Easy Flute and Sax Synth Hints

EASY FLUTE & SAX SYNTH HINTS 

DATE of posting:       17 April 2018     SUBSCRIBE  
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RECORDING HINTS -- written about using  GarageBand -- BUT
these Hints help increase your skills in ProTools, Logic, etc. 

It's hard & expensive to find instrument players.

Synth flute and sax played on a keyboard (controller) obviously
will not sound "real" to ACTUAL  flute and sax players...
but my easy hints help you get closer.

1. Remember that wind instrument players have to breathe!
Deliberately add breaks, even if they're short.
Think of where *you* would have to breathe if you were actually playing the instrument.
Logical places for songs with words are at the ends of sentences or phrases.

2. Don't accidentally create di-tones or chords.
That is, go into the "Piano Roll" (notation) section and
ensure that the MIDI notes barely touch into each other. 
You don't want 2 or 3 MIDI notes in the same space 
for wind synth instruments. 
In fact, staccato (very short MIDI notes) such as for flute 
especially gives a playful or joyful sound.

(Actual violins are played with one note blending more into the other, so the MIDI notes can overlap a little... not too much.)

Easy but important fix: 
If you look at the MIDI notes and see overlap,
you can often do a better edit shortening those notes if your first
turn OFF "Snap to Grid". That enables you to have
quarter notes that smoothly extend a bit into the next quarter notes
but without the di-tone -- defined as 2 full notes being played simultaneously.

3. If there's a "muddy" sound or the meter is running 'hot,'
even after you shortened the note lengths, check (in GB) the
"brighteness" of the green MIDI note which indicates VOLUME level generally:
See if you accidentally played some notes louder than others.
If so, select those notes, go to Velocity, and lower the volume number.

4. "Quantize" notes easily (so they hit on the metronome count):
a. In the SCORE section, highlight one note, go to Edit > Select All.
b. Go to Align To (under the Piano Roll button) and select 1/8 Note.
That gives a quick quantizing.
c. Then in the SCORE section, highlight all actual 1/4 notes PLUS the first note of a pair
of 1/8th notes. Go to Align To and select 1/4 note.

d. Check the MIDI section... for faster music, some of the notes will be one above the other after quantizing.  IMPT: TURN ON  SNAP TO GRID

d. Finally:  Slide the 2nd note over to be in its place.  Hit SAVE after all that work!

Much joy to you "playing" wind instruments
realistically!
Lots of Examples to hear free at http://www.DianaDeeOsbornesongs.com/

©2018, 2011 DianaDee Osborne;  all publication rights reserved

(An earlier version published 30 October 2011)

Out-of-Phase Drum Loops - by DianaDee Osborne

OUT-OF-PHASE DRUM LOOPS   

DATE of posting:       13 April 2018     SUBSCRIBE 
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RECORDING HINTS -- written about using  GarageBand -- BUT
these Hints help increase your skills in ProTools, Logic, etc. 

FUN GRUNGE!! --

Here's a fun experiment to create a "thick" grungy sound for different drum mood:

1. Create a standard MIDI drum loop, anything you like. Not TOO busy is best while experimenting. The "out of phase" will add a lot of double-hits.

You can copy as many loops as you like (steps 2 & 3):

2. Go to Track >Duplicate Track and create another drum track.

3. The "Duplicate Track" command in GarageBand doesn't do what the command does
in some other programs... you get an empty track!
Fix: copy your populated (original) drum regions onto new track.
___ 4a.   Hit "home" to place the marker on the very first count.
___ 4b   Paste the copy of the drum track on the new 2nd track.
___ 4c   If the track NOTES REGION does not being on Count 1, just
extend the front to add empty space back to Count 1.

Repeat Steps 2 and 3 as many times as you'd like. More = More grunge
(so you'll have to watch Volume levels to be sure you don't kill your speakers!).

Here's where the FUN comes!!

7. IMPORTANT: Turn OFF   Snap To Grid   (under Control).
8. Open the region editor of the 2nd, duplicated,  drum track.
9. Widen the view to SPREAD OUT NOTES: That gives more control in Step 10.

10. Grab the 2nd track and very slightly drag it about  1/16th   or at most 1/8th 
of a count into the first measure.  REPEAT STEPS 8-10 FOR EACH TRACK.

The result? 
You get an "off kilter" or "out of phase" sound
when you play the drum tracks together.
Add a grungy guitar and heavy bass to begin a power packed new song!

Much joy to you creating new music!
Lots of Examples to hear free at http://www.DianaDeeOsbornesongs.com/

©2018, 2011 DianaDee Osborne;  all publication rights reserved

(An earlier version published 29 October 2011)

SPLITTING PROBLEMS Fix - by DianaDee Osborne

SPLITTING PROBLEMS Fix     SUBSCRIBE  

DATE of posting:       6 April 2018  morning  

https://dianadeegarageband.blogspot.com - 

RECORDING HINTS -- written about using  GarageBand -- BUT
these Hints help increase your skills in ProTools, Logic, etc. 

"Why won't that stupid track split right?" was my 26 January 2018 blog hint... 

https://dianadeegarageband.blogspot.com/2018/01/making-stupid-track-split-right.html
LINK  HERE

This is "part 2." Let's say you've auto-aligned ("quantized") every note around
where you want to split the track. (See February 6, 2018 for hints there, too)  >> LINK 
Yet every time you try to split the track, 
you get a 1/32nd note or worse 
on one side of the split.
It feels like the thing is bragging   "eewww, you were SO close, tough luck!"

Here's how to "win" when GarageBand is stubborn.
1. Be sure you've selected Control > Snap to Grid. Then try again.
If that doesn't work?
2. Put the red place marker right on top of the note flag of the "after" measure. Somehow GB thinks the tiny bit of space in front means you want that space in the earlier region when you do the split.
If that doesn't work? Hey, I've tried a lot... usually something does!

3. If this is a PIANO track where you used the sustain pedal,
then this is probably "The" hint for you:
When you quantize, you **must include the Ped. marks below the bottom staff.**
Except perhaps to some music-purist, that really doesn't change the sound.
But it (1) makes your printed score look more professional, and
(2) cures a lot of track-splitting problems.

Finally -- and this is where you really "win" the battle:

If nothing else works,
go to the first chord in the measure that you want to be Measure 1 of the 2nd region after your split is done.
1. Again quantize all of that chord "just to be sure" -- including the Ped. mark if there.
2. Go to Control > Snap to Grid and be sure it is OFF.

3. Select all the notes in the chord. Be sure to catch all -- look high & low literally!
Some piano notes are widespread in chords.

4. Go to Piano Roll in the Notation View. The selected notes are a different color.

5. Move the entire set of notes slightly to the right.

6. Do the split again, and check the Score view of the notation.
There shouldn't be any 1/32nd notes ending Region 1 this time.

7. Re-select that chord. Auto-align to 1/4 notes (no matter what kind of notes they are or what your signature type is).

You should now have two neatly split tracks, 

despite  the recording program's challenges!

Much joy to you creating new music despite probs!
Lots of Examples to hear free at http://www.DianaDeeOsbornesongs.com/

©2018, 2011 DianaDee Osborne;  all publication rights reserved

(An earlier version published 13 September 2011)

FAST Synth Bass in GarageBand - by DianaDee Osborne

FAST SYNTH BASS 

DATE of posting:       30 March 2018     SUBSCRIBE  
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RECORDING HINTS -- written about using  GarageBand -- BUT
these Hints help increase your skills in ProTools, Logic, etc. 

If you've already recorded a piano track for your song in GarageBand -- and other programs --
here's a quick way to get a synth bass to fill in your sound until a bass player
adds live bass. 

REMINDER: YOU NEED TO QUANTIZE PIANO before these steps,
or you'll have double the work quantizing both two tracks later.
It's also MUCH EASIER if you can join all piano regions into one track first....
     but Step 5 includes way to create bass without joining the regions if desired.

GETTING READY

A. PREPARATION
1. Create a new track for bass.
2. Record one note, any note, to "populate" your track. This KEEPS track name as "Bass".
3. Extend the track to match the length of your piano track.
4. Delete your temporary note.

5. SKIP TO STEP 6 if your piano track contains only one region,
since the next steps are easier if the piano is all in one track.Do Step 5 here if you have separate regions and want to keep them separate,
__5a. Select and join all piano regions.
__5b. Hit the home key to put the marker on   Measure 1 Count 1.
__5c. Do steps 6 and 7 below. Do NOT do step 8 yet.
__5d. Choose Edit > Undo. Your copied notes are still on the clipboard.
__5e. SKIP TO STEP 8 (you've done 6 and 7)

6. Open the Notation view for the piano track, and  to go to home >>
             Measure 1, Count 1.
Then select the bottom-most notes of the piano. (If you get some higher notes, they're
                 easy to delete later.) 
7. Choose Edit > Copy.
8. Go into the Notation view for the new bass track.
Hit your home key to put the marker on Measure 1, Count 1.

9. Choose Edit > Paste.

NOW YOU'RE READY FOR THE FUN!
B. CREATING THE BASS.
Here's where the work comes in -- but it's quick and fun:
1. In some places, you will have picked up a double-note bass for a count. Go to these and delete one note, usually the higher note.
2. Piano has a wider range than bass.
Ensure that no notes go below a low low B (13 steps below middle C) 
that can be played by 5- or 6-string basses. 
And, since it's bass, you probably don't want notes going too high
into the sonic range of other instruments including guitars and flutes.
3. Turn the piano volume down some and the bass volume up. Then play the 2 tracks.
4. Adjust notes here and there to the sound you like.

HINT FOR FINDING PIANO CHORD'S ROOT (BASS) NOTE:
*If you're "stumped" and can't figure out what the bass note should be,
it's easy to put the marker on the measure in question, then go into the piano track
to look at the chord for that measure.
 If there are 3 or more half-steps between the two bottom piano notes,
this is the guitar equivalent of a slash chord.
The root is the bottom one with no space above, usually.

ALMOST FINISHED!
C. POLISHING THE BASS SOUND
Piano tends to be "busier" than bass.
So you should go into the bass track to polish the final sound:

1. For measures that copied in multiple notes from the piano track,
    delete bass notes after count #1 and extend the remaining bass note
    to extend through the measure.
2. Bass doesn't *have* to be the root note... it's your song. Use harmony notes if you like!
3. In some places the piano held a chord where a nice bass walkdown etc. would fill in....

Much joy to you creating new music!
Lots of Examples to hear free at http://www.DianaDeeOsbornesongs.com/

©2018, 2011 DianaDee Osborne;  all publication rights reserved

(An earlier version published 12 September 2011)

Aligning Imported MP3s Easily

ALIGNING IMPORTED MP3s EASILY

DATE of posting:       23 March 2018  morning     SUBSCRIBE  
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RECORDING HINTS -- written about using  GarageBand -- BUT
these Hints help increase your skills in ProTools, Logic, etc. 

THIS IS  *so* IRRITATING...

Have you ever dragged an MP3 file into your GB project to create a new track?
It's a great way to add flute or "atmosphere" or other enhancements
to an older version of one of your songs if you don't have a BAND file for it.
BUT  what often happens: a STRUGGLE
to make it the IMPORTED track align in timing with your GB click track. 
Here are a couple of easy hints to try before you fret too much over the attempt:

1. First, you'll probably need to PUT SOME SPACE in front of the MP3 track.  
So slide the track to the right,   to add at least one measure of room.

2. Turn OFF the Snap to Grid feature (under Control menu item).

3. Now play the metronome with the track: Keep sliding the imported MP3 region
until it's as close as possible to the first count of the music hitting the first count of GB's metronome (also under Control).

Here's the TRICK for the Annoying Part that sometimes happens:
4. If it still is not quite "on" but you're having trouble hearing where count one comes in to match the MP3 and metronome, here's a cool hint:

--a-- Open the Notation View (the "snowflake" at the bottom left).
--b-- Click on the new MP3 track's NAME to select it. The WAV files of the MP3 will now be showing in the Notation view.
--c-- WithOUT the metronome on, play the MP3 track solo, and watch the peaks. 
After a bit of time, you should be able to hear the timing of the music's first counts
and  slide the track until the peak in the WAV file matches count 1,

This doesn't always work, but it usually does  ...
or gets you much closer before trying something else in Garageband.
Note that the BIG PROGRAMS like ProTools & LOGIC have a SLIP feature that's more exact..

FINAL STEP   for FINISHING UP:
STEP 5 finally: You have to get rid of that space in front of the audio track if you want to clean up your project. There are two main ways:

(1) split the region on a count 1 just before the music starts,
delete the unnecessary front region, and slide the 2nd region to the front of the track.
Ensure that Count 1 of the track lands with Count 1 of the metronome...
usually a bigger WAV peak there.

(2) Solo the audio track and send it to iTunes, bounce it, or whatever.  
Then bring back the now-filled-in full track with the extra front space
 into your project. Delete the old audio after you ensure everything is working right.

Much joy to you creating new music!

Lots of Examples to hear free at http://www.DianaDeeOsbornesongs.com/

©2018, 2011 DianaDee Osborne;  all publication rights reserved

 (An earlier version published 2 September 2011)

Easy Counter-Melodies Making - by DianaDee Osborne

EASY COUNTER-MELODIES MAKING

DATE of posting:       16 March 2018  morning     SUBSCRIBE  
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RECORDING HINTS -- written about using  GarageBand -- BUT
these Hints help increase your skills in ProTools, Logic, etc. 

Annoying feature we CAN work around!

One of the annoying features of GarageBand & some other
oftware recording programs is that
you can see the Notation View (the music notes on the staff) of
only one track at a time.
So if you want to add a synth bassline or a simple 
counter-melody in flute or sax, for example, you must either hope
you've memorized the chord progression, or
you must waste paper printing a multi-page music score you need for only a few minutes.

A FUN  EASY FIX !!! --
1. Select by highlighting the track name of the track that is your main instrument (already recorded); for me it is usually grand Piano. In this case, if you select just a note within the notation view, this hint also works.

2. Select  File > Print.... but don't print. Shows the score (notes).

3. Click on Preview and  
then slide the preview window over to the side of your monitor scrren
where you can see both it and the GarageBand main window.

4. I GarageBand, just click on the new track where you want to record the
counter-melody or bass (etc.) track, and begin recording,
using the Preview window as your guide, like a SCORE SHEET.

A fun wisdom hint I love sharing with you! Saves $$$ too!
then threw in the trash before I realized I could easily play from the Preview window.

Much joy to you creating new music!
Lots of Examples to hear free at http://www.DianaDeeOsbornesongs.com/

©2018, 2011 DianaDee Osborne;  all publication rights reserved

(An earlier version published 25 August 2011)

Deliberate Percussion Mistakes - by DianaDee Osborne

DELIBERATE PERCUSSION MISTAKES

DATE of posting:       9 March 2018  morning     SUBSCRIBE  
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RECORDING HINTS -- written about using  GarageBand -- BUT
these Hints help increase your skills in ProTools, Logic, etc. 

Your music does NOT have to be perfect.... Perfect notes, perfect timing, etc.
In fact there's a PHRASE  for what you've probably heard in classical music:

FLEXIBLE  TIMING.
Drums & percussion can add deeply to your song's mood... 
including to reflect angst & sorrow with
DELIBERATE  "mistakes". 
EXAMPLE:   the ear rather expects the kick drum to always 
fall first on either count 1 or 2 depending on the song, 
and then to stay there through the song. 

Deliberate Mistakes can IMPROVE music!

Suppose you keep alternating where that kick falls?
You create an off-kilter, "something's not right" feel is added to your song.
And if your LYRICS  have the message that Life is off-kilter 
and just not right.... well, your percussion mood 
punches fantastic emphasis into your song.

EXAMPLE OF DELIBERATE DRUM MISTAKES:
In my song COMFORT IN MISTAKES,
I used a standard jazz 4/4 drum loop that had the quiet, sad feel of the words.  
BUT... the song is written in 3/4.
RESULT: The kick & high hat & everything else "feels" off-kilter when you really listen.
What's really cool though is that people generally don't focus on the percussion at first
unless that's "their instrument."
So the song gives an off-kilter "MISTAKE" feeling that
                       can't be explained from the main instruments.

You'll find this example song at www.DianaDeeOsborneSongs.com >>
      COMFORT WITHIN MISTAKES (SONG AUDIO)
LINK TO DOWNLOAD MUSIC SHEETS AND LYRICS:  >>    LINK
 
Other songwriting hints are at another of my blogs, 
DianaDee Easy Songwriting Hints for Song Writers >>
http://dianadeeosborne.blogspot.com/

Much joy to you creating new music!
Lots of Examples to hear free at http://www.DianaDeeOsbornesongs.com/

©2018, 2011 DianaDee Osborne;  all publication rights reserved

(An earlier version published 23 August 2011)