ccMixter Picks

The diversity and quality of work on ccMixter feels like it's hitting a new level (opinion is totally biased and self-selecting).

My picks:

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Honeychild (Lullaby Mix) at ccMixter

An interpretation of Narva9’s lovely “Honeychild” (including melody and pace remixing). The ambient music bed makes use of several beautiful acapellas - Calendargirl’s “March”, Kaer Trouz’s “Blind Date A Capella”, Trifonic’s “Sooner or Later”, and Laura Eason vox - for background and processed vocals. Also used are lyrical guitars by Laura Eason and audio.ibeat.org/media/people/p1rj1s (see audio.ibeat.org/media/files/p1rj1s/81).

Honeychild (Lullaby Mix)

I’ve also uploaded sample packs containing samples and phrases used in the remix.

SoundCloud Invites

I've got some more SoundCloud invites - let me know if you are interested!

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Arranging with Ableton Live

Wire to the ear has an interesting recent post about an article on Ableton Live arranging - recommended reading. I always find this kind of stuff fascinating – music and song construction, pacing, intro, outro – feels like it’s the part that is about telling a story.

The article compares two techniques: Standard Arranging and Subtractive Arranging. The first being additive – building in the arrange view vs. the second – putting everything in the arrange view and then removing.

In the past, I used to take a very track-centric approach – laying down tracks (be they MIDI or audio) until a song was built – definitely a reflex from the days of multitrack tape. Now, I typically build something in session view, which once performed, is almost entirely the song. That gets recorded to the arrangement – switch and polish transitions, add unique time elements – and then mix to taste.

I’m always interested in how people work – and love seeing peoples screens – so I’m offering mine from Freedom (Waking Mix). These are the session view prior to a take, the finished arrangement, and then using session as a mixer.

ClipsArrangementMixing

History of Amen Break

Pretty interesting historical video essay on a classic drum break - and related influences on modern music production.

Embedded Video

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