Streaming Link: https://foxhyode.bandcamp.com/track/y-gen

I decided to take a slightly more traditional approach, using commonly used Japanese instruments such as the shakuhachi and Japanese mandolin, along with percussion made by tapping on my ukulele. I also used my usual orchestral template, with strings and woodwinds to complete the sound palette.

The composition starts slowly in E, using the Insen pentatonic scale, with the chords and melodic elements following the notes E – F – A – B – D – E.

Midway through the track, I slightly changed the mode to the Hirajōshi pentatonic scale, replacing B with C.

I also incorporated a 20 bar semitone drop to change the key from E to E♭. This creates a moment of microtonal dissonance, as every instrument including the gamelan, piano, strings, woodwinds, and synth pads slowly drops in pitch.

At the last minute, I decided to add some rowing sound design to the track as a bit of ear candy. This was created in Wwise using 10 different rowing sounds, which I arranged into a rhythmic loop using various modulations and randomized elements.

I think most of the track consists of long drones, especially during sections where I don't change the chords. 

Plugins Used : 
Phaseplants (All the synths crafted with samples or from scratch)
Orchestral : Strings,  Woodwinds (Cinematic Studio Series
Percussions : XO and Free Decent Sampler for oriental stuff
Piano : Woodland Piano
Gamelan : Native Instruments Gamelan
Reverbs and Delay : ValhalaVintageVerb and Valhalla Delay