Producing 80's Synth Pop in Live
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5:43 Introduction
Let’s take a look and listen to the song we will be creating together.
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10:01 Blank Slate
In this video we will put down our first idea. This is always the hardest for me. We will also talk house keeping.
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3:27 Bass
The next idea is bass. It’s sound will give our listeners am idea of what genre and style our song will be.
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11:09 Groove
It’s important… really important. It may make or break the song. We can take advantage of some built in tools that will help us make it feel good.
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5:44 Backbeat
Next let’s add a clap on the 2 & 4. We will also setup parallel compression for drums and a few other things.
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7:06 Finishing the Verse
We can start rounding out the first section of our song. We will add a few different ideas to keep it fresh.
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6:07 Starting the Chorus
Next let’s add movement for the chorus. This video is all about the 16th note.
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10:04 Chorus Drums
Now let’s pull all the stops and get punchy. We will be creating new drum sounds for the first chorus.
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11:09 Chorus Chords
In this video let’s switch up the chord progression and bring up the energy with new chord elements.
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7:03 Melody
Now that we have a foundation, we can chase after the hook. Hopefully, it will be good enough to get stuck in our listener’s head.
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11:33 Breakdown
Part of the creative process is capturing ideas as they come. This is so important. Who knows where these ideas will lead us.
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4:07 Breakdown Melody
Let’s finish the breakdown idea with a fresh melody.
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8:32 Toms
80’s toms! Need I say more?
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7:01 The Bridge
Now let’s shake things up. We need a new chord progression and instrumentation to freshen our palates.
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6:19 Build the Bridge
More ideas to round out our bridge. These will help us build intro the upcoming chorus.
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4:12 Last Chorus
A lot of times the last chorus is special. Let’s modify current elements and add new ideas to make this part of the song stand out.
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8:09 Moving Over to Arrangement View
Now we can begin the process of finalizing the arrangement. We will record our ideas into arrangement view from session view. Then we will begin finalizing what goes where.
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10:10 Heaven
While working on the verses I wanted to add more interest. In this video we will add the last melodic idea to accentuate our claps.
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10:10 The Mix
Since we’ve been adding effects and processing as we go, this video is all about automation.
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7:50 Master Bus
This final video will take a look at master bus effects. This will be a little mixing and a little mastering. We want to add a final layer of polish to the song.
Product Overview
The 80’s sound is back in a big way, and studio guru Scottie Dugan takes you back to the future with these in-depth video tutorials about how to make a professional sounding 80’s inspired synth pop track. Way!
Scottie starts off with an overview of the track you’ll be making together, followed by getting started with a blank slate. Then he moves to the bass and builds up from there, adding the groove, backbeat and more.
Scottie then works out the arrangement, and adds the melody, breakdown, extra percussion and other elements. The mix and master buss effects are then explored, revealing the final touches made to your 80’s masterpiece.
See the individual tutorial descriptions below for more info. If you want to see how to get that 80’s synth pop vibe on your songs and productions, checkout “Producing 80’s Synth Pop with Live” now!
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Reviews
Submitted 2 months ago
Been through many Ableton videos on Groove3 until I hit this jackpot!
Been through many Ableton videos on Groove3 until I hit the jackpot, everything I needed to learn was in this course, well explained and to the point without boring minutiae.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 months ago
Mixed bag - amazing, yet frustrating too.
Some highly useful pieces of information in here and I've learnt a lot, so thankyou. However, some bits are extremely frustrating and lack any explanation - e.g. 'building the bridge' has almost no explanation how he arrives at the sound. Uses so many 3rd party plugins with little explanation. Other parts of the vid are amazing however.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Inspiring & Professional Tutorial
I enjoyed the tutorial from Scottie. His narration and workflow was in depth and helpful, especially the manipulation of sound to created an authentic feel. I liked: down-to-earth narration, scope and professional take on create an efficient and logical workflow. I didn't like: use of big $ plugins without some alternatives (and there is a lot). Either way, I would recommend the tutorial nevertheless as it is helpful and well thought out.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Close to a perfect tutorial
Whilst I undoubtedly picked up a lot of tips from Scott I would have liked to have the complete raw project provided and more insight from him on how the melodies worked with the chords and reason for the choices made. A longer look at the sounds made in plugins would have been appreciated too e.g. why a preset was tweaked.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
Takes some work to reproduce, but worth it
As the tutorial uses a lot of expensive plugins and only provides stems, so it takes a bit of work to reproduce this on your own. However, the reward pays off as you are forced to go through the production process and figure some things out on your own.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
Another great tutorial!
From your two courses "JACK U" & "Producing 80's Synth Pop" (this course) i learn really alot. Now i understandhow how start to build a song, how to mix it etc. For me, courses like these the best way to learn music production. Because we going step by step thru the wole song than separatly watching how compressor work, how sidechain etc... Happy New Year! )
I am a: Beginner, Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Sound Designer, Ableton Live
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 years ago
Nice overall with some shortcomings
generally I liked the tutorial, I think it contains interesting techniques along the way. personally I am not a fan of mix as you go in part because I feel going between sound design and composition doesn't focus my attention on either. Nevertheless the tricks I picked up along the way are useful.
I am a: Producer, Musician, Hobbyist, Beat Maker
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 5 years ago
Very Good
really great, clear, & Useful i enjoy it soooooooooooooo
I am a: Professional
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 5 years ago
Very Informative!
Scottie does an excellent job of really showing how to produce this genre from beginning to end. I have been producing for a long time, and it was still very helpful to see how someone else went about building a track. I also picked tips on plugins, more shortcuts to use in Ableton, some workflow ideas that will work out great! Highly recommended!
I am a: Producer, Professional, Audio Engineer, Musician, Sound for Film/TV
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 5 years ago
Great progression
This series brought you through the progression of an idea through to the creation of a completed song. It brought home the concept of working in session view to quickly create ideas then hone them in arrangement view to a complete song.
I am a: Hobbyist
Reviews
Submitted 2 months ago
Been through many Ableton videos on Groove3 until I hit this jackpot!
Been through many Ableton videos on Groove3 until I hit the jackpot, everything I needed to learn was in this course, well explained and to the point without boring minutiae.
Submitted 3 months ago
Mixed bag - amazing, yet frustrating too.
Some highly useful pieces of information in here and I've learnt a lot, so thankyou. However, some bits are extremely frustrating and lack any explanation - e.g. 'building the bridge' has almost no explanation how he arrives at the sound. Uses so many 3rd party plugins with little explanation. Other parts of the vid are amazing however.
Submitted 2 years ago
Inspiring & Professional Tutorial
I enjoyed the tutorial from Scottie. His narration and workflow was in depth and helpful, especially the manipulation of sound to created an authentic feel. I liked: down-to-earth narration, scope and professional take on create an efficient and logical workflow. I didn't like: use of big $ plugins without some alternatives (and there is a lot). Either way, I would recommend the tutorial nevertheless as it is helpful and well thought out.
Submitted 2 years ago
Close to a perfect tutorial
Whilst I undoubtedly picked up a lot of tips from Scott I would have liked to have the complete raw project provided and more insight from him on how the melodies worked with the chords and reason for the choices made. A longer look at the sounds made in plugins would have been appreciated too e.g. why a preset was tweaked.
Submitted 3 years ago
Takes some work to reproduce, but worth it
As the tutorial uses a lot of expensive plugins and only provides stems, so it takes a bit of work to reproduce this on your own. However, the reward pays off as you are forced to go through the production process and figure some things out on your own.
Submitted 3 years ago
Another great tutorial!
From your two courses "JACK U" & "Producing 80's Synth Pop" (this course) i learn really alot. Now i understandhow how start to build a song, how to mix it etc. For me, courses like these the best way to learn music production. Because we going step by step thru the wole song than separatly watching how compressor work, how sidechain etc... Happy New Year! )
I am a: Beginner, Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Sound Designer, Ableton Live
Submitted 4 years ago
Nice overall with some shortcomings
generally I liked the tutorial, I think it contains interesting techniques along the way. personally I am not a fan of mix as you go in part because I feel going between sound design and composition doesn't focus my attention on either. Nevertheless the tricks I picked up along the way are useful.
I am a: Producer, Musician, Hobbyist, Beat Maker
Submitted 5 years ago
Very Good
really great, clear, & Useful i enjoy it soooooooooooooo
I am a: Professional
Submitted 5 years ago
Very Informative!
Scottie does an excellent job of really showing how to produce this genre from beginning to end. I have been producing for a long time, and it was still very helpful to see how someone else went about building a track. I also picked tips on plugins, more shortcuts to use in Ableton, some workflow ideas that will work out great! Highly recommended!
I am a: Producer, Professional, Audio Engineer, Musician, Sound for Film/TV
Submitted 5 years ago
Great progression
This series brought you through the progression of an idea through to the creation of a completed song. It brought home the concept of working in session view to quickly create ideas then hone them in arrangement view to a complete song.
I am a: Hobbyist
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I grew up taking classical piano lessons, so music has always been a part of my life. It started out as a daily chore and eventually evolved into a passion. Now I am very lucky to call it my profession.
2. What training have you had?
After thirteen years of private piano lessons I decided to pursue a formal degree. Two years in and I realized it wasn't for me. From that point on a began teaching myself and taking various online courses that offered subjects that excited me. I've gotten to learn and sit under individuals who are way better than I am.
3. When did you get into recording?
Ableton Live and the ability to make music with a computer were the two biggest reasons I didn't continue pursue a formal degree. I was in a band, we cut a DIY "garage album" and that started the obsession. The once obscured world of synths, hardware and software was now overwhealming as I transitioned away from a piano only mindset.
4. People you have worked with/for?
I have the great privilege to be working with Ableton as one of their Ableton Certified Trainers. Being a part of that community has been really amazing and life changing. I have yet to work with anyone rich and famous... but I have a feeling one day some of these crazy talented people will be. I get to work with students and artists who are chasing their musical dreams. I like the purity and passion that comes with that.
5. Why are you so good at training people?
Well, I've always been told that I'm a good teacher but I hated talking to people I didn't know. It took a while to get over those introvert tendencies and fear of public speaking and now I can't get enough. Watching a student get that lightbulb breakthrough or seeing an ignition of passion after the transfer of knowledge creates such a sense of fulfillment for me. I can't not teach.
Products by Scottie
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tutorial videoAAS Ultra Analog VA-2 Explained
In a world filled with reproductions and ever increasing complexity, Applied Acoustics Systems Ultra Analog VA-2 imposes itself as a unique and powerful synth that is fast, easy, and remarkably versatile. Synth guru Scottie Dugan takes you on a tour of this awesome virtual synth, showing you all that it can do, as well as sound design examples that will kick start your programming frenzy.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live 10 Explained
Ableton Live 10 Certified instructor Scottie Dugan brings you awesome videos designed for beginner to intermediate Ableton Live 10 users. Learn to get going with Live 10, understand its main features and functions, as well as get more advanced topics and creative ideas. If you’re new to Live 10, this is the series to watch!
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tutorial videoAbleton Live 9 Explained
Presented by Ableton Certified Trainer Scottie Dugan, this collection of videos will show you what you need to know to hit the ground running with Live 9 and then elevate you to 'power user' status.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live Compressors & EQs In Action
Ready to make Ableton Live come alive? Well, Scottie Dugan explains how, showcasing Live's awesome built-in dynamics and EQ processors. Compression and EQ are the most commonly used effects for making your tracks and productions shine, so let Scottie demystify them and show you them all in action!
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tutorial videoAbleton Live Racks Explained
Ableton Certified Trainer Scottie Dugan is back with a collection of videos that will show you what you need to know to build, edit and play racks within Ableton Live. Watch and learn how racks are a powerful way to create amazing sounding instruments, effects and more within Ableton Live.
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