Productions

john_f_kennedy.mp3

Evan's first project!

Gettysburg_address.mp3

Mixing Music On Stage

For this project, I started by picking loops to create the raw song. However, this time I searched for and used different types of loops instead of limiting myself to a pack. Since the first loop I chose was in Emaj, I made sure to only pick loops in Emaj and C#Min to ensure the sounds would work together in the minor key. I also alternated between two loops for each instrument. For panning, I wanted to make the chords, guitar, and synth stand out, so I panned them to the right and left. For the Graphic Equalizer, I boosted the lower frequencies in the synth, chords, and guitar, and boosted the higher frequencies for the lead and drums. I also added reverb on the “yeah lead” and the chords to smoothen out the sharp sounds that contrasted the guitar and "hazee lead”. Finally, I changed the volume automation until all the sounds were clear.From this project, I learned a lot about how to use automation to better my sound. I learned that panning separates the sounds into your left and right speakers, making it feel like an instrument is coming only from a particular section of a stage. This allows each sound to stand out more, and is one of the first things you should do when making a song. I also learned about the Graphic Equalizer. The Graphic EQ makes sound stand out by boosting the lower or higher frequencies. Lastly, I learned that the sound automation makes sounds appear further or closer to you by adjusting the total volume of the sound, which helps it stand out.

Fix_The_Mix__C_minor__76_bpm (2).mp3

Fix the Mix!

For this project, I began by removing the instruments which I thought sounded unpleasant, such as the guitar plucking or “Guitar 2” sounds that I removed from the beginning of the song. There were also many sounds that I wanted to keep but slightly change, like the bass which I switched to an 808 Kick Synth Bass. I also changed the piano instrument to Shadow Soft Synth pads, which I thought sounded better and more smooth. Because the piano sounds were so high pitched and actually a little painful, I decided to lower its pitch by 2 octaves. Later, I changed up the placing of the Synth chords to better line up with the drums because I thought it sounded slightly offbeat. Then, I decided what game I thought my music would fit, and added in sound effects to fit the theme. Lastly, I added some FX effects and automation to enhance the flow and energy of the song.
From this project, I learned a lot about MIDI tracks. I learned how to change both the instrument used and pitch of the notes with the MIDI editor, allowing me to “fix the mix” to what I thought sounded good. This will allow me to better my overall music production. When trying to adjust my Synth chords, I ran into a problem where the track would have no sound for the first few seconds. From this problem, I learned the programming aspect of MIDI tracks, and how they use “on notes” and “off notes” which tell the computer when to start and stop producing the sound. By deleting a small section of the beginning of the Synth Chord track, I removed the “on note” which is what caused the problem. Finally, I also learned what Royalty Free sound effects are and how to use them, and that I should keep using them in order to avoid being charged.

remix 3.1.wav

Remix in Live!

For this project, I used the Ableton Push to create a beat in Ableton Live. First, I downloaded the multiple audio samples and decided which ones I wanted to use to create my beat. After settling on my samples, I used the push to mix my track. I decided to start with a piano melody, then add a synth beat and drums on top, along with a vocal track. After finishing my raw song, I added effects like panning, automation, and some reverb.
Using Ableton Live for the first time was a major accomplishment. I learned what the different symbols meant, and how they were used throughout the program. First, I learned the basics of Ableton such as how to record, use effects, and start/stop the different sounds. I then learned how to use the push, which allowed me to mix songs live instead of having to pause each time like in BandLab. From the push, I also better learned how the music flows together, since I was physically controlling the beats instead of through a computer. Lastly, I learned how to splice and extend the sounds. Instead of having to rerecord the entire song if I wanted to make an edit, splicing allowed me to easily edit my song with just my mouse.

NEW Doctor Who remix.wav

Doctor Who Mix

In Ableton I took the MIDI tracks of the Doctor Who bass and melody themes, and remixed them. I changed the sounds by using different samples, like a choir, guitar, and ambience for the melody, and a distorted sine bass for the bass track. I also changed the pitch of the guitar and choir, making them higher so as to stand out from the ambience and bass. Then, I added effects such as reverb to the tracks. While recording the song, I played with the panning in order to create the feeling of the sounds, especially the TARDIS, flying around you inside the classic Doctor Who vortex seen in the intro. Finally, I moved the entire recording about 18 seconds forwards, and extended only the TARDIS sounds to the beginning in order to create a mysterious and action filled sort of intro to the song before the bass comes in.

While working on this project, I learned a lot about music production. I learned about Delia Derbyshire, and how she arranged the Doctor Who theme using reel-to-reel machines in a Radiophonic Workshop. In Ableton, I learned how to use MIDI tracks as samples, and apply different effects such as pitch shifts and reverb. Lastly, when choosing to change the intro of the song, I learned how important silence is in music. It’s able to create strong emotions like suspense, and is just as important as the music itself.

john f kennedy.wav

Dilla Style

For this project, I used samples, audio effects, and shout outs to create a beat in Ableton Live. First, I chose two drum samples, "80's beat" and "Straight EDM Beat" to create a multilayered beat. I then chose a bass sample, "Infected Bass", and composed a simple MIDI track with the Ableton Push and the MIDI Keyboard. After copying it to another bass track, "You Pop My World", I added audio filters to both until I got my desired sound. Finally, I looked on MoveSamples.com to find some shout-outs to incorporate into my music, but was unsatisfied with almost all of them. I kept searching for multiple days, and eventually settled on using an audio sample of Mary Poppins saying "supe" from the word "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", and Batman saying "I'm Batman". Honestly, I am not very happy with how this project turned out, and I think with more time I could've chosen better samples and drums.
Before starting this project, I learned lots about the history of sampling with The Native Tongues, who used sampling to create new sounds out of what already existed. I was able to use the sampling techniques I learned with the Ableton Push and the MIDI Keyboard to sample a bass sound and make my bassline. I also learned a lot of new scales on the Piano, like the Pentatonic scale, and was able to turn it into the foundation of my song. The last thing I learned, and maybe most important, was that its okay if not every project turns out how you want it to. Although I am not happy with this project, I still think it taught me many valuable skills, and was vital to my progression as musician.

Blind Man Driving.wav

Blind Man Driving

In this project, I used different audio effects such as panning, volume, compression, reverb, and limiting to mix and master raw stems into the song Blind Man Driving. I then added some audio samples to create an intro almost like a music video of someone getting into their car, scrolling through music until they find their favorite song, and driving off

Through this project, I learned the importance of turning down tracks to equalize instead of turning others up. I also learned how to use compression and limiting, adding to my forever growing skills as a musician.

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