,,,,,,,It's 7:30 PM, and you find yourself sitting in your bedroom with your computer in front of you. You mouse over to the [[Garageband->GB Menu]] icon on your screen.
You're feeling [[creative->Creative]].A window opens with the option to [[create->Brainstorm]] a new project, or open an [[existing->Existing]] one. You never got to finish some old projects, and you don't really feel like working on those.You're not sure what you want to make, but with [[the menu->GB Menu]] open you know something will come to mind.You have a few ideas.
Your first one wants you to go back to [[old style->FutureBass]]. Maybe trying to bust out a quick harmony using a vox sample could be fun?
You also find yourself really wanting to try some [[dubstep->Dubstep]]. You recently got this new plug-in that lets you do some real fancy stuff. Give that a shot?
Your friends have been showing you a lot of latin pop and [[reggae->Reggae]], and you're tempted to try something along those line. Might be interesting, it's new after all.You're not sure why you clicked on "Open Existing Project." You really don't want to work on something old. You want to make something [[new->Brainstorm]].{
(set: $genreChoice to "")
(set: $timeCheck to false)
}(set: $genreChoice to "Dubstep")
Ooohh, this is shiny.
You find yourself being overwhelmed by the amount of knobs and displays in this one plug-in. You also notice a multitude of tabs. Confused but excited, you close the plug-in and try to find [[a starting instrument.->dOboe]](set: $genreChoice to "Reggae")
You take a listen to some of the songs your friends have been showing you the past couple of days. You find some inspiration from a song using a flute, and start thinking of how you can start.]
You have this new plug-in, it lets you add vintage, record scratch style effects to sounds. You pull out a flute from the library and [[slap on the effect.->rFlute]](set: $genreChoice to "FutureBass")
You browse your sample library for a fun vocal sample to use. //Man, these all sound the same...// You've never worked with vocals in the past, but you've been given some inspiration through a lot of the music you've been listening to.
|browsing)[(transition: "dissolve")[You [[keep browsing.->fVox]]]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(show: ?browsing)]
}You click through the instrument library and find one that sounds different from what you've worked with before.
|instrument)[(transition: "dissolve")[It's an [[Indian Chenhai Oboe->dOboeSound]].]]
{
(live: 3s)[
(show: ?instrument)
]
}
You move on to the drums. You're thinking of an orchestral opening, using some violins, cellos, and basses, paired with a simple drum kit. In Garagebands library you find a kit called the [[Asian Kit->dKitSound]].You test it out. It's got flavor, it's got style. And most of all, you've never used a sound like this in your music before. You play on your keyboard a bit before settling on a melody. You add an FX chain, along with some basic EQing and compression. It's exactly what you wanted.
|attached)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[You immediately become attached->dKit]].]]
{
(live: 4s) [
(show: ?attached)
]
}
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Oboe.mp3" autoplay>You mess with it a little bit, and soon after you come up with a steady rhythm that works well with the melody you created earlier. You pull some samples from your extensive library and pair them with the beat. With some basic EQing you could do [[more->Sleep?]] with it.
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/OrchestralKit.mp3" autoplay>(set: $timeCheck to true)
You pull your phone to you and check the time. It's 10:30. You should (if: $genreChoice is "Dubstep")[[probably sleep.->dHarmony]]
(if: $genreChoice is "FutureBass")[[probably sleep.->fHarmony]]
(if: $genreChoice is "Reggae")[[probably sleep->rMelody&Harmony]]
|or)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[Or...->StayUp?]]]]
{
(live: 1.5s)[
(show: ?or)]
}
(if: $timeCheck is true)(display: "NextDay")
You move on to harmonies. You get those strings you were thinking about and create a simple harmony. [[You test it out.->dHarmonySound]](if: $timeCheck is true)(display: "NextDay")
//Alright time for some chords.// You get your personal favorite: a piano. You listen to the vox melody again and harmonize as best you can.
You spend some time filling out the harmony to give a larger sound to the break. You take a [[listen.->fHarmonySound]](if: $timeCheck is true)(display: "NextDay")
You continue with the next part. You want to keep going with the flute's melody, but not use the flute anymore. It's hard to continuously listen to an instrument with that sharp timbre.
Instead you find a sound to use in a similar register. You add some accent notes to [[spice things up.->rMelody&HarmonySound]] You get an electric piano with some distortion, and a couple of pluck pads, to get a solid harmony going along with the melody.It's 6 pm the next day. You've given yourself more time today, and you've even got some food with you: a bagel and a glass of milk.//I've got something good going though//, you think. You debate (set: $timeCheck to false)(if: $genreChoice is "Dubstep")[[staying up a bit longer.->dHarmony]]
(set: $timeCheck to false)(if: $genreChoice is "FutureBass")[[staying up a bit longer.->fHarmony]]
(set: $timeCheck to false)(if: $genreChoice is "Reggae")[[staying up a bit longer.->rMelody&Harmony]]Could be better, the strings sound a bit cheesy. //That synth works though//, you think. You move on to the build-up, slowly forming a basic idea for the drop as you're working. (if: $timeCheck is true)(display: "Bagel")
(if: $timeCheck is false)[Satisfied, [[you call it a day.->dDropBass]]]
(if: $timeCheck is true)[Satisfied with the build up, [[you move on.->dDropBass]]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Harmony.mp3" autoplay>(if: $timeCheck is false) (display: "NextDay")
You open the plug in. You spent time this morning browsing through the sounds in its library. //Where is it...//
//Aha!// You found it. A nice, aggressive growl bass. You mess with it for a good while, figuring out how it works, learning from it by breaking it down.
You pair it with a few other basses, automate some parameters, and create basic FX chains for each sound to make them stand out.
|end)[(transition: "dissolve")[In the end,]] |proud)[(transition: "dissolve")[you're [[proud of what you've created.->dDropBassSound]]]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(show: ?end)]
(live: 3s) [
(show: ?proud)]
}You give it a test run with the build. After a few adjustments, the result is better than you expected.
The first drop is going well so far. But you have no idea what to do now. You have an abstract sounding bassline, but no drums or melodies to support it. You check the time and see it's almost 11. You call it a day and [[go to bed.->dDropDrums]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/DropBasses.mp3" autoplay>It's about 8 PM, but it's Friday, so you don't care much for sleeping early tonight.
//Alright, time for some drums...// You browse your sample library once again and find some sounds you think might work well. You create a basic psuedo four-on-the-floor beat, paired with a simple hi-hat pattern. //Feels lazy but it [[sounds nice->dDropDrumsSound]].//
You take a bite of your bagel.You do some basic mixing between the individual drum sounds to get everything balanced. Some panning on the hats makes a big difference.
You keep messing with them till you [[fall asleep at your computer.->WakeUp@Computer]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/DropDrums.mp3" autoplay>You wake up in a haze, slightly disappointed you fell asleep while working but glad you got some shut eye. You take some time to do other things around the house. You get showered, eat some breakfast, watch some TV, basically do anything other than work.
|relax1)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[You want to [[relax->dGatedSynth]].]]
|relax2)[(transition: "dissolve")[You want to [[relax->fDropMelody]].]]
|relax3)[(transition: "dissolve")[You want to [[relax->rDropMelody]].]]
{
(live: 2.5s) [
(if: $genreChoice is "Dubstep")(show: ?relax1)
(if: $genreChoice is "FutureBass")(show: ?relax2)
(if: $genreChoice is "Reggae")(show: ?relax3)
]
}(display: "GetBackToIt") You want to do something funky with a sound effect you used earlier. You take it and put a gate effect on it with some weird modulation and automation.
|wacky)[(transition: "dissolve")[It sounds wacky,]] |love)[(transition: "dissolve")[but you [[love it->dGatedSynthSound]].]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(show: ?wacky)]
(live: 3s) [
(show: ?love)]
}
(display: "GetBackToIt") You've been sitting on the drop for a while now and decide to make something work, whether it's a good choice or not.
//I want to move on from this,// you think. You play a few melodies out and find one you like. It's not the best, but it works and you can make it sound [[better than it is.->fDropMelodySound]]You realise the bass might get boring so you take the melody and put a spin on it. You chop it up and stagger it over the bass to add some rhythm and variety to the drop. As you're working you notice you're already 2:30 in.
|guess)[(transition: "dissolve")[//Guess this is going to be a [[one drop track.->rDropMelodySound]]//]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(show: ?guess)]
}
A few hours later you decide to get back to it. You give a slight high frequency fade in to the sound in the second break of the track. It works well, but it doesn't sound as prominent as you want.
You undo a few times and [[leave the sound as is.->dSeconDropBass]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/GatedSynth.mp3" autoplay>It's time for the second drop, so you make a short build and try to make it slightly dissimilar to the first build. //I need to get better at these...// you tell yourself. Build ups were never your forte.
You pull a new bass sound from the plug-in, but tweak it to fit your needs. You're not sure what you want to do with this drop, you just want a different sound. You experiment for what feels like hours.
|finally)[(transition: "dissolve")[Finally,]] |like)[(transition: "dissolve")[you get [[something you like.->dSecondDropBassSound]]]]
{
(live: 2.5s) [
(show: ?finally)]
(live: 3.5s) [
(show: ?like)]
}You pair it with some sounds from the first drop and add some simple compression and wrap them in some reverb.
It's not exactly what you hoped for, [[but it'll do.->AlmostDone]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/SecondDropBasses.mp3" autoplay>You're so close to being done. You can feel it all coming together. You spend the next week mixing, adding effects, fixing anything you found that needed fixing.
You realize you don't have a title. You stop working and just think.
(if: $genreChoice is "Dubstep")(display: "Title: Standoff")
(if: $genreChoice is "Reggae")(display: "Title: Scratches")
(if: $genreChoice is "FutureBass")(display: "Title: Character")
(if: $genreChoice is "Dubstep")[[[You continue working.->dStinger]]]
(if: $genreChoice is "Reggae")[[[You continue working.->rOutro]]]
(if: $genreChoice is "FutureBass")[[[You continue working.->fSecondDropDrums]]]
The track feels like a battle. Like something intense happening between people who are close. The oboe and the instrumentation as a whole feel old, almost Wild West style.
You settle on Standoff.The primary focus of this is really just the rhythm. The flute melody is funky but you feel some sort of negativity attached to it. //There's not story here//, you think. //But there should be...// You really aren't great at coming up with titles for your songs. You never really put much thought into them in the past.
You settle on Scratches.You listen to the track start to "finish" once. There's a connection between you and the instrumentation that you can't explain. But the song really feels like it's a good musical representation of you.
You settle on Character.You always liked the idea of having a surprise at the end of... well, anything. Movies, TV shows, games, even music. You listen through the track a couple of times. You take the orchestral drums from the intro and make a few adjustments.
With a subtle build at the end of the drop, you create a nice [[stinger.->dStingerSound]]With the drums done, you go back to your instruments and make the piano the primary focus of this transition and the outro. You get a simple, one note melody and isolate it among the rest of the sounds.
[[It works.-> rOutroSound]]Drums. That's all you need. You listen to the harmony once more to get an idea for what could be done with the percussion. You pull some trap snare samples for fills and construct a complex beat that went with the flow.
This is one of the better rhythms you've created, and you're happy with how it [[sounds.->fSecondDropDrumsSound]]//A few more adjustments...//
And that's that. The end is done. The song is pretty much done. A couple more days of mixing, mastering, and getting some artwork together will be good before you're set to release.
|creation)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[You're proud of your creation.->Mix/Master]]]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(show: ?creation)]
}
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/StingerDrums.mp3" autoplay>It's been a while since you put a full song out. It's been a while since you've even worked on a song. But this past week has reminded you that you genuinely enjoy creating music. You get a final mix going and get it mastered.
|publish1)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[You're ready to publish.->dFinalListen]]]]
|publish2)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[You're ready to publish.->rFinalListen]]]]
|publish3)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[You're ready to publish.->fFinalListen]]]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(if: $genreChoice is "Dubstep")(show: ?publish1)
(if: $genreChoice is "Reggae")(show: ?publish2)
(if: $genreChoice is "FutureBass")(show: ?publish3)
]
}A good 3 minutes and 30 seconds. You've never cared for the 3 minute general length for songs but you feel satisfied knowing you pulled it off without forcing anything.
You get a friend to help create simple artwork and you release Standoff a couple of days later. Who knows if it will do well. You never know if this will be the one to propel you forward, or if it'll be the next one, or the next one after that. In the end, you are proud of what you have made.
(display: "Fin")
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/Standoff-Mastered.mp3" autoplay>
This was a rollercoaster of a track to make. You started on a high and ended on a low. But you did your best and this was the result. Never did you imagine yourself dipping your feet in this genre, and you're glad you did. How else would you what to do?
You learned more than you thought you did, but it doesn't sink in until a few days after releasing it. You take that with you. Not just what you learned about working in this genre, but also working in general. Things won't ever work out how you plan them out to be.
You're only human.
(display: "Fin")
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/Scratches%20Mastered.mp3" autoplay>You didn't really enjoy a lot of what happened during the creation process with this track. You've been wanting to try out future bass, but you didn't really know how to start with it. To be fair, you've learned quite a bit about working in new genres and trying to not lose your mind over something.
Cuz in the end, it works out fine. You created something you are proud of.
(display: "Fin")
<audio src="http://rkgameassestss.yolasite.com/resources/Character.mp3" autoplay>Finally, you find with the kind of melody you wanted. It's nothing fancy, but it's something to work with.
You start to add a simple [[FX chain.->fVoxSound]]After a bit of finnicky work, you get what you want. A simple high frequency fade in.
It's nothing fancy but you like the way it [[sounds.->fBreakDrums]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/Vox.mp3" autoplay>As you're listening to the vox you get an idea for a beat. You browse your library again and pull out a kick, snare, and a couple of hats.
You lay them out and create a busy but simple rhythm. //Oooh, this could be [[good->fBreakDrumsSounds]]//. The rolling beat makes you happy. It's one of the better rhythms you've come up with, even if it's not anyhting new.
You do some basic mixing with the drums, panning the hats and giving a small FX chain to them. You're proud but feeling kind of [[tired.->Sleep?]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/BreakDrus.mp3" autoplay>//Maybe I over did it...//
(if: $timeCheck is true)(display: "Bagel") It sounds better than you think. //Definetly worth doing some more mixing though.// You decide to leave it for [[later.->fDropHarmony]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/Harmony.mp3" autoplay>You add some flair to the break and some fills here and there finish it out. //What do I do now...//
You decide to leave the break as is and move on to the build up and the drop. You've never been the best at builds but you decide to put your heart into this one. It's a nice and long build, letting you get a goood payoff at the drop.
You pull bits of the harmony over and add some effects underneath them to [[keep the flow going.->fDropHarmonySound]] You feel yourself getting tired.You're happy with how it sounds, but you're not sure what to do with it from here.
You decided to [[sleep on it.->fDropDrums/Bass]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/DropHarmony.mp3" autoplay>You give yourself some extra time today since you have a lot to do.
The drop so far sounds good but you don't know what to do with it from here. You mess with a few melodies and basslines but can't come up with anything that satisfies you.
You decide to leave the melody for now and move to the drums. You listen to the harmony you made and create a complimenting rhythm to go along with it. You find an interesting bass sample that you chop up and put in [[with the drums.->fDropDrums/BassSound]] The bass sounds a little weird on it's own with the drums but hearing it out with the rest helps it fit in better.
You continue to work on the drop, mixing the harmony with the drums and the bass. It's a lot of work and you get plenty done, but you manage to [[fall asleep at your desk.->WakeUp@Computer]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/DropDrum%3ABass.mp3" autoplay>You layer a few different instruments together and get a full sound that works with the rest of what you made with the drop.
|progress)[(transition: "dissolve")[You feel like you've made a bit of progress,]] |enough)[(transition: "dissolve")[but not [[enough to be happy.->fBuildHarmony]]]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(show: ?progress)]
(live: 3s) [
(show: ?enough)]
}
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/DropMelody.mp3" autoplay>You continue the drop and remove some instruments as it progresses. You feel lazy doing it but you want to get to the second build and the second drop.
|idea)[(transition: "dissolve")[You have a [[great idea.->fBuildHarmonySound]]]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(show: ?idea)]
}You slow everything down and play a simple piano melody and add a subtle, building harmony with some new sounds.
You do some automation and give it a test run. //Finally, something [[sounds good.->fSecondDropHarmony]]//
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/BuildHarmony.mp3" autoplay>You take those harmonies in the build and lay them out for the drop. You're excited to see how this turns out.
You add some automation to keep things moving and to add some excitement to the drop. You're close to being [[done.->fSecondDropHarmonySound]]You take a listen to the chords. You're surprised it actually worked. Having never tried this genre, you feel a bit better about how to this song is going.
|breather)[(transition: "dissolve")[You decide to [[take a breather.->AlmostDone]]]]
{
(live: 1.5s) [
(show: ?breather)]
}
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/SecondDropHarmony.mp3" autoplay>You are very proud of how this sounds. For the amount of trouble you had with the first half of the track, you're very happy with [[how it turned out.->Mix/Master]]
You grab that vox sample and chop it up in between the beat to add some fills.
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Character/SecondDropDrums.mp3" autoplay>You mess around with the flute before you get a nice melody you like. You tweak some of the parameters on the scratchy FX plug-in till it's to your liking.
|surprised)[(transition: "dissolve")[You're surprised at how [[nice it sounds.->rFluteSound]]]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(show: ?surprised)]
}You add some other FX to the chain and get the melody recorded.
You want this to be the main melody for the track. But you don't want the flute to be primary instrument. You continue to [[experiment.->rVintageDrums]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/Flute.mp3" autoplay>You want the intro to have that vintage feeling, to ease listeners into the track. That means getting that effect into the drums.
As you browse through your sample library, auditioning each sound, you accidentally come across an odd yet effective rhythm. You pull those samples in and put them together into a group track, and add on the [[vintage FX chain.->rVintageDrumsSound]]You add a fade in using the bypass parameter for the vintage FX plug-in. You listen and make adjustments where you see fit. You're [[excited->Sleep?]] to see how it's turning out so far.
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/VintageDrums.mp3" autoplay>After a bit of compression on the melody you find yourself with a complete harmony and melody combo.
Some more mixing should get it to where you want it. (if: $timeCheck is true)(display: "Bagel")
|satisfied)[(transition: "dissolve")[Satisfied, [[you call it a day.->rDrumFill]]]]
|move)[(transition: "dissolve")[Time to [[you move on.->rDrumFill]]]]
{
(live: 2s) [
(if: $timeCheck is false)(show: ?satisfied)
(if: $timeCheck is true)(show: ?move)
]
}
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/Melody%26Harmony.mp3" autoplay>(if: $timeCheck is false)(display: "NextDay")
You take the beat you made for the intro and add a more complex hi-hat rhythm pattern. You come across a synth sound that could make an interesting filler sound.
While experimenting, you accidentally make something. //This happens a lot... I should do this on [[puporse.->rDrumFillSound]]//You work your little accident into the track so far. You add some effects in the background to give more impact to the effect.
You take a listen,and are surprised. It sounds better than you though it would, but it could be better. You decide to come back to it [[later.->rDropBass]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/DrumFill.mp3" autoplay>You make a quick build. It's nothing great, you've never been a fan of making build ups. But you try your best with them. You make a slow build, create anticipation. You find a nice bass sound to fade in throughout the build. Give something for the listener to chew on.
You create a simple melody with the bass for the drop and [[layer it.->rDropBassSound]]//Sounds a little odd.// Not exactly what you wanted, but you don't want to change it. You make some adjustments, you make it work. You add a piano on top for some range and space.
You make it work so much that you [[fall asleep at your computer.->WakeUp@Computer]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/DropBass.mp3" autoplay>You layer a few more instruments on to give it a fuller sound. You don't want to drown the bass out though, so you keep it low and in line with the bass's levels.
It sounds a little out of place, like the basses. You want to fix it but you also want to finish this song as soon as possible. It's starting to get out of hand. You wanted it to be one thing but it's turning in to something else. Not bad, but not [[ideal.->rDropBuild]]
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/DropMelody.mp3" autoplay>You're close to being done with this track. //Maybe I should add a second part to this...//
You decided to add a second part to drop, since this track is only going to have one, instead of the traditional two. You create a simple transition using the drums and [[some effects.->rDropBuildSound]]You add some noise along with the drums to make the build seem smoother. Some volume automation and it sound nice.
|almost)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[Almost done...->AlmostDone]].]]
{
(live: 1.5s) [
(show: ?almost)]
}
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/DropBuild.mp3" autoplay>You test it out but the piano seems to much in the foreground. You add a large amount of reverb to distance it in the mix, allowing for a smoother, and easier transition for the listener.
You're happy with this, just some final [[mixing->Mix/Master]] and it will be ready to release.
<audio src="https://rkgameassests.yolasite.com/resources/NwGB-dFiles/Scratches/Outro.mp3" autoplay><h1>A Night With Garageband</h1>
[[Start->Disclaimer]] |fin)[(transition: "dissolve")[//Fin.//]]
{
(live: 5s) [
(show: ?fin)]
}The following experience contains audio! Please wear headphones/earbuds/be ready for audio.
Audio levels may be too loud or too quiet, so please adjust your devices audio output accordingly.
[[Enjoy!->Bedroom]]