Pureminds,

I will try to describe step by step how I develop a song using Cubase software as the midi sequencing program.

First let me describe my set-up. My keyboard is not multi-timbral and so can only play one voice at a time, so I use a sound module (connected in the midi chain) to generate the audio of most of the instruments. I don’t use any automated accompaniments or drum patterns. Also I don’t use Cubase audio tracks for vocals. I have a hardware based digital recorder for that.

In Cubase I start with a basic drum track. I create a midi track and assign it to midi channel 10 and PC (program change) number for the drum set PC number of the sound module. Then create a part (one measure long) and open that part in the note edit window and using the pencil tool draw in clicks for a count in. Then create another one measure part on the same track and draw in the kick and snare on the appropriate beats. Next select the second measure and repeat it about 50 copies. Then I play that to see if I want to edit the relative velocities of kick and snare. Edit (if necessary) the first measure of kick/snare, delete the copies and then make new copies of the edited measure. After I am satisfied with the basic drum beat I make enough copies to cover the whole song. I will come back to the drum track later after the music tracks have been added and add accents and fills to the drum track as the music seems to need. The count in click measure can be deleted after the music is recorded if it is not wanted in the final mix.

Next I create midi tracks and assign PC numbers for the instrumental tracks that will be used. Then, select the track for the lead instrument and set a punch-in and punch-out point for the intro and click play on the transport bar. After the count-in clicks, I play the notes on the keyboard for the lead part of the intro using the basic drum beat as a metronome to guide the timing of the notes that I play. On a part that is difficult to play, I can record it a slower tempo and then speed it up later. Warning! If you want your instrumentals to sound like they are played by real musicians, be sure to turn off quantize and snap to grid functions in the sequencing program. If the timing is perfect, it sounds like it was played by a machine instead of human musicians. After a part is recorded it’s easy to edit for wrong notes, timing errors and relative velocity levels (for smoother phrasing).

Then I add the bass and rhythm parts for the intro using the same procedure.

Next I set new punch-in and punch-out times for verse 1 of the song. If the song is to have a vocal, I will record a dummy melody for a temporary simulation of the vocal. That helps me to keep my place in the song while adding bass, rhythm, and fills and also make sure that the chords in the accompaniment harmonize with the melody.

I will repeat this procedure for all sections of the song, as in verse 2, chorus, instrumental solo, bridge (if it has one), verse 3, chorus 2, and outro. Some sections, if identical can be copied and pasted to save time, but that is a compromise because some variety is more realistic.

Now it’s time to put the final touches in the drum track. You have to think like a drummer. Where would a drummer likely feel like putting a cymbal crash, a syncopated hi-hat, or a roll on the floor toms? A good drummer feels the song and enhances the emotion of it.

Then there is the tempo track. In Cubase it is called the master track. Here you can set a measure and beat within that measure in the now time of the transport bar and insert tempo changes. In this editor you can program accelerando, retard, and fermata (hold or break). Accelerando would be a gradual increase in tempo like 1 bpm per measure for a few measures, and retard would be a gradual reduction in tempo. A fermata would be a more drastic reduction of bpm at the note that is to be held, but would last only for that time and go back to tempo immediately after. Editing the tempo track requires trial and error and some practice.

Now you can hook up the mic and record your voice to the music of the midi sequence. You should use head phones to monitor at this stage so the mic doesn’t pick up the music also.

Oh yeah, mute or delete the phony melody track if you created one.

I know this is a very brief description of a complex procedure, but all I have time for right now. Please feel free to ask questions about anything you don't understand.

Joe

Hi Joe
I for one thank you for such an excellent explanation, I'm sure it will help many people on the site and inspire them to have a go. I'm sure we all appreciate you taking the time and effort to do this.
Cheers
Spike