Chikka chikka wa waah! It's the music production thread.

[bmd]

what synth are you working on today?

Moog Matriarch v3. Software version.

Really, really appreciate the input. Anything is helpful. I'm of a mind that I can learn the basics loads of times, from different people, because they will all have something slightly different to impart or a different way of saying it and that's all more knowledge.

Chip in, drone on, tune out.

 

[bmd]

What's In A Sound?

In Part 1 of this (63-part) series exploring the world of subtractive synthesis, Gordon Reid goes right back to basics. What are waveforms and harmonics, where do they come from, and how does the theory relate to what we actually hear?

www.soundonsound.com

This was an excellent series when it was printed(!)
Well worth a read.

Nice one, thanks.

 

[bmd]

It's drum machines today, for a break from synths. I'm using D16 Group's PunchBox. By 'using' I mean that I'm reading the manual, watching shit teachers on YT and farting about with it in Bitwig. I'm going for a really heavy sound, as if I'm tonking the electronic drums as hard as possible, on the kick anyway.

What do people start a tune with? Drums? Bassline?

 

[Fez909]

It's drum machines today, for a break from synths. I'm using D16 Group's PunchBox. By 'using' I mean that I'm reading the manual, watching shit teachers on YT and farting about with it in Bitwig. I'm going for a really heavy sound, as if I'm tonking the electronic drums as hard as possible, on the kick anyway.

What do people start a tune with? Drums? Bassline?

I usually start with drums, and I think that's quite common.

Derrick May said he does the drums last, and he's made the odd good tune

 

[danski]

I’ve read people saying leave the drums til last because if you can get your track grooving without, adding after will only enhance what’s already working. Never tried it myself. Yet.
I mostly start with drums.
Disclaimer: I have been fucking about on and off since the early nineties and have never released a track and only finished two or three. Nor can play an instrument. Maybe do the opposite of what I suggest.

 

[existentialist]

It's drum machines today, for a break from synths. I'm using D16 Group's PunchBox. By 'using' I mean that I'm reading the manual, watching shit teachers on YT and farting about with it in Bitwig. I'm going for a really heavy sound, as if I'm tonking the electronic drums as hard as possible, on the kick anyway.

What do people start a tune with? Drums? Bassline?

For me, always drums, because it's the best alternative to a click track. Then, ideally, bass - because you really want that locking in with the drums to provide a nice rhythmic foundation for the upper voices to move around within. After that, all bets are off. I would usually get the upper rhythm instruments (keyboard, guitar, Patagonian nose flute) in next, then vocals, and then the ornamentals - brass section stabs, "call and response" lead guitar/viola , other melody instruments.

Whether that's valid from a formal music production point of view, I have no idea - it's just what seems to work for me.

Oh, and...there's no reason not to go back and re-record drums or bass later. Our drummer will record and loop a basic rhythm and build the song from there, then go back and lay a "live" drum track in, with fills, etc.

 

[xenon]

I usually start with a riff or find a patch that inspires something.

 

[xenon]

But I am bad about finishing stuff still.

 

[bmd]

I usually start with drums, and I think that's quite common.

Derrick May said he does the drums last, and he's made the odd good tune

Software or The Real Thing?

 

[bmd]

I’ve read people saying leave the drums til last because if you can get your track grooving without, adding after will only enhance what’s already working. Never tried it myself. Yet.
I mostly start with drums.
Disclaimer: I have been fucking about on and off since the early nineties and have never released a track and only finished two or three. Nor can play an instrument. Maybe do the opposite of what I suggest.

That is a really good suggestion. I'd even look at it the other way round and say if you can't get it grooving without drums then it's poor anyway.

 

[danski]

That is a really good suggestion. I'd even look at it the other way round and say if you can't get it grooving without drums then it's poor anyway.

Indeed.

 

[souljacker]

For those looking to learn about synths, the ableton course is quite good and fun. The kids really enjoyed it and I learnt stuff too. Learning Synths

As for freebies, there is a lot of free vsts around at the mo. Voltage modular from Cherry Audio was free recently but looks like it's back up to $99. r/ableton and r/edmproduction on reddit keep chucking up some goodies.

 

[Fez909]

Software or The Real Thing?

I use mostly software because I haven't got the space to set up my hardware. I've bought a few bits recently though, and have just moved house with a dedicated spot to put it all. As soon as I'm set up, I'm going to try to use the machines the majority of the time - inspire creativity by restriction (hopefully).

I have three Behringer synths: MS1, TB3 and RD8

 

[Saul Goodman]

An SM58 would make sense as I could also use it as a stage mike. Either way, any microphone is going to be beyond my budget for the time being, so at least I've got the phone to do it with. And vocals aren't my main thing anyway...

If you're going to buy an SM58, make sure you buy it from a reputable source. The market is flooded with knock-offs.

 

[existentialist]

If you're going to buy an SM58, make sure you buy it from a reputable source. The market is flooded with knock-offs.

I am well warned, yes, thank you. There is such a thing as "too cheap". See also: RayBan sunglasses.

 

[existentialist]

Just decided to figure out how I would use Audacity to record a viola track while monitoring the backing track through headphones. One checkbox later, job's a good 'un and I've ended up with entire track full of happy noodlings

I think I'll just keep whacking in tracks for a bit, then have a good edit. Off I go...

 

[bmd]

I use mostly software because I haven't got the space to set up my hardware. I've bought a few bits recently though, and have just moved house with a dedicated spot to put it all. As soon as I'm set up, I'm going to try to use the machines the majority of the time - inspire creativity by restriction (hopefully).

I have three Behringer synths: MS1, TB3 and RD8

The RD8 looks sick.

I didn't bother with the Punchbox thing in the end. I chatted shite on here mostly and then got a groove going with Stylus. Such a great drum machine. Love the fact that it's just grooves rather than pattern/sequence/song. Really feels like I get into something with it much more than any other drum machine I've used so far.

 

[bmd]

Just decided to figure out how I would use Audacity to record a viola track while monitoring the backing track through headphones. One checkbox later, job's a good 'un and I've ended up with entire track full of happy noodlings

I think I'll just keep whacking in tracks for a bit, then have a good edit. Off I go...

Audacity eh? I tried using it to record some stuff on my pc and I couldn't even work out how to arm it.

 

[bmd]

Today is MIDI day. Like leg day at the gym, only less enjoyable. Only joking MIDI, you're a right laugh! I have got to the stage where I know there's a tunnel because I can almost feel the sides of it. The light at the end of it? Not exactly blinding me.

MIDI does not make a sound. I mean, it does, but it doesn't. MIDI doesn't play musical notes. I mean, it does, but it doesn't. With me so far?
I have the feeling that if I get MIDI then I've cracked it. I really want to crack MIDI. I really really do.

Another goal is to listen to music, like I have always listened to it: with my heart, first and then everything else. The other day I found myself listening to something pretty tame and thinking "oooh, that arpeggio is really good and the production is amazing" and then coming out of that and just listening to it as a tune and thinking 'meh'.

I don't want to put the process above the music because that's when I start making stuff just for the sake of the process and that stuff will be 'meh'.

 

[bmd]

MIDI day went well. I am beginning to understand it!!! I am still a bit about MIDI clock but I'm pretty clear about Most Significant Bit, Least Significant Bit and Continuous Controllers. When I learn something and there are parts on the screen that I don't understand, then I find them to be a barrier to that learning. So learning about Bits, Bytes and Nibbles, MSBs and LSBs was just brilliant. I can move onto the next bit (ho ho) now.

The tutorial was Groove 3's MIDI Explained. Thank you to whoever offered that titbit of information. A Titbit? Now there's a strange old MIDI standard.

 

[sim667]

I dabble, and have done for a number of years, mainly using a hooky copy of ableton and a hooky copy of massive..... I'm not into the sound design side of things, but I do enjoy arrangements....

I'd never say I'm proficient, but I seem to get better with each try, although I am still using sample packs quite a lot. I tend to stare at stuff until I get bored of things, these are the last 2 things I flung up on soundcloud



The best stuff is always the stuff that kind of comes together itself, this was one of those and still one of the things I'm most happy with


I've got a couple of WIP's at the moment which sound like they might be alright too

 

[bmd]

That bassline on Planet Dust is siiiiick. Love it. I started out with a pocket full of cash and a Russian torrent site. I quickly discovered that I could simply keep buying hardware and downloading software and samples until my clogs popped off and never get a note down. So I get why you have focused on one DAW and one synth. I am moving towards a groovebox type approach right now, on my iPad. Plus KQ Dixie, an awesome DX7 clone. It is crazy how much these apps cost. The sound I get out of the Dixie plus my Keystep is just butter, for £3.99.

 

[bmd]

Speaking of software, I want to get either a MIDI controller or a synth (lol, just one more) to use with Omnisphere. I want one with plenty of knobs, pads can be there too but knobs mainly. I was looking at the Fighter Twister or something like the Behringer BCR 2000 with the Zaquencer firmware. Or maybe a control surface. Bottom line is that I want something with loads of dials so I can fart about with software synths, on my pc and iPad. I really like the Omnisphere feature that expands the utility of certain synths, so I wouldn't be against getting one of those either, but I only want to spend about £400, at the very most.

Anyone have anything in mind that fits with that?

 

[rutabowa]

I don't want to put the process above the music because that's when I start making stuff just for the sake of the process and that stuff will be 'meh'.

This is more a philosophical point than music production advice but:
I think it is totally ok to make stuff just for the sake of the process, at least when you are learning... whatever the instrument, whether it be electronic music production or a trumpet.

Translating the "sound in your head" to reality is like actually virtually impossible. Maybe if you are a musical genius and work full time on your instrument for your entire life you might approach it once or twice, but really it is just a Platonic ideal to aspire to rather than something that will be achievable in the near future.

So really learning any instrument is more about learning a craft rather than inspiration. Which is exactly what you're doing so it sounds like you are going about it the right way!

 

[existentialist]

This is more a philosophical point than music production advice but:
I think it is totally ok to make stuff just for the sake of the process, at least when you are learning... whatever the instrument, whether it be electronic music production or a trumpet.

Translating the "sound in your head" to reality is like actually virtually impossible. Maybe if you are a musical genius and work full time on your instrument for your entire life you might approach it once or twice, but really it is just a Platonic ideal to aspire to rather than something that will be achievable in the near future.

So really learning any instrument is more about learning a craft rather than inspiration. Which is exactly what you're doing so it sounds like you are going about it the right way!

Absolutely agreed. But. A band I am in has a keyboard player/composer/arranger who can hear the songs in his head. But he's a perfectionist, so it is rare that anything ever measures up quite to what his imagination is producing...so have a care. By all means follow the song in your head, but recognise that it might not be achievable, but something more achievable and less perfect can still be amazing.

Just saying

 

[bmd]

This is more a philosophical point than music production advice but:
I think it is totally ok to make stuff just for the sake of the process, at least when you are learning... whatever the instrument, whether it be electronic music production or a trumpet.

Translating the "sound in your head" to reality is like actually virtually impossible. Maybe if you are a musical genius and work full time on your instrument for your entire life you might approach it once or twice, but really it is just a Platonic ideal to aspire to rather than something that will be achievable in the near future.

So really learning any instrument is more about learning a craft rather than inspiration. Which is exactly what you're doing so it sounds like you are going about it the right way!

Hmm. I know you're a person who has been playing live etc for a long time, so I value your opinion and I know that you know more than me about certain aspects of this and I don't know an aspect, never mind certain ones. There's a but coming here, isn't there.

BUT! I know that at least one hip hop producer employs a couple of techs to listen to him beatbox on the mike and then they translate that to beats. That's a sound from his head, into the digital realm. Is that what you meant? It's what I meant. I'm sure I'm missing your point but, if so, then we've possibly missed each others. I do not want to argue because I have a twig and you have a castle with an army and a massive ballistae, as it were.

I have done that, taking a riff from my head. I do do it. It's a very rough process and I swerve off into other places more often than not, but that's about focus.

Anyway! I completely agree that doing something for the sake of the process is worth it. I would even go so far as to say that that is mostly what I do. What I meant was that I want to make the music that fires me up, if I just make music for the sake of it then I feel like I'm putting out that fire, little by little. That looks like the same thing as what you said tbf. I guess it's one of those "I know what I mean" type things.

Bottom line? I really appreciate your input.

 

[bmd]

For some reason, I was paid as much as I've ever earned, by work, Plus 30%! I am off work by choice because of my daughter's vulnerability and so I was under the impression that I would not be paid. I don't meet any definition of work abscence for financial help. But the gods of cash have smiled on me.

Soooo...

I have sprinkled a little out into the world and got the other monitor to go with my JBL 308p MK2. I kept wondering why everything sounded weird and then I realised that it was because I was recording in stereo and I only had one monitor. I know there's more to it than that but ah well. I once knew someone with the nickname Ah Well because that was pretty much all he said.

I also got a Beatstep Pro second hand for a bargain and a Novation Launchcontrol XL. As well as a few other bits and pieces. Only a few. Honest. Just remembered I've got £90's worth of books coming. I like to have a book open on my lap to refer to. I really need to stop now.

 

[RTWL]

It's drum machines today, for a break from synths. I'm using D16 Group's PunchBox. By 'using' I mean that I'm reading the manual, watching shit teachers on YT and farting about with it in Bitwig. I'm going for a really heavy sound, as if I'm tonking the electronic drums as hard as possible, on the kick anyway.

What do people start a tune with? Drums? Bassline?

Usually a synthline or a sample.

Translating the "sound in your head" to reality is like actually virtually impossible. Maybe if you are a musical genius and work full time on your instrument for your entire life you might approach it once or twice, but really it is just a Platonic ideal to aspire to rather than something that will be achievable in the near future.

Could not disagree more. You will know when you have become a proficient producer when you can create the sound in your head. Until that point everything is a happy accident.... which is more art than production .

 

[RTWL]

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[existentialist]

OK, it's check your assumptions time. So I've been unanimously voted Band Sound Engineer, on the strength of a 12 part choral recording I did.

So I have a few assumptions about how I put together a track, chief amongst which is that what's really important is that everybody is recording their line from the same source - a click track, guide track, rough mix, whatever. It didn't occur to me to point out that if our singer and guitarist were going to submit recordings, the singer would need to use the guitarist's to get the timing right. Oops. Mind you, I'm having to insert a few bars into the guitar part where he rushes in a bar early between verses, aargh. He says he doesn't want to re-record it. Prima donnas, eh?

So, we're half way their - our vocalist is re-recording her part to the guitar part. I may have to edit the stops in myself

Mind you, I have to remember that they, too, are working with a rank amateur, so I shouldn't hold them to too high a standard!