Jon Dennis

United Kingdom

Sound designer and composer

Electronica and ambient music

Tell us about your inpirations and influences and how they have contributed to your creativity 

My musical journey kicked off back in the late '80s when I was still at school, soaking up sounds from legendary bands like Art of Noise, The Orb, Aphex Twin, The Scientist, and Orbital. I was also obsessed with the wave of electronica pouring out of Belgium at the time. These influences totally shaped my early sound and pushed me to dive headfirst into music production. Before long, I had my trusty Atari ST, an Akai S950, and a collection of synths - composing with technology became my thing, and honestly, it still is!

While my roots are firmly planted in the music I loved back then, my inspirations have expanded over the years. These days, I'm listening to artists like Bicep, March, and Kiasmos, while also getting lost in the dreamy, ambient worlds of Max Richter, Ólafur Arnalds, M83, and Jon Hopkins. Honestly, the list could go on forever! I love those magical moments when I hear a track for the first time, and it lights a fire under me to jump straight into the studio.

What kit do you love using most in your studio and why? 

In my studio, my Mac and a bunch of virtual instruments and plugins are always at the heart of my workflow. They’re super versatile and sound amazing, but I’ve got a special place in my heart for my old Akai S5000 and EMU samplers. These bad boys are my go-tos for drums - I love running them through various compressors and blending them with everything else happening in Logic Pro. It gives the sound a unique texture.

I also get a lot of inspiration from my own Kontakt instruments, which help me create those massive, evocative ambient soundscapes that I love to dive into.

The Ólafur Arnalds Stratus piano by Spitfire Audio is another favorite, providing such beautiful, evolving tones that blend perfectly into my compositions. And for vocals, the ethereal tones of Dot Allison's Dulcet Voice by The Crow Hill Company are simply stunning. Finally, the Strymon BigSky - feeding my electric piano through that reverb is pure magic! It transforms the sound into something otherworldly, and it's just an absolute joy to work with.

Which Kompose Audio Kontakt Instruments you have used, why you like using them and how they have contributed to your music

Since I developed all the Kompose Audio Kontakt instruments, I've naturally used them all extensively! Each one offers a unique, magical sound that's ideal for crafting deep, immersive ambient soundscapes. What I truly love is their simplicity - it allows creativity to flow without distraction. Every time I incorporate one of these instruments into my compositions, it sparks new ideas, which in turn inspire the development of the next instrument.

Audio Demos

Enough Light To Find Your Way

1

Outbound

2

Forever

3

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Eric Sierka

1 comment

Eric Sierka

Eric Sierka

Wow Jon – really nice tracks here! I love the vibes they create, setting a mood and full of emotion. Great job!

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