Struggle Chronicles: EXEA
In the world of electronic music, a quiet revolution is taking place. Erik, a member of the duo EXEA, has been making waves by incorporating a unique instrument into his drum and bass productions – the Furstein Silent Piano.
This modern piano allows for silent practice, thanks to its headphone jack output, making it perfect for weekend sessions without disturbing the neighbours. But it's not just the silent aspect that makes the Furstein Piano stand out. The heavy keys provide a beneficial resistance for finger strengthening, while the warm, low-end sound adds a unique character to Erik's tracks.
Erik finds that the Furstein Piano's sound stands apart from just another synth or pad sound, giving his tracks a more human character. He creates shaker and percussion sounds by softly plucking the strings, and adds processing to the piano sounds after recording, including warping, reversing, octave pitching, and Trance Gate, to make them fit better into his electronic music.
The Furstein Piano is not just used for piano sounds, however. By layering a thin scarf in front of the hammers, the Furstein Piano can produce a felt piano sound, adding another dimension to Erik's music production.
Erik believes that incorporating acoustic instruments into drum and bass music adds another facet to the genre. "More and more producers are starting to do this," he says, "and it's really exciting to see how it's changing the genre."
In his newest single, "Do It Right", Erik introduces the piano two bars before the hook comes in and it continues throughout the song with different processing. The Furstein Piano's sound contributes to giving Erik's drum and bass tracks a more human character, setting them apart from the purely electronic sounds that dominated the genre in the past.
Erik, who has years of music training, specifically in Jazz, prefers the keys over drawing notes. He has been using the Furstein Piano for approximately five years, and it has become an important piece of gear for him.
While there is no specific documented impact of the Furstein Silent Piano on drum and bass music as a genre, its unique sound and versatility make it an exciting tool for producers looking to add a human touch to their electronic beats.
Technology and entertainment intersect in Erik's music as he utilizes the Furstein Silent Piano to create unique sounds, transforming his drum and bass tracks. The piano, while offering silent practice capabilities, also contributes to giving his music a more human character, setting it apart from the purely electronic sounds prevalent in the past.
