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Paul Thomson
United Kingdom
Приєднався 19 чер 2018
I'm Paul Thomson - I've been a professional composer and producer for 25 years. I co founded the music tech company Spitfire Audio.
My channel is all about teaching you new skills for writing and recording music, producing your tracks, being creative and understanding better how your gear works.
If you are an aspiring media composer, a beginner to music tech, or a songwriter looking to add some more techniques to your arsenal, be sure to subscribe to my channel so you don't miss out.
Together we'll look at everything from how to arrange for strings, to finding more interesting chords, to sequencing your music and recording to a higher quality - all the way through to how reverbs, compressors, and other music tech gear works, and how you can get the most from it and realise your music to a higher quality level.
If that sounds like something that could be useful to you - then join me on this journey by subscribing!
My channel is all about teaching you new skills for writing and recording music, producing your tracks, being creative and understanding better how your gear works.
If you are an aspiring media composer, a beginner to music tech, or a songwriter looking to add some more techniques to your arsenal, be sure to subscribe to my channel so you don't miss out.
Together we'll look at everything from how to arrange for strings, to finding more interesting chords, to sequencing your music and recording to a higher quality - all the way through to how reverbs, compressors, and other music tech gear works, and how you can get the most from it and realise your music to a higher quality level.
If that sounds like something that could be useful to you - then join me on this journey by subscribing!
Demo breakdown - composing in three stages
A different way to approach improvising in composition. I'm looking at my demo for ARO Symphonic Strings as an example, but the technique is applicable to any libraries or musical style.
MY ALBUM - - paul-thomson.store/
MY BOOK - - www.spitfireaudio.com/the-professional-composers-guide
MY ALBUM - - paul-thomson.store/
MY BOOK - - www.spitfireaudio.com/the-professional-composers-guide
Переглядів: 2 161
Відео
My Life In Sampling
Переглядів 2,4 тис.19 годин тому
I've always used my own sampling in my work, right back to 1993 when I was at college. This is a look at how that has developed over the years and through the beginnings of Spitfire. MY ALBUM - - paul-thomson.store/ MY BOOK - - www.spitfireaudio.com/the-professional-composers-guide
Create your first sample instrument in 10 minutes
Переглядів 2,3 тис.14 днів тому
Here I show you how to quickly create a playable instrument yourself in Logic Sampler and Kontakt - in under 10 minutes! Let me know how you get on and if you want more tutorials in depth on further parts of the sampling process. DOWNLOAD HERE - - we.tl/t-6JYrTkPKsi MY BOOK - - www.spitfireaudio.com/the-professional-composers-guide
AIR Studios Reverb - DEEP DIVE - creating the 'Trailer Chord'
Переглядів 1,4 тис.14 днів тому
Taking a deep dive into how I used AIR Studios Reverb to create the product trailer. Huge thanks to our friends who contributed dry tracks! - Jamal Green, Eldad Guetta, Justin Hurwitz, Mikey J, Ryan Lott, Anne Nikitin, Jeff Russo, Paul Saunderson, Emily Wells, Madison Willing. Pro Composers Guide: www.spitfireaudio.com/the-professional-composers-guide
Playing in AIR Studios (at home!) - Clarinet experiments
Переглядів 6 тис.Місяць тому
I'm playing my Clarinet in my little home studio and using AIR Studios Reverb to place it in the legendary Hall, but also a variety of ways to use the new plugin to make different sounds. (The 'pop' sound every so often is Logic cutting the clarinet take every time I hit stop!) * also - if you look at the CPU usage on the Reverb thats the % of a single core on this old 2019 mac pro - 28 core ma...
LABS+ Sneak Peek!
Переглядів 8 тис.Місяць тому
LABS is in pre access! I've been answering a lot of questions and then I thought maybe it was easier to make a quick video.. You can join the waitlist here: www.labscommunity.com/ and then we'll email you when you are invited in. We're letting people in relatively slowly at first so if any problems arise we can fix them quickly!
Two ways to set up a creative logic pro template
Переглядів 3 тис.3 місяці тому
Here we look at two different techniques for setting up a creative template - that I used for two tracks on my new album. Presave "Nocturne" on Spotify now! distrokid.com/hyperfollow/paulthomson/nocturne-2 paul-thomson.store/ paul-thomson.store/products/journeys-cd-preorder-signed-copy Check out my book - www.spitfireaudio.com/the-professional-composers-guide Join me on my journey to release my...
Creating Your Album part 3: Casting
Переглядів 1,3 тис.3 місяці тому
Today we have a look at the next stage of the album process - assembling your fragments and deciding what 'band' to use for each track. Instrument selection, live and sampled, and how to think about the character of the sound you are using. paul-thomson.store/ paul-thomson.store/products/journeys-cd-preorder-signed-copy Join me on my journey to release my first studio album. Is there a way to r...
Piano sketch to Orchestra with Spitfire Symphony Orchestra
Переглядів 24 тис.4 місяці тому
On thursday I had a few hours to write a demo - here's what I ended up with! I improvised a piano sketch and then orchestrated it using the new SSO performance patches. Here we look at a few key moments and what mics I use and so on. www.spitfireaudio.com/spitfire-symphony-orchestra
Where do musical ideas come from?
Переглядів 2 тис.4 місяці тому
Today we talk about the start point.. creating those initial fragment ideas and capturing them so you have a good foundation of material to start working with. paul-thomson.store/ paul-thomson.store/products/journeys-cd-preorder-signed-copy Join me on my journey to release my first studio album. Is there a way to release an album in 2024 and make it financially viable? This is the second part t...
Is it financially viable to make an album in 2024?
Переглядів 4 тис.4 місяці тому
paul-thomson.store/ paul-thomson.store/products/journeys-cd-preorder-signed-copy Join me on my journey to release my first studio album. Is there a way to release an album in 2024 and make it financially viable? This is the introduction to my journey. Each week I'll outline every step of the process from initial ideas all the way to manufacture and setting up your shop. My album is now on preor...
Quicktip - mic signals and controllers in Albion ONE - inline demo!
Переглядів 1,6 тис.4 місяці тому
This is my first 'inline' demo - where you can watch the YT video - and then download the Logic session file and follow along with my explanations. The Logic session has the voice from the video and the midi data I played in during the video recording. I'd love to know how useful you find this! spitfire-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/support/AlbionONE_controllersmics.zip I've started with the basi...
Demo Breakdown - writing in the 'Golden Age of Hollywood' style
Переглядів 3 тис.5 місяців тому
A dive into writing in this romantic style using only Abbey Road ONE and the Spitfire Harp. Also check out the piano improvised score and what I'm using on the master buss..
5 rules to get better every week
Переглядів 7 тис.9 місяців тому
Here are 5 things I try to focus on every week to move forward as a music maker. www.spitfireaudio.com/the-professional-composers-guide
How do I choose which library to write with?
Переглядів 3,4 тис.9 місяців тому
Looking at Solo Flute - I talk through why I might choose a specific library but more importantly how to use the mics and reverb to change the sound in different ways.
Production Tricks for a modern 80s vibe
Переглядів 3,7 тис.9 місяців тому
Production Tricks for a modern 80s vibe
15 minute EMOTIONAL scene change challenge
Переглядів 6 тис.9 місяців тому
15 minute EMOTIONAL scene change challenge
EXPAND your musical themes - easily!
Переглядів 7 тис.2 роки тому
EXPAND your musical themes - easily!
Can MODES help you create more interesting EMOTION in your music?
Переглядів 7 тис.2 роки тому
Can MODES help you create more interesting EMOTION in your music?
The Massive 1000+ track Template walkthru continues!! PART 2
Переглядів 4,3 тис.2 роки тому
The Massive 1000 track Template walkthru continues!! PART 2
My new massive 1000+ track template - part 1!
Переглядів 11 тис.2 роки тому
My new massive 1000 track template - part 1!
The 2 Secrets to blending String Libraries
Переглядів 11 тис.2 роки тому
The 2 Secrets to blending String Libraries
INVERSION - the ultimate inspiration tool for Composers???
Переглядів 6 тис.2 роки тому
INVERSION - the ultimate inspiration tool for Composers???
Using RETROGRADE for Inspiration! (and what is retrograde anyway?)
Переглядів 4,4 тис.2 роки тому
Using RETROGRADE for Inspiration! (and what is retrograde anyway?)
What EMOTION do different solo Woodwinds give?
Переглядів 3,9 тис.2 роки тому
What EMOTION do different solo Woodwinds give?
10 Quick Tips - how to USE THE HARP in Orchestration
Переглядів 9 тис.2 роки тому
10 Quick Tips - how to USE THE HARP in Orchestration
What do orchestras sound like ... pitched DOWN?
Переглядів 4,2 тис.2 роки тому
What do orchestras sound like ... pitched DOWN?
I'm under pressure.. The 15 minute ACTION CUE challenge!
Переглядів 16 тис.2 роки тому
I'm under pressure.. The 15 minute ACTION CUE challenge!
Which Spitfire Percussion library is right for your track?
Переглядів 3,8 тис.2 роки тому
Which Spitfire Percussion library is right for your track?
Impressive work history You have there and I have definitely heard your music before. Thankyou for this video, good insite.
How did you get round looping in the beginning for things like sustained notes? Did you use things like Antares Infinity and what do you use now days if at all? Would be cool to see a video oh the more technical aspect of creating a modern library
Really interesting story, sounds like a lot of risk and bravery to get to where you wanted to be. Hats off. Btw - I'd also love to hear the orchestral music you got out of an MPC-60!
Thanks Alex! I’ll post some of my old stuff in a video - be a good laugh and also show people you can make progress! 😂
@@PaulThomsonMusic I acquired one in an auction last year and it's just being restored at the moment. I was going to look into the whole hip hop and DJ Shadow thing, so I'm intrigued to hear what it sounded like for orchestral TV scores. Probably a reminder of how far we've come, as you say. 😀
Lovely piece and very natural musical feel from losing the click track. I think I'll try writing a piece using that free-form approach tomorrow. Thanks for the demo!
Thanks Kate!
Really useful demonstration and explanation Beautiful composition too
Thank you Paul!
Thanks for sharing these insights. You emphasize the importance of the human touch in samples and managed greatly to let those details shine even in the Spitfire Symphonic Strings. So I was shocked of the clean string machine sound of the new ARO Symphonic Strings -even in Your presentation. Buyed them and love it now, but use it only with mixes Mids and Close (in Your great AIR reverb), to save the last remaining humanity in this library, but don't understand the thoughts behind that concept. Anyway, I enjoy seeing You taking more time now to compose and be close to your roots (and Your customers ;-) ). Have fun.
I think its just a different sound rather than too clean, but the beauty of this is that theres choice - we've always wanted to offer different types of sound as its so subjective. I love that you're using them with the Reverb as it means you're honing in your own sound - and yes you definitely hear the players more in the close and mids! Hope you're enjoying using them so far!
last year YT feeds me a Talented Lady who Sings Japanese Minyo - Asakura Saya 朝倉さや from Yamagata prefecture, she keeps and re-invent the traditional Minyo all over 47 prefectures and lifted to other level, hope Spitfire Audio will issue a New Lib. from her. P.S. Owner of BBC Pro, Albion Colossus and Epic Choir.
Great video - thanks Paul!
Thanks Daniel! Glad you liked it!
Very Barber's Adagio for Strings.
Sure gives me that vibe!
I'm honoured to be compared to that masterpiece but you're too kind!
Love the breakdown video! Always interesting to see workflow and thought process from an experienced pro like yourself. Thanks!
Thanks Babak! Glad its useful.
For very free-flowing and organic timing, I find the constraints of time signatures in sequencer's very challenging, particularly if you want to start by just playing something in. How does one even map such performances to beats and bars and time signatures and tempos, after the fact... especially if there are lots of intuitive pauses, or notes that you would intuitively time early or late to introduce tension and feel? I'd be curious about your thoughts on this. BTW. I've been having fun working with the SSO and appreciate your videos.
Thanks! Good question, I tend to just switch off the click and don't look at the screen while I'm playing. However, if you want to then have others play on it, you'll need to click the session, which is a whole art in itself!! I'll do a video on that at some point. Its not totally straightforward (like so many things in music!)
what is the piano??
Originals intimate grand
Fantastic story Paul Thanks for sharing and carry on with the great work.
Thanks Marco!
Gorgeous!
Thanks Daniel!
Epic mate !
Thanks Andy!
This is pretty cool! But.... some people have mentioned wanting to use their BBCSO library with this. The thing is, those kinds of libraries already come with reverb from a different space, as opposed to drier libraries such as Studio Strings so, I wonder, how to use wet libraries with this plugin without turning them into a mushy mess? What settings would you use, both on this and, say, on BBCSO?
Absolutely yes - check out the walkthru I show BBC examples - it’s not only possible but sounds fabulous!
17:24 this sounds really good!
Thanks Adam!
Really interesting... thanks for sharing your journey :)
Thanks Dex!
So Spitfire kind of started on VI-C? That's really cool!
Yes it did in a way!!
Thanks for sharing your backstory! Well done, Paul!
Thank you!
Interesting story, Paul - thanks for sharing! BTW, purchased the album and sample library. Really enjoy listening to the variety of songs included - and the sample library is a nice bonus.
Thanks for your support Ed! Glad you like the album - a lot of time and love went into its creation!
Very inspiring, Paul, thank you for sharing your sampling journey with us ❤
Thanks Marco!
@@PaulThomsonMusic you are welcome!
Such a fantastic journey. Thanks for sharing, Paul.
Thanks Steph!
Awesome Paul - thanks for the insights! "More complicated solutions..." LOL
Thanks Daniel - haha.. its my curse
Thank you for this interesting video, Paul. Isn't it paradoxical to say "make your own sounds, your own samples to sound unique" and having developped a business to provide ready made sample libraries ? ( 😄just for the sake of discussion, don't get me wrong, I'm one of your happy client)
Thanks! Well it can seem paradoxical but one of my main things right from the start was to make libraries that you could make the sound your own, whether that was mics, controls, and so on, so that it wasn't just a recognisable and unchangeable sound! but yes - I think the combination of both is the best approach!
This was really great, Paul. Love hearing the how of it all!
Thanks Babak!
Love to hear your stories. Love your book!
Thank you! Glad you are finding the book useful!
Are you planning to do a Logic session breakdown of any of your tracks from Journeys? It would be great to find out exactly where and how you used your own samples. And a totally unrelated question: At 2:50 is that Trevor Morris in the middle row of the Class of 99?!
Good idea! I'll put that in my to do list. And yes - that is Trevor! Also Jim Dooley was in my year. And Eric Whitacre did it the year after!
Thanks for sharing part of your life story Paul! This was quite fascinating to hear. I liked your assertion about recording the room with samples to give them more life. I've read quite a few write-ups and books by the masterful Bob Katz and he made the same argument that you get more realism from recordings with the real room as opposed to trying to put them into a fake room convincingly with reverb. Also loved the tip on using extra studio time! 👍
Thanks Andrew! It’s great to have that feeling of a space around the sound.
Awesome to hear of you, Paul!
Thanks Edoardo!
I love the story but can I have the distressors at my doorstep please ? 🤣🤣❤(also the appassionata Violins 1 and Violins 2 from BBC pro works literally 105%)
haha! thanks John - yes those distressors are gold..
@@PaulThomsonMusic Aside joking the sampling legacy you 2 ''posh'' dudes created is un-measurable.Also the UAD distressor works 🤣
Thanks for sharing Paul. Its very interesting to hear your story and how sampling evolved as you did too. I also really liked the example of Genius of charles darwin with the wine glasses. It sounds so warm and mysterious. And also the Journeys - cello drone also. Dark, with a dune feeling. Sound nice. I might take use of it.
Thank you! With the glasses I used very little reverb and got them up super close.. the only fx is mangled delays so you get that intimacy..
Which microphone are you using in this video dear Paul brother ??
Thats a Telefunken TF51. Very nice!
@@PaulThomsonMusic and what Studio monitors (speakers) are you using brother paul ? You r my inspiration brother in playing keyboard and creating Melodies from spitfire and other libraries 😊😊😊. Iam from India . I want to meet you .How can I meet you brother?
Amazing video. I have learned a lot from it and will try to make my own guitar instrument. BTW download is not available anymore. It says Transfer expired. Sorry, this transfer has expired and is not available any more
Thanks! I've put a new link up!
That is amazing! I can not wait to get my hands on this.
Thank you!
Awesome video Paul. thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
32:15 daaaaamn
Thank you Paul....insane
Thanks Pat!
Great video Paul -- it's lovely seeing that you follow generally the same procedure as us regular folk !!!!
Thanks Greg!
Now do one for the free Decent Sampler plugin.
Thank you so much for sharing this 😊
Thanks Victor!
Thanks Paul for a very useful video.
Glad it was helpful David!
I too prefer ProTools for sample editing, I am on Windows so no Logic option for me, but Cubase, which is not bad, but PT wins hands down. Also, better to untick Absolute path when saving the Kontakt instrument, that will prevent Kontakt complaining about not finding the samples if you ever have to move your instrument to a different folder/disk. I like to put my samples in a different folder so that everything is neatly organised, and also I need to start putting the instruments into their own folder as well 🙃
Nice James Trussart Telly there!
Thanks Davide! It is my favourite guitar!
This is such a useful video, thanks for making it! I appreciate that you share knowledge like this even when it isn't directly tied to sample library promotions :)
Thanks Joe! more stuff like this coming!
Whoa!
Thanks for this! Impeccable timing as I was just thinking about looking up a video of this exact topic and here you are with the upload.
Perfect!
Excellent video Paul. Thanks! Off to make my sample....
Go for it!
Great demo, but I'd REALLY like a trial before buying this. Aside from making sure the verb would work with a variety of instruments; CPU usage is one question I have. THANKS!
Thanks Joel! We're looking at ways of doing this but it won't be quick. We decided not to go iLok route, and thats the easiest way to provide demos. Watch this space though!
@@PaulThomsonMusic Gotcha - most of us probably have iLok, but understand the decision to go your own route. I'll watch this space then ♫
And definitely Kontakt is a pain in the tailbone when you compare to EXS24/Logic Sampler... 😁 When I make my own sample instruments I almost never use Kontakt. Too 90s for me .
indeed!! although you've got more control with scripting. But for quick n dirty - hard to beat EXS/Sampler... especially after Apple acquired Keymap.
Do you know if there is an equivalent to the EXS in Cubase, I really hate the interface on Kontakt it is long overdue a overhaul it’s inability you scale properly on screens plays havoc with my limited eye site.
@@graham-kirby In the early 90s I've chosen Creator over Pro24 (better PPQ for Creator...) and I still use Logic so I don't know anything about Cubase but I imagine it has such thing, Cubase is in the "top 3" of the major DAWs, after all. And you're not alone, everybody on Earth hate Kontakt GUI 😆
@@PaulThomsonMusic "Scripting" Yes, powerful, no doubt, but I'm a musician, not a guy with a white lab coat with 2 pencils in the chest pocket. Furthermore my sight is nos sufficient to deal with a GUY from the 90s on a 5k monitor 😁. One day, int he 2030s, NI will update this.
@@graham-kirby Halion 7 is Steinberg’s answer to Kontakt and EXS24