SHR4C004M-002 Composition & Production Template

Upload your composition in the block below, please refer to the assignment brief for the specific file specifications.

Synthesis process evidence

To start this song I first started with making chords using a synth Plug-in called vital. I started playing around with the wavetables layering mainly saw waves and altering the harmonics of them to make a more interesting sound.

The Image above demonstrates my use of sound layering as well as altering the harmonics. In addition to this I then proceeded to add specific effects to it, such as chorus, multiband compression, distortion, filters and others. I did this to help further amplify the quality of the sound and to help better the mix by making it sound more interesting.

The image above demonstrates my use of effects and also demonstrates specific choices that I made to the instrument, including envelopes and LFOs. After I made the chords I then started to add basic effects like EQ and compression before moving on to creating the lead melody to go along side the chords.

The image above shows me adding the essential post effects to the chords, including EQ and Compression.

I also added other effects including a saturator to give the mix some warmth and an OTT(over the top compressor) to help the chords stand out further in the mix.

I then started working on the lead melody. I wanted an ambient sounding lead to accompany the chords to make it sound more ethereal.

The image above shows what lead I have used, which also includes a built in reverb to make it more ambient. I also then added basic effects like EQ and compression, as well as a utility for gain staging.

I then started to add effects like chorus and auto pan, to give more space into the lead as well as a saturator to give it more warmth. After this a proceeded to move on to the main counter melody, which I chose a pluck for.

I then did proceeded to go through the same process with the other instruments, using utility to gain stage, adding EQ was well as cutting off everything below 100hz to make room for the kick and bass and added compression, or more specifically multiband compression, to help compress certain frequencies that are too dynamic.

I then added more effects, such as chorus and reverb to give the pluck a more wider feel in the mix. After I was done with the chords, lead and melody, I added some bells to accompany them. I added some basic effects like EQ and added a doubler to make the bells have a phaser sound to it.

After I was done with all of that, I decided to start working on the drums and the bass. To start this process I first created a drum pattern with the kick and snare.

I then added a high hat pattern to accompany them, whilst also adding open high hats and percussion.

After this, I also decided to add a drum buss group for the kick and snare, to which I added a drum sharpener on to them to make them more punchy and stand out in the mix.

Finally, to accompany the drum pattern, I used an 808 bass to create a simple but effective bassline.

Once I was done creating the bassline, I started mixing the drums and bass. Firstly, I made sure to put a compressor on the bass and side-chain it to the kick. This helps reduce frequency clashing between the two and makes them both heard clearly.

After this I then added my effects chains to each part of the drums, adding specific EQ and compression changes and adding effects to enhance the mix.

kick:

Snare:

rim-shot:

Closed hi-hats:

Open high-hats:

808 Bass:

After I finished the drums and bass, I moved on to the vocals and vocal sampling before finally moving on to arrangement. For the vocals, I decided to rely on an autotune plug-in called Antares to help produce it. Before adding the auto-tune, I decided to record the raw lead vocals in first to start with.

I then added basic effects, like EQ and compression and made sure the lead vocals were set to mono by using the utility plug-in. Having the lead vocal in mono helps the lead vocals punch through in the mix.

After that I used the Antares Auto tune artist plugin to help with pitch correction and to create the distinct robotic effect that auto tune brings.

I then added a bunch of other effects using Antares plug-ins, such as a vocal-de esser, reverb, warmth and more.

I then recorded a double take to accompany the lead vocal. This helps enhance the sound of the vocals and creates a cool phase effect with it.

For the double vocal I added similar effects from the lead vocal to it, including autotune, but instead made the recording stereo and added other effects to enhance dynamic range, such as delay. This helps the overall sound of the vocal feel wide in the mix and gives it a sense of presence.

Furthermore, I decided to play around with the vocals a bit to create some filler vocals and chops. First I recorded the sound of the vocals into another audio channel,

Then I added a auto filter on the audio file to push it back in the mix, whilst also adding bit-crush to make it sound more interesting.

I then decided to add some vocal chops for additional filler vocals. I did this by using a sampler; dragging the audio file of the vocals into it and using slice mode on the sampler to make chops out of the sample.

I then created a note progression using the sampler.

Finally, after I finished the filler vocals, I moved on to arrangement. For the intro of the song, I started it with the chords and lead only. I used a low pass filter and I automated it so that the frequency would slowly go up for the intro. This gives the intro a rise out of water type of feeling.

After this I introduced the vocals for the pre hook which then lead into the hook. During the pre hook, I also brought in the snare and melody.

I also automated the pitch of the vocals during the pre hook for more variation.

After this, I made similar structuring choices for the rest of the song, adding in parts and taking away when needed for variation.

Overall, I believe this song has great commercial potential because it uses professional and innovative techniques as being well mixed. The track is made using industry standard equipment and plugins as well intricate sound design.