Studio & Recording

The secret to making an impressive music video that delivers the impact you want always lies in a good script. While you definitely want to take up all the creative space while writing your script, it’s best not to go too crazy, because an overcomplicated and overambitious script can result in an overblown budget. So how do you write a script that won’t break the bank but still brings the vibe?

The term ‘DJ/producer’ is an increasingly common sight within the DJ world. In fact, it’s become such a standard that even some beginner-DJs have been tempted to add ‘producer’ to their list of skills. It’s getting to the point where people might naturally start confusing one for the other. Are they the same thing? In this blog we explain why these two skills are very different and where they might overlap.

Studio hardware and software has been getting increasingly affordable to the point where you don’t have to save up all that much money before you can take your first steps as a producer. Having the right equipment is one thing — having the skills and knowledge is another. So what’s your plan? Are you going for the trial-and-error approach? YouTube tutorials? Or a proper production course? Each path has its own pros and cons. Guest-blogger and songwriter Ben Govers is here to help you decide whether producer school is worth it.

Guest blogger and songwriter Jemy Gijsman takes us through the next step on your journey to success: recording a demo. Once the song is written, the lyrics are finalised and you’ve got the chords down on paper, you want to go further, so you need to get out there and start hustling. Since you don’t have your own studio and only have minimal knowledge about the production and mixing process, you need to do some research and find a studio that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and can help you record your demo. Once you’ve found the right studio, what do you need to prepare? And how can you find the right musicians to help you get the job done?

If you mix it just right, you can turn a solid song into a bona-fide banger. The problem is that mixing isn’t easy, so if you’re struggling to make your tracks sound more professional, then you’re probably not using the pro-level technique known as mid/side processing. Thankfully, guest-blogger and producer Rutger Steenbergen is here to spill the beans.

Ever wonder why your beats sound different from tracks dropped by other producers? If you’ve been feeling like your tracks lack a bit of oomph and energy, then it can be worth learning how to analyse other people’s work. After all, why struggle when you can simply borrow ideas, right? Remixes, tracks that feature samples, and songs with classic chord progressions are based on the same idea, so there’s nothing to feel bad about. Read on and allow Dutch guest-blogger and producer Daddynervs to explain how you can analyse a track and recognise the BPM, key, chords and structure.

Guest blogger Rob Brummans (Mindru) reveals how he keeps the music production process interesting and, above all, how he keeps himself inspired.

John Williams needs no introduction. Known for soundtracking classics like Superman, E.T., Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and Star Wars, the distinguished film composer has his own chapter in the Hollywood history book. Want to mimic the master? Allow me to divulge some classic John Williams hallmarks.

With all of the incredible music production tools we now have beneath our fingertips, it’s easier and easier to make an end product that lacks the particular warmth of good old human error. You probably didn’t start writing with the idea that you wanted to create something that sounded like it was generated by a machine, so how do you add that all-important human touch? Here, Ableton Live expert Hens Zimmerman shares some very human words of wisdom.

Live coding: type programming code in and spit music out. It might sound a bit much, but if you’re an Ableton Live user looking for a new way to get creative, you’ve just found it. If you want to impress your hoards of fans on stage or at home, it’s time to set that inner nerd free and invite Sonic Pi into your Ableton software. Here, Guestblogger Hens Zimmerman shows you the way.

If you want to make your bread and butter as a musician, besides investing in your skills, it’s also essential to invest in building your fanbase. If you don’t have people listening to what you’re making or coming to your gigs, it’s going to be pretty hard to make a living from your music. With that in mind, the question is: how do you gain new fans? Guestblogger Maaike van Steenis offers up her top tips!

By its very nature, music can be a noisy phenomenon which is exactly why any live venue, pub, rehearsal room and recording studio will always need good isolation. For the average musician, playing at full volume in their own home just isn’t an option – there are nagging neighbours to think about. Is it a problem that can be solved once and for all? You’ve heard that some good isolation will keep the noise in and keep your neighbours sweet, but before you start collecting egg boxes, it’s worth learning a little bit about the theory behind sound isolation. Your first lesson: egg boxes make for terrible sound proofing.