Creativity in Digital Medium
Monday, August 27 2012 @ 03:29 PM CDT

So if you've frequented my profile page at all in the past couple years, you probably noticed that I've gravitated towards recording live jams with an H2 over using GB/Logic or any DAW. This has also meant I'm spending more time in someones garage than on GB or MJ's. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I love MJ's and miss the time I was spending here in the past.

My problem is that I have a hard time 'reconciling' my inner-rhythym to any manufactured beats I have come across. Even when I've tried programming my own beats with a pencil tool, the end product doesn't sound like 'me'.

It could be something as simple as the fact that I'm not good at working with a metronome, but truth be told, I write different music when I am free of the boundaries of a locked in beat than I do when I put something on at 110bpm. I have a hard time deciding whether or not the songs are valid if they change the way I think. But then again, thats what happens when I collaborate with other musicians, too.

I do have song ideas that I let go because they require that I use a DAW to manufacure it, or because I know I couldn't recapture the feeling if I plugged in, but the youthful side of me LOVES sampling, manufactured beats and the songs that come from them, I just haven't found a way to work with them myself.

What do you think? And if you've found a way to make your DAW experience sound like 'you' I'd love for you to share them.

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Monday, August 27 2012 @ 03:45 PM CDT

well, one thing that comes to mind:

ignore the metronome in GB. just use GB as a fancy recorder. hook up a mic and let 'er rip!

if you play a MIDI keyboard, just record it "live" - what's cool with that is you can fix clams later on

once you have captured some tracks, you can always pencil tool in other stuff by ignoring the grid, go by how it sounds

then you can arrange your song by cutting up tracks and changing/repeating things - and you can add effects, change amp settings, etc.

i generally use the timing grid, but a few of my songs were done totally free of it

have fun!

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Monday, August 27 2012 @ 03:49 PM CDT

see
http://macjams.com/song/59634

there's a bunch of description in the comments on that one

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Monday, August 27 2012 @ 03:52 PM CDT

Brian, after 35 years of bands and gigs, of drummers who will not count because it is uncool, loosing money on the gig for the bar tab, and carting around amps, guitars and gear worth more than the venue spent on interior design while playing for drunks and idiots who for some reason or other want to hear a version of the star spangled banner while the bar keep lights the rum on fire in the rail... I can tell ya with all sincerity... I wouldn't change a thing. Enjoy the hell out it, compromise when necessary and do the best you can. You may as well face the fact that music has chosen you. Digital or analog you have reached, or soon will reach the point of understanding, you follow the Muse.

Daug

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Wednesday, August 29 2012 @ 01:35 PM CDT

I know what you mean. You come up with something on the guitar and it sounds natural and then you sit in front of the computer and shuffle through loops or try and mimic the drums using some kind of controller. Then to add to that here comes a change or the ending of a verse, chorus and out goes the human element.

I always wanted to play in a band, hear one of my songs on the radio and make some money on the side. I had some close friends I use to play with through the years even got to the point of doing a gig here and there. A lot of partying going on which triggered people to make me feel that I was something special. I had elusions of greatness. Hell we had a party every weak with a crowded practice room. Yeah standing room only. Anyway… when I listen to those old tapes and watch the old videos I'm ashamed at how bad I played and how the timing was off on the covers and originals we use to do.

After leaving the band and taking care of personal issues I started using garage band and then later Logic. It's awkward but I know through these last eight years my timing has improved. I wish now that I could have the old band back… I know I would sound better…yeah the sound too, I even believe that some of it would rub off on the rest of the band. My suggestion is to do both digital and analog.

There are loops/fills available by famous drummers, seek out the ones you like and are similar to your style, maybe hey will work.

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Wednesday, August 29 2012 @ 02:51 PM CDT

computers and daws metronomes beats even guitar tuners steal the soul from my music and I am beginning to believe -- me. it has been an interesting decade but I am grateful to be off the ride for now. just me and my ragged voice and out of tune guitar.

wouldn't change a thing but it feels so good to peel back the masks and layers and just get real.

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Friday, August 31 2012 @ 06:40 AM CDT

Usually premade drum samples are stiff. Add some reverb, play with the attack, delay, or release. I find that using these methods can turn a stiff beat into a moving piece. I find the difference much noticable at slower BPMs. I consider this the injected soul method.


But, nothing beats the real thing. Humans have an internal rythm, so if you have a human guitarist and a human drummer it is easier to sync with. A machine will not sync with you, you have to sync with it.
So unless you are somewhat of a machine yourself it is hard keeping with the exact precise pace of the program.

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Friday, August 31 2012 @ 07:09 PM CDT

Quote by: Daugrin Brian, after 35 years of bands and gigs, of drummers who will not count because it is uncool, loosing money on the gig for the bar tab, and carting around amps, guitars and gear worth more than the venue spent on interior design while playing for drunks and idiots who for some reason or other want to hear a version of the star spangled banner while the bar keep lights the rum on fire in the rail... I can tell ya with all sincerity... I wouldn't change a thing. Enjoy the hell out it, compromise when necessary and do the best you can. You may as well face the fact that music has chosen you. Digital or analog you have reached, or soon will reach the point of understanding, you follow the Muse. Daug

What the Dawg says.

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Friday, August 31 2012 @ 07:26 PM CDT

Quote by: PrototypeEightyOne Usually premade drum samples are stiff. Add some reverb, play with the attack, delay, or release. I find that using these methods can turn a stiff beat into a moving piece. I find the difference much noticable at slower BPMs. I consider this the injected soul method. But, nothing beats the real thing. Humans have an internal rythm, so if you have a human guitarist and a human drummer it is easier to sync with. A machine will not sync with you, you have to sync with it. So unless you are somewhat of a machine yourself it is hard keeping with the exact precise pace of the program.

I've started god knows how many songs on the computer and finished none ...... it doesn't work for me, though it's improved my timing no end. And given a lot of fun and knowledge.

The one time I was actually happy with some sequenced stuff I did, the drummer erased the masters. Sometimes I think I should have just accepted that as an omen.

The point I'm making is that some people are only happy with the results of playing 'real' music. It is SO much easier to work with a real drummer and bass player than it is to sort through a gazillion patterns and never finding the right one.

Re:Creativity in Digital Medium
Friday, August 31 2012 @ 07:34 PM CDT

Quote by: Moonwolf_Project Quote by: PrototypeEightyOne Usually premade drum samples are stiff. Add some reverb, play with the attack, delay, or release. I find that using these methods can turn a stiff beat into a moving piece. I find the difference much noticable at slower BPMs. I consider this the injected soul method. But, nothing beats the real thing. Humans have an internal rythm, so if you have a human guitarist and a human drummer it is easier to sync with. A machine will not sync with you, you have to sync with it. So unless you are somewhat of a machine yourself it is hard keeping with the exact precise pace of the program. I've started god knows how many songs on the computer and finished none ...... it doesn't work for me, though it's improved my timing no end. And given a lot of fun and knowledge. The one time I was actually happy with some sequenced stuff I did, the drummer erased the masters. Sometimes I think I should have just accepted that as an omen. The point I'm making is that some people are only happy with the results of playing 'real' music. It is SO much easier to work with a real drummer and bass player than it is to sort through a gazillion patterns and never finding the right one.

There is software that lets you write your own drum parts. I never search through drum patterns. I've been using Addictive Drums as a Logic plugin for awhile now, and find it easy to use, and versatile enough to accommodate my (admittedly limited) knowledge of "real" drumming. Does it sound like a real drummer? No, not quite. But there is the advantage that, unlike real drummers, AD always shows up for band practice, and never gets tired.