Producing a Song Using ONLY STOCK PLUGINS and INSTRUMENTS!

[@TheBissco]

Not surprising to me, Logic has a fantastic set of tools all around. Price value is off the charts for modern DAWs. Nathan is spot on, it's not the plugins - it's what you do creatively!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Absolutely - it's way undervalued. Thanks a bunch!

[@timbeaton5045]

@@NathanJamesLarsen It's not even that simple. Like the olden days, when people were learning to program computers, like the original Sinclair ZX80 and 81 (Timex to you guys in North America!) and had to learn all sorts of tricks to shoehorn a useable program into the original 1K of memory (Yep. 1K!)* And in a similar way, using just LOgic's own feature set, takes AGES to learn. Well it did for me, and I am still finding new stuff (Like varispeed!) SO when I see lousy videos on YT saying it's OK to crack plugins, and the comments are full of things like... "I can't afford to get all the plugins, I've only just started" my reaction is :- LEARN THE BASICS FIRST! learn how to use the tools in Logic/Cubase/Reaper... whatever DAW you are using, and THEN, maybe think about actually buying a few plugins. Basically it usually is a variation on "Joe Bloggs, is my favourite Producer, and he says you GOTTA have Omnisphere/Massive etc" so it simply ends up using the same presets that everybody else uses. This is where the creativity comes in. Learn your weapon of choice, first, and then, when you have learnt how to do that, and also may have learnt more about music itself, go mad with third party stuff. Logic, being my weapon of choice(!) is packed to the rafters with sounds, effects, compositional tools, and probably way more stuff than I would ever use (Microsoft Word, anyone?!?) I Do have some 3rd party plugins, U-He Repro 1(+5) and now some Spitfire libraries, as I am trying to get to grips with more orchestral projects..(By the way, the strings here sound absolutely wonderful!) But little else. Great song, BTW! *Yes, it was expandable to 16K eventually

[@greenpeace1671]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Sir... would you please make a song just use zoom r24 multi track recorder, a guitar and drum machine without using DAW or computer? Can we get good song / mixing / mastering only use 3 hardware that i mention?.... Tq for your help...

[@sjondeeg7158]

I never ever used any samples from stock/presets. thats creative

[@HumptyDumpty-os7ie]

Keep telling yourself that

[@VanessaLKing]

This video clearly shows how building takes place..the basic melody&lyrical strength is a must! Inspired!👐

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

You're awesome Vanessa - thanks :)

[@bassManDavis1953]

Wow, you are such a great producer and have really given me such a lot of confidence and enthusiasm, thank you

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks Gary. Really appreciate it :) and that's awesome

[@el-bov8034]

This is a production masterclass. Will be back with my studying head. Many thanks!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

😎😎🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

That's a really nice catchy track.

[@danielramireg]

Amazing! You make me think how many times I have said that I need to have a better plugins to make good music and I was wrong. I see you from Guatemala!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks for this! You're not alone and I know I've bought into it at times too early on

[@fletchermusician3365]

WOW! sounds really good!

[@queplanton3495]

Wow, Besides admiriing your Logic lessons and knowledge, now I love your music.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

This is amazing -- thank you so much!!

[@DavidRavenMoon]

I’ve been using Logic as my main DAW for about four years, having previously been mainly using Cubase since 1997. I almost exclusively use the built in plugins. I do have a lot of other plugins, but I’ll start with the built in ones, and they get the sound I’m looking for, so I stop there. As you said it’s not the plugins, it’s how you use them.

[@CarnivoreIntelligence]

Yes, exactly. Many get stuck in the “gear route” that you have to have expensive plugins to make great things.

[@Bittamin]

Yes, this is the video I was just asking about in your most recent upload 😅 was worth looking for

[@NathanDarkson984]

Been using Logic Pro X since 2016 when I upgraded from Garageband (been using that since 2009), and honestly, I always wanted to make some songs that sound good. And this, really got me inspired with something. Just a high school student learning new things with Logic ever since. I might as well try to make something original! Glad I found a channel that will teach me some new things. Thanks, Mr. Larsen.

[@CarnivoreIntelligence]

Logic is a great DAW. I started with Logic and tried GarageBand and that is powerful to be a free software.

[@michaelyolch79]

Great work all around, fella! :)

[@SurVarandani]

Wow.. that Bass n Percussion with string section..Super Fantastic was that.. You're really sooooo much underrated Nathan. 🙏🏻 I'd love to meet u someday..For a once at least.🙌🏻😍 You're such a GEM PERSONALITY.

[@jazzattak]

Nathan can you do a vid on your recording template? I would love to see how you layout your processing etc

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Hey - I don't use temperates usually. I like doing everything from scratch. Only time I use templates is for music I'm doing that needs to be cranked out really fast - like, in a day. But I could make a video down the road on how I get sessions started and rolling

[@cosmicrecreations5453]

This song is amazing. Have you uploded it anywhere, I would love to hear this song. And Great job dude👍😊

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I'll be releasing it in the next 3-6 months along with about 4 other singles :)

[@cosmicrecreations5453]

@@NathanJamesLarsen That's dope! Keep it coming. 👍

[@sureshkokande2371]

that is incredible thought for production thanks for inspiring.........

[@williamf.9615]

Very nice. I use a lot of stock too. Especially the compressors, which are very good. A little bit of DeEsser on the vocals wouldn't have gone amiss.

[@BeeBeatMusic]

Nathan i'm really your fan and your tutorial is very much inspire

[@tdmann5929]

Awesome content!! New to Logic Pro, but your videos are filling my knowledge gaps. Also, your communication style is very inspiring and reinforces confidence building. Totally appreciate the time and effort you put into these modules, Nathan.

[@isaacsailo]

Wow, this is soooo awesome!!!! I've been following your channel and watching bits here and there. What I love most about you is the effort you give into creating/composing a beautiful Melody in all the songs you wrote which I think is the most important. I plan on subscribing to your Program next year (2022) as I want to familiarise myself with Logic Pro first (like you advised)!

[@sasmitrudra6283]

Thanks for the video !! You are doing amazing job !!

[@joshdistefano149]

This was great. Thank you! I totally agree that starting with good music and arrangements makes all the difference.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Absolutely! 😎🙏

[@chrisgotvibes]

0:26 - Super FRUN ? lol

[@reinoldg]

What a coincidence you post this video today. I just decided that I’m going to use mostly Logic stock plugins for a variety of reasons: 1. Native instruments Komplete is causing my projects to crash and just weird things happen every time I try to use it. I decided that I will use it only at the later producing stages. 2. Logic Pro optimization; stock plugins just run super fast, I will still use other plugin like the soundtoys bundle or cable guys or fabfilter since they are very “Logic Pro x friendly” but definitely gonna avoid use large libraries like Komplete. And 3. I just hate to have to connect my external SSD just to add NI the Grandeur or the guitar plugin. In overall, I feel like I was way more creative when I only had stock plugins than now that I have a bunch of third party stuff. I heard somewhere that constraints make us more creative and I have been finding this statement to be very true. That’s just a tip for anybody else that might thing that getting more plugins are going to make them more creative. I feel like you just get “inspiration-dependent” but not really more creative. Thanks for your content 👍🏻

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

That is a coincidence! Sorry you're having those issues with crashing but yeah definitely don't need all the bells and whistles. Have you tried bouncing down MIDI to audio you know you're done with to save on computer power?

[@reinoldg]

Nathan Larsen Music that’s a possibility yeah, but generally I like to keep things in midi at first stages. Definitely will do it every time I use NI stuff. Yesterday I created a song without connecting my external drive (using large libraries) and oh god! What a difference! I feel more like in constant look to improve and discover new techniques rather than in constant look of samples 🙌🏻

[@thatskyguy260]

You should release stems or something, this sounds amazing

[@partlysimpson5154]

soundwritting is good man, but sounds raw, but u have good sound selection and little processing so its already quiet good. Like you said, sound selection and arrangement

[@winstondsouza42]

Eye opener ❤️

[@sandhi5858]

Beautiful work ! Thank you so much !

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Absolutely! Thanks a bunch!

[@vivianaichart6488]

amazing! thanks for sharing!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Of course! Thanks for checking it out and hope you can apply some of these ideas

[@devineastmond]

Is this song published anywhere? It’s a banger tbh

[@abiewahba5653]

Hey I really enjoy your vids thank you so much you helped me a ton I just have one request and it’s to explain the order a person should produce his music from start to finish

[@humpdefunk]

Great production man! Amazing...and been saying this for years

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks! And 100% I've been saying it a long time too.

[@humpdefunk]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Love the content and recently subbed, I'd like to communicate with you regularly for sharing tips and just having another producer friend.

[@pedrofilipedasilvafontes2779]

This song sounds like something BANKS would do. Really good piece of art! :) Keep up with the good work!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Appreciate that a bunch - thanks!

[@mlwsf]

Been limiting myself my whole life. Growing up poor does that. All of my outboard gear is 20 years old (sans the Midi controller). My problem was that there was so much free stuff when I retired the ADATs for the DAW that I greedily downloaded it all not realizing just how powerful the tools that came in Cakewalk already are. I mean the Pro-Channel for example and now I have to clear out the old VST folders. lol

[@victoryjhp]

Damn this is so inspiring using only logic plug-ins. and the mixing and mastering are hella awesome

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yo thanks! Appreciate that -- go make awesome music! The tools are just that... tools -- music is so much more than your gear! What kind of music are you making?

[@victoryjhp]

Damn it sounds everything is mixed though that’s crazy...

[@victoryjhp]

I make hip-hop and I wanna do more than that.also, I really love using strings for my melody and with your strings tutorial that you uploaded in the past it helped me a lot and made me realize I can do it with stock strings, but that east west quantom though shiiishhhh that's my future investment right there for sure. And Nathan could you do an EQ tutorial in the future go through details that would help me and a lot of people and as always thank you for uploading an awesome video or videos 😎😎

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

That's great - explore, explore. Best way to branch out is to just do it. Find what you WANT to sound like and mimic. Same way we learn how to speak is by imitation. Good productions that are really ready to be mixed already sound good - mixing isn't about fixing - it's about enhancing. Problem is too many think mixing is all about fixing stuff when it's more about taking what's already good and making it better. Of course, there's gotta be shaping and reducing of offending frequencies too but a good producer will have a production that already sounds great when it's ready to be mixed! ... also mixing engineers are way happier when something is already in great shape when they get it :)

[@hmcvm]

Loving this channel! Could you do a video covering producing realistic guitar parts on Logic (using Komplete or even Logic presets). Finding it hard to get good sounds for lead/rhythm/acoustic, and I’m sure you smash that kind of stuff!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Hey thanks a bunch! Are you asking about using the guitar effects with DI guitar or MIDI guitars?

[@CarnivoreIntelligence]

You can do a lot with some, read some... reverb and chorus. To get a more realistic touch.

[@hmcvm]

@@NathanJamesLarsen MIDI Guitar VSTs! I’d love particularly to make electric guitar sounds more convincing if there’re any tricks. Coming from a keyboardist trying to produce demos for musical theatre songs..!

[@fusionistaaaa]

@@NathanJamesLarsen I am not sure if you play guitar but it d be interesting if you do to learn your sign chain for clean guitar

[@tatepaul3947]

@Nathan Larsen such a great production made with only Logics tools! You've inspired me to do the same and get creative with what's to offer in Logic! I was also wondering how long it took you to finish the production before any mixing was involved? Appreciate any response you can offer man thanks :)

[@stefverheyen8547]

awesome project do you have an arrangement view of this ??

[@jeremyneworleans]

Funny how while you tell us we don't need all those expensive plug-ins the adds interjected keep trying to sell us expensive samples. Great video man!

[@HaohanH7BranDy]

I just made my first experimental EP with only logic stock plugins, I may buy a third-party plugin for my next one, any recommendation for noisy/ experimental/ unique sound plugin?

[@fusionistaaaa]

Great video. I have a question about vocal processing. When you said you repitched her voice one octave down, how exactly? Transpose the region, using pitch shifter effect or using flex pitch manually? Thanks

[@queplanton3495]

Hi Nathan I have a Question: Have you used either MIXROOM or SUGAR and if you had.... which one do you prefer?

[@suuuuuuu19]

I have a question What do you do first an arrangement or mixing and mastering or you do everything all together step by step?

[@blessedjay1442]

How can get to work with you Am an Artist and I will like to work with you

[@adventuresofjandk]

This is good stuff. Would like to see more like this. Is the quality high enough to actually sell?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks! I would hire out mixing for sure, but production-wise, yes, for sure. Just need to keep in mind that "quality to sell" is very very hard to quantify. There are people who make music I would never buy or listen to who are making a killing in sync licensing.

[@fusionistaaaa]

@@NathanJamesLarsen can you recommend a mixer you hired out? I have a few songs that need mixing.

[@oscarchank]

I very love this ,can I buy this project file?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

It'll be on Spotify and all streaming places later this year!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

But I don't have the project itself for sale

[@sergiboal]

Hi the song is great. One question i have when i start to writing for a not male voice. What is the best key to write the music for a female voice? What is the best way to do that in order to not rewrite again if the singer voice not fit? Thank you so much for your videos

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

That's a great question! So what I normally do with Anna (the singer in this song), is I have her come to my studio after I have written the song and work out the best key with her. Usually what is too low for me by just a bit is perfect for her, so when I make my demos, I do them in a key I can sing so I can send them to her. If you can, have the singer come over and work with you on the key OR ask the singer about their range and what they're comfortable with.

[@sergiboal]

@@NathanJamesLarsen awsome response🙏👍thank you nathan!!!

[@vidoemakenoke2424]

Video máken oke

[@jeffreyrobinson8444]

Mentor please how do I reach you privately, I got a biz to discuss with you. Thanks

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

You can DM me on Instagram @nathanlarsenmusic or email [e-mail]

[@jackawackamooable]

After coming across your channel I was convinced to get Logic Pro X. I also got the triton collection vest plugin. I can’t seem to load the plugins in logic. It says they’re verified, but I can’t pull them up. Any idea what might be wrong?

[@CarnivoreIntelligence]

It seems strange if you bought them. Have the plugin provider have a customer support?

"I promise that you'll stay my EX".... Man, that's a great line.... Hey, Nathan.... What computer are you running Logic on? Maybe you've talked about it in other vids, but I'm new to the channel. And-Thanks for another solid video!

[@adventuresofjandk]

Would you recommend a decent controller for Logic Pro x?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Honestly, most controllers are pretty much the same... so it just depends on your budget, what you're looking for in terms of features, and the like. For me, I have the Komplete Kontrol S88 because I'm a pianist, and I want weighted keys with total integration with Native Instruments software (NKS). If you don't care about the feel or software integration, then you don't need to spend a lot. Novation has a TON of options. Anything from little 29 keys to drum pads to 88 keys. So I don't really have just "one recommendation" cause it so depends on your needs. My big recommendation is that you use Sweetwater, (I'm not sponsored), because they have the BEST customer service, free shipping, and 2 yr warranty on everything pretty much. If you want a custom opinion on your needs, seriously reach out to those dudes over a SW, cause they know their stuff and aren't just about getting you to spend a ton. I'm biased toward Native Instruments (I do have a relationship with them) but I've also been using their stuff for years and spent a LOT of money on them haha. Their keyboards are incredible, and I love their software.

[@adventuresofjandk]

Nathan Larsen Music Awesome feedback. Thanks a ton. I am a drummer and purchase all my gear through Sweetwater. That are great.

[@sivbal5275]

Hi, Nathan🙂. Please give project file of this video. Please 🙏

[@LabofmusicRecords]

141 Tracks and no CPU overload...whaaat...?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

It helps that there are no 3rd party plugins - but my computer at times still struggles at times, but I've got a good system. iMac i7 with 1TB fusion drive.

[@JulianFernandez]

Ho-dor

[@sjondeeg7158]

stock? you want to say ..presets

[@nathancatley3428]

Would LOVE to mix this track dude!!! If you're interested hmu on Insta @ncsoundengineer

[@sivbal5275]

Hi Nathan, Please give this project file. It's very very very useful to me and your subscribers. I don't use it for any copyright or illegal purpose just I am asking for educational purpose only🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍🙏👍👍 Pls please please please please please 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏