Composing

I've got a pair of ADAM S3V's and in my little room I don't feel like I need a sub.

Linwood Bell - how small a room ? Bedroom size or smaller.?

Kerry Kennard I’m in a small bedroom 11x12. At the wall that I sit and face the ceiling is 9’ and it slopes up and the wall behind me is 10’ or maybe more. I’ve got real traps all around and though it’s small it's a very comfortable room for me and really all I need. Most of my sessions here are just myself and a vocalist or an occasional musician. It’s low key, but I keep busy. It’s a constant hustle.

Its about 18 minutes long if you're interested in the full process or you can jump to the segments you're most interested in per the time code breakdown in the video's description.

I checked out some of the sections. They’re really nice. I’d like the use the f hi-pass filter on the loop guitar, as it makes the solo lead guitar stands out.

I sometimes use or make a high pass filter for some of the overhead Mics on my drums - cutting out some of the high frequencies. The Paiste Cyms sound great-though sometimes they need tweaked with the other live drums. - think all the bleed in the other microphones.

All filmmakers should give this a watch - it's so important to engage your audience with your sound track and sound design. Thanks for the share, Ashley Renee Smith!

One simple yet effective music production trick is to experiment with different instruments during the arranging process. For instance, adding a ukulele can bring a unique, warm vibe to your track. It’s versatile and easy to integrate, even in genres where you might not expect it. If you're new to the instrument or need inspiration, you can find many resources, including free tabs, at Ukulele Tabs. This site has various songs that can spark new ideas for your arrangements. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and see how different elements can enhance your overall sound!

this looks very nice ! thank ou very much for sharing !

Hi Joel, will there be a singer on the tune, Pooh ?

Flute does sound fairly real, … maybe make a little warmer sounding - if possible.

I used to EQ on some of my tracks; one is from logic Pro, and the other is from native instruments. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn’t., so I’ll turn one off, making sure it sounds more natura.

One small suggestion, .. is it possible to end at the 2:40 mark ? Thr other last bars seems a repeat of previous and to the IV chord right ? - before the end ?

It is something I learned recently, keeping it shorter and ending with the A section.

- from Michele Maslin

Otherwise, it’s a more piece !!

Keep submitting!

Kerry Kennard

When I create this type of file there is no intent for it to be considered a production file. I call it more of a manifestation file - it give the lyricist one way (in addition to the lead sheet with melody and chords), for the lyricist to 'imagine' the tune in order to lay down lyrics. I spend no time to 'fine tune' the piece. I picked flute for female and clarinet for male merely as place markers. On my previous collaboration, the imagined file I sent was not used at all. The melody was changed to accommodate the lyrics and the lyricist both sung and totally produced it herself in her studio. My total involvement was the melody and suggestions for chords and arrangements. When I collaborate on a song, I often find the track produced is many times 'better' in my judgement than anything I could have arranged and produced myself (as was the case in "In Can").

Check out the previous song I collaborated on: https://www.soundcloud.com/joelirwin/i-can

Sounds good, Joel. It’s perfect for giving them a clear idea of how you envision it and then you can work on it together later and tweak if needed. We are lucky that we can use samples and get our ideas out without having to hire anyone.

I LOVE the title of piece, "Get Away From Her" - straight out of Ripley's mouth!

Amazing!! Today is the first day that I can officially leave our apartment and rejoin society, so we are celebrating by seeing this at the theater tonight. I'm so excited. This music has me pumped.

Use to love Alien movies - not so sure anymore - lol

I hear how all sounds are lower - not much in the 16k-20k frequencies - at least this the first video.

It’s my new Studio skill set / in my head.

It is hard to argue with someone who obviously knows what they are talking about, Kerry Kennard

Tom Lapke - absolutely!

I think what is special about music for Film/TV is that each composer has their own process and style. When I'm talking to another composer I always ask them what their process is and the answer is different for everyone. Some start with a template (or palette) of sounds that they put together over time and use that template as a starting point for each project. I personally like to start from scratch and let the natural flow of my creative juices take over. After sketching for a while and trying out various different instruments, there's usually some element in the music that begins to stand out that will become representative of the overall feel of the film/tv score. From there it builds. It's quite an amazing process to be a part of.

Thank you all for these responses. Very informative!

1 - Read the script

2 - Get some film even if it's not edited early

3 - Work with the director to get the TONE of the film

4 - Once we have some samples and ideas, create a Cue Sheet

5 - For each Cue, determine Length, Tone, Point of View, Tempo and Purpose

6 - Create each Cue sending samples to the director until we find something they like

7 - Mix down the instruments, and Master the Mix

8 - Upload and deliver the goods

Bruce Bray - and make sure if it's an Indie movie to download a Cue sheet for the PRO's. There's a standard between BMI & ASCAP called RapidCue. (2016). I've heard Composers need to do this sometimes when the Production team does not send the Cue sheet to the PRO.

I've actually been extremely fortunate as the Producer's have always done this for me. Even the last Feature that I worked on, the director took the Temp Names I gave for each Cue and just used those. Funny, it wasn't that much of a requirement for the US, but it was for European Distribution.

Love that we are NIN friends everyone! @Brandy - fun fact, I had Danny Elfman's daughter Mali on a panel I did a couple years ago.You can watch it here in our education section under webinars: https://www.stage32.com/education/search?term=vail+film+festival&h=stage...

OMG, SAME! I love Trent and NIN. I should have realized that he was the one behind that beautiful music. I've already watched the episode twice now.

It's so cool when music becomes so integral to a show. I've always been a huge fan of NIN (and Elfman!). And how about that Eddie Vedder cover of English Beat's "Save It For Later". Just all around some awesome shows and music coming out right now.

In that tune....you gotta love that line; that tension/release. V to VI on the first root moving VII to I of the next root and rinse/repeat. It can go on forever and hold your attention. Simple genius.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is such an underrated Score I believe. I think some of the more interesting aspects are when you can't really tell which instrument is being used. It makes each piece even more unique.

Great organization. I should renew my membership....Lots of good masterclasses there. I've got a ton of them on dvd.

Wow, you can receive DVDs ... or is this from past classes ?

Kerry Kennard My wife and I use to manage the website. Back then all the masterclasses were on DVD and you could buy them. Now it's VOD and much cheaper. They are all really good.

Wow - this is what I call being in the Industry. Congrats. This weekend was the Hollywood Casino - Dayton's 10th Anv. !! Top local artists Friday and Sat. Fireworks were great Sat. night. Almost living in this - lol .... the first two mins ... there was a period of :20-:30 seconds of many rockets going up ! - almost looking like a finale. (see post on Reg. FB page). !! Yes, I have three FB pages, Reg., Artist, and Kennard Music, LLC page.

LOGIC I someone that does that first hand DM to chat I can get you in contact

HI Paula, Nice to meet you here at Stage 32 ! What platforms have you looked into online ? There are a few groups on FB, I am part of, though ... I checked out your profile and you 've had some some success as a composer. - Congratulations !!

Ah, what places for collaborations !! ?? Hmm, good question. I did a collaboration with a couple in NY from an online musician masterclass. The EP (6) is called Rhythm n Keys. We released through CD Baby, so it's on all DSPs - best place to hear is on our YouTube channels. Kerry Kennard and Nicodemi SoundTrack are the two YouTube places. Ed Nicodemi is the Pianist.

Yes, we did it remotely ! I have small studio with sounds, drum set and all the percussion. The updated website doesn't have all the pics of Vibes and marimba, though ... they're in the house.

I'm an Instrumental musician /composer, so ... we may be a good fit. :`)

I checked out "I thee Wed", and "Mother Devine". Like the orchestration and full production on I thee Wed ! Mother Devine sounds interesting ... might be nice to add other percussion throughout for the Jungle sound I think you're going for.

- Just saying. Have you submitted this one to any music Sup's ??

Ok, hope to hear from you and hope I answered a few of your questions.

Have a great evening !

Kerry Kennard

www.kerrykennard.com

Very Cool Linwood! Thank you for Sharing!

Mike Hall It’s refreshing to watch, isn’t it? Just two guys passionate about what they do and so respectful of one another. Both amazing if you know the history. I had a couple of DX7s, the TG77, and the TX81Z. That sound took over the '80s. All my FM stuff is software these days. I have a few analog synths in here that I’ll never let go.

What an exciting time! I agree, most of my stuff is software. All I have is an original Roland Fantom which you can dig in deep and change a lot of sounds....also all of those old guitar synths.

The Fantom is a great keyboard to have! I've got a Jupiter x and it's like having every Roland synth I ever had and sold.

Brian Gunter Benjamin Wallfisch has so much skin in the game , i loved what he did on The Invisible Man .... these composers are geniuses when you really think about it ( ;

Big Chill.

Love this question Chase Cysco - For me, it's Empire Strikes Back, Brainstorm, ST2:The Wrath of Khan (Surprise Attack). The last one made me want to play the French Horn. Finally...MofSteel/Zimmer

Oldie but goodie.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OJfmT57JSo

Rogue (2007) by composer Francois Tetaz. Just so evocative of the Australian outback.

This was a great hour summit ! From Costa Rica to strong USA cities represented, it is full of ideas and information building careers as Sam Sokolow shared and talked with these leaders in their respective industries.