PLANNING

The aim of this project was to enhance my knowledge and skills within the studio environment. By completing this unit, I would gain further understanding of the roles and skills needed of a recording engineer and producer. The brief I was given was to choose from 3 different tracks and then present a plan of which genre I’d make the track in while also detailing what inspiration, techniques and instruments I would use. I listened to each track a couple of times, writing down the elements I would like to add and the genre I’d make it in, before I made my decision. I ended up choosing the Dohnavur track which I wanted to make in the electronic genre. My reason for choosing this track was to push myself out my comfort zone as I listen to electronic music but it isn’t the genre that I make music in. As the majority of electronic music that I listen to is soundtracks I decided to make it in the cinematic/soundtrack genre.

I had to complete a presentation to pitch to members of my class and lecturers, I had to include these various points:

• Specify which brief has been chosen.
• Outline and describe the genre/stylistic route that has been chosen for the track.
• Research chosen genre and provide some insight into key moments in the origin and development of the genre.
• Research two producers recognised for their contribution to the genre.
• Feature an example of work from each producer and compare and contrast them.

I felt this was a useful exercise as it provided me with more information on the electronic genre, instruments and production techniques used. It also allowed me to develop my presenting skills as well as gain more confidence in speaking to an audience.

Another document that aided in my planning for this project was my production journal. The first section of this was pre-production planning where I detailed the overview of my project, my stylistic approach, structure, inspiration tracks, additional instrumentation and performers.

I initially used all the Dohnavur STEMS that were provided to me, I then edited them first before adding my own melodies. I knew I wasn’t overly thrilled with what I created as I enjoyed the sound of the bass and main melody but not particularly the instrument used to create the sounds. I felt that I had lost some enthusiasm for this due to health issues that meant I had to miss some classes. I let my lecturer have a listen and after the mentor session, I concluded that I was going to start from scratch and create something that was more in line with what I had originally pitched. My lecturer agreed and I started to create something that both of us were much happier with.