Some people may fall into the classic mistake of believing that
producing music is a technical-oriented process. The importance of music
production started making itself more obvious in the era of electronic music.
Seeking the help of a music producer and expecting a standard job isn't simply
going to happen. While music production is an intricate, laborious process that
requires studying different techniques, the process still boils down to
creativity. This intuitive, creative process relies on using different
mastering and producing techniques that differ from one producer to another. Sound
layering is one of the most important and critical skills in producing music.
Here, we will further explore the gravity of sound layering and how it can
change the final recordings of your music.
Sound Layering in Music Production
The same way any creative process starts, music production
likewise begins with simple outlines of the vision you would like to bring to
life. After putting together the basic structure and shape of your track, you
will have to go through different stages, until you reach the final product that
you are trying to achieve. Some people just go recklessly through these stages
without meticulously focusing on every decision they make, in the hopes of
fixing everything in the mixing and production phases. This approach to making
music couldn't be further from the right way to do it. To understand the
importance of sound layering, we first need to go over the important role of
music production in the music-making process.
Sound Layering Importance
Music production is the last phase of making high-quality tracks.
But, without it, the concept of making quality recordings simply isn't
possible. Producers usually supervise the entire process of making music, which
puts them in a critical position of ensuring that every stage has been done
correctly. Sound layering is an important technique in producing music, to give
life and some groove to your tracks. To understand the layering technique
fully, you need to read more about the
two major considerations that go into the process. The first is frequency
layering, which is the only way possible to bring a sense of proficiency and
quality to your tracks, by managing the makeup of frequency throughout your
mix. The second is understanding the sound's amplitude throughout.
The Art of Frequency Layering
The concept of layering can be summed up simply as copying and pasting any given part that has been taken out of your mix into different and multiple music tracks. After mastering this technique, you will begin to understand the exact parts you need to highlight and how to achieve the desired effect by tweaking different layers. This technique, when done correctly, has the power to give your tracks more dimensions and richer sound. Any musician who studies music theory understands the limitations of every instrument and how hard it is to produce a track with different instruments. The harmonization of different instruments to achieve smooth transitions is done by sound layering through the adjustment of frequencies.
Synergizing Your Track
Some musicians adopt the mantra of "less is more," while others
tend to root more for busy mixes. This field of producing music is kind of
risky. While busy mixes can be exquisite and magically captivating, there is a
fine line between a well-produced, high-quality mixed track and an overloaded
track that just sounds like noise. Without understanding sound layering, being
aware of this line will be nearly impossible. Your track can easily turn out to
be overwhelming and just plain annoying to listeners. To understand how
layering can be done correctly, you will need to spend your time experimenting
with different sounds, layers, and techniques until you reach your ideal sound,
which can easily become your musical
signature.
Hans Zimmer, for instance, is one of the musicians who appreciate
busy mixes and their full potential. In return, fans have learned to love his
music easily, without suffering headaches. The art of layering lies in learning
how to manipulate each layer to add something extra to your track. This
technique eventually results in tracks with richer sounds and more groove.
Artists who deal with different stages of making music, such as
mixing, mastering, and producing, often do all the work behind the scenes
without enough recognition. However, these musicians are the real heroes behind
any quality tracks we listen to and enjoy. This is why the art of mastering
sound layering and using it correctly to accent different parts of tracks is
extremely critical to the process of making music, and it cannot be neglected.
