A pandemic silver lining
Image from Ezra Sandzer-Bell
If you’re like me then since we entered this strange new reality of remote everything you’ve been doing A LOT more virtual co-writing, production, and mixing sessions. Sometimes on Zoom, sometimes with zoom + facebook messenger or google hangouts… or Audio Movers… oh, man there are so many ways to get screen fatigue.
While it’s not quite as fun as being in person, one positive silver lining of this whole lockdown situation I’ve recently realized is that we end up spending more watching each other work. Back in the day, when we’re in the room with an artist/producer or co-writing with a collaborator, we’re usually far enough away from each other to where we’re not watching every move in the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or lyric on a notepad. But now we’re kinda sitting in our pajamas staring at each other's notepads and production sessions all day. There used to be more interesting things to be doing or talking about than pausing to say “hey what was that ProTools shortcut you just used?” or “yo, what’s that plug-in for?” or “what was that website you just used to look up unique rhymes?” etc. etc.
There must be something about only having a low-rez video and screen share to watch each other work that opens the workflow door a little wider. Just enough to peak your head in and ask a question you might not have otherwise asked. It’s been pleasantly surprising to me how often me and my fellow songwriters and producers will now stop each other and ask how something is done. Whether that’s a keyboard shortcut in a DAW or a brainstorming tool on a shared google doc. Seems like being forced to make music over the interwebs has helped us communicate and learn new skills!
So… in the spirit of learning together, I decided I’d type up a few of the things that I’ve noticed people asking me the most while we work together. Since I’m most often producing in Logic and ProTools, I’ll be focusing on those, but might sneak in an Ableton trick every once in a while (that I picked up from others).
My primary DAW for producing and writing is LogicProX. I grew up in GarageBand so it was an easy transition. But when in studios and for any large-scale tracking, I’ll hop in ProTools, but LogicProX is my go-to for pretty much everything else. Over the past 10 years or so, I’ve picked up on a lot of tricks and shortcuts that help me produce music quickly. And, it wasn’t until about six months ago when all my in-person production and writing sessions became screen shares and face-times that I realized I do a lot of them on auto-pilot and that many folks aren’t aware of these speedy tips and tricks!
Who are these tips for?
I’m writing these tips mainly for people who have Logic Pro X but aren’t super comfortable in it yet. I work with a lot of artists and songwriters who are really intimidated by working in a DAW, and I want to do anything I can to help everyone who wants to start producing themselves! It’s so much fun and really nothing to be afraid of! Like learning anything new (instrument, language, a new chana masala recipe), if you get just a handful of the fundamentals down, most of the smaller details will fall into place with a little practice!
So, that’s my goal. I’m making a series of these quick, easy to digest, videos and blogs to help you level up your effectiveness and productivity in Logic Pro X. I hope it’s helpful and please let me know if there is anything specific you’d like me to cover, and please do share this with anyone you think might find this helpful.
I’ll start releasing these blogs every-other week and I’ll do some shorter quick-tip videos for examples and post on socials in-between that. See you on the screens!
Big air hugs!
Levi