Misha Mansoor Songwriting Masterclass part 1 of 3

Songwriting Process: A Live Demonstration

Introduction to the Songwriting Journey

• Misha introduces himself and outlines his intention to write a song live, sharing a short melodic phrase as a starting point.

• He emphasizes that the process will include mistakes and rough ideas, aiming to provide an authentic view of songwriting.

• Misha expresses uncertainty about how the song will develop, inviting viewers to join him on this creative journey.

Setting Up the Musical Foundation

• He begins with a clean sound and adds effects like delay and reverb, experimenting with tempo around 130 BPM.

• Misha decides not to take a direct input (DI), focusing instead on capturing spontaneous ideas during the writing phase.

Developing Rhythm and Structure

• After recording initial ideas, he contemplates whether to double-track or create variations for different sections of the song.

• Misha starts adding drums using simple patterns, emphasizing how snare placement can change musical context significantly.

Experimenting with Melodic Elements

• He discusses creating an outline for riffs while adjusting velocities in his drum programming for better dynamics.

• The importance of snare placement is reiterated as it helps establish rhythmic phrases within the music structure.

Exploring Harmonic Variations

• Misha reflects on modifying tracks by removing double tracking in favor of harmonies to add depth.

• He suggests that contrasting tonalities can create variations that feel fresh while maintaining thematic continuity throughout the piece.

This structured approach captures key moments from Misha's songwriting demonstration, providing insights into his creative process while allowing easy navigation through timestamps.

Mixing Techniques and Production Insights

Exploring Musical Elements

• The speaker discusses the choice of notes in a musical piece, suggesting that opting for a higher note can create a more impactful sound rather than resolving to a lower note.

• Adjustments are made to achieve a warmer bass tone, indicating an ongoing process of tweaking settings that resembles mixing, starting from a metal template.

Importance of Context in Mixing

• The speaker emphasizes that production aesthetics significantly influence how ideas come to life in music; context is crucial for evaluating the quality of the mix.

• Initial judgments about drum sounds may be misleading without all elements in place, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment during mixing.

Compression and Saturation Techniques

• Parallel compression is discussed as a method to enhance drum intensity while avoiding interference from cymbals. This technique aims to maintain clarity and punchiness.

• The use of parallel saturation is introduced as another approach to add character and size to drums by evening out transients through strategic application.

Adjusting Levels for Clarity

• The speaker identifies an issue with loud hi-hats and demonstrates how to adjust their levels using cymbal mixer settings, preferring overhead mic sounds over direct ones.

• A discussion on mapping volume adjustments reveals techniques for enhancing specific articulations within the mix, such as pedal shakes.

Enhancing Drum Sounds

• Further adjustments are made to snare levels, indicating ongoing refinement aimed at achieving desired sound characteristics.

• The speaker reflects on balancing drum presence within the mix; they prefer less aggressive tones that support rather than dominate other elements.

Creative Experimentation with Effects

• Duplicating tracks allows exploration of different effects like delay; this experimentation can lead to unique soundscapes within the composition.

• Acknowledgment of potential missteps when experimenting creatively suggests caution but also encourages innovation in sound design.

Finalizing Mix Elements

• Discussions around gain adjustments indicate efforts toward refining overall sound quality while maintaining artistic intent throughout the mixing process.

• The speaker considers re-tracking bass with a dirtier tone for cohesion with guitar sounds, demonstrating attention to detail in matching instrument tones.

Enhancing Musical Intensity and Variation

Strategies for Increasing Intensity in Music

• The speaker suggests maintaining variation in a specific part of the music while considering increasing intensity in another section. This indicates a focus on dynamic contrast within the composition.

• A recommendation is made to utilize open hi-hats and crash cymbals to elevate the energy level, emphasizing the importance of instrumentation choices in achieving desired musical effects.

• The speaker highlights the necessity of adjusting intensity levels throughout different sections, suggesting that this can enhance listener engagement and emotional response.

• There is an emphasis on using accents effectively, possibly by switching symbols or instruments, which can add layers of complexity and interest to the arrangement.

• The discussion includes practical tips such as quantizing grids for better navigation during composition, underscoring technical aspects that facilitate creative processes.