Discuss the various methods you use in music production, from compressor settings to equipment type.
By frankzoff Thu Nov 03, 2005 8:46 pm
I'm looking for some tips and guidance in terms of making a complete song with the MPC 1000. I'm pretty good at creating beats but not so good at making complete songs.

This is how I've been working
I usually start with the hook, wich is a 4 bar Sequence that has a buck of tracks, say maybe 8 tracks
Then I use seq edit to copy these tracks to a bunch of other sequences. I copy them into a
intro sequence,
a breakdown sequence
and a couple of verse sequences
and an ending sequence.

What I would do is simply strip things away from the track and maybe change a few tracks up in the other sequences. When the whole thing is done it sound like a bunch of random loops thrown together rather than a complete song.

Also I'm attemping to produce some deep house and RnB

Thanks,

Frank
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By Lampdog Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:42 pm
Maybe your seq's are changed from each other so much that they don't sound like they belong together anymore. That sounds like what may be the cause from you said.

Try not chaning them from each SO much, just a touch.
Try changing the orders around so they might flow into each other better.
Try using most of the same instruments in each seq.
Try small breakdowns and stuff to join seq's together.
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By KNOCKAHOLIX Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:05 pm
Well what i normally do is create an 8 bar sequence using up to 16 different tracks sometimes. I copy that sequence into another but take out the bassline or the horns. Sometimes I'll take out the hats or even the sample itself! THe best thing to do is pick out your favorite song, listen to the format how the beat sounds, and just follow it.
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By Lampdog Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:26 pm
Yeah, some of my seq's have been up there to like 24 tracks.

I pack my first seq with alot of stuff. Mute some of the tracks and add new ones.

Then I make MANY copies just as you already do, flavor and season to taste. Serve while hot.
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By Antonym Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:59 pm
best technique i use - go into it with a full palate of samples, a lot of drums, and create anything that sounds good for the first sequence. don't go into it trying to make a"chorus" or a "Verse." don't even go into a song thinking you NEED these things.

some of the best hip hop instrumentals out there are solos - they rarely or never repeat themselves and just range out into infinity. it's like playing a solo on an mpc rather than guitar - just infinitely more complicated.

i think the biggest problem beatmakers have is the need to follow the intro verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus outro cookie cutter format. it limits your production!!! sure, it compliments the emcee the most, but do you want to fade into the background as the beatmaker or do you want to take your full status as 1/2 or even MORE of the team? emcees i work with realize that my personality and voice speaks through the beat. i am not one to allow my emcees to rattle off about how dope they are. if they need to signify, they talk about how dope WE are.

my biggest advice is go into your song with a completely blank mind and listen to what your samples have to tell you. chop each sample note per note and listen to what each file says..."give me attack!" "PITCH ME DOWN!" "purge me!"
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By KNOCKAHOLIX Tue Nov 08, 2005 8:06 pm
I start with the drums, samples and percussions. drop the bass line and throw in a melody. Now that would be my hook, for my verse,...i'll take out the melody and add new percussions or maybe a new drum pattern,....sometimes i'll even throw in a different sample but not to throw off my 'hook' sample tho....just how i do things.
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By easeproduction Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:03 pm
Personally i found things went alot smoother for me when I stuck to using 1 program for each song. It just made my whole mixdown and arrangement process much simpler. doesnt have to be done like that but made life easier 4 me.

I also agree with the build a bunch of tracks up method, use track mute to see what works and duplicate for each change you might want. build your basic song sections, 8 bar chorus, 8 - 12 - 16 bar verses + add some little 2 bar breaks to fill btween verse and chorus and you got a song. next thing is to make one you can still like a week later !