Pop Production & Mixing Coldplay’s Live Album

In this section, you’ll learn effective strategies for maintaining creativity when producing music. Rik will provide you with helpful tips on taking breaks, utilizing reference speakers, and seeking feedback from others. Additionally, he will discuss the concept of a “musical gym” and share Brian Eno’s 11 commandments for making music, all of which can serve as inspiration to enhance your creative process and optimize your workflow.

During the studio tour, Rik will provide an in-depth look at the various hardware components that make up his setup. This includes unique equipment, such as synthesizers, drum machines, MIDI controllers, and audio interfaces. Rik will also reveal his preferred instruments and elaborate on why he opted to use them.

In this chapter you’ll explore Rik’s Ableton Live 11 template he uses to start a track from scratch and discover his unique production workflow. Rik will guide you through his collection of VSTs, drum plugins, soft synths, and sample folder, providing an inside look at his production setup. By understanding his techniques, you’ll be able to apply his method to your own templates in any DAW.

Throughout this chapter you’ll learn effective strategies for generating ideas, Rik will demonstrate how he begins the creative process by using a toy piano recording as a source of inspiration. He’ll walk you through the steps of writing chords and enhancing the depth of your song by utilizing reverb pedals. By following Rik’s techniques, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to kickstart your own creative process and take your music production skills to the next level.

In this section, Rik will guide you through the process of refining your drum and bass sections. He will showcase how to effectively integrate live drums, quantization, and compression to achieve the desired sound. Additionally, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to create a bassline using the Prophet synth and seamlessly blend it with the bass drum.

Here he will guide you through the process of crafting top lines and using your instincts to craft complementary counter melodies. You’ll also learn how to develop memorable hooks that will take your melody creation to new heights.

Rik will provide his insights on layering harmonies and melodies. You’ll learn how to use 3rd and 5th harmonies to create a well-balanced sound, without being too overwhelming. Rik will demonstrate how to incorporate harmonies that enhance the overall depth of your song, while allowing other elements to shine.

Learn the process of transforming your initial idea into a complete arrangement. Rik will demonstrate how to structure your song, highlighting important components like the chorus, breakdowns, and other crucial elements. You’ll acquire the skills to create a consistent arrangement in your music.

Here, Rik will provide you with valuable insights into the crucial role of EQ and compression when it comes to mixing a song. He’ll share his approach to creating space in your mix using clever plug-ins, and demonstrate how to use EQ and compression on individual drum sounds. By the end of this section, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to use EQ and compression to enhance the clarity and impact of your tracks.

In this chapter, you’ll gain valuable insights from Rik on the art of mastering. Rik will show you how to use dynamics to achieve a polished and professional final product. He’ll discuss the mastering plug-ins he uses and demonstrate how to effectively utilize these tools to master your own music at home.

In this final chapter, Rik will summarize the key takeaways from the masterclass and offer you expert insights on music production. He’ll provide valuable tips and advice to help you continue your growth as a music producer, and share his final thoughts to inspire and encourage you on your musical journey.