how to START tracks you'll actually FINISH.

Summary

This video shares a powerful three-point framework for starting music tracks that practically beg to be finished. The focus is on the first sound you choose, which should have rhythm, character, and the potential to evolve. The script highlights how an inspiring starting sound sets the tone for the entire track, guides your arrangement, and prevents creative block. It also discusses using variations of rhythm, flavor, and sound evolution to keep the track dynamic. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to further explore track finishing tips through a newsletter.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first sound you load into your DAW is crucial for setting the tone and energy of your track.
• 😀 Starting with a sound that has direction and energy can lead to quick and inspiring progress in your project.
• 😀 The first sound should have three key traits: rhythm, character, and the potential to evolve.
• 😀 Rhythm is important for establishing the track's groove, and it doesn't always need to come from drums.
• 😀 A starting sound with character or personality can make your track more engaging and give it a unique sonic identity.
• 😀 'Character' can mean anything from gritty distortion to smooth, clean tones—whatever resonates with your style.
• 😀 Starting with a sound that evolves over time helps you avoid getting stuck in loops and pushes you to finish the track.
• 😀 Using sounds that evolve, like chopped vocals or twisted synths, can guide the arrangement and create interesting dynamics.
• 😀 Pairing sounds using call-and-response can enhance the track, where one sound is rhythmic and the other is constantly evolving.
• 😀 While drums are essential, they should complement other sounds with more character, as drums alone lack the personality needed to define a track.

Q & A

What is the key focus of the tutorial presented in the script?

The tutorial focuses on how to select the right first sound to start a music track in a way that encourages finishing it. The speaker emphasizes three key traits for this starting sound: rhythm, character, and the potential to evolve.

Why is the first sound in a track so important?

The first sound is crucial because it sets the tone for the track. If it's uninspiring or flat, it can prevent progress, whereas a sound with rhythm, character, and potential can spark creativity and keep the track moving forward.

What does the speaker mean by 'rhythm' in the context of choosing a first sound?

In this context, 'rhythm' refers to a sound that quickly establishes the track's groove or pulse. It's not necessarily drums but any sound with a clear, repeating pattern or rhythm that forms the backbone of the track.

Can you provide an example of a sound that embodies rhythm in a track?

The speaker mentions several examples, such as a synth sequence in the track 'Badman,' a vocal groove in 'Thumps,' and a bubbling synth in a more melodic track. All these examples have rhythmic elements that inspire the track's development.

What role does 'character' play in the first sound of a track?

Character refers to a sound that has a unique or interesting quality that makes it stand out. It could be anything from a wobbly tape synth to a vocal chop with attitude. This trait helps define the sonic identity of the track and adds personality to it.

Why is it important for the first sound to have 'character'?

A sound with character stops the listener in their tracks and sparks curiosity. It defines the overall tone of the track and helps give it a unique identity, which keeps the producer engaged and motivated to finish the track.

How can a sound evolve over time in the context of track creation?

An evolving sound is one that can change throughout the track, either by altering its pitch, rhythm, effects, or other parameters. This keeps the track interesting and drives the producer to continue developing the sound, which helps in completing the track.

Can you give an example of a sound that evolves throughout a track?

The speaker references the track 'Thumps,' where a vocal sample is chopped and manipulated in various ways, changing pitch, formant, and rhythm to create an evolving sound throughout the song.

What is the importance of combining rhythm, character, and evolution in the first sound?

Combining these three traits—rhythm, character, and evolution—creates a starting sound that inspires creativity and drives the track forward. It provides a solid foundation that encourages the producer to keep working and evolving the track without getting stuck in repetitive loops.

What advice does the speaker give for working with drums as a starting sound?

Drums can be a good starting point, but they often lack the character needed to define a track. The speaker suggests pairing them with a non-drum element that also has rhythm, character, and the potential to evolve to create a more engaging starting point.

Why is pitch not included in the three characteristics for a starting sound?

Pitch is not included because it is variable in electronic music. Depending on the genre, the pitch can change significantly. The three traits of rhythm, character, and evolution are more universally applicable across different styles of music, while pitch can be layered on top.

How can a producer ensure they finish their track after choosing the right starting sound?

By selecting a sound with rhythm, character, and the potential to evolve, a producer can maintain momentum throughout the track creation process. The evolving nature of the sound will encourage further development and prevent the producer from getting stuck in loops.