Learning Logic 7

Dear John,

I have a new recording system that I need to learn: A Mac and Logic 7. I still plan to record mostly "real" instruments on my new songs. The main "artificial" sound I'll want at first is piano, and I'll explore the piano sounds that come with Logic 7 first.

The laptop is a bit of a disadvantage, but there are pros, too. I just learned that when you put the caps lock key down, your computer keyboard becomes a music keyboard. So if I was away from my Roland on the top of a mountain or just on a trip, I could still record ideas, with very little equipment (ie. one good mic, the M-Audio, and my laptop).

My hope is to master Logic 7, but then use it in a subversive, original way. I don't really want my stuff to sound like U2 or Green Day or other new stuff that I enjoy. I'd like it to be a bit old-timey and weird. Different. Have you heard the Decemberists? I'd rather sound somewhat like them, or the White Stripes, or Wilco, things which are not part of the pop universe of the latest wow.

My biggest thing is that I want to avoid letting the click or drum machine set the mood for my songs. The groove and feel needs to come from my basic performance on guitar or piano. It's very easy for me, or you or Simeon, to make up songs and chords to given beats or loops. It's easy for me to lose my focus that way, and make stuff that sounds like every other bedroom dreamer.

That thing you said about color coding so you could sort through many vocal performances was the perfect sort of tip that I'm sure to use. Not only with vocals, but with the live instruments my friends will play on my songs.

aloha,

Jim
http://familysmart.blogspot.com/