The music industry has been experiencing a major upgrade since its inclusion of technological innovations, which is evident in the works of ambient and psybient music producers such as Ali Ata. The use of computers in the creation of music has been a remarkable advance in the industry and has given rise to novel forms of music such as electronic music.
It was in the middle of the 20th century when the addition of digital audio workstations and electronic musical instruments started to gain impetus. It made the work of a singer much simpler and quicker. However, traditional singers and musicians still found the true essence of music in their traditional musical tools and equipment.
The Ambient and the Psybient forms of music stem from the electronic music genre and is a comparatively novel form of music that is being explored and taken ahead by music producers such as Ali Ata.
Also known as ‘music for meditation’ or ‘background music’, ambient music intends to create a certain mood in the listener. The textures and soundscapes used in this musical form construct a certain atmosphere for the listener, often to calm their mind and senses. This kind of music is capable of taking its listener to a very contemplative and reflective mood to distress themselves. Sounds in nature, in the fields are amalgamated with music made by synthesizers to create ambient music. Reverberations, delays, and similar other slowing-down effects are used in ambient music to create a serene and pensive atmosphere for its listener.
Psybient music on the other hand is a subgenre of ambient music. Unlike the latter psybient music is a result of a mixture of heavy bass lines, acoustic instruments, and elements of world music. This is intended to stimulate a more active frame of mind for its listeners. Psychedelic and downtempo music are inherent elements of this musical form. One will also find a lot of ethereal vocals and intricate rhythms in psybient music. Although this form exhumes energy, often glimpses of philosophical or spiritual speeches can be found in them. Psybient music is characterized by multiple layers of sound and rhythm to offer a mystical experience to its listeners.
One very apparent difference between the two music forms is while ambient music is very simple and calm, psybient music is more complex and enthusiastic. The simplicity of ambient music is very well articulated in the works of Steve Roach, and Brian Eno; while psybient music finds its true reflection in the music of Entheogenic and Ott. The contribution of these artists to the electronic music genre has been substantial and exemplary which inspires music enthusiasts such as Ali Ata.
Irrespective of the different approaches of the two musical formats, their intentions are headed in a singular direction. Both are intended to accompany an individual in the journey of life that they embark upon – it could be an inward journey of introspection and contemplation, or it could be dealing with life with zeal and energy.
