Arrangement: Video 002 of w33t's Instructional Tutorial Videos
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In this video I continue the development of our song.
Throughout the video, I do my best to teach and highlight every step that I take when I am creating a new song. I talk a bit about music theory, quite a bit about my own personal theories (some maybe not so musical), some tried and tested techniques and I also show some personal not-so-tried-and-tested techniques which I have developed over the years.
In the video I demonstrate some more usage of two audio programs, Sony Sound Forge and Cakewalk Sonar 5 Producer Edition.
I begin the video where we last left off: In Cakewalk at our completed, 4 bar motif. I then take this motif and loop and extend it for several minutes by copying and pasting. This is somewhat akin to creating a large amount of clay from which to sculpt.
Once we have a large âspineâ from which to branch I then discuss different ideas on how to actually begin a song. After a brief discussion I proceed to use Cakewalk Sonar to trim-away from the very beginning of the song in order to create an intro.
After the intro is completed satisfactorily, I then begin to identify the areas of the song where there should be diversity: where perhaps a break or a bridge might be created.
Upon identification of these areas I discuss different theories on how one might go about changing up the song in order to add interest and flavor. I then proceed to use Cakewalk Sonar to implement changes to these areas of the song.
In addition to these changes I show different methods for creating musical breaks and bridges and implement these changes in the composition.
During the course of the writing process I locate a section of the composition which should stand out boldly from the rest of the song. I then show how I go about keeping the main theme true while still creating a unique and original section of the overall song.
Once we have created these various areas in the song I determine that the song, in itâs present form, is complete. This is the point where we proceed to mixdown using Cakewalk Sonar 5 Producer Editionâs console for the process of mixing down the audio.
During the initial mixdown I discuss briefly some best practices and I demonstrate how certain subtle changes to the channels mixing board can influence the overall sound of the final master track. I also discuss the use of various effects and audio processing techniques like reverb, audio equalization, compression and multiband dynamics.
Once the mix-down process has completed and we have a mixed down final audio wav file we then proceed into final mastering using Sony Sound Forge 7.
Within Sound Forge 7 I discuss briefly the nature of the audio waveform and then proceed to further expand on the use of dynamic processing (audio compression and audio limiting) to further enhance the audio waveform. I demonstrate the use of audio spectrum analysis using the spectrum analyzer to determine if any additional audio equalization should take place using the EQ.
After processing the wav file and applying the various audio effects we arrive at the final audio file.
The song is complete.
But of course, to paraphrase the great poet Paul Valery, âA poem is never finished, only abandoned.â
Thus we have now decided our song is complete enough to be abandoned :)
Making Beats (b33tz): "Tutorial" 001 of...well, apparently 999 ;)
Read More About This Video
This is the first video tutorial that I have made in order to create an exposition of my music writing process. I hope that this video will be largely instructional as well as documentary.
Throughout the video, I do my best to teach and highlight every step that I take when I am creating a new song. I talk a bit about music theory, quite a bit about my own personal theories (some maybe not so musical), some tried and tested techniques and I also show some personal not-so-tried-and-tested techniques which I have developed over the years.
In the video, I demonstrate basic usuage of two audio programs, Sony Sound Forge and Cakewalk Sonar 5 Producer Edition, and two DXi/VST software synthesizers used within Cakewalk Sonar â the rgc:audio z3ta+ Waveshaping Synthesizer and the Garritan Personal Orchestra.
Virtual instruments are a vital part that should be in every studio of a modern electronic musician.
I begin the tutorial video by showing how I use Sony Sound Forge to browse through various drum loops that I have saved over the years in order to pick a couple that I think sound nice. The tone of these audio samples will wind-up setting the overall mood for the song.
After picking out the drum loops that I wish to use, I then demonstrate the method that I employ to extract the individual drum samples from the drum loops and I show a couple shortcuts and ways of editing the audio samples.
Once I have extracted and edited the drum samples I then import them into Cakewalk Sonar 5. Once there, I reveal my method for bringing these samples into Cakewalk and setting them up to be moved around to create an original drum beat. I then show how I go about choosing the correct tempo (speed) for the track.
Once we have a prototype of our foundational drum beat, I instruct the viewer on how I setup and use the rgc:audio z3ta+ Waveshaping Synthesizer software synth to create a baseline bass line to serve as the core musical progression for the music piece. I choose an appropriate sounding instrument bank, set it up for recording and show how to use looped recording to repeat the drum loop while I play potential bass riffs with my midi keyboard.
I do run into some problems along the way which you yourself may or may not encounter â in the video I very briefly show a couple methods I use for getting around these problems.
After recording many potential riffs for the bass line, I instruct on how to pick and choose the best takes from the large array of tracks created from the recording. I demonstrate how to take these recorded riffs and arrange them to create a full 4 measure motif. I then disclose the techniques that I employ to adjust the recordings to be more precise in time with the rhythm and tempo of the musical piece.
Once we have our 4 measure motif I lead the viewer through my various manipulations of the individual drum samples in order to create a varied and more interesting drum line for the motif. In doing this, I hope to illuminate the ways that some of our modern, more enjoyed, popular rhythms, with which most of us are familiar, are developed.
During the manipulation of the drum samples, I discuss my particular mindset which I use to determine how the overall feel of the musical motif will develop.
Once we have completed this part of the 4 measure motif I then proceed to load up the Garritan Personal Orchestra software synthesizer to use for my melodies. This is a synthesizer that I love. I am a big fan of orchestral sounds, and the Garritan Personal Orchestra is simply the best virtual orchestra you can buy. I use the Garritan Personal Orchestra to create the melody for this piece of music.
During the implementation of the Garritan Personal Orchestra virtual instrument I show a bit of the console of Cakewalk â the virtual mixing board of Cakewalk. I show the use of a couple of the virtual effects offered through Cakewalk, in particular the Sonitus:fx suite â which I find to be a wonderful group of highly-efficient, high sound quality virtual effects. I use these virtual effects in order to boost the audio levels and to bring out details in the tone of the virtual instruments.
I then show some basic use of the musical staff: how by using the staff it can actually be very easy for the viewer to write melodies to go with the motifs they have developed.
At the end I discuss, very briefly, how to use the Sonitus:fx Multiband to pre-master the master output of the musical track.
In closing I discuss how long it takes to create this music motif, and what potential work will need to be done going forward - hopefully to be shown in the next tutorial/example videos to be released soon!
Thank you for visiting :)
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17 Comments:
This showed me that I basically know nothing about music. :P
I come up with great tunes in my head all the time (at least I *think* so), and I can usually whistle or hum them, but I have a real hard time transferring that over to the computer (or any instrument, for that matter).
I look forward to seeing more of your videos.
i just really want to say thank you for doing this and making these videos. Sonar only has the instruction pdf but its really not enough for me to get started and to learn how to think like an electronic musician. your videos are exactly what i needed! so thank you. =)
You rock man, I know lots about 3d applications and have been trying to learn as much as i can about sound apps but i dont know that much so everything is pretty unfarmiliar, i learned alot from your tutorials, and there funny to! well done, and thanks alot for lessons, I'll keep coming back to see if there is anything new!
Real nice! I have had many hours of instruction and hands on in electronic music production and as you state, you can always learn a new way or two. I use cubase a lot but I have a few hardware sequencers that I also use. You just opened my eyes a bit wider, hopefully it will have some impact on my next efforts.
I appreciate your taking the time to share your advice and insights into your personal audio approach. I look forward to seing more of what you have to say and show. Incidently, your songs are very interesting and reflect a creative individual's mindset.
I like the way you ripped common loops into a fresh beat and will try that style soon. I have done similar loops by cutting a beat and sticking the parts into a hardware sampler but as the quality of computer sampling rises I find your way to be a bit faster. (and the ease of use!) The mix of both hardware and software is an interesting event, hopefully you can show more of that also. I remember when the idea of audio sampling, soft synthesis and audio recording was an expensive proposistion, (Heh, not to mention just a fantasy in electronic musician or keyboard magazine!) paying a few hundred bucks for a few programs and a strong 'puter is really not out of reach for most players. Now for the imagination and skill to get the music flowing and out there for the people!
HI, A FEW DAYS AGO DOWNLOAD YOUR TUTORIALS VIDEOS BY GOOGLE AND THEY HAVE SERVED ME VERY MUCH ONLY I WRITE to thank YOU AND IT CONTINUES WITH THIS. I DO NOT SPEAK IN ENGLISH A LITTLE BIT I USED A TRANSLATOR ON LINE .WELL THAT YOU SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH OTHERS. I AM NEW IN SONAR 6 . AGAIN THANK YOU.
TATUAG
hummilenium@msn.com
hey! nice videos! i was wondering what are your PC specs... Thanks!
Great Videos!
I noticed on your first video (Making Beatz) that you couldn't get the volume on Garritan Personal Orchestra very high. You have to turn the Mod wheel up to get the volume higher.
i second what i read in your comments about people being secretive and not wanting to inform people.its refreshing and inspiring!my problem was tht i read so many computer music magazines which emphasised on the importance of mastering/eqing/compressing/limiting/filtering etc i was baffled thanx man you dont know how much it helps to see someone having fun and walking over those obstacles.
top tutorial!.
These are awesome. Thanks! You asked for comments and advice: You may want to consider dragging your drum samples into Cyclone. Then you can trigger them with MIDI in the Piano Roll View. The primary benefits would be that it's a bit neater (for me) and you can save them as kits. Then you can recall those kits in other projects instantly. Again, thank you very much for posting these. They're way informative and good ol' fashioned fun.
These videos are amazingly helpful! I've toyed around with Cakewalk on and off for years and have never gotten over the learning curve. Now I feel like I've finally got a shot at it!
THANKS!!
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
Thanks a lot for doing thing video. And the best part about it was that it showed us, you dont really need to be a Expert on each and every instrument or aspect of a instrument to create music, as you said many times in video yourself, like about HARMONY, so altogether it boosted the morale of starters like me, i really appreciate you for this video. I hope to see another one soon.
very nice blog ;)
Great tutorial! I learn a lot from watching this video. I'm sure I can apply it in my own project.
Great blog, I learn a lot of nice videos. Keep it up!
Hi,
Who can I speak to regarding advertising today?
Thanks,
Gary
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