Project Updates 3 - Minor Project Conclusions

Hey guys! Yep, its that time of the week again, ya boi is back with yet another instalment of project updates! Over the last week, I've been able to get a lot done such as finishing my minor project in post production (or at least my contribution to it - the soundtrack!). But there's a lot more than just that to cover in this blog so lets get to it!

Post Production - Bugs Life Soundtrack: Completed

So why not start with the finished one first? Over the last week I've finally been able to finish the soundtrack for the Bugs Life video clip my group has chosen to do for our post production assignment! Before anyone goes "But Levels, its a 1:40min long soundtrack, its not that hard!", I know, don't worry. To be honest this soundtrack wasn't hard to make as dark and creepy music seems to be my thing and I enjoy making it. However, its the lack of motivation that really made me struggle in this task. As an EDM Producer, I create music that makes people dance, smile and feel various emotions. Although when comparing the creation of EDM to the composing for post production, my heart really just was not in it. Granted, its a soundtrack that will set a mood and give off certain feelings and vibes but its not something I enjoyed making unlike my house tunes and other electronic music. However, this is not to say that I haven't learnt anything out of making this track as it was a really interesting experience and useful for getting me outside my comfort zone! You can find the screenshot of the finished soundtrack below!

Bugs Life Soundtrack recreation by Levels - Screenshot taken 21st October 2018

Now for all my producers out there, you'll notice something odd - why are the synths Frozen and flattened? Well, the answer to that one is fairly simple as Jackson had asked me if he could mix this track - to which I agreed considering I composed and arranged it. However, even though the SAE Campus has Ableton Live 10 Suite installed on every computer (including studios), the synths in this particular track were created using Xfer Records Serum, a synth plugin that SAE currently does not have. Considering that Jackson does not have either Ableton or Serum, I froze and flattened the synths from MIDI to Audio to enable Jackson to mix the track in the studio at uni without having to worry about synth tracks not playing due to the absence of Serum. The synths play just as well as they would in a MIDI clip and are just as easy to mix. In terms of the progress in this track's mixing stage, it's just about done according to Jackson to which I am very grateful for. By having Jackson mix this track, I've been able to focus on other projects and get myself a lot more organised. In addition to this, Jackson is now firmly stable in terms of stake holding in this project as he communicated with the group recently explaining that he wanted to help more and was concerned that he was not contributing enough to the group.

INSERT_NAME Collaboration - New members and Progression: Introducing Callum Page!

This project has finally started to pick up some major momentum in the previous week as Richard and I were finally able to hit the studio and smash some things out! However, considering my background in electronic music is more on the Deep/Bass house side of things, this session wasn't exactly easy for me as Future House is something I'm yet to explore. This is where my amazingly talented friend Callum comes into the picture as Future Bass/House is something he's been making since he started producing music. Richard and I showed Callum our reference track for this project and to our amazement, Callum had already replicated the track's main synth and we started working on the first build-up and drop. Below you can find a screenshot from our current Ableton Live session!

Current session view of the (currently unnamed) collaboration between INSERT_NAME, Callum Page & Levels - Screenshot taken 21st October 2018

After the main synth was created, Richard Immediately began adding layers using N.I's Massive. Whilst these two were in their element at work with synthesis, I started writing the drums and percussion for the drop and gathering the vocal samples for the track from Splice! With Callum's experience in music theory and Synthesis, Richard's abilities with Layering and my own abilities in structuring and arranging, this turned out to be one killer studio session and to say that Richard and I are keen to have Callum on board for this is an understatement. Super keen to see where this track goes over the next week.

Chase Johnstone 2 track EP - Musicians Found!

Over the course of the last week, I've been in contact with Chase, KYA and Kevin in regards to performing on Chase's EP. However, the last time I wrote an update for this project, I was struggling to find a bassist for the tracks. Well, I'm happy to say that that's finally over because I have officially gathered all of the musicians I need to build Chase two very good tracks! The bassist making an appearance on these tracks is none other than my friend Daniel Quaglia, who's been playing bass ever since he could pick one up. Recording for Chase is still scheduled to begin in around 2 weeks, giving me enough time to confirm that everyone is still able to perform/record and find the right reference tracks for Chase!

Kevin Barber's 'Warble' EP Recording

This Project for me hasn't really gone anywhere else just yet as I'm merely the recording engineer for this project however, since the recording of Kevin's drums I'm well aware that he has been hard at work in editing them and putting them in time. After the last session, I received word from Kevin that he was really happy with how the drums turned out which was awesome to hear! The next recording session for this EP will be taking place within the next 2 weeks and it will a session devoted entirely to recording Bass (and guitar if we get time)!

Side Project - Glitch

This one I've been holding off for a little while to get a grip on all of my other projects. however, it is not to be kept in the dark any longer! I've been itching to get back into producing this one and I'll be doing just that for the next 2 days whilst the full arrangement is being completed. The main goal for the coming week is to clean everything up where needed, mix and master it to have it out on Soundcloud by the next (coming) Sunday (28th October). Watch this space!

To wrap this up...

Since the last update, I can safely say that I'm very pleased as to how well all of these projects are steadily progressing, one of them is even close to being finished! Over the course of the next week, the main aim is to have 'Glitch' fully mixed and mastered and the collab with INSERT_NAME and Callum Page fully arranged and mix ready. Sounds like a handful but its nothing I can't do if I hustle, gotta get back on the grind! Until next time!

Levels :)