This Simple Rule Will Improve Your Arrangements

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This Simple Rule Will Improve Your Arrangements

Рет қаралды 176,182

2 жыл бұрын

Learn music production with my structured course and get instant access to my inner circle (unlimited track feedback and 1 on 1 communication): alexromesound....
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MY GEAR:
DAW (Music making software): Logic Pro and Ableton Live
Studio monitors (speakers): Yamaha HS8's
Headphones: Audeze LCD X (open back)
Camera: Canon 80d
Computer: Mac Studio with M2 Ultra chip and 2 TB hardrive
Midi controller (keyboard): Komplete Kontrol 61
Interface: Scarlett Clarett 2 pre
Desk: a cheap one from ikea
Chair: also a cheap one from ikea
My favorite plugins that I use the most:
XFER Serum
Sylenth 1
Nexus 3
Kontakt
RC 20
Valhalla Shimmer
Valhalla Vintage Verb
Shaperbox 3
XFER OTT
Fab Filter Saturn 2
Fab Filter Pro C 2
Arturia Pigments
Baby Audio Comeback Kid
Output Thermal and Portal
LABS Soft Piano
Hardware that I use behind the scenes but not in videos:
Elektron Octatrack (my fav)
Elektron Digitakt
Korg Minilogue XD

Пікірлер: 332

@TheRulerRoderickSutton 2 жыл бұрын

How To Turn A Loop Into A Song: *1. Learn Song Structure.* This varies from genre to genre, but Pop Music has maybe the most standard song structure. Intro (4 bars) Verse (8-16) Chorus (8) Verse (8-16) Chorus (8) Bridge (4-8) Chorus + Outro (8-16+ bars) If you have a loop: Figure out where in the song you want the loop. If in CHORUS, then it must be lush, and you also now know that each VERSE must be a “stripped down chorus.” If the loop is going in the VERSE, then you know that you have to EXPAND the instrumentation to create a CHORUS. Simple and basic, something you can build on. 🤷🏿‍♂️👍🏿

@officialstevewilson Жыл бұрын

This was helpful to me. Thank you for that.

@zizzi9806 Жыл бұрын

Thanks this actually really helped especially the part about the loop, and verse being a stripped down version of the chorus.

@christopherkouri2317 10 ай бұрын

Great advice to add into the bag of tricks

@kozihoppy 7 ай бұрын

Simple and effective 🙏🏻

@TimeWisely 3 ай бұрын

I see, I see, lots of good information here, thank you

@nyxmt539 2 жыл бұрын

With these headphones I think you’ll be able to spy on your whole neighborhood

@glizzyhendrix 2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂

@tredfxman 2 жыл бұрын

Be careful what you wish for, he might be the russian KGB... 👍

@srb909 2 жыл бұрын

@@tredfxman he don't looks russian

@dylanpaulmusic 2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂🔥

@Imagineunicorns_zm 2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@axonathan 2 жыл бұрын

I do similar but in reverse, I generally spend time first building up my 8 bar loop with all instruments etc. When ready make multiple copies along the timeline, then delete parts in 8 bar segments to create my arrangement. Finish off with automation and transitions.

@hanziforever3836 2 жыл бұрын

Same. I also like 8 bar progressions because you can easily make a bridge by just dropping it an octave and make a new melody over it

@igorsenayoutube 2 жыл бұрын

I do it both your way and his way. Some days i find that progressively adding stuff as i go works better, other times going all in with the chorus and take stuff out in the intro, verse, etc works better. Its an awesome tip.

@DarrenCurtisMusic 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, was gonna say the same thing. I start with an 8 or 16 bar thing. Jam pack it full of everything, then start deleting and arranging when I know where I want it to go. For me, it's kind of like mixing the loudest part of the track first, then working to the parts that are quieter or less full.

@igorsenayoutube 2 жыл бұрын

@@DarrenCurtisMusic Yep.

@darrengordon-hill 2 жыл бұрын

This

@synchro505 2 жыл бұрын

8 bar loops are very handy indeed. Recently learned a technique of adding two bars (or more) at the end of an 8 bar phrase to just let the chords or solo notes ring out and breathe. Almost like a fermata held by a conductor for an orchestra. Then the original or new phrase begins. It opens things up and gives the listener a more unpredictable experience.

@growingoaks 2 жыл бұрын

Dont people prefer predictability in music?

@kiyoshi67 2 жыл бұрын

@@growingoaks To a degree, yes we usually want things predictable and accessible. But little surprises still tickle our ears and expectations and overall can make things more interesting.

@growingoaks 2 жыл бұрын

@@kiyoshi67 thats fair. I just dont know how to do it in a way that sounds good every time lol

@hezekiahking495 Жыл бұрын

Familiar > Predictable

@nicolekelsey9116 9 ай бұрын

no @@growingoaks

@losmandu 2 жыл бұрын

What a teaching skill you've got 🙌

@matttorrence2900 2 жыл бұрын

The eight bar rule says that if you don’t pick up any chicks after visiting eight bars, don’t bother going to a ninth bar. Am I right?

@gadgetj5279 3 ай бұрын

I'm not saying I am amused by the joke, (amusing me with a written/typed joke is basically impossible after all), but it is indeed somewhat relatable to me. You basically just explained my entire mentality when doing literally anything.

@luckyshot3950 2 ай бұрын

I’m not saying I am amused by the joke (I am a skeleton), but I can confirm that your statement has some factual content. As a skeleton, I never go to nine bars in a day. That is my number one rule in life.

@aussiesimmo 2 жыл бұрын

An 8 bar phrase has been the building block of EDM for as long as I can remember. This is so that a DJ can start the track their mixing at the beginning of a phrase so elements in each track begin and end at the same time. Your mix sounds off if you miss it and you have random percussion/hats and periods of no bass.

@Abodazz_Music 2 жыл бұрын

THIS is FIRE !! This method is gonna help a lots of producers who have got tons of "Unfinished Beats" in their library . ( Writer's Block ) is something that i suffer because of so often , most of the times i bulid a verse and stop producing because i don't know what to make next ..... A PRO TIP that i learned by time was that ( Using a 4 bars , simple , repetitive melody is much better than using a 64 bars long melody that got tohusands of variations , a simple melody can be easily remembered which can make get stuck in the listener's head ) Yo Alex , Thanks for the tutorial .

@Dan_Corkery 2 жыл бұрын

Nice one, Alex..a simple technique that somehow seems to be overlooked by many, yet with this alone, a person can build a pretty solid track..as you just demonstrated in a clear and easy-to-follow way. Kudos..this video is pure gold..advice that could save folks a hell of a lot of time and money.

@YouTubeOfficialReviewerAccount Жыл бұрын

I feel like sticking to it too much will make your songs feel mathematic and generic. I think the mixing community has forgot a bit that music is firstly art and you shouldn’t stick too much to guidelines because it won’t make you evolve. I still think it’s great for drafts tho

@Jath2112 Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate the work you put into your channel, it's cool to see someone taking the time to help people unlock their creativity. Cheers man. Keep it up!

@Cranbearry_YouTube Жыл бұрын

It was so fun reading the comments section for this video. All the cool ideas others are using, it's so cool!

@loztx843 Жыл бұрын

ngl just by watching this man i've learnt basically everything i use when producing, this man is a blessing from above

@ThomasDevOnline Жыл бұрын

Make your grid a bit bigger, I've noticed you're spending a lot of time fiddling around with a small grid and having to re-drag to select or when duplicating you can't just select first time. Alex you've helped us, let us help you lol :) x

@genegene2417 2 жыл бұрын

This melody is stuck in my head now. Can't wait to hear the full song from it!

@jjohnson269 2 жыл бұрын

“Yeah then we go into some cool drop that I didn’t make yet” 8:25. I’m with you on that; I heard (felt) it too!! Thanks for a great video.

@wolfrayet25music_official 2 жыл бұрын

I've been doing this rule a lot. And I say the song sounds like it progresses more in a more interesting and smooth way.

@LokiBeckonswow 2 жыл бұрын

shift+up or down when in your midi window to shift selected notes up or down an octave

@itsluvu7809 Жыл бұрын

i don’t know, maybe i’m different and special, but i don’t have problems with ideas of beat progression, bc every time, when i start doing a new song, the song comes to my head previously (melody, drums, base line - whatever) i stocked there in the very beginning (i started creating music in may of last year), but now i do my beats the way i said before. and i wish everyone get those feelings, too! that’s wonderful.

@thedj5914 Ай бұрын

Thanks Alex 👍 even although I've done a beginner course, I struggle with what elements to bring in next !! This will definitely help 🙌

@joedriver2588 2 жыл бұрын

Really glad Alex switched to Ableton. I haven't watched his channel in some time, but now will be watching again.

@Darkscore8 Жыл бұрын

I’ve taken your lessons like this and applied them to the music I write and it’s been really helpful man thank you. And I write death metal 😂

@PersonalTreyner 3 ай бұрын

You are a great teacher. Appreciate all the lessons!

@livingsouloftimestudio2887 Жыл бұрын

DUDE THANK YOU, I'm a visual learner and tho there's material in text that explains it doesent really sink in until I see it done so I can understand the concept and the steps to understand the transition, thanks again subbed

@Befffy 2 жыл бұрын

Been kinda watching your stuff in passing for a year. THIS TIP THO is bellworthy.

@user-xe7um4pv8i 8 ай бұрын

This guy helps upcoming producers when he’s not working for Lando in Cloud City.

@paralleluniverseexists Жыл бұрын

This is something which I figured out in Ableton Live loops section, start simple as a beginnner if you have this problem...I started with a launchkey, and loops which came with it from Loopmasters...Start doing the same....

@djicebreaker80 2 жыл бұрын

Great tips, love the 8 bar rule.. especially for trance and use automation & layered leads with mid leads to make it sound amazing..

@ManderMurduh Жыл бұрын

As always, another video of yours really helped me. I'm just learning all this stuff and have 0 musical experience so it's difficult but your content is always easy to understand and explains things perfectly.

@mauhu 2 жыл бұрын

It's verry important to know that this method can help, but totally doesn't have to be aplied to every song you make, for example ambient and atmospheric tracks don't need to change that much because they feel like they play in the backgound, and feel less active. High bpm tracks also don't need to change every 8 bars, because you have less time per bar, it therefore becomes less boring (after 8 bars).

@itsdjQuasar 2 жыл бұрын

Very well done! I STILL sometimes forget all the ways to transition (been producing for quite a while, now). Thinking about it as "front and back" will definitely help when I'm writing a transition and it isn't quite working. I also hadn't thought (consciously) about the fact that you need a mix of subtle and not-so-subtle transitions. Thanks!

@ryangunz2390 2 жыл бұрын

Man I really love your videos so chill yet still a little funny! Such good stuff brother thank you! 🙏

@DJSockmonkeyMusic 2 жыл бұрын

I like to work in 16 and 32 bar segments personally, but 8 bar segments are good too. I never use 4 bar segments.

@RealDealy 2 жыл бұрын

This is EXACTLY what made Dr, Dre’s early material in the late 1980’s, and early 1990’s, so lovely. The “bomb squad” also did the same thing! The music always changed, which in my theory, keeps the brain aware of the music. So, instead of the music just being “there”, the constant change of arrangement causes your brain to stay in full awareness of the song! I hope I explained that properly Dynamic range is also one, but for Dre, I think he focused too much on dynamics around 1999/2000, with the drum beat being more loud. I liked it, but i like the older stuff more Imagine those old Dre songs, be done today but recorded, and listened to, in 24 bit. The bass can be louder, while still allowing more dynamics of other instruments besides the drums

@SmokeConsciousHipHop 2 жыл бұрын

This is seriously good advice, been doing this for a while and it rarely fails to make every piece of a track shine.

@thaexception3406 2 жыл бұрын

8 bars is how I mostly work, but depends on tempo too. Key message right here!

@ScotDykstra 2 жыл бұрын

Great info and ideas, Ive been struggling a little with arrangements lately. I get really excited about making a cool intro/drop that I lose sight of the rest of the song..

@RyanTheMetaphor 2 жыл бұрын

Love the videos, such solid lessons! They me want to keep practicing!

@fengziya 2 жыл бұрын

I want the full version so bad for the demo song he makes every time

@Azim_Erg 2 жыл бұрын

Good job bro, thank you very much!

@lunallenawav 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much on showing what Automation does!!! I had a lot of trouble changing the melody, but with Automation, I can fade it out and bring it back in ❤️

@TOEC Жыл бұрын

You've made a lot of helpful videos over the years, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. I need to make a poster for the wall next to my keyboard that is a compilation of all the different tips I've learned from your channel. It all seems so simple, but it's easy to forget some of it when in the middle of stressing out because I'm stuck on something. Also, did you ever finish the track you were making in this video? Really like the groove it had going.

@TomBelknapRoc 2 жыл бұрын

It's kind of fascinating: I can even write a song on my own using acoustic instruments faster and easier than I can take a loop and build on it. This "rule" of yours makes total sense, thanks!

@juliangarcia-hernandez8850 Жыл бұрын

Alex Rome, never stop making tutorials. You rock man!

@Alvaro-hq9gg 10 ай бұрын

Man, u re so good. Thanks for your videos💯💯

@nicolekelsey9116 9 ай бұрын

thanks for the tips brody peace love and light

@beatsbyon2821 2 жыл бұрын

went through when I first started video editing, now it's taking a whole new switch and learning soft will only boost my courage for the

@xbeatz808.official Жыл бұрын

Oh wow. Wow. That really removed all of my writer's block! That is good to know. Thank you so much!!!

@guiv2810 2 жыл бұрын

been watching you for years now , you keep getting better Alex. Thank you

@evanclark2704 2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy the way you describe your process. You keep the video interesting like the song!

@moonsagemook4rmyumegakure405 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much this was right on time for!!! Subbing for sure

@MAD4FAKA 8 ай бұрын

For me your explaination is simple and best so far. As a newbie to produce music ! It is.. v' easy to understand and learn from you. 🤟 thanks bro

@bboybrumley 2 жыл бұрын

This tutorial got an INSTANT subscribe. Incredibly helpful. You seem like a great teacher. Thank you 🙏

@Mad_ManX 2 жыл бұрын

Great Tut' Alex , Going back to Basic's !!!

@helisoma 2 жыл бұрын

First time seeing your channel...great approach and nice progression...subbed!

@solotaspil5563 Жыл бұрын

I think this is very cool I'm watching ur tutorial and start learning

@sayanthtezro 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, i've been struggling with arrangements recently. This will help me a lot.

@davidnsubuga1638 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Thank you.

@jr_oantonio Жыл бұрын

sounding really good! IMO, something cool to use in transitions is silence too. ... just love it. Builds tension like nothing else

@PabloDeModeOfficial 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! It would be a nice idea to do a follow up video showing how to finish this (type of) song in a proper way. Your tutorials are gems!

@Lol_Pig Жыл бұрын

Glad I found your channel. Most of the subject matters seems basic on its face, but basics are where all the magic happens. Good to be reminded of this from time to time. Cheers!

@IndyVisuals 2 жыл бұрын

Refreshing. I have over 10 years experience I fall sometimes in arrangement trap. Thanks for sharing

@Stadsjaap 2 жыл бұрын

This is great, clear, simple and instantly useable advice, maestro. Well done!

@the_cursor 2 жыл бұрын

Looking at those headphones makes my neck hurt. Excellent tutorial.

@godzeusgaming8287 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Alex! Nice to meet you. I am amazing by the audio you just created in this video. It's my request that can you please make a complete version of this song. It's just amazing 👍

@kaellferreira1939 2 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful!! Thank you

@DeliaLaven 2 жыл бұрын

This is *SO AMAZING* ! I'm a beginner in composing music and this is such a great tip. Definitely I will use it! Thank you so much!!!🔥🔥🔥

@jmcoffin1 Жыл бұрын

Really helpful stuff… Thank you!!

@TheeSamuraiG 2 жыл бұрын

This was one of my favorite tutorials I’ve ever seen fr

@tonydofficials Жыл бұрын

You are a amazing teacher bro. Respect!

@howtowithkel3352 2 жыл бұрын

Great explanation, this is 32 beat phrasing. If you listen, it's in just about every track ever.

@Watts660 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, what a simple but effective idea, gonna try this out. Thanks.

@wildbird78 2 жыл бұрын

Mother of God those headphones are gigantic!

@andrejones8500 Жыл бұрын

This Man Can Make EPIC JAMS every time he makes a video

@fatfanofmusic3126 2 жыл бұрын

Your beard is the core of your wisdom. Guys with beard are always the smartest from my experience. Really good tutorial, very useful to me

@ibensongitau 2 жыл бұрын

This is incredible!

@DeanOlin1 2 жыл бұрын

This is a great video. Lots of videos out there on plug-ins/mixing etc...., but not enough that actually talk about composition and arrangement, which is the most important thing; a great song with mediocre plug-ins and mixing can still sound good, but there's no amount of mixing or plug-ins that can help a poorly constructed song.

@johncitizen8828 Жыл бұрын

This was great. More videos on arrangement would be awesome. 👍

@dagalost1949 Жыл бұрын

I'm a beginner, you just saved me. I subscribe🙃

@selfscience 2 жыл бұрын

I learned that by ear. Nice.

@kerwinfernandes9583 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this great tip. God bless 🙂🙏🏼❤️

@NLongleng 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great tips

@samuelkerry7465 2 жыл бұрын

One love for this one.i give you 5 stars

@HOLLASOUNDS 2 жыл бұрын

I'd drop out the melody or dull it down then bring back the same melody after the drop but use a big powerful sythersizor lead with lots of modulation.

@No.Pressure 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dude this helped me out a lot , will be applying this ASAP.

@maddoxraburnmusic 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks to you, you gave me some of song ideas that i used for my songs on youtube! Thanks a lot!

@nopeacewithoutjustice6133 2 жыл бұрын

alex, i love your videos. even if other youtubers explains the same things, your videos are so much more palatable and your presence is very welcoming. will you do a video on LUFS? I am struggling with making my songs sound as loud as they should on spotify.