From an Organ to Virtual Singers : My Musical Journey

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Today, I create music using a computer, virtual instruments, synthesizers and virtual singers.

But my musical journey started in a very different way...

My first steps into music

I started learning to play the organ when I was just 5 years old.

There was one small problem: I was so small that I couldn't properly reach the pedals !

At first, my music teacher didn't really want to accept me because of my age. But I really wanted to learn.

So I found my own solution: I wrapped my right leg around the leg of the bench I was sitting on, allowing me to reach the bass pedals with my left foot 😉

I also had another challenge: playing seventh chords.

My fingers were too small to comfortably reach the notes, so for several months I slept with wine corks between my fingers to increase the distance between them!

Looking back, it sounds a little crazy... but I really wanted to play. 😁

My music teacher eventually encouraged my passion and became an important part of my musical journey.

One of my strongest musical memories is receiving a 45 RPM record from my teacher:

"Blue Bayou" by Linda Ronstadt.

That moment stayed with me.

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Discovering electronic music

As I grew up, I became fascinated by electronic and experimental music.

Artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk, Vangelis and Mike Oldfield had a huge influence on me.

Jean-Michel Jarre was probably the artist who made me want to create my own music.

The sounds of synthesizers fascinated me then...

And they still do today.

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My first compositions

I started creating my own music when I was around 15 years old.

My first composition was a small country-style piece created on my Yamaha V50, using its built-in sequencer.

It didn't even have a title, but it was my first real composition.

I still have some of my early creations today.

When I listen to them now, they sound old and sometimes a little immature...

But they remind me how far my musical journey has taken me.

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From Atari ST to Cubase

My first music software was Pro 24 on an Atari 1040 STF.

Later, around 1995, I moved to Cubase.

And the interesting thing is...

I am still using Cubase today.

I have tried other software over the years, but I always came back to it.

My musical journey has followed an amazing technological evolution:

Organ → Synthesizers → Atari ST → Pro 24 → Cubase → VST instruments → Virtual voices → Synthesizer V

I love the fact that I have experienced this evolution.

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The arrival of virtual instruments

The arrival of VST instruments in the 2000s completely changed the way I could create music.

Suddenly, I could explore an incredible number of sounds without owning a huge collection of physical instruments.

Today, I enjoy experimenting with sounds and mixing different musical styles.

Over the years, I have explored Electronic music, Techno and EDM, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Country, Film music

My music is generally quite simple, but I enjoy experimenting.

Sometimes I like using instruments associated with one musical style in a completely different genre.

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Discovering virtual singers

Around ten years ago, I discovered virtual singers through Vocaloid, then, around 2020, I discovered Synthesizer V.

My first reaction was simply "Wow!"

The quality of the voices impressed me immediately.

The voices are based on recordings made by real singers, which is something I find particularly fascinating. The technology then allows me to create and control vocal performances using these virtual voice databases.

At the time, I didn't know singers who could record my songs, and I didn't have access to a recording studio.

Virtual singers gave me the possibility to add lyrics to my music and transform instrumental compositions into songs.

Today, the voices I use the most are, Natalie, Mai and Liam

They allow me to experiment with melodies, lyrics and arrangements relatively quickly.

For me, technology doesn't replace creativity or real singers, it simply gives me another way to express my musical ideas.

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Why M.A.N. Experiment?

My original artist name is simply M.A.N.

My real first name is Emmanuel, and when I was in high school, everyone called me Man.

I kept that nickname as a memory of my former classmates.

I added the dots between the letters partly because I thought people might wonder what M.A.N. actually meant. 😉

Unfortunately, the name was already used on several platforms.

So I added Experiment.

I have a scientific background and I love experimenting, with sounds, with musical styles,with technology.

So M.A.N. Experiment eventually became the perfect name for my musical project.

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Alien Experimentation

One track probably represents my musical universe particularly well:

It is an electro glitch track inspired by my love of science fiction.

The track tells, in my own musical way, the story of an alien invasion of Earth......followed by their escape.

I think this track represents my universe quite well: electronic music, experimentation and science fiction.

🎧 Listen to Alien Experimentation on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/3u41lgexaw1KDIawzIcK80

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Still experimenting

Today, I have released around 22 tracks on Spotify, Deezer, Audius, SoundCloud, YouTube and other streaming platforms.

I don't have a dedicated music studio yet. For now, I mainly create music with my computer and the tools available to me.

But one of my dreams is to eventually have a space entirely dedicated to music. A place where I can experiment, create and develop ideas freely.

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What's next?

I currently have several new tracks in preparation. Pop, rock, electronic music, instrumental tracks and songs with virtual voices.

I would also love to explore something new : K-pop and J-pop.

I have always been fascinated by Asian countries.

At one point in my life, I almost became an organ demonstrator for a French brand, which could have involved travelling to Japan. I have also watched anime since I was a child, and I really enjoy the musical styles and production found in K-pop and J-pop.

So perhaps one of my next experiments will take me in that direction...

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My goal

My main goal is simple:

To share my musical universe and discover people who genuinely connect with it.

Of course, having more listeners would be great, but what I would really love is to build a small and engaged community around my music.

From playing an organ at five years old...

To experimenting with synthesizers...

To composing on an Atari ST...

And now creating songs with virtual singers. The voices I use are based on recordings made by real singers. The technology allows me to create and control vocal performances using these voice databases.

Technology has changed enormously, but one thing has remained the same :

I still love experimenting and creating music !!

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A question for you

Music has changed enormously over the years. What piece of technology has changed the way you create or experience music the most?

I'd love to read your experiences in the comments!

Thank you for joining me on this musical journey!

M.A.N.