This album is wildly eclectic and he used a variety of apps in a variety of ways to make this album, just take a look at this list...
Apps used:
Audio Evolution
Sunvox
Virtual Ans
Echo Vox
SPC
Spectrum Generator
TTS (text to speach)
Caustic
Shape Synth
Synth2
EerieSynth
Common Analog synth
Piano For You
....and many others
Felt that an interview was in order so he obliged interrupting his musical duties touring in China taking time to answer my questions...
Can you tell us a little bit of your musical background?
I started playing drums at the age of 13 in local bands.
We played mostly alternative, original music: punk, metal, hardcore and rock.
These bands were my first musical experience. (I've learned about the drummer's role in a band, music, people...)
Years later i was called to join a famous Slovenian percussion group called The Stroj. We toured around Slovenija, Austria, Italy, England, Latvia, Slovakia, Singapore and elsewhere.
At the age of 18 I was introduced to jazz music by the drummer Zlatko KauÄiÄ.
I became very interested in improvised music. So I decided to study jazz drums (Carinthian State Conservatory). There I've learned the basics of music theory, how to read music and become a better drummer in general. While I was studying I was playing in a lot of jazz combo situations (from traditional jazz to free/improvised music). Some of my early jazz bands were: Footprints trio, Free Willys, Cromatik 5, and others. At the age of 26 I've graduated with honors.
Now I am freelance musician, currently working with bands: Strojmachine, Litošt, Cromatik 5, MiNiMe, dB duo, Samo Šalamon trio, Mak, Peter Ugrin kvartet, Bug.
You mentioned going on tour, so can you tell us a little bit about the band / orchestra that you play with now?
The band is called Cromatik 5. Pavle Jovanović plays guitar, Grgur Savić plays saxophone, Hrvoje Galler piano, Jošt Drašler bass, and I play drums.
We play modern original music. A lot of songs from our repertoire are my own compositions. They can sound like a pop song or a complicated odd meter jazz tune, but at times even like punk music.
Do you use any applications live with the band?
I use bunch of stuff, but not with this band, usually in free improvised situations. I sneak in some weird sounds or I record short samples and play them back.
How did you get started using Android for music making?
As a drummer without a car, I have a lot of spare time while traveling with a train to the gigs and rehearsals, so I started playing around with android apps.
I discovered a new world of endless possibilities stored in my pocket.
The idea was to be creative with little things and not to buy and use professional audio gear. Just to be in the moment and create something fresh.
Nowadays people think they need fancy equipment so they can be creative. I think it is the other way around.
Do you jam using with other people using Android?
I had a private session with friends. They were using ipads and other professional gear but not android. Latency is still a huge issue with android.
There is a lot of apps being used and was wondering which virtual instrument apps that you like the most?
Tough question. Probably Caustic or Spc.
And also which would be your favorite synthesizer?
My favorite is EerieSynth.
How did you use Audio Evolution Mobile?
I edited, mixed and recorded my album with Audio Evolution Mobile.
I Like its features like Pitch Shift, Time stretch and effects: Reverse Delay, Tremolo.
When recording how did latency affect you and how did you deal with it?
I recorded samples/grooves/sounds with a click track and then edited them in Audio Evolution. But I was mainly using sounds which were not tied to a specific tempo. When using the piano app (on tracks Ph4 and Rise Of The Androids) I first recorded piano parts and then added other sound effects. I didn't have problems with latency in Audio Evolution (the app measures and calculates latency when recording audio). When you try to play something in tempo with apps like virtual piano/drums and other instruments is when things can get problematic. So I tried to avoid that, and just make music with things that work.
How come that you wanted to make a whole album using Android?
It seemed like a good idea and a challenge. I like challenges, and being fresh and progressive.
What were the biggest stumbling blocks?
Latency, small screen, finding compatible apps, and running out of disk space.
How long time did you spend more or less on the album?
The Album was finished in 3 months. Sometimes I waited for inspiration or I had technical problems. Meanwhile I played drums with my bands, so it was a longer process that was planned.
What would be your advice for someone looking into doing a album similar to yours using a lot of live recording and many different apps?
Don't use an Android device! :) Buy an external audio card - things can be done much easier. But it depends on what you want to do. If you are into experimental/electronic music, you can do a lot of interesting things with Android. If you want to record a rock band, I wouldn't suggest using Android.
As the album are very eclectic I am curious if there is any style that you feel closer to and which songs you feel more happy with?
All of the songs are a part of me. I can be a very happy and funny person, but at the same time very dark - especially when I play. All of the experimental tunes have some humor inside. And all of the funky songs have some "dark forces" hidden somewhere in there.
What is your next musical project?
This year we are planning to release a new CD with my band Litošt. It is an experimental/electronic/fusion trio. Here is our bandcamp link:
https://litoxt.bandcamp.com/releases
I am also becoming a father next month. So i am sure I will have a lot of new ideas and inspirations.
Maybe some music for children. (lullaby techno remix) :D Who knows...
If you were stranded with unlimited battery on your Android device and only could bring one app with you and no other instruments / technology which one would it be?
Probably Sunvox. It is the most professional app out there and one of the few apps that are compatible with PC versions. Also being able to make music in odd meters is a huge advantage of this app.
And if it were three apps?
Sunvox, Spc, Audio Evolution.
Any general music advice?
For non musicians: Take your time, go to live concerts, support Art!
For musicians: Respect other musicians and never forget to challenge yourself.
Any last words?
I would like to thank the people who helped me with this project: Jaka Berger, Vitja Balžalorsky, Domen Gnezda, Boštjan Simon, Samo Pavlica, Rok Deželak, Jaka Kumberger, Urška Gradišnik, Alen Gregorin.
So thanks a lot Bojan and may happiness shine on the reamining part of your Cinese tour!
If you happen to be living in China or visiting there is a possibility to see the band play live:
10.10 - Shanghai
12.10 - Guangzhou ( Fei Tv House)
14.10 - Zhongsha
15.10 - Shenzhen (4th OCT - LOFT jazz festival)
17.10 - Hong Kong
18.10 - Hong Kong
The album is for free so go download!!!
Apps used:
Audio Evolution
Sunvox
Virtual Ans
Echo Vox
SPC
Spectrum Generator
TTS (text to speach)
Caustic
Shape Synth
Synth2
EerieSynth
Common Analog synth
Piano For You
....and many others
Felt that an interview was in order so he obliged interrupting his musical duties touring in China taking time to answer my questions...
Can you tell us a little bit of your musical background?
I started playing drums at the age of 13 in local bands.
We played mostly alternative, original music: punk, metal, hardcore and rock.
These bands were my first musical experience. (I've learned about the drummer's role in a band, music, people...)
Years later i was called to join a famous Slovenian percussion group called The Stroj. We toured around Slovenija, Austria, Italy, England, Latvia, Slovakia, Singapore and elsewhere.
At the age of 18 I was introduced to jazz music by the drummer Zlatko KauÄiÄ.
I became very interested in improvised music. So I decided to study jazz drums (Carinthian State Conservatory). There I've learned the basics of music theory, how to read music and become a better drummer in general. While I was studying I was playing in a lot of jazz combo situations (from traditional jazz to free/improvised music). Some of my early jazz bands were: Footprints trio, Free Willys, Cromatik 5, and others. At the age of 26 I've graduated with honors.
Now I am freelance musician, currently working with bands: Strojmachine, Litošt, Cromatik 5, MiNiMe, dB duo, Samo Šalamon trio, Mak, Peter Ugrin kvartet, Bug.
You mentioned going on tour, so can you tell us a little bit about the band / orchestra that you play with now?
The band is called Cromatik 5. Pavle Jovanović plays guitar, Grgur Savić plays saxophone, Hrvoje Galler piano, Jošt Drašler bass, and I play drums.
We play modern original music. A lot of songs from our repertoire are my own compositions. They can sound like a pop song or a complicated odd meter jazz tune, but at times even like punk music.
Do you use any applications live with the band?
I use bunch of stuff, but not with this band, usually in free improvised situations. I sneak in some weird sounds or I record short samples and play them back.
How did you get started using Android for music making?
As a drummer without a car, I have a lot of spare time while traveling with a train to the gigs and rehearsals, so I started playing around with android apps.
I discovered a new world of endless possibilities stored in my pocket.
The idea was to be creative with little things and not to buy and use professional audio gear. Just to be in the moment and create something fresh.
Nowadays people think they need fancy equipment so they can be creative. I think it is the other way around.
Do you jam using with other people using Android?
I had a private session with friends. They were using ipads and other professional gear but not android. Latency is still a huge issue with android.
There is a lot of apps being used and was wondering which virtual instrument apps that you like the most?
Tough question. Probably Caustic or Spc.
And also which would be your favorite synthesizer?
My favorite is EerieSynth.
How did you use Audio Evolution Mobile?
I edited, mixed and recorded my album with Audio Evolution Mobile.
I Like its features like Pitch Shift, Time stretch and effects: Reverse Delay, Tremolo.
When recording how did latency affect you and how did you deal with it?
I recorded samples/grooves/sounds with a click track and then edited them in Audio Evolution. But I was mainly using sounds which were not tied to a specific tempo. When using the piano app (on tracks Ph4 and Rise Of The Androids) I first recorded piano parts and then added other sound effects. I didn't have problems with latency in Audio Evolution (the app measures and calculates latency when recording audio). When you try to play something in tempo with apps like virtual piano/drums and other instruments is when things can get problematic. So I tried to avoid that, and just make music with things that work.
How come that you wanted to make a whole album using Android?
It seemed like a good idea and a challenge. I like challenges, and being fresh and progressive.
What were the biggest stumbling blocks?
Latency, small screen, finding compatible apps, and running out of disk space.
How long time did you spend more or less on the album?
The Album was finished in 3 months. Sometimes I waited for inspiration or I had technical problems. Meanwhile I played drums with my bands, so it was a longer process that was planned.
What would be your advice for someone looking into doing a album similar to yours using a lot of live recording and many different apps?
Don't use an Android device! :) Buy an external audio card - things can be done much easier. But it depends on what you want to do. If you are into experimental/electronic music, you can do a lot of interesting things with Android. If you want to record a rock band, I wouldn't suggest using Android.
As the album are very eclectic I am curious if there is any style that you feel closer to and which songs you feel more happy with?
All of the songs are a part of me. I can be a very happy and funny person, but at the same time very dark - especially when I play. All of the experimental tunes have some humor inside. And all of the funky songs have some "dark forces" hidden somewhere in there.
What is your next musical project?
This year we are planning to release a new CD with my band Litošt. It is an experimental/electronic/fusion trio. Here is our bandcamp link:
https://litoxt.bandcamp.com/releases
I am also becoming a father next month. So i am sure I will have a lot of new ideas and inspirations.
Maybe some music for children. (lullaby techno remix) :D Who knows...
If you were stranded with unlimited battery on your Android device and only could bring one app with you and no other instruments / technology which one would it be?
Probably Sunvox. It is the most professional app out there and one of the few apps that are compatible with PC versions. Also being able to make music in odd meters is a huge advantage of this app.
And if it were three apps?
Sunvox, Spc, Audio Evolution.
Any general music advice?
For non musicians: Take your time, go to live concerts, support Art!
For musicians: Respect other musicians and never forget to challenge yourself.
Any last words?
I would like to thank the people who helped me with this project: Jaka Berger, Vitja Balžalorsky, Domen Gnezda, Boštjan Simon, Samo Pavlica, Rok Deželak, Jaka Kumberger, Urška Gradišnik, Alen Gregorin.
So thanks a lot Bojan and may happiness shine on the reamining part of your Cinese tour!
If you happen to be living in China or visiting there is a possibility to see the band play live:
10.10 - Shanghai
12.10 - Guangzhou ( Fei Tv House)
14.10 - Zhongsha
15.10 - Shenzhen (4th OCT - LOFT jazz festival)
17.10 - Hong Kong
18.10 - Hong Kong
The album is for free so go download!!!
