Unlock the Secret to Writing Epic Trailer Music in Minutes!

[@AlexPfeffer]

What is the biggest problem you have when writing trailer music? Let's talk about it!

[@nickepic1863]

The problem is drums, to be specific on act 3 my drums don't cut through the mix as I want it.

[@USCGdolphin]

knowing how to create that "expansive" sound. What instruments to add, where, when. Appropriately mixing those instruments to achieve a full spectrum sound

[@zaharishtonov]

Sketching out the progression of the track (structure) from just the initial idea (or "The Red Line" as you call it) :D

[@gandalf2867]

I'm new to using sampled instruments. Got Requiem Pro and Liberis Choir from 8dio for free with 35$ purchases. So great deal, but they are kind of hard to work with. Have to adjust every single staccato to fit timewise as they are not "on beat". And not something you can just offset, since they each phrases don't match. Also feel like the brass library I got (8dio century brass) is lacking a bit in the epic trailer sound. There's not a lot of punch in the low register. So right now skill and lack of libraries xD

[@nickepic1863]

@@gandalf2867 Metropolis Ark is what you need for trailer music. If your sound is not on a beat and it feels like is slightly off, then you can export stems and move it manually to the grid.

[@StasFortis]

I remember watching this video when I was taking the first steps in creating epic music. Alex, thank you for the excellent and understandable explanations and for the inspiration!

[@IHBable]

The track sounded great with just 1 instrument, and that's the point. The rest is icing on the cake:)

[@mphonie7324]

Ein richtig mega Video für uns Anfänger. Du baust es Stück für Stück auf und genau das ist es, was mir gefällt. Man kann sehen, wie einfach auch die komplizierteste Melodie beginnt, alles nur auf Basis der Akkorde. Ein, wie gesagt, wirklich wertvolles Video für jeden Einsteiger.

[@jayneubauer3401]

Hey Alex, we always see people making epic-sounding tracks like this using 40 or 50 tracks of super layered sounds, yet you captured it in about 10! THIS is what I have been looking for! I get a sound I like with lower track count, but then it goes awry when I add probably too much layering to get that "epic" sound. Thank you for showing us that it doesn't have to be that way.

[@christiankms]

I've been wanting to educate myself on how to write this kind of music my entire life. Thank you for making all this info available. Maybe I'll create something to be proud of, some day, thanks to you. Cheers!

[@ldh9440]

I feel the same way, only now I have more incentive thanks to Alex.

[@christiankms]

@@ldh9440 People like him, are doing so much by sharing all this musical knowledge & providing us with incentive and inspiration

[@chrismassa5891]

Great example of how to get started from piano melody.

[@fabioconciatore8942]

very clear! think easy make it easy

[@brimsleyambursley2087]

Really appreciate your time and energy in sharing this valuable knowledge

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you!

[@domizianatalarico9064]

I've been searching for someone specialized in trailer and cinematic music since FOREVER and then here you are! I binged all your contetn and loving them, you explain things in such an elegant and clear way! I'm trying to put in action some of your tips, but right now My real struggle is in the arrangement part of the composition, guess I'll have to dive back into music theory once again ^^ But really, THANK YOU for the beautiful and useful content that you put out here

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate this! ❤

[@pianomanny1397]

Excellent video! You broke this down in such an understandable way to be able to replicate it. Thank you

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you!

[@peterlepahin]

Hi Alex, I just found your channel a few days ago and I am binge watching it... I've already learned a huge amount of stuff, but what I like the most is the simplicity of your explanation and that you are so straight to the point. Keep it up, cheers! We beginners are forever grateful for such channels.

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you so much Peter!

[@tosvus]

Perfect video. Most people can't possibly pick up on using 100s of different tracks in one song. (though of course in cases where you really go for realism, you may want to program every single instrument in the orchestra)

[@zaharishtonov]

Basically, your Trailer Music Course at super speed :D Nah, the course is so much more in depth! Anyone starting out should take it. Loved the ending of this video! :D

[@AlexPfeffer]

Hahaha thanks man! ... but the best is, more trailer music course content soon :)

[@zaharishtonov]

@@AlexPfeffer - WooWhoo! Good to hear! 😉

[@michaelseguramusic7150]

I really like the acoustic vibe after a EPIC trailer music tutorial video lesson!

[@mirzaaljic]

What a great video! But my favorite part was the outro!

[@sprkymrt]

I love the choir

[@davecohen4631]

Which sounds sample libraries to start with, velocities, and good modulation or expression to get the sound I want is an area I want to get better at. Watching your video helped and thanks.

[@makketronix007]

Epic tutorial. I keep coming back here to listen to the track. It is just awesome.

[@onthestrings]

Everytime I listen to your videos, all I hear is Joe Mantegna. Love your content, too!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Hahhaha, awesome! Thank you!

[@nickmuzekari6124]

Awesome video. Speaking as a noob, this is definitely one of the best 'step by step' epic music tutorials. Thank you. I will be using it as my go-to guide to help get me started.

[@bonniecorralmusic]

Really enjoyed this video - thank you!

[@AlexPfeffer]

No thank you!

[@raybeeger1529]

Hello Alex, what a very important and good advise! Thanks!

[@dezinerAhmad]

Alex This was Really a great Tutorial with AMAZING CLARITY 👏 😍 Why don't you MAKE PART 2 cont'd....... Where we can do some ARRANGEMENTS and make it complete Track.. Please consider 🙏 😔

[@davidlee-michaels9430]

Best video I've watched probably this year and I've watched probably a hundred or so on mixing and arranging orchestral/trailer/hybrid music. I tend to overthink things too so seeing such a simple setup really opened my eyes. Also I like the seeing videos like this from idea to 'finished' raw arrangement. Subscribed!

[@sebastiancomposer.]

Excellent video, it has helped me land several things, it has given me ideas and now I can use that to improve my portfolio

[@thetej2000]

really great video sir ....helpful, thanks

[@MrYasaruslu]

Perfect Training

[@kevroberts8147]

This is brilliant, just a few tracks and yet so powerful. I too am guilty of layering tons of instruments to try and make it sound massive,always ends up muddy with no clarity,just a big mess really. Seems it’s true “less is more”.Thanks for making this,just subscribed.

[@givishavgulidze7006]

Thank you! Inspiring!

[@maddiehaan6061]

Thank you for breaking this down into easily understandable bits! Really appreciate it

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you so much!

[@pierresilence]

Hi, the video it’s nice! Thanx

[@pjdahmen]

Very good Tutorial.

[@cyphusomalley]

This was amazing....nothing like simple teaching to help everything make EVEN MORE SENSE! Thank you Alex for this

[@franciscoaragao5398]

Muito bom. Muito obrigado.

[@SteveOuimette]

Amazing how a simple but clever melody and arrangement can make a blockbuster trailer. Fab, Alex. Just fab!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thanks man!! :)

[@SteveOuimette]

@@AlexPfeffer Of course, it's fantastic!

[@BoiKotMusic]

This is amazing! Man! You are the best!)) Thank you!)

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you too!

[@skilesjasonjames]

Thank you for all your tutorial’s!

[@AlexPfeffer]

No thank YOU! :)

[@quadekazik]

Absolutely loved this, thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@CheapCharlieMusic]

Thank you !!!!

[@markbatuer]

Hi Alex, it's so nice of you always share those skills and knowledge. Thanks so much.

[@immax79]

Thanks for the video ❤️🤘🏼

[@overlandwarentertainmentOVLWE.]

This is amazing sir love what i have learned

[@AlexeySolovievMusic]

Super awesome video! Thank you Alex!

[@andreasfranzmann9634]

Great stuff! I don't do orchestral/cinematic music, but very helpful anyways. Thanks Alex!

[@EdwardLaurenson]

This was brilliant. Thank you so much, Alex!

[@L.Lyubomirov]

Great tutorial,thank you !I've been writing the last few months only trailer music,i decided to send demo submission to few labels...on of them sayed that i have great epic soundtrack ideas,but my music is not exactly for trailer music,they told me also that Trailer music industry has specific demands and that my music lacks of some important elements ...sadly i even dont know what to think,maybe some body can help ?

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you! It is a bit hard to tell why your music has been rejected without hearing a track, but it is most likely because of the needed structure for trailer music. I have another video on my channel that is all about structure. If you want to know more you are still welcome to contact me at [e-mail] - Cheers

[@MrTADEUSARIUS]

Thank you very much for this video!I need more videos like this particular in Studio One that i am just learning how to write and mix with plugins especially orchestral and cinematic music!Thank you again!

[@musicanderson5]

Thank you very much! ❤

[@blaudiss]

incredibly informative and useful - thank you!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you so much!

[@DjorMil.CineMusic]

I liked the advice about leaving more space in the melody to make the counter melody. Nice video overall, very basic and simple, but simple is very often the key to success :)

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thanks! I feel that the main problem in trailer music is people always confusing complicated with complex. You can have a great a simple but complex melody such as Thomas Bergersen likes to write them, but they are never complicated. In a sense the same is the case with John Williams. His stuff can be complex as hell but it is never complicated to the listener.

[@DjorMil.CineMusic]

@@AlexPfeffer This was very well said and it is something that we should definitively keep on our minds while writing music!

[@beeeethz]

Hi Alex. Would be interested to see you review Cinematic Rooms from LiquidSonics. I’m curious how it compares to Seventh Heaven with your trailer track?

[@QBellowMusic]

Subscribed! I’ll be signing up for the course when I can.

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thanks so much, let me know if you have any questions!

[@beats8498]

SUBBED!!! ARRANGEMENT IS KEY

[@PeachesChrenko]

This was very helpful. Thank you🙂

[@seventearsofhope]

Danke, Alex.

[@OA14231]

This was Awesome Thank you

[@piyasirimusicproduction]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@musicaluke3289]

My biggest issue is the idea of being simple, I grew up studying music theory so I can feel very conflicted at times. It seems part of it can be my ego thinking that oh a I-VI-IV-V is to easy I cannot use that

[@AlexPfeffer]

yep, that's the problem. I know too well from being a pro guitar player. No one cares about my 3 notes per string diminished arps in tempo 160. All they want is an Emin power chord. The thing is, you have to learn that you are only afraid to use a simple chord progression because other composers would laugh at you. To be honest, I don't give a wet f+ck about all those composers laughing at me, telling me I ruin the music industry. I know well at this moment that if I would be single and live in a little town with cheaper living prices, I technically could stop working right now for the next 5 years. What is that worth against my ego? :)

[@user-mytest]

@@AlexPfeffer Just come to Russia. You can live here for 30 years on your salary :D I'm glad there are cool teachers like you!

[@AlexPfeffer]

@@user-mytest Thank you so much!

[@JeroenVanHiel]

Dear Alex, what you say in the beginning of this video is so true (at least I recognize myself in there). I recently started realizing what you confirm in this video and it made me understand even more. I too often add layer upon layer to get my composition to sound nice... making it only more difficult. I get it now... :-) Thank you for this video!

[@benwadsworth505]

Another very informative video, and a great channel, thank you for lending our community your time and expertise 👌🏻👌🏻🙏🏻

[@MECHINEAU49]

Very GOOD 👏

[@varoonbeats5273]

Vielen Dank für das informative Video lieber Alex :D

[@dominicmatthews5504]

Hi Alex. I’ve been learning midi orchestration now for about three years in my spare time. I’m not particularly fast when it comes to writing however when I do finish a piece and believe it sounds good I play it in my car or on the Alexa speakers and it sounds terrible. Do you have any video tutorials that may help me at all? Thanks for all your content by the way they have helped me tremendously 👍👍

[@AlexPfeffer]

Hey, I am just guessing but if your track sounds terrible in your car or on Alexa, could it be that you experiement too much with stereo wideners?

[@dominicmatthews5504]

@@AlexPfeffer Hi Alex. Not really. I don’t really use anything that. I have used them in the past and they have been part of the problem to be honest but generally it’s a no.

[@darioborquez8753]

Man, thanks for the vídeo, I really enjoyed ir. I allways seem to get stucked with structure and how to go from one part to the next, can't figure out how to make the track evolve. Thanks for all your help, Alex!!!

[@AlexPfeffer]

glad to hear that, thank you soo much! :)

[@BokiDrummer21021]

Thanks for help, amazing video :)

[@dafingaz]

Thank you for sharing all of these gems, Alex!

[@danilokb]

Great Great Great video Alex.

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you soo much!

[@epicmusictutorials4674]

Great Tutorial! As always! 👍

[@Ahmad-Mounir44]

I think you just composed a climax in this video, Alex! That was extremely useful, thank you :)

[@broslim4926]

Thank you sir

[@instrumentosvirtuales9129]

Perfect , like a 2sfth

[@jackengland8942]

Nice and concise video!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you!

[@antoniodibella8999]

Wonderful!!!

[@robin_miller_music]

Can't wait to have time to do the course!

[@bandoli66]

Great video!! Excellent tip!

[@Officialdvishi]

Great Tutorial🏆 Sounds Really Epic!

[@BraddersMusic]

Alex thank you just found this video and really enjoyed it specifically as you’re using the studio one DAW as am I. One question, of many I have, but this may be a bit simple, but the modulation wheel that you mentioned is important and I agree, but how do you go about using it during the recording or after tracking process

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you! Totally depends on how easy or difficult the to be recorded part is. I don't think too much. Whatever feels comfortable in the moment.

[@RideAlongAdventures]

Excellent, Alex. Very practical, cool stuff.

[@stevesutube]

Really useful video. Nice one

[@fernf9929]

really nice video liked and subbed. I struggle with the mixing process, i sometimes finish producing and end up with a track thats around -12, -9 db. I know this may not matter but then i find it harder to get it louder like the commercial standards. Any tips ?

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you! What are you using for mastering?

[@AlexPfeffer]

@@fernf9929 No, in my opinion you don't need to have a loud mix. All you need to have is a clean and well-balanced mix. The cleaner and more balanced it is, the easier you will achieve natural loudness without making the track pump, distort or squash.

[@Teppicymonxxviii]

Great video Alex, thank you. I still doubt the sketching process, as I mainly right out of the blue, but I now see how it can help, especially when writing library music. Did you sketch the whistled song at the end? 🤣

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you. The end song is totally sketched out and took several months to prepare! :D

[@wissemmakni2569]

thx for this video do you work every time whith studio one ? have u tried logic pro? because i use logic but i want know whitch is better

[@AlexPfeffer]

I tried working with Logic Pro and it was my worst experience with a DAW. This doesn't mean that it is generally a bad DAW. In the end, there is no best DAW. They all suck if you don't know how to write music. I personally love Studio One because of its drag and drop approach and the intuitive workflow. I still use Cubase for video related work.

[@project1265ffo]

Great stuff, cheers Alex

[@evillano]

Awesome!

[@omnipop4936]

As a novice "bedroom composer" who just writes melodies and chord progressions on a basic electronic keyboard, I always marvel at how you _real_ composers choose the instruments to use for certain parts. For example, you chose trombones (5:20) in this. _It would never occur to me to do that._ (I actually forgot that trombones even _existed_ 'til you mentioned them.) So, what prompted that choice? Did you hear the sound in your head? Have you maybe seen other famous composers using trombones in similar situations? I wonder if you could do a video where you show what situations each kind of instrument is ideal for. Like, in what situations would a french horn be chosen over some other type of horn. I'd find that _fascinating._ Because that way, instead of just poking around, auditioning random instruments in a sound library, I'd be able to go _directly_ to the one whose sound and character I'm already *_certain_* would be perfect for my song or piece. (Like knowing the specific tool you're looking for in a toolbox.) Cheers!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Hey, I totally know what you mean. The only solution is just listen to music. I know it sounds sort of cheesy but it is the only thing to know how or when to use it. There is no universal rule on how to proceed with whatever instrument in situation X. There are too many factors. When you listen to much, you will notice "Oh, that sounds cool, I will try that too!" The only thing you have to "learn" is how all those instruments sound like. Then things will come by the more you do it :)

[@MaurizioDiBerardino]

Hey Alex, thank you so much for your videos! Always great content to learn a lot from!

[@jimmito823]

Hi Mister, Which DAW you prefer, Cubase or Studio One?

[@berniehcc]

Awesome Alex …. I would say, the sketch track sounds really nice 👍🏻 I would do more with them allone😜😂🥳

[@ViktorKajtazaj]

ha! so easy xD i stuck at my intro and after on the hotspot

[@mphonie7324]

Danke!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Wow, vielen lieben Dank dir!!

[@masontimer5991]

This is a great turorial, thank you very much for making it! I have a question regarding u-he Repro-1, though, where did you get the BL Admission preset? I'm asking this since my version of Repro-1 doesn't have one

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you. I probably used it from the bank substrata by The Unfinished.

[@masontimer5991]

@@AlexPfeffer Thanks a lot!

[@l2a2]

Hooray Alex,back on Studio One too,I've missed the weekly tutorials and getting involved :( This is a great ,have a breather, reset vid by the way.

[@masonthomassax]

Hi Alex, I really love your videos! I'd be interested to hear your take on being versed in different genres of trailer music. Do you think it's possible to have a career only writing a handful of genres? Or is it important to be able to write in just about any genre? Thanks!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you, it is definitely possible but I wouldn't make it my motto to start working in the trailer music industry. Catch whatever you can and sooner or later things will fall into place anyway.

[@OutandaboutWalking]

Hi again Alex! I have a quick question please if I may...when writing/composing trailer/cinematic music do you personally feel it is important to try to avoid consecutive 5ths & Octaves? For instance in a strings section...Would this be something that a more advanced composer should think about rather than a beginner as like you say in the video to keep it simple to start with. Thank you in advance for all your help. Ray

[@AlexPfeffer]

Tbh, I personally, don't care about rules or anything. If it sounds appropriate and it works and transports the vibe, then why not? :) I am not saying I am one of the inventors but if we wouldn't have people breaking rules from time to time, we would still sit around the campfire beating tree logs :D

[@OutandaboutWalking]

@@AlexPfeffer That is exactly what I was hoping you would say :) It is all too easy (at least for me) to get too hung up on rules & theory rather than just let the music/vibe be natural and flow. Thank you for taking the time to respond and continue with the great work you do for us all by sharing your knowledge & insights. Cheers

[@instrumentosvirtuales9129]

please Master, u can say mewhat plugin use for vocals sampler? ty

[@AlexPfeffer]

I show this in the video at 10:39

[@mazely]

I wouldn't do 3-note chords with 12-trombone patches. There are other Junkie XL trombone patches with smaller formations. With this exception, I found the video very interesting!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thanks you! Why wouldn't you do closed chords with the 12 patches?

[@OutandaboutWalking]

@@AlexPfeffer I guess because that would give you 36 trombone players on a 3 note chord but then on the other hand if a real orchestra is not going to be playing the score then it does not really matter that much about realism. Great work all the same tho Alex!

[@AlexPfeffer]

@@OutandaboutWalking Whenever I record with real orchestra it feels that the instruments behave different than the samples anyway when it comes to section size. I feel that 3 or 4 real trombones sound way more dense than using 3 or 4 trombones and playing a fat chord. There is something about the constant rub and real-time getting in sync and tuning that samples can't do.

[@instrumentosvirtuales9129]

Hello teacher, could you explain to me how you do to record new notes on the same track without erasing what it already contains? I think I have seen you do it in a video of yours, or am I wrong? Thank you

[@AlexPfeffer]

happens naturally in Studio One. You record in the piano roll and you simple add stuff.

[@Hinirang]

So great i love it❤

[@lucenthills4221]

Hi Alex, thanks for great video! May I ask which patch(es) you used the JXL combo tracks? I`m guessing it`s some kind of short and long together, but I would love know which articulation(s) you used exactly. Also, I was really suprised about how good the trombones a12 sounded playing chords, gotta try that myself :)! Thanks!

[@AlexPfeffer]

Thank you! Mostly it is the sus, marc and stacc patches. Experiment a bit around if you want to use the marc long or short or what stacc patch exactly. It really is a matter of taste.