Producing Indie Pop with Native Instruments
Join production guru Thomas Cochran for a Native Instruments video tutorial course on producing indie pop using nothing but Native Instruments plug-ins! In this informative NI course, Thomas will break down each step of the process, detailing which instrument/effect he's using for which task and imparting many relevant production tips along the way. You'll learn important insights into layering sounds, adding percussion, using effects, designing sounds, and much more, all of which is applicable to this exciting genre and many more as well! These videos are designed for those with basic production knowledge and/or experience.
Videos
• Intro & Song Play Through (01:48) - Thomas introduces the course and demonstrates the song that we'll be creating through the following videos.
• Synth Chords (15:57) - First, we build the basic melody of the song by creating some synth chord layers. This gives us a firm melodic foundation for the song as well as a classic synth sound commonly found in a lot of Indie pop tracks.
• Synth Keys (13:38) - Next, we make a synth Rhodes keyboard sound with MASSIVE X that will be used as a layering element for the song. This adds to the synth-driven pop sound while still retaining the indie feeling.
• Re-samping Chords (14:41) - Discover how to use our synth keys layers and resample it into an ambient pad. This patch uses reverb and filtering to fill out the production without it feeling overly busy.
• Guitar (15:13) - Next we take a look at how to use Kontakt to create indie rock-style guitars for the song. This video also shows how to process a guitar recording for the main section of the song.
• Drums (11:44) - Thomas builds up the main section of the song by adding in a kick, snare, and clap. This video also covers some simple drum processing.
• Percussion (09:41) - Learn how percussion can take a simple drum pattern and make it more engaging. This provides not only groove for the track but also fills up space.
• Synth Chord Layers (11:30) - To build up the main section of the track, we add some big synth chord layers to the hook. This video covers the notes as well as how detuning and effects are used to create a big pop chorus.
• Ambient Pluck (11:07) - Next we take a look at how to create melodic ambient elements from scratch. In this video, we use a kalimba treated with reverb as an interesting pad element.
• Bass Guitar & Synth Bass (13:18) - Learn how to fill up the low end of the song by adding a bass guitar emulation from Kontakt as well as a synth bass. This provides some variation in the low end throughout the production.
• Lead Vocal Stab (13:12) - Thomas shows how to make a custom vocal sample with GLAZE and then shows how to chop it up for a counter melody in the chorus.
• Arrangement & Mix Adjustments (13:41) - To wrap up the course, we arrange the song a make a few final mix adjustments.