The Creation of a Song |
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I just wanted to write this while it was fresh in my mind and while I had a moment to write.
Alright here we go:
I get the idea for the chours while driving by Deer Grove Forest Preserve. ("We'll ride into the woods..."). Jot down some lyrics.
In the next few days, I work out more of the lyrics in my spare time on and off (in addition to the general tempo rythym, etc).
...Lyrics (a few hours)
I sit down with my guitar and start working on the melody and background chords (change, rewrite some lyrics, etc)
...Melody, music (a few more hours)
Once, I've gotten that where I like it, I'm ready to start recording.
In this case, I started by programming a drum pattern on my drum machine, to match the idea that I had for the rythym.
...Program Drum Machine (a few hours)
OK, the Recording and Production begins:
I record the drum machine, and acoustic guitar part next. No vocals (the first time that I actually seperated the guitar and vocals completely). Back up and do a second acoustic guitar track (bar chords to match the open chords).
Now I record the lead vocal (oops, I realized later that the Mic picks up the background from my headphones. I corrected what I could and left the rest (it's not too noticable)).
...Guitar and lead vocal (one night. a few more hours)
I record the guitar and vocals on tape and listen to the tape in my car going back and forth to work.
Critique... (change anything that I decide to change) and sing the harmony vocals (if any) in the car (at least people can't hear you, even if they look at you like you are an idiot!!!)
(OK a little time reviewing and doing harmonies in my car)
Record the harmony vocals.
I got the echo idea (for the vocals) in my car. OK add the digital delay echo effect to the each location. Make a digital delay (reverb effect) of the entire lead vocals and fade in and out and copy all this to one track.
...Vocals, echo and harmonys (a few hours)
I also had an idea to use my fake 12 string guitar effect (a 6 string guitar with the high strings of a 12 string, playing the same part). I tried that and threw the idea out (the other guitar just does not stay in tune, and it wasn't that great anyway).
I also tried Synth flute, basson, vibes, flugelhorn, hard synth sounds, seashore sound effects, etc for the fills but did not use any of these.
...Fills and Effects tried but not used (production) (a few hours)
Trumpet: I figured that this would work in this song and played for a while to various parts to find the right places to add trumpet. I didn't want to over do it, but just add some color. In retrospect, I think that I really should have added more. I tried the trumpet with Harmon mute, straight mute, cup mute and plunger. Harmon wins! I thought it might. It's probably the coolest sound (a runner up to a cool sax sound).
...Trumpet part (maybe an hour, or so)
Drums: Edit out the standard pattern in the breaks. Fills... This took some time. I am not, don't claim to be, and have never been a drummer. But, you do what you gotta do...
...Drum Fills (a few hours)
Synthesized Bass: I actually tried this with a different bass sound first (string bass) but went back to my new favorite (a deeper bass (the same as on "Lifes Hard"). This took a few takes with both sounds.
...Bass (a few hours)
Additional Effects: I wanted to add a 'high' sound for frequency range. I was thinking of a triangle sound, but my synth didn't have a good one, so I picked the splash type triangle/chimes sound that I used on attitude (I don't like to use the same thing too often, but I think that it's a really cool sound). Then in the final mix I panned this from left to right (if you listen to this on headphones, its cool...).
Then I added the appregiated harp sound for the "woods" and "lake" lyrics and added the Vibes at the bridge.
...Effects (maybe an hour)
MIXING: Actually I have been bouncing and mixing these tracks all along in the steps above. But then there is the final mixes of course. This has been difficult with a 4 track (mini-disk) recorder, but I've discovered that if you keep all of the original recordings and use the whole disk for one song then it's just a matter of waiting for the copies and being VERY CAREFUL not to hit the wrong key and blow something away!!!! (I've done this in the past :-( )
This is my first attempt to try adding some degree of stereo, and I it does work, but with the number of tracks that I am limited to, with the equipment that I have, it is a little hard (and limited).
...Final Mixes (a few hours)
PC and Web Page Conversions: OK, now I create WAV files (through my sound card), then convert to Real Audio and MP3s (and create CDs for myself). Then update my personal song page and the other related pages that I have.
PC downloads,
uploads and Web Page updates
(a few hours (I didn't really count this in the song time))
OK... Go Figure... (if you want to), but my best estimate was a little over 20 hours. Now add a few more fo this write up!!!!!
Summary:
I guess that even if the "professionals" were writing the songs, doing the performances, productions and recordings (with a singer(1), guitar player(2) bass player(3), drummer(4), recording engineer(5), songwriter(6), producer(7), etc.) in 21 hours, (divided by the 7 people above) it would still take 3 hours!!!!
IF one of my songs ever made it really big. I can't wait to say how much time it takes to be an overnight success!!!
Each of the songs that I do is a little different and they all require a different amount of detail and time, but they all take hours for minutes of the end result...
The thing that I LOVE about recordings though, is that the recordings can last forever (theoretically), compared to live performances, which will be gone when the memories are gone...
Well, I think that that's about it...
Like I always say... "I hope you like the songs".
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