Yesterday I was asked why I blog. What was my motivation to simply start documenting my thoughts? Was I attempting to monetize my blogging experience, was I trying to seek attention, was I doing it for fun or was there some other master plan I secretly had in mind but was not yet ready to unleash on the world?

Frankly, there is no hidden motive.

It started out by me simply wanting to document my state of mind as time moves on. I have found that, for some reason, the act of blogging gives me a release… much like an escape from stress. If there a topic is on my mind I have the ability to simply get it out.

I also wanted to use the site as a method of keeping in touch with my family and friends. While the rest of the world may or may not have a strong desire to know what is going on in my world, there are a few people who do. What better what to keep them informed than simply pointing them over here?

A major unintended benefit to the experience has been the ability to log things that are of interest to me, above and beyond the thoughts that seem to be rolling around in my head. I find a good track, I post it. Cool video, post it. A news article that catches my interest, you got it… post it. This affords me the ability to simply head over to the blog when I am looking for something and easily find it. I think of it almost like the “bookmarking” function within a browser.

Ultimately, the experience is for me and my needs but If someone along the way happens to gain enjoyment, all the better!

Do you happen to view this site on a mobile device, say like an iPhone or Blackberry?  Well, I have a bit of an update for you.  The site is now mobile device enabled.  

When you come to the site via a desktop / laptop you will see the current site - graphics and all, however, when you arrive to the site via a mobile device you will receive a stripped down, content focused, design allowing for speed of delivery and ease of use.

As a user you need not doing anything out of the ordinary, the server will auto-detect your platform and provide you with the correct version.  If you run into any issues with this implementation, please send me some feedback.

I just couldn’t focus on track number four because of this track, so I decided to add a few more things and call this one “done” for the demo, so here you go…

EDP/VMS Demo #3

So, a few notes from the studio note pad.

• the samples fit perfectly, but I need a bit more atmosphere
• I am doctor up the sitar a bit more
• the bass hit may continue a few more times (maybe 1)
• depending on a few other minor changes I may make - after listening to this over and over - this may easily be the intro track to the rest of the album

I am in the process of producing my next effort, an ambient / dub / abstract venture. The project name is not yet released, and the official album title is unknown but a working title is in place (Half moon, half happy). As of this writing I have a total of 7 tracks in various forms of production which span a number of musical influences.

With the site up and running I’ve decided to document the entire process. This includes the early demos, studio notes, album and production changes all the way up to the final product. Understand these are EARLY demos. This means the track are not properly mixed, the FX are not in place, portions will be added or deleted, arrangements will be changed and, above all things, the final tracks will be properly recorded and mastered before pressing.

So, without further delay, here we go:

EDP-VMS Ambient Demo 1

• The song has was too much reverb in the water
• Need to find a way to clean up the samples, also add a few additional sample
• The Lead Acoustic guitar will come in once and fade into a long, long analogue delay that mixes into background and other samples
• The bassline will change to establish a new feel for the slong, more relaxed. I think I will use a Korg MS10 for this or a Juno 106. Have the ability to provide the structure I am looking for
• The muted Jazz Guitar may gain a larger roll in the final mix as there is a potential to use it as a transition into another song
• Provide more punch to the vocals chorus sample

• Change the vintage house piano out, change the pattern and the reverb used on that track
• Have a clean organ hit that can be processed by an auto filter delay
• Retool the highs
• Move the “oooos” up during the second break - make it constant
• add a jungle break beat theme for the last min of the song
• Filter the sample a bit more

When I did my “Arrangements for Sex” E.P. I decided to have several different takes on the track titled “Naked”.  As the EP was simply intended to be background music, I wanted to have something a little more… upbeat… something one could move to, if they so desired.

Here is the result of that effort, in MP3 format:

Naked (Big Wheel Mix)

Naked (Mystic Morning Remix)

Naked (My Heart Beats Minimal Breaks Mix)

As with the last set, I hope you enjoy.  Please feel free to share with anyone you so desire.  I have no problem with the distribution of these files in any format so share away.

I have always enjoyed good, relaxing, background music. Sounds to simply set the tone or mood for a nice nap, bath… or setting the tone for intimacy.

For about 6 years now I have been producing electronic music and, in 2007, I decided to take a break from the ambient / trance / electronic genre and put together a few tracks intended for background music - nothing more. The following tracks make up the “Arrangement for Sex E.P.”

(if you want to save to your computer, right click the links and “save as”)

Track 1 - Van M. Santos - Naked.mp3

Track 2 - Van M. Santos - Thank You.mp3

Track 3 - Van M. Santos - Morning After.mp3

Track 4 - Van M. Santos - Afterglow.mp3

Track 5- Van M. Santos - Angel.mp3

They tracks are encoded @ 320 kbps, so the files are larger than normal.

I hope you enjoy the tracks and please feel free to share with anyone you so desire.  I have no problem with the distribution of these files in any format (torrent, ftp, p2p).  All I ask is you leave the mp3 Tag info included.

Enjoy!