From 2008 (version 7) until May 2020 (9.7.x version cant remember x) i was using Live, i did not update/upgrade further during or after 2017 or 2016, as it a 32bit version, and updating wasn't really any beneficial as most of my plugins wr 32bit and also the cost.
So..., i usually come up with a bassline or tune and build around it. In the meantime the drums come in. During this stage i choose the what developed part be, verse or chorus or whatever, usually add or remove stuff, try new variations. All of these under non linear workflow, at this point i have no idea how long this track can be, there ll be whole bunch of clips which i dont use ever.
When im done messing with this i move to a linear workflow, from where i develop further arranging and developing the intro, Outro, bridge breakdown and so on.

During 2020 May, I moved to Reaper as it supported both 32 and 64 bit plugins and was much smoother than live, have more or less the same workflow now, except for the non linearity, I use solo or mute for tracks lot more now than when I used live, where i clicked on the play button of clips and checked which part fits the best with what. But i do miss the non-linear workflow.

Oh! I also use Rapid Composer mostly for inversions, also one of the reasons for me moving to Reaper because of the multitimbral midi routing flexibility.
Scaler

For drums i use:
Battery (since v2)
SD3 (only from v3) i just have only one SD pack Classic and vintage, but i use it with a few EZD packs, also i use SD and not EZD because i can replace the samples to my taste.
and
Atlas

 

Last edited: Feb 11, 2022

Starting a new song usually involves me picking up a guitar and tapping into a feeling and an idea and begin writing lyrics as they come to me, just following my nose. More times than not I have no preconceived notion of the direction and just play it by ear and kind of step back and watch it as it happens in real time. As a poet I like the lyrics to look a certain way on the written page, I'm weird that way, but it is what it is.

 

Thx for moving the post here.. Guess i have to edit it now...

 

What kind of workflow do u prefer, Linear or Non-linear?

 

try this ,

make a project template with XLN Addictive Drums , EZDrummer2 , Superior Drummer 3

make sure you have the full versions thanks to sister site with the midipaks , grooves and rythms

load up your favorite synthwave vst synths , you fx vst amps and your guitar into your audio interface

start browsing thru the ready drum grooves all these drum machines offer , hundreds of them included, the first one you like is sure to inspire you and from there on its just a matter of your doing,start improvising with your guitar and synths what melody and chords suits where

it would also help if you have some vocalist tool like synth v pro or other vocaloid and start designing some basic vocals singing in the tune that comes to your mind

drum grooves are the best inspiration one can have in my opinion

i often hear some cool arpegiated synth or tune or some guitar riff but i cant work with that, that's another mans work ,

however i have found myself plenty of times listening to a really cool drum groove and suddenly - like an insta inspiration - original beautiful female vocals singing cool lyrics, or some bro rhyming along, ethereal atmospheric massive pad buildups or amazing guitar chords i could add to that drum groove or some killer bass+lead combo to make a club-banger out of that drum groove

after you've made the song you like then start going into building a somewhat similar drum groove to accompany it instead of the pre-made one from the midipacks or groovepack

 

In the past half century that might be accurate for folk and popular music. If you go back a bit more it was still just a guy sitting with a tool or a piece of paper and just writing down an idea.

Handel used to compose to paper first in layers and also not always melodically, Sarabande is an example of a structure that had melody and arabesques added after the structure and transitions were already set down. Vivaldi used paper and a cello to compose for orchestras, Beethoven composed from memory onto paper. Wagner couldn't even play an instrument well, just put things on paper and then asked other people to play them and changed them based on that.

If you have an idea, that is the most important thing. It might or not be good but if you see it through who knows, at least you should try.

Personally, I like to compose without melody or rhythm first most of the time, but it depends if you get a melody stuck in your head it will take precedence.

 

Do u mean a hook.

Best Example Ableton Live Session View (one v have clips) = Non-Linear, Arrangement View = Linear

 

That happens quite a lot too me too, but I always wake up as just as she's about to undo that last strap at the top of her dress ....

 

Interesting :
Elon Musk says he sleeps no more than six hours a night because 'sleeping less decreases total productivity
Source:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ps-no-six-hours-night-holds-meetings-2am.html

also:
deadmau5 said he most of times works nights and that sleeping not enough helps to not overthink everything too much
so it's one of his creative boost tips.
" It's like, because my brain is in this weird, euphoric state, I guess, of no sleep that I start thinking-- or not thinking-- and start getting more experimental "
(https://www.masterclass.com/classes...oduction/chapters/the-deadmau5-process-theory)

 

I dont use a launchpad either, as i was using live since 2007 i only came to know about launchpad only during mid or late 2010, since then till now i was using clips and cells make short loops 8 bar or 16 bar and proceed from there. It got into my system so bad that im finding it very hard to get out of that habit/style or workflow.
But its just me i may get used to it

 

Last edited: Feb 12, 2022

As somebody that writes a new complete track every week I have no idea, I just sit in front of my computer and start to do stuff, there's no pattern or habit, I might begin with drums, bass, melody, harmony, whatever. I think what really helps me starting a track is the overall idea of what it is going to be, and that overall idea can be a painting or a video, idk.

It's like when you're in the phone with someone and you grab a notebook and start drawing random figures without any clear objective... until it starts to look like something.

 

We all can agree finishing a track is much more hard. Also, afternoon is the shittiest part of the day, its evening or night when I start really making something

 

Step 1 : plug guitar into audio interface
Step 2 : spend half an hour trying different amp sims, effect chains etc. in search of the perfect tone
Step 3 : realize I'd be better off with a simpler tone, so just load Fuse Audio Labs F-59
Step 4 : noodle aimlessly for a while
Step 5 : ADHD takes over, go back and forth between my DAW and youtube
Step 6 : give up, hate myself for not having produced anything, yet again
Step 7 : get high, watch a stupid video at x0.5 speed, laugh my ass off

 

Hey, can you make a video of you doing that.
Then we can all steal your technique, and when we get to Step 7 we can watch your video.

 

Only if you promise to smash that like button and send me some $$$ on Patreon.

 

Good thread, i have been thinking about this a lot lately, just last week i started and completed a rough song I am very pleased, its actually good for once. Chords, Melody, Drums, Bass and PADS, the main elements, for years i gone on starting a track, putting lots of work in to it, getting 8 bars and that's it, game over, i have hundreds of song ideas on my hard drive like this.

But since i built a basic starting template, with just minimal control and discipline my self to not add anything else, until the arrangement of the structure is over, its working for me. Its the same writing a book blind not knowing the end. Not a wise idea, you must have a simple beginning middle and end. Same with music.

I use studio one and the Chord track channel really is amazing at getting the idea out of your head.
Once the demo is complete, you can then rip out all the basic piano chord and drum machine and put time in to the production to get it sounding and mixed right. That's what I'm going to do from now on anyway, also yes less sleep is something that helps creativity, definitely noticed that in the past.

One more thing if you are writing songs with lyrics, just la la la or talk gibberish in to the microphone, it gives a natural flow for the melody and when its done replace with words that you think fit. Sometimes the gibberish actually turns in to words automatically and comes from a place that is instinctive rather then over thought. The result is more natural.