Project Updates 1 - Current Progression

Hey guys! Finally back with some updates on how all of my current projects are going! This one came a little later than expected but I've been super busy lately! But look no further, cause here they are, lets get into to it!

Post Production audio to video project

Since my last update, Yasmin, Jackson and I have had plenty of discussion as to where this project is going as well as what it holds for each of us. As Jackson and I are studio production majors in our audio degrees, this project isn't exactly huge for us overall. However, it is to Yasmin as she is majoring in Post Production. This actually works in our favour though as we will have more time on our hands overall to complete this project to its best potential quality. In addition to this we have also finally decided on a video and concept which I'll add a link for you guys below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7trS0HaYjXU&feature=youtu.be

(unfortunately because wix hates me it wont let me attach the video preview right now so I'll be sure to fix this when I can)

The clip our group has chosen for this assignment is the 2 minute intro from Disney's 'A Bugs Life' where the area is introduced along with the inhabitants (ants). The atmos and surrounding sounds can be used as a good reference as to what we want to replicate. However, in terms of music and feel, we thought it would be rather interesting to flip it and create a dark and suspenseful clip. Considering in the actual movie the ants horde food for the grasshoppers because they fear them, I'll be taking advantage of this and composing a dark, underlying soundtrack to sit underneath the clip along with making ambient/atmos effects where necessary. The recording of Foley and ADR will mostly be done by Jackson and Yasmin and the overall mix of the video will be done by Yasmin as this is her main project. This is not to say however that Jackson and I will not be assisting in this where we can but our goal is to aid as much as possible without taking too much of the credit/stakes away from Yasmin.

My collab with INSERT_NAME

This track is progressing rather nicely however, I can't say that I've had much impact on it at this point. As I've been rather busy with work, gigs and planning other projects, I've merely been bouncing ideas and checking progression with Richard at this point. However, in the coming weeks this track will grow a lot more as I plan to dedicate a large sum of time towards it. With this being said, the structure of the track has already been laid out including the replication of the drum pattern from our reference track and the beginning formation of synth layers has already started taking place. Unlike my own previous house project/s, this track will most likely be significantly shorter clocking in at around 3 minutes long (if not shorter than that). This is mainly due to the fact that, unlike most house tracks, ours wont have the generic 64 bar intro and outro. This shaves almost an entire minute off the track, making it easier to put more time into and focus towards the detail of the essential sections such as the breakdowns, build ups and importantly, the drops ;).

Recording For Kevin Barber's EP

Since the last update this project really hasn't changed much, Kevin has been preparing studio times and getting his arrangements ready for peak live performance. Our first session will be on Monday the 8th October, lasting for 4 hours with the goal of recording drums for all 4 of his tracks. Although this may be a stretch, if we can get set up in time and Kevin aces his takes early, then it may just be possible. The techniques we'll be using to record the drums are rather basic except for the overheads, which we'll be using 2 ribbon microphones as a blumlein setup which we learnt recently in one of our latest studio lectures (blog on that coming really soon!). This technique gives off a really nice tone and along with capturing the overhead drum sound, it also takes in a slight amount of room sound due to the microphones both being on figure 8 mode and facing in an 'X' like direction towards each other.

Chase Johnstone EP project adjustments - scaling

Since the last update, this project has undergone a minor scope reduction as Chase is a rather busy dude and doesn't actually have a 4th song entirely written yet. In addition to this, his vision for the way he wants the third song on his EP to sound is still in development and I made the decision that we should reduce the EP to 2 tracks that he is really happy with now and the others can come later as a seperate release. After talking to Chase recently it was also revealed that he is looking for female backing vocals on his tracks which I have already taken the liberty of organising. The artist singing backing vocals on these tracks is a local lo-fi/chill style artist by the name of K Y A who has really rich vocals with just enough power to equal if not rival Chase's. However, because she will mainly be on backing vocals, my main priority with her is to organise harmonies and other sounds with Chase and have Chase be happy with these. The recording for these 2 tracks will begin in approximately 3 weeks once I get some of my other projects either done or to standard where I can afford a small amount of time off.

Surprise! Incoming side project - Glitch

This track is something I started over the last few days after being inspired by my friends and gigging. Its a bass house track that I've been meaning to start producing for a while and it seems to be progressing rather nicely with an intro and two drops already finished!

My newest track 'Glitch' in the arrangement phase - Screenshot taken 7th October 2018

When compared with 'Nervous' (my last bass/g house track), this thing is a monster and is superior in every way - Sound design, processing, layering, samples, everything. Creatively, this track has already been so fulfilling to make and is only growing by the day. The main goal for this project is to have at the very least a draft master done to be able to play out at one of my upcoming gigs known as 'Bangers N Mash Vol. 1' in November which coincidentally is also being used as a showcase for SAE Institute, the university in which I am currently attending.

To wrap it up...

Overall, I believe each project is progressing rather well in its own way however, there is always room for more hustle! Over the next coming week, I will be extremely busy at work with all of these along with preparing for my biggest gig to date at Birdees Night Club in the Valley! More on all of this very soon I promise! As always, cheers for tuning and I'll catch ya next time!

Levels :)