About me
Greetings and a warm welcome to my website. My name is Toon van Dort, also known as @deToon, and I am a multidisciplinary designer of various mediums. I am extremely proud to have obtained a bachelor’s degree in Communication & Multimedia Design, which has equipped me with the skills necessary to create beautiful designs across a range of digital mediums including music/audio, graphic design, and websites built on WordPress.
Creating beautiful things is my passion, and I take great pride in producing designs that not only look stunning but also function optimally. When I’m not designing, I enjoy exploring different cultures, and I am particularly fond of Japanese cuisine. Having spent half a year living in Fukuoka, Japan, I developed a deep appreciation for the country’s unique and delicious cuisine.
I was born in Amsterdam, grew up in Friesland untill I was six, but my roots are in Groningen. In my free time, I enjoy pursuing various hobbies such as photography, cooking, and gaming. I am an avid fan of first-person shooters and real-life games.
Online, I go by the usernames Tooneytunes, deToonNL or deToon.
The primary purpose of this page is to showcase my music and other creative works, with the hope of inspiring and connecting with others who share my passion for design and artistic expression. Thank you for visiting my page, and I hope you find it both informative and inspiring ♥
Music
I am excited to share with you the fruits of my labor – music that I have poured countless hours into perfecting. The majority of this work has been a solo endeavor, as I have experimented with new sounds and synthesis techniques. However, there have been instances where others have assisted with sampling or recording tracks and I am not shy to give credits where it is due. Rest assured that everything on this page is 100% self-made, with occasional use of sampled parts from other songs. Join me on this journey as I showcase my passion for music and the art of creation.
FL Studio has been my go-to DAW for the majority of my music production career. I started using Fruity Loops 3 when I was just 7 years old and have since accumulated 20 years of experience working in this software. As a result, I am intimately familiar with all of its features and capabilities.
However, my experience with FL Studio hasn’t prevented me from exploring other DAWs. In fact, I have also become proficient in other popular software like Ableton, Pro Tools, Cubase, Audacity, VCV-rack and Reaper. I believe that having a diverse skill set is essential for any music producer, as different DAWs offer unique workflows and features that can be used to achieve specific production goals.
That being said, I always return to FL Studio because it’s where I feel most comfortable and confident in my abilities. With my extensive experience in this software, I can focus on making music without getting bogged down by technical issues or software limitations. Whether I’m creating beats, writing melodies, or mixing tracks, I know that I can rely on FL Studio to bring my ideas to life.
Modular synthesis is a type of sound synthesis that involves using individual analog sound modules to create unique sounds. It’s a fascinating world of audio exploration where analog studio equipment meets sound generation. The process of modular synthesis involves physically making connections of energy with cables, creating complex functions that make music together. For me, it’s a meditative process that takes all day, but it’s worth it when I can create sounds that I have in my mind without any hesitation or latency problems that are often encountered with many digital platforms or DAWs. Also the music created with such systems are fundamental to making soundscapes and generate ideas that can later be implemented in full production.
The beauty of modular synthesis lies in the fact that the sound is not pre-programmed or limited by software. Instead, it’s created in real-time through the physical manipulation of cables and knobs. This allows for infinite possibilities when it comes to sound design, and the ability to create truly unique and original sounds.
To supplement my analog sound modules, I also make use of VCV Rack – a digital modular synthesis DAW that offers real-life clones of modules that would otherwise be expensive to purchase on my own. Using some studio techniques, I have found a way to integrate this digital platform in real-time with my physical analog modules, creating a hybrid system that combines different techniques of audio generation.
VCV Rack has been a game-changer for me, allowing me to experiment with different sound modules and signal paths without breaking the bank. By offering a vast library of modules, I am able to expand my sonic palette and add new dimensions to my music. Additionally, VCV Rack allows for easy saving and loading of patches, making it easy to recall previous settings and configurations.
The ability to combine VCV Rack with my physical analog modules has been a significant step forward in my exploration of sound generation. I have found that this hybrid system offers the best of both worlds – the precision and flexibility of digital processing, combined with the warmth and character of analog sound modules. It’s a process that has allowed me to push the boundaries of what is possible with sound, and I am excited to see where this journey will take me. You can already hear many of it’s influences in my music, for instance the last track on AEROSPACE called AMALGAMATE is completely made with analog sounds, including it’s drum machines.
Portable setup
Full system
Example of a VCV patch
You may have noticed that I am the proud owner of an audio studio. With a total of 24 inputs, I am able to record bands and sample instruments for my own music. My passion for audio production and studio design started during my years of studying CMD. While attending college, I was tasked with building a studio for the school’s newly acquired audio system (A D-Control). It took me three years of hard work, including studying acoustic design in Japan and working with XMON, to make the studio a reality.
After successfully completing my bachelor’s degree, I knew I needed to have my own space to make music. Hence, I built my own studio, complete with a separate recording room and multiple drum sets for sampling and recording. Additionally, my brother has an impressive collection of musical instruments that I frequently use for sampling and recording.
My studio is a place where I can express my creativity and passion for music production. It’s a space that I have poured my heart and soul into, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have my own dedicated space for making music.
Building CMD Studio
-
- This is usually how I work (Little OCD but tidy)
-
- Had to tidy all of this up to make place for the new system
-
- Smaller setup for recording podcasts etc
-
- 1st Setup (Took a month to make this work)
-
- Cabling for reference
-
- Final setup
File (PDF): Plugplan for the entire studio
File (PDF): XMON Connections to Diagram Flowchart (SUPER PROUD OF THIS)
My current studio
-
- Current setup
-
- Hybrid Modular system + MS-20
-
- Full drumset
-
- Separate recording room
Web
During my high school years, I generated additional income by developing HTML & CSS websites using Joomla, Dreamweaver, or by coding them myself. This experience provided me with a solid foundation in web development and an understanding of industry-standard practices.
My studies in Communication & Multimedia Design further enhanced my knowledge of web design by exposing me to design thinking, usability, iconography, typography, and WordPress. Through this program, I developed a strong understanding of the principles of user-centered design and gained practical experience in applying these concepts to real-world projects.
As a result of my education and experience, I feel confident in creating web designs for businesses of any size. Whether it’s a small local business or a large corporation, I have the skills and knowledge necessary to create visually appealing and highly functional websites that effectively communicate the client’s message and meet their business objectives.
I am most proud of Nudus, Soundlogo & HTA-Taekwondo.
I adopt a customized pricing approach based on the specific requirements and complexity of each website project. This ensures fairness, acknowledging the importance of mutual trust and recognizing the significant investment involved in creating a website.
Feel free to contact me. We can talk about this via e-mail.