How To: Record a Song

But with NO STUDIO EXPERIENCE!

INTRODUCTION

I think it's known that I enjoy creating music, for myself and others. I don't believe there was ever a time in my life where I wasn't singing, or making some kind of rhythm by humming some notes. And still, to this day, I continue writing songs with no plan of stopping. The thing is, I love to perform my songs and to showcase them, but I've tried to record my own music and have only tried to do so a few times in the past.

Since it's my last year in Lit Mag, I decided to just go all out for my last few projects, whether it be a layout or website piece. So here I am, showing you, fellow reader, how I will make and actually distribute a song.

PART I:

Writing the Song

Naturally, writing the song was the easiest part for me.
But before I could begin writing, I needed to find some kind of instrumental beat. Now, I know NOTHING about making beats or producing music of any sort, so I decided to rely on free beats found on YouTube. After searching for a while, I had come across the perfect beat by an artist named alanfor.
Usually when I create songs they are soulful, heartfelt, and filled to the brim with emotion-- but this one is not.
I wanted to try something new, something fresh. So I decided to write a pop/R&B type song, not really having any kind of significant meaning.

FUN FACT:

When I first began my website piece, I had planned to try and create a whole album or EP (extended play), so I ended up writing more than one song. In the end, I was only able to record and revise one song fully.

So, let’s imagine a scenario real quick:
P.O.V.: You're a procrastinator, underestimating the amount of time it takes to record and create a song. You wonder:

"How hard could it be?"

  • (baby just know that you're getting to close,

    for once, can you listen, i need you to go,

    ​and i just cant process, this self hating progress,

    and you cry in defense, do you care at all?)

    for you, i am gonna explain super slow,

    the plan and the tricks, everything you should know,

    you’re laced with confusion, borderline delusion

    and god, you just can’t help but make brand new foes

    you sit here laughing, like there’s something funny,

    and i just don’t know what the hell you want from me,

    stop giving me those eyes,

    if you’re just gonna deny

    that you are like the rest of us, you have something to hide

    (baby just know that you're getting to close,

    for once, can you listen, i need you to go,

    and i just cant process, this self hating progress,

    and you cry in defense, do you care at all?)

    now i got a dilemma,

    and you just hold your hands up

    and since you don’t care, i’ll get out of your hair

    i got what i want, and i’ll leave with my share

    ​

    you sit here laughing, like there’s something funny,

    and i just don’t know what the hell you want from me,

    stop giving me those eyes,

    if you’re just gonna deny

    that you aint like the rest of us, you have something to hide

PART II:

Recording the Song

Recording the song was 100%, the most frustrating part. I don't know why my old self thought it was easy, but it is NOT. It's a lot of moving audio clips around, trying to get it in sync with the beat perfectly and editing the audio using FX effects. I had no idea what I was doing. But momma didn't raise no quitter.
The recording and revising process took about four days, and to be completely honest, it probably would've taken more if I was patient and if I had taken time to research the best way to create a song.

FINAL RESULTS

FINAL RESULTS

So, all-in-all, was this a memorable experience?
Yeah, I'd say. It definitely wasn't all puppies and sunshine but it was something new. And who's to say I won’t get better at recording my music?

It's definitely a start, which is always promising.

Web Page Redesign by KAYLYN ZHONG