Marimba Remix

From vjmedia

by Alec Kohlhoff

My final project is a remix of the default iPhone ringtone, also known as "Marimba", using FM synthesis in FM8, Massive and Battery 4, and using Ableton Live. In addition to the original ringtone, it will be styled like that of EDM/Dubstep. This will include a strong beat, the original ringtone, polysaws, etc...


What skills I already knew include to following:

• Use the general interface of Ableton Live 9, including live and arrangement views

• Redirect inputs and outputs of channels, as well as recording processed audio and samples

• Apply MIDI and audio effects to channels

• Manipulate sampled audio that is either recorded or saved


What skills I had to learn as well as how I plan to learn them include the following:

• Using the FM8, Massive and Battery 4 interface, which I will learn by online documentation, video tutorials on the internet, and by analyzing examples included in the software

• Creating the proper polysaws, including voices, detune, oscillators and audio effects, which I will learn by finding helpful videos on the internet and by repeated “tweaking” of various settings in NI software until the correct sound is achieved


What the deliverable will be is a WAV and M4R (usable in presentation or as ringtones for any device) and a video demonstrating the various remixed ringtones for presentation.


Grab the Ableton project, demo video, and audio files here!