Whether there were tracks before that is unknown, but looking back through Alckhem 's tracklist, you’ll find that 14 years and one day ago (counting from the publication date of this post) he released his very first track on Audiotool. A lot has happened since then: he has long outgrown his high-school years, and his music has grown up with him. While you could still hear the talented beginner in his early work, today he delivers DJ-set-ready, deep techno and house tunes that skillfully balance depth and dance-floor energy. A musical journey well worth exploring, not only for fans of the genre.

Interview

About: Alckhem :

I live in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I mostly listen to house, dark techno, synthwave, and nu jazz.

Describe the style of music you produce

I make a variety of music, but tend toward dark progressive house and lo-fi ambient music. I am either trying to dance or relax - no in between.

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

I did musical theater in high school and am a bedroom DJ today - audiotool was my first exposure to making music.

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

On audiotool for 14 years at least. After purchasing my first album from Deadmau5, I wanted to learn how to make electronic music.

What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?

I love the Pulverisateur for its ability to create thick and moving basslines; the Space for its ability to quickly produce strings and pads with a lot of texture.

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

I always use sidechain compression. Whether it's sidechained to the kick line or any other elements, some sidechain compression introduces movement and rhythm that otherwise wouldn't be there.

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

Making music consistently, even without inspiration. I started my lunchbreak series, where I gave myself ~1-2 hours to produce an experimental song, because I was facing a lack of inspiration. Forcing yourself to create and practice, even if it's not perfect, is the best way to overcome the block.

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

Studying other people's tracks is the best way to learn. Identifying a portion of another artist's song that stands out, opening their file, and dissecting how they created that emotion allows me to apply similar techniques in my own songs.

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

The community on audiotool has always been my favorite party of the site. While I am less active today, I was supported by so many audiotoolers when I first started, without whom I may have never continued making music. Through this community, I have learned a lot about the art and also learned about a styles of music that I otherwise would have never encountered.

Your message to the community:

Art and creation are the most human things we can do. Take advantage of the privilege to create.

Track #1:

Unbreakable by Kepz

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

Track #2:

O by oedipax

Oedipax introduced me to a lot of the grimier and industrial sounds through their drum and bass. They also were very supportive of my music when I first started producing!

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

Track #3:

conjure the ocean by tornsage

Sub4Sax and HTR killed it on this track. One of the sickest tracks in Audiotool in my opinion.

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

Track #4:

Giants by Olaf

Olaf is another old name with great ambient soundscapes. The heavy use of reverb, delays, and arppegios is very common in my music today.

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

Track #5:

s.st.02 by Sandburgen

Sandburgen has a massive library to select from, across multiple different accounts, so selecting one song is difficult. However, Sandburgen's use of unique percussion has always inspired me to play around with my own. This one is a great tech-house classic for audiotool.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/s_st_02/]]

Track #6:

ensemble by Alckhem

Ensemble represents everything I love in techno and features a lot of my typical production techniques. This track is a progressive dark techno beat featuring a heavy side chained kick, sharp pulverisateur baseline, and lots of reverbed atmosphere, all in a relatively simple setup.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/9jocs31nx/ ]]

Full Album

Edition Audiotool: Alckhem

• a-records

10

1 week ago

1		Unbreakable Kepz	Kepz	1581
2		O oedipax	oedipax	478
3		conjure the ocean tornsage	tornsage	432
4		Giants Olaf	Olaf	4615
5		s.st.02 Sandburgen	Sandburgen	688
6		ensemble Alckhem	Alckhem	141