Overview

This project presents an original DAW-based composition that fuses ambient electronic production with subtle Celtic influences. Developed in Ableton Live 12 Suite, the track explores the emotional and psychological journey of drug use, aiming to capture feelings of excitement, instability, and disorientation through evolving sound design and spatial movement.

Rather than follow a conventional verse–chorus structure, the track unfolds as a continuous journey — reflecting the unpredictable nature of the theme. The composition was shaped using a wide range of techniques including audio-to-MIDI conversion, vocal manipulation, and modal harmony drawn from Celtic music traditions.

My own voice played a central role in the creative process, forming the basis for rhythmic elements, pads, and melodic textures. These were layered with orchestral components from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and processed using plugins such as iZotope Ozone and RX11 to enhance depth and clarity.

The result is a haunting and immersive soundscape that blends organic and electronic elements, showcasing my ability to combine creative vision with technical skill in a modern music production context.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this project was to create an original Celtic fusion track that combines traditional melodic and modal influences with contemporary electronic production techniques. Inspired by ambient textures and folkloric soundscapes, the track was designed to take the listener on an emotional journey, rather than follow a conventional song structure. The intention was to reflect the unpredictability, euphoria, and imbalance often associated with the experience of drug use, using evolving sound design, dynamic movement, and spatial contrast.

A key creative goal was to use the human voice not only as a lyrical or melodic element but as the foundation for the entire composition. I recorded and processed my own vocal phrases to generate rhythmic patterns, ambient pads, and synth-style instruments. These were sculpted using audio-to-MIDI conversion, pitch modulation, and a range of creative effects, helping to craft a soundscape that felt both organic and surreal.

The track also aimed to explore the fusion of ancient and modern worlds by incorporating Celtic-inspired motifs and modes (such as Dorian and Mixolydian scales) alongside cutting-edge production tools including Ableton Live 12 Suite, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and iZotope Ozone. In doing so, the project sought to honour the spirit of traditional Celtic music while pushing it into a modern sonic landscape.

Ultimately, this project aimed to demonstrate my skills as a producer by blending genre, emotion, and innovation — resulting in a haunting, immersive, and technically accomplished composition that bridges the past and the present.

 

Research and Context

This project was rooted in both creative and contextual research, combining traditional Celtic music influences with modern electronic production. The goal was to explore experimental techniques while building a deeper emotional narrative around the psychological and sensory experiences linked to drug use.

Initial research focused on the musical characteristics of Celtic traditions, particularly modal scales like Dorian and Mixolydian. These scales helped define the harmonic identity of the piece, adding melodic depth to its ambient framework. I also studied traditional Celtic instrumentation and explored how orchestral textures — such as strings and soft brass — could be integrated using the BBC Symphony Orchestra plugin.

To shape the track’s structure and emotional trajectory, I analysed ambient and cinematic approaches that favour non-linear progression and layered textures. Artists like Enya, Niteworks, Jon Hopkins, and Bicep were key references, offering insights into blending folk elements with electronic sound design.

Vocal manipulation and voice-to-MIDI workflows formed a significant part of my technical research. I explored tutorials and forums to learn techniques for converting voice recordings into rhythmic and harmonic content. Platforms such as Splice offered atmospheric vocal samples, which I processed alongside my own to build layered sonic textures.

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Technical tools such as iZotope Ozone (for mastering), RX11 (for clean-up), and advanced automation methods in Ableton Live 12 Suite were central to achieving professional sound quality.

Creative Process and Techniques

Vocal-to-MIDI Composition:

Recorded sung phrases to generate melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic material.

Converted vocal audio to MIDI using Ableton tools.

Routed MIDI through Wavetable and Operator to produce evolving textures and pads.

Sound Design:

Wavetable used for ambient pads with LFO and filter modulation.

Analog used for warm layers.

Sampler manipulated environmental sounds.

Operator crafted tonal percussion and subtle synth rhythms.

Drum Programming:

Built custom Drum Rack with filtered kicks and snares.

Applied sidechain compression to enhance space and movement.

Field Recordings:

Captured rain and wind using Zoom H4n.

Integrated recordings with EQ, reverb, and reverse effects.

Splice Vocal FX Chain:

Adapted a Splice chain using EQ, Valhalla reverb, chorus, and parallel compression.

Applied across vocal elements to enhance space and texture.

Automation and Arrangement:

Automated delay, reverb, stereo imaging, and filter parameters.

Maintained flow without relying on traditional sections.

Final Mix and Mastering:

Used EQ Eight and FabFilter Pro-Q3 for clarity.

Employed OTT compression and stereo imaging.

Exported final track with Limiter No6 at 48kHz / 24-bit.

 

Skills Demonstrated

Creative Sound Design: Recorded and manipulated my own voice using audio-to-MIDI workflows, creating rhythmic and harmonic material through pitch and time processing. This involved extensive comping, critical listening, and imaginative sound transformation.

Genre Fusion & Arrangement: Blended ambient, electronic, and Celtic musical styles in a non-linear structure, requiring careful planning and thematic consistency.

Advanced DAW Workflow: Used MIDI sequencing, audio routing, return tracks, and automation in Ableton Live 12 Suite to support a continuous, evolving form.

Use of Industry Tools: Demonstrated confident use of BBC Symphony Orchestra, iZotope Ozone, and RX11 for production, mixing, and mastering tasks.

Research & Conceptual Development: Carried out in-depth musical and technical research on Celtic harmony, emotional themes, and voice transformation techniques.

Project Management: Maintained a structured approach using weekly logs, clear milestones, and problem-solving techniques to remain aligned with the original creative intent.

Reflection and the Future

This project challenged me to move beyond formulaic structures and embrace sound as a tool for storytelling. By using my voice as the primary material, I developed a deeper connection to the work while enhancing my technical capabilities in audio editing and sound design.

I’ve become more confident working in a non-linear style and strengthened my ability to guide the emotional shape of a track through texture, modulation, and spatial contrast. Using tools like iZotope Ozone, RX11, and BBC Symphony Orchestra deepened my understanding of professional workflows.

Looking ahead, I plan to develop more experimental, voice-led compositions that explore spatial formats like Dolby Atmos. I hope to continue blending organic and electronic styles, using emotion and innovation as core drivers of my sound.

 

This project has reinforced the kind of producer I want to be: expressive, boundary-pushing, and committed to crafting immersive, concept-driven music experiences.

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