SONWU Lights Up the Octatrack: Unleashing the Underused

SONWU dives headfirst into the sonic depths, starting with the re-trig function to add some spark to hi-hats, transforming mundane sounds into head-bobbing rhythms. It’s like watching a chef skillfully blend spices, teasing out unexpected flavours. Next comes the protagonist of this FX saga – the comb filter, and what a plot twist it provides! Though often neglected, this effect turns crackling noise from the Lost Woo sample pack into strings and tubes, transforming chaos into melody with ease. Through a deft touch, SONWU demonstrates how feedback variations shape this sonic moulding, conjuring images of plastic pipes singing in a chorus.

Undeterred by complexity, he sprinkles EQ magic onto the snares, cutting lows and boosting critical frequencies to add richness to the mix. It’s akin to a visual artist using bold colours to highlight details in a painting. By the time SONWU introduces the compressor, he’s wielding the Octatrack like a sculptor with a chisel, shaping dynamic range into punchy beats that resonate with the aggressiveness of a punk gig. The compressor’s crunch, reminiscent of the iconic SP 303, is a stand-out act, squeezing life from signals without losing the soul of the composition.

Moving onto the next act, SONWU takes us through a landscape filled with delays and amplitude modulation, layering sounds into a dense, atmospheric backdrop. His approach is like adding hazy fog across a neon cityscape, with delay effects pushing the hi-hats into new territories of rhythmic experimentation. It’s not just about filling space but creating movement with the precision of a ballet dancer.

AM makes an appearance, injecting modulated frequencies that dance along the edges of familiar melodies. Sonwu’s clever blending of delay and AM forms a powerful sonic duo that paints the audio canvas with textures both coarse and smooth. It showcases a symphony of fluctuating layers, inviting listeners to lose themselves amidst the waves of sound. As the comb filter returns to the spotlight, what once was static now moves with the finesse of a string ensemble, proving once again that nuance is SONWU’s forte.

SONWU prepares to bring this sonic journey to a crescendo with an exploration of resampling. It’s the grand unveiling of what these layers can achieve, as he crafts a beat that could soundtrack an epic film montage. Resampling introduces a glitchy, unpredictable character to the track, akin to a kaleidoscope smashing musical conventions.

He deftly uses flex tracks to reposition his creations, enabling a second layer of percussive intrigue that ripples across the audio space like ripples in a pond. The seasoned producer becomes both director and actor, commanding the Octatrack to weave a dense, multi-layered story. In accompanying scenes, MIDI signals shoot out like tentacles reaching into a world of endless possibilities, linking up with the Korg Z1 for a final flourish. SONWU’s adventure with the Octatrack concludes not just with new sounds but with new perspectives.