Starting a song in your DAW with EZDrummer 3

Shootie School
2 Aug 202216:07

TLDRIn this video, the creator celebrates reaching 10,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel by demonstrating how to start a song from scratch using EZDrummer 3 in a DAW. He collaborates with artist Steven Perricone, who provided guitar and bass parts for the song. The video covers setting up a Pro Tools session, structuring the song with markers, and choosing the right drum beats from the Gospel EZX and Southern Rock MIDI pack by Groove Monkey. The creator emphasizes the importance of song structure for replay value and offers tips for efficient workflow in a DAW. The video concludes with a teaser for the next installment, where the focus will be on producing the beats and fills to complement the song parts.

Takeaways

  • 🎉 The video is part of a two-video series on starting a song from scratch in a DAW with EZDrummer 3.
  • 🎈 Sean, from Shootie School, celebrates reaching 10,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel.
  • 🎸 Steven Perricone provided the guitar and bass parts for the song, showcasing a collaboration between artists.
  • 🎶 The song structure is discussed as being short and sweet, focusing on replay value and predictability for the listener.
  • 🎵 The importance of markers and pre-roll in editing and cross-fading parts for a seamless song structure is highlighted.
  • 🚀 Efficiency in songwriting is emphasized, with the suggestion to keep song structures simple until an artist is well-established.
  • 🥁 EZDrummer 3 is used to create drum parts, with a focus on using the Gospel EZX and Golden Age kit for a polished sound.
  • 🛠️ Tips for managing the grid editor in EZDrummer 3 are provided, including how to declutter the workspace.
  • 📁 The process of importing and organizing MIDI packs from Groove Monkey is demonstrated for ease of use in song creation.
  • 🎧 The significance of velocity editing in MIDI is discussed, with a focus on setting the right dynamics before committing to the song track.
  • 📈 The video also touches on the financial aspects of running a YouTube channel and the importance of community support through donations.
  • 🎉 A giveaway is mentioned, offering a chance to win Groove Monkey MIDI packs by engaging with the channel and subscribing.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The main focus of the video is to demonstrate how to start a full song from scratch in a DAW using EZDrummer 3 and to celebrate the 10,000th subscriber goal on the YouTube channel.

  • Which DAW is used in the video?

    -Pro Tools is the DAW used in the video.

  • What is the significance of the contest mentioned in the video?

    -The contest mentioned in the video was a giveaway for Groove Monkey MIDI, which has already ended by the time of the video recording.

  • Who provided the guitar and bass parts for the song?

    -Steven Perricone, a long-time collaborator and artist, provided the guitar and bass parts for the song.

  • What is the tempo of the song as recorded by Steven?

    -The tempo of the song as recorded by Steven is 150 BPMs.

  • What is the song structure that the video aims to create?

    -The song structure is verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, verse (breakdown version), double chorus, and an outro.

  • Why does the video emphasize the importance of replay value?

    -The video emphasizes replay value because it is crucial for retaining listeners and converting them into fans, especially for new or independent artists.

  • What is the name of the drum MIDI pack used in the video?

    -The drum MIDI pack used in the video is the Groove Monkey Southern Rock Drum MIDI pack.

  • How does the video suggest organizing the unused drum kit pieces in EZDrummer 3?

    -The video suggests unloading every kit piece that is not being used and dragging them all downwards in the grid editor to keep the workspace uncluttered and efficient.

  • What is the workflow tip provided for auditioning beats in a DAW?

    -The workflow tip is to mock up a few measures of the song's main sections, loop them, and use the MIDI out of the Groove Monkey's interface to sync in time with the DAW, allowing for a fast and efficient beat selection process.

  • How can viewers participate in the Groove Monkey MIDI pack giveaway?

    -Viewers can participate in the giveaway by correctly spelling 'Groove Monkey' in the comments, subscribing to the channel, and enabling notifications.

  • What is the name of the song being produced in the video?

    -The name of the song being produced is 'Swamp Country'.

Outlines

00:00

🎉 Introduction and Song Structure Overview

Sean from Shootie School kicks off the video by celebrating his 10,000th subscriber goal on his YouTube channel. He announces the end of a previous contest and introduces a new project: creating a full song from scratch in a DAW with Easy Drummer 3. The video is the first in a two-part series and Sean emphasizes that the process will be simple and basic, regardless of the DAW being used. He mentions working with Steven Perricone, a long-time collaborator and artist, who has provided guitar and bass parts for the song. Sean outlines the song's structure, which includes a verse, chorus, turnaround, breakdown, and guitar solo. He stresses the importance of markers and pre-roll for efficient editing and discusses the concept of replay value in songwriting, advocating for shorter, more predictable song structures for new artists.

05:01

🥁 Setting Up Easy Drummer and Song Structure

The video continues with Sean discussing his approach to using Easy Drummer for the first time in a project. He shares his thoughts on the importance of replay value and advises against overly complex song structures for emerging artists. Sean then dives into setting up Easy Drummer, starting by unloading unnecessary kit pieces to streamline his workspace. He provides a power tip for keeping the grid editor uncluttered and focuses on composing the drum track. Before proceeding, Sean expresses gratitude to his subscribers for their support, particularly those who have made donations, and mentions a giveaway in collaboration with Groove Monkey, encouraging viewers to participate.

10:02

🎶 Auditioning and Selecting Drum Beats

Sean demonstrates how to implement and audition drum beats from the Groove Monkey Southern Rock MIDI pack within Easy Drummer. He explains the process of linking MIDI folders and selecting a drummer, Rory Fashon, for the entire song. Sean emphasizes the importance of choosing the right feel and tempo for the song and shares a power tip for efficient beat auditioning within a DAW. He auditions several beats, making adjustments to velocity using the global velocity slider, and selects beats that he thinks will work for different sections of the song, such as the verse, chorus, and solo. He also discusses the potential need for velocity editing and the importance of assigning MIDI blocks to specific song parts to streamline the workflow.

15:02

📈 Organizing Song Tracks and Previewing Next Steps

In the final paragraph, Sean organizes the selected drum beats into a song track, renaming tracks to 'Boneyard' for storing beats and 'Swamp Country' for building the song, a nod to Steven Perricone's nickname. He discusses the process of setting up a foundation for the song and sorting through various beat options for different song sections. Sean also mentions his plans for the next video, where he will focus on producing the beats and fills, ensuring they complement Steven's song parts. He invites viewers to join his Facebook and Discord groups for community engagement and explores other beat-sorting methods available on his channel.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡DAW

DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation. It is a software application that allows for the recording, editing, and production of audio files. In the video, the creator uses a DAW to start a song from scratch with EZDrummer 3, which is a software that provides realistic drum sounds and patterns. The DAW is the central platform where all the music production takes place, and it's crucial for the song creation process described in the video.

💡EZDrummer 3

EZDrummer 3 is a software tool used for creating realistic drum tracks. It is part of the video's focus as the creator starts a song from scratch using this tool within a DAW. The software offers a variety of drum sounds and patterns that can be customized to fit the style of the song being produced. In the script, EZDrummer 3 is used to add drum parts as the last step in the songwriting process.

💡Song Structure

Song structure refers to the organization of sections in a song, such as the verse, chorus, and bridge. It is a fundamental aspect of music composition and production. In the video, the creator discusses building a song with a typical structure, including verse, chorus, solo, and outro, to ensure the song is short, sweet, and has replay value. The song structure is vital for guiding the listener through the song and making it memorable.

💡Groove Monkey MIDI

Groove Monkey MIDI is a brand that offers MIDI packs, which are collections of MIDI files containing drum or bass grooves. These can be imported into a DAW and used to create drum tracks. In the video, the creator mentions a giveaway for Groove Monkey MIDI packs and discusses how they can be easily implemented into a song using EZDrummer 3. The MIDI packs provide a convenient way to add professional-sounding drum patterns to a song.

💡Grid Editor

The grid editor is a feature within a DAW that allows users to visually edit MIDI data, such as notes and rhythms, in a grid-like pattern. It is a powerful tool for composing and arranging music. In the context of the video, the creator uses the grid editor to efficiently compose the drum track for the song, taking advantage of its ability to align MIDI data with the DAW's timeline.

💡Markers

In a DAW, markers are used to label different parts of a song or to denote important points in the timeline. They are essential for navigating and organizing the project. The video's script mentions the diligent use of markers to keep track of the song's structure, such as the verse, chorus, and solo sections. Markers help in efficient editing and production by providing clear references to different song parts.

💡Pre-roll and Post-roll

Pre-roll and post-roll refer to the extra audio recorded before and after the main part of a musical performance. This technique allows for seamless transitions and crossfading between different sections of a song. In the video, the creator requested pre-roll and post-roll for each song section to facilitate editing. This approach ensures smooth transitions and professional sound editing.

💡Country Rock

Country rock is a genre of music that blends elements of country and rock music. It often features electric guitar, drums, and a blend of country and rock rhythms. The video's script describes the song being created as a 'fun country rock' track, indicating the style and mood of the music. The genre influences the choice of drum sounds, guitar parts, and overall production to align with the country rock aesthetic.

💡Solo

A solo is a section of a song where one instrument is featured, typically showcasing the skill of the musician. In the context of the video, the creator discusses placing a guitar solo over the chorus section of the song. The solo is intended to highlight the guitar performance and add a dynamic element to the song structure.

💡Breakdown

A breakdown in music is a section where the arrangement is simplified, often featuring a reduction in the number of instruments or a shift to a quieter, more subdued sound. In the video, the creator mentions a breakdown version of the verse provided by Steven Perricone. This breakdown serves as an interlude, providing a contrast to the more energetic chorus and adding variety to the song.

💡Replay Value

Replay value in music refers to the ability of a song to be listened to multiple times without losing its appeal. It is a measure of a song's longevity and how well it resonates with listeners. The video emphasizes the importance of creating songs with replay value, suggesting that songs should be structured in a way that encourages listeners to return to them.

Highlights

Starting a full song from scratch in a DAW with EZDrummer 3

Introduction to a two-video series on song creation with EZDrummer 3

Celebrating 10,000th subscriber goal on the YouTube channel

Collaboration with artist Steven Perricone for guitar and bass parts

Pro Tools session setup at 150 BPMs with grid mode for song structure editing

Use of Steven Perricone's provided song structure: verse, chorus, turnaround, breakdown, guitar solo

Strategic placement of song markers for efficient navigation and editing

Importance of song replay value and keeping the song structure short and predictable

Advice on not writing overly complex songs until an artist is well-established

Utilizing the Gospel EZX and Golden Age kit pieces in EZDrummer 3

Tips for unloading unused kit pieces to streamline the grid editor

Method for auditioning and selecting MIDI grooves that fit the song's feel and tempo

Technique for assigning MIDI blocks to specific song sections during the selection process

Workflow for setting global velocity to match song dynamics before committing to tracks

Renaming tracks in EZDrummer 3 for better organization and foundation building

Upcoming video content focusing on beat and fill production to complement Steven Perricone's song parts

Giveaway of Groove Monkey MIDI packs for drum and bass in collaboration with Russ from Groove Monkey

Instructions on how to participate in the Groove Monkey MIDI pack giveaway

Create Stunning AI Art Instantly

No login. No cost. Just incredible AI images !

Create Stunning AI Art InstantlyGenerate Now