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Oscar, you manage to always blow my mind in the best way possible. Also, you are the reason why I am writing an industrial techno track for the first time. I usually write dub reggae, downtempo and dark ambient. Also YOUR COURSES RULE!!
Coincidentally this is kinda what I have started doing. I find when I'm struggling for more sounds and just have some loop parts going on, best thing I can do is just start arranging. The track I find then evolves as you go along. Of course everyone is different but this works for me very well.
Love all your vids, but this one really is brilliant. By building a sketch version, you will likely be nudged to finish the song, cause you get the feeling it's allmost done!
Yep, so true. I started unintentionally doing this and I am finishing so much more music. As soon as I get bored of my loop, I start arranging/automating very roughly. As soon as you get past the mental block of having to arrange and you can see the skeleton of the track In front of you, it's so much easier to finish!
I actually caught the Dubliner in your accent subconsciously, but I hear it now. I didn't hear it before, but I've known you for years and just heard it for the first time. Maybe I'm just slow on the uptake. Lol. Cheers, Oscar!
Super useful suggestion. I can build a hood loop but that’s all that ever happens. I have folders called “sketches,” “possibles,” “ideas,” “in-process”… etc but they never leave those folders. Getting them into a listenable format so I can hear them is nice I’m out of the moment definitely makes them “real” and makes me think about finishing them or leaving them behind.
Genius.... This directly addresses my issue - project files never getting re-opened (I never listen to that cool idea I spent a few hours on ever again!) and how to very quickly rough out a structure to overcome the locked in the loop feeling and allow progress... bravo!!
Oh man This is the thing I needed! Taking arrangement from somebody else takes time and there are so many types of it. This simple thingy is incredible. Not too complicated, not extremely easy. Just the thing that a beginner like me needed. Thank you very much!!!
Yay, such a great but easy solution to escape from a single loop towards the whole arrangement. Just started using it a week ago and every time listening my track in the wild I'm noticing some small piece to tweak. So, step by step moving towards the result I like more and more.
Thank you for sharing these tips. Arrangement is a HUGE struggle for me. This will start guiding me better towards completed projects. You the man Oscar!
Amazing, just with this very simple arrangement I finished a track I was about to give up on. This advice and a quick couple of RUclipss on auto filter automation made all the difference. THANKS!
I do this for sound design patches. I never called it a bounce, I call it a showcase, as if I were selling the synth patch to someone. All other instruments will fit around that patch in discrete frequency bands to prevent interference. "Selling the synth patch" involves creating something that sounds clean and complete when used dry, as well as intended effects chain "wet". It prevents me from relying on effects to massage a bad patch into something, which is easy to do with FM synthesis.
You are a god! Thank you! Even just grouping my tracks according to hi/mid/lo is so helpful, + this arrangement guidance ++ the polyrhythm advice-- thanks to you i may just find my way out of loop hell lol
You should make a video like this one but in variations or a blog post that demonstrates different variations by that grid breakdown you showed because my block in my projects is actually structuring my project properly
You're tapped into the ether making timely videos of what I most need to hear right now =] Literally opened Ableton last night going down the endless unfinished tracks in my library and opening them up one by one listening and saying to myself "where was I even going with this" over and over as I no longer had any connection to the original idea of the track.
This is perfect timing, I’m just starting a brand new template for house tracks 🙏 already laying out the sounds I want to use the most often like the drum kit, bass, and pads. Now I can lay out the region sections before even programming or performing! Let’s get sketchy 🤙🤙
this is very similar to how bass music producers will often end their 'loop stage' by building a break + drop. Gives you a great idea of how well the idea works.
Although I have a bit of a different approach (different genre) I can’t swear by this idea enough. Intro-idea-outtro is what I suggest to people but even still, learning to finish your arrangement even on tunes you don’t like is a skillset of itself. The next piece that may be helpful if you can get to this step is learning to leave your unfinished tunes on deliberate cliffhangers and practicing “audiating” outside the project in possibilities the track can go. Well done with the visualizations^^
I also bow down to Oscar. This is a great idea for setting out a track for when feeling uninspired (or even if not). I often export my 16-bar loops out to a wav or mp3 file, anyway, but this is great advice for building out your track/mix.
Actually, this is strange. Few days ago, I watched Ian Roberts on YT (mastering composition) and he does exactly the same thing. He sketches out a composition with just three pencil shades (dark, medium & light) before he commits to canvas and oils. No details, just blocks of shading. Your advice (& Ian’s) is great and to bounce a musical sketch and take it out with you is solid. Thx 🙏
Awesome baseline structure for blocking out ideas. All the main elements are present for future reference. Very cool. I'll be adding this structure to my default template. Thanks, Oscar!
Wow was almost thinking a same like idea about this 2 days ago! Learning in discovering how the universe/me works... I learned that when I am focussing my mind on something specific, I cant think out of the box, or receive new inspiration. All my mental/spiritual creation energy is focussed on a small point ( a loop). When focussed specific on a 16bar, and no inspiration is comming anymore and get stuck. I must go back to a broader/general/abstract viewpoint with my focus. Like just create with loops a whole super simple arrangement. I noticed then the energy can flow more and inspiration can come back. But your tips are another great insight, I can listen on another day when bouncing to mp3 easier. Thank!
Thank you Oscar for this huge help! Indeed I really did have this 'no-sketch-yet' problem many times. For composing I use FL Studio but the tips and ideas come across so well that with a slight effort, I will be able to use them in my DAW too!
I have a file dedicated to taking musical notes, effectively, my sketches. This has inspired me to pull out ideas from that and use this idea. Excellent video!
I do this! Duplicate the loop and remove all lows, always. I also use a pre made rack with snare rolls, uplifters, downlifters, and crashes. Not about quality more about giving the 2m30 a feeling of tension and release. I recommend adding this is into the workflow 😊
Really good advice and its much helpful when you stuck on loops for a while, my strategy is practise by playing with diffrent things and stop taking care about mistakes in projects, do not take it too serious just play and have fun - then you will get amazing results !
Great advice mate. I have a scloud account FULL of these arrangements lol. Sometimes, when inspiration is lacking its also good to open a random dust-filled project and, after seeing how far you've progressed you can refine those tracks. Looooove this channel and your method. Love from N Ireland.
I've been using my own version of this approach, that I also call "track sketches." They fall into several categories - there's fairly well fleshed out pre-mixdown arrangements, but also what I think of as "Track Spines" ie the main Kick & Bass Groove w/ higher Percussion (Hats & Tops) & Snares. I'll usually have several ideas & options for melodic/progressive elements saved as loops within the Project. The other main type I use are basically minimal blocks, usually restricted to 8 elements max, all kept fairly simple. Sometimes I'll have 3, maybe 4 layers to my final kick, w/ 2&4 hits having modified transients on some layers to help Snares & Claps come through in the Pre-Mix Sketch without need for Sidechains. I almost always include the main rhythmic elements. I like the "Macro Arrangement" given here, often I will attempt to add a Drop, Break or Bridge to the Sketch. Quite often, if I do return to the project, it's only to add one or two new elements & Mix the elements. I've found actually thinking of my tracks as "Sketches" already fits my Graphic Art background.
I've been doing something similar for years. I try to make industrial hardcore kicks and any other distorted kicks and I would bounce out a 30 second kick pattern to see if I like the sound of it throughout the day on SC on my earphones, car and TV. But I did notice if I had a basic structure even just the intro and 1st beat, I was more likely to continue with that track compared ones I didn't. Always thought it was a good idea but your video put a structure to my thoughts so thanks Oscar you're a legend!
Don't fall for the comment section scammers! 🚨🚨🚨
Oscar's video courses ► courses.underdog.brussels 🖤🖤🖤
Underdog Discord channel ► discord.gg/z5N9CTA 👾👾👾
Face the Sun ► soundcloud.com/face-the-sun-be 🍎🍎🍎
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I need a link where I can get that shirt 🔥 so sick
your videos are so valuable for me.. thank you so much
This is THE best tutorial I have seen a long time! Just what I needed to get back into producing again. Thanks alot Oscar, you're so kind!
He is. Such greag guy
This is the key to keeping the love of your idea alive and not sickening yourself with the loop!
I love how clear and methodical your explanations are. I'm eager to carve out the time to dive into one of your courses,
This is absolute gold.
Best teacher on yt. Period.
Yes I've been doing this and listening to the sketch at the office while I'm working.
I like that mid/"voice" idea because now I can decide what "singers" to have carry the tune.
Oscar, you manage to always blow my mind in the best way possible.
Also, you are the reason why I am writing an industrial techno track for the first time. I usually write dub reggae, downtempo and dark ambient.
Also YOUR COURSES RULE!!
Love to read it 😁😁😁🫶🏻
yo id love to hear your work
Coincidentally this is kinda what I have started doing. I find when I'm struggling for more sounds and just have some loop parts going on, best thing I can do is just start arranging. The track I find then evolves as you go along. Of course everyone is different but this works for me very well.
Awesome! Just what I was looking for. Thank you! 👍👍👍
Why didn't I think of this? Brilliant. Thanks!
This is actually a good technique to wipe the dust from the old abandoned loops
Oscar, you’ve taught me so much ♥️♥️ thank you for doing these free videos! So informative and explained in a way everyone can handle. Love ya!
Sending you love right back :D
This tutorial is so helpful! Thank you 🙏
Love all your vids, but this one really is brilliant. By building a sketch version, you will likely be nudged to finish the song, cause you get the feeling it's allmost done!
Yep, so true. I started unintentionally doing this and I am finishing so much more music. As soon as I get bored of my loop, I start arranging/automating very roughly. As soon as you get past the mental block of having to arrange and you can see the skeleton of the track In front of you, it's so much easier to finish!
I actually caught the Dubliner in your accent subconsciously, but I hear it now. I didn't hear it before, but I've known you for years and just heard it for the first time. Maybe I'm just slow on the uptake. Lol. Cheers, Oscar!
This is a great way to make sense of a loop and think about turning it into a song. Thank you!
this is the video i’ve been searching for, for a long time! thank you oscar, you’re an excellent teacher
This is such a cool idea. You can even create a sketch template for new projects so that new ideas are already written in this format.
That sweater is life.
Super useful suggestion. I can build a hood loop but that’s all that ever happens. I have folders called “sketches,” “possibles,” “ideas,” “in-process”… etc but they never leave those folders. Getting them into a listenable format so I can hear them is nice I’m out of the moment definitely makes them “real” and makes me think about finishing them or leaving them behind.
Genius.... This directly addresses my issue - project files never getting re-opened (I never listen to that cool idea I spent a few hours on ever again!) and how to very quickly rough out a structure to overcome the locked in the loop feeling and allow progress... bravo!!
This is such a great advice! I’m so glad I finally decided to watch this one from the list of 600 videos I’ve saved in my “watch later” lol.
Oh man This is the thing I needed! Taking arrangement from somebody else takes time and there are so many types of it. This simple thingy is incredible. Not too complicated, not extremely easy. Just the thing that a beginner like me needed. Thank you very much!!!
Yay, such a great but easy solution to escape from a single loop towards the whole arrangement. Just started using it a week ago and every time listening my track in the wild I'm noticing some small piece to tweak. So, step by step moving towards the result I like more and more.
Thank you for sharing these tips. Arrangement is a HUGE struggle for me. This will start guiding me better towards completed projects. You the man Oscar!
Life changing.
Amazing, just with this very simple arrangement I finished a track I was about to give up on. This advice and a quick couple of RUclipss on auto filter automation made all the difference. THANKS!
I do this for sound design patches. I never called it a bounce, I call it a showcase, as if I were selling the synth patch to someone. All other instruments will fit around that patch in discrete frequency bands to prevent interference. "Selling the synth patch" involves creating something that sounds clean and complete when used dry, as well as intended effects chain "wet". It prevents me from relying on effects to massage a bad patch into something, which is easy to do with FM synthesis.
You are a god! Thank you! Even just grouping my tracks according to hi/mid/lo is so helpful, + this arrangement guidance ++ the polyrhythm advice-- thanks to you i may just find my way out of loop hell lol
Thanks a lot.
A learn a lot of things every time.
This is definitely one for the tool belt! Might have to have a day of digging through my old stuff!
Oscar, you're genius ♥️
Thank you ❤️
This video came out at the right time. I was working on a project that tells a story. I was a little confused what to do today. Thanks for the video.
That at 2:25 seriously is pumping!
You should make a video like this one but in variations or a blog post that demonstrates different variations by that grid breakdown you showed because my block in my projects is actually structuring my project properly
great tip and example, and an even better jumper!!
Simple, functional and timeless. Bravo.
Perfect. I'm a Foundations learner & I'll be doing this with some solid loops I've got that haven't been progressed.
You're tapped into the ether making timely videos of what I most need to hear right now =] Literally opened Ableton last night going down the endless unfinished tracks in my library and opening them up one by one listening and saying to myself "where was I even going with this" over and over as I no longer had any connection to the original idea of the track.
love it. was pressed for time today and definitely needed this video. love the sweater also. big love from Canada.
Like all your lessons, this is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for sharing.
Your one of the "greats" Oscar, thanks for all your insights and wisdom. I appreciate it. Cheers
the single most helpful tutorial I watched on this sub. thanks ❤
This is perfect timing, I’m just starting a brand new template for house tracks 🙏 already laying out the sounds I want to use the most often like the drum kit, bass, and pads. Now I can lay out the region sections before even programming or performing! Let’s get sketchy 🤙🤙
This is the best music channel imo. Love your work
I love your jersey man, it makes it really easy to remeber this tutorial.
this is very similar to how bass music producers will often end their 'loop stage' by building a break + drop. Gives you a great idea of how well the idea works.
that vocal sample sounds like a goat!! also Oscar's jumper is awesome and looks like a sequencer.
Although I have a bit of a different approach (different genre) I can’t swear by this idea enough.
Intro-idea-outtro is what I suggest to people but even still, learning to finish your arrangement even on tunes you don’t like is a skillset of itself.
The next piece that may be helpful if you can get to this step is learning to leave your unfinished tunes on deliberate cliffhangers and practicing “audiating” outside the project in possibilities the track can go. Well done with the visualizations^^
That's a very cool idea, never heard the term audiating, before, I like it!
@@OscarUnderdog it’s an academic term in most music schools… I didn’t know of it either until my partner told me. Ancient college secret lol
Nice tip and problem focused perfectly
Thank you for your education Oscar!
Been sitting on a track with some awesome sound design but 0 structure in mind never clicked on a video faster. Keep it up
I also bow down to Oscar. This is a great idea for setting out a track for when feeling uninspired (or even if not). I often export my 16-bar loops out to a wav or mp3 file, anyway, but this is great advice for building out your track/mix.
this video has created more music >> so cool !!
So helpful! You are a such a great teacher and mentor. 🙏
You inspire me so much man! Thanks for all your work
Actually, this is strange. Few days ago, I watched Ian Roberts on YT (mastering composition) and he does exactly the same thing. He sketches out a composition with just three pencil shades (dark, medium & light) before he commits to canvas and oils. No details, just blocks of shading. Your advice (& Ian’s) is great and to bounce a musical sketch and take it out with you is solid. Thx 🙏
One of the best videos I've seen so far when it comes to producing - thanks man 🙏🏻
I’ll try out!! ✌🏻
Awesome baseline structure for blocking out ideas. All the main elements are present for future reference. Very cool. I'll be adding this structure to my default template. Thanks, Oscar!
This one of the most useful videos that helped me structure ideas that they would never reach my ears before 👍
Wow was almost thinking a same like idea about this 2 days ago!
Learning in discovering how the universe/me works...
I learned that when I am focussing my mind on something specific, I cant think out of the box, or receive new inspiration.
All my mental/spiritual creation energy is focussed on a small point ( a loop).
When focussed specific on a 16bar, and no inspiration is comming anymore and get stuck.
I must go back to a broader/general/abstract viewpoint with my focus.
Like just create with loops a whole super simple arrangement.
I noticed then the energy can flow more and inspiration can come back.
But your tips are another great insight, I can listen on another day when bouncing to mp3 easier.
Thank!
Really great concept. I'll be using this. 🙏
Thank you Oscar for this huge help!
Indeed I really did have this 'no-sketch-yet' problem many times.
For composing I use FL Studio but the tips and ideas come across so well
that with a slight effort, I will be able to use them in my DAW too!
This is golden advice
What a great way to quickly get into an arrangement. Love this.
I have a file dedicated to taking musical notes, effectively, my sketches. This has inspired me to pull out ideas from that and use this idea. Excellent video!
Thank you for the content you provide to us every day! I love your videos and the course.
Get well quick.
I do this! Duplicate the loop and remove all lows, always. I also use a pre made rack with snare rolls, uplifters, downlifters, and crashes. Not about quality more about giving the 2m30 a feeling of tension and release. I recommend adding this is into the workflow 😊
This is genuine gold. So simple and yet it’ll have a disproportionately huge impact. Thank you 🎉
Great tip, will dig out my old unused loops and half hearted arrangent a and get sketching ✏️ ps that’s a very snazzy sweater
Thank you! This is super helpful. Very well taught, easy to understand and follow along.
What an insight!! Looking forward to the follow up videos! 🙏😎
Really good advice and its much helpful when you stuck on loops for a while, my strategy is practise by playing with diffrent things and stop taking care about mistakes in projects, do not take it too serious just play and have fun - then you will get amazing results !
Great advice mate. I have a scloud account FULL of these arrangements lol.
Sometimes, when inspiration is lacking its also good to open a random dust-filled project and, after seeing how far you've progressed you can refine those tracks.
Looooove this channel and your method.
Love from N Ireland.
thank you so much, this kind of simple tips are really helpful
This one really helped! Love your channel
this is such a great tip. tx !!!
I think this video is for me. Prefect timing! 😂
It's just what i needed :D was stuck on arrangement for so long, thank you
this is fire and unique advice ! thank you
This is what I really needed
thank you, you're my hero
I've been using my own version of this approach, that I also call "track sketches." They fall into several categories - there's fairly well fleshed out pre-mixdown arrangements, but also what I think of as "Track Spines" ie the main Kick & Bass Groove w/ higher Percussion (Hats & Tops) & Snares. I'll usually have several ideas & options for melodic/progressive elements saved as loops within the Project.
The other main type I use are basically minimal blocks, usually restricted to 8 elements max, all kept fairly simple. Sometimes I'll have 3, maybe 4 layers to my final kick, w/ 2&4 hits having modified transients on some layers to help Snares & Claps come through in the Pre-Mix Sketch without need for Sidechains.
I almost always include the main rhythmic elements.
I like the "Macro Arrangement" given here, often I will attempt to add a Drop, Break or Bridge to the Sketch.
Quite often, if I do return to the project, it's only to add one or two new elements & Mix the elements.
I've found actually thinking of my tracks as "Sketches" already fits my Graphic Art background.
Makes sense! I'll make this a habit moving forward. Thanks Oscar!
This means the world to me
a perfect way to make yr arangements in a simple and easy formula, would love to see how you work on livesets and analog sets :P
Great advice - nice one
Ooh thank you very very very much !!
brilliant !
thank you
Fantastic idea man! Im 100% going to start doing this, thank you ♥️
Love the music, you have seriously taught me so much it's humbling. Thank you. Also, that sweater is super cute!
I appreciate you ❤️
Great advice, thanks
I've been doing something similar for years.
I try to make industrial hardcore kicks and any other distorted kicks and I would bounce out a 30 second kick pattern to see if I like the sound of it throughout the day on SC on my earphones, car and TV.
But I did notice if I had a basic structure even just the intro and 1st beat, I was more likely to continue with that track compared ones I didn't.
Always thought it was a good idea but your video put a structure to my thoughts so thanks Oscar you're a legend!
Awesome, helpful video! This can be applied to any genre, really. Thank you so much!