Improving audio project workflow
🔊 To listen to the audio podcast version of this blog entry head over here [Apple Podcasts]< or here [Spotify] Â
Thoughts for this piece were inspired by a discussion with an audio friend on creativity vs use of time in relation to music and audio production projects. In particular, how to know a creative mix or production, project etc is actually finished, and most importantly when to stop. It is all too easy to get wrapped up in the minute detail of one tiny edit, but when you have one hundred or more of these edits to do before the work is technically close to completion, how long should you spend on each step? Without a deadline in place an infinite amount of time may be used to experiment, chop, change and alter every little element of a project. Whether you are working alone, for a client or in a collaboration, there will be time constraints, and these absolutely must be met (if you fancy any chances of working for them ever again!).
While experimentation is necessary and essential for personal and skills development, here are some methods I have found useful for increasing workflow and productivity, without completely neglecting the all important creative urges.Â
[NOTE: My DAW of choice tends to be Ableton Live (currently v10...), so these points generally reference Live specific actions, but thats not to say similar actions could not be taken when using other DAWs, such as Reaper, Pro Tools etc. Find what works for you.]
Quick start melody/rhythm ideas Save interesting but unused melody or rhythm ideas as midi clips. Throw them in a folder to get them out of the way of the current project. When new ideas are needed, scanning through this folder can save time and get the creative juices flowing without having to always create from scratch at the start of each project.
Quick start effect/processing chains Make racks and folders for useful/creative effects or processing chains and plugin settings. These can then be dropped in to any channel for the desired (or at least close to desired) result. I have master processing chains, group processing for voice/vocals, distortion chains and effect return chained verbs, delays and widening which I use often.
Loudness matched reference tracks Keep loudness matched reference tracks on muted channels that bypass any grouped processing. This can keep you on the right track in regard to the sound or style of the project being created. And if you are running master bus processing, so as not to hear the reference tracks through this as well, create a ‘Pre-Master’ channel to send everything but the reference tracks to, keeping them clean and allowing easy A-B. There are plugins available that do this type of this, but this is really very simple to set up and doesn’t cost a bean!
Hot keys Use hot key shortcuts. Assign to control whatever you do a lot; solo references, a/b between racks, arrangement zooms, cut/split/clip mute, whatever! Having some choice hot key shortcuts set up for big edit projects can really speed up the workflow and help make important project decisions happen much quicker.
Group for easy control Group similar arrangement tracks for easy control and group processing. Can then drag the entire group to a clip if it’s doing the business, say for percussion, bass or vocal processing, for quick use in future tracks.Â
Use a timer Keep track of time to keep on task. There are dedicated productivity apps for this, but a standard timer or stop watch on the phone with lap timer does the trick. Start when you start and pause whenever you stop for a break, then at the end of the project you will have a good gauge of how long was actually spent working (which can be a real eye opener).
Working as a creative producer, there has to be a degree of experimentation allowed to keep interest and passion in the work you do. Without this you run the risk of falling into a rut, with the work you once loved getting up in the morning for, becoming just another job. Strive for creative greatness, but do this with a professional hat on, as the client wants their mix and it has to be great (regardless of how many new techniques and tricks you used in the process). Take a risk in deciding that enough is enough, the mix is done. When i have done this and then come back to a project weeks later, i am rarely disappointed. Yes, changes could be made, but this is always the way with creative projects, so you have to be ruthless, make decisions, stand by them and move on. And the more decisions you make, the easier they become. Apply experience, skills and knowledge, work quickly and let go.Â
I’d love to hear about how other people work along with tips and tricks used to up efficiency.