The Little Things

This might well have been called 'variations on a theme' - taking a piece to music to a higher level by focusing on the small details. I've mostly found that writing takes several 'passes'. The first is getting the basic idea/riff/melody. The second pass moulds and shapes that into a song structure. The final pass is to eek out every drop you can from a song, so that you keep it interesting throughout.

This post is about the final pass, how do you polish a song to 'perfection'?

Try adding in slight variations in chord sequences or syncopation of a rhythm.

If you are working alone - work on the elements that aren't your strong point(s) - make sure the drums have good variations and fit the song - use fills to keep interest and to signal, and add some 'oomph' to transitions in the song.

Is the bass isn't simply sitting on a root note? Add in some syncopation (what is the bass drum doing?) and harmonies to underline the chord sequence. Maybe just try improvising along and seeing if anything comes out that is worth keeping and enhancing.

Are the keyboards aren't simply copying what the guitar is doing - use of a single high note can lift a chorus. Use chord inversions and different pitches to keep it separate from other instruments.

Individualise all parts of the song so interest is kept throughout - don't copy and paste the same verse guitar/bass/... part for all verses, record separate versions so they all have slight variations.

Try and create a separate intro that leads into the song, but is not just the chorus, or verse played through. The 'middle 8' if yo have one should again take the song somewhere a little different - keep the interest going throughout.

And work on the phrasing of each part - the attack of each note, whether it is pushing ahead, or behind the beat - really add in the feeling when you are recording it.

Work on the instrumentation, develop it as the song progresses - drop elements out that aren't contributing and may be muddying the mix.

These final elements can take a long time - I seem to spend ages on drum tracks getting them to really add to the song and not simply create a basic, unchanging rhythm. It can be frustrating, but this last 10% polish is what will take your music to the next level.

Kevin

POD HD300 - First Thoughts

This is just a quick(ish) first impressions on the new Pods. If you want a quick view - it's worth persevering with!

First run at it was a month or so ago - in less than ideal circumstances, in a shop, average headphones, not much time and a guitar with strings that were past their best. Not a good impression; sounds were thin, didn't 'feel' right, presets are pretty extreme, and distorted sounds were horrible. The one shining light was one of the clean settings, it leapt out as warm and vibrant - unlike all the other sounds.

Cut forward a few weeks and some more consideration - my JCM800 provides my stock sounds, I need more variety and specifically clean sounds...and the thought kept coming back, based on the clean tone that maybe there were some nuggets in it that could be exploited. I decided to order one, and use the weeks taster period to give it a proper trial at home.

First play at home and I would have sent it straight back; it felt like there was a perceptible delay between hitting the strings and the sound coming out , and that sound was awful...I'd gone for the heavier end as I wanted to test it on what I was most familiar with. On that test the Bogner was poor, the Fireball just a woolly mess, such that if they actually sounded like that they would never have sold a single amp. On going back to Line 6's online samples I then noticed that the Bogner one only played single notes - two together had no definition, so something of a deception on Line 6's part I feel. The JCM800 model was nothing like mine (although obviously speakers/valves mics etc have a huge impact). Overall a disappointing half hour.

Next day, had another go, more or less the same story, but I played longer on the 'cleaner' models and was beginning to get inspired, coming up with a few ideas and really enjoying them..but I still figured I would send it back.

Day three, and by now I was really hooked on the rounded gorgeous clean amps (and dialling back the gain on the crunch amps). After more consideration of what I needed, I figured that, with the decent effects, what did it matter if the heavier tones weren't there? I had my Marshall for that and maybe using the POD as a pre-amp into, might just add some more usable flavours to that palette.

However the key to the whole thing came after connecting it up to the computer and downloading the update patch. Having noticed it changed the gain stages on the Fireball and Bogner it seemed promising - and indeed it was. The Fireball suddenly got the definition it needed and was a revelation, I could actually see myself using it and spent a fun half hour just noodling around with some heavier rhythms.

It's still very early days, but as a creative tool its certainly working for me (the first idea I had is already taking shape into a full song). It fills the need for clean tones perfectly and the heavier amps are now getting a look in with me...although I'm not sure I would use them for leads, they still don't have the right feel for that.

Overall for the money, with the update patch...it's a real bargain and an excellent tool for those who need access to a range of decent sounds - get one and live with it for a while!

Kevin