cravis-portfolio

[cravis-portfolio]

Cravism Presents: Quarantine EP (ft. Maya Diegel)

I will not be covering the thought process behind the vocal melody/lyrics because that was done by Maya Diegel herself. 

My job is to create the beats, produce, mix and master this EP.  This tumblr page documents the making of the 5 tracks in this EP in the perspective of a producer.

This album proves that you can make music without meeting people in person. The workflow for all 5 track goes like this 1. I make the beat (in Singapore)

2.I send the beat to Maya( in Paris)

3. She writes over it and records her part on a microphone (she uses AT2020), it’s not the best mic but its decent, and it also gives me a bigger challenge as a producer to make her vocals don’t sound like it was recorded from an AT2020)

4.Sends a logic file to me via WeTransfer

5.I export the stems from the logic file and import them into the Live session and start mixing and editing

6.If i require any extra takes I would send a message to her (like for the ending part on Track 4 - Change Your Mind)

7.Reference my mix on my speakers, headphones and Car speakers 

8. Final adjustments Cravis 25/04/2020

[cravis-portfolio]

Essential Plug-Ins / Racks used in the making of this  EP

Melodyne

This plugin was used on all 5 songs. This plugin allows me to tune any musical instrument accurately. Especially when it comes to a track that has 14 layers of vocals (Track 3 - Don’t Be Afraid), tuning every vocal part makes a huge difference.

Cravism Vocal Chain

I created my own vocal chain using only stock Ableton effects. However, the cool part about this vocal chain is that I always automate the volume delay and each effects has it’s own volume meter that allows me to blend it together with the mix. This vocal chain was used in tracks 1,2 and 4

IBG Vocal Chain

This vocal chain is similar to my vocal chain but it has more parameters such as a Preamp, De-Esser and Width. This vocal chain was used in tracks 2, 3 and 4

Ableton’s Drum Rack

This drum rack was used in ALL tracks. The drum rack allows me to import drum samples and play them out or program them in a sequence. In track 4 Change Your Mind, I panned some of the drum samples to create a stereo effect.

Soundtoys Microshift

The last effect that I used a lot in the making of this EP was Soundtoy’s Microshift. This plug in is amazing. As this EP has many harmonies and layers, this plug in brings them to life by adding more width

[cravis-portfolio]

Track 5 - 3 Ways

This beat was sampled off Jim Tomlinson’s Only Trust Your Heart. However I only took the piano solo in the middle section of the song. I slowed down the sample and chopped it up. I purposely made the chops quite rigid to get the organic dusty feel. Because most of the time samples are chopped and piece together seamlessly. I wanted the listeners to KNOW that this was chopped, intentionally. This technique was inspired by Grammy Winning Producer Knxwledge from Stones Throw records where he famous for chopping his samples like this.

Despite recreating my sample on the piano, I decided to keep the chopped version on the track as I wanted to save the recreation version for a live performance setting. This vocal was made using the effects rack that SoundToys gave out for free until the 30th of June during this COVID-19 period. As I did not had the time to slowly go through each rack, I just play with knobs and faders until I am satisfied with the sound I want. Basically at the end of the day, listening is the most important element in mixing. We have to trust our ears.

[cravis-portfolio]

Making of Track 5 - 3 Ways

Learning from Dr. Dre. I recreated my sample by playing it out.

[cravis-portfolio]

Making of Track 5 - 3 Ways

Chopping of Sample (Only Trust Your Heart - Jim Tomlinson)

[cravis-portfolio]

Effect Rack for Vocals in Track 5 - 3 Ways

The decapitator adds warmth to my vocals. Giving it an analog feel. However, I did not want to use it so much so I reduced the Wetness to blend it with the Dry signal

[cravis-portfolio]

Vocal EQ for Track 5 - 3 Ways 

[cravis-portfolio]

Making of 5th Track - 3 Ways

Sample (Only Trust Your Heart by Jim Tomlinson) 1999

[cravis-portfolio]

Track 5 - Making of 3 Ways

Ableton Session File

[cravis-portfolio]

Track 4 - Change Your Mind

This track took a switch in tempo. From the usual boom bap hip hop to a house like beat. Inspired from Rejjie Snow’s Egyptian Luvr. I wanted to challenge myself making a house-dance like beat. The bass line was recorded using the Prologue in Lasalle B2-34 (EM Room). Unfortunately I did not have any footage of me making this beat as all these was made in the moment. I remembered that the bass line was done in one take. I believed that If I filmed myself recording the bassline I would not be able to achieve the same results. 

As for the ending, I wanted to create a imagination of Me and Maya ( The Singer ) jamming in the studio. I told Maya to send me a voice note “uh, uh, yea, Yo Cravis could you give me that bass line” so I could put right before the last bass line which I don’t remember how I played it. This allows me create a mini skit in the song and gives the listener a sense of interaction I recorded the Lead synth on my Microkorg XL as I wanted to do a call and response with Maya’s vocals. I’ve also applied the Male Vocal Technique in this track. 

[cravis-portfolio]

Making of Track 4 - Change Your Mind 

Ableton Session Live

[cravis-portfolio]

Making of Track 4 - Change Your Mind

The drum pattern was inspired from Rejjie Snows’ Egyptian Luvr. I tried to analyze how he programmed his drum and tried my best to emulate something similar. This track only has 2 chords so I really wanted the Drum and Bass to carry the entire track. 

[cravis-portfolio]

Track 3 - Dont Be Afraid 

Ableton Session File

[cravis-portfolio]

Track 3 - Don’t Be Afraid

This song has the most vocal tracks in the entire EP. This track is much slower as compared to the other tracks of the EP. And I wanted to take my time before letting the drums enter. Adding SoundToys Microshift over the Vocal Harmony group track made the entire harmony sound like a Synth. I rolled off 200Hz for most of the harmony track as they only act as a support for the Main vocal. The only harmony part I did not roll off 200Hz was the lower harmonies. 

When mixing this track, I had to make sure the harmonies are not left behind but at the same time they do not overpower the Main Vocal. 

[cravis-portfolio]

Making of Track 3 - Don’t Be Afraid

Adding Piano chords to enhance the harmony of the guitar sample. Also added a chromatic approach from Fminor to Ebmajor , which corresponds with the kick drum as well

[cravis-portfolio]

Making of Track 3 - Don’t Be Afraid The beat started from this guitar loop which I’ve downloaded off a free sample pack. It pitched it dow, EQ and chopped it to fit my desired tempo