This post is about the breakdown and analysis of a song called Star Light which is part of my album named Electric Illumination. I'll be sharing how I created this song from scratch and the process involved from start to finish. The format I'm using starts with the song itself that you can listen to as you read this post which then covers the creation of the different components of the song. Hope you enjoy this insight into my creative process and learn something valuable.
This song is about a minimal approach, with simple components that are processed in various ways to evolve the track through many transitions. Just like Picasso differs from Rembrandt, more complexity does not necessarily mean a better track. Sometimes executing something simple can be a complicated process. Sound selection is key for making this song as the elements are rather basic and don't involve a lot of complex musical theory.
Using a drum loop from my library helps make the process easier as I have a well established groove that I can then layer with other sounds. Fairly simple, but effective. Another way I add motion to the drums, is to fade them out around a third into the track that highlights other elements and then introduce them back in by adding an automation that controls a frequency filter, moving from low to high frequencies.
These elements are fairly simple. I duplicate the same simple pattern across different virtual instruments and process them in different ways by adding things like an arpeggio effect, flanges, phasers and similar tools from the psychedelic arsenal. This creates a solid foundation that works by combining different soundscapes with the same simple pattern
Guitar elements add to the foundation built before to add texture and make the transitions more interesting.
This is the main driving element of the song. I start with the first gated vocal sample that I fade out as the track progresses and slowly fade in the second gated vocal sample with both playing simultaneously for brief moments. The samples I use don't have lyrics in them and the gates create an interesting stuttering effect that drives the track forward.
The last step is adding vocal textures. Atmospheres to add texture, vocal phrases to bring out the theme and vocal melodies to accent and highlight transition points.
That's pretty much it. Some basic mixing and tweaks follow these steps to arrive at this track. A lot more time is spent in sound selection and applying effects that work well together than composing the melodies and musical complexity.
