No doubt that after analysing many recordings as described in Part 1, you will have come up with a big list of “possible sounds” you could try for your own recording. However, how do you sort them all out? How do you decide which ones to try?

Use your imagination. For each element on your list, try to hear it in your head with your own song, rather than the song on the recording. How does it sound? Would it sound as great as it sounds on the record, or would it sound disappointing?

Music isn’t all about sound. For example, the same synth sound will work differently with different melodies, because of elements of rhythm and harmony. It is all about making your song as effective as it can be - in its own right. Your song has got characteristics, you are trying to deliver a certain mood and all the elements need to work together. Simply put, you cannot consider sound separately from the rhythm, melody and chords.

As you sort out the sounds that would work or not work for your song, you should also ask yourself why you are eleminating certain sounds. Could you change one aspect of the sound and make it work? Add more bass? A bit less distorsion? Quite often, what doesn’t work will give you a clue as to what sound you really want for the song.

The objective of this exercise isn’t to end up with a list that would read like “guitar sound from song A”, “drums sound from song B”, “bass sound from song C” and “vocals sound from song D”. Rather, you will end up with more complex descriptions of sounds, such as “guitar from song A, but with a touch more reverb and a bit more bass”. The process is about building up the sound you want, starting out with known sound references from recording but adapting each sonic reference to the personality of the song.

Another good way of coming up with personal sounds is to visualise yourself perform the song on stage (or visualise your favourite artist, if you aren’t a performer) and associate this with an image. Do you see heavy rain falling on a piece of discarded metal, or do you see a hand smoothing out a silk dress? Don’t focus on an instrument yet but focus on whatever element could create a sound.  

Next monday, i will discuss how to put your sonic ideas into practice, by giving a simple method to analyse the different elements of a sound.

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