Big Hammer'

Key Takeaways

Summary of Podcast Episode

Momentum in Mixing: It's Not Just Volume

Crafting Resonance: The Power of Bass Notes

Exploring Playing Robots into Heaven and the Creation Process

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

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