Production Techniques & Strategies: Standing Out
Adam Pollard aka Multiplier, brings you an in-depth video tutorial series designed to help you make productions that stand out from the rest. Get a ton of helpful starting points, plus ideas and alternative techniques designed to fire up your creative mind and help you produce original content that stands out in a sea filled with the same old stuff.
Videos
• Introduction (00:34) - Adam welcomes you to the course and discusses what he will be covering.
• Counterpoint Melody (02:44) - Adam shows why using two melodies at the same time, different in rhythm and contour, played by the same instrument is so effective.
• Playing with Different Emotions (05:23) - In this video, Adam why playing with emotions not commonly explored in electronic music will help you stand out. Learn how to figure out which ones to try, and see examples to spark your imagination.
• Breathy Vocal One-Shot Trick (02:57) - Discover this innovative sound design trick Adam developed, illustrating a broader sound design principle.
• Mastering Concepts (02:45) - See two innovative ideas Adam developed to stand out in the mastering stage.
• Extreme Ambience Limiting (08:24) - In this video, Adam shows a technique that has created some of the wildest and craziest sounds he has ever made. Also, you will learn about "fast" vs "slow" limiters, and DC offset.
• Extreme Stereo Imaging (05:43) - It's like the speakers are talking to each other. Explore two huge concepts, tempo/bpm automation, and extreme stereo imaging. This idea creates the most unique and interesting melody interaction.
• Tell a Story (02:40) - See WHY this is such a powerful idea. Clue: it has to do with your brain.
• Chord Voicing (03:11) - Adam explores placing different instruments on different notes of a chord, and discusses how to take this one step further.
• Unique Processing Algorithms (06:02) - Adam explores unique processing algorithms, for unique sound design.
• Transition Tracks (02:47) - Adam shows two ideas/concepts that help make the arrangement stand out.
• Incorporating Non-Electronic Genres (03:34) - Adam shows how incorporating samples from non-electronic genres, e.g. combining blues and house (as I demonstrate) may help your track stand out. This video also shows time stretching to the grid, matching your electronic drums to the sampled groove (visually) and public domain sampling.
• Unusual Scales (04:36) - Adam discusses using different scale types to evoke different emotions. He shows a few different ways to work with them - as well as, what a scale is.
• Wonky Rhythm Technique (02:13) - Adam shows a technique to create unusual rhythms.
• Mixing Rhythm Speeds (02:23) - Adam explores how mixing rhythm speeds can help your song stand out.
• Alternative Time Signatures (04:47) - Adam explores using different time signatures, what they are, and gives a cautionary note about experimenting with these if you're making tracks for DJs.
• Turning a Vocal into a Bass (05:34) - Learn how to make an exciting bass by FM-ing a vocal, and then an interesting concept to show the listener, in the track, how it's made.. In the video Adam also explains how FM synthesis works.
• Bit Crushing the Master (04:35) - Adam discusses making the master intentionally "worse" quality, to give it a harsh and interesting edge.
• Audio Sampling Concept (02:24) - Adam takes a look at another way to make your track stand out... Sampling things people can't do, or wouldn't think to do.
• Intentionally "Out of Key" Notes (01:59) - Learn how to use out of key notes in the correct way, with intention, to make your song stand out.
• Puzzle Tracks (05:53) - Adam takes a look at couple ideas for getting super creative with your song structure. These two ideas are huge. They make the listener download (and then interact with!) your track - without manipulating or tricking them.
• Using Delay on the Master (03:07) - Yes, it sounds like a mad idea, but it sounds great, and it's a great way to stand out. Adam also explains gain compensation.
• Inharmonic Sound Design (05:25) - Most people create harmonic sounds... Learn about inharmonic sounds, and how to make them using FM synthesis.
• Interesting Snares (01:33) - In this video, Adam makes a snare, that isn't a snare.
• Tonal Atmosphere / Air (01:53) - Learn how to create tonal atmosphere/air that guides the emotion through harmony.