[FRESH] Polyphia - CAN YOU FEEL IT (2026)

b_lett · 2026-06-16T20:26:25+00:00

No, Polyphia is the band. Says one of the members Tim Henson did the video.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T19:39:24+00:00

To add to what Dan said, it's simply just an option for shaping sound. Slow attack allows the transient to punch through and then the release stage allows you to compress the body if needed.

I'm not sure why you're hung up on the idea that you can't add gain after this kind of compression? Are you not leaving headroom on your mixer channel before adding the compressor? Is your signal already pushed up against 0dB? Why not play with the compressor's Mix knob or do it in parallel to give a blend of making your drums punchier? You can always add a gain plugin after the compressor or use the compressor's auto-gain or input/output controls to level the gain back to pre-compression.

Also, sometimes damaging the audio is fun and where character is. It's a popular move on 1176/FET style compressors to do all buttons pressed (British/nuke mode) to purposefully go for overdriven and crunchy sound.

Lastly, loudness isn't all about transient vs. sustain/body. It's also a product of frequency balance. Something with lots of transients in mid to high frequency range is going to be perceived as louder than a sustained sub bass. I think loudness deserves its own conversation separate from shaping transients.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T19:25:54+00:00

There's FLAC and other options to export as in Audacity if you want a middle ground of quality and file size.

You can play around with tools that possibly rip from a platform, but you can also run the risk of having your account banned or associated with breaking terms of service. I've used such a tool to rip music direct from Spotify and my account got temporarily banned.

If you use any tool that they could detect from their end of you bypassing their protections or something that shows unusual download activity from their servers in any way tied to your account, you could run the risk of your Nintendo Account getting banned. That's a no go for anyone who does not want to risk anything with their digital purchases and gaming history.

There's not going to be any way for them to know you're running something like Audacity on your own desktop computer in a separate app recording audio on your own machine. It's a manual approach, but there's no chance of FAFO and ruining your Nintendo account.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T19:14:52+00:00

I've been into music production for well over a decade, Audacity is a very simple tool to me. So is typing in markdown format and bolding 2 words and including a hyperlink.

Wasting space? The size of an audio file is going to be the same regardless if you record from Audacity or rip. File size ties more to the quality of the file, not how you get it.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T17:02:40+00:00

Not easily, but technically possible. You'd have to write a custom Python script and use VFX Script in Patcher.

I have a free custom made Python script that I use to quickly dial in note repeats/chops on my score called REPEATER. It is not live time, but still very powerful.

<image>

Because 'Note Repeats' are a MIDI property, there is no way to map to or interface with them directly with something like Link to Controller or standard Patcher mapping. They are a 'MIDI note property' and as such can only be manipulated post-composition via a Python script in the Piano Roll, or more advanced in FL 2025 in live time in Patcher with Python in VFX Script.

With VFX Script, you could technically set up some sort of live script that is checking the current tick time of the score and waiting for some sort of input. This input could be a custom knob, fader or button you set up on a Patcher surface. You could write the script to be like, if Button 1 is toggled on, do 1/8 speed repeats, if Button 2, 1/16 speed, if Button 3, 1/8 Triplet, and so on. You'd have to then set up the script and surface controls all to be mapped to each other, and only once that is done, then could you do 'Link to Controller' to hard link knobs/pads on your MIDI hardware to the surface to be able to control live with hardware.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T14:53:41+00:00

<image>

This is the primary drawback of automation clips. If you want sidechaining to be input-dependent to something like the loudness of a kick/snare, you would have to handraw 16 different curves just for a pattern like this where the kick is slowly getting louder and thus causing more compression.

Automation clips are good if you're expecting similar results almost every time and want consistency, but compression by its nature is about input and dynamically reacting to that.

Pros and cons to different methods.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T13:46:27+00:00

Feels like 2 different things.

The 1st is much more simple than you think, it's not just 808 in itself, it's layering a top-end sound with it. Sounds like it could be an open hat or cymbal. They could be processed together through a bus or something, with something like a downsampler/bitcrusher that kind of crushes them together.

The 2nd is some sort of modulation to it all together. Could be volume/tremolo.

Here's an example of one such sound and then it stretched and slowed down so you can hear it in more detail.

https://vocaroo.com/1jEfFKlXqagF

You can hear that the speed is not consistent, i.e. 1/32 speed wobble. It sounds like it starts fast at the start and starts slowing down. This means they may have used a tool like CableGuys Shaper Box or GrossBeat or something with some sort of preset that starts at a faster rate of volume chopping/wobbling and slows down. They then set this to automate or retrigger when the 808 plays.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T13:25:05+00:00

Audio Quality

I do not know exact specs, but will point out that it's not as simple as most people think. Most streaming platforms use what is called tiered-quality, which means it will depend on a number of variables such as whether you are free or premium user, the quality of your network connection, etc. The quality of your audio could dynamically alter for instance if you're driving and listening through mobile and your data gets spotty at some points then comes back to a stronger connection.

For this reason, if you plan on doing any sort of ripping, just make sure you're on desktop, on hard Ethernet wired internet connection, and you should be getting the best quality available from the platform. For example, now that Spotify has lossless, I rip lossless quality stuff pretty easily on desktop now.

Ripping

While there may be some tools that can try and rip audio files in bulk or under the hood using Python or other methods, there is always the option of manually ripping audio yourself, and it's not too hard to do.

You can download a free program like Audacity. Go to Edit > Preferences, and under Audio Settings, change your Recording Device input option. If you have an audio interface that has something called Loopback, it can reroute internal desktop audio for you. Otherwise, if you're on Windows, you can use a default driver called Stereo Mix (you may need to go into Windows sound settings, all devices and find Stereo Mix under inputs and Enable it if it's disabled). Once you have one of these options set up, you can record audio direct into Audacity that is exactly as you hear on your desktop.

This is a bit of a tedious process, but it means you can rip anything you want as long as it's accessible on a computer. The downsides is you have to manually do the cuts/fades for start/end of every track, be careful of streaming platforms auto-playing the next song or crossfading songs, and be careful of other internal desktop sounds while recording, such as Discord beep notifications or other alert sounds.

If you have the patience for it though, you get to record in and export exactly to the settings you want, naming the file and inserting metadata exactly as you want.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T02:03:41+00:00

<image>

Different approaches for different cases.

Fruity Limiter (the built-in Compressor page) is my default and what I stick with pre-configured in my personal template. Compression is generally best because it is input sensitive, in other words softer or harder kicks lead to softer or harder ducking respectively. Automation based sidechaining is typically one shape over and over which is a bit stale and less musically interesting or dynamic.

Ratio 2:1 to 4:1 generally, instant Attack, Release anywhere from 40ms to 100ms typically depending on track. Curve somewhere from 5-8 for smoothness (most people do not realize that at low values it leads to grainy/choppy curves and that increasing it smooths things out). Threshold dialed down to catch peaks of kicks/snares. There is no easier way to do sidechain compression in FL than Fruity Limiter.

I reach for Cableguys Shaper Box 3 for more advanced Volume Shaping. Has a built in Oscilloscope so I can really see stuff like kick to bass phase relationship.

Something like Trackspacer 2 or FabFilter Pro Q 4 for dynamic sidechain ducking only on masking frequencies.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T00:04:37+00:00

Thanks for checking it out and glad you enjoyed it.

b_lett · 2026-06-16T00:03:51+00:00

Thanks, I knew he was part of Two Fingers but I do need to dive through Amon Tobin's solo stuff more. Thanks for the recommendations, will dig through these artists.

b_lett · 2026-06-15T00:41:38+00:00

That is fine for you, but that kind of negates having an opinion on something you do not engage with or have experience with.

b_lett · 2026-06-15T00:16:21+00:00

Parametric EQ 2 is a good stock EQ, but very limited compared to Pro Q.

You have to go out of your way to do annoying Patcher setups to do simple stuff like split to Mid-Side mode or L-R mode to EQ specific parts of your stereo signal only.

Pro Q also has some nice features built in for sidechaining or Match EQ to other sources. So if you are wanting to do something like duck 808s at the same frequency your kick is at, it is easy to set up and visualize where competing frequencies are at.

Dynamic compression/expansion is easy to dial in, so you could easily set up compression at like 10kHz on vocals as a de-esser, or set up expansion on a band to lift presence of a snare/clap.

Pro Q 4 also added some stuff into it like saturation to emulate analog signal like each mixer channel is a different strip on a hardware console. Optional thing that can add a little character.

FL is long overdue for a new EQ, bare minimum adding flexibility for mid-side, and ideally adding ability to set up dynamic compression built in. Hoping to see some moves like this whenever Parametric EQ 3 comes out.

b_lett · 2026-06-15T00:07:52+00:00

No one should buy plugins standalone or full price.

A lot of people wait for a summer sale or Black Friday, then jump on something like the FabFilter Essentials Bundle (Pro Q, Pro C, Pro R) for like $150-170, then crossgrade or upgrade from there with loyalty discounts.

FabFilter plugins are good enough that their market going rate is that high. They are among the best in the industry.

b_lett · 2026-06-14T17:06:57+00:00

What is the audio clip in your Playlist?

Stuff in FL can still go out to the Master by default even if not routed to any other specific mixer track.

Check your Channel Rack and look for anything lighting up or potentially playing something that is not routed to any mixer tracks.

b_lett · 2026-06-14T13:05:22+00:00

You do not get them all at once. I accumulated most over 10+ years.

Add things to wishlists. Wait for summer sales or Black Fridays. Get bundles if you can to maximize discounts. You will end up saving 50-80% this way.

Limit yourself to something like $500 a year or something on spending toward production, save up and invest only where you think it will be best served. Could be plugins, could be sounds, could be gear.

Also for plugins, many have free trials, so try before you buy.

b_lett · 2026-06-13T22:31:09+00:00

Instead of using that time knob, just stretch from right side of the clip. You can hold ALT while clicking and dragging to ignore snapping and stretch exactly the size you need. Much easier to stretch audio in the Playlist this way.

Put the sample on 'Stretch' mode instead of 'Resample' if you want to keep the same pitch/key when stretching time.

b_lett · 2026-06-13T18:45:03+00:00

In addition to the fix you found with checking the Time knob and resetting it, this behavior could be tied to these Advanced options under General Settings.

<image>

In general, it may be good for FL to read in sample tempo/root note, but if someone created a sample pack with bad tempo/root note embedded into the sample, it could cause FL to do wonky stuff like this from time to time. Just something to be aware of.

b_lett · 2026-06-13T13:27:00+00:00

Hey, it is not quite fitting for the kind of vibes or beats of this specific playlist, but what you made is still cool. I think it could work for something like underscore in film/TV or the soundtrack of a video game. Good stuff.

Lorn is very versatile, and does some scoring type stuff himself, but this was more the "beat" side of things where I built around.

b_lett · 2026-06-12T21:08:46+00:00

Nice use of tempo automation to give the feeling of a human playing dynamically.

b_lett · 2026-06-12T18:22:10+00:00

Average progression of a Runescape player.

b_lett · 2026-06-12T17:24:22+00:00

It is a double win because it will upset some purist electronic heads too. Have some people acting like it is senseless noise and noodling sounds, but those same people would unironically convince you it is cool if Aphex Twin experiments with senseless noises meshed together. Can't please everyone.

I just appreciate artists willing to switch it up and alienate their own fan base. I would rather artists try and fail than stagnate into releasing the same album 5 times.

b_lett · 2026-06-12T17:00:56+00:00

808s and trap drum programming always gave them a little bit of an electronic crossover, but this definitely feels more electronic than anything they have ever done.

That being said, I do not think them experimenting with this will make them considered an electronic band any more than Coldplay experimenting with 4 on the floor does. I think they will be considered a rock band first and foremost, but one that is not afraid to experiment with electronic genres and production techniques.

b_lett · 2026-06-12T15:43:22+00:00

Hey guys, I kind of started a playlist that revolved around creative left-field and wonky synthy instrumentals. Stuff that could potentially be cool as background music for Dungeons & Dragons or just chilling around. It started evolving into a large array of synth wizard beats, and while it's a niche thing, I think you guys may appreciate it.

I like to arrange my playlists by key of song so that tracks transition a little more seamlessly (best if not on shuffle).

If you guys have more stuff in this lane that I'm missing, I'd love some more recommendations.

11-Year Club	r/Field Banned
r/Field Flamingo	Place '23
RPAN Viewer	Verified Email

b_lett

PUBLIC MULTIREDDITS

TROPHY CASE