Introduction

This project focuses on production, particularly the recording and mixing process of last term’s band compositions. We will be using logic to record and mix our songs. Lessons on technique and understanding and using hardware will be documented and researched in detail to allow me to apply my knowledge to this project in later weeks where we focus on our own songs and have complete creative freedom over how it’s recorded and mixed.

I’ve separated this term into three main parts: recording techniques, mixing techniques and recording sessions. Within recording techniques, I’ll be researching everything to do with the equipment, from different types of microphones, how they work and their positioning to XLR cables and phase inversion to utilising a mixing desk. I’ve broken mixing techniques down to four main points, too. I’ll be focusing on panning, EQ, levels and depth. I’m likely to add more areas to focus on once these four are completed. Recording sessions will likely be separated by week, each page split by date and documented through audio files, videos and write ups of the progress we make.

I feel as though my documentation last term was inconsistent and rushed at some points so I’ve structured this project to be easy to follow before I begin. Additionally, I’ve ensured all pages are relevant to the project and will keep reviewing relevancy if I feel the need to add more.

Feedback Response

Reflection and Evaluation

Reviewing last term’s feedback, I know I need to continue researching and reviewing every topic in detail. Setting up the project before working on it has improved how I manage my work and helped me understand what time frames I should be working around, as well as what I can add as additional work. This term, that takes form in microphone and polar pattern research, as well as some promotion in learning about the importance of recording.

Theory and Practical

I also know I need to continue my music theory learning. Currently, I’m working on fretboard note identification and reviewing everything below on musictheory.net regularly as well as using the site to learn other, more difficult concepts.

General Improvement

I still need to push myself out of my comfort zone by putting myself in uncomfortable but beneficial situations. I can do this by spending more time getting comfortable with whatever I want to try before stating that I want to do it. In particular, I need to think carefully about my final project and which ideas will be realistically manageable if I push myself and realise what I would likely not want to do for my own wellbeing. I feel as though I’ve done well with this so far with experimenting with vocals and being the band leader.

Composing

I’m not confident in my ability to compose to a theme or specific genre yet, but I do agree that I should explore this more. For my final performance, I’m thinking about writing a funk rock EP and need to research both funk and rock in detail as well as different bands to be influenced by, specific instruments in each genre and what characteristics different genres generally have. So to improve my confidence in my ability to compose, I need to research genres in this way and write according to what I find. Looking into writing poetry and how bands I like write could be beneficial for my confidence in lyric writing.

Between the two projects I’ve completed, I’ve been somewhat consistent.

I knew project 2’s evaluation and reflection was going to be the area that wouldn’t be graded excellent as I rushed my work in the last week before submission due to being unorganised throughout the term. I’ve already planned out how to combat this and noted it above.

I’m happy that my practical skill grade has improved as I do feel as though I’ve developed my skills in that area. I want to continue improving my practical skills with consistency by putting together and uploading my practice routine weekly and evidencing some of my practice.