Thomas Glendinning - ELPHNT, Sound Designer, Music Maker, Educator

Thomas Glendinning - ELPHNT, Sound Designer, Music Maker, Educator

Author: Brian Funk August 12, 2024 Duration: 1:15:12

Thomas Glendinning is a music producer, educator, and sound designer. He creates some of the finest Ableton Live and Max for Live devices available at his site ELPHNT. Tom recently released his new album Micro((osmos under the name Conso/e.

Tom joined me for a 3rd conversation on the Music Production Podcast to talk about his new album and some of his latest Max for Live creations, including Essentials. We spoke about the fun and challenges of creating music and devices. Tom shared some great insights from his experiences that will surely help music-makers of all levels. We also spent some time discussing the latest features in Ableton Live 12.1.

This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io 

Listen on Apple, SpotifyYouTube

Takeaways:

  • Tom's Essentials Pack offers simple and focused Max for Live devices that perform specific tasks effectively.
  • Tom emphasizes the importance of headroom and organization in mixing, allowing for flexibility and clarity in the mix.
  • Shakers and tambourines can add groove and texture to music, serving as both rhythmic and textural elements.
  • Distinguishing between creative effects and mix effects helps maintain clarity and intention in the production process.
  • Mixing in mono can provide a fresh perspective and help create a balanced and cohesive mix.
  • Tom's minimalist approach to music production focuses on using only what is necessary to achieve the desired sound. Playing percussion instruments requires technique and skill, and it's important to have respect for percussionists.
  • Imperfection in music production can add a unique and organic sound to the music.
  • The new features in Ableton Live 12.1, such as Auto Shift and macro randomization, offer exciting creative possibilities.
  • There is a need for reevaluation in the music tech space to focus on tools and content that actively help musicians make more music.
  • Limiting your tools and focusing on intentional limitations can enhance creativity and productivity in music production. 

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 


Brian Funk hosts the Music Production Podcast, a space where the technical meets the personal in the world of making music. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of conversations that feel like dropping into a studio with a knowledgeable friend. As a working musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer, Brian approaches each topic with a practitioner's curiosity. Discussions flow naturally from the specifics of a piece of gear or a production technique into broader reflections on creative philosophy and the artistic process. You'll hear about the tools of the trade, but always through the lens of how they serve an idea or unlock a new way of working. The podcast thrives on informal dialogue, whether Brian is sharing his own experiences or talking with guests, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant. It’s for anyone who builds songs from the ground up and thinks about the why just as much as the how. Tune in for honest, nuanced talks that go beyond simple tips and tricks, offering a deeper, more human perspective on the craft of music production.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Music Production Podcast
Podcast Episodes
#342: Writing Music for Bat-Man's Batwheels Series with Alex Geringas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:12
Alex Geringas is a producer, composer, and Grammy-winning songwriter. He has 16 number-one songs in Germany and won a Grammy for his co-writing of Kelly Clarkson's "Dark Side." He has written music for Batwheels, the ent…
#341: Snakes of Russia, Sound Design, and Process with Joseph Holiday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:10
Joseph Holiday makes music as Snakes of Russia. His new album, True Surrender, releases on Friday, October 13, 2023. Joseph also creates soundscapes for films and sound design work for Ableton and Spitfire Audio. For Jos…
#340: Collaboration and Connecting Through Music with Peter Bell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:57
Peter Bell is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and teacher at Berklee College of Music. He composed the themes for This Old House, New Yankee Workshop, Victory Garden, the ABC After School Special, the award-wi…
#338: Make Better Music Faster Using AI with Bobby Owsinski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:50
Bobby Owsinski is an audio engineer, producer, author, and educator. His book, The Mixing Engineer's Handbook is in its 5th edition and is a foundational part of college classrooms. Bobby writes about music production an…
#337: Collaboration and Live Performance with Lynden Williams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:26:08
Lynden Williams makes music as Divorce Court. His new album, Two Hours, marks a new direction with his collaboration with Chase Lambert. Lynden also works as a documentary filmmaker for Ableton. It was great to reconnect…
#336: Why You're Unhappy with Your Music and What To Do About It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:14
Our favorite artists inspire us to make our own music. But it's easy to get caught up in trying to replicate their sound. In doing so, we ignore what is our number one advantage over every other music producer in the wor…
#335: Emmy Award Winning Songwriting Duo JP and Kat of Earworm Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:55
JP Rende and Kat Raio Rende are a husband and wife songwriting team and founders of Earworm Music. JP and Kat write and produce music for kids television, animation, film, and commercials. They won an Emmy for their song…
#334: Curiosity and How Can I Make This Fun? with Sarah Belle Reid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:36
Sarah Belle Reid is a performer and composer. She plays trumpet, modular synthesizers, and a wide array of electronic gadgets. Sarah holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the California Institute of the Arts. She teache…
#333: Sound Design for Electronic Music with James Patrick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:49
James Patrick is a music producer, educator, and author of the new book Sound Design for Electronic Music. James is one of the first Ableton Certified Trainers and he co-founded the electronic music school Slam Academy.…