Lesson 22 of 26Music ProductionIntermediate

Effects and Atmospheric parts - concepts

1:09

Paul Whalley breaks down the effects and ambience tracks he layered in to fill the space between the drums and synths and give the production its own character.

Part of the courseProduce a killer pop track26 lessons (1h 43m)

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Paul WhalleyYour guruPaul Whalley

What's in the course

26 lessons (1h 43m) · 1 free
    • 01. Guitar part - concepts

      1:37

    • 02. Guitar part

      4:58

    • 03. Vocals - concepts

      1:22

    • 04. ASSIGNMENT: Recreate the guitar production

      0:37

    • 05. Vocals

      9:42

    • 06. CHALLENGE #1: BUILD THE VOCAL ARRANGEMENT AND HOOK

      0:45

    • 07. Backing vocals

      4:07

    • 08. Keys and synths - concepts

      0:54

    • 09. Keys & synthesizers

      9:38

    • 10. Bass - concepts

      1:01

    • 11. Bass

      5:24

    • 12. Drums - concepts

      0:58

    • 13. Drums

      9:49

    • 14. ASSIGNMENT: Recreate the drum production

      0:32

    • 15. Effects and Atmospheric parts - concepts

      You are here

      1:09

    • 16. Effects and Atmospheric parts

      5:53

Lesson transcript

Exploring Effects and Ambience Tracks

Hey, guys.

In this last section, we're going to be having a look at the effects and ambience tracks that I've added here. These are a really unique part of record making.

Why Effects and Ambience Tracks Matter

For one, they allow you to:

  • Put your own stamp on the track.
  • Achieve uniqueness: You'll very rarely find the same atmosphere track used in two different compositions.
  • Get creative: You can make some fun sounds that help glue the sections together.

These tracks serve to:

  • Fill the empty space left in between your drums and your synths, for example.
  • Make your music unique and special sounding.

What We'll Explore

So, we'll have a look at a few of the layers I've added here, and I'll show you:

  • The role they're playing.
  • How I made some of those sounds.

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Meet your guru

Paul Whalley

Paul Whalley

Paul Whalley is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter with a deliberately broad sound. He spent years on the road as a touring session musician with artists including Mumford & Sons and Ellie Goulding. Classically trained, he holds an undergraduate degree in instrumental performance and a Master's in composition from the Guildhall School of Music. Since moving from touring into production and songwriting he has worked with artists such as NAO, Wretch 32 and Nina Nesbitt, and played on top-40 records around the world, including Little Mix's 'Shout Out to My Ex'. He is based at Tileyard Studios in north London, where he writes and produces for major UK labels and develops new artists. On MusicGurus he and Emmi Green deconstruct a pop record from scratch - every arrangement and production decision laid bare - for songwriters and producers who want to hear how hit records are really built.

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