We all have our "confort zones" where we usually go for some tempos-chord progression-instrumentation- etc...

I am not the most creative guy, I go for something that I like (group, style, soundscape) and expect to do it a lot worse...

I tend to go for "simple" ish things and yes trying to find decent arrangement to keep things interesting.

I like the way you did it there with different sounds-patches, from parts to parts on the track.

We all have our "confort zones" where we usually go for some tempos-chord progression-instrumentation- etc... I am not the most creative guy, I go for something that I like (group, style, soundscape) and expect to do it a lot worse... ;) I tend to go for "simple" ish things and yes trying to find decent arrangement to keep things interesting. I like the way you did it there with different sounds-patches, from parts to parts on the track.

I think it's good to find your comfort zone/way of doing things and then sometimes intentionally step outside of it.  It's good to have that place you can always return to, kind of like home, and then it's fun to occasionally explore somewhere else. 

This does do a good job of traveling to some different places while keeping the journey smooth and fluid the whole way.  You arrive from point A to point B and beyond very seamlessly.

I think it's good to find your comfort zone/way of doing things and then sometimes intentionally step outside of it. It's good to have that place you can always return to, kind of like home, and then it's fun to occasionally explore somewhere else. This does do a good job of traveling to some different places while keeping the journey smooth and fluid the whole way. You arrive from point A to point B and beyond very seamlessly.

Oh that's intersting. The opening was taking me straight into metal, but as the bell melody enters, we are pulled into a more mysterious universe, which intesifies as the heavy synth goes down. I like the natural progression of the track and how it evolves very naturally. There is a sense of mystery, darkness, epic moments. Quite a journey!

Oh that's intersting. The opening was taking me straight into metal, but as the bell melody enters, we are pulled into a more mysterious universe, which intesifies as the heavy synth goes down. I like the natural progression of the track and how it evolves very naturally. There is a sense of mystery, darkness, epic moments. Quite a journey!

I hear ya on the creative process.  I think it's good to find your sound, find what comes natural to ya and every now and then throw in a new process/order of thinking.  Love the progression in this.  The thickness on that main synth sounds awesome.  Those delayed stereo leads are extra sweet.  The spacey leads on top of that with the thick bass has a heroic feel to it.  Nice work!

I hear ya on the creative process. I think it's good to find your sound, find what comes natural to ya and every now and then throw in a new process/order of thinking. Love the progression in this. The thickness on that main synth sounds awesome. Those delayed stereo leads are extra sweet. The spacey leads on top of that with the thick bass has a heroic feel to it. Nice work!

It's super interesting to me that you add/tweak drums after arranging.  That's a neat way to think about rhythm elements.  My process (generally and at a very high level) is to start with either rhythm (bass and drums), harmony (chord progressions via arp, keys, etc), or melody.  When I'm writing classical type pieces or solo piano I mostly start with melody... then harmonize and develop a chord progression from the melody, and develop a rhythm from the combo of the two... when I'm working on EDM I mostly start with rhythm, usually drums, but sometimes I start with the bassline, then I fit a harmony to it, and then work out melodic fills and solos.  VERY rarely I will start with a chord progression and work outward... though in most of those cases it's because I'm starting with a guitar or piano, as the center piece of the track, and so rhythm and melody are pretty closely tied to the harmony... so it's messier and less clear when one stage starts and another ends... but again that's not my normal process... that's just kind of the "noodle" workflow. 

After I have done the above to build out either the "main loop" or the A section of the track, I will repeat the process for a B section, and occasionally a C section, then I start arranging, and building out transitions. I normally "mix as I go", but as the bulk of the composition is done by this point, this is where I start to pay much more attention to mixing, balancing levels, adding automations and the like. 

Once I have my arrangement, and transitions hammered out, I go into full mix mode, and start looking at arranging the parts on the sound stages, and start really caring about reverb and gain to move things forward and back, and panning to move things left to right so that everything is balanced, and has the movement I want.  I also start really caring about EQ at this point, to make sure that nothing is masking any key parts, and that the spectrum is filled up.  It's not uncommon for me to add in little bits of ear candy or like woodwind runs, and adding more dynamic effects to use all the spectral space I have left.  This is also where I start applying saturation, and compression to get the tones of each voice where I want them.   

Then it's on to mastering, which by this point is basically just getting a maximizer to get my levels where I want them for output... I may also go back to fix anything that pops out once the maximizer kicks in. 

I pretty much use that workflow for everything I write... but I do switch up what tools I'm using to keep things fresh, sometimes I will write straight from the piano, other times I'm composing in the DAW.  Lately I have been using sequencers to build up arrangements in hardware, and then doing all the mixing and effects fully after recording the whole "performance"... I feel like that helps me to avoid feeling stale, while still allowing me the familiarity required to fall into a very productive groove, and get things done. 

It's super interesting to me that you add/tweak drums after arranging. That's a neat way to think about rhythm elements. My process (generally and at a very high level) is to start with either rhythm (bass and drums), harmony (chord progressions via arp, keys, etc), or melody. When I'm writing classical type pieces or solo piano I mostly start with melody... then harmonize and develop a chord progression from the melody, and develop a rhythm from the combo of the two... when I'm working on EDM I mostly start with rhythm, usually drums, but sometimes I start with the bassline, then I fit a harmony to it, and then work out melodic fills and solos. VERY rarely I will start with a chord progression and work outward... though in most of those cases it's because I'm starting with a guitar or piano, as the center piece of the track, and so rhythm and melody are pretty closely tied to the harmony... so it's messier and less clear when one stage starts and another ends... but again that's not my normal process... that's just kind of the "noodle" workflow. After I have done the above to build out either the "main loop" or the A section of the track, I will repeat the process for a B section, and occasionally a C section, then I start arranging, and building out transitions. I normally "mix as I go", but as the bulk of the composition is done by this point, this is where I start to pay much more attention to mixing, balancing levels, adding automations and the like. Once I have my arrangement, and transitions hammered out, I go into full mix mode, and start looking at arranging the parts on the sound stages, and start really caring about reverb and gain to move things forward and back, and panning to move things left to right so that everything is balanced, and has the movement I want. I also start really caring about EQ at this point, to make sure that nothing is masking any key parts, and that the spectrum is filled up. It's not uncommon for me to add in little bits of ear candy or like woodwind runs, and adding more dynamic effects to use all the spectral space I have left. This is also where I start applying saturation, and compression to get the tones of each voice where I want them. Then it's on to mastering, which by this point is basically just getting a maximizer to get my levels where I want them for output... I may also go back to fix anything that pops out once the maximizer kicks in. I pretty much use that workflow for everything I write... but I do switch up what tools I'm using to keep things fresh, sometimes I will write straight from the piano, other times I'm composing in the DAW. Lately I have been using sequencers to build up arrangements in hardware, and then doing all the mixing and effects fully after recording the whole "performance"... I feel like that helps me to avoid feeling stale, while still allowing me the familiarity required to fall into a very productive groove, and get things done.

I feel very similar, and I'm definitely finding my comfort zone. Thanks!

Thanks! I guess having a home base isn't a bad thing, just need to push to expand out of that zone from time to time.

Thanks!

Awesome! Appreciate it

Thanks for sharing your process, super cool! I usually start with some sort of drums but it's usually just one loop and then I go add variation to match the rest of the song.
I kind of master along the way. If a sound is getting lost in the mix I'll do some sound design mods to separate it.
I like your tip on adding other instruments to fill the sonic space I hadn't really thought about it that way.
My final mastering is to do some light EQ/levels but I don't typically do track by track master/eq.

[quote=djippy]We all have our "confort zones" where we usually go for some tempos-chord progression-instrumentation- etc... I am not the most creative guy, I go for something that I like (group, style, soundscape) and expect to do it a lot worse... ;) I tend to go for "simple" ish things and yes trying to find decent arrangement to keep things interesting. I like the way you did it there with different sounds-patches, from parts to parts on the track. [/quote] I feel very similar, and I'm definitely finding my comfort zone. Thanks! [quote=Cosmic Cairns]I think it's good to find your comfort zone/way of doing things and then sometimes intentionally step outside of it. It's good to have that place you can always return to, kind of like home, and then it's fun to occasionally explore somewhere else. This does do a good job of traveling to some different places while keeping the journey smooth and fluid the whole way. You arrive from point A to point B and beyond very seamlessly.[/quote] Thanks! I guess having a home base isn't a bad thing, just need to push to expand out of that zone from time to time. [quote=Kedbreak136]Oh that's intersting. The opening was taking me straight into metal, but as the bell melody enters, we are pulled into a more mysterious universe, which intesifies as the heavy synth goes down. I like the natural progression of the track and how it evolves very naturally. There is a sense of mystery, darkness, epic moments. Quite a journey![/quote] Thanks! [quote=Tone Matrix]I hear ya on the creative process. I think it's good to find your sound, find what comes natural to ya and every now and then throw in a new process/order of thinking. Love the progression in this. The thickness on that main synth sounds awesome. Those delayed stereo leads are extra sweet. The spacey leads on top of that with the thick bass has a heroic feel to it. Nice work![/quote] Awesome! Appreciate it [quote=Napear]It's super interesting to me that you add/tweak drums after arranging. That's a neat way to think about rhythm elements. My process (generally and at a very high level) is to start with either rhythm (bass and drums), harmony (chord progressions via arp, keys, etc), or melody. When I'm writing classical type pieces or solo piano I mostly start with melody... then harmonize and develop a chord progression from the melody, and develop a rhythm from the combo of the two... when I'm working on EDM I mostly start with rhythm, usually drums, but sometimes I start with the bassline, then I fit a harmony to it, and then work out melodic fills and solos. VERY rarely I will start with a chord progression and work outward... though in most of those cases it's because I'm starting with a guitar or piano, as the center piece of the track, and so rhythm and melody are pretty closely tied to the harmony... so it's messier and less clear when one stage starts and another ends... but again that's not my normal process... that's just kind of the "noodle" workflow. After I have done the above to build out either the "main loop" or the A section of the track, I will repeat the process for a B section, and occasionally a C section, then I start arranging, and building out transitions. I normally "mix as I go", but as the bulk of the composition is done by this point, this is where I start to pay much more attention to mixing, balancing levels, adding automations and the like. Once I have my arrangement, and transitions hammered out, I go into full mix mode, and start looking at arranging the parts on the sound stages, and start really caring about reverb and gain to move things forward and back, and panning to move things left to right so that everything is balanced, and has the movement I want. I also start really caring about EQ at this point, to make sure that nothing is masking any key parts, and that the spectrum is filled up. It's not uncommon for me to add in little bits of ear candy or like woodwind runs, and adding more dynamic effects to use all the spectral space I have left. This is also where I start applying saturation, and compression to get the tones of each voice where I want them. Then it's on to mastering, which by this point is basically just getting a maximizer to get my levels where I want them for output... I may also go back to fix anything that pops out once the maximizer kicks in. I pretty much use that workflow for everything I write... but I do switch up what tools I'm using to keep things fresh, sometimes I will write straight from the piano, other times I'm composing in the DAW. Lately I have been using sequencers to build up arrangements in hardware, and then doing all the mixing and effects fully after recording the whole "performance"... I feel like that helps me to avoid feeling stale, while still allowing me the familiarity required to fall into a very productive groove, and get things done. [/quote] Thanks for sharing your process, super cool! I usually start with some sort of drums but it's usually just one loop and then I go add variation to match the rest of the song. I kind of master along the way. If a sound is getting lost in the mix I'll do some sound design mods to separate it. I like your tip on adding other instruments to fill the sonic space I hadn't really thought about it that way. My final mastering is to do some light EQ/levels but I don't typically do track by track master/eq.

My kind of vibe. Enjoyed it all the way through. You packed a lot in there, clearly the M8 works well for you as the song flows really well from motif to motif. When I'm working in M8 I struggle with that natural progression, because of working in 16-step one-note chunks. I hope I'll get more comfortable with it in time.

My most natural process these days is in Ableton Live. I start with recording an entire run-through with either the Rytm or Iridium. Then I add bass, having the two elements work together is important to me. And then the rest, which often leads to me tweaking what I recorded initially. But I have to start somewhere, and having "a plan" laid out by the first track in the project helps me overcome the "4-bar loop of doom".

Minor nitpick: for how awesome the track is, the reverb and delay cut short at the end is a bit of a rude awakening. Put another empty song line there, let those sounds decay naturally!

My kind of vibe. Enjoyed it all the way through. You packed a lot in there, clearly the M8 works well for you as the song flows really well from motif to motif. When I'm working in M8 I struggle with that natural progression, because of working in 16-step one-note chunks. I hope I'll get more comfortable with it in time. My most natural process these days is in Ableton Live. I start with recording an entire run-through with either the Rytm or Iridium. Then I add bass, having the two elements work together is important to me. And then the rest, which often leads to me tweaking what I recorded initially. But I have to start somewhere, and having "a plan" laid out by the first track in the project helps me overcome the "4-bar loop of doom". Minor nitpick: for how awesome the track is, the reverb and delay cut short at the end is a bit of a rude awakening. Put another empty song line there, let those sounds decay naturally!

Whatever your process is, it clearly worked out very well here
- Ebrit

Whatever your process is, it clearly worked out very well here - Ebrit

The process seems to be working!

Feel like it’s good to both have a dialed system and to mix it up.

I usually start with chords, sometimes I’ll start with a beatbox or acapella idea that I recreate, rarely I start with percussion but I ought to do that more. Then I “write drunk, edit sober” and stack or experiment with layers until something sticks. Repeat for each section.

Another fun way to mix up arrangement is dub mixing which I did on a few weekly beats!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/y_6o8MGLoh8

The process seems to be working! Feel like it’s good to both have a dialed system and to mix it up. I usually start with chords, sometimes I’ll start with a beatbox or acapella idea that I recreate, rarely I start with percussion but I ought to do that more. Then I “write drunk, edit sober” and stack or experiment with layers until something sticks. Repeat for each section. Another fun way to mix up arrangement is dub mixing which I did on a few weekly beats! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/y_6o8MGLoh8

beautiful big track, all the synths really sit nice together. It's tough to get that mix right and i think you did. favorited!

beautiful big track, all the synths really sit nice together. It's tough to get that mix right and i think you did. favorited!

dig it - giving me fun spy adventure vibes

[img]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.tenor.com%2Fimages%2Fcf443de50eb815ada5821ed411862c68%2Ftenor.gif%3Fitemid%3D14888760&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=3d95c6cf8961865da57afb3800f52ac8bfead36154f9fcefb6747f789ae4b4ee&ipo=images[/img] dig it - giving me fun spy adventure vibes

Thanks for sharing your process! Also great point about the reverb decay at the end, appreciate that feedback.

Im glad you agree!

That dub mix looks fun! Write drunk edit sober is good advice

Awesome, appreciate it

Haha amazing

[quote=rplktr]My kind of vibe. Enjoyed it all the way through. You packed a lot in there, clearly the M8 works well for you as the song flows really well from motif to motif. When I'm working in M8 I struggle with that natural progression, because of working in 16-step one-note chunks. I hope I'll get more comfortable with it in time. My most natural process these days is in Ableton Live. I start with recording an entire run-through with either the Rytm or Iridium. Then I add bass, having the two elements work together is important to me. And then the rest, which often leads to me tweaking what I recorded initially. But I have to start somewhere, and having "a plan" laid out by the first track in the project helps me overcome the "4-bar loop of doom". Minor nitpick: for how awesome the track is, the reverb and delay cut short at the end is a bit of a rude awakening. Put another empty song line there, let those sounds decay naturally![/quote] Thanks for sharing your process! Also great point about the reverb decay at the end, appreciate that feedback. [quote=Devieus]Whatever your process is, it clearly worked out very well here - Ebrit[/quote] Im glad you agree! [quote=prophisee]The process seems to be working! Feel like it’s good to both have a dialed system and to mix it up. I usually start with chords, sometimes I’ll start with a beatbox or acapella idea that I recreate, rarely I start with percussion but I ought to do that more. Then I “write drunk, edit sober” and stack or experiment with layers until something sticks. Repeat for each section. Another fun way to mix up arrangement is dub mixing which I did on a few weekly beats! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/y_6o8MGLoh8 [/quote] That dub mix looks fun! Write drunk edit sober is good advice [quote=nedsferatu]beautiful big track, all the synths really sit nice together. It's tough to get that mix right and i think you did. favorited![/quote] Awesome, appreciate it [quote=emily][img]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.tenor.com%2Fimages%2Fcf443de50eb815ada5821ed411862c68%2Ftenor.gif%3Fitemid%3D14888760&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=3d95c6cf8961865da57afb3800f52ac8bfead36154f9fcefb6747f789ae4b4ee&ipo=images[/img] dig it - giving me fun spy adventure vibes [/quote] Haha amazing