Episode 03: Developing A Great Work Flow
Music… just like any other form of expression, requires different elements working together to convey a message. Creating a good song often depends on the environment in which it was created in. In times past big budget record labels and multi million dollar studios got all of the attention and respect for creating good music, but that’s not so today. Most of the successful songs you hear on the air waves today are produced by amazing people using whatever they have available to use. Understanding your equipment and developing a strong comfortable workflow allows for faster production. Music is a representation of what’s inside of you and knowing yourself helps you develop a good workflow.
Recording equipment has evolved through the years, but the core functions remain the same. Do you hear the beat in your head, are you inspired by a bassline, are there melodies moving your feet? Whatever it is that motivates you to produce, write, and sing should be embraced. Organize your sound library and. understand your equipment. Synthesizers, beat machines, drums, orchestra, bass and guitars, etc….. should all be in individual folders and banks. Searching through large drives full of all the sounds in the world can kill your creativity. Often times, too many options are worse than not having much to choose from.
One of my most helpful quotes is “ New gear wont always make your music sound better, Learn to use what you’ve got “ This daily reminder has been important in encouraging myself to dig deep into the functions of the equipment I already own, instead of thinking that I need to hurry up and buy the next greatest thing on the market. Often times the functions or capabilities we think we need to buy are already within the equipment we own, we just haven’t learned it’s full potential.
“ Get great with what you have, before buying something new “