I've been experimenting with riffs and sounds the last few day with some success. I've come up with at least two strong ideas for songs, both originating from my electric guitar, that I've already begun composing/producing into songs. Transitioning ideas from my head, to an instrument, into a nice sounding composition is beginning to come naturally. I still feel like there's capacity in me to do it faster. I'm also finding that it feels much more natural to work on lots of tracks at the same time. If I'm not 'in the mood' to work on a particular track, I might be feeling right to work on another.
The new stuff I'm working on is a real mixed bag. The first track sounds like a 60's rock song, but then phases in and out of a more modern sound. I'm even going to try putting some weird chanting and stuff in. Like Gregorian type stuff. Just to mess with people's heads and add that element of 'epic' that I just can't avoid doing.
The other track sounds like some of NIN's gritty rock mixed with something by Muse.
I also came up with a few little riffs and that which sound cool, but not sure if they'll become songs. I can always use them as transitional effects. Or rather, content to fill the space between songs. Some really great albums use little instrumentals to break up songs and create ambiance on the album. :)
That's all for today. Oh, and James Bernard's week 41 tutorial about mid-side processing was amazing if not a bit overwhelming! I'll tinker with the patch he posted.
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Tips for new producers:
For budding musician/producers out there trying to learn this stuff like I am, here's a list of the things I think are critical to producing your own stuff. (Keep in mind that I still consider myself to be an amateur!). I'm assuming you've already bought all the equipment you need and know what most of the knobs on a standard mixing desk do. (For more info about my equipment, see my posts from August 2010)
Ok here goes:
- High and low pass filters: Learn about these to help get rid of that 'boomy' or 'muddy' effect from your songs. Try applying a high pass filter (up to 150-300Hz) to all instruments except your bass sound and your kick drum sound. Your song should start to sound clearer.
- Think about the frequency of all your sounds and try not to put in more than 2 sounds of the same frequency in any song. Use left and right panning to separate sounds of the same frequency.
- Learn about Parallel Processing by watching James Bernard's week 37 tutorial. It's a great way to fatten up your sounds. Particularly drums I find, but I imagine it could apply to any instrument.
- If you sing (or use a singer), learn about 'comping' and do it! Make a singer sing each part 20 times over with very minor variations each time. Listen back each time a part is sung and consider what a variation could achieve.
- Learn about 8-band parallel processing and try using it as a mastering tool. I've found it to be the most important mastering technique so far. It produces amazing clarity and gives you real control on your final mix.
- Work on a few songs at the same time. i.e. you won't be in the mood to work on the same song everyday (or other day)!
- Watch tutorials until your eyes bleed. Try following a tutorial, but make your own music at the same time. Read about your software online and in magazines. Some magazines go into amazing depth about software.
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