CONRAD PRODUCTIONS
Production Guide
Your Demo
The purpose of your demo is to provide us with sufficient information to base the arrangement and production on. The sound quality or how well you play or sing is not important.
We welcome demos ranging from a simple vocal line recorded on a mobile device to a full, multi-instrument production, and everything in between.
What To Send
Most demos are typically sent as MP3 files attached to an email, but we're happy to accept any format that is convenient for you.
Examples include audio files such as MP3 or M4A, MIDI files, links to online audio or video, or references to existing tracks.
From Demo To Master
Once we've received your demo, we'll get back to you with our production ideas.
On completion, we'll provide you with an MP3 version of the master recording for your approval. We're happy to incorporate as many revisions as needed until you're completely satisfied with the final result.
Pre-Production
Pre-production comprises all the necessary work on a track before we can start the arranging and recording.
After listening to your demo, we may suggest changes to the structure, key, or tempo if we feel it would enhance the production. In such cases, we would send you an edited version of your own demo, incorporating the proposed changes, for your approval.
Once we've both agreed on the arrangement and production style, or if you have your own definite ideas, we will begin the process of creating the arrangements.
The Arrangement
The nature of the arrangement is dependent on the work completed during the pre-production stage.
Each instrument featured in the production will have a custom-written arrangement tailored to the style and feel of the song. While the rhythm section instruments, such as drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards, typically receive a relatively basic set of instructions, such as a chord sheet outlining the song structure, the orchestral instruments are provided with a more detailed musical score.
Recording
The clip below illustrates the arranging and recording process, starting with the drums, followed by the bass, guitars, and pianos, before introducing the string section and finally adding the vocals.
Mixing - Sculpting Sound
EQ, short for equalization, is the technique of boosting or cutting selected frequencies of a sound during the mixing process. It can be thought of as a more sophisticated version of the treble and bass controls on a hi-fi system. Common applications include enhancing the thump of a bass drum or the crack of a snare.
The dynamic range of an instrument refers to the difference between its loudest and quietest sounds. Using compression allows us to reduce this range, helping instruments blend into the mix. Compression can also be employed to add power and presence to an individual instrument, vocal, or the complete mix.
The Use Of Reverb
Reverb is the reflected sound you hear in any enclosed space, ranging from the short, intimate ambiance of a living room to the long, echoing resonance of a cathedral.
The earliest artificial reverb effects were created using a simple setup of a speaker and microphone in a reflective chamber, later evolving to techniques employing metal springs, suspended metal plates, and digital algorithms. For our productions, we use the sound of Studio 2 at Abbey Road for the short reverb, plus an EMT140 plate reverb and Lexicon 224 for the longer.
Mastering
The various music delivery mediums require tracks to adhere to specific loudness standards, referred to as 'Loudness Units'. The mastering stage of production ensures the master files comply with these requirements.
It is also quite common for the mastering engineer to apply additional compression and EQ at this stage if they believe it would enhance the overall sound of the track. Additionally, vinyl masters require specific technical adjustments before being cut to disc.
We can master your track for a wide range of platforms, including YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and other online outlets, as well as for CD and vinyl formats.