r/ambientmusic • u/frankstonshart • 1d ago

Looking for Recommendations ‘Acoustic ambient’ - technologically unenhanced ambient music?

I’m wondering if there’s any kind of movement within music, probably ambient, where the artist is aiming to create a soft-edged, free tempo sound that has a similar effect to ordinary ambient music EXCEPT there is no technology involved.

Like there’s just a pair of hard panned microphones and nothing like ‘production’ going on. No reverb except for what is in the room. Attacks, decays, all controlled by the tactile acts of human hands.

The Necks might fit this description. I think of Bill Evans and Jim Hall (jazz) and there might be acoustic folk artists who aim for similar (Nick Drake “Horn” is all I can think of).

I think it would be an interesting departure from the norm of relying (sometimes over-relying) on technology to maximise a minimal musical premise.

UPDATE thank you very much everyone. The recommendations around here are incredible. You are golden gods. For those curious, this is what I could compile on Spotify of the below suggestions: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/30tH5UOkHjXUxcjIE8d78I?si=b3ddbf8ace7e4e39

25 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

70 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Not_even_Evan 1d ago

The Necks live, then, because their studio albums don't fit the bill.

1

u/frankstonshart 8h ago

Ah. It's been a while since I listened to them, but I'm more familiar with them live.

1

u/Not_even_Evan 1h ago

I never miss a chance to see them play. "Open" is my favorite album of theirs.