THE CREATIVE DEPOT SERIES
This section of the website will include information and materials related to the creation, preparation, and recording of music.
The Creative Depot Series-a series of 26 videos which I have developed based upon my own creative experiences-from the very beginning of writing a song, to the steps to make it record-ready, and ultimately recording it.
The series begins by taking a look at songwriting today within the context of music’s history. We then move into songwriting parameters-from that initial spark, to “boundaries” and time-saving songwriting tips I’ve found helpful. The series then moves into how to prepare a song for recording, and into the recording phase itself. This last step includes a brief look at microphones, and recording equipment, plus how I use them. Each of the videos is focused on one tiny aspect of this overall journey.
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Table of Contents
Songwriting Series
1. In the Beginning: Where to begin the songwriting process? It can seem like a maze. The session brings context to the songwriting process by taking a look back at two landmark events in the history of music.
2. The Math of Songwriting: Both music and lyric writing contain certain boundaries or parameters (“math”) …ranging from the Circle of 5ths to song forms, and beyond.
3. The Math of Songwriting Summary: By employing “math”, a songwriter is able to create a song with emotion and empathy, while also saving time.
4. Birth of a Song: The importance of being organized while moving through the three “phases” of the songwriting process (Concept; Shaping; Completion). Also what makes a great song?
5. Inside the Creative Mind: Common traits creative people share. Also is songwriting an innate talent, or can it be learned?
6. Players and Poets: Where songs come from. For some the music comes first, for others, the lyrics.
7. You are Here: Sometimes a songwriter is able to gain perspective by looking back.
8. Sparks: From instrument noodling and practice to developing free-flow creativity and the evolution of a brand-new tune-a player’s perspective.
9. The Chorus: The chorus as the centerpiece of a song. It’s purpose, creation, and chord structure ideas.
10. The Verses: Verses as the moving component of a song. Also the back and forth of writing verses and the importance of creativity during a song’s “shaping” phase.
11. My Own Process: The purpose of each verse (checklist), and saving time when beginning to write a verse. Meter and lyrics that best match the song, and progressing from verse to verse.
12. Wordcraft Tools: Helpful tools during the shaping phase of songwriting: a diary (written and re- written lyrics, a song map); a recording device, musical bridges when called for, and more.
13. Sixteen Pages: Completion Phase: the importance of objective critique of the various elements of the song, and looking at musical instruments that best fit the song.
14. Got Nuthin’: Changing things up if/when stuck during the songwriting process.
Polishing Series
15. Shifting Gears: The idea of including instrumental touches to dress up a written song.
16. Filler Up: An example of how instrumental fills can be used to dress up a song, and working toward a Ghost Track once in the studio.
Studio Recording Series
17. The Friendly Ghost: Developing a studio map so that during tracking, each instrument’s role and performance details are clear. Also, the purpose and recording of the Ghost Track.
18. Diving In: Recording through a microphone might seem easy, but without some understanding of how sound works, it is easy to end up with a less than ideal recording.
19. Microphones: This session covers microphones Paul uses in recording acoustic country music. Also microphone types and their application.
20. Where Angels Fear to Tread: The artist is able to vastly improve recordings with knowledge and treatment of a few important technical areas pertinent to the recording of sound.
21. Transients: By understanding and treating transients during the recording process, the artist is able to make an instrument sound smoother.
22. Staying Out of Mud: By understanding frequencies and applying EQ during the recording process, the artist is able to separate instruments and make each one sound clear.
23. My Studio: A tour of the most important units within the Ryantunes studio, from microphone preamplifiers to units such as EQ and the transient designer. Also a look at the recording section (interface and computer).
24. Miking Instruments: Microphone selection and distances, and preamplifiers for recording popular acoustic country instruments (acoustic guitar, baritone guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin and upright bass). Also common uses of the different types of studio microphones.
25. Tracking Part 1: The value of an in-studio setup day prior to the recording session to double check microphone/preamp decisions. Also, consideration of nuances for an instrument’s role during recording which might call for a rethink of microphone/preamp combinations.
26. Tracking Part 2: Unlike big studio’s, an indie artist is able to layer tracks in an order of their own preference. Layering is done one instrument at a time until all instrumentation is completed. At that time vocals are recorded.