take it apart
August 21, 2010 7:46 PM Subscribe
What are some blogs/posts/videos that deconstruct the production of specific songs?
I love listening to and creating music, but I don't have a great deconstructive ear. I'll often hear a cool part of a song and wonder, "is that a guitar or a synth sound or a sample or huh? how did they do that?" Does anyone know of any resources online that take a song apart and examine how it was made? I'm less interested here in structural/songwriting aspects than in sound-creating aspects. I'm a technical idiot and anything that lays things out in kindergartener terms is great. Contemporary music preferred. Videos, articles, anything is all good. Thanks!
I love listening to and creating music, but I don't have a great deconstructive ear. I'll often hear a cool part of a song and wonder, "is that a guitar or a synth sound or a sample or huh? how did they do that?" Does anyone know of any resources online that take a song apart and examine how it was made? I'm less interested here in structural/songwriting aspects than in sound-creating aspects. I'm a technical idiot and anything that lays things out in kindergartener terms is great. Contemporary music preferred. Videos, articles, anything is all good. Thanks!
Check out the free Tape Op magazine and their forums.
posted by JohnMarston at 9:13 PM on August 21, 2010
posted by JohnMarston at 9:13 PM on August 21, 2010
It'll cost money, but Look at Amazon for DVD's under "Classic Albums:" for older stuff -- VH-1 produced a series that does exactly this with Dark Side of the Moon, Fleetwood mac Rumors, Steely Dan's Aja and about 10 more.
posted by Devils Rancher at 9:24 PM on August 21, 2010
posted by Devils Rancher at 9:24 PM on August 21, 2010
Here is the "making of" the songs on Queen's A Night at the Opera album. (This is part one, you'll see links to the other parts on the YouTube page.)
posted by Oriole Adams at 1:52 AM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Oriole Adams at 1:52 AM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Seconding Devils Rancher's recommendation. The "Classic Albums" series is the most detailed thing I've ever seen.
posted by AmbroseChapel at 4:47 AM on August 22, 2010
posted by AmbroseChapel at 4:47 AM on August 22, 2010
Sound on Sound have a "Classic Tracks" column in most/all(?) issues of the last x years. For example, Donna Summer ‘I Feel Love’.
posted by Slyfen at 7:35 AM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Slyfen at 7:35 AM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Someone made an awesome blog post like this deconstructing Beyonce's Single Ladies. I'll look for it.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 7:37 AM on August 22, 2010
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 7:37 AM on August 22, 2010
Here is a video with Timberland and Busta Rhymes coming up with a beat. I love this clip because Busta is just playing around with Timbo's beats and the look on Busta's face when they find the one is priceless!
posted by LC at 5:30 AM on August 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by LC at 5:30 AM on August 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Search youtube for ableton live remake. There are a few videos where songs are reconstructed in the ableton live software
posted by ilike at 5:31 AM on August 23, 2010
posted by ilike at 5:31 AM on August 23, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by verbyournouns at 8:03 PM on August 21, 2010