Re: Logic 405 Confessions of a Dru...
I must agree that seeing the creative process during those "I'll be right back" exclusions would have been interesting, but they are far from necessary.
Now, I've been a classical pianist for a very long time. I'm 36 and started playing when I was 4. Over the course of many years, and lots of training that ended in a terminal degree, I must say that the one thing I've learned about being a good overall musician is to try and limit the amount of influence you take from others. It's great to emulate some of the cool styles and beat structures you'd find in popular DnB tunes, but it's even better when your attempt to copy leads you to completely new and proprietary techniques that you alone are responsible for.
Just for kicks and giggles, I Googled Dub-Step Wobble and Amen Break, and there were instant links leading to useful information. Sure, the Amen break is a wicked beat, which is why it has been used extensively in the style. My question is, since it has been used so extensively, why continue using it? Why not innovate with a completely new beat that is just as wicked? Open Ultrabeat and start messing with the arrange bars. Explore!
As for the wobble, anyone with a bit of knowledge assumes correctly that an LFO is the first thing to try if that effect is what you want. Regarding my comments above, your search for that sound using the ES2 might lead you to a new sound or effect that you discover on accident!
I have about 4-5 songs I'm working on at once, and I can safely say that most of the sounds and effects I use in them were found by MISTAKE when I was actually looking for something much different. The tutorial might not provide a step-by-step guide on how to create this or that sound or effect, but it shouldn't, in my honest opinion. What is SHOULD give you is practical knowledge about the instruments used and how controls effect sound waves themselves. This is why Steve's Mastering tutorial is so good. Is shows the how and why in a general sense so that YOU can learn to tailor them to your specific tastes and thereby develop your own voice. Looking way back into musical history, you will quickly find that many of the well-known composers are as such because they broke away from what was currently in style. They weren't afraid to deviate.
It sounds like many of you are quite familiar with the style, sounds and terminology enough to be able to replicate what you hear from the masters. Try to obtain things on your own from the practical knowledge the tutorials give you about all of Logic's bells and whistles and I guarantee you'll discover fresh ideas that perhaps lead the style in a totally new direction. The minute you try to sound like someone else is the moment you lose your musical identity. Trust your own ideas and your ears and you'll be much better off.
Jamie
