Project & Portfolio III
Portfolio Project III: You’re Beautiful
A to Z Production Project
In true Full Sail style, this project was designed to bring it all together. Yet another step in their time-tested program that helps bridge the gap between knowledge and experience. This is accomplished by taking all of the best practices and techniques learned from day one and applying them to a real-world dead-line based scenario.
Song Writing & Production Process
What made this project especially challenging was writing the lyrics. In an attempt to break a two-decades-long case of writer’s block. I wanted to write something that was short and easy but, at the same time, felt compassionate and deep. Musically, I wanted this piece to begin with a somber and serious tone and, as the song progressed, let the emotional intensity build into something that explodes with energy.
Tracking Process
What made this project especially fun was tracking the live instrument. I wanted to experiment with trying to create bigger and sonically rich sounds using various microphone configurations. The first instrument recorded was the electric guitar. For this track, a 2014 Gibson Les Paul Studio was used. For the sound, using a Line 6 Helix LT, I went with a clean delay. The Amp used was a U.S.-built Fender Blues Junior. The microphones used were a WA-67 and an AKG C-414 and were run through a WA-412 preamp. The microphones were placed in a Mid/Side configuration. The 67, in an attempt to balance warmth and clarity, was pointed as the cone and with the cardioid polar pattern selected. While the 414, using a figure-8 polar pattern, was halfway between the outer edge of the speaker’s cone and edge. The second instrument recorded was a 2005 Guild 40CE acoustic guitar. A single WA-67, with the cardioid polar pattern selected, aimed at the 12th fret and placed about a foot away from the guitar was used to record this track. For the main vocal, the WA-67 was used to record the track. For additional color and grit, the tone button was activated and the gain on the preamp was pushed up to a slightly higher level than what would normally be used.
Mixing Process
Putting the full power of Avid’s EUCON, HDX processing, and the workflow of my S-4 to work. This project was a blast to mix and master. Utilizing equalizer feathering/ducking techniques, parallel compression/effects processing, and plug-ins used by top mixing engineers across the country. I wanted to create a mix with warm punchy lows that are balanced with smooth clear high-mids and highs. The vocal, sung by the talented MacKenzee Smith, with her smooth rich tone, is placed right at the front of the mix and is the centerpiece of the song.
