The Score

Forrest Gore (aka Vaisnava)

By Emmett - November 17, 2008 - 16:06 Eire

Background

“Do you have any formal musical training?”

No formal musical training, other than middle school choir and band which was mostly forgotten.

“Do you think this influences your compositions in any way (positively or negatively?)”

I am not sure, as I make the best I can with my current capabilities… maybe if I had a wider range of tools (musical training/knowledge) at my disposal I could create masterpieces, but for now I just follow my heart and always strive to do my best.

“What would you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses?”

Lack of classical musical experience.

“Who would you consider to be your musical influences?”

Orbital, Enigma, The Blyz, Deep Forest, Waterbone and Psy/Goa Trance.

Hardware/Software

“What equipment do you use?”

Current setup is a Dell 1525 laptop with onboard soundcard and a Edirol PCR-1 midi controller with built in soundcard

Home setup is a PC with an M-audio 24/96 and E-mu 0404 soundcards, Yamaha MG Mixer and Edirol PCR-50

“Whats your main DAW, and how do you find it?”

Jeskola Buzz (http://www.buzzmachines.com/)

“What VSTs do you use, and what are your favourite ones?”

The VST’s I tend to use are Steinbergs Hypersonic 2, Superwave Pro, Spectrasonics Atmosphere, Synth1 and the Edirol Orchestral… my favorite of these is the Superwave Pro because its layout if VERY similar to my old hardware Roland JP8080, however it lacks in a few key areas, but it allows me to shape the sound exactly how I desire it quickly.

“Do you play any instruments? If so, what do you play and for how long? How have they influenced the type of music you make today?”

Keyboards/Synths for about 12 years now and they are the basis for the kind of music I make today.

“Whats your favourite instrument that you own, and that you would like to own and why?”

My PC of course… as it is the most flexible and the most expandable synthesizer I know of.

“Whats your favourite piece of software and why?”

Jeskola Buzz, because it is the most flexible and detail oriented program I have ran across other than CSound. Buzz allows me absolute control over every aspect of my sound and then even more control over those controls. It is free, it is modular and I have been part of the community for close to 10 years.

“Whats your favourite piece of hardware and why?”

I owned an Access Virus B for awhile and I was not that impressed. However, the best piece I ever owned (but no longer do) was the cheap little Yamaha AN200 groove box. This little machines dirty and gritty analog sound was very appealing to me.

Style

“How important do you think it is for a composer to have his own style and why?”

This is the entire point of music creation for me, because what I do is for my own meditation and healing… I think it would be pointless to mimic another persons style without adding your own personal expression and inspiration(s). Do it from your heart not from your ego.

“Are you a multi-genre composer? Or do you like to specialize in one particular area?”

I would have to say that I tend to specialize in one area, but sometimes I branch out and pull in different elements from various places, however I tend to keep it relaxed and meditation/inspiration oriented. If I spend enough time I can usually emulate other styles well.

“That is a very unique area to specialise in - is there any reason for this? Meditation plays a large role in some religions such as Buddhism - do you think there are any religious elements to your music?”

I do not think there are any specific religious elements to my music, but I have studied Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism for approximately 10 years. Their philosophies in general have influenced many aspects of my life… music being one of them. There is a good saying which I gathered from Hinduism and that is “Whatever you do, dove-tail it for God,” so essentially do it with God in your heart.

“What appeals to you about creating your style of music?”

It helps me release my inner thoughts and feelings in a constructive and creative way.

Composition

“What types of media have you composed for and which is your favourite?”

I have done a little work for internet videos and stuff like that… nothing grand. However I am often inspired when someone understand my message in my music and uses it to help portray and convey a positive or deeply thought provoking attitude.

“What is your process for composing, especially if you are composing for a particular film/game?”

I have never actually composed for a film or game directly… however this is something I would really love to try.

“Have you had any large clients, and if so, who were they?”

www.Zoolook.com, a creator of many different online media projects… comic books, cartoons, contests, flash movies, etc.

“If you did have large clients, how and where did you get the job?”

They found me.

“What form of marketing/promotion do you use, if any, and which was the most popular?”

I have never tried anything… however this is what I am currently trying to work on.

“What project have you enjoyed working on the most?”

The Tower, which is a short flash animation found on www.iwantmyflashtv.com

“What exactly did you enjoy the most about working on the project?”

Well the thing I enjoyed most was having my first project, however the video itself had sort of a spiritual journey/transformation component to it, so I felt that I was able to relate on that level.

“Have you ever had a client who was hard to deal with, and if so, what did they do and how did you deal with it?”

No not really, it is all about having open communication and allowing, appreciating and asking for constructive criticism.

“Do you have any tips for people starting up in the music industry, on how to market themselves, get jobs, and get started off in general?”

If you feel you need a creative, constructive and potentially positive activity to put your heart into… then give music a try, but in all honesty just give something a try with all your heart.

“Do you ever get writers block, and if so how do you deal with it?”

No, as I do not try and force myself to create anything. If the inspiration is there it flows naturally and things just fit into place as they should.

“Do you find that when you’ve finished a song, your sick of hearing it?”

Only if I am still listening to it over and over a couple days later, because the lesson/inspiration for that particular piece has now subsided and if I wrap myself up in those old feelings too long I become trapped and cannot allow the new perspectives on life and music to flow.

“How long do you typically spend on one track?”

Usually when the inspiration hits I end up spending 5-8 hours straight wrapped up in the flow trying to get the bulk of ideas and feelings down. After the basic feeling is hashed out, it takes me a day or two more to help finalize and smooth out parts that my tired ears overlooked.

“When creating a track, do you know how long it will be before starting it, or do you tend to just “see how it goes” and let the track make itself?”

I tend to just let it go and determine it’s own length. Although I can usually tell within the first couple hours if it will be a full length song or not… it just depends on the complexity I begin with.

“Is there anything you wish you could do musically, but can’t now?”

Play the guitar.

Music