How to Remix a Song
Music, so it is said is the food of love. It is also, for many people, a source of great entertainment and joy. It is also an activity and pursuit that can allow you to gain wealth beyond your dreams. Whatever the reason you are interested in music, you may want to know how to be able to make your own songs.
One way that you can learn to make music of your own is through remixing the songs of others. Whilst decades ago, remixing was somewhat frowned upon and seen as not the same as making your own original score, the music industry has changed in the subsequent decades and is more open to the art of remixing.
However, if you want to have a go at remixing songs then you might be wondering where you can possibly start. What kind of songs should you remix? What kind of software or equipment might you need to properly remix music?
The question you might be asking is – how to remix a song so you feel like a professional? This article will give you the information you need to properly understand how to go about unleashing your inner remixer and making music feel personal to you.
Choosing A Song
The first thing you must consider when deciding that you want to remix a song is which song you want to use. This is important because different songs have different tenors and souls to them that means that you might remix them in different ways.
It should be equally important that the song has some kind of relevance to you. That it is a song that makes you feel alive.
This is important because if you simply choose a song because you think it could be easily remixed or it is one that you think is okay and simply want to try with, you won’t put all your energy into your remix. Your remix will not have the same authenticity that a song that is special to you would have.
You should also make sure that when you choose a song that it is not the most complex song either. This isn’t to say that you should go for the simplest song you know – you should always choose a song that has some meaning to you – but it is better to do you first remix with a song that won’t cause you too many headaches and potentially put you off wanting to be a remixer in the future.
Deciding On Which Programme You Want To Use
Previously, remixing would involve a turntable and several different vinyl records. DJs today still do remix songs live however these songs of course can’t be played back whenever you want them to. This means that your remixes can’t be shared with people across the internet or with your friends.
Therefore, if you want your remixes to be shared continually and listened to by a dedicated online audience you should utilise a computer programme that can allow you to digitally remix the songs of your choice.
There are a variety of different programmes that you can choose from. The most popular are Soundtrap by Spotify, Ableton Live, Mixx and VirtualDJ.
Each have their own good and bad points. If you want to use your Spotify playlist as inspiration, then Soundtrap is probably perfect for you. However, if you want to try something that is a bit more experimental then you might be better off using Ableton Live, which has over 1,500 different sounds to enhance your track or Mixx which uses patented creative audio coding allowing you great flexibility when mixing your beat together.
Any of these programmes could be used to remix your song, however, no matter which software you choose the process of remixing will be similar.
How To Remix A Song Effectively
Now that you have chosen which programme you want to use and which song you want to remix, it is time to begin the actual remixing process.
Before you can start actually remixing your song, it is important to figure out a game plan for what you want your remixed song to sound like. Like to the song again and listen for anything that you could be improved up – something that you think is lacking. Maybe it’s some extra drums, maybe it’s a new chorus.
Whatever it is note it down and list where in the original track’s run time you think the changes should be made.
Once you’ve done that check out some other remixes to give you a better idea of what other people who had made remixes have done to the original song. By comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences you will have a good grasp of what you can do to your song.
Then you can begin! Load up the programme you have decided to use and begin to make cuts to the song and bring in the new elements that you want to use.
You must remember that all though this is a remix you should still retain as many elements as you want of the original song – after all the reason you are making the remix with this song is because it is a song you like, so you don’t have to change everything about it.
Once you have made your changes, whether they be to the bass, chorus or to the overall rhythm of the song take a listen to it. Make sure you are happy with it, then begin processing and rendering the song.
Listen to it again once you have processed it as if you have chosen the wrong compression level then the song might not sound exactly how you intended it to when you started. If it doesn’t then simply go back to your original project and begin editing again or change the compression level until it sounds right.
Finally, you have finished making your remix and are ready to release it upon the world.
Why You Should Remix
Even if you aren’t a great fan of remixes and are more interested in original music, you should give remixing songs ago. Not only can they be fun experiences they can also be enlightening ones. They give you an insight into the song making process and will allow you to fully comprehend all the time and effort that goes into making music.
Making a remix may even inspire you to create something original of your own. Music can do all kinds of things to how you feel about yourself and to your life. So why not give remixing a go and see where it can take you?
