Back Again (Recap)

I’ve just returned from my almost 2 month holiday break since the completion of my third trimester at SAE, the Studio 1 Module. Now, as expected - I’ve returned and started on the next stage of the degree, Studio 2.

It’s been quite some time since my last blog post, so I thought I might do a recap as to where I am now, and to what I am thinking of doing next...

Last trimester, the biggest change to my learning at SAE was that we were introduced to many “Learning Outcomes” or “LO’s”, a series of criteria that we have to tick off throughout our projects. Last trimester is often regarded as the ‘Electronic Music Module’ due to the LO’s having a focus on Electronic Music Production techniques such as sampling and synthesis. From my first week of Studio 2, I’ve gathered that (as with all studio classes) It is basically the exact same concept as as studio 1, just with different content - this time with a focus on 2 primary areas: Post Production, and Live Sound.

Last trimester both of my Major Studio 1 projects were entirely pop productions with minimal acoustic elements, and a heavy focus on electronic production. I’ve kind of spent some time finding what I like to say ‘resonates’ with me as an audio engineer, for instance I’m starting to find my own workflow and sometimes an approach will click or resonate with me where I think “This is something that is beneficial to the way that works for me".

Having the opportunity to be the producer and in charge of my own productions has caused me to realise that a digital workflow is something that works way better for me than an analogue workflow. While I can respect things such as vintage equipment and outboard gear, I’ve found that these really aren’t something that i’m drawn to as I personally like to focus on more of a ‘in the box' workflow. I find that many people like to have natural or old school sounding elements in their productions, like natural reverb, use of outboard gear and tones from vintage pieces - whereas I’m much more interested doing things digitally, and emulating these through software. For instance, in vocal recordings I much prefer a clean, dry, isolated recording that I can then apply time based effects onto digitally. I also have found that like the sound of some Auto-tuned (rather than natural) sounding vocals, and a very detailed of high and low end on the overall mix.

Now that I’m starting to have a better understanding of what creative directions work for me, i’ve been thinking about ways I can apply this to different types of productions aside from standard, synthesizer based pop. Something I’ve been thinking of doing this trimester is a metal / rock / pop-punk type recording that is more focused on a polished (and somewhat digital), sound. I’ve been doing some research on the production behind bands such as Bring Me The Horizon and Linkin Park to see their approach for recording tracks and seeing if I could essentially create a track basically out of recorded loops as if It were a pop production.

So, instead of having all of the members play together, live, at the same time, I was wondering what If I recorded a synced up drum track (to a click), got a bassist to overdub over the top of that, then overdub guitars (and any other elements) which then that creates an instrumental track for the vocalist to record over.

A good reference track for the sound i’m talking about would be Throne by Bring Me The Horizon, it has a mix of electronic synth sounds and acoustic elements that have been recorded and mixed in that kind of highly polished pop style that i’m looking for.

I’m not really sure if i’ll be able to do that type of thing yet this trimester but it’s something I’ve had in mind and wanted to work towards. My skills in practical studio related things such as running the desk and pro tools / microphone placement is pretty rusty and this is something I would like to build on to feel confident enough before having a band come in.

I was speaking with a family friend who has played in metal bands for a few years and he mentioned how it’s not that uncommon to use virtual midi drummers for the drum track such as EZ Drummer.

I’m interested in recording a band with perhaps using a virtual drummer for the production. Drums, and knowing how to mic them correctly, are my weakest point and this could be an easier way for me to step into the metal realm and focus on other areas of the production such as guitars and other acoustic sounds, until I can be confident in recording drums myself. I think now that I understand what I'm trying to do I should be able to learn how to operate the studios in a way that makes sense to me.

These are some of the things I've been thinking about over the break for something to do this trimester, however this might not be updated on for a while as I'll be focusing more on my sound replacement task for the first half of the module!

Thanks for reading!