A Little Bit of Inspiration...

Just finishing up a sound recording class, half semester. It was a fairly good class, but one thing still sticks out in my memory as one of the more inspiring lessons from the time period.

Our professor is a relatively old guy, been recording since the 70s. However, he knows people in the area. So, he brought in a young rising rap artist (freshly signed to a major after years of being underground) and his "posse," which included a semi-famous DJ from the Atlanta area who'd been doing it for 20 years.

Our professor also requested that students bring in beats to show them. I, of course, had nothing, but I knew I could have made something if I had really wanted to.

I ended up chatting a little bit with the DJ about old records and sampling and turntables and whatnot, and the rapper did some impressive freestyle over the beats that the students had brought in. And I kept thinking to myself "...I could do that. I could do that no problem..."

That night, after I returned from the class, I dug for some samples, started 2 new projects and revived an older project. I've felt a lot better about producing since then. I don't think I'll ever regain that volume and burst of creative ideas that new producers get, but I should hopefully be able to produce a steady stream of stuff for a while.

Learning guitar has certainly helped me understand a few things. First of all, it doesn't have to be perfect. When I'm practicing, sometimes I mess up. That's okay. It's okay in production too. If the mix is a little off, no big deal. What matters is the whole. Second, I've been learning a lot more theory that I wish I had known a while ago. Chord shapes (which I was already somewhat familiar with), scales, etc. It's definitely helping my production abilities.

The track I submitted today is just a little thing I tossed together in a few hours. Not one of the projects I started that night a few weeks ago. But the ideas is for me to get back on my feet when it comes to producing. I think I'm headed in the right direction. Thanks for reading :)

EDIT: New track, this time not on Newgrounds - http://soundcloud.com/nav_audio/worm-carnival-in -outer-space

Comments

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PIED3 2012-10-15 15:31:37

Good luck!

Quarl 2012-12-22 21:57:26

haha, I couldn't help but smile when you mentioned that bit about learning guitar. I remember thinking of you as a perfectionist. A very analytical thinker/ composer that would break the whole process down into a simple science. It's good to hear that you're loosening up and learning some guitar. I've always wanted a bass but money :C

Nav 2012-12-22 21:57:26

I am kind of a perfectionist and I'm certainly an analytically-minded thinker. I like the guitar because it has elements I can break down and try to understand (music theory), but I can also just sit the fuck down and play some random crap just because I want to. It brings out the creativity to be able to just mess around without worrying about boundaries and what people with think of it. Also, now that I'm at school where EVERYTHING I DO ALL DAY is strictly abstract analytical stuff... programming... it's good to be able to unwind from that.

I bought the guitar, second hand acoustic, for $75 and it sounds pretty good for a cheapy. Basses are a bit more pricey I guess since you need an amp and whatnot. I still think you should do it, though, because it's fun/valuable/whythefucknot.

Quarl 2012-12-30 07:56:36

They make acoustic basses. I'd probably want electric though. I already have a bass amp. Who knows, maybe that will be something I splurge on sometime this year...