Hey guys, I'm starting to really tinker around with making tracks and a big problem I have is making an "intro", I know not every song needs one but I can't really come up with a good sounding one. I'm pretty sure an "intro" is not the same thing as a "lead" (talking soundbank/presets for VST labeling) since there is no such thing as "int" or "intro" in soundbanks.
I don't consider the first ~3:00 a "lead" although I suppose you could classify it as one. I'm not looking to replicate it but coming up with anything like that without replicating it is "difficult". I guess truthfully I would almost consider it "ambiance" and that's what seems difficult for me at least. I've tried throwing EQ's onto the tracks to take out the high tones etc but I just struggle with it. I don't know why but making something like that and then jive into a working set is difficult for me for some reason.
I'm not really looking for a tutorial or anything like that, just needed to vent I guess. lol
What i would do is try and learn how to play that intro to deadmau5 and then analise it in terms of what intervals he is using and how often, then use this as a basis to create your own. This doesnt mean use the same notes and rearange them but you could try a different key and or intervals. The most common intervals are obviously octaves, 3rds and 5ths, but to create at 'Atmosphere' i would try some more unusual ones such as 7ths, 6ths or diminished intervals.
I usually try to keep chords to a minimum in the intro, and also create you main riff or lead first and then use this to inspire the intro, this way the intro will give the listener a insight as to what is comming.
Gd luck
Currently Listening To:Chris Brown - Turn Up The Music
As heard in Strobe, and many other songs, start with just a few elements. Build up with more sounds as you go along, usually every 8th or 16th bar. Then you can lead into the next part with a sweep/riser. Also, a good idea is to have a filter on, that you increase as you go along.
You shouldn't be thinking of an intro as a sound/patch, an intro is a structural device, wherein you set a basic musical theme for more complex instrumentation to build upon.
Last edited by penguinoid; 05-01-2012 at 09:02 PM..
every track got an inspration and most times it are other tracks so yea. you cant make a track without copying a bit of an other track. the bass drum is always very similar by instance
i agree...sometimes the intro will provide a melodic hint at the hook of the tune (or sometimes even a secondary musical idea used elsewhere in the track)
Quote:
Originally Posted by penguinoid
You shouldn't be thinking of an intro as a sound/patch, an intro is a structural device, wherein you set a basic musical theme for more complex instrumentation to build upon.
You could track a track of choice, put it into your daw, and copy its intro structure. Not 'notes' or anything but kinda 'what happens where'. Like say 8 bars of just kick, 8 bars of kick and hats between them 8 bars of kick, hats and lite melody. Its good practice to understanding the many ways to build an intro.
Play with vsti sounds.It works for me.Most of the times the intros are slow,they ease you into the main part but I also heard songs that take you straight to the point
Hey guys, I'm starting to really tinker around with making tracks and a big problem I have is making an "intro", I know not every song needs one
I don't suppose you always need an intro, but generally you should always have one. Like it was mentioned by a few people in this thread already, an intro is going to give your listener a good idea what to anticipate when your song starts getting wild. It's also a good means to keep their attention on the song as well. I mean, sure you can start a composition off with belligerent going on's right away, but if its already built up at first and very little variation going on in the meantime, people may grow bored of the song and turn it off within the first few minute(s). Also, intro's can be pretty interesting from an experimental point of view. For example, you could have some intricate things going on that build up in terms of a gradual volume fading into.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RFJ
I do this for the love of it and that's it. If I had any other motive I would have quit long ago because this shit ain't easy.
Intros don't really have to have anything to do with the main body of the track. They're basically a way to ease the listener into the music. As for the Mau5, he made the intro for Strobe way before he made the rest of the song. It was actually it's own track at one point (Then We Stood Still). Just start with a chord progression or an arp and then gradually add things like pads, bass, and eventually a drum beat.
well specifically to the OP, the beginning of strobe, is actually like really slow compared to the part that the radio edit has. it actually ups in bpm like from like 60ish to 128(ik its 128 cant tell the first part yet) during the transition , just like what ultimaweapon said, it was actually a song in its own right, i think it was in his very first album where it had like 50 songs 1-2 mins long? anyways, dont even think of a intro as like AWW SHEET ITS GOTTA BE BIG, just like start something simple and just connect the dots, but yeah i know what you mean bro sometimes we gotta vent
Intros don't really have to have anything to do with the main body of the track. They're basically a way to ease the listener into the music. As for the Mau5, he made the intro for Strobe way before he made the rest of the song. It was actually it's own track at one point (Then We Stood Still). Just start with a chord progression or an arp and then gradually add things like pads, bass, and eventually a drum beat.
thats actually how strobe goes XD except the pad it was more like a ambient piano/ guitar thing
Intros don't really have to have anything to do with the main body of the track. They're basically a way to ease the listener into the music.
I disagree, although a lot of intros may not seem like they are irrelevant to the main body, (e.g. house) they are. Even if an intro is incredibly simple, it still sets sets the rythm, and more importantly the mood of a song. It also provides a contrast for the rest of the song to play off of. Don't think that an intro is insignificant and isn't worthy of time.
When looking at an intro its important to recognize that it is part of a larger whole.
Also, an intro is essentially a "first impression," and it works similarly to how a first impression works in interpersonal interactions. This is particularly important when promoting. There's so much music out there to listen to, no one is going to waste 5 minutes if they hear the first 30 seconds and don't think the rest is worth it.
all depends on the type of lead and style of song. this deadmau5 track is a slow progression
so if you want something like that start off playing some notes and gradually build them up as the track progresses. then start mixing in atmospheric effects you like and maybe some stringy chords like he did. gradually raise the volume on whats suppressed and play with reverbidge.
its really up to you
then hes got the basic 1/4 kick that he layers with some simple synth melody that retains the structure from the beginning while building off it and expanding.
when i try to make stuff that builds like this i try to be reaaaaaally patient and not too critical of the initial structure until i get further along.
but really though....shitty boring intro's get shittier and more boring for me unless im hangin out with molly
"Some people... some people like cupcakes exclusively, while myself, I say there is naught nor ought there be nothing so exalted on the face of gods grey earth as that prince of foods... the muffin!"
-frankzappa
It's really nice if the intro can hint at the main hook to come. But yeah, if you don't have much of a hook in the first place, making a great intro might not matter too much
I feel the intro as the most basic beat/sequence/element in my track, building up through the track. It is not INTRO + The rest, the intro is part of the whole thing. I think this is what makes a track cohesive, and an intro seductive. I like to start tracks with minimal elements, gradually buidling up, like putting pieces together until it morphs into a solved puzzle (but not necessarily). How I start a track depends on the tempo and the mood of it. I tend to make slower compositions (80-100bpm), so starting with a nice beat and adding up elements works for me (plus some layers). Otherwise, I tend to start fully from the go, just playing with filters.
