How I Record A Song From Scratch - Pt1

[@danielearley9698]

Paul, don't feel you have to apologize for a "long" video; we enjoy what you and James do and appreciate a peak into your process; it helps us punters out tremendously! Can't wait for the rest of videos in the series!

[@henrikkaveryd3374]

I've said this many times before, but you're one of my absolute favourite guitarists on KZbin. Tone, feel, musicality, knowing when to do what and never over-doing. Keep it up, Paul 🙏

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Henrik that’s real nice to hear.

[@scorpionleader1967]

I can't wait to see all the guitar parts. I am very new to recording. I need to see an in-depth workflow, so thank you.

[@frantisca]

13:00 Paul the Shredder 🤣 Beautiful ambient tune !

[@k8923]

OMG, Paul. That melody is stunning. So emotional and heart felt. Maybe you could talk to us about how you come up with a "lead" like that. Do you whistle it to the chords first? Do you just keep playing over the chords until something sounds right? I really respect how you didn't fall into cliches with the solo. Incredibly soothing.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers K, funny enough all of the above, there are melodies that I’m whistling in my head when I’m playing the chords and sometimes it’s just trying things out by looping a section:

[@UpliftingRiffs]

Great idea. I often wonder how others create tracks. Glad to know I'm close to the same. Tones sound amazing. Love the laid back groove and simple lead parts.

[@toneydavis9802]

This is great. I have no idea about the recording process and all the equipment. This gives me a real appreciation for those of you who do this. I wouldnt have my music outside of live performances if you didnt. Thank you!

[@knockknock3686]

The solo is so smooth it almost sounds like a saxophone bloody awesome …

[@jerrycarroll9068]

Paul, your playing is just amazing.. so melodic and dynamic, I could listen to you play all day!

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks Jerry, if you saw the outtakes you might change your mind.

[@GlenLaForceMusic]

Paul sounds amazing and I can’t wait to see the start to finish product of your song and what goes into it.👍🏻

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers zglen

[@ronsiegel1084]

Love the peddle that looks like a dog--I guess it gives the bass and treble some bark.

[@CW-ic1sc]

Really love the tasteful lead parts, your note choice & delivery was perfect. Thanks for this video series!

[@michaelnewsomegreen5500]

Okay here is the thing. Nobody sees or hears what I do in the studio, & I can't talk about it because there is no-one to speak with who understands what I do. Therefore, I found this clip to be encouraging because I create music in exactly the same way. My music is of a similar genre but not quite as polished as yours, but at least I know, I am on the right track. Thank you!!

[@davehunt9817]

Hey Paul great stuff - love to see more of this process, it helps motivate me to try and record more on my own! Cheers.

[@matsnilson7727]

This brings tasteful playing to a new level. Top shelf stuff!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Mats

[@RobvandenBoogaard]

Very nice video, Paul. Love seeing the process and decisions and witnessing the development of the song. Looking out for part 2. Also, that Tele+Matchless did not disappoint!👌🏻

[@BillVerdon]

This was very helpful Paul.... thank you for doing this

[@eulman09]

No apologies needed. This was so illuminating! Thank you for taking the time to make this series. I can’t wait for the next one.

[@mikedr1549]

Sounds awesome. You make it look easy but it's not. Wonderful phrasing and wonderful tone - you've inspired me to work on being more melodic in my playing - thanks so much!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Mike

[@flashbak01]

Paul, great feel and very nice melodic playing as usual! Anxiously awaiting Luna to show up for the Windows OS.

[@HenrikBagge]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Very inspiring. And now you've learned me to start of with a drum track in Garage Band and how to put in the drummers fill. 🙏

[@scorpionleader1967]

You might not be a shredder, but shredders can't write a melody like that. I'm just starting on solo playing, and this is right up my alley. Some of your note choices I was right there with you, and others were different than what I was hearing in my head. It really showed me my creativity is on the right track. My favorite guitarist is Neil Shon, so that's what I'm looking to do. Melodic almost lyrical passages with short bursts of speed.

[@TheStudioRats]

I’m going to realise the backing track so you guys and gals can record your own versions.

[@petmoxey2177]

Some fine tasty lead parts there Paul. Even the dog was feeling it 😃 👌

[@TheStudioRats]

He only comes up the studio the get treats.

[@petergedd9330]

Great stuff Paul. The Logic drums plugin is great for getting things going, what a useful piece of kit. This video is just what I need, I've been so long riffing, I've gotten really rusty trying to put those riffs in a workable song. You're one of those people that can find really good tools for the trade pretty quickly, I'm glad your sharing these. Thanks. NB: Having watched all the way through, I can easily tell you are a perfectionist, I love that recording booth. Little bit of Timmons coming though there, beautiful Paul, I know when I hear a musician because I always get a vision and a feeling of being somewhere when I'm listening, the beauty of real music. I dont know why but I have not subbed? So here's a big Subb Paul and a like.

[@mittenguitars]

Nicely done Paul... love that Tele.

[@PhreddCrintt]

Paul. I am 75. Been gigging since I was 13. First proper gig was in front of 14,500 people in the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (as was) in Feb '63. (My band - the Blue Stars - headlined). The rest of my musical life ensued alongside full-time jobs with the RAF and mainstream Computer Companies until '9-11' when it all changed BUT... I played - many times a week - until just before pre-Covid here in the UK. (What is he rambling on about!!??) This is the first time ANYONE has talked sense about the art (yes. It is) of making music in this digital world we live in. SO many of us are 'bursting at the seams' to have an anchor - somewhere that makes sense! - as to where to start. I thank you most sincerely.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Mike, I’m really glad you got something out of it. Cool story

[@DavidStockden]

Beautiful piece Paul!

[@aluminati9918]

Excellent video. Looking forward to pt. 2. Video was perfect length btw. No worries.

[@Olli-ls3qz]

Thank you for this great video Paul! Finally I found someone who creates music the same way I do

[@mightymikeamps9317]

I really enjoy you playing and thank you for sharing your knowledge and inspiration.

[@TheStudioRats]

Anytime

[@LightWingStudios]

Superb.

[@toddsteele72]

Nice one Paul. As always.

[@jimamsden]

Pretty good playing for a shredder! Really appreciate the approach to using Logic Drummer by breaking up the individual sections and adjusting each one, even for individual fills. I was using labeled arrangement markers to get this variability. But the technique you used was much more flexible. Great video.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Been waiting for someone to do something like this. Subbed.

[@drillhippy5120]

Excellent Paul, thanks for this-really useful. This type of vid adds huge value to the channel. More please. Thank you.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Drill

[@av8tordonny398]

Absolutely love this. It’s very helpful, and looking forward to seeing how this song develops. It sounds great so far. Very inspiring as this is what I want to do. Just record ideas and create music in my spare time.

[@fotog04]

Thank you so much for this video! Love it

[@alexsisti]

Really intresting video, great playing, inspiring!

[@geoffnightingale9290]

Love to see how you approach 'punching in and out' for fixing mistakes... I have a lot of those whenever I hit record!

[@TheStudioRats]

I’ll cover that in a future vid. I tend to go back and play into the mistake so I can move the edit.

[@themayor6836]

Hey Paul ever heard of Nashville Session "A team" Reggie Young R.I.P? He played the intro to Driftaway by Dobie Gray and 1000's of albums. From Elvis to Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard to Wilson Pickett. He was the king of slow feel and making parts fit like a glove. You have that same feel and emotion in your playing. Great job

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Mr Mayor I’ll check them out.

[@ckjjclan]

I absolutely LOVE these style and format video’s. Thank you.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers CK

[@ulissespacifico]

Awesome Paul!!! Love the idea of this series, definitely going to help lots people including myself. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@TheStudioRats]

That’s fantastic I’m glad it helps, I was a little worried that people wouldn’t get the video.

[@ulissespacifico]

I Wish I have seen a video like that 10 years ago!! Can’t wait for the next one… 👌🏼

[@DistantSunStudios]

Fantastic video Paul - really enjoyed that! Great playing as ever and looking forward to seeing you develop the track whist recording the rest of the band 👍🎸

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Matt

[@anthonybennici8748]

Great video! I started teaching myself how to record/write my own songs when the pandemic started a couple years ago and it’s encouraging to see my process is kinda similar to yours! I’ve been using GarageBand since it’s free but have thought about upgrading to Logic for added functionality. Although the GarageBand drummer is pretty decent, after using it for a couple years I feel like I’m recycling very similar beats. I also really liked your song! Definitely a good example on leaving space and giving parts room to breathe

[@paulmckenfitnessnutrition2434]

No need to apologise for the length of the video Paul. Really liked this.

[@garywaddell6309]

Paul, you are such an incredible musician. This was the best Rats video I’ve seen. I’m curious on why you don’t use logic as your primary daw. The melody on the song was so tasteful, your playing makes the song not need a singer. Love listening to you play and how you help guide the community with your knowledge. Can’t wait to hear James play next. Such great content on your channel! ❤

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Gary it’s really nice to hear that people enjoyed the vid. Logic is great but I click with LUNA’s workflow. I’ll explain fully in another video.

[@Telewest792]

It’s quite simple Luna sounds better warmer more analogue great playing by the way

[@garywaddell6309]

I’ll definitely check out Luna, thanks guys 🙏

[@jitsroller]

Nice job. A slide would be nice on that too. Fun stuff.

[@TheStudioRats]

I’m thinking of putting it out when it’s finished as a backing track so people can do whatever they feel.

[@knockknock3686]

wow, so much feel in your playing, something shredders dont get the time to have :)

[@lightinme217]

Nice shredding man!! …. Wink!

[@DavidBeebee]

That’s some lovely playing and very nice track! Great vid👍🏻

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers david

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

Nice to hear this side of your playing! A Tonex recording vs live amp/mic of a quick one of these tracks would be a great experiment. would there be any final difference. I make tracks all day in Nashville, so love seeing this stuff.

[@TheStudioRats]

That would be cool. I’ll get round to it.

[@vicesquadpunk]

This is interesting P, much similar to how I work, I initial-idea reminds me. Of, 'She Talks To Angels' Black Crowes... ❤

[@Tone-Quest]

Paul, stop trying to hide your shredded-ness but playing a laid back tune. 😁 All joking aside, great video and yes, you are a super tasteful player but you do have some fast runs, which may give off a shredder vibe. Keep up the good work buddy, looking forward the rest of the videos in this song creation series.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Chris

[@Rich-NH]

Love it!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Rich

[@shalomshalom735]

Great video!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers SS

[@mcmillanalex]

Nice shredding! 😉

[@llgms]

Suberb video! Please, more content like this :)

[@TheStudioRats]

Will do.

[@Big_Stewdio]

Great video, Paul and I feel I must make a comment on the “Paul’s a shredder” podcast. I don’t know the context but I don’t think anybody who’s opinion matters and who’s watched you for a while would ever say that. Yes, you can play fast and clean but that doesn’t make you a shredder in so much as that word is normally associated with showing off and guitar gymnastics. Even when you play fast it’s either musically worthy or to demonstrate the gear that’s part of the video. Please don’t pay it any mind and don’t let it affect your guitar playing. I actually felt you went a bit too far to prove you weren’t a shredder and held back a bit to make a point. Don’t. You’re an incredible guitarist and one of my favourite KZbin channels. Just keep doing what you do.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Darren, I didn’t take offence to the shredder comment. It’s just interesting how people see you. I’m not really into shredding, but I’d like to be able to do it. In the meantime I’ll just be content with the odd “shredy” riff.

[@SLASHMPI]

Love it

[@JuddLofthouse]

Excellent post 👍I have GarageBand that looks very similar the only thing I want is to play like you Paul your the best 👏👏👏

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Judd.

[@petmoxey2177]

Echoing what Daniel said...make them longer if you want. A large pot of coffee can last ;)

[@KelsterVonShredster]

I cannot thank you enough Paul for doing this video....I have been using Logic for over 15 years but never quite could figure out how to add fills using the virtual drummer for specific pieces of songs...I just didn't think it was that easy. Thank you !!!!!! I just bought a Jam RetroVibe thanks to your video on that pedal and now $400 poorer 😆😆😆 What model of telecaster is that, the one with what looks like filtertrons? Keep up the fantastic work you guys do!

[@TheStudioRats]

Nice one GGG. You’ll lovevthe retrovibe. The Tele is a Ron Thorn masterbuilt with a filtertrons and a gold foil in the neck.

[@mcmillanalex]

I'll second that. I've been using Logic fairly casually for two years and I couldn't figure out how to make a decent drum track that had transitions or fills. I would always use an entirely different drum loop to change things up in the song, which became quite a chore. I'm looking forward to following Paul's approach using breaks and the fill control.

[@KelsterVonShredster]

@@TheStudioRats thx for reply! Appreciate it.

[@julioclaudio8714]

The iso box was very cool where can I get it from looking foward to series

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers it’s a Grossman fat cab.

[@antyja]

I wish my finished projects were as good as Paul's "scratch" tracks 😄

[@stevengarrity2989]

Sounds great. Would love to know how how to assemble the arrangement before you get to this point of recording. You clearly had a set of chord changes ready to go for the rhythm. Did you already know the lead melody when recording the rhythm track? Do you wrote out the structure of the song (chord changes, verse/chorus/bridge, etc.?) on paper, or do you use any recording/looping to build out this basic structure?

[@pangloss9]

Hah, start with Logic and move to Luna…same process I use. Can’t beat the Logic drummer for moving quickly but the audio summing in Luna sounds noticeably better to my ears. Great video and great playing. No need to apologize.

[@TheStudioRats]

100%

[@neilevans6229]

Definitely not shredding loving the lead tone 🎸🎶🍻🍀

[@Adventuresingearland]

Shreddy shreddy Drew! 🤭

[@timothy5974]

Thank you Paul great insight to your songwriting. I have scuffham but haven’t used it to record. Is your processor for guitar ,recording a stereo audio track? I’m not sure if the double tracking guitar is used anymore as these programs record such beautiful stereo sounds. Looking forward to part 2. Thank you. Tim from Chicago.

[@TheStudioRats]

Hey Tim, cheers. I’m using an axe fx3 for the rhythm track, And yes I’m recording in stereo as there is a slight stereo delay happening. I think you are right, you don’t really hear double tracking used much anymore.

[@Adipsia1]

Love your videos and enjoyed this one. I guess my only question is why you felt the need to change from Logic Pro to Luna and why you didn't carry on with the Axe-FX 3 ? I'd have thought that Logic Pro and Axe-FX 3 would have been more than enough to reach this stage... and they are the only tools I have at my disposal.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Peter. Luna has some great extensions as they call it where you can add saturation and console emulation, it’s also really quick for editing. I switched over to the amp as it’s just a particular amp and pedal choice that I know works, I could have used the Axe Fx, although I would have spent more time editing a patch than recording to try to achieve what I got from the amp.

[@Adipsia1]

@@TheStudioRats Cheers Paul.

[@martinopinto6323]

Paull since now you're a shredder we want a guest solo by Jason Richardson :')

[@practicerepobarrie]

I love what you have done, where can I buy it ? 😅 It would also make a great backing track so people can practice their lead guitar.

[@TheStudioRats]

Planning on realising as a backing track:

[@Chris-ik3on]

Absolutely beautiful! Love that tele tone. I assume it’s a tele thin line but what pickups are in it?

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers , it has a filtertron in the bridge and a gold foil in the neck.

[@davidwolfe9391]

Question,,, I notice you recorded over the top of the initial guitar track. Is that better than deleting it/clearing the track first, or is it to save those couple extra clicks? I am looking forward to the next part of the video… I notice you switched back to analog effects and a real amp. Is that a better sound than the fractal? Kindest Regards DW

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi David, that’s a good question, I’m not recording over the track, I’m recording on the same track by using take layers. I’ll explain fully in another video.

[@TheStudioRats]

During the analog stuff for me isn’t necessarily better it’s just quicker sometimes.

[@brammanck]

interesting to hear that you start using axe FX for rhythm guitar but later on you switch to the real amp and pedals. is there soundwise a reason to? curious because I am moving toward Axe fx FM3

[@TheStudioRats]

Not at all, the Axefx would have done a great job it’s just that I wanted to use the amp.

[@headkickko609]

Paul would you paste a link to one of your shredding videos?

[@TheStudioRats]

If there were any, I gladly would but sadly there are none.

[@joetorrez6333]

Have you thought of trying a power soak rather than the iso cab?

[@TheStudioRats]

Yep, I have attenuators as well.

[@piage84]

How dare you not using the Boss katana for recording your song?!?! Jusy kidding Thank you for showing this, really interesting!

[@studios1818]

where can i find finished version of this song?

[@TheStudioRats]

There’s a playlist on our KZbin channel of all the songs.

[@asmallfarmhomestead3657]

Sounds a bit like On Your Way Sweet Soul by Andy Timmons

[@metalinsights9664]

I was just curious, where do you place the mic on the speaker when recording?

[@TheStudioRats]

There’s no fixed position for me, but if it’s a 57 style mic, it’s away from the centre of the cone.

[@ensignofindustry1033]

Nice shredding 😅

[@terryeaster1]

Dude!!! Telecaster is never the wrong guitar😁

[@jeffcookdotau]

It's a great "how to" video for lazy people who can't be bothered to learn Logic Pro. Even just the cuts and fills on the drum track will be life-changing for me!

[@hosoiarchives4858]

. 7:57

[@hekakain4108]

I want to break free!