We’ve complied together a list of some of our favorite music production tricks that help spark creativity. We are always looking to invent new processes and techniques that allow us to make interesting sounds and tracks. By no means is this a comprehensive list and we’re sure you might have already tried a few out, but nevertheless here are our favorite music production tricks.
Record Your Speakers
A neat trick that is very useful, the title speaks for itself. If you are looking for contrast in your track, have a bunch of microphones recording your song as it’s played through speakers (a two track recorder or even your phone will work well). Import the recorded sound back into your project and line it into place. The added room ambience can give a great contrast to the sleek production of most modern pieces and adds a lo-fi element. If you are feeling very avant-garde, try adding some reverb or delay to the recorded file and experiment with automation.
Original recording exported from DAW
Recording of speaker
Sidechained Inverted Track
This trick works well with rhythmic-melodic samples (think pianos and guitars). Copy a track and reverse it. Lower the volume. Add a compressor sidechained to the original (non reversed) track. Experiment with the release time (a lower time works well). And there you have it. The resulting sound should be a creepy swell that creates unique rhythms under the original sound source.
No Sidechain
With Sidechain
Budget Granular Synthesis
Take you DAW’s sampler and import a sample (one-shots work well but other sound sources can do the trick). Then make a MIDI clip filled with 16th (semiquaver) notes. Automate the sample start time (either randomly or in a linear fashion). This will create a glitchy sound effect and with further automation of envelopes, pan and pitch you can make some pretty unique sounds.
Original Sound
Granular Synthesis
Reverse Delay
Many of you will be familiar with the ‘Reverse Reverb’ trick. Reverse Delay is similar, the only difference being (you guessed it) you use a delay rather than a reverb. Load a sample into your DAW. Reverse it and add a delay VST (experimentation is key here). Record the reverse signal into a new track and reverse it again. This will give you an odd ‘pre-delay’ sound. By automating the delay you can get some really unique samples for your track.
Original
Reverse Delay
New Tech
Not exactly a ‘trick’, but If you are looking to get the creative juices going or if you’ve been stuck in a rut, buying a new piece of equipment can inspire you to create music. We’re not saying you have to spend a fortune. Even relatively cheap pieces of equipment such as the Korg Volca
So there you have it. A list of some of our favorite music production tricks to help spark creativity and create new sounds. If you have any further suggestions please comment below or tweet us @GowlerMusic. Thanks for reading!
