Remixing guide needs help!

[Rozovian]

update: v10 - wait, no v9?

Here's the file (http://r.filesap.com/275m/remixing_writing_guide_v10.txt), and I'm probably lying a lot in the recording chapter.

You probably don't wanna read a txt in your browser, so download it. PM me your thoughts. Anything missing, anything excessive, anything wrong, anything really helpful? LET ME KNOW! :D

I demand feedback! Demand! Feedback! I!

I've written a remixing guide, and need some help to make sure I'm not just making stuff up, that it's intelligible, accurate, and useful, and covers all the basics and then some. Wanna help? Read it and let me know what you think. Questions, direct feedback, complaints, job offers, money: I can be reached by PM here on ocr, by AIM (sn: rozovian) even if I say I'm not around or asleep or something, or by email if you have it.

[Gario]

Well, you could send it my way and I can check it out. I'm not quite a 'newb', but I think I can still be helpful (plus I can send it to my younger brother, who is still a newb, and get his feedback on it, as well).

[Rozovian]

AIM, bro. AIM.

[Gario]

Had it, working on getting it again, gimme a sec.

A hard drive fry took care of all my old insta-messaging stuff a while back.

[Kuolema]

I can't AIM, but I wouldn't mind looking at it if you could email it to me.

[Chernabogue]

If you can PM/mail it to me (I don't have AIM and don't need it :P), I'd be interested in reading it. :)

[Gario]

AIM's up and running, whenever you have time.

[Dissidia]

If you can PM/mail it to me (I don't have AIM and don't need it :P), I'd be interested in reading it. :)
<-- Same boat.

[Rozovian]

Gar23, Kuolema, Dissidia, Chern... AIM. I want to consolidate communication, and I hate having to upload every new update to it when I could just send you the most recent version over AIM. Until it's done, I'm gonna be a jerk and require that ppl use AIM to get it.

It's my guide, I can be a jerk if I want to. :P

Just do what Gario did and get AIM. :D

[Anorax]

Just do what Gario did and get AIM.
AIM's up and running, whenever you have time.

I want to read your guide, because I could use it. :) AIM (sn: ElectrOCR)

EDIT: Wait- it's not working... crap

[Dafydd]

kind'a
Will you STOP it? GAWD

[Modus]

You can just go to aim.com and use AIM express.. let's you login in with Facebook account.

awaiting copy.

[WillRock]

Rozo, why don't you just put a link in the first post to the guide? you afriad of too much publicity or summit?

Its not like its a BAD guide. Like a REALLY bad guide.

[Gario]

He doesn't like the idea of updating the thing every time there's a change (since it's a work in progress, I'm guessing it changes every day or so). Too much of a hassle.

[Rozovian]

Gario's right. I keep improving on it, and would kind'a hate to have to keep something like this updated while it's in wip status.

Also ppl, would you mind hitting me up on aim when I'm actually there? Now that it's weekend, try logging in earlier/later than usual, see if I'm there. It's kind'a fun to see a lot of messages when I wake up, but it'd be more fun if ppl where actually still there then.

Furthermore, my status is usually red/busy, but for kind'a important stuff like this, hit me up anyway. :)

[Dafydd]

kind'a
You're really doing this JUST to piss me off, aren't you? :lol:

[Rozovian]

You're really doing this JUST to piss me off, aren't you? :lol:

Kind'a. :D

You kind'a brought it up, so it's kind'a your own fault. :P

[Brandon Strader]

I've written a guide to remixing and need some ppl who don't really know what they're doing to tell me whether or not it's helpful and makes sense and stuff. :P Contact me by AIM for a copy. (sn: rozovian)

(it's ok to learn stuff from reading it, it's... kind'a supposed to)
I'll take a copy. :3

I'm totally a noob and am always open to learning

[Esker]

I am totally noob. I can help you with this guide. :grin:

[Modus]

I demand a copy.

[Anorax]

@Modus:
So that Rozovian doesn't have to say so himself,

AIM, bro. AIM.

I think he'll send you a copy when he can.
:-D

[Rozovian]

Thanks Electro.

Aside from the update issue Gario already pointed out, I prefer to get ppl to read it and comment on it right away so ppl don't forget to. It's not a charity, it's an exchange. Early copy of the guide (albeit unfinished) and credit in the guide - in exchange for feedback on it. Also, I'm trying to consolidate communication to aim and my gmail instead of having some ppl contact me on facebook, some by pm here, some by pm on kngi, some by aim, some by msn, some hotmail, etc.. This stuff is aim only.

Until the guide is done, I mean. Then it's free for everyone, and will be posted somewhere here on ocr. So far, ppl like it. They say it's good. Some of them might be lying, but not all of them.

So if you want it, hit me up when I'm online and ask for it. If I'm afk or doing something in fullscreen, leave aim open and I'll send it later.

[Chernabogue]

I will try to get AIM this week. I'm very interested in reading your guide. ;)

[Modus]

Yeah I was joking... I've AIM'd him twice and missed him :( I'll catch ya, though!

[d@rkfagio]

Hey! I too want a copy! N00b as I am, I'm the first interested in a guide :D

Rozovian, can you send me a copy through gmail? I don't like AIM...

Thanks!

[Rozovian]

Again, this is not about ppl getting a free guide to making music, this is about me getting feedback on the guide I'm making. When it's done, it'll be available to everyone. Right now, it's aim only. Deal with it. :P

[BlackPanther]

Wish I could help. Must...get...internet back on ;_;.

[urdailywater]

ehh.. hope I wasn't completely useless in all that feedback >.<

[NegimaSonic]

Eh? Google DOCS couldn't ya update that without having to change the link? Also I think Mediafire works that way but it'd be a bit more difficult.

Anywho, I'd give it a look but I probably can't immediately read it like today-today or even tomorrow-today but I'll aim ya anyway.

[Rozovian]

So far, I've been getting good feedback from everyone... who's given me any feedback. There's a few of you who haven't actually responded. :(

[NegimaSonic]

So far, I've been getting good feedback from everyone... who's given me any feedback. There's a few of you who haven't actually responded. :(

I'm slow and have schoolwork and games (I admit it) that I'm doing. I went through about 3/4 of it already. The experts already said most of everything I think so far.

Now as a true noob, I feel I understand some things a little better now.

As far as grammar mistakes that hadn't been mentioned already in the document that I had, there's the use of "tho" that should likely be "though", you wrote "sppecial" instead of special, "irl" probably should be in real life, "recored" should be recorded. Meh, just go in Microsoft office on spell check a bit. Of course not everything it says that's wrong is wrong, but you might wanna take a look for the final version.

Also, later in the document you start the "tell a newb" stuff. I don't know if that's necessary if you're talking to a newb...we won't be telling anyone anything that soon.

I can tell it would benefit from visuals but I don't think you're allowed to use visuals with your tuts on here so that's not an option. But had I not seen a piano roll before or some of the grids you've mentioned, I wouldn't know what you mean.

"Bitcrush complex sounds to make them fit a lo-fi " I have no idea what you meant when you wrote bitcrush. And that's the one and only time that word appears.

[Rozovian]

"Bitcrush complex sounds to make them fit a lo-fi " I have no idea what you meant when you wrote bitcrush. And that's the one and only time that word appears.

^the kind of feedback I need.

Also, feedback by aim plz. ;)

[Nonamer]

As a total noob, I could use this. I'll send you feedback within the week. (AIM just added)

[Rozovian]

Yay, a v4 done, and it should correct most of the crits I've gotten... or clarify that you grammar nazis can hate on my idiosyncrasies all you want, ppl and kind'a and stuff - they're staying. :P (hear that, DAFYDD?)

I should have updated the sd3 tracklist this week. Busy weekend, busy week. Should have more time this weekend to get stuff done. Would like to get the updated guide out there, so anyone who hasn't yet read it and wants to, hit me up on aim.

Also, feedback plz. It's an exchange, not a charity. At least not yet. :D

[Nonamer]

When this guide is done, are you going to publish it on the forums, or is it going to remain something off the forum?

Also, try to AIM contact me the guide, and I'll try to send you feedback.

[mak]

Yay, a v4 done, and it should correct most of the crits I've gotten... or clarify that you grammar nazis can hate on my idiosyncrasies all you want, ppl and kind'a and stuff - they're staying. :P (hear that, DAFYDD?)

I should have updated the sd3 tracklist this week. Busy weekend, busy week. Should have more time this weekend to get stuff done. Would like to get the updated guide out there, so anyone who hasn't yet read it and wants to, hit me up on aim.

Also, feedback plz. It's an exchange, not a charity. At least not yet. :D

I gave you some feedback, I hope. I'm sd3's the only n00b!!)
Or maybe not anymore.. Waiting for tracklist update, to be sure who(or what:)) I am.
And one thing.. Probable I can give you some feedback but AIM sucks and unfortunately, I have it. I'll try to think what can I tell. If you still need it.

[NegimaSonic]

Unless v4 is very different, I probably won't have any criticisms outside of what I initially wrote.

[Rozovian]

Bump, needs have changed. The guide is almost done, now I'm thinking about releasing it. I just need to know I haven't made any big mistakes. Any experienced remixers/music ppl wanna give it a read, point out everything I'm lying about?

Also, thoughts on how to release it are welcome. ocr's wiki, regular forum posts, and pdf are the formats I'm considering. Preferences/other ideas?

I'm on AIM most of the time, hit me up there if you wanna help/talk/whatever.

[Rozovian]

lol, I haven't actually been on AIM much, lately. hit me up if you do see me, I want thing thing checked before I start turning it into a pdf. btw, I might need screenshots from other DAWs. Logic, GarageBand, Reason, FL, and REAPER shouldn't be a problem, but if you use a different DAW and want to help with that, hit me up.

...when I'm online again, such as right now. Stupid other stuff getting in my way.

So, pros or semipros to beta read it, and ppl willing to contribute screenshots wanted.

[avaris]

Hey dude I'd love to check it out. Would you be able to PM it to me?

[Rozovian]

I like real-time feedback, so I'd prefer you catch me on aim. Then again, I'm busy most of this week. I don't think I have your email, send me something to my gmail, ad.rozoSPAmmITYvian, my gmail and I'll hit you up with the latest version. Actually, anyone interested could just email me. yes, it's ad dot rozo...

btw, I wanna talk Sonic Elements with you. :D

[avaris]

You got it ;)

Kinda hard for me to talk during the day at work...time difference is a beyatch.

[avaris]

Hey Rozo just wondering if you got the email I sent. :)

[Rozovian]

All right, for those interested, we now have a public beta. PM me your thoughts. Link to the guide in the first post.

You may not read it if you don't provide feedback. You may read it if you find that something is missing, excessive, wrong, or helpful, while reading, and let me know.

:D

(also, avaris: as you know, yes I got them)

[Chernabogue]

I downloaded it, I'll read it and post feedback soon.

[Chiwalker]

"and doesn't let the music breathe (and by music I mean listener, and by breathe I'm not sure what I mean). " <-- HAHA

Nice writing so far!

[PROTO·DOME]

One Grammar Nazi thing to say that's bugged me FOREVER, stop adding the apostrophe to "kinda", it's not the correct way to spell it as per the English dictionary.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/kinda

I can see that you're adding it in to indicate that it's a portmanteau, but generally slang words such as 'kinda' don't use it. For example 'gonna', 'gimmie', 'sorta' etc.

I feel better.

[LordGavin]

Cool. It's nice to see someone put together something so extensive for reference. Luckily, a lot of what you've talked about either makes good sense to me, or I already understood. Whatever it is I'm doing wrong, I should keep doing that. XD

Anyway, you really do need to fix the "ppl" abbreviations in your guide. Honestly, just use the word "people" to avoid the situation of someone not knowing what that means and getting confused. Especially when you're talking about other abbreviations, like DAW, having "ppl" thrown in next to it might make others think "ppl" stands for something music related and not a simple word. That also goes for any other such shortenings you've used that aren't necessary.

[Neblix]

I think Rozovian is more concerned about content at this stage.

[Rozovian]

I think Rozovian is more concerned about content at this stage.

This, thanks neblix. LG has a good point tho, which I'll consider. PromoToe'd is just provoking me to use my idiosyncrasies more prominently.

Am I making the compression section stuff clear enough, do you actually read the synthesis section, are the questions at the end in any sensible order, did I get overtone and harmonic mixed up, do my methods actually make sense to anyone but me, is the frequency stuff too technical, am I missing some convenient ways of saying stuff, what don't you understand, etc.?

[PROTO·DOME]

PromoToe'd is just provoking me to use my idiosyncrasies more prominently.ROOOOOOZOVIAN!!!! *shakes fist*

[Guifrog]

I'm giving a fast read to this, and I love the language. Sometimes I lol at the simpliticy of it when you say like "Humanization is something newbs often overlook. They've written their song, arranged it, so now it's done, right? Okay, so it's not mixed and mastered, but the writing is done now, right? Well... no." That's cool ;P.

I suppose the waveform basics might be the boring part for newbs, but I think it's well explained. Just think it could be better to give audio examples.

[Zeroboros]

Wow this should definitely get a sticky since it would help alot of people and also lessen up repeat question about the same thing regarding this type of thing. I will dedinitely take a closer look at this later.

[Anorax]

Hey, Rozo, have you updated the guide lately?

[Rozovian]

Nope, haven't worked on it much, but I'm still accepting feedback. It hasn't been a priority, but if there's interest in moving it forward, I'll get back to it.

[Rozovian]

Been screwing with the guide some more, v8 is now uploaded (http://r.filesap.com/275m/remixing_writing_guide_v8.txt). Updating links once I'm done writing this post.

I need to read up on recording, the only unfinished chapter iirc. That's a chapter I think is important but I don't have that much experience recording stuff. Half the time when I've recorded, it's been with plugged straight into the computer, the other half has been the few instances where I've set up mics and my recording interface and most of that time spent troubleshooting anyway. Maybe I should just have a guest writer...

Anyone with plenty and diverse recording experience interested in helping me out with that? Guest writer or just consultant. Get in touch. :D

(still appreciate if you any grammar weird spotted do, spelling errrs, i dont get it, fractal/technical errors, and whatever else that doesn't count as my kind'a unique idiosyncrazies.)

[Rozovian]

Updated to v10, see first post.

I could be lying all the way through a whole new chapter. Feedback needed. ;)

[Anorax]

-portable recording devices-

There are also professional, portable recording devices. These can be sued to record just about anything, but all the above should be considered where applicable. The physical properties of the recording device's mic(s) matter, as will the placement and angle, the room, all that stuff. The benefit of these devices is in their portability, lack of interference from the rest of the signal chain (there is no signal chain), and quick startup time. Of course, getting a recording to sync up means you need headphones and something to play the source music with.

Unless you're looking for specific qualities inherent in mics, a portable recording device would be ideal for many sound effects recording situations - you can take it anywhere and record anything. If you're visiting a friend and want to record his vocals, just use headphones and a version of the backing while recording.There are also professional, portable recording devices. These can be sued to record just about anything, but all the above should be considered where applicable. The physical properties of the recording device's mic(s) matter, as will the placement and angle, the room, all that stuff. The benefit of these devices is in their portability, lack of interference from the rest of the signal chain (there is no signal chain), and quick startup time. Of course, getting a recording to sync up means you need headphones and something to play the source music with.These can be sued to record just about anything, but all the above should be considered where applicable.
These can be sued
sued
lolwut TENCHARLIMITARGH

[Brandon Strader]

lolwut TENCHARLIMITARGH
Be careful, or you may end up sued as well.

[Rozovian]

Still making that typo, I see. Grr.

Good find.

[Anorax]

Still making that typo, I see. Grr.

Good find.

aww, we all love you Rozo, typos and all

[Kuolema]

Oh good, for a minute there I thought I was going to have to go through the legal system every time I wanted to record something. :grin:

On a more serious note, I took a look at the guide and I think it's pretty good. It's more of an overview than a comprehensive guide, but it seems like that's what you're going for. My only concern is that it might be difficult for a "newb" to piece together all the bits of information since there are a lot of individual sections that, while fine on their own, are kind of all over the place (Recording coming after mixing and output for instance). Then again, maybe not...either way I think re-arranging the sections would make it easier to read.

Some instruments and other audio tracks (like vocals) will be uneven. There will be soft parts and loud parts, and you might not want to go in and edit the volume for the whole track. What do you do? You apply a compressor that'll make the soft parts louder but not change the loud parts.
Isn't it the other way around? Or have I been thinking about it the wrong way this whole time?

I also found a few typos:

Drums are usually the instrument getting layered, since fat beats need fat sounds. The classic example of drums layering would be to combine a bass drum with punch and click with a bass drum with lots of low frequencies (aka bass).

The audio interface can come in a lot of different forms. Some simple ones have an input, an output, and connect by usb. Others can be built into mixing desks and feature dozens of inputs and quite a number of outputs as well. SOme will say an audio interface is the same as a soundcard, tho I go by the distinction that the soundcard is inside your computer, while an audio interface is only connected to the machine (by usb, firewire, or other means).

[Rozovian]

I took a look at the guide and I think it's pretty good. It's more of an overview than a comprehensive guide, but it seems like that's what you're going for.

My only concern is that it might be difficult for a "newb" to piece together all the bits of information since there are a lot of individual sections that, while fine on their own, are kind of all over the place (Recording coming after mixing and output for instance). Then again, maybe not...either way I think re-arranging the sections would make it easier to read.

...

Isn't it the other way around? Or have I been thinking about it the wrong way this whole time?[/QUOTE]

Well, it's more a guide than a tutorial. For length reasons, and the fact that there's a whole lot of DAWs out there, I can't go into DAW-specific stuff. Is it any good, tho?

The poor placement of the recording chapter stem from it being written later than the other chapters. My reasoning was that not everybody will need to know how to record, and those that do should still start with learning the other stuff. On the other hand, if I went strictly by that reasoning, the chapters on waveforms and synths are the ones poorly placed. Where would you prefer to find it?

In practice, compressors are used to raise the overall levels of an uneven track by creating headroom... by lowering the track when it goes over the threshold level. Practically right, technically wrong. Gotta fix that, good find.

[Kuolema]

Well, it's more a guide than a tutorial. For length reasons, and the fact that there's a whole lot of DAWs out there, I can't go into DAW-specific stuff. Is it any good, tho?
What I meant by that is that it's not as comprehensive as a guide that focuses on just one of the topics you cover. As a starting point though I think it's pretty good.
And yeah, it makes sense that you don't go into DAW specific stuff. It's nice to see something like this that doesn't use FL Studio or whatever as an example.


The poor placement of the recording chapter stem from it being written later than the other chapters. My reasoning was that not everybody will need to know how to record, and those that do should still start with learning the other stuff. On the other hand, if I went strictly by that reasoning, the chapters on waveforms and synths are the ones poorly placed. Where would you prefer to find it?
Eh, now that I go back and take another look I think it's probably fine. Actually I'm not really sure what I was talking about XD.

[DusK]

Isn't it the other way around?
It can go either way, really.

[evktalo]

I've read this thing. Very useful, and easy to read. 74 pages printed! Will post more detailed feedback later.

--Eino

[Anorax]

I've read this thing. Very useful, and easy to read. 74 pages printed! Will post more detailed feedback later.

--Eino

...Wow.

Rozo should publish this and make bank off of it

[Rozovian]

Rozo should make an album and have ppl who read this thing support it by getting the album for like 20 bucks or something.

Tho I should probably add a few things to it before then. Like how to market yourself on the net, how to sell your remixes, and a few things like that. Stuff that I'm such an expert in.

[Anorax]

Rozo should make an album and have ppl who read this thing support it by getting the album for like 20 bucks or something.

Tho I should probably add a few things to it before then. Like how to market yourself on the net, how to sell your remixes, and a few things like that. Stuff that I'm such an expert in.

PROTIP: Bandcamp.com

[timaeus222]

Haha, you're going to hate me for this, but at the spot where it says, "Note that there are also so called "modes" besides just major and minor. The intervals are the same, but they begin from different notes. There are also additional scales (like harmonic and melodic minor) that use different intervals. Look it up later.", that foreshadows a short paragraph on modes.

"Look it up later" isn't fun. :| You might as well write about them, since I couldn't find anything about ionian, dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian, aeolian, or locrian modes in what you wrote currently, and as I am with my sense of character, I expected to see that. It's not too hard to explain, right? You already did, except without the official names. :P Besides, you can't expect "newbs" to just know when what they find is what they are supposed to find. xD

Where you wrote, "so every note will contain tones higher than the note pitch. As does our voice.", a good example is the tines in an E. Piano.

In the section after where it says, "the blues note, and microtonal music. Learn the basics first, tho.", it'd be awesome if you included this definition I developed for the word "melody":
"A memorable sequence of notes that flow in a logical manner while lying within the same key of the current section of the song."
That might help people write reasonable melodies. ;D

Can I also request a small section on chordal feel? It probably belongs in the "direction" section, sometime after "Much like stories, music can be written with changes out of the blue or with changes foreshadowed". If you can do this, that would be badass. :D If you end up having trouble with it, zircon might be able to give some insight on it, from what I know about his experience. This is what I mean:
Each chord, when placed after a chord, foreshadows a specific chord. Sometimes, you'll have to nail a specific chord to get exactly the feel that you want. Some chord progressions are present in certain styles of songs, but sometimes are meant only for those styles. Some chord progressions work so well that they actually give the listener the feeling that this is a specific section of the song and they'll know more about what to expect next. It'd be epic if you could include a section about what chord progressions, or at least, what diad progressions create what type of feel or foreshadow what diads.

-------

I did really like the idea of EQ being a chisel, though. That section is dead on. Sweet controlling metaphor :D