To explore Rashad Becker ’s works , I first delved into his musical style and compositional philosophy. Becker ‘s work is known for its finely sculpted sounds , complex synthesized timbres , and conceptual musical structures. I paid particular attention to how he constructed fictional musical worlds through sound and incorporated social and historical themes into his musical compositions.
To better understand his approach , I analyzed his album , Traditional Music of Notional Species Vol. I study its timbre design , rhythmic arrangement , and creation of a sense of space. During my practice , I attempted to imitate Becker ‘s production techniques. I collected many natural ambient sounds , historical recording clips , and electronic synthesized sounds and tried to construct a unique musical scene using these materials. I also learned how he enhanced layering and the dynamic range of music through mastering. In addition , I experimented with software synthesizers and the effects of stretching , distorting , and spatializing sounds to create an aural experience similar to that of Becker ‘s work , which is both familiar and unfamiliar.
First , I used a synthesizer on Ableton to design some unusual sounds , and then I recorded some sounds from life through field recordings , such as banging on a tabletop or hot oil , and then I put them into a simpler way to pick out what I wanted , and then I transformed them. I found that I was only able to create some unusual sounds , but I could not put them together well enough to make a track , let alone a song.
This kind of production approach , inspired by Becker ‘s work , is deeply inspiring to me and provides new ideas for music producers. First , it encourages producers to break the constraints of traditional musical styles and boldly experiment with the fusion of different sound elements and musical styles. Becker ‘s work demonstrates how a unique musical language can be created through deconstruction and reconstruction of sound. This experimental approach can help producers keep an open mind and explore more possibilities for their creation. Second , Becker ‘s music emphasizes conceptualization and narrative , a way of working that pushes producers to think about the meaning and story behind music. By incorporating social , historical , or personal experiences into music , the work is not only aurally appealing but also provokes empathy and reflection in the listener. This depth and substance are an integral part of modern music production. Finally , this method also enhances the producer ‘s skills in sound design and technical processing.
Becker ‘s extreme attention to sonic detail and mastering skills set a high standard for producers. By learning their methods , producers can better master the dynamics ,spatiality , and layering of sound , thereby enhancing the overall quality of their work.