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.