SHR4C004M-003 Song Prod. & Write Up Template

Task 1: Three Minute Song Production (70%)

Task 2: 1000 Word Write-Up (30%)

For this assignment I have produced a track called RSIU, in this I have used aa couple different forms of sampling to create musical textures and a drum kit. I have also used my home set up to record vocals. I will now outline my methods and approach throughout this essay.

First, I have started by using the analog retro synth to create a warm textured synth that plays in the intro chords, I was inspired by the synth tone in “everything in its right place” by Radiohead and aimed to recreate this sound, as a challenge I did this on my own without researching the methods they used. I then used the wavetable synth “serum” to add further texture and create ambience throughout the intro.

The next musical element that you notice is the introduction of the drums, that I created using the sampler. Firstly, I went through and picked out a snare clap and kick sound that I liked. I then armed these onto different keys and set them to play as a one shot, I also mapped these at different velocities so that different levels of input had louder or quieter output.

Next comes in the bass and vocal together, the bass is a simple analog wave in serum once again, however this time I have linked LFO one to the “A semi” and the second, a sin wave to the filters cut off. This has created movement throughout the track from the bass. This is also accompanied by a guitar playing simple root chords and picking out individual notes in-between. This layering of instruments creates a lot of sonic textures that add to the overall atmosphere and ambience of the track.

The vocal then begins with a gentle and soft-spoken lyric that is repeated throughout the track. This vocal was recorded in my room at home with a sm58 microphone. To make the microphone have a softer character and to reduce the pop that comes from singing a lyric I took of the pop filter and lined it with a piece of material. I then screwed this back onto the microphone. This had the desired effect of softening up the initial hit of the lyrics. As for the lyrics I had a friend who is the singer from my band come over and ad lib some. It took a few takes to get him comfortable and confident of what he was going to sing, however the vocals simple nature meant this did not require too much work. I then used a compressor with a moderately fast attack, slow release and a low threshold to squash the vocal before bringing it back up into the mix using make up gain. While the reverb I did before the vocal was sang, using a large and bright sound to compliment the vocal.

At stages I would then pair this up with a pitch corrected vocal and at times one with delay creating yet more movement and texture within the track. The pitch corrected vocal adds a level of surrealness to the sound that you’re engaging with, making it slightly less human and teetering into the uncanny valley effect. I also used a delay to create a more noticeable and visceral sound of the voice echoing and swirling around the listener.

My next point of interest is the lead synth that comes in after the first vocal, for this synth I took a preset from the serum catalogue and just slightly adapted it, changing the rate of the lfo to tune its movement into the rest of the track. This leads to a big saw tooth sound that I created by manipulating the recorded vocal in the sampler. I did this by first uploading my vocal into the sampler and then using the lfo set to the saw tooth wave and setting it to pitch. I then tuned the rate and the depth till I had the sound I liked and finally tuned in with effects and filters.

The next notable moment of the track is a break where a guitar takes the lead of the song, I created this guitar tone on my computer using native instruments guitar rig 7, I then attempted to record just room sound of this playing through the speakers at home, I was hoping the long narrow room would create some complex and interesting reflections however this did not work out and I had to simply use the programmes built in systems.

Next to mix the song I have used a range of eq’s and compression. My goal in eq’ing has been to create room and separation between tracks, to achieve this I will give and example of how I have eq’d my bass and drums. Given that my kick and bass synth are hitting at around the same frequency of between eighty and one hundred hertz I have pulled down the initial bass frequency and slightly boosted its harmonics to maintain the tone. This means u feel both the driving nature of the bass as well as the intensity of the kick drum.

I have also used a side chain compressor on my guitar tracks when the break comes in, these compressors have been side chained to activate once the guitar In the break begins, again this has created separation and clarity between the tracks.

Overall, I feel this track has been a good example of how rather basic and minimal use of sampling and vocal tracking can be used to enhance a track. I had initially intended on making a hip-hop track however struggled to fit the sung vocals in and decided to adapt into what I have presented here.