What is David Meiser doing here?

[marcojacobs]

Hi folks,

Been away for a while but lately, I've been looking back on the forums for some new advice .

So today I found this video of David Meiser explaining some things about his productions. In a particular section he talks about his 'signature sound' and he shows a simple midi pattern that is arpeggiated. For this, he also shows a midi effects rack in Ableton which uses multiple Chords plugins. But I feel like I'm missing something here because when I try to re-create it I come nowhere near the 'melody' in the video.

The section can be found from here:

https://youtu.be/A0dAc95IowM?t=407

Is anybody here able to further explain what is going on here? Because I have a feeling David is letting some stuff away.

Thanks!

[Lost to the Void]

I have no idea what the chord shite is doing, but all he does can be reproduced really easy by setting an odd pattern length and then mashing your fingers on the keyboard to make a polymetering phrase.

I mean, that s pretty much it, his whole schtick is based around that "trick".

At one point in that video he claims his kick goes from 4/4 into 5/4, when in fact the kick remains in 4/4 and he "innovates" by adding 2 extra kicks before the final kick.
Honestly discard most of his gibberish, just learn how to make polymeter parts and then you have the "David Meiser" sound.

[buonacc]

I have no idea what the chord shite is doing, but all he does can be reproduced really easy by setting an odd pattern length and then mashing your fingers on the keyboard to make a polymetering phrase.

I mean, that s pretty much it, his whole schtick is based around that "trick".

looks like the "chords" inserts are just setting his random notes into a scale? talk about taking the long way around (twelve of them besides?), this is ridiculous. no need for all that for those results.

At one point in that video he claims his kick goes from 4/4 into 5/4, when in fact the kick remains in 4/4 and he "innovates" by adding 2 extra kicks before the final kick.
Honestly discard most of his gibberish, just learn how to make polymeter parts and then you have the "David Meiser" sound.

man, you're not kidding... what a tosser this guy is. 5/4?! must be one of those "production school" graduates.

[Mslwte]

I do these types of things with out even thinking about it. And I've only just realised that.

[borg]

would love to hear his opinion on stochastic patterns.

I saw an interview with Surgeon, where he said he doesn't really understand what measures and time are. I found that hard to believe, but look, David Meiser...

[buonacc]

I do these types of things with out even thinking about it. And I've only just realised that.

where would people be today without youtube "cookbook production lessons"? the only thing i learned from watching that was that he's giving out bunk advice and can't even pronounce the word "chord". he should be watching videos himself instead of starring in them.

actually, he did remind me about panning, which is something that i don't think about too much these days for some reason.

[over9000]

Hes talking alot of not relevant stuff indeed. And hes not really explaining anything, its more a showoff..
And then i create some shords

[between stars]

To be fair, English isn't his first language. How's your pronunciation of the Spanish word for chord?

I love the stacked chord plugins. Innovative lol

[Lost to the Void]

Yeah I don't see the language barrier as much of an issue, not sure why it was brought up.

It`s more the grand statements about the sound as if it is anything other than bog standard techno arpeggios and real basic cookie cutter early 00`s hard techno.

Really everything you need to know about the "DM" sound comes from exactly the same basic stuff you do for that early 00`s sound. Parts running in polymeter.

[ross-alexander]

Fudging chord memory using the stock ableton chord plug in.

[Lost to the Void]

Apart from when I was doing my Ableton certification I can't say I've ever used the chord plugin.
I'm not sure I can even remember how it works.

[ross-alexander]

Apart from when I was doing my Ableton certification I can't say I've ever used the chord plugin.
I'm not sure I can even remember how it works.

Chuck it at the start of the chain and set note intervals is about it I think not used it recently at all but would work for a simple chord memory kind of effect or one finger chord or whatever (sure there's a better term than that!)

[nomadjames]

Void, are you an Ableton Certified Trainer?

[Lost to the Void]

I was, I think you need to review/redo your certification per version. So I think technically I might not be any more. Must have been a good ten years now maybe

[Críoch]

Thoroughly enjoyed that video. It was great to listen to his ideas & see him demonstrating his approach so openly.

[Lost to the Void]

What? He didn`t really demonstrate anything, he just basically gave wildy different mystical explanations for basically the same technique repeatedly.

[Críoch]

Of course.. on a superficial level he was. There was definitely a language thing there. But combined with the visual cues.. he did a great job showing his general approach, without getting bogged down in showing how to detune a saw, make a kick or something.

It was interesting to see how he layered stuff and reused patterns to evolve the groove. He showed the importance of modulating stuff & creating variations. Respect for showing resampling & bouncing stuff out into the arrangement. He packed a lot in really.. even down to automating levels & using silence before drops.

He talked a lot about the mechanics or theory behind stuff without focusing on 'this is how to sound like me'. I thought he did a good job of leaving it wide open in that regard.

I thought It was well presented & organised. Just like him. He avoided drilling into how to make specific sounds & gave some food for thought. Plenty for people to consider who are struggling in some of the areas he covered.

He comes across as being a smart chap & he is having success at what he is doing & so it was cool to get an insight into his workflow.

[Mono-xID]

I haven't watched the video but I can say that David is a good guy. I had lots of conversations with him when he started out.
Unfortunately the contact got lost after some time but whenever he plays in Berlin he writes me and offers guest list and drinks which I can't say for people I had much closer relationships.

Of course guest list and ish isn't important but it's a sign of just being a nice dude.

[Críoch]

Aye.. had some dealings with him several years ago also. He is a good chap.

[Lost to the Void]

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