I'm practicing taking a sketch through the entire production process: composition, arrangement, orchestration, recording, mixing, mastering.
Writing and orchestrating are done; next up, recording and producing in the DAW.
Time Information
Music length: ~40s
Writing: 1hr
Orchestrating: 1.5hrs
With orchestration completed yesterday on paper, it was time to take it into the DAW today and record each part of the virtual orchestra.
This is not the final audio! This performance will next be taken through the mixing and mastering process.
Time Information
Music length: ~40s
Writing: 1hr
Orchestrating: 1.5hrs
Recording: 3hrs
The final track is starting to take shape! After about four hours adjusting gain automation and carving out frequency space with EQ's, the ensemble sound is clearer and richer than ever.
This is sounding good, but there's still the final part of the audio pipeline to go: mastering. I'll be honest, this is the stage I have the least experience in; but at least I'm not worried about ruining a sound file that's already pretty pleasing.
See you after the final master!
Time Information
Music length: ~40s
Writing: 1hr
Orchestrating: 1.5hrs
Recording: 3hrs
Mixing: ~4hrs
During the mastering process we added a couple more EQ cuts and boosts, some lovely sweetening saturation in the high end, and used a limiter to get more perceived loudness overall. It's possible I could be more subtle with any one of these moves, but hey, I'm still learning about this final stage!
Thanks for following along with this track from start to finish! I'm calling the sketch We Shan't Meet Again because I'm feeling a period drama kind of vibe. Love unconfessed, walking away across the field, all that good stuff. You'll see an upload on YouTube soon with a visual, and maybe a screen test where I put it up against some film footage!
Time Information
Music length: ~40s
Writing: 1hr
Orchestrating: 1.5hrs
Recording: 3hrs
Mixing: ~4hrs
Mastering: ~2hrs (this will be faster when I learn the ropes better!)
TOTAL TIME SPENT ON 40s OF MUSIC: 11.5 HRS
Phew! On to the next one.
