Define the Concept and Vision

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This section is a continuation of the main article titled “How to record an entire album in Apple Logic Pro“

Let’s break down each step with examples and resources:

  1. Define the Concept and Vision:
  • Genre and Style: Decide on the overarching genre and style of your album. For example, it could be pop, rock, electronic, jazz, etc. Think about the mood you want to convey through your music and the themes you want to explore.
  • Examples:
    • If you’re aiming for a pop album, you might consider the works of artists like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, or Ed Sheeran.
    • For a rock album, bands like Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, or Arctic Monkeys could serve as inspiration.
  • Resources:
    • Spotify and Apple Music are great platforms to explore different genres and artists. Create playlists of songs that resonate with the mood and themes you want to incorporate into your album.
    • Music blogs and magazines often feature articles discussing genre trends, emerging artists, and thematic elements in music.
  1. Listen to Reference Tracks:
  • Find Inspiration: Listen to a variety of tracks from artists who inspire you within your chosen genre. Note down specific elements such as instrumentation, production techniques, lyrical themes, and overall sound.
  • Examples:
    • If you’re working on a pop album, you might listen to Taylor Swift’s “1989” album for its catchy melodies and polished production.
    • For an electronic album, artists like Flume or Daft Punk could provide inspiration with their innovative use of synths and electronic beats.
  • Resources:
    • YouTube, Spotify, and music streaming platforms offer vast libraries of music across different genres. Explore curated playlists or use the platform’s recommendation algorithms to discover new artists and tracks.
    • Music production forums and communities like Reddit’s r/WeAreTheMusicMakers or Gearslutz are great places to discuss and discover production techniques used in reference tracks.
  1. Create a Mood Board or Playlist:
  • Visualize Aesthetic and Sound: Compile images, videos, and songs that represent the aesthetic and sound you envision for your album. This could include album covers, artwork, photographs, videos, as well as songs that capture the mood and atmosphere you want to create.
  • Examples:
    • If your album has a dreamy, ethereal vibe, you might include images of landscapes, celestial objects, and artwork with pastel colors. Your playlist could feature songs with lush instrumentation and atmospheric production.
    • For a gritty, urban-themed album, your mood board might include street photography, graffiti art, and images of cityscapes. Your playlist could include tracks with heavy beats, aggressive vocals, and raw energy.
  • Resources:
    • Pinterest is a popular platform for creating digital mood boards by pinning images, videos, and links from the web.
    • Spotify and Apple Music allow users to create and share playlists. You can curate a playlist that reflects the sonic direction and mood of your album, and share it with collaborators or fans for feedback.

By following these steps and utilizing the provided examples and resources, you can effectively define the concept and vision for your album, determine its genre and style, listen to reference tracks for inspiration, and create a mood board or playlist to visualize the aesthetic and sound you want to achieve.