Hello dear,

this week I want to talk about one of the most inflated topics on You Tube and payed teaching platforms:

track reconstructions.

I’m sure you’ve watched at least one of these videos, somewhere.

I treated this topic as well, both on You Tube and on my Patreon.

In fact, I think that analyzing and reconstruct a track is a great way to learn.

Since everybody have their own favorite style, artists or labels, it is impossible for me to address all the requests.

That’s why, together with reconstructing some specific styles, I want to give my students a general method so that they can face a track reconstruction on their own, for every style they want.

To summarize the video I just shared on Patreon, here are my 4 rules for track reconstructions:

#1: recognize the main elements that define that style. Every style has its own characteristic elements. Pads and environmental noises on ambient music, delays and reverbs on dub music, specific drum machines on 90’s house music. Listen to a lot of music within a specific genre and find what defines it.

#2: the vibes matter. When reconstructing or drawing inspiration from a track, it’s crucial to capture the vibe rather than replicating every element precisely. While mimicking elements aids learning, it can be time-consuming. Therefore, prioritize capturing the atmosphere and roughly reconstructing elements that contribute to it, without unnecessary stress over precision.

#3: start from the beginning. Begin the reconstruction by listening from the start. Electronic music tracks typically start with fewer elements, gradually adding more towards the central part. Starting at the beginning helps discern groove elements and recognize the gradual introduction of new elements as the track progresses.

#4: get technical. During the track analysis, delve into technical aspects like sample and synth types, element count, and frequency distribution. Import the track into your project, marking key transitions on the arrangement. List ideas that you might potentially use in your tracks. Once we have studied the track, let’s keep in mind that we can note something but decide to do it differently. Creativity and originality must always be at the first place.

The last sentence is what i care the most about. Reconstructing a style must not be something that we do because we want to make music like our favorite artists. You Tube is now populated with thousands of videos that go like “making music like this artist”, “making music like that label”.

Often they don’t even get close to that style, but apart from this, take these videos with a grain of salt and find your own voice.

If you want to see the full video, join the Minimal Improvements community. This month, in part 2, we will analyze Dub minimal style..get in the loop!

I have more content for you this week.
If you are curious to know more about the “ups and downs” of being a freelance music producer and content creator, watch my latest You Tube video.

FROM THE WEB

1 – Live 12 has been announced!!

Learn more about the new features you’ll find on Ableton Live 12. I already pre-ordered my upgrade, since it comes for a discounted price.

2 – How to make music like your favorite artists

Speaking of track reconstructions, taking inspiration from existing tracks is not something that happens just with club music. See how this music producers uses reference track to create music for films (YT video here)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Here I share what I’ve been listening to lately both from the house music world and from every other genre.

I will keep feeding this section of my newsletter, with the hope you enjoy it.

1 – HOUSE/MINIMAL HOUSE MUSIC

My latest add to the Bandcamp cart: The Mingers – Emancipation (Silverlining remix)

2 – OTHER GENRES

Another ambient song: JakoJako – Amygdala (Spotify link)

Always be curious towards new music, you never know where inspiration comes from.

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