Songwriting & Producing with Toontrack: Neo Soul

In this video tutorial series, Toontrack guru Luke Oswald and vocal extraordinaire Spencer Hansen create a groovy Neo Soul song from scratch, all the way to master mix using only Toontrack products and a DAW. Plus, the info can be applied to any genre too!

Introduction

• Series Introduction (01:29) - Luke explains the outline for this tutorial series and how Toontrack's products can be used to produce original song tracks.

Creating a Song Track with EZkeys

• Auditioning Keyboard Parts in EZKeys (07:43) - Learn how to audition various presets and MIDI parts within the EZKeys interface.

• Building A Song with EZKeys (05:52) - Luke shows you how to build a song track by adding MIDI blocks into the song creator of EZKeys.

• Editing EZKeys Song Blocks (12:18) - Learn how to modify your song by editing individual MIDI blocks.

Creating a Drum Track with EZdrummer 2

• Setting Up EZdrummer 2 (04:08) - An explanation of the Southern Soul 60's preset used in this tutorial series.

• Creating a Drum Track with EZdrummer 2 (13:39) - Learn how to create brand new drum tracks and how to manipulate them using the Edit Play Style function within EZdrummer 2.

• Creating Drum Fills with EZdrummer 2 (03:38) - Luke shows you how to add drum fills to your drum track using MIDI fills from EZdrummer 2 MIDI packs.

• Organizing Your Song Arrangement (03:41) - Learn how to create the same track arrangement from EZKeys/EZdrummer 2 within Studio One.

• Manually Editing Fills in Your DAW (04:26) - Modify your drum fills within the "Piano Roll" MIDI editor of your DAW to create custom fills.

Creating a Bass Track with EZkeys

• Creating a Bass Part with EZKeys (09:28) - No bass player? No problem. Learn how to create your bass track within EZKeys.

Adding FX To Individual Instrument Tracks Using EZmix 2

• Using EZMix 2 on Drums & Bass Tracks (10:52) - Luke explains some of his favorite EZMix 2 presets for the Drum Bus and Bass tracks.

• Expanding EZKeys Layers & Adding EZMix 2 (08:23) - Learn how to layer multiple instances of EZKeys with unique EZMix 2 presets.

• Exporting MIDI from EZKeys & Arranging EZKeys Layers (06:11) - Export MIDI tracks from EZKeys and arrange them within your DAW to create movement within your song track.

Modify Your Drum Track Using Superior Drummer 2 & EZmix 2

• Modifying the Drum Track with Superior Drummer 2 (07:12) - Luke uses a Superior Drummer 2 preset with the same settings as EZdrummer 2 and shows you how to manipulate the drum track using exclusive features from Superior Drummer 2.

• Using EZmix 2 on Individual Drum Tracks (11:00) - Luke shows you how to use EZMix 2 on individual drum tracks using a Multi-Channel Output configuration with Superior Drummer 2.

• Using EZmix 2 for Parallel Compression (05:52) - Luke explains how to create a "Para Comp" channel and how to use EZMix 2 to create an overly processed drum track that can be mixed in with the original drum track.

Creating Vocal Tracks with EZmix 2

• Preparing the Track for Vocals (05:43) - Luke makes a few final modifications before sending the track to the vocalist. He explains how to transpose the song track down a couple steps to better fit within the vocalist range.

• Explanation of Vocal Tracks (04:19) - Spencer Hansen discusses his vocal tracks and what he thinks about when recording vocals and writing lyrics for an original song.

• Using EZmix 2 on Vocal Tracks (06:30) - Spencer discusses some of his favorite EZMix 2 presets for lead vocals.

• Using EZmix 2 on Background Vocals (03:45) - Learn how to create a Background Vocal bus channel that can be processed using multiple instances of EZmix 2.

• Adding an Organ Instrument Track (01:29) - Spencer adds a custom organ track to help the song build in the final chorus and outro.

Mastering with EZmix 2

• Using EZMix 2 on the Master Bus (08:51) - Luke explains how you can use EZMix 2 on your Master Bus to add that final polish to your song tracks.

• Using Reference Speakers for Mix Adjustments (02:32) - Learn about the importance of using reference speakers and minor adjustments during the final stages of the mix/mastering process.

• A/B Track With & Without EZMix 2 FX (03:48) - Listen to the finished track with and without FX to hear the impact EZMix 2 can have on your individual tracks and on the Master Bus.

• Series Recap (02:04) - Luke recaps this series with a quick outline how Toontrack's products were used in the creation process of this original track.