Mixing Low End | Tips for the Kick & Bass Relationship

As most producers or sound engineers know, mixing the Kick drum and bass can be one of the most challenging parts of a mix-down.

Finding a nice spot for each of them to sit in the frequency spectrum can be challenging, but it’s not impossible!

Discovering this sweet spot will take some practice, but once you have it down it can be a skill you’ll use forever.

Utilizing the tools of timing, EQ, and transient shaping will help you get started in figuring out this mixing process, so let’s get down to it!

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/mixing-tips-for-the-kick-bass-relationship

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/184366937187

5 Tips on Getting Bigger Sounding Drums in Your Mix

Drums are integral to any song; they are what make a hit have rhythm and a solid groove.

Drums are not just the stationary metronome jammed at the back of the stage. Essentially, drummers conduct the song and control the entire vibe.

When you find yourself dancing and swaying to a song, you are following a beat, which is typically led by the drum track.

Having thin or weak sounding drums can really take away from what could be a strong track. Don’t be afraid to beat up your drums in the mix and get a little crazy.

Here is How to Make Your Drums Sound Full

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/5-tips-for-bigger-sounding-drums

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/184136384862

10 Tips for Writing Great Songs | Songwriting Guide

Have you ever sat down to write a song and instead of music you hear crickets?

We’ve all been there.

Maybe you’re new and just aren’t sure where to start.

Maybe you have a serious case of writer’s block, and you need something to help shake the cobwebs (check out our 7 Tips to Crush Writer’s Block).

Either way, sometimes all we need is a push in the right direction to get us started.

Below is a list of ten ideas and tips to help you write your next masterpiece.

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/10-tips-to-writing-great-songs

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/183969285702

What Exactly is a Hook in Songwriting?

A hook is something vastly different depending on what industry you’re in.

If you’re a fisherman, the hook is your livelihood.

If you’re an actor or actress on Broadway, the hook is the absolute last thing you want to get. If you’re Peter Pan, Hook is your arch enemy.

And if you’re in the music business, a hook is, well, what exactly is a hook?

The truth is, the hook isn’t one specific thing.

The hook is different from song to song, and sometimes it isn’t clearly defined.

In the article below we will take a look at what a hook is in songwriting, and how to write them.

Continue to learn more.

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/what-exactly-is-a-hook

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/183800233637

How to Structure a Pop Song

Writing a Hit: Pop Song Dynamics and Structure

Are you looking at writing the next big hit pop song? Can you feel the melody and hook in your head and itching to get it down?

Or are you not sure exactly where to begin?

If you actively listen to pop music, there is a great chance you already understand the structure. You may just not be aware of it.

When writing and creating music, there will typically be sections where you slightly repeat previous parts of the song.

This doesn’t mean everything will be the same, but more so the feel will be similar.

Instead of explaining what a verse or chorus is when it typically repeats itself, it is more beneficial to break down the various parts of the track in general.

There are a ton of different strategies you can use when structuring a pop song, but this is a go-to by many songwriters.

Let’s dive right into it!

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/how-to-structure-a-pop-song

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/183699123412

7 Tips to Crush Writers Block and Start Writing Now

How to Overcome Writer’s Block

We’ve all been there.

We need to write.

The music needs to be written. The lyrics need to be finished. But for the past hour or so, you’ve just been sitting mindlessly in front of your computer.

The bright white screen and blinking cursor are just sitting there, taunting you. Or how many times have you put your pencil to paper and then quickly pulled away before making a single mark?

You’ve probably wasted time surfing the web and messing around on your phone. You’ve probably tweeted out to your followers about your #writersblock.

Chances are you’re reading this right now because you’re struggling with writer’s block.

Don’t feel bad, it’s natural.

Every songwriter experiences writer’s block. Your idols still experience it. That’s the problem with creativity; we can’t turn it on and off with a switch.

However, there are a few things that can knock us out of the funk.

If you’re struggling to write right now, below are seven things you can do to try to snap out of it.

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/7-tips-to-crush-writers-block

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/183477866352

4 Things to Do Before Your Next Music Project

Steps to Take Before Your Next Music Industry

Project

If you’re reading this, odds are you have a big music project coming up. In the world of music, a “big project” can be many different things.

It could be something obvious like creating and releasing your new album.

Or, it could be something on a much smaller scale, like releasing a single and creating a music video for it.

What about planning and executing a regional tour, or a crowdfunding campaign to get your career started? These are huge projects.

Maybe you’re on the other side of the operation, and your project is to set up your production company or home studio to market your services to musicians.

Simply put, a project is a goal with a set of tasks that has a definite beginning and end. Things like marketing and promoting your music aren’t projects because they are both ongoing things.

However, setting up your website for promotion and a specific marketing campaign do count as projects.

No matter the size or scope of the project, the most important question to ask yourself is how you turn it from idea to something tangible. The first and most important step is always planning. An idea without a plan usually stays just an idea.

Sure, planning can get a bit tedious and take some fun away.

However, if you take the time upfront to set up a solid plan for your project, things will go a lot smoother, and your idea will turn into a product as soon as possible.

Now let’s take a look at a few things you should do in the planning process to ensure your project is a success.

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/4-things-before-your-next-project

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/183319789867

How to Break Into the Saturated Music Industry

These are a Few Tips to Get Your Ball Rolling Into the Music Industry

Have you ever thought, “I wish I had the talent to make it big?”

Many people may think that talent is the only thing you need to have in order to be successful in the music industry. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you are a hard worker!), it’s much more complicated than that.

The music industry is very competitive and one of the more difficult industries to break into, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Whether you are a Music Producer, Engineer, or Artist, you still may have what it takes to break into the music industry if you work hard and take the necessary steps.

So, what steps do you have to take?

Let’s break it down!

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/breaking-into-the-music-industry

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/182923748252

5 Tips to Make Your Vocal Recording Sound Higher Quality On A Budget

Many people may have an idea in their head that it will take much more money than they can afford, to make a vocal recording sound professional.

Well, you can toss that idea out of the window right now.

There are a few simple ways to improve the quality of a vocal recording while spending minimal money, and getting a little creative with things you may have lying around the house.

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/5-tips-to-make-your-vocal-recording-sound-higher-quality

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/182250554157

Top 10 Music Videos of 2018 | The Best Official Videos Roundup

The Best Music Videos From 2018

2018 boasted an epic amount of fantastic songs and even better music videos. Now that the year is wrapping up, it is time to list the top music videos of the year.

There were a lot of fantastic videos to choose from, and with a condensed list of ten, we understand that some personal favorites are likely to be left on the sideline.

Keep in mind; we are not judging based on sound or song quality. While it does impact the placement a little, the following are taken into consideration when constructing our list:

• Visual Aesthetics
• Narrative
• Symbolism/Meaning
• Cinematography
• Creativity

So, without further ado, let’s jump right into AIMM’s Top Ten List of Music Videos from 2018!

from AIMM Blog https://www.aimm.edu/blog/top-10-music-videos-of-2018

source https://aimmedu.tumblr.com/post/181647807172