How I Did It
Tools I Used
Ableton Live
Apart from Rob Papen RG (Muted version from CM185), I used the Ableton instruments and effects.
FabFilter Pro-Q on the master bus.
For Ableton users: There is a lot of Collision and Corpus. I use Corpus on many instruments even though you can barely hear it.
Samples I Used
ccmixter Shine vocals by snowflake
Thomas Penton - Essential drums and percussion (Loopmasters)
Tabla from KV Bala Indian Sessions (Loopmasters)
Original Samples
I warped the vocal, changed the pitch of a handful of notes to match my chord scheme and equalized the volumes of the vocals. Also noted where the stresses fell.
Process
I listening to the song many times until I could start to hear melodies and beats in the vocals and started with the Rhythm Guitar.
I made instruments and tunes to match what I had heard in the vocal, then created the bass and drums to match the hesitantancy and breathiness. I divided the song into intro, four verses, two bridges, a break and ending. Then fitted the vocals and parts of tunes into the structure. Rewrote various parts to get the tunes to flow and match.
Spent a long time taking bits out and simplifying until I was happy.
I made the decision not to write a tune to the vocals as there is already a strong tune and instead play enhancements.
Other Notes
I just didn't want to mess up the beautiful vocals and was careful to preserve the feel. I hope I enhanced the hesitant beauty of snowflakes singing and made an interesting background.
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