Writing, Producing, & Mixing a Suite [Studio Time: S3E1]

Welcome back to Studio Time! This first episode of Season 3 walks you through how I wrote and recorded the London Suite for Mortal Engines from A-Z. Let's get started!
In case you missed it...
SEASON 1: bit.ly/StudioTimeSeason1
SEASON 2: bit.ly/StudioTimeSeason2
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www.junkiexl.com
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[@junkiexlofficial]

Welcome back, folks! Please leave any questions you have here in the comments and I'll try my best to answer them. Check back from time to time, as sometimes it takes a while to check these. OK THANKS!

[@samz1801]

Thanks for the subtitles! I want to see subtitles!!!!

[@T.H.W.O.T.H]

Hiya Tom. Epic stuff!! 👍 I was just wondering: with so much going on in the final piece how do you think about balancing the more textural material with the more melodically and rhythmically driven material? I mean, it could so easily end up really swampy couldn't it?

[@nero008]

What advice would you give a mixer who mixes in stereo about mixing in surround ?

[@mirdesai4875]

@@T.H.W.O.T.H Was thinking the same thing! what brilliant balance he achieves here... Hope you can explain how you control all that energy! do you keep the master levels and everything in consideration since the time you start programming? or you achieve it at a later stage?

[@chrismassa5891]

Were Heavyocity's Forzo and or Orchestral tools Metropolis Ark thoughts for large brass and other instruments?

[@KM-tv5km]

If there’s anything I’d love for you to cover more it’d be the actual process of writing and orchestrating, show us how/why the brass works against the strings, tell us the harmonic progression and why it works in a theory sense, show us how you go about orchestrating those big block chords throughout the brass and the strings, etc. I’d love to hear more about the theory and orchestration of what you do!

[@95TurboSol]

Ditto!

[@PeteCalandra]

He has done that in previous seasons. Very detailed, I might add. 👍🏽

[@KM-tv5km]

petercalandra I know haha I’ve watched them, but the two videos where he went really in depth on it were both smaller string arrangements, I’d like to hear more on the theory/orchestration of a huge piece like this with strings, brass, and winds, etc.

[@KM-tv5km]

far ema well yeah of course lol, but that doesn’t mean Tom can’t go over it more, it would certainly help!!

[@jonnyreid7823]

@@KM-tv5km Couldn't agree more. I've been watching everything that Tom puts out. It's not that what he's done is not adequate, it's that I'd love to hear more!

[@TomHawkComposer]

Looooooved this episode of Studio Time Tom! Great to have the series back. And thank you so much for providing us all with so much incredible value, looking forward to the rest of the series!

[@binitshrestha2294]

Thank You Tom for your incredible music and tutorials.

[@Vareso]

I love this, you can never stop learning... The minute you stop learning is the moment you give up on your dreams! Thank you for making these videos

[@jlbenj01]

There are several KZbin channels I watch, all of them teach me new things musically but none really gives me that inside look to actual projects like yours does. Especially for soundtrack work like I'm looking to explore. I'm looking forward to really delving into this new season. Thanks for sharing so much of what you do.

[@PereRevert]

Keep this dream alive, love and passion... you're the best dude !!

[@PierreBerggren]

I think a lot of people will agree with me when I say that we're really happy that you are back with Studio Time! Your videos are simply amazing! Thank you so much Tom, for sharing your knowledge and showing your fantastic piece of work. You're awesome!

[@TigerClaw305]

I saw Mortal Engines last weekend. And this music is one of the most memorable pieces of Music I ever heard in a score for a long time. Good job on this.

[@Zettaiz3r0]

You're amazing as always Tom! Absolutely loving it so far!, I would love to hear you talk more about your musical decision in aesthetic context of the film even. Much love, Tom!

[@JoshuaSean617]

Thank you, Tom, for these three seasons! I have been a fan since the Remanufacture days! Keep the music and tutorials coming!

[@eeavik]

All of You, music composers, should live forever and a one day longer! Respect Tom!

[@kylemccuiston]

Very comprehensive! Thank you for taking valuable time out of your day to show us your process.

[@Ifelovv]

This is so amazing. Wealth of info knowledge. I saw the very first episode. Going to have to go catch up

[@polkmusic]

This was so great. An awesome sounding piece. Can't wait to see the movie.

[@musicbysukoon]

We are back again, love you man for all of this, really appreciate

[@blankspace0000]

Yes!! My second favourite video series of all time! (Kitchen Time with Junkie XL is still #1)

[@TreyVittetoeMusic]

Just amazing work you did here, thank you for taking the time to break it down. Just subscribed, I'm hooked! So grateful that someone on your level would take the time to explain your process.

[@meghbanerjeemusic]

What a vibrant music!! Thanks for this beautiful session.

[@birdinlay]

Always a wonderful insight. Really does invoke that Wagner and Holst vibe. Great stuff as always. Many thanks!

[@benalarid8485]

Very insightful. That London Suite gave me chills. Well Done. Excited for this score to release on Vinyl this March!

[@ChrisBobryshev]

Thank you, Tom! Amazing as always.

[@educateyourself3872]

Wow, Tom. Big fan of your series. And your tracks... perfection!

[@hubertvanwinden428]

Thank you so much !!!!! It is such a great gift you give us by showing us all these episodes ! Dank je wel !!!!!

[@som_81]

You´re getting me hooked to Classical Music, Tom! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I´m starting my journey on trying to compose my own compositions. This is fascinating! :)

[@ErikOrchestralTutorials]

Thank you Tom for putting out so many awesome, free, videos!

[@danknittel1250]

So glad these are back! =) Cant wait to see this movie!

[@edmasters4454]

Great to have Studio Time back -- thanks!

[@jason_robba]

This is so cool! I was so excited to see the notification for season 3, episode 1 on my phone this morning!

[@__-gy8fn]

Definitely channeling Holst in one of them sections, really nailing the quintessential English! Top video.

[@Coastincolt]

Just saw Mortal Engines ( in IMAX 3D; highly recommended!). Loved the movie, and your wonderful score was a huge part of how well the movie works. Thanks for explaining your thought process, and your workflow. Particularly enjoyed your remix of the Ride of The Valkyrie. Cheers, mate!

[@musicbysukoon]

Even i am not into movie scoring but i love these videos, so much to learn so much of music

[@siddhantpetkar9728]

its that season again! yay thanks tom!

[@Mrjononotbono]

Love Studio Time. Thanks for doing this!

[@ishayr.4509]

Absolutely Incredible as always!

[@DestroyER82]

For musician, this is simply pure gold...

[@alain026]

Whoo, ur thinking process opend up a entire new view on making music!!! Thank u for this, ur awesome!!! Greetings from Holland

[@vpraveenkaywilliam4930]

That Gave Me Goosebumps... Wow Tom It's Awesome

[@LFOVCF]

The touch of Big Ben on the outro, really topped it off. What an inspiration you are, and so generous with your time and skills.

[@SoundFriendly]

Bravo. Fantastische muziek. Knap werk!

[@greybrain0378]

Amazing! Thanks for being so generous and inspiring.

[@sergio_grez]

Amazing what you share! You are a Master!!!!! Cheers from Chile!

[@CC-Pi]

This is fantastic, thanks for shareing.

[@Spoilermixer787]

Powerful score!! Thanks for starting season 3.

[@antonisfakiris505]

I really liked the episode!! Thanks for the tips-tricks!!

[@Hairyloft]

😍 Studio time. Great work on an amazing soundtrack. Thanks

[@GianlucaCalesso]

Oh my god Tom! The brassy theme is soooo amazing! Jeeeez! All the suite is so noble and so military! Well done!

[@thomasjorennielsen]

The drums around 23:00 sound like the same drum samples from Mad Max! And the sound design stuff is super cool, really amazing stuff

[@scartabellomusic]

Hold the phone! Your own brass library!!!! Can’t wait for this!!! 🤘

[@luke0204]

It’s midnight in Taiwan, but I’m glad I didn’t go to sleep! Thank you Tom!

[@leomeneghelli1795]

These videos are gold!

[@jurapuclin]

Incredibly grateful to be able to learn from you!. Just a BIG THANK YOU! :D

[@alexmuli]

Thanks a tonne for sharing your incredible knowledge!

[@drummerjeroensimons]

Gaaf om je te zien in zo,n vette studio van je Tom, enjoy!!! Groeten uit Holland, Jeroen Simons, Independent/ex-Epica.

[@VAIBHAVSINGHMUSIC]

7:56 vs 41:35 the body language shows the difference between emotions comveyed of programming and live players! ♥♥ Also, the feeling of sense of completion of project and music accompanies that as well 🚀

[@johnzachariahg]

Honestly the London Suite makes me want to cry tears of joy.

[@LeonTodd]

New Junkie XL?! *HEAVY BREATHING*

[@KerwinYoungComposer]

Hot!! Love the suite; there are some really nice string counter-melodies in there which I love!! Can't wait to watch the remaining episodes for this.

[@halimdrummer777]

super! how cool are you doing lessons and video review)! I love all sorts of soundtracks! orchestral stuff !!!!!!!!!

[@Barsprojects]

Thank you, Tom, for this insight. I was reminded of the late dutch composer Rogier van Otterloo (known for the Soldier of Orange score for the movie directed by Paul Verhoeven), i have the cd somewhere in my attic... :)

[@RolandMairGruber]

Never clicked so fast on a video ;) Great that studio time is back!

[@johnnydayzstudios2208]

My Hero! Great video and great instruction.

[@rockguitarpower]

Thanks! Looking forward to the next one

[@pratikbankar4757]

you are great....thank you for this series....

[@AlexiGVS]

Magnificent, great work!

[@musicgpaul]

Thank you for these!! Love it!!!

[@jameswarburtonmusic]

Tom these videos are brilliant, thank you for being so generous with your knowledge! Can you tell me which library you use for your orchestral snare please? Sounds great.

[@j.lindback]

Thanks a billion for taking your time to do these videos! It's really appreciated, and I've learned a lot from them I can tell. (And I don't understand those people who claimed you were spoiling earlier movies, that's just bullsh*t!)

[@Basementkid-music]

Thanks Tom for all that informative stuff😊😊😊 i love your Studio Times😊

[@manganume]

I liked it before I started to watch :) Because of your kindness :)

[@hishamdahud]

The show begin!

[@GiostraTV]

I Love Studio Time!!!

[@fabianwiestner]

Thank you for sharing this with us. Its really helpful and interesting :)

[@jayakrishnans9771]

Thank you Junkie!

[@WalksWithNoFear]

The opening music sounds pretty heroic.

[@seanashmore8785]

These videos are so inspiring and interesting!

[@franm6569]

Thank you for this! ...and the tutorials

[@nikdouglas8245]

This was great, Tom. Thanks heaps. Could you possibly quickly explain what the difference between a suite and a cue is?

[@CoolspyGaming]

HERE WE GO AGAIN! :D Greetings from Sweden!

[@PETSH0PB0YS1]

Thank you so much for the insight

[@RidvanDuzey]

We have a new drinking game! Take a shot whenever Tom mentions 'the final recording' or 'the live players' haha. Just kidding', terrific video and glad to see you're back with Season 3!

[@carminebittermann]

Brilliant as always

[@AirFamilyMusic]

Thank you for being!

[@DrotosGabor]

Again a useful video! Thank you!

[@AndrewPRoberts]

This is incredible

[@AnthonyWoodruffe]

Thank you so much for taking the time in making these videos. I really don’t know how you find time. When mixing a none live score, do you still bounce all the stems and then start a. Ew session with audio files for final mix/mastering ? @Junkie XL

[@CharlesHarrisonMusicTuition]

Cheers, Tom!

[@oddlyoddity]

Wonderful!

[@srgttamtam]

How did the transcription part go? And did you record the suite before the cues or simultaneousely? And lastly, did you write the whole suite and then built the contextual cues out of it to picture?

[@TheKule1]

You are an amazing musician! I’ve learned so much from you and your setup. I had envisioned something similar but didn’t know how to approach it. Do you play everything or do you combine manual note entry also?

[@TonyThomas10000]

Amazing!

[@PatrickSchouten]

22:54 very nice panning on those drums Tom. I noticed this already on the Album on Spotify, got my attention immediately.

[@PatrickSchouten]

This panning was unfortunately not audible in the movie

[@ob1keno227]

22:52 those percussions are so Mad Maxy 😂😂👌

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Wonderful suite

[@KirkeGodfrey]

Hi Tom, Thanks for these. Out of interest, do you use any sample libraries from any small developers, maybe ones you may have met on your travels to NZ ? ;+)

[@djdalysovich]

Thank You Tom. Could you please teach us your panning tricks, how to place each individual instrument into its proper place!

[@JonKovach]

I can't believe the studios gave you a hard time about these videos, if anything they inspire people to go see them and hear how the themes worked in the film and even more importantly shows how big of an impact the music has on a film.

[@rickneibauer1]

Question regarding the percussion and then one on orchestral composition generally. 1. What type of drum is associated with a short swell, into a climactic impact? There is usually a crash/cymbal along with this, as well as some brass. You have it all over this tutorial. Where would one get ahold of said samples and almost as importantly, what word and/or phrase/s do I need to add to my vocabulary to get this across better??? lol ;) 2. Do you have a tutorial on the basics of orchestral structure when composing a song? Like, what instruments go where... ect? You have a "song writing for strings" video that covered some of this AMAZINGLY well! The idea of writing a melody, then harmonizing and adding chords was EXACTLY what I needed! Any help would be appreciated.... even if it's just one of these tutorials! Amazing stuff once again! Thank you sooooo much!

[@celebrityjeremy3559]

Great video! I wondered about using plug-in FX on the VST/MIDI rather than the audio stems. I'm assuming the you used the plug-ins in VePro and not Cubase?

[@mirzaaljic]

Thank you for another great video JXL :)