Mystic Explorations by The Animals at Night

"Mystic Explorations" is a collection of songs written and recorded around the Mystic desktop synthesizer, which I designed for Recovery Effects. Each track was recorded in the early evenings of February, 2024, where I would start by going for a walk with my dog, Jackson, looking for inspiration. These cold, night-time walks centered around a cemetary in our neighborhood, known as a home and hunting spot for coyotes. I would record audio from these walks and use it as the backdrop for each track as I worked on it.

The Mystic is used as the main sound source for these songs, while accompanied by drum machines such as the MPC One, Syncussion SY-1 (built by myself), Roland T-8, and Roland Drumatix TR-06. I used modulation sources from my Eurorack synthesizer, MPC One, and Korg SQ-1. I used effects devices such as the Vongon Polyphrase, Chase Bliss Habit, and Strymon Magneto. All of these effects were synced via MIDI and / or CV and used in tandem with the CV controls on the Mystic to further modulate and enhance the compositions. I recorded bass guitar on the opening track, "Dream or Memory".

This was an exciting project to showcase the many sounds the Mystic can achieve, as well as challenging myself to create an entire record with one primary sound source. I hope you enjoy it as much as I had fun making it.

The Animals at Night is the project of multi-instrumentalist, producer, and electronic instrument designer Graig Markel.

graigmarkelmusic.com