The Synths.

Synths are ALL your keyboard sounds. Pads, brass, pianos, rhodes, strings… all of it.

Why?

A few reasons here:

You only have so many (if any) keyboard players.

One pad will do more for your thickness than 20 guitars.

It is the easiest thing to add to your tracks that is tonal and rhythmic.

How?

Using a midi keyboard, simply play all your synth tracks into your arrangements…

Also, incase you haven’t figured this out yet… all of these stems (click, loop, helper, synth, everything to come) are all happening in one session. You do not have to record them in separate sessions.

When?

As soon as you can start can your comfortable with the other elements… go for it.

Blessings!

The Helper.

The helper is a track that, like the click, is only heard by those with in-ears or headphones. It is a basic vocal track that guides the song. My helper gives every section of the arrangement saying, “Verse 2 3 4…” keeping us right on track.

Why?

The helper track is all about insurance. You just want to make sure you’re all good. This also keeps me from getting nervous about forgetting where I’m at.

How?

I use a SM58 into my DAW, and just walk through the arrangement. It probably wouldn’t hurt to lay down a scratch keyboard or guitar.

When?

Once your comfortable with the other two (click and loop) you can try it. You also want to get some good arrangements that your comfortable sticking with for a long time.

Blessings!

The Loop.

Step two is adding some kind of percussion loop. This is the easiest and next step. The loop is the only thing you can add to the stems that doesn’t lock you into an arrangement.

Why?

The loop is a natural step to moving to using full-blown tracks. The loop isn’t always necessary, but I suggest it for everything in this stage. It adds a bit of accountability in the house mix as well… now that people hear something from the tracks, your tempo HAS to be locked.

How?

Using your DAW, start adding loops by using stock loops, creating them using a midi keyboard or buy Stylus RMX (which is what I use).

When?

As soon as your comfortable with the click, start doing this.

I want to do a quick series to review clicktracks. Everyday, until finished, we will talk about one of the “stems” that I use in my tracks.

The Click… or metronome.

Why?

Using a metronome is beneficial with or without the rest of the stems. It allows you to lock the tempo in and make sure it’s the same every time. It also, eventually, helps you achieve a new level of comfort in your playing.

How?

By either using your computer with a DAW (Logic, Garageband, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, etc..) or purchasing a metronome like a Dr Beat. If you choose a metronome, you won’t be able to add tracks to it… so I don’t advise.

Run the click through your monitors (no wedges, just headphones and in-ears) to all the band if you can, only your drummer if you have no other options.

When?

Today. You need to start using a click as soon as possible. This is step one to running the rest of the stems. No one in the audience hears it, so if you mess up in this stage it’s really no big deal.

Blessings!