Randall Taylor of Amulets discusses his journey with tape machines, the inspiration behind his music, and the freedom of a simple setup. The podcast explores using a Tascam 414 as a musical instrument, the challenges and rewards of creating music with analog tapes, effects loops, and pedals, and the unique qualities tape recording brings to music production.
Amulets utilizes the Tascam 4-Track as a versatile live performance instrument for creating dynamic and layered sonic experiences.
Amulets incorporates tape recordings of various sounds, including worn-out tapes, to add warmth, texture, and imperfections to his music production.
Amulets strikes a balance between structured elements and improvisation in his live performances, allowing for spontaneity and creativity while maintaining cohesive structures.
Deep dives
Using the Tascam 4-Track as a Live Performance Instrument
Amulets discusses the Tascam 4-Track's versatility as a live performance instrument in his shows. He highlights having two effects loops on the Tascam 4-Track, allowing him to bring in various sounds dynamically during performances. By incorporating guitar loops and effects processing, he creates a layered and dynamic sonic experience that engages the audience.
Using Tapes as a Songwriting and Sound Enhancement Tool
Tapes play a significant role in Amulets' songwriting and production process. He records various sounds onto tapes, ranging from chords to melodic elements, creating a warm and textured sonic palette. Amulets experiments with different tapes, including more worn-out ones for a degraded sound quality, enhancing the overall warmth, crunchiness, and imperfect elements in his music.
Balancing Structure and Improvisation in Performances
Amulets strikes a balance between structured elements and improvisation in his live performances. While he follows loose song structures and planned arcs, he also allows room for improvisational sections to inject spontaneity and creativity into his sets. This combination of structure and improvisation gives his performances a cohesive yet adventurous quality.
Incorporating Tape Sound in Modern Music Production
Amulets uses tape sound to add warmth, character, and imperfections to his music production. He incorporates the Tascam 4-Track and other tape techniques into his recordings to achieve unique sonic textures that stand out in the modern music landscape. The tape sound adds depth and dimension to his tracks, offering a distinct and vintage-inspired quality.
Use of Guitar Effects in Live Performances
The podcast episode delves into the use of guitar effects in live performances, highlighting the speaker's preference for simplicity by focusing on playing the guitar rather than delving into complex setups. The speaker finds joy in the freedom of just playing the guitar while leaving the technical aspects to a bandmate. This approach allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience during performances, emphasizing the importance of finding what works best for individual creativity and musical expression.
Embracing Noise and Imperfections in Music Production
The episode also discusses the acceptance and intentional use of noise in music production, particularly in cassette tapes. The speaker shares a journey of initially struggling with cassette noise but later embracing it as part of the unique character of the medium. They emphasize how noise can add texture and depth to music, creating a less sterile and more organic sound. The conversation reflects on the parallels between embracing noise in music production and managing mental health, highlighting the idea of finding beauty in imperfections.
Today we're joined by Randall Taylor of Amulets to talk about a four track tape machine: the Tascam 414. We start the podcast with a full circle moment, then follow Randall's journey with tape: how he got started with it, how its particular quirks and challenges inspire the music he creates both live and on record, and generally why it's worth the hassle. We also get a tour of some pedals around his room, hear about the freedom of an uncomplicated setup with his project Jenny Haniver, and answer the burning question: what's the best song from the 90's?
