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Live arranging techniques?


emperor12

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Firs of all I produce electronic music...I have come to a point where I am just totally bored when it comes to arranging songs. It feels like I am not making music to me and that I am just drawing things on a screen. Like a lot of people I start the production process usually by making some loops or whatever....writing the melody..everything is very mathematical in my head. That part is fine its just the arranging part I hate. I tried out Ableton for the first time a couple months ago and I must say I kind of had fun with the 'clips'....I just hit record and started triggering clips and basically made 3/4 of my song in 1 take...problem is I don't like Ableton, I like Logic. Now this is where you guys can help me maybe. Do any of you practice any sort of recording process similar to Ableton but with Logic? I'd love to be able to do something like that with Logic but I can not think of anything that is really creative like that....I guess I could just draw out every track the whole way through the song then just mute and unmute each tracks but I'd still have to go back multiple times..many times...maybe if I had a mixer that would be easier? I am just using the mouse which sucks....I'd like to hear any ideas you guys have. Hopefully this makes sense....thanks :idea:
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I have come to a point where I am just totally bored when it comes to arranging songs. It feels like I am not making music to me and that I am just drawing things on a screen.

 

Y'know, maybe you're right, Carlos. I could have recommended drawing things on a plastic box instead.

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I understand if you don't have the money to drop on Live right now, but it sounds to me like that's where you want to be. Live can do a lot of things that Logic can't, and definitely vice versa. If you're going to be stuck with Logic for now (it could be much worse :D ), then Ski's suggestion is legit.
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I have come to a point where I am just totally bored when it comes to arranging songs.

 

Me too, and I do not like live either... I did not find a definitive solution, but here is my approach:

 

So what do I do? Controller! For that more hands on approach.

Got a remote SL, Got me a padKontrol.

Now the programming fun is in creating the sounds and mapping all kinds of controllers.

 

Upside: no more automation drawing.

Downside: some parts have to be practised and you loose the fun of pattern programming.

 

If I feel like pattern programming I turn to ultrabeat and then map the patterns to the pad controll. Thats fun.

 

Another fun thing is chopping loops into EXS 24, feels like working with akai S series back in the days.

 

I also tried dabbling with touch tracks.

 

As I said, I did not find the right balance for now. But I am on my way.

 

I hope this inspires, looking forward to more ideas from others.

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I have a lot of fun with touch tracks. I've got a couple of templates with several EXS instances filled with trance loops and stuff. I trigger them from pads in various combinations and then play new patterns against them. It's a blast and can even be inspiring sometimes. I've not done any serious compositions this way, but then, I'm not in any way a serious composer! That's more fun for me as a hobby.
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I have come to a point where I am just totally bored when it comes to arranging songs.

 

Me too, and I do not like live either... I did not find a definitive solution, but here is my approach:

 

So what do I do? Controller!...

 

 

+ 1... specifically one with a grid format and lots of 'light-up' pads for visual feedback* to trigger EXS24s, Ultrabeat's Sequencer in Pattern Mode, TouchTracks, Logic's Arpeggiators, mute/unmute tracks/loops in the Arrange Window - takes your focus off the screen / Logic's windows. More than 4 pads x 4 I think - 8x8, 8x16, 8x5. (Launchpad (8x8) probably the cheapest option -2nd hand on eBay for €100).**

 

*You'll need to be patient to set it up / map it to make it work for you, particularly getting the bi-directional feedback right i.e. those controllers aren't plug-and-play with Logic as they are with Live, but you can make them your own using Controller Assignments and Logic's Environment.

 

You could investigate a freeware midi-controlled vst / au instrument called Molar (videos on YouTube) which combines with a grid controller and can bring some Live style triggering / looping into Logic.

 

**(Or a tablet computer maybe?)

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Ya I can play the piano...but that's not what I meant. =) I just like being able to trigger patterns and the fact that Ableton syncs it up perfectly makes it a breeze. Unfortunately that's the only thing I like about Ableton. I like Logic better for everything else.... I will try triggering exs24 stuff with a controller I guess but I don't think that will get me anywhere....still open to any ideas =)
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I just like being able to trigger patterns and the fact that Ableton syncs it up perfectly makes it a breeze. Unfortunately that's the only thing I like about Ableton. I like Logic better for everything else.... I will try triggering exs24 stuff with a controller I guess but I don't think that will get me anywhere....

Touch Tracks work a lot like Live's clips in that regard. Are you having trouble creating them?

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