Ambient Drone portable music studio under $300

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Dive into Drone Music with this portable powerhouse!
This video unveils a surprisingly affordable and portable setup to create incredible drone music with a gritty analog character, perfect for beginners! For under $300 and fitting in a backpack, you'll have everything you need to get started.
Gear up for Drones:
- Korg Monotron Duo & Monotron Delay: These pocket-sized synths are powerful and versatile despite their size, offering unique sounds and tons of fun.
- Zoom MS-70 CDR (or MS-70 CDR+): This compact multi-effects pedal packs a punch with high-quality delays, reverbs, and a variety of other options to sculpt your sound.
- Little Bear M5: This tiny passive mixer effortlessly blends your synths before sending them to the effects pedal.
- Cables: You'll need some standard cables to connect everything together.
- Batteries: Power up your portable studio!
- Secret Weapon: Hair Clips! These will become your secret weapon for holding down notes on the Monotron Duo for endless drones.
Simple Setup, endless possibilities:
The video will guide you through the easy setup process, showing you how to connect your synths, mixer, effects pedal, and audio interface. You'll also learn how to use a hair clip to create sustained notes for those mesmerizing drones.
Get ready to unlock a world of sonic exploration with this powerful yet portable drone music setup!
If you resonate with my creations, your support means the world to me. Consider leaving a like and subscribing to my channel - every interaction fuels my passion to keep creating. Thank you for joining me on this sonic odyssey!
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BUY THE GEAR I USE (Amazon)
SYNTHS:
Roland Aira S-1: amzn.to/4bowN9L
Behringer JT-4000 Micro: amzn.to/3SbaPQX
Behringer Pro VS Mini: amzn.to/3zvESfm
Korg Monotron Delay: amzn.to/3XJLOQ5
Korg Monotron Duo: amzn.to/3L2013x
Korg NTS-1 Digital Synth: amzn.to/4cl4MB5
Korg Volca FM2: amzn.to/3L4dQOR
STUDIO EQUIPMENT:
Best Audio Interface (Audient iD14): amzn.to/3W2cFpv
Best Budget Headphones (Samson SR850): amzn.to/3XDOOxz
Best Headphones (Monolith M1060): amzn.to/4bqEf4e
Pocket Passive Mixer (Little Bear MC5): amzn.to/3xLaKMv
EFFECTS:
Zoom MS-70CDR+: amzn.to/45LUCqP
CABLES & ADAPTERS:
6.35mm (1/4") Cable: amzn.to/3RL4ivK
3.5mm (1/8") Cable: amzn.to/3xENK1W
1/4" Mono to 1/8" Stereo Adapter: amzn.to/3W2lwrf
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allow me to introduce myself - I'm Electro / Magnetic, the mind behind the ethereal realms of Ambient and Drone Music.
What awaits you on this channel:
- Master the magic of synths: Learn sound design techniques, explore ambient textures, and unlock the potential of your gear - all with clear explanations and actionable tips.
- Unlock the secrets of evolving drones: Craft atmospheric soundscapes that take your listeners on a voyage.
- Jam alongside: Witness the creation process firsthand and glean valuable insights from intimate synth jams with detailed breakdowns.
- Curated sounds for every mood: Discover a collection of ambient compositions ideal for relaxation, focus, or even setting the perfect scene for your adventures.
Whether you're a seasoned ambient producer or just starting your sonic voyage, Electro / Magnetic is your guide to crafting immersive and evocative music.
☕ Do you want to buy me a coffee to show your appreciation?
ko-fi.com/elec...
▶ BandCamp: bit.ly/em_bc
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▶ Facebook: bit.ly/em_fbp
#ambient #ambientmusic #ambientdrone #deepambient #dronemusic #synthmusic #experimentalmusic #beginnersynth #pocketsynth #affordablemusic #monotron #korg #zoomms70cdr #bedroomproducers

[@paulmccann663]

Instead of running dual stereo out from the Zoom pedal, you could take one of the L/R outputs on the Zoom pedal and route it back into a free channel on the mixer... might cause some interesting chaos. Nice vid! I ordered that mixer, never seen it before.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Interesting idea! But it could lead to some uncontrollable feedback effect, doesn't it?

[@paulmccann663]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic Only one way to find out - having control over the volume on the feedback channel will help

[@Eli_B3000]

I own or have owned all of these. The Monotrons set on my work desk to just reach over and make some noise if I need a break. You can also use the mixer to modulate the volume to have slow fade in and outs, since the volume on the back of the Monotrons are harder to reach and turn at an even rate.

[@MartinSnelling]

That's a great little setup. Thanks for the info on the mixer - Will pick one of those up. I've just pre-ordered the new Sonicware Liven Ambient Zero for $240!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

It's popping out everywhere on KZbin, seems quite interesting!

[@howardgreenwich490]

Nice. I have all these devices and never thought to use them as a drone system. I also had mini woodworking clamps to keep the ribbon depressed, instead of hair clips. Also, I recommend using a clip on the monotron delay so you can focus on changing the knobs. Great fun! And for kicks I also have the OG monotron, which adds another fat analog voice!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thanks for the feedback, yes any kind of system to keep the notes pressed works great . Just use what's easier! I didn't put it on the delay because I want to change note sometimes, but of course that would be an idea for focusing on other things. Cheers! Ps. I wish I had the OG monotron too! It's out of production since very long.

[@SandroMassarani]

Wonderful!!! Inspiring!

[@scampifrity]

This is the absolute mini setup for great things to happen.

[@alebenages745]

amazing!!

[@jjbing3]

Great video. *1:18- the little bear has four stereo inputs.

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thanks . Of course I ment four, it slipped.

[@nuno7997]

Very nice setup. The simpler the better 🙏

[@honkyvanwildebeest8926]

Great video and inspiring as always. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and tips. This video practically forced me to buy a used MS-70CDR from Japan!!! I don't think I'll regret the decision.

[@sirm00]

Great setup

[@maxwarfield6699]

Awesome, mate. Cheers!

[@d.u.o.digitalunitoperated5256]

I have the same gear and also the same passive mixer! Thanks for the inspiring video! 👍 I suggest you to add to this set-up the very cheap but amazing Bastl Kastle Arp 😉

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I will take a look at it, thanks

[@I.O.M.]

Hair clipped D good man 🤘

[@alitna]

Awesome sound!

[@TilliKommunikation]

A convincing performance!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

Thanks 🙏

[@samuelkostas]

So good !!!!

[@tristen_grant]

Nice! Thanks for this. (:

[@JohnVance]

where do i plug in the mushrooms

[@honkyvanwildebeest8926]

Your mouth. Don't make the same mistake I did!

[@father_moo]

I'm not sure why you need a mixer if you can run one monotron through another, and since the Duo does synthesis and the pedal does many better kinds of delays, i'd just run the Duo into the Zoom pedal. Also, can you really call it a "drone" setup if you need to press a key down at all times to get the Duo or Delay to drone? they have very clicky attacks ... i can see how you got to this setup, but as someone else mentioned, for this budget you could get a sonicware Ambient 0 and i'd probably go for that. Or maybe an East Beast and one FX pedal, then you could do modular drone stuff and sequences without always having to hold down a key...

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

I understand your points, thanks for the feedback. I didn't run one monotron into the other one because it would be affected by the filter, and I wanted them to stay independent. I know there are other possibilities for cheap drone setup, and I know this system is not ideal, but there are 2 aspects: extreme portability, and mostly the fun for finding an unconventional way to use them and overcome limitations (such as clicky attacks) . Hardware such as the Ambient 0 is clearly ment for this purpose, and looks great, but it doesn't present these inspiring challenges. Also this setup is ment to be flexible and expandable . I hope I made myself clear. Cheers!

[@father_moo]

@@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic that seems reasonable. i guess I was partially reacting to the "best" declaration in the thumbnail .. it's certainly a good start!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@father_moo I understand. "best" is probably a bit too much, but you know... Thumbnails 😆

[@treeface5000]

What is good about this setup is that lots of folks may already have this kit, or similar, kicking around and not getting used much, ( I do!). So seeing ideas like this helps to reinvigorate those forgotten devices. I've looked at Sonicware's new Ambient synth and it almost looks too easy to create ambient on it - I like exploring different combinations and finding surprises in my setups...🙂

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

@@treeface5000 my thoughts exactly.