ValveDriver
Not every song requires vocals
Portland, United States
Joined : 25th Sep 2012 - 13 years ago
Last Online : 7th Nov 2025 - 1 week ago
Comments on ValveDriver tracks
Other users have posted 490 comments on tracks by ValveDriver
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
" shakers are a bit hard on the ear"
That was the part I wasn't 100% on. But since this track was made with all recycled synths and sounds that I made for other tracks, except the kid's vocal samples, I wasn't too terribly worried about it. It would have been different if I had started this thing from bare bones.
I appreciate your critique. Thanks again.
Take care.
V.
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for leaving such a kind comment. I truly appreciate it.
Take care.
V.
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
If it freaked you out and started watching shadows, then I did my job correctly! HA! That was exactly what I was going for. Creepy and dark. But that's what most of my electronic music is. Creepy and dark. There was a time a few years back where I was kind of known here for my dark tunes. I'm glad you like it.
Thanks for listening, and commenting. I appreciate it.
Take care.
V.
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
I think the fact that I've listened to heavy metal since about 1985 has a lot to do with it. In heavy metal, there are often breaks where it goes from heavily distorted and loud, to clean and quieter. It kind of works as a break for the listeners ears. It lets you catch up and breathe for a second before getting back into the pounding. I incorporate that theory into all the music I do.
I really dig the part at 2:15, too.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for leaving kind words. I appreciate it.
Take care.
V.
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
Nice transitions
Also sounds mesh well together!
Legendary!
Take care.
V.
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
I agree, feels like a chase when it gets going and with the mumbling, it sorta distracts from trying to get away faster.
Well put together idea. Cinematic to me. Would love to hear this performed in a club and get to physically feel the PA pounding.
Cheers!
Wayne
Thanks you for listening and commenting. I appreciate it!
I started making digital music back around '99. That whole time I have always been told that it sounds cinematic, or "soundtracky". I guess maybe because I use a lot of ambient sounds and audio clips, and I don't generally follow the standard song formula. Who knows? Either way, as long as people like it, I'm okay with it.
"Children Of The Cream Corn: Welcome to the gRave!". Glow sticks and machetes, Pacifiers and scythes!
Thanks again, Wayne. Have a good one, and take care.
Aaron
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
When it comes to putting music together, I have always had a near impossible time trying to get minimal. My brain just keeps saying, ADD MORE!! Ha!
Thank you again, and take care.
V.
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
and based on the best dnb song of 2019, luckily you're far from it ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7PRh7ZQlss
fistbump, Danke
I suppose that living in Heavy Metal since 1985 is probably why. I've been a die-hard metal fan my whole life. I love the dark D&B because it does have some of the same attitude and raw aggression that metal has.
I started out with some distorted guitar, but it didn't mix well with the distorted bass synths. I couldn't get it to sit clear, so I scrapped it and rewrote some of the sections.
As always, brother, it's good to hear from you, and thank you for the kind words.
Take care, my friend.
on Dont Be Afraid by ValveDriver
Take care, brother.
Aaron.
on Red On The White by ValveDriver
on Red On The White by ValveDriver
I can't say that I've ever heard of Alan Hackshaw, but if this track reminds you of him, then he's probably someone I would like. I will check him out.
I always take it as a compliment when someone tells me my work reminds me of a big name.
Hey man, thanks for the listen, and the kind words. I appreciate it.
Take care.
V.
on Red On The White by ValveDriver
Take care.
V.
on Red On The White by ValveDriver
Take care.
V.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd pt 2 - Pain Has A Face by ValveDriver
Take care.
V.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd pt 2 - Pain Has A Face by ValveDriver
Until Then
SunFace
As far as Sylenth goes...pull the trigger and get it. It's a highly versatile synth and totally user friendly. The routing path is an easy one to follow and all the extra this-n-that's make for some sweet one of a kind patches. I bought it years ago and have used it in almost every track since then. If you check out my tune "I Hope You're Alright" you can get a good idea of what it can do. Other than the piano and drums, that's all I used. All the patches were custom built from the initial saw.
Honestly, I wish Lennar Digital has seen all the recommendations I've made. They'd have to sponsor me with free shit by now!
Thanks again.
Take care.
V.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd pt 2 - Pain Has A Face by ValveDriver
A cordial greeting
Marco
That being said, Thank you for your kind words.
It's interesting that you hear pagan ceremonials. My intent was to convey a more underworld industrial setting. Just another testament to interpretation, and how one thing can be perceived so vastly different by separate entities. It amazes me, really.
Thank you again, my friend,
As always, take care.
Aaron.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd pt 2 - Pain Has A Face by ValveDriver
Thanks for the listen and the comment.
Take care.
V.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd pt 2 - Pain Has A Face by ValveDriver
It's worth the time and effort.
Take care.
V.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd pt 2 - Pain Has A Face by ValveDriver
Additional minus points for absolutely no tact whatsoever.
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd pt 2 - Pain Has A Face by ValveDriver
on Labyrinth Of The Absurd pt 2 - Pain Has A Face by ValveDriver
on I hope Youre Alright by ValveDriver
It must make things much more interesting.
I think that's the first time I've heard that my music has hints of Tool in it. I take that as a compliment.
Thank you, sir, for stopping by! Be safe up there, mister.
Take care.
Aaron
on I hope Youre Alright by ValveDriver
Speaking of disappearing, I've been out of commission for a while here lately myself. Too much work and not enough time for play. I hope to get back to some music here real soon though. Anyhow on to the matter at hand. I thoroughly dig this...what could be considered a bit of a throwback ValveDriver track. I was all in right from the start.
As you mentioned it certainly has a lot of the original mix flavoring with the multi layer synths, its deep and heavy foreboding presence and bad ass sinister vibes.
There's plenty of notable elements here but I particularly like the pitch shifting notes in the mid section. Really accentuates the energy/tension and pegs the ol' eerie meter ! Also the Piano One is in my opinion a very sensible and appropriate addition to your arsenal. Piano (and violin) have been staple instruments for some of the most memorable and historically classic soundtracks of the "ominous" variety ever made. It also sounds very cool in there which is the best reason I can think of to hopefully persuade you to leave it.
With Halloween almost here I'm in the midst of preparing my annual scare soundtrack to provide the right ambience for the neighbor kiddos who are willing to dare enter the fright zone and knock on my door for treats. This baby will be making the play list for sure bro.
With the exception of the drums and the piano, the synth patches that I used in this track are 5 of my oldest patches that I made from scratch. They are the first 5 that I used in the second track I posted here back in 2012. The feel of this one is more sinister than the original track. Which is what I was going for. It's not really a remix, or a reboot, just another track with the same synths.
I liked how they have a groovy drive to them, but can still be dark. Unlike the original "The Anderson Council". Which is a more groovy, chilled out ride.
I'll leave the piano in this one. I just need to go back and adjust some of the velocities on the higher notes. They're too close and sound too programmed. Not as organic and natural as I like to shoot for. I remembered the Toms, but forgot the piano. Oops.
As far as horror playlists go, feel free. You should also check out my track 2077 AD. It's a droning, dark ambient piece that I made entirely for myself for those nights where insomnia is stronger than the melatonin. So, it's plenty long so I have time to actually fall asleep before it's over.
I hope all is well deep down Texas way. Stay safe down there, mister.
Take care, brother.
Aaron.
on I hope Youre Alright by ValveDriver
Michel
Take care.
Aaron.
on I hope Youre Alright by ValveDriver
If you do that, let me know how it was!
Take Care.
V.