Ambient Pads & Drones Sound Design with Pigments (with commentary)

I got a lot of requests to do a livestream on sound design with Pigments and here it is! In this session I am going to design a few pads and drones with Arturia Pigments from scratch.

00:00 Intro
11:05 Overview, Pad 1
29:40 Drone 1
40:15 Pad 2
1:00:31 CPU talk
1:05:10 Drone 2
1:15:20 Pad 3

My latest ambient releases:

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[MartinStuertzer]

Please let me know which topic you would like to have me working on next time!

[markbelcher]

Exceptional learning experience. So informative, showing us ‘real’ tips and tricks, at a steady pace! Thank you Martin!

[krazywabbit]

Hi from the future. I saw your videos in the past and while the sounds are amazing, the process never clicked. I didn’t understand that lingo. Now having listened and noodled, someone shared this video this morning. The way you present. It clicked. I quickly grabbed my journal and wrote notes on pad 1 and drone 1. I also have pigments (won in a contest) it’s been collecting virtual dust. This video has inspired me. I’m stopping at the 40 min mark to go practice as you begin the next part saying it’s a little more complicated. I’ll come back later.

Your style, explanation and approach is so helpful. I’ve always wanted to do this but nothing really clicked. For you to take the time to have done this in the way you did. I’m forever grateful.

When a human being can be a positive spark to another human being, THIS is what it’s all about.

Thank you so very much 🎉

[erwingroeneveld]

Thank you very much for this one. Learned a lot. For me, the main takeaway is: don't overdo it, keep it simple, split up the patches so you can use external effects like Supermassive, and plan. Thinking in low, mid and high sounds is a good one. I do have the tendency to "choke" the lower end of the spectrum. Great to see a Pigments tutorial in a musical context, instead of the "mechanics" of the instrument. Much appreciated!

[Rayvvvone]

Hi, Martin !!

I got an Arturia Minilab 3 and figured out that the best I can do is to use a soft synth such as vital. I need tutorials like yours. I used to dream of making my own space ambient music.... and you are just about to start that with your help. I also love to mix melodic techno with a DJ mixer... I have a very small room, no place for much equipment.. my desk is pretty full already. I would add that music has saved my life. So, your tutorial is also very HEALING to me.. and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. If I am happy, my kids are happy and they thank you as well. So many musicians are SO generous and that blows my mind. Thanks again.

[johnlouiskluck]

Missed the live broadcast but this is very inspiring! Thank you Martin and Neptun!

[holgernetterby]

Always a pleasure to listen to / watch 😀

[jamesconraadtucker]

Martin, you are the best teacher on products I like delving into to get the right information. From Stepic to Pigments, you're calm and pleasant demeanor, and thoughtful patient instruction is excellent. I just wanted to pass that along.
Peace, blessings,
James

[stanante]

Getting some proper Steve Roach vibes from this. Raally appreciate you sharing your experience with this! Really insightful and helpful for where I'm at in the learning curve.

[varde]

Thank you so much for this! Have had a 2 year break from making music, . Just started to produce ambient again, i needed something to do with my time after my dog passed a way 2 weeks ago. And videos like this is really motivating to get back into it :).

[bigtony]

Sound good and you are true creator dude ! I got a soundbuddy cat too he always jump on the desk and chillin while im working😀

[MikkelGrumBovin]

Omg, that intro is just....wonderful ❤you earned my sub😊

[schattenquelle]

Danke Martin. Was für ein sensationelles Tutorial!!! Ich habe den Pigments-Synth schon länger, aber kaum erforscht. Diese Komplexität ist nun garnicht mehr so undurchschaubar wie ich ihn bisher empfunden habe. Ein ganz herzliches Dankeschön für diese herrliche Inspiration. Grüße, ein Like und ein Abo selbstverständlich!😃

[OceanMoonJack]

Martin - your tutorials are life-changing. Thank you so, so much <3

[johnnyraphaell]

Pad 2 has some Robert Rich vibes in it. Love it!!

[NineInchFailz]

Found you first through your albums on spotify, then completely unrelated found you by searching for tutorials. The real Gs share their knowledge

[bhespe]

Hi Martin, thank you very much for this excellent tutorial!

[kenlusk]

Martin, this is an excellent video. You've totally changed how I approach designing pads, and have given me yet another reason why I love Pigments.

[wngimageanddesign]

Congratulations on your award and recognition! Much deserved.

[GareauRA]

So I followed your video to the absolute "T" and by that I mean when you made a change I made a change and my change mirrored your change. And oh my lord I just sit here listening to this all day! Thank you for taking the time to make these. There are those of out there that absolutely look forward to you're next session!!!!