Work-related Creative Practice

This is a blog following the creation of audio loops and artwork for a sample pack created to the specification of the client CAPSUN Pro Audio.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

Bibliography

 Allen, Tony, Bag of Breaks <https://open.spotify.com/track/42MLHHzqnKUOzDUr4e4PKp?si=qnjLrIMMRFWMt7cpl-ypkg>  

  Arom, Simha, African Polyphony and Polyrhythm: Musical Structure and Methodology, 1st pbk. ed (Cambridge ; New York : Paris: Cambridge University Press ; Editions de la maison des sciences de l’homme, 2004)  

  Collins, John, Fela: Kalakuta Notes, Music/Interview, Second edition (Middletown, Connecticut: Wesleyan University Press, 2015) <https://muse.jhu.edu/book/39820>  

  Courtois, Leo, and Vincent Courtois, Fela Kuti - Music Is the Weapon Part 1/3 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU-dV7LZ4jo> [accessed 20 March 2018]    ———, Fela Kuti - Music Is the Weapon Part 2/3 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqGBLEgt9nA> [accessed 20 March 2018]  

  Dominiak, Piotr, IMAGE1, 3 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    ———, IMAGE2, 3 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>   

  ———, IMAGE3, 3 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    ———, Omega Version - Group Project, 24 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>  

  ———, Omega Version Banner - Group Project, 24 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>  

  ———, Omega Version Rec - Group Project, 24 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>  

  ———, Test Shot, 21 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>  

  Fela Kuti & Africa 70 - Pansa Pansa 1/2 (Berlin 1978), 2017 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz2jXHKa7TY> [accessed 20 March 2018]  

  Furnad, Daniel, and George Mutero, Faces of Africa - Fela Kuti: The Father of Afrobeat, Part 1, 2017 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS_Yd_iMYWo&t=393s> [accessed 20 March 2018]  

  ———, Faces of Africa - Fela Kuti: The Father of Afrobeat, Part 2, 2017 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ts87oRqdfQ&t=2s> [accessed 20 March 2018]  

  Hinks, Toby, Creative Work Practice Demo, 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>   

  ———, Creative Work Practice Demo 2, 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>     

———, DEMO 1 FULL, 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    ———, DEmo 1 (PERC + GTR), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, DEMO 2 (DRM + PERC), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    ———, DEMO 2 (FULL), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, DEMO 2 (GTR + ORG), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, DEMO 4, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGeiR6lOfCk>    ———, DEMO 5, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTgd-q94oAk>    ———, DEMO 6, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF732Bs-hqM>    ———, DEMO 7, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-lFGygWpso>    ———, DEMO 8, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ6QgQ6Cr5M>    ———, DEMO 10, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYCkz8Giuo8>    ———, DEMO 12, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdWpI9EhHU8>    ———, DEMO with LOGIC DRUMS, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79LEQ3qDDwY&t=16s>    

———, ELEC P TRK 1, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBIBud1Ot8g>    

———, ELEC P TRK 2, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93dk1L1ux88>    

———, ELEC P TRK 3, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pmdL5oUA8M>    

———, ELEC P TRK 4, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DLDCvK_3A8>    

———, ELEC P TRK 5, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C2MPQ-ZoFg>    

———, Electric Piano into Organ Cab, 14 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Final Demo Screenshot, 23 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Grouped Gtr Mics on Desk and Rec, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50pm7CCOSOs>    

———, GTR COMPRESSEED GROUPS, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqQp5octmTE>    

———, GTR Parts 1, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRSpincVXCU>    

———, GTR Parts 2, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d8vI-B7L-8>    

———, GTR Parts 3, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNa1TZfoEps>    

———, GTR Parts 4, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPCG1cysFc>    

———, GTR Parts 5, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jNvedHLMXA>    

———, GTR Parts 6, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfYwUv79NUE>    

———, GUIRO SAMPLE, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKUBmVugqmc>    

———, Guitar Re-Amp Project Screenshot, 29 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, HORNS Part 1, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4yyDW4hvpo>    

———, HORNS Part 2, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOEboyLnBMI>    

———, HORNS Part 3, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFtOLdx5VuY>    

———, HORNS Part 4, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bvch-izXx8>    

———, HORNS Part 5, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFTIdPOhA64>    

———, HORNS Part 6, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JhIm6zk1bw>    

———, HORNS Part 7, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rE1I9ExWDA>    

———, Mic Placement Congas, 18 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement ELEC P Organ Cab, 14 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement Guitar Re-Amp, 28 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement Guitar Session M102 M160, 14 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement Guitar Session SE Titan, 14 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement Hi-Hat, 7 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement Horns Re-Amp, 21 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement Kick, 7 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement Kick (Isoltaion Booth), 7 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Mic Placement Snare, 7 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, MIXED PERC SAMPLES, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxdn5UIui7Y>    

———, NEW HORNS 1, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw4xELfUKas>    

———, ORGAN Mics Inbuilt Speaker, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJ_WjItbzU>    

———, ORGAN through Jack Input of Organ Cab, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV6Ile-xsEY>    

———, PERC CONGA SAMPLEs, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7GSDUM5NLo>    

———, Sample Pack Screenshot 1, 28 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Sample Pack Screenshot 2, 28 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Sample Pack Screenshot 3, 28 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Solina Organ, 7 March 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Thru Cab Unused Parts, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxb-vLl5IO4>    

———, TRK 1, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34lxDwapJAk>    

———, TRK 1 DRM:PERC SAMPLES, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZAFVpm9kVk>    

———, TRK 2, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJVzMasWQBU>    

———, TRK 2 DRM:PERC SAMPLES, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5FYxEtWeao>    

———, TRK 3, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLo96bYN_JQ>    

———, TRK 3 DRM:PERC SAMPLES, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vYpg0A12RI>    

———, TRK 4, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXHA0m4S_rg>    

———, TRK 4 DRM:PERC SAMPLES, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN8Ewg9d4GY>    

———, TRK 5, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5DQcOnR73Q>    

———, TRK 5 DRM:PERC SAMPLES, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1D7iAuk11E>    

———, VINYL CRACKLE VID, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YQCwN6je2g>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (DRM Hi-Hats)), 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yImpM39rgNY>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (DRM KICK), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (DRM SNARE), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (ORGAN BASS), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (ORGAN Hi-Hat), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (ORGAN KICK), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (ORGAN SNARE), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (PERC SHAKER), 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t08GjweLnFo>    

———, Work Related Practice Samples (PERC WOODBLOCK), 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULnncp3tzjA>    

———, WRP D - (DEMO 1 FULL), 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

Hinks, Toby, Gino Sanchez, and Piotr Dominiak, Sno_bnr_628px75px, 19 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, SNO_demo_with_artwork, 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Sno_rec_1, 19 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>    

———, Sno_sq_1, 19 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>  

  Kuti, Fela, Everything Scatter <https://open.spotify.com/track/3Xu5Ifi1CuaoEJeUTFAh5r?si=KsNciMkyQQC2O_S18qbCWw>   

  Learning to Play Fela Kuti Afrobeat : Colonial Mentality, 2012 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzgRUtWvQbc&list=PL0TwuyAL5c_pQjCSlVNoVa-YhDXFBfQWQ> [accessed 28 April 2018]   

  Ninja Beats, Hip Hop, Chill <https://open.spotify.com/track/2We8pJ3KGlNElB8pSrhlIf?si=geVbyLK6REutXKbzvQSigQ>  

  Ryan, Pat, and Sonny Digital, Pull Up <https://open.spotify.com/track/29fRYLHcLqugnh41KAh0mU?si=JI__bOiUT0CSPOcWHn9V-w>   

  Sanchez, Gino, Piotr Dominiak, and Toby Hinks, Latino Trap and Afro Beats, 17 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>   

  Tamagni, Daniele, Gentlmen of Bacongo <https://theculturetrip.com/africa/congo/articles/dressed-to-the-nines-sapeurism-and-the-congo-dandies/> [accessed 28 April 2018]   

  The Funky African: Questlove on Fela, 2010 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ccoFct508> [accessed 29 April 2018]    

uknown, E GO BETTA - Dele Sosimi <https://delesosimi.bandcamp.com/album/e-go-betta-mixes> [accessed 28 April 2018]  

  unknown, FELA <http://www.miami.com/things-to-do-in-miami/felaspora-celebrates-life-of-legendary-fela-kuti-170333/>    

———, LO-Fi Soul and Future Beats <https://www.capsunproaudio.com/collections/sample-packs/products/capsun-lo-fi-soul-future-beats> [accessed 29 April 2018]  

  Vocal Hooks Pink Label <https://91vocals.com/collections/vocal-samples/products/vocal-hooks-pink-label> [accessed 28 April 2018]    

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

29th April Conclusion

Still waiting for feedback from Capsun on audio, but from my own point of view i feel the track was not crisp enough for commercial use. 

I feel that because of difficulties with trying to get content from other members of the group a good 2-3 weeks was lost that could have been spent really working on getting the final mixing of the tracks perfect. However this had to be left until the day before the final client presentation and was never going to be as good because of the time pressure.

The lack of communication and motivation with some members of the group also meant that some key things set out to begin with to try and add some extra processes to the samples did not happen. All the samples were to be placed through a reel to reel tape machine to try and add an extra retro edge in keeping with the genre. Although because of lack of time this could not happen. 

Also because of a lack content produced by the other members in the group musically, only one drumbeat was actually created by a person with prior knowledge of the Trap genre. Therefore they may not be the most in keeping with the style or most cohesive. Mainly they were written as a fail safe against non responsive members not providing work they had promised and then remained there as they had to be used. I could have maybe been more persistent in asking for musical content but i feel the completely non-responsive nature of this member meant that this may have been a waste of energy and the better strategy was to create something i thought to be fitting.   

Communication was not the best between members of the group including myself but i found it hard to organise meetings when no new content was being created to discuss within the group. The fact it took 5 weeks to produce photographs of an idea, that was not the most fitting, with no alternative meant there was next to no development of the idea. Also no attempts to marry the image with the reference material, like stated when sent, seemed to happen. So when we did finally see the image again close to the final presentation, no editing, text or patterns had been placed on it. The image remained the same as when it was sent on the 3rd April until the 17th April.   

Overall i don't feel like the image fit particularly well with the style as it didn't fit the reference material provided genre wise and didn't seem to be developed enough. The music really only definitely fit the genre stylistically from one side all the way through due to a lack of collaboration. 

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

29th April 

Peter e-mailed over an altered version of the artwork with the name change suggested by Jay from Capsun. Also the image is brighter than original one presented. 

Piotr Dominiak, Omega Version - Group Project, 24 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

Piotr Dominiak, Omega Version Rec - Group Project, 24 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

Piotr Dominiak, Omega Version Banner - Group Project, 24 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 28th 

Whilst checking through samples in the sample folder, i realised that the micro fades had not been applied to the samples and loops and some had pops at the start and end of them. This was specified as unacceptable in the spec sheet so I imported all the files into Logic Pro x where i created a tiny inaudible fade on the beginning and end of every track and exported them again to their respective folders. 

These were then e-mailed to Gino and Peter. 

Toby Hinks, Sample Pack Screenshot 1, 28 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

Toby Hinks, Sample Pack Screenshot 2, 28 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

Toby Hinks, Sample Pack Screenshot 3, 28 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

24th April

Presentation Feedback: 

The name fits the artwork and the artwork fits the audio

Jay said it was good to stay clear of geo-specific name with the image of a white woman.

Suggested that the name “summer nights” would perhaps be as it felt more concise and less clumsy.

I think he may have had an issue with the production and processing of the samples and the track, waiting for feedback from. 

This is hard for me as the production of Trap is very different from anything i have done . Trying to fit heavy kicks and 808′s without it sounding muddy, is something i am not practiced at, and it is hard as they take up so much space sonically. It would have been nice to have had a little more support within the group on how to do this. 

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 24th 

Slide show of artwork and final demo presented to Jay along with finished samples.

Toby Hinks, Gino Sanchez, and Piotr Dominiak, SNO_demo_with_artwork, 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

24th April

Final presentation to Client (Jay from Capsun ProAudio) 

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

23rd April 

 The separate projects were mixed in booths at pelham as the speakers are the same speakers as the room were the demo would be presented (KRK Rokit 5) this was to hopefully reduce the possibility of any elements of the mix not translating across different systems. 

Whilst waiting for Gino to arrive i made a basic mix of the tracks and then left him to go through and alter any mixes, levels parts as he saw fit, after all i felt he would be more suited too mixing the level of the drums etc. 

After the mixes had been created we bounced the projects as a whole and drum transitions to make the demo track in a new project. 

The construction of this track can be seen in the image above. 

Gino created the fades between the sections and then i mastered the audio as a whole in another Logic project. 

Finally we both went through all the tracks and exported all the elements with a limiter set at the required level (-1.7db) and altered the levels accordingly. we then created the sample folders from these elements and the one shots used in the sampler. 

I came up with the idea of giving each demo section a name and then naming each loop within that section after it. We came up with with idea of naming after points within a day that went chronologically through the demo. Sunrise, Sunset , Moonrise, Midnight & Dawn. These were to give the feeling of listening them at different points of a Summer night out. Really this seemed the most logical way to be able group these elements so they tracks could recreated if wanted. for instance Sunrise guitar would fit definitely with sunrise full kit and percussion etc. 

Toby Hinks, Final Demo Screenshot, 23 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 19th 

Electric Piano Re-Record - Yamaha PC-100 direct signal - Track 5 

Toby Hinks, ELEC P TRK 5, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C2MPQ-ZoFg>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 19th 

Electric Piano re-record - Yamaha PC-100 Direct Signal - Track 4 

Toby Hinks, ELEC P TRK 4, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DLDCvK_3A8>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 19th 

Electric Piano re-record - Yamaha PC-100 direct signal - Track 3

Toby Hinks, ELEC P TRK 3, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pmdL5oUA8M>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 19th 

Electric Piano re-record - Yamaha PC-100 direct signal - Track 2

Toby Hinks, ELEC P TRK 2, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93dk1L1ux88>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 19th 

Electric Piano re-record - Yamaha PC-100 Direct signal -Track 1 

Toby Hinks, ELEC P TRK 1, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBIBud1Ot8g>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

19th April

Whilst going through the demo tracks again with Gino, i realised the Electric piano samples were much too distorted and as consequence too cutting with the balance of fairly trebly guitar samples. 

As a result i decided to re-record the Electric organ parts as a direct signal from the Yamaha PC-100 straight into an audio interface. I then a guitar amp simulator in Logic Pro and then added delay and tremolo effects to get a warmer and more spacious sound that would fill some of the mids that were maybe lacking in the demo presented before. 

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 19th 

Summer nights out was agreed upon as a new title given the advice of something along the lines of “summer nights” being appropriate. 

Peter had already removed the light at the top in photo shop before meeting us, so the only other thing left was a brightening of the image slightly to make it match the music more. 

These other two formats were also discussed layout wise and created with all of us present on this day. 

Toby Hinks, Gino Sanchez, and Piotr Dominiak, Sno_sq_1, 19 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

Toby Hinks, Gino Sanchez, and Piotr Dominiak, Sno_rec_1, 19 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

Toby Hinks, Gino Sanchez, and Piotr Dominiak, Sno_bnr_628px75px, 19 April 2018 <https://www.tumblr.com/blog/wrcp-tobyhinks>.

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

19th April

Met up with Peter and Gino to go over the alterations and advice given about the artwork

[wrcp-tobyhinks]

April 19th 

Drum and Percussion Samples - Track 5

Toby Hinks, TRK 5 DRM:PERC SAMPLES, 2018 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1D7iAuk11E>.