Track building techniques

Track Building Techniques in Music Production

Overview of Track Building Techniques

When it comes to building a track, I employ various techniques depending on:

• The genre
• The target audience
• The specific nature of the project

Linear Track Building

In this lesson, we discuss a linear track building approach. Here's how I started this particular track:

1. The Hook:

   • The foundation was laid with sound effects.
   • The initial hook featured a unique panning of voices and animal sounds, which I introduced at a loud volume to set the stage.

2. Introducing Tension:

   • After establishing the hook, I moved on to the strings to introduce tension.
   • Tension is a critical element throughout the entire track, manifested in various modulations.
   • The track kicked off with very tense string arrangements.

Transition to Intro

The track's next section comprised the intro, taking on a very linear progression. I composed it from start to finish rather than using other techniques, such as:

• Grid-Based Writing:
  • In other tracks, I may come up with multiple ideas and experiment by muting them in and out to see what works best.

Exploring a New Track

Now, let's delve into a different track of mine. This project involved creating a set of loops intended for a sample pack library, a significant departure from my usual trailer music.

Loop Pack Overview

This track was designed for software similar to Ableton, allowing users to mix and match different loops synced to the same tempo. Our loop pack includes:

• Drums
• Bass sections
• Synths
• Arpeggios
• Vocals
• Guitar

Collaborative Process

I collaborated remotely with a singer and guitarist, sending them rough sketches of ideas. Together, we developed:

• Vocal hooks
• Guitar loops
• Other key elements of the track

The Creative Approach

While this project followed a grid-based approach, it maintains a human feel, thanks to the organic elements provided by:

• Guitar
• Vocals
• Drums

Our aim was to capture a funky sound reminiscent of Motown while incorporating ethereal and ambient qualities, crossing various genres.

Development Stages of the Track

In this segment, we'll explore the different stages of development for this track:

• Initial Sketches:

  • I wrote rough sketches for the vocalist and guitarist, who then sent their recordings back to me for synchronization and editing.

• Arrangement Philosophy:

  • Unlike my traditional work, where arrangements are integral from the start, this project focused on creating loops first. The arrangement was crafted later, allowing for creativity and flexibility in mixing different elements.

Sample and Hook Creation

Now, let's listen to a brief section of the drums, loops, and synths that form the bed of this track. Here's how the creation process unfolded:

1. Initial Hook:

   • The hook originated from an audio sample I received from the vocalist, who had recorded ideas on his mobile phone.
   • I used that audio to create the foundational hook, around which the rest of the track was constructed.

2. Vocal Recording:

   • The singer recorded additional vocals after we established the basic structure and hook.

I will now play a rough section of this development for reference.

Listen to the Sample

(Note: The actual track will not be played in its entirety, as it remains under development.)