How is it done?

Discussion in 'Working with Sound' started by chefcoco, Jan 23, 2016.

  1. stevitch

    stevitch Audiosexual

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    The desire is the first step. The next step is study: music theory, essfudnamentals of harmony, part-writing, and so on. Learn to play, or get familiar with, other instruments (by really playing, real instruments), preferably with other people. What you're wanting to do depends upon a set of skills acquired over time, with discipline, experience, practice, and an "ear" for music. There is no "software" solution for this, just lots of time and dedication. Composing and playing (or even "entering" in a DAW) musical parts requires understanding of how instruments and their harmonies. interact with one another. Additionally, you should learn to hear harmonies and chord progressions, along with the melodies, in your mind.

    Today, I built a song up from first recording the melody I'd made up by singing it to myself to go with a lyric I'd written. Then I played a contrapuntal cello lin to it. Then I made up a higher counterpoint to the bass line. And so on. I ended up a string-quartet arrangement base on the melody I'd had in my head for about a week. THEN, I put a drum kit beneath it, according to the rhythm of the song as I'd "envisioned" it in my mind, and then put a bass guitar part (adapted from the cello part, effectively doubling it but with slight differences in phrasing), then an organ part which seemed to fill-in between the string parts and the bass guitar without "stepping on" the strings' harmonies and sounds. Added a little tambourine to the mix, in the last 1/3 of the song. And then I put a strumming acoustic guitar to keep the rhythm rolling around the bass and drum parts. Voilà: a catchy soft-rock song with sardonic lyrics!

    The only "secret" I can think of is enjoying the process as much as the outcome. I myself do this because I love the sensation of creating stuff "out of nothing," such that I don't care that people think I'm a badass. My obsequious sycophants, my intimidated minions, don't mean shit to me. The only reason why I'm any good at this at all is my being compelled by the thrill of doing it and gratified by having produced something that I love to listen to.
     
  2. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    Thanks for the feedback, Appreciate it :)
     
  3. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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  4. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    Nope Pc
    Am now learning how to play keyboard
     
  5. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    They pop up in my mind and then i record them with my phone
     
  6. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    Ok bros
     
  7. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    Don't have money for studio time and musicians want very good demos
     
  8. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    I don't play any instruments yet. Planning on picking up a midi controller. I use the click method in Fl Studio rewired to Studio One.
     
  9. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    Am inspired. Owe yall one. :)
     
  10. Thankful

    Thankful Rock Star

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  11. 5teezo

    5teezo Audiosexual

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    It's pretty clear to me that you need a producer!
     
  12. jynx

    jynx Platinum Record

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    Just to play devils advocate ill say this "not trying to be argumentative" but i think starting at times with drums has its place only with certain styles of programming and genres "i program.. dnb . Jungle ..hardstyle in general even some hard house " and there have been many an occasion where ive been programming drum fills/drumbreaks,loops all via one shots not just running a loop! Then rendering after processing so as to aquire my own library so to speak......And to that degree i think is where it has its place,normally i tend to load up a bunch of different vsts i often use for certain types of sounds,And sit there programming basslines/hooks/melodys/chords/drums/Fx/Impakts etc etc,then rendering em all potentially for use in a different project "sometimes for weeks" as i always think its nice to both have your own material to hand instead of the usual goings on with the usage of loops from a suppliers pack to write a track with,coz thats not programming,its simply arrangement but thats a topic for another time....so whilst im programming what i mentioned above i often end up thinking of accompanying bassline etc etc prior to rendering and i go from there onwards........... starting a track with drums "unless you know the drum sounds and overall vibe your looking for"EXACTLY" is the only instance i will program a trk in that manner...... But what do i know he he....as i said im being devils advocate........i do agree, dont get me wrong,i just think there are certain situations where working that way will work but only if your certain of your ability to do so and also i must clartify that when i say about running some drums first....i dont mean an entire tracks worth of drums as how would one know what comes next.....no i just run say two 8 bar drum sections that arent complicated at all but are variated to test out pads/atmos/vocal glitching ,bass lead patterns,around those 8 or 16 bars ive progd to see if any of it gels....but for me personally drums are actually one of my strongest points so maybe thats why i say this ......I understand that many either wont get or will flat out dissagree with what im saying.....I only say this under these specific circumstances ive mentioned.....in all other instances i agree completely....................Wow...........sorry for the rant guys..........again not tryin to seem rude or anything as i know there are plenty more talented programmers than myself on here without a shadow of a dought.......Last thing i will say is that its ultimatley all down to how you yourself feel comfotable doing things,as there really isnt any right or wrong way for trk composition.....its all and Only about the finished result.....Jnx
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2016
  13. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

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    "Making a song is like painting a bus with a toothbrush" - Quincy Jones :winker:

    Especially when you do it like I do: everything has to be programmed, sampled, mixed, and produced by me. Otherwise I would sound just like everybody else, if I used someone elses loops for everything. I like the way you think jynx. It is much harder to make songs that way, and you need quality monitors and at least some outboard hardware, but the sense of accomplishment is so much bigger, and there is far greater possibility you will come up with something either very original or at least more original.

    Cheers! :mates:
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2016
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  14. jynx

    jynx Platinum Record

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    Oh god yeah,way way harder but its so much more gratifiying to have done it all yourself....Of course loops etc have their place in construction but i personally dont like using a loop as the backbone of a composition "unless im remixing something" The guys that know me as a programmer always know if their listening to my work ,kinda like a signature i suppose,which at first i thought was a badthing,but have since come to think differently as ive had loadsda conversations on sc bout just that,and if im brutally honest,whilst yes theres some great stuff being made,So So much of it all does just sound the same,certainly to my ears.....Its like like this for me bro "Id rather write a trk using entirley original conent and it just flat out bomb,Than go down the route of using so much pre recorded library that the trk is loved by all,as then its simply not really my work so to speak!.....But im simlifiying the issue i know.............He he when i see the responce i did actually think Here comes the General disagreement.....so was nice for it to be a pleasent responce mann,so cheers for that...

    jNX:wink:
     
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  15. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    Well that's if you're willing to foot the bill
     
  16. chefcoco

    chefcoco Kapellmeister

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    Thanks
     
  17. timer

    timer Producer

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    To get an idea how to create an arrangement from your melody it is essential to hear what you're doing.
    One technique you could use is to listen to music you like and then try to recreate it in your DAW. By the moment you understand how others arrange their music, you will have a basic concept you can build on. It will take time, but it's fun.
    Although it's not strictly needed to play an instrument (except your DAW) or know about music theory, it won't hurt, though.

    Or you just get that magic iPhone app, that promises to make a full arrangement from your humming: this may give you Apple Music with your own melody.
     
  18. lasteno

    lasteno Platinum Record

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    in my case... it's very strange.. I only know where is "C" in my keayboard and guitar and my bass guitar..
    I don't care about notes, or music theory, etc etc.. or any tutorial .. I don't believe in that.. even when mixing..
    I do it my own way.. Don't follow the Rules in Music the are no Rules.. My Friend.. Never ¡
    That all I can Suggest you "pflame" do it your own way.. and when you feel it.. by working in 4 tracks in any daw..
    your are doing it just Right.. it's about what you feel, not what others feel about it.. so? just do it.
     
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