Alex Cargo

Why a Groovebox Owner Needs Stem Separation

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Just last Wednesday morning, I was absolutely sure that stem separation was nonsense. Nobody would ever need to use it for making music. Sure, it’s useful for learning and analyzing other people’s tracks, but as a real tool for creating new music? No way.

Then I watched a video by Gray Contrast. He’s a huge fan of the Novation Circuit Tracks, takes it with him on train trips, and creates entire tracks straight on the device recording it from the stereo output — no fussing around recording individual tracks. The sound in the video was fantastic.

LSDJ on iPhone and iPad

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

LSDJ is one of the most popular trackers for chiptune. And since it was developed for the Game Boy, it is designed to use a limited set of keys: the cursor and four others that were on the Game Boy. Plus, the interface is optimized for a small screen. On paper — the perfect program for the iPhone SE. And in practice too.

Initial conditions

I’m going on vacation. For a week. Without a suitcase. I have to save on weight and size: the MPC stays at home. So does the Novation Circuit. Say goodbye to the laptop! The only devices coming along are my old iPad mini and iPhone.

Long Winter Night - AC015

Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I released a new track in the Alex Cargo techno project: “Long Winter Night” in the downtempo techno style. The track was fully produced and mixed on the Akai MPC Live. Mastering was also done on this device.

This is one of the slowest tracks I’ve made for this project. I’ve wanted to try something around 90 bpm for a long time. It’s an experiment in a style similar to somatic techno. However, “Long Winter Night” turned out to be less dark than somatic tracks and a bit more melodic.

Squeeze the Lemon - AC014

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

“Squeeze the Lemon” is a new melodic techno track by Alex Cargo. This experimental track features sounds created using a single synthesizer, a limitation that serves to better understand what can be achieved with the instrument, its limits, and to enjoy the creative process.

I hope you enjoy listening to the track as much as I enjoyed creating it. You can listen to it on your preferred streaming platform or download it from my page on Boosty.

No more AI-generated Covers

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In 2024, I drew covers using AI. It is fast, cheap, and gives good results. But I have decided to not use AI for corers anymore. It reduces my creativity and limits my ways of interacting with my audience.

It is not the War against AI. No! I like the covers I used in 2024 more than the older ones. I have no plans to ditch AI in all places where it helps a lot. I will use it to check my spelling and correct my translations, but I will not use AI for covers.

Samples in FL Studio

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

You can make a good techno track from samples. The samples need to be processed and made unique. The basic method is to chop them into pieces and mix them in a new musical sequence.

Riemann hypothesis is my latest track heavily based on samples.

In FL Studio, the best option for cutting samples is Slicex. You just need to prepare the sample by adjusting the tempo and tonality. Both of these parameters can be edited in the sampler itself. However, it is not convenient to do this in Slicex, so preparing the sample for the project is faster.

Riemann hypothesis - AC013

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A new single called “Riemann hypothesis” in the style of melodic techno by Alex Cargo has been released.

Listen to Riemann hypothesis on your favorite streaming services. Or download it on my Boosty page.

This track is Alex Cargo’s attempt to use sounds from his favorite sound designer. All the sounds in the track are created from creatively processed samples by Riemann.

The atmosphere of the track is created by a soft, pumping bass and airy pads. Drums and percussion set the groove and movement of the track. The synthesizer appears on the scene. It plays its melody by changing its timbre from gentle to aggressive. This creates a hypnotic effect.

How to Arrange Your Track Fast

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Meditation is a melodic techno track with a main theme that repeats throughout most of the track. I planned it from the very beginning. It turned out to be difficult to make the track interesting in development. The usual arrangement didn’t work well. The track came out boring. So I took and stole the arrangement from techno musician Trikk.

You can listen to Meditation on streaming platforms (alternative link). You can download it for free on Boosty. I will be glad to support with donations or subscriptions!

Meditation

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

On October 25, a new melodic techno single titled “Meditation” was released. The track can be listened to on streaming platforms (alternative link) or downloaded for free on Boosty.

A deep, pulsating bass forms the foundation of the track. Arpeggios support the rhythm and pulse of the piece. Percussion and drums add groove and danceability.

The main melodic line is built around a repeated musical phrase featuring a bright, short sound reminiscent of brass instruments. In the second part of the track, a contrasting melodic line emerges.

Talk to Me: The Legendary TB303 in FL Studio

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

TB303 is a synthesizer mistake. It was doomed to be forgotten. Roland marketed it as a replacement for the bass guitar. It performed terribly in this function, and the purchased machines ended up in second-hand shops at throwaway prices. It was then noticed by electronic music producers and turned into a legend.

“Talk to Me” is my fresh track built around an acid line. It’s melodic techno, put together in FL Studio. The main role in it is given to Transistor Bass, which is responsible for the sound “like the TB303.” The track is available on streaming platforms (alternative link) and Boosty.

Want to finish a track in a tracker? Prepare it for a contest

Sat, 24 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Trackers are a way to make music outside the conventional process. Tracker music contests are a means to finish a track. It’s interesting but not easy.

My usual process is to open FL Studio, set a direction and constraints with a phrase or two, come up with a title, then make the track. “Making a track” gets tedious after 5–6 repetitions. Then I do a “fill”: a musical experiment in an unusual program or with unusual constraints. During vacation, these fills happen more often.

Heavy Rain

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve been avoiding the topic of samples for a long time. For me, synthesizers were the main actors. Of course, I made tracks using percussion loops. Of course, I use individual samples for drums. But the idea of a track being built around a musical phrase taken from a sample pack… I couldn’t say I hadn’t done it before. But then it was more of a learning project. Heavy Rain is my first serious experience in the melodic techno genre.

Heavy Rain. Prerelease

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I’m releasing my new single called “Heavy Rain” on August 8, 2024. It is already available for pre-save on some streaming services. If you want to support me, you can download the track from my Boosty page for the price of a cappuccino.

Links to streaming services: https://band.link/heavyrain
Alternative collection of links: https://onerpm.link/146039684268

Традиционно трек будет доступен для бесплатного скачивания на boosty всем желающим начиная с 23 августа 2024. Те, кто купил Heavy Rain сейчас или скачает позже, может использовать его в своих DJ-сетах, играх, видео, презентациях или других проектах.

Chess

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The single “Chess” has been released: melodic techno with acid fragments. Not an authentic 303 from Roland, but an imitation. I wanted to check how such a sound would fit into the genre. Checked.

Listen to Chess on all major streaming services

I often come up with the name of the track in advance when I make the first draft. I save the project and immediately give it a name. And this name largely determines the sound and idea of the track. It was like that with Summer Holidays on Mars, with Poker Face, with Reunion. Usually, the connection between the name and the sound is clear only to me. In the last case, the name evoked associations with “Blade Runner” and its soundtrack by Vangelis.

Summer Holidays on Mars

Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Summer Holidays on Mars is my new track in the Melodic Techno style. It is already available on all streaming platforms. DJs and video creators can download it for free.

Listen to Summer Holidays on Mars on all major streaming services

The melody of the track catches from the first notes, and the percussion calls to dance. I really like this track (who would have thought ;)). I hope that Summer Holidays on Mars can be enjoyed both at home and in a DJ set at a noisy club party.

Poker Face

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In the heart of the electronic labyrinth lies “Poker Face,” an audial expedition that pulsates through the shadows of dark, energetic, and melodic techno.

Listen to Poker Face on all major streaming services

This instrumental creation weaves a sonic tapestry, encapsulating listeners in its enigmatic atmosphere. With a deliberate low emotional dynamic, the track builds a mysterious ambiance, guided by hypnotic beats and intricate synth arrangements. As the rhythmic waves unfold, the absence of vocals enhances the immersive experience, allowing the music to speak directly to the soul.