Feedback Synthesis – John L. Rice’s ‘Rear Window 3’

Sunday Synth Jam: This video, Rear Windows 3 by John L Rice, explores the idea of using ‘feedback synthesis’ – using mixer loops to create sound using controlled feedback.

Here’s what Rice has to say about the piece:

All sounds you are hearing in the first part of this video were created by manipulation of feedback resonance/howl in the mixer and the effects pedals and was done as you see it here, a real-time experimentation (with some edits to chop out the less interesting sections).

Equipment list in order of connection:

  • Mackie 802-VLZ3 mixer effects loop output
  • TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Mini reverb pedal
  • MXR/Dunlop Octave Fuzz pedal
  • Electro-Harmonix Ravish Sitar pedal
  • TC Electronic Flashback delay pedal
  • TC Electronic Hall Of Fame reverb pedal
  • Mackie 802-VLZ3 mixer stereo channel input

In the second part of the video, Rice adds:

  • Novation Ultranova keyboard synth (lead/melody noodles)
  • Korg microStation keyboard synth (ambient rhythm and piano notes)

5 thoughts on “Feedback Synthesis – John L. Rice’s ‘Rear Window 3’

  1. I’ve done this a few times with a cheap Realistic mixer and some guitar pedals. The results can be quite pleasant…or unbelievably horrifying. Depends on how you throttle the feedback. Always a fun thing to experiment with 🙂

    1. Heh, thanks and no, we don’t always have to have drum beats! In fact, if you were to watch all of my over 330 videos so far (please do! 😉 you’ll probably find that a majority have no drumbeats at all. You may like the first two installments, Rear Window and Rear Window 2 since they are similar to the first part of Rear Window 3.

    1. Yes, exactly! I was trying to work on that last part as a separate piece. It was getting really late and when i realized that I failed to record the direct audio on that take I was too tired and frustrated to try again. (and that setup needed to be moved off my bed before I could sleep! 😉 I was just going to forget that take altogether but listening to it the next day I kind of liked it so I added it as a “B side” bonus.

      Thanks for your kind words too! 🙂

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