Adding Ambient Strings

I needed the track to move forward and develop. I decided to add some floating ambient string sounds. To create a really full sound I decided to use the Cubase Arpache SX arpeggiator MIDI plug-in to automatically create string arpeggios. I experimented with different virtual synthesiser sounds and arpeggio patterns until I found what I wanted.

I found I could play a sequence of chords and broken chords on the keyboard and get a very full sound texture which I was very pleased with.

The following two sound files give examples of two string sections I created using Cubase's Arpache MIDI insert plug-in:

Adding Rhythm Guitar

I now wanted to record some electric guitar chords over the top of the bass line. I connected my electric guitar to my audio interface and used the new VST Amp Rack in Cubase 6.5 to add virtual amplifier and effects pedals to produce a full rhythm guitar sound. I used the Diamond virtual amplifier and used a virtual Tape Delay unit to produce a repeating rhythmic guitar sound which is in step with the drum rhythm to enhance the groove. I recorded 4 bars of guitar audio which formed a loop which I then copied to make a total of 12 bars of rhythm guitar.

I had recorded everything so far at a tempo of 80 bpm. I decided that this tempo was slightly too slow which gave the track a slightly ponderous feel, and so changed the tempo to 90bpm. The drum and bass MIDI tracks automatically adjusted to the increase in tempo but the analogue guitar part did not. To correct this I used the audio editor to slice the guitar wave form into small sections.

Once sliced, Cubase could then automatically adjust the analogue guitar part to fit the new faster tempo. I also had to manually adjust the Tape Delay unit's delay time to fit in with the new tempo.

The final sound of the rhythm guitar track can be listened to below:

Creating a Drum Track and a Bass Track

I created a instrument track in Cubase and chose Groove Agent as the instrument. Groove agent allows you to load pre-set drum samples and assign them to a set of pads on the user interface. I loaded the 'Vinyl Kit' pre-set as it gave the drums a big punchy sound.

I then needed to create a groove for  these drums. As I am not a natural drummer I used the Beat Designer MIDI insert plug-in to help get a basic groove. I found that the 'Denial' Beat Designer pre-set gave me a good groove to work from.

I copied this groove to the Groove Agent MIDI track to create a single bar of rhythm. I then used copy and paste to create further bars. I then used the MIDI editor to add and delete drum hits to vary the rhythm and stop it becoming repetitive and boring.

I then experimented with different virtual synthesiser sounds in Cubase until I found a patch which gave me a heavy bass sound which complimented the drums. I improvised on the keyboard until I found a bass riff which I  thought worked well. I recorded this riff using MIDI. I then edited the MIDI data to correct some  timing and duff note errors in my playing style. I then used copy and paste to create a few more bars of this bass line riff as shown below.

The final sound of the above drum and bass parts can be listened to below:

Preparation

Marker Track

I created a new project in Cubase and added a marker track using the Project>Add Track>Marker menu option. A marker track will allow me to annotate the major sections of your song. Although the final structure of the song is not yet known I add a few basic markers such as "Intro", "Verse 1", "Chorus", "Verse 2" and "Outro". I will position these and add more markers later as the song develops. The markers will allow me to plan and navigate easily around my song's arrangement.

Reason ReWire

Reason ReWire allows you to slave the Reason software to Cubase. This would allow me to use the MIDI facilities and virtual instruments in Reason and ensure that they are completely synchronised to the Cubase tempo track. To use Reason ReWire you simply start both Cubase and Reason, select the Devices>Reason ReWire menu option and switch on the Mix L and Mix R reason channels.

Tempo Track (i.e. Click Track)

If I need to vary the tempo and / or time signature within different sections of my song then I will need to use the Cubase tempo track editor. The tempo track editor is accessed via the Project>Tempo Track menu option. The pencil tool can then be used to change the tempo at a specific point and / or the time signature (e.g. from 4/4 to 5/4).

When the click sound is enabled the tempo track becomes the click track, The click track is essentially a metronome, which allows the performer to keep strictly in time with the songs tempo. Playing accurately to a click track allows much easier editing of audio and MIDI data after it has been recorded. Audio and MIDI data can be copied in bar units when it is synchronised with a click track. Delay effects can also be synchronised with the tempo track.

Introduction

This blog describes how I have approached the development of creating a music track as part of a final term project at Confetti.

To help get us all started, the first few lessons at college have covered some audio and MIDI editing techniques and music theory. I do not consider myself an accomplished musician and so this project will be an interesting challenge.

I have bought my own copy of Cubase version 6.5 which is loaded on to my laptop computer. I intend to use this software to create my track. This will allow me to work at home. I will bring my laptop in to college to work on this track in my lessons.