Behind the Board with Tony Maserati

‘Behind the Board with Tony Maserati’

– Mixing Techniques Videos (Avid)

http://apps.avid.com/maserati/videos.html

Search for Avid Tony Maserati videos in Google if the link doesn’t work

The track is ‘The World As I See It’ by Jason Mraz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjP7VTHUais

These videos are all about the techniques that Tony uses to mix music tracks. I would suggest that you watch the videos and make notes then outline how Tony starts and how he progresses through the mixing process. What techniques and concepts does he use? E.G ‘Subtractive EQ. then start to list the techniques you could use in your mix and say how.  List what you think you cannot do and say why then write down ’10 top tips for mixing’ that you got from the videos

Excellent, high quality videos that explain mixing techniques and concepts. Using these techniques will help you mix better and help you get a better grade in your GCE A Level Music Technology coursework.

Music Tech Guru - Valuable Resource or Cheating?

http://www.musictechguru.com/

This is a valuable resource! Yes it is, really.  There seems to be some great information, advice and guidance that will help you sequence, record and mix better music. Look for the freebies. Its good stuff and any help you can get with your coursework is a good thing. Maybe you will like what you see and then want more...

This is cheating! I don't begrudge anyone making money. If people are willing to pay then go for it. The trouble is that some of the resources on this site are explaining exactly how to create the sounds and sequences that the Edexcel exam board have asked students to create in 'controlled conditions'**. It looks like the guy sits up all night making a resource pack simply to make money. Surely this is pushing things a little too far.
IMHO 

I guess the exam board won't like this either. Hey, I wonder if anyone writes something like 'I used the synth settings I got from the music tech guru video...' in their coursework portfolio? I would put money on it.

I haven't purchased any of the resources so I cannot comment on the packs themselves. I am not disputing the quality at all. This is just first impressions.

Has anyone paid for this stuff or got any further opinions?

**Controlled conditions, no access to the Internet or advice from anyone else. Pretty much like exam conditions only you can talk and go out of the room to pee.

Daddy, can you talk about Star Wars

Hi

Sorry. I have been busy having children and talking about Star Wars.

This blog is now back on track so expect some posts soon

Adrian

Ladytron AMTV instruments and structure

Ladytron - AMTV                                                                                            Length  3:26

This is the summary of the notes made during preparation for this year’s AS Level Sequencing course work 2011 2012. It is not meant to be definitive. Use your ears and make your own judgements.

Instrumentation	Sound	PAN	Effects
Main vocal		C
Backing Vocal	Doubling main vocal	C/R
Backing vocal	Distant ‘Ah Ah’	C/L	Reverb/Delay
Electric Guitar	Bright / Dirty	R	Fuzz
Synth (melody)	Synth lead. Classic synth sound.	R
Synth (driving)		L	Delay
Synth / Vocal (rising)	Distant	L	Reverb / Delay
Synth (Riff)		L	Reverb
Xylophone / Bells	Sustained single notes	L
Bass	Deep / Drone / synth	C
Bass	Electric bass	C	Overdrive / Speaker simulation
Percussion	Pots/Pans / Cowbell Bell (Chinese) Bell tree High pitched chimes		Listen to the end section to hear the sounds clearly
Drum Kit	Hats / Brushes Tom Side stick Snare – brush + electronic Kick – unique sound / gated		This is an interesting sound kit. Probably made from samples of real drums mixed with electronic sounds and with effects. You can find sounds like this in Ultrabeat but also check out the EXS24 kits

Listen to the last 4 sections to hear some of the sounds better.

Work on the drum sounds during the final mixing stage

One of the sounds has been made using a ‘speak and spell’ game.

AMTV - Song Structure

Introduction – 8 bars

Drum kit / Percussion / Bass / Synth (Playing melodic hook)

Chorus – 4bars (vocal) 4 bars (no vocals) x 2 “Films will come and films….’

Vocal / Synth (driving) / Synth (melody) / Backing vocals

Bridge – 8 bars “Watching TV at 4am…”

Guitar / “Ah Ah” synth/vocal / Different snare sound

Chorus – 4bars (vocal) 4 bars (no vocals) x 2

Snare sound changes slightly brighter / louder / fills

Chorus / Instrumental – 8 bars

Bell (Chinese) – bell tree with mute at end?

New melody played by synth

Bridge – 8 bars x 2

Sustained notes, rising synth/vocal in background.

‘Ah ah”

Chorus – 4bars (vocal) 4 bars (no vocals) x 2

Modified chorus – instruments drop out

New synth ‘riff’

Drum fill into Bridge

Bridge – 8 bars x 2

Xylophone/Bells – high pitched – panned left

Guitar / rising vocal/synth

Bridge – 8 bars

No vocals / No bells

Feedback FX / synth filter FX

Bridge / Ending – 8 bars

Instrumental break down – electric bass is out of time in places. Drum fills. You can hear some of the sounds clearly here such as the ‘bell tree.’

Synth drone / out of time sample from ‘speak and spell toy’

Vocal sample ‘Level one’ – sampled from an old ‘speak and spell’ toy.

As and when I get a chance to post

If you have found this blog it may still be empty. Soon it will have useful posts but I am a busy teacher, musician and dad so please follow and be patient.