Composing music on a computer allows for much more freedom of action than composing for a real orchestra or choir. There are no such rigid restrictions in the range of instruments, the effect libraries allow you to change voices beyond recognition, giving them new shades. But even this way of creativity has its own rules and limitations.
Necessary
- A computer with an installed sound editor (“Fruity loops”, “Sound Forge”, “Adobe Audition”, etc.);
- Library of samples of various instruments (including drums);
- A set of effects;
- Virtual synthesizers (you can also use a real one with a cable);
- Fundamentals of musical knowledge and hearing.
Instructions
Step 1
As in any other kind of creativity, you have to imagine the purpose and future destiny of your creation. Answer yourself a few questions:
Who will listen to it (even if only you, but you should like it)?
What genre will this piece be (electronic music, dance, rock, classical)?
What is the mood of the piece (aggressive, sad, anxious, solemn)?
What instruments will be involved (even if only approximately, but you have to imagine what will sound there, for example, only a string orchestra)?
Step 2
Connect a real instrument (if you have one) to your amplifier and to your computer. Start improvising on it or on virtual synthesizers, keeping in mind the framework set in the previous step. The mood of improvisation (scale, tonality, melodic moves) should correspond to the mood, and the movement of the melody should be available for performance on the selected instrument (violins should not come up with parts in the bass key).
Step 3
Leith-theme will appear from improvisation. Continue to improvise while recording parts of it at the same time: intro, lead, chorus, bridge, breaks, and so on. Remember that every topic should have a development and a climax. Take care of the overall development of the work.
Step 4
Having recorded the melody in the sound editor, go to the drum line. They should sound in harmony with the melody without drowning it out, so don't overdo it with sonorous hi-hats. On slower parts, don't try to fill the space between the quarters with sixteenths. A half-empty sound with beats for every half beat may be more effective.
Step 5
Bass is a continuation of the rhythm section, the foundation of music. Record it right after the drums. A lot of variety is not needed here (unless the bass instrument is playing a solo part).
Step 6
Break up a draft melody into the instruments of your choice. If you are happy with it, go straight to the underwear. They should be a little quieter than the main theme, but in no case should they coincide with it in height. It would be even better to separate them by the time of inclusion (for example, so that they play pauses between phrases of the melody).
Step 7
If the piece is vocal, then the voice is added last.
Step 8
Mix the track by adding effects, removing unnecessary noise, adjusting the volume.
