Composing

Discuss, share content, offer tips and advice on hardware, software, style, strategies, process, work-flow and the business of scoring a film, video or theater production

Ashley Renee Smith
RSVP for September's In-Person Stage 32 Meetups in Austin, TX & Phoenix, AZ!

Hey, Composers!

There are 2 FREE Stage 32 in-person networking meetups coming up on Thursday, September 19th! I'm including links to the meetup pages for you all below. If you live in any of these cities or are nearby, be sure to RSVP and seize this opportunity to meet with other creatives in person...

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Sam Sokolow

What a great opportunity for Austin and Phoenix Stage 32 members to meet in person and possibly find local collaborators and definitely find friends. Flagging for my network.

Kerry Kennard
Profile - videos / SoundCloud info

Hi Guys and Gals,

I added two nice and recent videos to my profile. Looks like the system did update the placement to the far left - Yea !!

My question is, should I take out the SoundCloud examples (in the Video area), and only have the link somewhere else in the profile? How have other composer mad...

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Navid Lancaster
If you haven't heard yet. Finale is over

MakeMusic ends development and availability of Finale; partners with Steinberg to sell Dorico directly.

https://www.scoringnotes.com/news/makemusic-ends-development-and-availab......

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Kerry Kennard

Joel Irwin check their website or look up John Barron in the FB Dorico group.

Linwood Bell

Omg, what have I done!?

Kerry Kennard

You started a downward, @Linwood.

What’s the problem?

You can visit the Facebook - Torrico the next Generated Scoring software, for more support.

Linwood Bell

Kerry Kennard There is no problem at all. Just showing that I’m moving from Sibelius. Everything is up and running and I look forward to diving into the program once I put a couple things to bed. Prob...

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Kerry Kennard

Welcome to Dorico, Linwood Bell .

It’s a great program and good support on FB Dorico group.

I changed from Sibelius to Dorico also.

Ashley Renee Smith
Film Scoring For Beginners - Spotting, Tempo & Arranging

Hey All,

The below tutorial video breaks down the initial steps of the film composing process: spotting, tempo, and arranging! Check it out and let us all know if you have any tips and insights to share that he may have missed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t_a54Q14Ds...

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Linwood Bell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuKyfBKby58

Mike Hall

Thomas Newman has been a HUGE inspiration with how I approach music for film. Thanks again Linwood for making my day with another great share!

Ashley Renee Smith

This is AWESOME! Thank you for sharing, Linwood Bell!

Kerry Kennard
Composing full spectrum/ frequencies

Hi group,

This post maybe more post -production, although I wanted to ask about these subwoofers. I have recently read a subwoofer will help hear more the low sounds when the two monitors will not. I’ve been looking into these the past few months.

Composing does mean to have a good ear, as well as ha...

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ADAM Audio T10S 10 inch Powered Studio Subwoofer
ADAM Audio T10S 10 inch Powered Studio Subwoofer
Only at Sweetwater! ✅ Easy Payments and ✅ FREE Shipping for your ADAM Audio T10S 10 inch Powered Studio Subwoofer!
Linwood Bell

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

Kerry Kennard

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

Linwood Bell

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...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Music Arranging 101 - Simple Music Production Tricks

Hey, Composers!

I found this great tutorial video breaking down production tips for music arrangement! Specifically focusing on how to transition between song parts with transition effects and how to make lead instruments pop in the song. What do you think about his tips? Do you have any of your own...

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Ashley Renee Smith

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.

Kerry Kennard

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 filte...

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Sam Sokolow

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!

Foster West Foster West

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...

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Yacine Tandjaoui

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

Joel Irwin
Samples versus Live

Merely an 'observation'.

I was at a meeting last night of the local chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association ( https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com ).  I was playing a music only demo song for a potential lyricist collaborator.  As it was a potential duet - I created a demo with a flute for t...

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Nashville Songwriters Association International
Nashville Songwriters Association International
NSAI includes songwriters from all genres of music, professional and amateur, who are committed to protecting the rights and future of songwriting.
Kerry Kennard

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...

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Joel Irwin

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...

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Linwood Bell

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.

Leonardo Ramirez

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

Ashley Renee Smith

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.

Kerry Kennard

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.

Tom Lapke

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

Kerry Kennard

Tom Lapke - absolutely!

Tom Lapke
What is your process?

Hey folks. Tom from Stage 32 here. I LOVE film scores. I love the sense memory it creates for me about the film that I watched. When Michael Keaton appeared as Batman in The Flash, it was really cool, but when the Danny Elfman score played while he was in the OG Batwing, it gave me chills. Great fil...

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Jeff Briggs

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 di...

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Tom Lapke

Thank you all for these responses. Very informative!

Bruce Bray

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, de...

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Kerry Kennard

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...

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Bruce Bray

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....

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Amanda Toney
Trent Reznor/Atticus score the 1st Episode of this season of THE BEAR

I'm a huge Nine Inch Nails fan and Trent Reznor/Atticus fan. The 1st Episode of THE BEAR, to me, was so f*cking brilliant. So much of the story was being told through the music, genius: https://www.avclub.com/the-bear-trent-reznor-atticus-ross-music-season-3......

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Amanda Toney

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:/...

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Ashley Renee Smith

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.

Jeff Briggs

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.

Linwood Bell

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.

Bruce Bray

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.

Kerry Kennard
ASMAC composing info - past Saturday ... Aug. 10th, 2024 Blair Mowat

Blair Mowat showed a lot of background information from his works this past Saturday. If you 're in the ASMAC world, watch and look up this Session. Here's Blair's background and website:

https://www.blairmowat.co.uk/

Linwood Bell

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

Kerry Kennard

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

Linwood Bell

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....

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Kerry Kennard

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 livin...

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