Band Of One -

Comics

Gallivant

Gallivant is an all-ages “funny animal” comic strip. Off-beat humour and oddball storylines.

Tone Quest

Tone Quest is an illustrated story and concept album of instrumental music. The term Illustrumentals is coyly proffered as an explanation for something that grew naturally out of creative necessity.

Warped

Warped is an all-ages Science Fiction tragi-comedy, a spin-off from the Jack Astro comic. Featured in the Phoenix Comic Magazine.

Blog

Writing a song from scratch in 2 hours (Limited Gear Challenge)

Posted on January 18, 2026 by BandOfOne

Can you make a track in 2 hours using FREE plugins and a PC keyboard? 🎹

I challenged myself to write and produce the entire soundtrack for this video under a strict time limit. To make it even harder, I used almost no hardware—playing the synths and drums directly on my computer keyboard. The only exception? One guitar track to give it an organic texture.

Does a “lo-fi” setup and a ticking clock actually make for better music? Let’s find out.

Software: Reaper

Instruments: PC Keyboard, Gibson SG,

Processing: EQ, Compression, Reverb,

Plugins: TAL Noise-Maker, Guitar Rig 5, BPB Cassette 808

What do you think—do limitations breed creativity, or did I just make my life harder for no reason?

Reaper Virtual MIDI Keyboard – A Post-Rock Composition.

Posted on January 9, 2026 by BandOfOne

Can you make music with NO MIDI controller? 🎹

I spent weeks debating whether to buy a new hardware synth or a MIDI keyboard. In the process, I discovered a hidden gem: using my PC keyboard as a virtual instrument in Reaper.

Instead of buying new gear, I decided to lean into the limitation. Every synth and drum part in this track was programmed using my computer keys. This allowed me to dive deeper into the TAL Noise-Maker plugin and get creative.

The Synth: Layered TAL Noise-Maker patches with simple arpeggiated sections.

The Rhythm: Drum machine patterns built with TAL Noise-Maker.

The “Overkill”: 3 layers of guitar and a melodic “noodle” bass line.

The result is a lush, ambient post-rock vibe reminiscent of Mogwai. And my GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) has been reduced… For now!

The Setup 🎸

Software: Reaper

Instruments: PC Keyboard, Squier Strat, Bass

Processing: EQ, Compression, Reverb, Ping Pong Pan

Plugins: TAL Noise-Maker, Guitar Rig 5

Multi-Instrumental Jam: Korg Gadget (Switch), Synth, and Guitar

Posted on January 4, 2026 by BandOfOne

I’ve fallen down the synth and ambient music rabbit hole lately, and wow… it’s a deep (and potentially expensive) one.

Instead of dropping a fortune on gear right away, I decided to revisit an old obsession: Korg Gadget on the Nintendo Switch.

In the spirit of “using what you have,” I put together this track.

The Setup 🎸

Software: Korg Gadget (Switch), Reaper, Piconica (Android App)

Instruments: Yamaha – PSR 12, Squier Strat

Processing: EQ, Compression, and a pitch-shifted bass line.

Plugins: TAL Noise-Maker for those extra textures. Guitar Rig 5

I’m currently doing this without a MIDI keyboard (it’s a struggle!), so I’m at a crossroads: Do I invest in a solid MIDI setup or go full hardware synth?

I’m planning a lot more sonic explorations this year. Drop a comment with your gear recommendations below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🎹✨