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_reel flamingos means flamenco-inspired guitar loops captured on a mediocre analog tape machine, with an ambient Ableton instrument that sets a big mood. Watch a walkthrough of what's inside here: https://youtu.be/L6LNgj8JmYY We're calling it flamingos because it's not really flamenco. It's flamenco for tourists of the genre, but super useful for more "genreless" productions. When we say mediocre, we mean it in the best way possible. The guitar is new, and totally hand-made in Mexico, but a 1/4" Fostex 8-track (yes, 1/4" 8-track) machine in questionable condition was used to impart a very overblown vintage tape aesthetic to the samples. We pushed the guitar really hard to tape with no noise reduction options, but hiss, and warm rippling saturation was just the beginning. We recorded the guitar in stereo, but on the outside tracks, 1+8 to degrade the sound and stereo phase even further in just the right way. On the way to tape, we sauced things up properly, and used vintage Beyerdynamic M160 ribbon mics, Neve preamps, and Pultec EQs in our marinade. There's also a bonus Ableton instrument that plays the most exquisitely cinematic and ambient chorded tones and textures. Flamenco feels forever. This "quality" and sound might not be for everyone, but it's really for those that appreciate tape a little too much! Flamenco fusion or fission? Tú decides. • 25 flamenco guitar loops. (150MB) • 1 Ableton Live 11 Suite session. • 1 Ableton 11 Suite ambient instrument. • 96k/24bit .wav sources. • 100% Royalty-Free. • Designed in Vancouver, Canada by Subsocial Studios.


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_subsettings Episode 2

Haleluya Hailu "Buttercup"


Haleluyah Hailu features in the second of our immersive audio experiences on location deep in the heart of downtown Vancouver, in what's known as the "Pink Alley."


It's tough for us all to cut through the noise these days, but try and get a little closer, and you'll probably find some real stuff. This boisterous "binaural" backdrop that we captured with our ambisonic recording setup can't drown out Haleluya's defiant, yet dreamy lyrical deftness. Fresh from signing with Vancouver's own, 604 Records, Haleluya gives us a taste of what's about to blossom.


What's binaural you ask? It's the simplest form of spatial audio, and you can wear any pair of headphones to experience it. So put your headphones on.


Stay tuned for more stable footage and cool people in immersive, live music experiences as this series develops.


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We recently brought back some luthier love from Guitarras Barrera in Mexico City. José Barrera has been creating flamenco and classical guitars for over 50 years by hand with simple tools, and so it's a great honour and feeling to have one of his guitars back in our Vancouver studios.


We've been getting to know this guitar for just a short while now, and even though it's very homesick, we're doing our best to keep it warm and happy.


Gracias a Horacio por enseñarnos el taller, y a José Barrera por este maravilloso instrumento.


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