In episode 8 of Cooking with Naswalt, naswalt dives into programming on Audiotool, focusing on crafting open-source alternatives to VST instruments. The video offers easy-to-follow tips for designing live drum sounds, building guitar cab emulators, and using community-driven presets. It’s a must-watch for music producers who love experimenting and shaping their sound beyond traditional plugins.

Listen to the Track: cooking with naswalt: making it from scratch!

Check out the Album: naswalt studio resources

More Tutorials by naswalt and Cal Lycus : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4fht2AWAWU&list=PLuZhzj4PboMkL07sYEl6qrGwxamAuA24t

Stay tuned for more!

Head Trauma Romance is one of the more club-oriented artists in the Audiotool EDM scene. His music is straightforward, danceable, and true to itself. He builds one dancefloor-ready track after another. His sound feels made for vinyl—modern but aware of the roots. A testament to this is his track’s release on the Vinyl EP ATD24 TOP 6, the exclusive vinyl for the Audiotool Day contest, where it proudly secured second place. Although based in the USA, his style often leans towards the British EDM and bass music scene, blending influences seamlessly.

Interview

About: Alex Blair AKA Head Trauma Romance :

My name is Alex and I'm a TIG Welder/Manufacturer by day, Head Trauma Romance by night. I live in Richmond, Virginia. When I'm not working, I'm most likely in the studio cookin' up some tracks or occasionally gaming. I'm a big fan of the night life in my city. In recent years, Richmond has really opened up to the world of EDM and there's quite a few venues I really enjoy going to with my squad of bass-heads.

Describe the style of music you produce

I find that I'm really attracted to big basslines and catchy melodies, so I'm a big fan of House music. I'm also a bass-head myself, so I also get down with DnB, Dubstep, and Garage.

What is your musical background and when did you start making music?

I remember really getting into EDM when I was 15 and for a while thought about making it. Then, my junior year of high school was when all the schools in the county first got Chromebook laptops. My buddy actually found Audiotool first and told me about it, since he knew I was into stuff like that. The rest is history :)

How long have you been using Audiotool, and how did you discover it?

I've been using Audiotool since 2016, so about 9 years now. I know Head Trauma Romance says 8 years, but I had another account first ;)

What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?

HEISENBERG GANG. Phase Modulation is just way too cool and you should learn about it if you don't know what it is.

What is your favourite trick in AT/What technique do you always use?

I'm a big fan of the Multiband Compressor and compression in general. Recently, I learned more about utilizing the band splits on the multiband to get a much cleaner and louder sound. Also, peaking frequencies using a Curve when making a dubstep or DnB bass is a great way to make a unique sound.

Have you ever had a writer's block? If so, how did you deal with it and what do you recommend to your colleagues

Of course! Nowadays, learning something new works 9/10 times for me. When there's something new to try, it always gets me excited to get back in the studio and mess around with what I just learned.

What has helped you the most on Audiotool to improve and widen your musical horizon?

I know having access to the community is said a lot, but I truly agree. It's a huge help for me. Being able to ask questions to people that know more than me is a treat. Being able to open up someone else's track is a CRAZY cool feature that, I'm pretty sure, only this website does.

What do you like most about Audiotool? Is there anything you would like to suggest?

The fact that this is basically an underground Soundcloud is literally the coolest thing. The only thing I can think of that I'd like to see a stand-alone pitch shifter that you could add to samples and stuff. I know there are various ways to change the pitch of samples right now, but I'd just like a more efficient way to do it.

Your message to the community:

Never quit on your hobbies and aspirations! This world consists of winners and losers, and you only lose when you give up. There was a point for me when I got discouraged and almost stopped making music. I tried a bunch of other hobbies, but then I realized that my original hobby was sick, and I got back on the grind. It's ok to take breaks, but never stop doing what you love.

Social/Music Links

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/headtraumaromance

Elastic Stage Vinyl: https://elasticstage.com/a-records/releases/atd-24-top-6-album

Edition Audiotool: Head Trauma Romance

Track #1:

sinister (X__________X) by X___________X

I remember this was the first track I heard that had literally the coolest sounds I've ever heard come out of this site. I love Deadface's music, and I think this track holds up to this day.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/sinister_x_x/]]

Track #2:

La La by Tocka and Avalone.

This song has everything I love. Hearing this in 2018 for me was game changing and I'm still trying to get on this level.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/la_la-k5gst92qh/]]

Track #3:

Jetdarc's 300 [Kibbey's Unintentional House Entry] by Kibbey

Kibbey's house music, and quite frankly all his music, is truly unique in my opinion and this is my favorite song of his. He has a very distinct sound. Like, if I was blindfolded in a dark room and you asked me to identify which song is Kibbey's, I could do.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/ws0npd73uxf/]]

Track #4:

UDKBT by TEQTONIQ

Huge banger! Another artist that I strive everyday to get on their level. Teqtoniq's sound design has been and always will be sick.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/jc0lvi0wa5c/]]

Track #5:

you always — by erthboy

Erthboy is a recent discover that blew me away! This track has some of the craziest sounds I've ever heard on Audiotool and the flow is hard, enough said.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/rb548nz7zd1r/]]

Track #6:

SELF DESTRUCT by Head Trauma Romance

I’m pretty proud of my last track. I could nit-pick it all day and tell you what I don’t like about it, but I am for sure my own worst critique. So far, I think this is my best mix and it hits all the buttons for me. Nice melody, pumping Tech House baseline, and the vocals were really fun to work with.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/i7cyjz583uty/]]

Full Album

Edition Audiotool: Head Trauma Romance

• a-records

6

1 day ago

1		sinister (X__________X) X___________X	X___________X	2013
2		La La Tocka Avalone.	Tocka Avalone.	5557
3		Jetdarc's 300 [Kibbey's Unintentional House Entry] Kibbey	Kibbey	2039
4		UDKBT TEQTONIQ	TEQTONIQ	1117
5		you always — erthboy	erthboy	416
6		SELF DESTRUCT Head Trauma Romance	Head Trauma Romance	856