Starting this track by creating a mix template made sense for me as I did not find my previous mixes to be up to the standard I wanted them to be and my projects always tend to become messy and unorganised. Since my last assignment I have been researching different techniques to use when creating a mix template so that I can achieve a mix I will be happy with. I also like the idea of a mix template as it will the framework for my piece, working within the limitations of a mix template and trying to only use the tracks I already have prepared will hopefully provoke creativity.
I have started by creating my tracks, I made 2 synths, 2 909 drum tracks, a sampler track and 3 audio tracks. The first synth I made I used retro synth on logic and switched it to the FM mode, I left it on the default settings as I want to use automation on it to create some crazy metallic sounds. The second synth I also used retro synth but on the analogue setting, I wanted to make a soft pulsing pad. To make the pad I went into the settings and changed the unison to 4 voices which helped to create a thicker sound. I then changed the waves to a triangle wave and a square wave, the triangle wave has odd harmonics that decrease in amplitude, this means that the fundamental is the most predominant part of the sound making for a nice simple sound, the square wave shares the same odd harmonics however they do not decrease in amplitude helping to create rich harmonic content for my pad. I changed the amp envelope to create a softer sound by adding a quick attack and long release and changed the low filter oscillator to ramp up to create the pulsing sound.
I decided to have a short, long and ambient reverb to add depth to my mix. I also added glue compression to make my mix more cohesive and a drum bus with overdrive and compression. The compression on my drum bus is New York style, I will send some of my bass into this track as well which will hopefully make my drums and bass punchier.