Introduction
This page contains my biggest project that I have completed this year. The work that I have completed has given me valuable experience that will enable me to carry out a funded EP. This project contains evidence of research and also touches on my knowledge of music business which I had researched and included in my GU last year. The project also displays my planning skills and preparation skills as I have included some of the tasks I undertook in order for me carry out the project.
Planning / Preparation stage
Project Proposal
My planning stage shows my ability to communicate the project to others as it contains clear steps that I have put across to others in order for me to produce the project.. My proposal is also important as it shows that I would be able to create a well written EP/project proposal that I may have to write in response to a brief from Creative Scotland.
I have briefly touched on different aspects of music business in the different sections of the plan including Copyright and Sampling
I have chosen to include all my Outcomes from Music Business as they show how extensive my knowledge is in different types of contracts , different types of copyright, moral rights and organisations such as PRS and MCPS.
This work also shows my research abilities as I have carried out extensive research from multiple sources to ensure that my knowledge in theses topics are secure
Music Business
Charts
I also used visually pleasing diagrams in the proposal to show my thought processes behind the project and it also makes the steps behind the project much clearer to readers via graphs e.g. the Gantt chart I had used to organise my time effectively
Carrying out the Project
Micing Techniques
I created intricate notes and diagrams which contain very detailed descriptions and information, which showcases my recording knowledge I learnt over the years and it shows my research skills as I had also learned new micing techniques for the bass guitar as I was used to DIing them in previous years. This shows my willingness to learn new techniques in order to improve my sound and standard of my work
Mixing Techniques
I included my mixing notes as it shows that I can adapt by learning new skills very quickly. I had done so for my creative project as I had used software I was slightly unfamiliar with, so I conducted research in order for me to become more comfortable with them.
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My intricate notes and diagrams for my micing and mixing techniques are important as I will be required to use these in future for a funded EP in order to communicate ideas to a studio engineer.
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Mic / Studio set ups
I included these photos to show that I was able to apply techniques learned via research in my own practices. I also included this, as photos of mic set ups are important for communicating them to others and I will have to do so for the EP when working with Studio Technicians or Studio Engineers
Activity Log
This log book I have created demonstrates the steps that I completed in order to create the project. This is important when working with others on professional projects in order for team members to be informed of any changes made to work. This is also helpful for showing any changes I made to my work and how I had to slightly divert from my original plan at some points
Audio Files
I was able to produce professional musical arrangements via the use of different software and I was also able to create MIDI tracks and session files which were beneficial for communicating my creative processes behind my final tracks.
Final Outcome
Evaluation
A main factor of my Creative Project that differs from what I had stated earlier in my plan/proposal is that my project was more generally studio based and I was focusing more on recording techniques and mixing/mastering, rather than the composition, songwriting and composing for media techniques that I had stated within my plan. The emphasis on studio sessions meant that I wasn't focusing on the compositional content of my tracks, so they are very simple and feature little content (emphasis was put on the audio quality, mixing and the overall sound in general). Due to the amount of time I spent within the studio has allowed me to become confident with working with the desk, recording software, an array of microphones, mic set ups and collaborating with others within a studio setting. And a slight problem with the emphasis on the studio sessions and audio quality of my tracks had led me to not using easier methods such as recording in booths with mics or even using audio interfaces or just DI for the guitar within the studio. This had cost quite a bit of time as I wasn't able to record everyday due to the availability of the studio and the length of time it took to get the mics set up and to complete the sound checks. It would have been much quicker to record the electric guitar and bass parts within the booths and then just record the classical guitar in the studio as it was focal point in most of the tracks. Another factor that differs slightly from my original plan is the promotion of my project. I decided originally to promote my work on Instagram and Facebook, but I found they were too similar, so I decided to use Instagram and Tumblr as the sites are very different in terms of what types of content you can post. Instagram photos and videos have to be a specific size or length to post, whilst on Tumblr you can post them in any size. Instagram has daily stories that you have guaranteed interaction with from users/followers, whilst Tumblr's reach is much less powerful in comparison. I have also made a slight difference in my output as I will be providing handwritten notes and sketches of micing and mixing/mastering techniques within my submission
Notation
I created different types of scores for the music, including TABs and standard notation for all the instruments,. enabling me to communicate musical ideas across to a range of musicians
Online Promotion
The use of photos and videos that I posted on different social media sites allowed me to effectively communicate my project and the inspiration behind it, to a wide audience via online promotion and marketing techniques
Conclusion
My overall experience whilst completing my Creative Project has been very beneficial as I have developed skills that are important for a career in composing and producing music in the studio. The micing and software experience I had earned is an integral part of becoming a studio engineer, studio technician and mastering/mixing engineer. But I also furthered my knowledge of composing and arranging music, by developing these skills when using software for notating scores and recording music e.g. Sibelius and Logic Pro.
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More importantly I was able to a present a professional product that I was not able to do in the past as I worked in the studio and used industry standard software to record and mix which allowed me to advance and further my knowledge in music technology, sound engineering and sound production/design
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Completing my Creative Project has allowed me to demonstrate a high level of musicianship and creativity as I chose to play /record all the instruments on the tracks/stems by myself, I also manned the desk by myself at some at points and mostly with another classmate, and I also did all the mic set ups/placements. Doing all these tasks allowed me creative control over my project. I hope to do something similar in order to further cement my skillsets for the EP funded by Creative Scotland