Hey, guys.
So, I've got a job for a game where I have to start learning more ambient music, and I am seeking advice, or articles/videos/forums for this genre of music (an ambient music community that I can get involved in would be great).
So, a little background on my knowledge. I've been producing music for a good number of years in many, many styles and in many different softwares. I actually know a great deal of synthesis/processing. I've produced heavy dance music like dnb/dubstep for a while, making all of my sounds from scratch. Proof of experience found here:
http://soundcloud.com/voidling/siberun-iron-will-voidling
But as I'm finding out, synthesizing heavy basses and piercing leads are COMPLETELY different animals than synthesizing layered pads and rhythms. So, the style I'm currently looking to emulate is along the lines of a group called Ludique:
http://ludique.bandcamp.com/album/ludique
So, anything someone more experienced could tell me would be super helpful! Some example ideas of help:
-I know that there are certain conventions for heavy EDM that are standard: always have a sub bass under the midrange bass, carry the groove in the higher percussion and the pulse in the kick/snare, most action in the heavy basses will be under 5k and over 500. Even cliches like the wobble bass or vowel basses. All that, etc. Any conventions to keep in mind that are somewhat standard when working in ambient music?
-Any software that I should be aware of as really good? Anyone who makes dubstep will tell you that you should check out NI's Massive (don't argue this, not the point of the thread). So many dance producers swear by getting half their sound from FabFilter and Camel Audio plugins. Any synths or effects that will work wonders like this? (I'm hoping for something to learn to create with, not use presets, by the way). I have NI's Komplete and a couple Rob Papen synths - willing to look into others. I feel like Absynth is basically designed for this, but God does that synth scare the shit out of me; getting a grasp on FM synthesis was daunting enough.
-Any techniques that will work wonders on the genre? I'm kind of assuming that tons of reverb and delay on everything is a good start. Again, talking about other styles - House is basically built on a sidechained compressor on the basses to the kick, Neurofunk dnb is basically built around automating notch filters with large bandwidth and resonance. Any similar techniques to keep in mind for ambient music, or even just really helpful techniques?
-On the topic of reverb... I'm really ashamed to say this at this point in my music making, but I really have no f**king idea how to use it. Yes, I know what the parameters do, I just mean that I have no way to apply it - I just basically randomize settings (turn knobs) until I find something that I feel is passable (it's never great...). I feel like this is something I'll have to learn some conventions on if I ever want to produce decent ambient music.
-Given my background of heavy dance, heavy metal, and whatnot, it's REALLY hard for me to learn the subtlety and moderation needed for ambient music. I'm used to friggin 10:1 compressors and everything blasting through at 0db. Any steps to take or guidelines to follow to help me relearn the boundaries I should be using for more nuance-driven music?
Thanks for reading this. I wrote basically a novel only to try to make my points easier for you all to hit. Any of these specific questions are great, or any general topics that I didn't even touch are MORE than welcome. I'm pretty noobly at this type of music, and don't be afraid to give ANY advice because it might be unhelpful (it probably will be).
Thanks y'all.