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Insights on Music Production and Creation

Aug 26, 2024

Lecture Notes on Music Production and Album Creation

Introduction

  • Speaker waits for more people to join and discusses technical issues with delay.
  • Uses FL Studio for music production.
  • Has been making music since age 11.

Overview of the Creative Process

  • The album is presented track by track.
  • Introduction to the creative process and the tools used.

Song Breakdown: "Bus It"

  • Initial Idea:

    • Started as a different idea with a crispy bassline.
    • Transitioned from an unsatisfactory drum pattern to a drum and bass.
  • Mixing and Mastering:

    • All mixing done within the project file.
    • Mastering involves simple chains, often just one plugin.
  • Production Elements:

    • Use of Serum for bass patches.
    • Extensive use of effects such as Destructor and RC20.
    • Importance of trusting one's ear over technical logic.
  • Song Structure:

    • Combination of one-note bass, drum loops, and vocal effects.
    • Incorporation of a jungle section with specific samples and chord progressions.

Song Breakdown: "The Baddest"

  • Aim & Influence:

    • Created to be a club banger.
    • Inspired by LMFO and Missy Elliot.
  • Sample and Arrangement:

    • Uses samples from Looperman and crowd samples for ambiance.
    • Incorporates stacked crowd vocals for fuller sound.
  • Vocal Effects:

    • Use of format shifters and doublers for vocal depth.
    • Edison used for recording vocals.

Song Breakdown: "John Cena"

  • Concept:

    • Mixture of Rage beats with old-school hip-hop.
    • Original ideas modified heavily through inspiration and experimentation.
  • Production Techniques:

    • Recreation of sounds from scratch to avoid copyright issues.
    • Use of pitched vocals to create unique effects.

Production Journey and Challenges

  • Common Practices:

    • Use of free plugins and stock effects for production.
    • Emphasis on capturing the first genuine reaction to a song to avoid overthinking.
  • Vocal Processing:

    • Techniques similar across tracks, involving EQ, compression, and layering.
    • Avoids traditional mastering logic, focuses on personal sound satisfaction.

Technical and Creative Advice

  • Sampling and Sound Design:

    • Encourages building a personal library of samples from various sources.
    • Experimentation with different types of compression and EQ settings.
  • Creative Philosophy:

    • Trust intuition and personal taste over standard rules.
    • Aim for personal satisfaction and uniqueness in sound creation.

Conclusion

  • Describes the challenges and fun experiences throughout the production of the album.
  • Provides insights into the development of specific tracks and the overall philosophy behind music creation.