Sequenced Space Ambient for Beginners

In this beginner-friendly sequenced space ambient tutorial, I walk you through everything from how to generate sequences, how to create evolving synth patches, and the overall philosophy behind this amazing form of ambient music.
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⮟⮟⮟ Timecodes: ⮟⮟⮟
0:00 Intro
0:46 What You're Going To Learn
1:09 What Is Sequenced Space Ambient
1:28 My Favorite Step Sequencer
2:04 Two Good Sequenced Space Ambient Albums
3:33 Before We Begin
4:05 Tutorial Start
4:42 Picking The Right Tempo and Key
5:09 How To Create Evolving Sequences
7:41 The Best Delay and Reverb for Ambient
9:14 How To Create Step Sequencer Patterns
11:54 How To Record MIDI Clips
17:33 Vital Ambient Pad
21:20 Arranging Sequences
22:54 Taking Sequences To The Next Level
23:50 Designing Ambient Plucks With Serum
28:59 How To Make A Bass With Hive 2
31:37 Create Better Bass Lines
34:20 Telling A Story With Ambient Music
35:40 Adding a Higher Sequence
39:19 Final Result
41:06 Final Thoughts
42:39 End
---
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★ Cheers and thank you to my S1gns Circle Supporters! ★
Parallax-5
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#ambient #ableton #spacemusic

[@darinepp4613]

Dude! Your passion is so inspiring. I love the ambient genre and recently bought a dreadbox typhon to add to my soundscapes. I was searching for more typhon tutorials and found your videos. Now I can't stop watching them! You've inspired me immensely. Great job!

[@Yeastextract]

The over the top shouting at the beginning got me pumped up and tells me how passionate you are about this stuff. Seriously…do it more often.

[@she3po945]

Loved this tutorial! I became a Patreon & mentioned it on the server today. Can’t wait for part 2! 🤌💯🙏

[@jaykay981]

Hi Chris, thank you for all the hard work you put into these videos. This is very helpful and inspirational content here! 🙏

[@adityaiyer8544]

Thank you for all your amazing work and the knowledge you continue to share with us for free! You da man!

[@LoFi_SciFi_Studio]

thanks Chris! longer time lurker, first time poster. love your content and your no nonsense vibe. good man!

[@nate4732]

Sooo good! Not only is it a great lesson, but you're an amazing artist. Also, love the enthusiasm and positive energy - keep up the great work!!

[@JumpingCow]

Sooo good! Thank you!

[@cybernaumemusic]

Nice tutorial Chris! Thanks!

[@derekjurovich]

How did i not know of this channel !! Subscribed :)❤

[@VeexMusic80]

Thanks for sharing your skills! Great work!!!

[@christopheleray7913]

Thanks for your very complete tutorials; These are real tutorials !!!

[@julianopajaro2005]

Please, more sequence tutorials!! FANTASTIC!!! Thank you for sharing.

[@enaj]

Your joy is the best part. Thanks for sharing. Great tips.❤

[@andyjey3126]

Hi. What is shown here, is absolute top class in the field of sequencing. Thank you for this video and all the best to you.

[@hughoneill5173]

Great video. Thank you

[@raymike]

Very inspirational, many thanks.

[@aivarasburneikis7826]

This is insanely useful video, I feel completely hypnotized and inspired watching this evolvment, getting Stepic now! Thank you, Chris!

[@mindsoundmeditation7962]

Another great video!

[@dalemoore387]

This is bloody wonderful. Definitely gonna give this a go.

[@lmcmulle]

Dude, outstanding video. Lots of great design and workflow concepts here. Even if one works dawless. it was fun watching your creative process.

[@HpBeck_Fieldrecordings]

Hi Chris.Thanks for this inspiring video!Love your work and channel.Wish yu all the best✌

[@vashistasuressh9030]

wonderful tutorial thanks for sharing

[@markkilley2683]

Nice walkthrough.

[@dominicdoyle2895]

Great lesson sir. Thank uou

[@ynty-sol]

Thank you for your valuable video. I was able to learn a lot that was helpful for me. Working with Stepic is now even more fun.

[@darcy4143]

This is so good it reminds me of when JMJ first started out, he was creating polyrythmic sequences back in the 70's which must have been rock hard especially with the Anologue gear back then, they were always going out of time It was hard to pull it back. So for those of us who cant afford the real anologue synths of that era then Stepic is the future of the past but more reliable. Great video.

[@wizard6916]

Amazing! I love it!

[@cryptout]

Following you along on this video was a good trip. I actually created something that was really vibing and learned so much at the same time. ❤

[@ukura]

Enjoyed this. Thank you

[@forsale313]

Thank you soooooo Much, I can Run with this.

[@erwingroeneveld5372]

Hi Chris, wanted to thank you for this! I've seen your name pop up a lot in the chat during Martin Stürtzer's KZbin concerts. Bought Stepic a few months ago and I was astonished by how quickly I was able to get some massive, constantly evolving sequences out if it. With only the Arturia MicroFreak! The main issue I always have is how to bring things together and arrange everything, and this tutorial was an absolute eye-opener. Thank you for that! I think you have opened up a lot of possibilities for me with this video. Oh, and I love your energy! I salute you, sir!

[@Phobos_UK]

That was an absolutely superb tutorial Chris, everything you touch turns to Gold my friend.

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Thank you so much! Truly appreciated.

[@IonStream]

I got chills at like 39:16 as the track reached it's peak. So good!

[@jaykay981]

dito!

[@Rollur1234]

Nice!!! ❤

[@ShadowPilot]

Thanks for these videos. I don't produce strictly ambient, but I'm practicing simply to help with the atmospheres in my tracks.. your tutorials are amazing and I'm digging your tracks on Spotify. Keep it up!

[@Code_Is_Poetry]

Please !!! More content like this video.

[@photasticimages363]

Thank you! I'm in the target audience for this (absolute noob at producing ambient tracks). This is very helpful! (Naturally, I've subbed!!)

[@watkins7086]

I am definitely getting Stepic now lol

[@DriverlessBus]

12:01 absolutely, amazing 🎉

[@addictedtocraic]

What an amazing tut mate. I've literally just watched another that uses it for Goa/Psytrance (Projektor's channe)l and wow, oh wow. I just love your enthusiastic approach where the music, not the technical aspects come first. It's a rare gift you have. Love from Ireland.

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Truly appreciated! Thank you.

[@douglasfugazi]

This video is a masterclass, you made everything so easy and fun. I've learnt so much new things. Thank you 😀

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

You are so welcome!

[@boerboelmummy5075]

Hi Chris, just wanted to give you a great big thanks for all you do and for the way you do it. And thanks in part to you, I am... today... starting to master my second album. The first wasn't really "ambient", this one is more so but still not quite where I want to be, but every day I get closer and much of that is down to paying close attention to you, Martin Sturtzer, and State Azure etc. Thanks again and Big Love to the L1fers...

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

You are so welcome!

[@nirvakalpa]

Thank you so much! I've been composing and performing Ambient/Space/Berlin School....music since the mid 70's. It was all trial and error for years, but if I had the information, not to mention the technology available here, only the gods know where I would be. You are awesome!!!...I mean AWESOME!!!...Like..Eindrucksvoll!!!!!

[@fxdaly]

Great video, Chris and I followed your link to buy Stepic even though I have an Oxi one.

[@GerenM63]

So ... are you saying "get stepic?" LOL! Great video as always, Chris. My time has been severely restricted for a while, and I chose this one to jump back in (I'll go back to catch what I missed), and as always, I get a great "bump" from your content. Thanks as always. Cheers!

[@distantidentitymusic]

Hey thanks for this video I am a Trance and Liquid Drum and Bass producer. Now trying out ambient music 🎵 😊

[@hellandhighwater]

Just f### awesome! Thanks!

[@lovingpeace9715]

Great video. Hive is on sale through Native Instruments atm so I bought it and also Stepic. Lots to play with over the holidays Cheers HH and MC🎉🎊🎆🎇🎄

[@Emily_M81]

I have Numerology which is a Mac-only step sequencer playground. But I work on Windows at home and Mac OS when I leave the house. So I'll have to give this StepicVST a try, thanks for sharing! It looks a lot like a "Best of" condensed version of Numerology.

[@PhilippBaumann]

smash the like button a leave a comment for the algorithm

[@shervaanbergsteedt]

WOW!

[@arcade_mntra]

Don't have Stepic so I followed along once with Stochas and later with HY-SEQ32 free version. Used midiMonitor vst to export the midi pattern generated by Stochas. The tutorial is so well explained, managed to crank out some cool evolving tracks. Weekend seems sorted! haha Thanks Chris!

[@stephanscharf5524]

Thanks for this info. Let's see how to use this one for Stepic.

[@OOD2021]

No heart reply for you from OP, should use Stepic in order to get your recognition :D If you buy it from the link, you will receive double hearts :D

[@diay6556]

I love this style, I always wonder if Didi Giovanni´s Humanika is Spacewave or something like this 🤔

[@dartmore10]

This is a great tutorial; thank you for taking us behind the closed doors of space ambient music. Does anyone have a suggestion for an iOS equivalent sequencer? Stepic isn’t on iOS yet and i’m trying to stay away from computer hardware after work.

[@WS.187]

Great vid. Im a bit late seeing this. Just wondering if you could do a vid like this using riffer? Thats if youve not already done it. Thanks.

[@celticdale]

You got me at SOMA FM.

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

We have our own channel on SomaFM. Just look for "Synphaera"

[@V_A_N_C_E]

Hi Chris. Is there a way to sequence the steps from Ableton so you don’t have to record midi? Great video btw. You have a new follower.

[@stephenroldan5107]

Just got it. I'm used to hy plug-ins.. well see if it even nears any of them.

[@stevensteve550]

yak yak yak... 4:45 now lets go

[@madmatz1337]

Hey Chris @S1gns Of L1fe great tutorial which inspired me. What a coincidence, I had bought Stepic a few days ago. I have a question about the Hive preset Vespyr that you use right at the beginning, where do I get that? Greetings from Germany 😀😀😀

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Thank you so much! It’s from an upcoming project. The preset pack will be available at some point on material.bandcamp.com Cheers!

[@3d-marabu]

Hello Chris, tell me, in addition to Anomaly 2 (I already bought it from you), did you make any other sounds for Vital in the last one? I mean I saw it once...but can't find it anymore. Your Anomaly 2 sounds for Vital are just awesome. 👌

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Thank you! I’ve got a TON of presets for Vital on my Patreon. One of those patches was used in this video. Cheers!

[@3d-marabu]

@@s1gns0fl1fe oh...i kept checking Bandcamp. Then I'll probably have to look at Patreon 😊 You always have so many links under your videos that it can get dizzy. 😅

[@martinarnold5239]

what's the advantge of a step sequencer vst as opposed to the daw?

[@ilyandilymusic]

So now with the new update to Stepic we can drag and drop midi into a clip which is AMAZING. But for some reason my automation or any other changes I have made don’t seem to carry over with the drag and drop. I’m just clicking the little icon and dragging into a new clip. Also, is there a way to drag/drop all the saved sequences at once instead of one at a time?

[@Mattiimateo]

This is a great vst, excellent content on this channel. Any chance you may consider doing a start to finish ambient track on your platform?🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

I have several videos like that already and more to come. Cheers!

[@Mattiimateo]

@@s1gns0fl1fe thanks, excellent content. Keep up the great work!!!!!🥇

[@eastwoofer]

Note/chord input on individual steps using external midi keyboard?

[@Mattiimateo]

🙏🏻🙏🏻can you please make an updated video with STEPIC 1.5 update regarding its newest features and discuss the new features?🙏🏻

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

I already did! Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZXKqq2weNeZbac

[@nuttob]

Do you ever change key or modes in the middle of a piece? Your work reminds me a lot of the early days of synthesis!!!😎

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

While I don't completely change keys, I have several pieces which have significant movement. Cheers and thanks for the positive feedback!

[@MrEq0000]

You are Awsome! Subscribed! Two questions. How can Stepic play any sound in the start of your video when you have no midi track recorded with Hive? Second. How is Hive not showing up on the track title bar although you have it on device bar? My midi channel will change name to the plug-in I choose. All the best!

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Hey thanks for the kind words. Stepic plays notes when the transport is playing - it always has. This video is a bit outdated but you can now literally drag notes from Stepic into your timeline. I recommend going to the Devicemeister channel and watching my Stepic Update videos. As to your second question - I'm not sure what you mean but I don't think it matters much. I name my tracks and go - the important thing is just to keep making music. Hope that helps! All the best to you too.

[@catvision777]

woa...I like ambient because I like tranquility. But since your content is top shelf, knock yourself out

[@suudhxux7x7s9]

hi, could u do a tutorial on how to do a track like snowfall by oneheart and reidenshi?

[@geocline]

hey question for you, do we need to by the Ableton for Max version of Stepic to use it with Ableton, or can we just buy the regular version. I couldn't find the answer on their site. Thank you

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

You need the Max for Live version if you are using Ableton. You don't have to, but you'll be missing out on some very important mapping features if you try to use the VST. Hope that helps!

[@timkleinschiphors100]

Why do you have that eq with the cuts on the channel? Great stuff by the way..

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Thanks! Check my video on the Utility template for Ableton Live. I explain what it’s for and why I use (or don’t use) that EQ curve.

[@DaveWrightKB9MNM]

I really would like to create something, and I only have Akai's MPC Beats DAW. Anywhere I can get a tutorial? I am also working and learning VCV Rack.

[@TheMeditatingMonkeyMusic]

Please can you do a video using only stock plugins? Thank you!

[@meme-mx4eq]

Don't "normally" , but honestly??? Better info than the RSAMD (ya, play violin for my sins!!!!) tanks M8!!!!!

[@Blueberrystop]

❤

[@chteffunxox97]

Awesome! Is Live Suite mandatory for this, or can Standard version be enough? (IE for that equalizer rack I can see).

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Are you talking about Stepic or the Utility template I'm using? For Stepic, you'll need Max For Live and for Utility, standard is enough. Hope that helps!

[@chteffunxox97]

@@s1gns0fl1fe yes straight to the point, thank you!

[@alm5966]

Hey Chris, great tutorial as usual! One question, with times being tough and not wanting to purchase Stepic I'm wondering if Stochas is a decent alternative? It's free a seems capable enough. Any chance of a tutorial using Falcon too?

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Stochas is a wonderful sequencer but isn't as user friendly or as capable as Stepic. In some respects it is, it's just different. You could definitely get by with it though, especially if you're not interested in the modulation or division stuff that Stepic offers. As for Falcon, I've heard great things. Maybe someday? Cheers!

[@alm5966]

@@s1gns0fl1fe Thanks Chris. I went with Stochas but the modulation features of Stepic were too much to ignore so I've finally succumb to a purchase. I've learnt so much from yours and Martin's videos that I've made six tracks of my own so thanks for all these great tutorials!

[@VeganKebabDoRuky]

When I clicked the Stepic affiliate link I was bracing myself for a price impact. But no, this one is priced reasonably, screw it, might as well buy it, I'm lacking in sequencer variety anyways!

[@jeffheftyhorn]

Can anyone help me out? I'm trying to get Stepic working with Cubase 11. How do I link Stepic with a synth? I can't hear any sound. I have tried following the instructions in the manual and I still can't hear anything. Do I open Stepic as an Instruments track? Or Midi? The synth on an Instrument track too? Which is the target? I assume the synth track. Please help. I"m really enjoying the tutorials, Thanks!!!

[@jeffheftyhorn]

I managed to get it working. Instrument track -Stepic. Open midi track directly beneath that Instrument Track. On the midi track change All Midi Inputs to 01.StepicVST-MidiOutput. On the Input next slot below, change to the synth you are using. In my case it is 02. AbsynthStereo Midiinput. I don't know how I got it to work other than to Record Enable both tracks and record something. It worked. I've been following the tutorial and it is very helpful. Thanks!!!

[@OOD2021]

Hmm, in my stepic there is a drag and drop for the midi export, makes all this cumbersome midi recording unnecessary. Was it not available in your version?

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

This video was recorded before the release of version 1.1

[@robmlisanti]

Do you know if theis can be used in Garageband? Im new to this genre of music using sequencers

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

That's a good question. I know Garageband can use third party plugins, but I don't know if Stepic is compatible. Perhaps you might ask the developer at devicemeister

[@robmlisanti]

@@s1gns0fl1fei'm so glad i use bitwig now and have stepic this is one of my fave tutorials you have done

[@fxtreffer]

Thanks a lot! I am excited! Can you tell me the bpm of this track? Greetings from Berlin ... (It's a little difficult for me to understand your fast English, I am sorry ...)

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

The bpm of this track is 70. Hope that helps!

[@fxtreffer]

@@s1gns0fl1fe Thanks, of course (otherwise I take a timer/clock and ...). I believe the bpm is also important for the character of a song 🙂 Have a nice week ...

[@samplebandit]

do you have an absolute beginners tutorial i was lost at first screen

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Lots of em! Search “Beginner” on my channel

[@iamelohym]

We're good.

[@synkrotron]

Hey up 👍😁

[@EJubett]

It's not done till Edgar Froese comes back and jacks his guitar in.

[@Blaq.Liquid]

Holy shit

[@gintarassmill9427]

No no, please from your ableton settings window. It can be seen that you have created your own ableton project with your own effect windows, because we don't understand what is connected where. do you mean the master channel or something is switched again, etc. Thank you, you are a good teacher. Thank you very much . The rest of the world listens to you here, but not everyone understands English, it's a pity. But it's fun to communicate. Thank you . I really liked your step with Stepic plugins video. But it doesn't work for me at all. Ableton 11 suite +Max. I don't know how to connect it, because I bought it officially from devicemeister. after about two hours, connecting ableton channels (master, etc.), I connected it. but I'm not happy. there are some obstacles while playing, I don't know how to simply connect stepic with at least some plugins. I have Omnisphere, UVI Falcon, Equator2, Unify, VPS Avenger 2, Dune 3, Arturia full 2020, Korg M1 and ... Native Instruments. A question for you, dear teacher. I don't know the connection between the channels, how does everything work? you just show the ready Ableton desktop, but what should be in it, who is involved, how what is connected and why and for what ??? I want to know how to connect Stepic Plugins even with one instrument directly. Well, it doesn't work for me. Thank you . Intel 13i9, 64 GB, memory 12 TB. Works like ice

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/envUpWqGiZyCaa8si=K8KRenZAtaEu3hla

[@samplebandit]

I try so hard. I must be really stupid. I have stepic setup and make 2 patterns. I record the first and then go to the second. It all looks fine in arrangement view but when I go to play it back they are both merged in playback. :(

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

It's okay! Keep trying. You're probably sending the MIDI to the same destination. Try making the second pattern on a separate instance of Stepic on another track and eliminate any possibility they might merge. Best of luck!

[@samplebandit]

Wow I did it! 😃 It was that I needed to turn off the arm recording on the MIDI track after making subsequent clips using stepic. I have since have made a pad track and a compliment sequence track and am totally astonished, I have made my first ambient! Thanks for your patientce, I now like and subscribe and will check out your patreon. I am a man of my words. I am saving this first one I did forever!

[@GeirNordli]

No FL Studio support yet 😕

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

For Stepic? What about the VST version…

[@GeirNordli]

@@s1gns0fl1fe From StepicVST FAQ "FL Studio is currently the only host that we know of, that doesn't pass StepicVST's MIDI CC messages of the modulation sequencers. This means, StepicVST cannot be used for parameter modulation in FL Studio. However, StepicVST loads into FL Studio, but only the note sequencer will work properly"

[@s1gns0fl1fe]

Ah, I remember reading that. Sorry to hear!

[@Rollur1234]

Percussion..

[@frankr.6578]

... for beginners? Minute 6, and this ableton dummy has lots of questions, just two: does that work with Ableton Standard? Do I need Stepic for Live? Your setup assumes the beginner knows Ableton. BTW, in many of your vids the circular image top right often hides your cursor, so someone like me often gets lost trying to follow you.

[@garethde-witt6433]

After listening to and seeing a lot of Tangerine Dream live, this misses the mark.

[@tomprice7885]

What doesn’t miss the mark? Genuinely asking.

[@scottdaniel8909]

Ok trim that then go over here and do this ok I like that. Beginner really?

[@jeffallen3382]

Dude... the over the top shouting for the intro was very off putting! Seriously!

[@jeffallen3382]

@John Gorton huh?

[@jeffallen3382]

@John Gorton did you seriously make up a new account to post that one reply to me? LMAO!

[@jeffallen3382]

@John Gorton get a life dude!

[@dominicdoyle2895]

🙄

[@moonghost5496]

Are you really convinced that your tutorial is aimed at beginners??? You speak as quickly as you perform your manipulations! Not easy for those who do not speak English. I am French, and the French who, like me, have to translate your high rate of words, in addition to the manipulations, we cannot manage it. Imagine for a moment: you're English and you don't understand anything about the French language and, unfortunately, 95% of the tutorials are in French... The icing on the cake, it goes at 300 words per minute, and they manipulate them so much. so fast that you don't even have time to follow the mouse. Ah ah, how do you do it there??? No time to follow you, old man. This kind of video doesn't do much good at this rate. Except perhaps to English speakers who master your DAW and Stepic. It's too bad.

[@strammermax5658]

so inspirational ß