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So much automation!!!

Currently on remix duty for local electro disco slinger Dr Hitchcock. Loving getting into the subtleties of progressing the sound through automation.

Adding some random factors alongside well considered curves is heaps of fun.

You want to get into the studio but you feel the pressure of having to write a whole track or being stuck in there for hours.
Sometimes it’s best to limit your time. Ask yourself what can I do with one hour?
How many samples can i make in 30 minutes.
By setting yourself a time limit or a smaller goal you can get something done without feeling like it isn’t enough.

Returning to the socials after almost three weeks of solid music-making.
So much fun to take a production holiday which I'd been working towards after moving to Melbourne last September.

It’s a real reminder that producing is a journey. Staying humble and willing to learn alongside not worrying about the outcome can create the right environment to have fun and grow your art form.

Let’s go!

Taking bookings now for private training sessions over June and July.

It’s ok to be uninspired or to not know what to do. Often we go into the studio without any ideas or feeling like we want to make music.
In this case looking for devices, instruments, or parts of our DAW we don’t explore often can help us to find new stuff.

Have a go at finding something you don’t use often. It could be a synth, an instrument sitting on your desk, or in your closet. Set out to experiment with no real intention. You can hit record and timebox your experimentation. Using the Pomodoro technique here can help a lot.

The main thing is simply to make with no expectations. If something cool happens great but if not that’s ok too. Exploring and having fun is the main aim of the game as it reminds us of why we got into making music.

Using audio to midi can be a great way to get inspiration.

Using existing samples, loops, or presets for many artists feels like cheating and a discussion around where your legitimacy as an artist exists if you are using elements created by others.

More avant-garde artists such as minimal and techno producers often throw away presets and instead choose to use unconventional sonic palettes, whereas other artists will use existing chord structures, familiar samples and elements, and their ingenuity will lie in how the songs are arranged.

To find a middle ground consider using your presets as a starting point to find something close to what you imagine. Get making and come back to your preset later to develop and tweak it more towards your style.

The overall idea here is to develop your own sound design skills, but not let it stop you from making. Don't worry if you start with something existing, it's a sketch you can adapt later.

These posts are distilled chapters from Making Music by Dennis DeSantis.
The book can be downloaded for free from www.ableton.com

Jamming on the OP-1 today, so much fun.

It’s quite common that well-established producers tend to avoid using lots of plug-ins or having excessive amounts of hardware. It is usually recommended to get to know your DAW and synths really well before buying more gear. We can mistake trying new devices for making music.

However, when you’re making music, you can sometimes fall into creating the same types of tracks because you are using the same tools. Be it your own patches, presets or effects.

To get making something new, change it up. Purposefully choose tools you don’t use as often, find a new device, grab a random effect or type in an odd word in your browser and see what comes up. This is a good way to refresh your approach and switch up your thinking, while still being productive.

Ableton has tonnes of free and well-priced devices at Maxforlive.com that can get you started.

Get making music today with EM Studio, jump on the website to book a session.

Playing on Bengal today, who's used this synth?
..

Thinking of writing the whole track can be daunting.
Sometimes it’s easier to focus on one part at a time, aiming to complete that section as fully as possible.

You can do this in two ways, during your production session or in a separate session, so you have parts you can use straight away when it comes to writing.

Try listening to the section on loop. If it sounds good on its own, it’s likely to sound good as a whole track.

Mastering this week for Pianika and testing out a few new plug-ins. Some exciting new tracks on the way.

Get your tracks analyzed and mastered with EM Studio

Generally speaking, the below list showcases the general tempo for each genre.

If you are unsure of what BPM to set when you go into the studio. Try setting up your basic kick drum or beat and slowly increase or decrease the speed till you feel comfortable. You'll be surprised how it will pop out at you.

Dub: 60-90 bpm
Hip-hop: 60-100 bpm
Downtempo: 90-120 bpm
House: 115-130 bpm
Techno/trance: 120-140 bpm > Dubstep: 135-145 bpm
Drum and bass: 160-180 bpm

Dropping your own track for the first time...

Write Drunk;
Make and record sound freely. Make mistakes and allow yourself to go with what ever you feel. Record lots of material and don’t stop playing.

Edit Sober;
Edit and refine in a different session, delete ruthlessly, cut back, take out and throw away. Don’t allow yourself to make anything new.

We all know the feeling of getting into the studio and being frozen by the choice of what to do.
When you have everything at your fingertips it all seems too much.

Creating limits helps free us to work within a narrow space.

DeSantis offers us a few ideas to kick off with;

Give yourself a deadline
Do not use that synth you always use (or whatever device is your go-to)
Make every sound from one sample
Change your space

Or one I use often which is to pick three sounds and that’s it, plus your drum kit.

From the studio to the dance floor...

When you finally get to the act of making music, suddenly you find yourself distracted by all the other impending requirements around you.

One of your plug-ins needs a new serial, links are lost, your dog needs a walk, the washing needs to be done, and so on.

Make sure all the required things are done and maintained well;

Prepare your ingredients
Prepare your workspace
Prepare yourself
Make templates
Organize as you go
Always be ready to capture

If you want to read more in-depth information on these posts, get the free book from Ableton

https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/making-music-book-of-creative-strategies/

Get making music today with EM Studio.

When you find that drone patch that just hits right +++

We may be keenly making music within one or two genres. You’re clearly passionate about that sound and listen to it a lot in your personal time.

However, in order to gain inspiration, listening outside our normal sphere of influence can help a lot for new ideas. Even if this means listening to music we’re not so keen on.

I’ve been surprised to find a lot of inspiration in hip-hop beats, even though this isn’t a genre I listen to often, the beat structures often give me ideas for new percussion combos as well as the types of instruments used.

It’s worthwhile taking some time out from your normal listening and see if you can find some new ideas to get you making.

Making drum kits today, get started making music for 2023 with EM Studio

In order to deeply understand the music we like, we can actively listen to a track. You can do this by sitting and focusing on a song rather than passively listening to the music in the background. This will help us deconstruct the track and discover new techniques.

It helps to reduce distractions like open windows on your computer, having the washing on, or keeping your phone near you.

Try looping specific parts and honing in on all the elements of the track. Noting down, like our previous examples all the factors that describe the song.

By doing this you have a chance to identify why certain elements of a track cause an emotional response, and you can try to replicate this in your music.

Trying out the slink filter from to make some background effects

Last week we talked about finding attributes within tracks we’re inspired by to help us get making.
writing a list of these helps us identify ways to create our track without copying them.

We can do the same within our own work to generate variety and difference. Especially if we feel like our tracks sound too similar.

This is making a list of things to avoid.

For example;

try using different sounds to wood instruments
Avoid acid in the next couple of tracks
add vocals and so on.

Start making music this year with EM Studio.

Single sessions and 5 session deals available today.

Often we want to make something similar to a track we’ve heard but we feel like we’re copying or stealing that track and that can stifle the creative process.

Instead, note down the attributes of the inspiring track. Consider all the elements of the song, from the tone and texture, the overall feel, the rhythm, melody, the types of instruments used, the intensity and so on.

Once you’ve completed this. Put away the song you’ve listened to and begin your track, referencing only your list.

This way you capture the essence while avoiding copying.

An example might be;
Heavy rolling rock style kick and rumble with discordant synths pulsating over top.
Multiple drum rolls and high reverbs leading to the break.
Nostalgic stabs with synths underneath.

Make great music, get started with EM Studio today.

Make great music with individually tailored lessons to suit any style and skill level from a Certified Ableton trainer.
All sessions are online and recorded for you to keep along with sample packs and resources to get your music happening fast.

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In 2023 we’ll be taking a look into some helpful tips from Making Music by Dennis De Santis.
It’s a free book available from Ableton and is super helpful to get ideas happening

Getting started can be the toughest part of the process. If we simplify our approach to basic steps we can get some sound happening and build from there.

START WITH THE FOUNDATION
Often the kick drum or percussion is the bedrock of the track. Get that happening first and see what comes to mind next. Often the tone of the kick and tempo are enough to get new ideas flowing.

START WITH WHAT YOU HEAR
If you get inspired by another song, or maybe you have a rhythm you’ve been tapping all morning, get that down first.

START WITH WHAT YOU KNOW
If you play an instrument, or use a particular tool that gets you making music fast, start with that.

Getting started for 2023! Feeling refreshed and ready to make new tracks.
Now is a great time to get in touch and learn the skills you need to make professional level sound!