What I created
This trimester was a busy one. Last tri one of my goals to keep improving was to keep up the interdisciplinary work, therefore, I said yes to whatever projects were on offer.
My intensives were:
Mastered a song – Neon Mash
Kontakt Player – Harmonium
Postproduction – Fire Watch Trailer
Solaris Cancer Care documentary.
Probably my favourite project as its all sparse guitar/reverb and atmos. This was done quite early on in tri.
Horizon Animation
Two songs were composed for the project, one romantic and one playful. It was fun writing to this scope, writing my first classical piece and using temp music to guide me for the playful music.
New Friend Animation
I wrote two songs for this (after the first was rejected), however, as I want to compose for a living, I’ve accepted this is part of the job.
Dark and Stormy Animation
Chris approached me, directed and coached me towards the sound he was after. He mixed the track and it sounds great. It was nice just to be a session musician.
Major Project
Part of my plan at the end of last trimester was to keep collaborating with my peers and have a stretch goal. I had never worked with Jordan nor created RnB before, so it was very challenging. Jordan’s openness to ideas, the free reign he gave me during the project, the clear communication made what could have been a very difficult endeavour, very easy. In the end we had seven instrumentals.
What I learnt in the trimester
Varied composition
I learned how to compose in the style of:
· Orchestral instrumentals
· Piano Ballads
· RnB/Hip Hop instrumentals
Write to a video
I learned how to write to temp music for the first time as opposed to writing to a brief. I was handed a draft animation early and I composed with it on loop. That was also new.
Ableton mastery
I would watch a lot of “how to create a song in this style” and mimic as best I could, then try and recreate without watching the video, just hearing the end product. I also paid to become a member of Mr Bills website (reinvest in my profession, which was a prior goal of mine), to become a better Abletoner.
Mixing
I knuckled down on my mixing workflow (something that has been an issue for me for a while). Musician on a mission YouTube page helped a ton. The two videos below are amazing:
(Mission, 2019)
(Williams, 2013)
Each trimester I have tried to get better with working with other people and work with people who I usually wouldn’t. Doing the workshops with Chris and Jamie was a real treat. Jamie really brought a lot of great ideas to the table and Chris was his usual amazing self. It’s not a new thought, but it did reinforce how important collaboration is and I feel I should give those two their due credit, as they are amazing Engineers and Producers.
Discoveries of my own practice
Failing fast and failing often.
I like attempt genres and styles that I have no experience in. I struggle with the writing then get disappointed in what I’ve created after which I analyse what the gaps in my knowledge are and rectify them as quick as possible.
Order of operations.
My instrumental writing is by far strongest point, melody second and singing/lyrics a far last place. For the RnB project I took the time to write melodies on the midi keyboard or guitar, playing to my strengths as a musician. For the lyrics I didn’t feel as I had anything valid to say and my voice is still “under construction”.
Discipline.
Write down tomorrows work today. Wake up early, exercise, get to work and don’t stop until you finish that list. If the list is too short, then add two it. I read the book Discipline equals Freedom by Jocko Willink (a former Navy Seal) in the later part of the Tri and it changed the way I viewed work. I’ve always been productive; however, this gave me structure and drive.
Master! Master!
I love Mastering. It’s probably my favourite of all the ings (Mixing, Recording, Producing etc). Even though it’s a highly advanced profession, attempting it helped my ear when mixing/recording.
How to improve next trimester
Reinvest (again)
I’m purchasing Production Music Lives everything bundle, which contains Ableton start to finish courses (i.e. Melodic House, Pop etc). YouTube tutorials are great, but after a while you see all the good ones. I love the industry and profession and I have gotten more than enough for free, so it’s time to give back.
Get uncomfortable
For whatever instrumental I compose, a melody and lyrics will be written to accompany it. Even if they aren’t recorded, it’s still honing my craft. It’s probably the last aspect of song writing I’ve yet to get my head around.
Analogue
Undertake more analogue recording at home with Chris microphone (which he kindly let me use). That was I practice my gain staging, recording in untreated rooms, microphone positioning etc.
Where I fit on the overall grade scale
I believe I am worthy of the coveted HD. I’ve put the time in to improve my craft and become a better writer/engineer/producer. I’ve handed everything up on time, to a high standard and did 4 interdisciplinary projects.
1. Practice – each day I work on my weaknesses and try to learn something new, keeping an open mind
2. Professionalism – all my projects are completed well before their due dates. I never had to work under pressure as everything is executed according to plan
3. Interpersonal – Working with my audio or interdisciplinary peers I always keep clear lines of communication open.
4. Creative – I composed in 5 different music genres (rnb, post rock, alt metal, piano ballad, orchestral pop)
5. Intrapersonal – Had to confidence to EP in a genre never before attempted. Acted as Jordan’s hype man as well.
6. Metacognitive – Was happy to accept Jordan’s changes for our major project. I working with animators who request changes to the music often.
Bibliography
Mission, M. o. (2019, July 11). 21 mixing tips that would have saved me years. Retrieved from YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1OOzfGmLQ
Williams, R. (2013, November 28). HOW TO MIX A SONG - The 5 Drivers of Mixing in Action. Retrieved from YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eUOfinvxH4
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