The 80/20 Rule Of Music Creation- RecordingRevolution.com
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ธ.ค. 2017
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If you want the next 6 to 12 months of your music making to be as productive (and fun) as possible, then this video is for you.
With so many videos, blogs, tutorials, and magazines out there offering tips, tricks, and training on how to get the most out of your music and studio, it's easy to get overwhelmed.
Fortunately there is a simple framework that you can use to sift through ALL of the noise, and figure out what you should be focusing on in order to see massive results for your music or career.
It's called the 80/20 rule (or Pareto's Principle) and here is how I use it on my music making... - เพลง
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I became quite productive in songwriting by writing songs for fictional bands. Came up with 7 band names, each with their respective style of music and started writing and recording demo songs. I ended up writing more music and could experiment with different mixing techniques. This helped me get off the beaten path - I am going to release one or two of these songs after a little rearrangement.
Okay, THAT is very cool!
mixing in MONO.. absolutely one of the best difference between a really bad song to a really good song.. a lot of things I've learned this year, but this makes a big difference on my music.. thanks for share this knowledge to us
I have a track that no matter how good it sounds in mono it simply does not work in stereo with all the stereo information.
@@AceDeclan It's not a law. It's a general rule of thumb. It's generally good to mix an ultimately stereo song in stereo, and A/B it in Mono as you go just to keep things in check.
Randy Colby 👍🏼
1. Referencing a pro mix/track
2. Gainstaging
3. Mixing with a VU meter
☝🏽My 20%
the 1thing that had largest impact to my making music was write a journal of my "closed works".
every time i release a song or complete a gig, i write what i do and good things/bad things about that work.
this "check-note" improve my next gig, and next gig will improve my next-next gig and over, and over again!
Because every time i memorize new skills and "fix" new mistakes.
Recording with MIDI, at 68 it was a big hurdle. But I got over it. The keyboard is coming to life.
My 20% that I've seen results from is joining a church choir of 5 people, being the only tenor in the group, and experiencing a mind-blowing evolution of the quality of my voice. I started singing with the choir last March, and since then, I have practiced with a voice coach, but also experimented on different types of songs, that has opened up a whole new world of capabilities that I didn't know I had. I sang my first solo back on December 17th, and have realized an incredible amount of confidence just from forcing myself to perform that solo, and overcome the stage-fright (fear) that I had.
I'm a music producer 12th and a video-producer 1st - but something that I learned in general as a creative over the past year I learned in October - if you try to make something for other people instead of something that you enjoy and you think is genuinely good, and you compromise yourself and your standards in favor of what you think would meet other peoples' expectations - you may disappoint a lot of people either way, but you will always disappoint yourself. If you are an artist, entertainer, whatever - for any other reason than it's what's rewarding to you and what makes you happy, you will never be "happy" doing it.
Chadkins will u compose music?
I've already made some purely comedic stuff for fun - but I hope to slowly improve my skills and resources over time and then if I ever feel like I'm at the level to make some more serious stuff, I definitely want to because music has always been a huge passion of mine
Im a lyricist I have vocals..
Will u make background track?
Chadkins can you check my two videos I produced and tell me what you think?
The 3 best things I have learned are -
1: Take more time recording (mic placement etc) so that the best possible sound is recorded right at the start.
2: Gain stage every track (eg: to -15dBFS) so the full mix isn't running too loud and the faders can sit near the best adjustment starting position around 0dB
3: Do a ten-minute mix (with all plugins bypassed) and keep it as a reference to see how you are doing later in the full mixing process
Hey, man! Would you care to explain to me what exactly is to "Gain stage every track"? I didn't quite understand what you were talking about...
Epic Vader me again ;) he means after you have recorded your tracks and you start mixing them in your daw, turn down each individual track on the actual tracks themselves in the edit window, using the volume slider found on the bottom left of the audio files (in pro tools at least). This is so when you add gain through the use of EQ you are giving yourself headroom, as adding 10db of low end to a kick drum will make it significantly louder, so by doing correct gain staging you reduce the risk of clipping. Graham has mentioned this in several videos if you want to learn more, just search for it on TH-cam :)
Hey, Dan! Thanks for taking time to answer my comments!
What made a huge impact on me is slow intentional recording and making the song sound good before I mix it🤘🏻
Katastrophic Music makes sense lol
Ian Langille definitely🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hey, man! I know it's an old comment, but what do you mean with "slow intentional recording"?
I think he means taking your time while you record and making sure that everything sounds how you want it to sound BEFORE you actually record it. If the guitar amp sounds amazing in your live room, but then after you mic it up and go into your mixing room it doesn't sound anything like it does next door, then fix it right there and then instead of leaving it for the mixing process, for example by changing the microphone or changing the microphone position. My recordings have improved massively by putting more of my energy into getting the sound i want, both in the live room and in the mixing room, before i click record :)
Great tip
The biggest take I got from this for me was that it's ok to lean on something you might be good at. For so long I've had this notion that if I want to strengthen my weakness it means letting go of what I'm good at so I can challenge myself but it's ok to be good at something and lean on that and use it to your advantage. Thanks Graham!
For me it's probably the fact that I've forced myself to release a new song every other week for the past five months now. That keeps me from obsessing over details and overmixing everything, which I used to do...
I'm the exact opposite haha. I release a track every other day and spend no more than an hour on the mixing.
Spending less time focusing on live shows and more time in the studio releasing music and recording videos regularly to post on the internet. I’ve learned while live shows are fun and make me money they don’t broaden my music career in the same way. You can’t developer true fans without regularly giving them something to be a fan of!
well said. It needs to be a balance of both. I'm on the other spectrum
xceed09 yep... I finally started using a very simple almost common sense way of going about Music.. I’ve alway kinda just followed what were told is the right way to make a music career, then one day I stop and started thinking what do I do that actually works? And I realized that literally just posting one video on Facebook made me more fans than a whole year of playing 100+ shows. So now I play shows for fun,money, and just as a good way to stay in practice until the day comes where I have the fan base for my live show to actually do me good career wise
Exactly man. I’m writing a song every day this year. Just focus on my writing and improving there. Then gonna focus on recording them. The music industry had changed for sure. The live shows don’t matter as much in trying to gain traction.
For me, the biggest impact on my ITB music production is:
- Extending the recording cycle from the default 4 bars to 8 (or 16) bars.
--- Doing this forced me to keep being creative and create new *adapting* variations of what I'm working on (whether it be variation on the drums or the melodies).
Gain staging (and the DAW plug-in "sweet spot") & mixing in mono. It's that 1% stuff that makes all the difference. Thanks for being such a motivating and inspiring teacher. Also, HIGH FIVE for being a really great dad!
Caeli Lohr Yes! Gain Staging!
The two things that had the best impact on me in the last 12 months was to dare to release some songs even if they weren't perfect or " good enough " and also let go of old material that I sort of forced myself to hold on to until the day would come when its all released but instead I opened a new blank sheet, made up a plan to write an EP including 5 new songs and then just go to work. Also start to use my real instruments as a core for the sound, bass, guitar, piano, and then use logic pro x Drummer as if I had another friend playing the drums with me. All these things makes it fun and worth the time spent on recording because you improve your skills of playing instruments. Graham is the best because my mindset of making music totally changed after I discovered this channel. Great video!
man, totally have to do these two things. tons of old material that I don't resonate anymore.
I started releasing "inperfect" music this year too and it's honestly so nice to do so you don't hold onto something for years and years and never post it which is what I used to do.
I am exactly at this point, lol. Time to make some changes.
I took the summer off from school to focus on learning how to write songs. In the past, I would try to write something complex right off the bat, and it always resulted in a very unfocused half finished idea.This time, I focused on writing songs with simple song structure and arrangement, and actually finishing the songs. My music instantly started getting better. I'm definitely going to continue writing my music this way.
I've learned so much this past year, but I think the most important was having a good mixing template. I went from spending a whole month mixing a song to just a few hours because of building a solid template and optimizing my workflow. Hugely impactful!
Jon Lewis what did you make your template? What does it include??
Tracks and plugins instantiated on all the necessary/potential tracks, all routing done, all my sends pre-created, master bus plugins instantiated. It's still evolving for me, things that become repetitive as I'm mixing I include in my template, so that I don't have to do redundant things when I mix a new song. You can also create macros to batch certain actions in different DAWs, it's all about saving time. I just import all the audio, drag the waveforms onto the appropriate tracks in my template and go from there.
I guess the things that have helped me the most, and was the 80% that you speak of, would be actually learning how EQ and Compression work. Knowing what instruments sit in what frequencies, how certain instruments and vocals react to compression variations. I was able to put together my bands first album by mixing it myself, and even though it's nowhere near studio quality, it sounds 1000% better than anything i've ever done in the past. It was a great learning experience and even though i'd love to go into an actual studio to make an album, i at least am able to comfortably make music at home and know it'll turn out sounding good and will continue to get better as i mess with the few plugins i use and figure out even better places to boost or cut.
Can you post a link? I'd love to hear your music and progress/
Yes of course, in fact if you go to my channel i posted a few songs as well as link to the full album, which you can find here: blackbog.bandcamp.com/album/the-swamplands
Brand new at mixing also. The EQ knowledge I’m gaining is gonna be huge for me too.
Golden advice and this comment section is superb
I've learned that everything I have is everything I need. When I heard from a well respected mixer/engineer who said it's not in the equipment. But it's in knowing how to mix and get the right sound. Also, less is more. Make every note, every chord and every sound produced count.
My 20% probably is working more with templates in my DAW. I don't need to mix the Drums on Superior Drummer from scratch all the time. I don't need to apply the same or similar plugins on my guitar tracks all the time. So I've created this template called "new song" which has all the essential tracks, virtual instruments as well as group-, and effects channels already set up and color coded nicely. It also has a stereo plugin witha mono switch on the mix bus, so I can mix in Mono ;). That way I can get right to work. Huuuuge time saver and great for motivation, since song writing is my true passion and I don't want to spend too much time on setting up the basics for every mix.
Of course I will change plugins aalong the way and I will use different eq- and compressor settings, but it's just nice to have a template ready to go as a starting point. I'm hopeful that this way I'll be able to record more songs in 2018, because I don't have much time next to my day job.
The lunch time with daughters was the most inspirational... Thanks dude. Happy holidays!
JulianFernandez I agree. I huge eye opener. Thanks
Learned intermidiate Music Theory but also Learned Piano and it is my 80% !!! :)
Any books or tuts that helped you out the most?
Check out VARIEN'S music theory playlist. It should definitely help you if want to learn music theory as a beginner.
:)
Learned how to take the room out of home studio recordings and how to maximize keyboard shortcuts in my DAW. I will continue to do these, but doubling down won’t make me more productive. I have to double down on doing more recording and mixing.
P Delano Hot Keys are 1000% essential. Learn as many as you can. Hell, make a word document on your computer and have the cheat sheet on your desktop.
Nothing worse than taking forever to make your song 😎
Another great post Graham. My 20 percent is the time I spend writing music at home, designing that music around whatever particular element of study I might be pursuing at that time, then fleshing it out in as many variations and permutations, melodically, harmonically, rhythmically, as possible. This seems to be most fruitful for me and those with whom I'm playing.
Great video, thanks for this! Definitely something good to think about. The thing that came to mind for me was to totally separate the production/tracking phase from the mixing phase, then from the mastering phase. It's so easy to spend tons of time tweaking sounds endlessly, so I started committing everything to audio tracks in Pro Tools before beginning to mix. This also helps save on CPU! As for mastering, I used to do a mastering chain on my master fader, but now I bounce out a single stereo file and put it into Ozone 8 for mastering. I think these separations have helped my workflow immensely. Thanks again!
Holy crap, I have learned a lot, as I have just started getting really deep into Recording/Mixing. So I might not have that "one thing" that impacted my process the most. However I can tell you my hardest impact in three categories:
Mixing: - - Proper gain staging - - Not only the input signal but also making sure that the output of each plugin has a similar loudness as the input. I did trick my ear with louder outputs thinking it sounds better than the input signal. Also causing to have my masterbus set to -12 to avoid clipping. This was a real game changer and I really learned this from your channel.
Recording: - - Learning Waves InPhase for drums - - My live drums sound much fatter, even in a small room. Even though my mic setup and room isn't perfect, I yield really decent results. My goal for next year is to optimize and understand the mic setting and how to make most of a small room.
Songwriting: - - Music Theory - - I was one of the guys that thought "theory is for the uncreative", boy was I wrong. Not only was I able to create good songs, but I could also improve what I have already written. I also went into Jazz harmony and learned to use the 7th chords. Major game changer.
By the way, I am a metal head and mixing in mono kinda doesnt really work with double tracked guitars. Sounds phasey. And suggestions about that?
Great work, love your vids, keep it up.
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukka, and a Happy New Year.
John
I love that you included your Wife and Kids in this conversation and how you apply these principles to the rest of your life too.
I started writing songs 2 months ago, ived already written 15 of them, and every day I have a new inspiration to keep writing, blessings to you and your family.
Main thing Ive learned that has had a massive impact on my music quality its how to EQ & compress better!! that was sooo impactful and has brought a new outlook on my mixes.
Sitting down EVERYDAY to write a short, no perfect musical "Sketch" has been my 20 last year.
My 20% is my mentality. The way I think about music, the way I think about recording and production, the way I think about my ability and so much more. The way I approach music mentally has shown me that a lot of what I believed I couldn't do was simply incorrect thinking. I've created songs I never thought I would, improved on my instrument in ways I thought I couldn't, and really became more in tune with music in a way I never thought possible.
Just kept at it like crazy, and my ears have gotten so much better in the last 6 months. The difference is like night and day. It’s like the matrix, I can see it and hear and feel it. I can create any sound I can come up with or think about in my head. I love it! To create freely.
I learned that everybody can write music. I started to write my own songs half a year ago and it really unlocked me to music. This channel know teacher and still teaches me how to produce my songs. So I will keep on writing my songs and trying to learn and apply how to produce them. Thanks so much this channel is a huge help!!!!!!
I literally discovered your channel this afternoon, and I'll say without hesitation you are one of the best things I've found on TH-cam. Really inspired to keep working --- smarter and harder. The sheer abundance of creativity that is uploaded and shared can be really intimidating, but your attitude and presentation totally makes that glass seem half ( maybe mostly) full. Generally don't comment much, but you really speak to me.
This really got me thinking. I don't think I'll forget this anytime soon.. Thank you
This is the greatest comments section on youtube ive ever seen. Thanks to you guys.
Seriously! Shouts out to RecordingRevolution. I just became a subscriber.
My 20% is knowing and being intentional on the elements that make a big record. From the spacings, to the choice of Melodie’s, to the relatable songwriting, production and delivery!
Studying the studio equipment and watching a lot of reviews and building my home studio has really changed my creativeness and has gave me confidence in continuing with my art.
In the 6 months
I got studio equipment, wrote songs, daw software....but my 20 was learning how to mix n master within a 1-2months watching countless youtube videos including yours. Speaking with my gurl today we spoke about how much I've learned and the fruit produced by this knowledge.
I have over 300 songs, computer sound engineering learning, many many years of performance experience, cd sales for charity but your advice on equipment and techniques and your up beat practical tips and advice just great and everything clicking for me. Dealing with serious diagnosis but it takes more than Cancer to kill me! Had to drop my art degree but I can sing and play over ongoing spinal pain. So singing and music it is and my pets! And just being alive I am truly grateful. Many thanxs from Wales UK:) Had learnt bit of Cubase someone gave me impossible software I can't use, been putting things on dictaphone and iphone so thank God never lost my songs. But have my Focusrite and Protools now I am ready to GOOOOOOOOO! THANX U R so lovely your lucky wife and daughters.
I started college last July 2017... we got this student's activities... I chose band activity.... Just by joining that activity I have built a big circle around me. People, some are older, same are the same age, with different skills and talents. We've been on stage for many times since then. This is the proof that I have dedicated myself to music indirectly, because I am an interior architecture student. I've never been to a 20m wide stage before, but since joining the band, I'm performing to a much bigger event. And now this year, 2018, I bought so many stuff, not to mention the 'holy grail' Scarlett Solo 2, which makes recording waaaay better and makes me even more motivated to make music. Thanks dude, thanks a lot.
I bought the Apollo Twin MkII in February and now I’ve finally found time to really study it’s abilities. Real-time effects have really improved my recording process and performance. Also gain staging! Getting proper level going into my plugins
I've been with this channel for a while now. God Bless You and your family.
I have three new things that I've learned in the past year that work together as my 20%. The first is practicing mindfulness meditation every morning which has greatly improved my ability to focus. The second is using the "6 steps to a radio ready song" that you wrote (my mixes have finally started to sound close to what I imagine them to sound like). Lastly, the third thing is spending more time practicing my instruments and enjoying the journey as I learn. Thanks for all of your generous and helpful tips!!!
To me the simple fact of copying an pasting song ideas together or in a sequence has helped me to see the bigger picture and not getting stuck in just one good idea that never comes to an end. Also listing the things that I want to say in a song has helped me tremendously to finish lyrics that were unfinished for months and months. Thanks for the video!!
Over the past year using Slate plug-ins, the Ozone/Neutron package and watching TH-cam tutorials have made the greatest impact on the way I record and mix. Thank you for all of your helpful suggestions.
Ey man, I have to tell you that your channel have been my 20% in all my time lerning online, it's truly revolutionary, thanks for your clarity and proper topics, I'm very grateful. Blessings for you and your family 🙏🙏
And for me, the 20% have been the recording tecnique of duplicating my guitar (songs with just voice an guitar), paning both to the hard left and right ans then sending the reverb of each one to the other side.
Learned that praying with my wife has been so rewarding for our marriage!!! Love your channel my friend!
learning how to compress the kick drum and snare properly . now I'm finally in the stage where I can start mastering my music . It was a breakthrough moment for me for sure !
Out of all of the things I have learned I would have to say learning when to take a 10 minute break and let the ears refresh was the most crucial. Besides that it was using the moderate setting on the L2 and not trying to figure out how I am going to produce the next song I write before I even write it. Throwing out all rules and approaching each song as a brand new experience brings new life to myself and the recordings.
Rather than mentioning my 20% I’m gonna say that the fact you use your music platform to teach both that and incorporate living philosophies/ practicalities makes you extremely valuable to me and I’m sure to others as well. Stay blessed.
My 2 most important developments I've gained this year is writing a changelog while I produce and systematizing my foley cutting and recording process. Also, bouncing everything to audio and resampling.
you are a blessing ! thank you bro for publishing these kinda videos, you motivate us and you really make us think !
My 20% was taking the plunge from audacity to using Reaper in the past two months - has exponentially changed the quality of my mixes, made my arranging better, and my recording and mixing technique better. I've been reteaching myself mixing termonology and technique and your videos help me so much.
Also have been learning piano this year, and using it as a midi keyboard. Wouldn't be able to arrange my songs without my keyboard, that majorly upped my productivity and quality this year, as well and I've been learning how to compose music this year because of it, so have had great musical strides this year and can't wait to make way more music next year!
This year I have learned tons of stuff and it's been great and to be honest I can remember a lot of it too. By far the best productive year I've had so far. But the one thing that stands out for me that has made me jumped 5 steps ahead of where I was. Was pre fader metering, getting my tracks at suitable levels before mixing this had had a huge effect on my mixes and now when I master my final project it competes with radio music with so much more clarity. Simple but very effective. 👍
I learned a couple of exotic scales for my guitar playing and have already started using that to add atmosphere to my band's songs
Very grateful for these videos and your outlook on life in general. Proud to be a fan
Dreams, vivid memories, power of moments, a vacation that seemed bad but later seemed like the best ever.
the stuff that seemed like i was tapping into subconscious mind and making a song out of it. I create
music for my own enjoyment, dont care what anybody else thinks of it or if anybody ever hears it. So
capturing a special memories into a "sonic photo album" is my 20% more of what i want to get at.
I am composer, and learn a lot. I don’t know it its the best best but it comes to my mind now this:
-organizing and renaming sounds , having them in my memory
- template , workflow, template blocks. Principally a good and clear bus system attached to CS.
- EW composer cloud
- my research on modern harmony/ improvisation practice
- managing the nightmare of 2 korg nanokontrols in Logic Pro and setting up a good stream deck template to complement. This toke me a huge time, so as the template (I speak about months) and is still evolving.
- All kind of safety measures to protect files and preferences, including testing some things
- understanding the freelance business
- Note entry and capture recording techniques for score editor.
- Symphony Pro on Ipad is the best for music lessons with annotations.
I just finished a book by Gary Keller titled “the one thing.” This video follows similar principles. Love this!
The best thing I learned this year was mixing with less plugins as possible. I always try to take the best of my song with just compressor, EQ, reverb and delay and i'm getting good results. Better than when i wore a bunch of plugins and make the things overcooked. I learned this here in recording revolution. Thank you, Graham! Regards from Brasil!
for me it’s been music theory ! i used to just write by ear and without a sense of direction and a lot of time my progressions sounded terrible. ever since i started focusing more on music theory and song structure, my tracks have improved 100 times !
-12db pink noise mixing as a starting point and also constant checking in mono. Both have worked really well for me. When it comes to writing, i've also found that creating a small list of similar tracks from other people that you can keep referring to helps spark ideas in both composition and sound design.
The thing that I've learned this year is how to better manage my low-end in the mix. Thanks Graham!
I've been creating music for fun on and off for about 7 years. I've learned a lot this past year when I decided to enroll in a program to get a Recording Arts degree. I've mostly learned a lot about mixing, but also a lot about music theory and production. I've actually taken some of your courses and purchased the Audio Income Project from you when it was on sale last month. I haven't had a chance to dive into it yet, school and work keep me busy, I am holding off for when I finish school next year, I bought it early because of the sale you had and I wanted to have it purchased and ready for when I can start to use it.
I love learning about what interests me, and recording and mixing music is something I truly love. When it's all said and done, I will be making all my music from start to finish, and doing everything from recording to mixing and mastering. I will do all my music myself, every step of the way and I will be selling rap beats.
Listening to a wide variety of music in the last one year really helped me to plan what I will be doing next. Thanks for this great video!
For the first time I wrote songs with another local artist. I have to say some amazing songs have came out of this collaboration and we have already decided to do more of the same in 2018. Thanks Graham
I really appreciate your help. I think for me it's what you just explained and identifying the rule of 80/20 I talk about it all the time, but the step to get it moving in the groove was to step out of my normal. Thank you again my Man. Loved your Tutorial on referencing by the way fantastic.
I love how you've applied this rule to music since I haven't heard other music producers/mentors on TH-cam preach this corporate philosophy-- it shows that you're more aware of the world outside the studio--. What you said about focusing on the 20% that have brought you success is similar to what I use at work; I'm the producer (senior project manager) of a large game/app company and I apply Agile Samurai and the Lean Startup methodology, where you spend a lot of time reiterating features/cycles of the product and choose 1 good thing in every cycle to keep. Every other 'nice to have' feature gets benched or cancelled. There is no room for mediocrity, so when you only pick 1 out of 10 awesome features, you only get awesome results at the end.
Connecting with like minded people has been a massive boon in the past year. It's being supported and supporting others on the same path. For me it's the VIP community.
Great stuff! Thanks for the heartfelt sincerity and knowledge!.Two things have impacted me this past year: laying down some kind of percussion beat helps me to write, and additional technique on the guitar has likewise opened up a lot more musical avenues. Have a great new year!
another great video. Love and Respect❤️
A lot of professionals offer advice on how to improve your workflow and musical output, but I've never seen someone get it right like you have with this video. Really good advice Graham!
this is the video from your channel that resonated the deepest with my current moment. thank you very much.
Time management and life organizers helped me visualize my goals specially in the music bussiness. I am finally finishing songs and aiming higher projects in a stress-free enviroment. That's my 20%
Learned that following tutorials and trying to copy songs/make instrumentals of songs helped me excel by pushing my boundaries of music production. Trying to mimick songs exactly helps me to try new things within Ableton!
Hey Graham. Really appreciate your mind and the way you think and deliver your knowledge. Excellent stuff.
thanks graham and happy holidays!
the mk3 from native instruments coming with lots of sounds, starting with producing a great beat with FX,taking notes and attaching it to projects to remember how I did progress and built the track, asking my son feedback, listening closely to great artist and know what i need to get better, understanding how google tree works so i can bookmark and organize tutorial and t I feel fishing for the 20% will be easier with notes, and last i put AC in my bedroom, the more cozy the studio is the more creative i get.
thanks for this video, you sharing knowledge from your heart!
I bought the Sknote Distressor plugin almost the same day you posted this and am already using it on EVERYTHING. I have a bunch of other compressors but this one is clearly going to be my 20/80 compressor going into the future. So thanks for this affirmation of my new obsession. ;)
Time management, organizing, prioritizing, are the things that impacted my previous the most
I've heard 80/20 Rule in the past but I only understood it clearly and it's application today.. Thnx much Graham.. Godbless your work to the community man..
Thank you. Graham. You are so right!
Mixing in mono + finally figuring out how to properly use compressors and EQ with the mindset of keeping it simple. Saves me a lot of time.
About 5 or 6 months ago I saw the 5 shapes From Dweezil Zappa, it's a video on TH-cam it has totally revolutionized my lead playing and has made my ear better which has lead me to different chords and progressions. So I will continue implementing these shapes all over the fretboard. I had already identified the power of those shapes and told my buddy if I work this another year my lead will be so much better. Thanks for the reminder.
Co-writing, learning piano and actively listening to lots of music are all aspects that have had a profound impact on my songwriting, arranging and production abilities over the past year. I've already put plans in place to do much more of these things in 2018; 2 co-writing sessions a week, daily piano practice and actively listening to music in the morning. I'm adjusting into a much more productive schedule as well (exercise, regular sleep patterns, etc) but it's still gonna take some getting used to.
Well done Graham, as always.
Great content thanks. Main thing is I decided to get up earlier and do
Music...I start doing music by 6:15-6:30 every weekday morning for a few hours. I am also a dad and business owner so I was finding it hard to get time in the studio. I wrote 10 tunes in 2 months after deciding to get up early. So I had already decided to make that session a 4 hour session to see if I can make even more. Also I found having an intention really helped. I’m writing stock music so I would find a good selling track and use that as my reference. I would learn the chords, understand theory, what instruments, sounds etc and start making something similar (but different). Then I would make a template of my finished songs so it’s quicker to make something the next time in that style. And I found starting with a simple chord progression on the piano or guitar a really good way to start a song. Then build up simple drums, bass, other sounds etc in a loop to get a vibe but then force myself to make rough arrangement by the end of the 2 hour session and mix it down in time to play it to my family at breakfast.
Bro you're always putting out top notch tips and tricks. Salute!
You put a video out about mixing in mono that totally stepped my game up. Also learning to speed up mixing by just picking HQ sounds right out the gate, so I basically just have to cut unnecessary frequencies in EQ.
That and not adding a million sounds in my songs. Try to keep it under 20 nowadays haha. Less is more. Anyways thanks!
thank you man. This was the most helpful video of yours i've ever watched.
The biggest impact for me over the past year was embracing singing and then committing it to a recording. I've played guitar for many years but always shied away from singing. I just never felt that I had a voice that anyone would want to hear because I always thought it sounded awful. I've been in the church choir for about 4 years, along with my wife who has sung for years. Singing there, along with my wife's encouragement, has slowly given me the confidence to actually do something with it. So I have been working hard for about 4 months in getting my singing abilities better and recording it here in my home studio. My wife and I just put together a Christmas EP for our family which actually sounds pretty good. Yeah, there are a couple of songs I cringe at but I went out there and did it. I have a long way to go in my opinion. After all, I'm not Pavarotti. But I want to continue to hone that craft. I don't know if singing is 20% unless you plan on only doing instrumentals, but It does have a big impact on my music.
Graham love your videos and all the information and advices that you shared, just want to participate on the comments and i learned a ejercise to for my vocals and i is been giving me a really great impact on the quality on my voice and you are 100% rigth i can tell i still doing this ejercise and i can hear a great impact on my voice, well thanks for the videos wich you a wonderfull year!
This comment section is gold. This TH-cam channel has hands down the best community- the best way to grow as a person is to help others, it looks like everyone here understands that 🖒🖒🖒
My 20% is your videos and that moment when I covered a particular song cause of my crush ! Thank you for the amazing year !
I learnt to write a Melody over a chord progression and that's helped me MASSIVELY!
One thing I learned not only here is the volume going into plugins. It changes how something sounds how much volume you feed into a saturation plugin or compressor or a lot of other plugins. It's helped me to take a little more care how much volume coming in? How much going out? Thanks Graham for another year of wonderful content :)
Biggest thing I learned and helped the most is less instrumentation is more and give each instrument/vocal their own space without competing tracks playing at the same time...makes a
world of difference - and cut back on efx just till it is heard.
Phenomenal video, Graham! Thank you!
Inspiring videos. I’m a little late...But just happened to stumble across one of your videos on how to build a home studio. I had a lot of old DJ gear lying around and decided to see if I could build a studio with what I had. All I really needed was a few extra cables, some monitors, and will probably purchase a better set of headphones a little later down the road. I’m just getting started, so now all I need to do is go back and watch your earlier videos! Thanks, man!
Interesting! Very spiritual and very eye opening into the psychology of music making. Thank you.