James Y. Xu

Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Dancigers, Mark

Area of Concentration

Music

Abstract

This thesis explores the use of Ableton Live 9 as a means to create contemporary instrumental hip-hop. The origins of instrumental hip-hop are discussed, as well as the methods that producers in the genre use to create their tracks. Furthermore, I will examine how producers in this genre have transitioned from using primarily analog equipment and sampling of pre-existing music to the use of synthesizers and instrument-sampling software, looking at the digital-musical environment found within contemporary instrumental hip-hop. A significant portion of this paper details the process of creating unique digital synthesizer patches, in this case for the Native Instruments Massive software synthesizer. Furthermore, there is a discussion of how digital synthesis was applied to the creation of the songs which make up the compositions accompanying this thesis. Through analysis of some of the songs, I will connect naturally to a discussion of how Ableton has played a role in the recent paradigm shift to digital (in-the-box) production. In order to understand how my personal experiences with instrumental hip-hop have led to my evolving passion for music production, these discussions culminate with an introspective look at my role in this musical movement.

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