"Make. Finish. Analyze." 3 Steps to Successful

Music Production

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a7

Electronic music production seems very different to traditional composing.

• However some artists are successfully blending the two.

• Traditional instruments and composition can seem rigid and limiting but they have emotional power and can be effective.

• Modern production tools provide endless possibilities, but this can be overwhelming.

• Combining the insights and processes from traditional and modern, brings more success in creating distinctive tracks.

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a7

Hernan Ambrogi (a.k.a. Makina) is an Argentinian musician who blends Latin American music traditions with modern

electronic production techniques.• He grew up playing guitar, enjoying heavy metal music and

dancing Cumba.

• Cumbia is a distinctive style of music characterised by its instrumentation and rhythms.

• Hernan later studied music production at university in Amsterdam.

• His music production process draws on his music theory knowledge, practical music skills and above all relies on his well-trained ears.

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a7

Recently he's been using samples (short audio clips) more when composing, rather than relying on physical instruments only.

• Although he can play guitar he finds that it affects his creativity differently.

• Samples allow him to connect more directly with the sound of the track he is creating.

• However he still enjoys playing guitar and collaborates live with other musicians as part of his creative process.

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a7

Hernan credits active listening for his ability to analyze, understand, and produce music.

• Active listening means truly paying attention to the music you hear and dissecting it in your head as you listen.

• Hernan also analyses tracks he likes in his DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to find out what makes them work, musically.

• He says aspiring musicians and composers must learn what to listen for in music.

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a7

One key element in his process is starting with a "pre-production" stage for each track.

• This was part of the more traditional approach to producing music but has mostly been forgotten now in the age of "instant experimentation".

• Pre-production involves gathering the musical influences and samples to be used before you begin producing the track.

• Hernan finds this helps him stay in the creative flow.

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a7

Hernan says the most effective exercise for aspiring producers is analysing other people's music.

• This must be combined with making a lot of your own music.

• It's important to finish the tracks and not just have a lot of half-finished projects.

• When you finish a track you can step back and actually learn from it.

• He describes it as "Make. Finish. Analyze."

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a7

The traditional and the modern can seem like opposites but they are not so

incompatible.• It's easy to think that you must choose between

traditional composing and "real" instruments and the virtual world of electronic music production.

• In fact the two mindsets and sound sources can be blended successfully.

• Ultimately you must train and trust in your ears. And be sure to finish those projects!

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a7

Full Interview

Learn more: http://eartra.in/a6

Listen to Makina on SoundCloud

Learn More: