KVR Audio

LBensley · Post by **LBensley** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 5:03 pm

Well... this is probably another newbie question(s) I have here.

1) When I start to put in synths and brasses my drums often get drowned out and don't make much impact on the beat (tends to be 808s lose there punch or the hi hats become hard to hear. how could I EQ or whatever to prevent/help this?

2)Any tips on how to lay out a full song in playlist?(I use FL Studio)

3)Also what are key things to include in a rap/Trap beat?

I know they are probably simple questions but I'm a beginner! Any links, Videos or help would be much appreciated!

Panphobia · Post by **Panphobia** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:56 pm

I would suggest: http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Audio-Conc ... rds=mixing

LBensley · Post by **LBensley** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:39 pm

Thanks, ill take a look at it! anyone got anything else?

LBensley · Post by **LBensley** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:48 pm

Any help on the organisation side of things?

joaquin · Post by **joaquin** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 1:17 pm

Hi! ¿Are you making the synth part in the step sequencer or in the piano roll? The step sequences just sends midi note on, but no note off, so sustaied instruments will get stuck, making an unlimited overlap, piano roll is better for that.
The playlist organizes all those patterns, as you could have notice, if you write a pattern and change playlist item, it will kind of change page. Ypu can makea for example a drum, and them overlap it with different synth parts along the song, thanks to the playlist.
Look out also and learn how to apply effects to channels in flstudio, is a bit couterintuitive, but when you discover it, is easy. Then you would be able to apply a different eq to each channel, and then give for example more highs to one instrument, and more bass to other instrument, so they dont compete for the same band.
Also, tale on account that digital sound is generated by de variation of the output value between (i think 0 to 1024 isnt it?), so if the sound is louder than that, it will clip, and loose all the details of the wave's peaks. Lower the tracks volumes until you dont saturate the audio output (you ca see it in that cool oscilloscope that fls comes with)

LBensley · Post by **LBensley** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:13 pm

I know the basics, but thanks! I know how to put stuff in the playlist but how to arrange it is the better way of puuting the question I guess.

audiohouse · Post by **audiohouse** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:07 pm

LBensley wrote:I know the basics, but thanks! I know how to put stuff in the playlist but how to arrange it is the better way of puuting the question I guess.

There are so many threads in KVR on this, please use the search button.

That said. I would suggest you use youtube there are many video tutorials you can start and will get you going with the basics.

If you have problems with arranging your music, I suggest get a acount on sonic-academy.com and see one of the 'How to make'-series .

2infamouz · Post by **2infamouz** » Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:02 am

LBensley wrote:Well... this is probably another newbie question(s) I have here.

1) When I start to put in synths and brasses my drums often get drowned out and don't make much impact on the beat (tends to be 808s lose there punch or the hi hats become hard to hear. how could I EQ or whatever to prevent/help this?

2)Any tips on how to lay out a full song in playlist?(I use FL Studio)

3)Also what are key things to include in a rap/Trap beat?

1.I know they are probably simple questions but I'm a beginner! Any links, Videos or help would be much appreciated!

You can use EQ to cut out room for your drums in the synths and brass. It takes some time to use eq effectively and it can be somewhat destructive if you are taking too much out or boosting too much, but EQ is a key component of a good mix . What you're talking about with the drums getting drowned out is referred to as "masking" and is caused because there's only so much "room" in the mix so to speak. If you do a highpass on some of the synths, rolling off the lows it'll open up a little more low end space for your 808.

2.Arranging a beat/song/project in a DAW is pretty subjective so that's really up to you and what kind of structure you want, where you want your breaks, etc. It's pretty common to simply have an intro, and then alternate verses and the chorus/hook section, but it's all open for interpretation/subject to change.

3. Key things in Trap beats seem to be your dirty south snares, snare rolls, hi hats with 3/4 kind of rolls and faster paced, of course 808s, often synthetic brass sounds, your little "hey" or "what" vocal chant is common, and anything else that you want to implement to make it more unique to your style you know...This is what I've observed in most 'Trap' beats.

Backspacez · Post by **Backspacez** » Sun Apr 28, 2013 5:31 am

Well, you need to adjust the levels of all your sounds. For example, that snare that you just loaded into your project may be way louder than the bass drum you just loaded. I like to put everything down to 0% volume, than slowly bring up each instrument little by little while making sure I hear everything.

Each sound will have it's home frequency as well, you need to equalize accordingly.

Where To Start?