Archie Hamilton, a well-known figure in the London electronic music scene, has captivated audiences once again with his latest track, “Daydream” featuring Sadie Walker. Released on June 13 via Higher Ground, “Daydream” showcases Hamilton’s distinctive UK house groove, accentuated by jazzy breaks and an alluring acid line. Sadie Walker’s hazy vocals add a layer of sophistication, reflecting her collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Honey Dijon and Nightmares On Wax. This track is not just another release but a testament to Hamilton’s evolving artistry and dedication to his craft.

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This release marks a significant moment in Hamilton’s career, after his first extended break in nearly 15 years, prompted by the birth of his first child. This hiatus allowed him to embrace new depths and refresh his creative approach, placing a renewed emphasis on songwriting. The result is evident in “Daydream,” where the blend of intricate production and heartfelt melodies highlights Hamilton’s growth as an artist.

Our “How It’s Made” feature delves into the creative process behind “Daydream,” offering readers an inside look at how Hamilton crafted this standout track. From the initial inspiration to the final touches, we explore his techniques and tools, his collaboration with Sadie Walker, and the creative move that defines the track’s unique sound.

Alchemy

Logic’s Alchemy Synth is an incredibly versatile and powerful synthesizer. It offers many sounds and modulation options, from lush pads to gritty basslines. Alchemy’s advanced synthesis capabilities, including additive, spectral, and granular synthesis, make it a go-to for creating complex and evolving sounds. Its intuitive interface and extensive preset library provide endless possibilities for sound design.

For the arpeggiated acid line in “Daydream,” I started with the “After Image Echoes” preset in Logic’s Alchemy Synth. This preset provided a nice foundation with its sharp, resonant qualities. To make the sound even more dynamic, I added Soundtoys Filter Freak, modulating the sound over 8 bars. This created a constantly evolving texture, adding movement to the acid line. I used FabFilter Timeless 2 to further enhance the effect to introduce a trancey delay, adding depth and space.

Alchemy Synth is a fantastic tool for creating all kinds of synth lines. Starting with a preset can give you a great foundation to build upon. Using modulation effects like Filter Freak to add movement can keep the sound dynamic and interesting. Automating these effects over several bars can create a sense of evolution and prevent the arpeggio or pattern from becoming repetitive.

FilterFreak

Soundtoys Filter Freak is a brilliant plugin; it’s my go-to filter VST. It allows you to create all sorts of modulated effects and adds tons of movement and character to your tracks and it’s really user-friendly.

When I was working on “Daydream,” I used Filter Freak to add a clean resonant triangle sweep over 8 bars on the acid line. This was all about creating movement and dynamics, making the acid line much more engaging. The resonant triangle setting gives it just the right amount of presence without overwhelming everything else.

Producing genres like house or techno can be a real game-changer. One thing I’ve learned is that subtle automation can really make a difference, adding dynamic changes that keep things interesting. Experimenting with different filter types and modulation rates can lead to some really unique sounds. A resonant sweep, in particular, can add that hypnotic touch to your tracks.

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FabFilter Timeless 2

FabFilter Timeless 2 is one of my go-to delay plugins. It’s incredibly versatile, offering many modulation and filter options to create intricate delay effects. The interface is super intuitive, and it sounds great. Whether you’re looking for simple delays or complex soundscapes, Timeless 2 has pretty much got it all.

For “Daydream,” I used Timeless 2 to add a kind of dubby delay to the pads, giving them space and movement. I started with the Psytrance 2 preset that matched the track’s vibe and then tweaked the delay time and feedback to get that trippy quality.

Timeless 2 is a fantastic tool for anyone looking to add some space to their tracks. A little tip is to automate the delay parameters so the effect keeps evolving, which prevents it from getting stale. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different delay times and feedback levels—you might stumble upon something amazing.

EchoBoy Jr.

Soundtoys EchoBoy Jr. is a little gem. It’s a fairly basic echo unit, but it sounds great and it’s really easy to use. You get various echo styles like tape, digital, and analogue, making it super versatile.

On “Daydream,” I used EchoBoy Jr. with a 1/64 echo time and short feedback on the ‘Cheap Tape’ setting. This was key to creating space on the high end of the distorted bass. The idea was to add width and dimension without cluttering the mix. By keeping the feedback low, the echo effect stayed subtle and controlled, enhancing the high-end frequencies and giving the bass a textured feel.

EchoBoy Jr. is great for adding character and space to your productions. Try different echo styles and settings to see what fits best with your mix. Using a fast echo with low feedback for tracks with heavy bass can help add clarity and separation. Remember, subtle effects can often have the most impact, enhancing your sound without taking over.

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