How I Make Music

#035 Uptown Fatness

Listen Later

The soundtrack in this week's episode is called Uptown Fatness. It’s an energetic, uplifting poppy funk track suitable for upbeat, happy and exciting moments, and is loosely based on the in-your-face slam-dunk dance beats of songs like Uptown Funk. It’s also a highly persuasive sound found in much advertising and corporate communication aimed at younger people.

In this episode:

  • Pick a time to imitate. This track is early 80s, so it blends funk and the new sound of samplers.
  • The bass sounds fake. That’s OK. So do the drums, so they match. Fake it up!
  • Nope, you don’t need the latest gear. Guitar goes through my Boss GT-6, a really old multi-fx pedal
  • The feeling you have towards your music comes through
  • Book a studio or rehearsal space for half a day and record your own samples. It takes you out of your own box.
  • Formant synthesis (vocal emulation) is super quirky and ear-catching

    • DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK

    Download https://gum.co/DGdZ. Download and use the track from this episode in your podcast, audio drama or (non-commercial) video. Quick-search all my soundtracks at https://johnbartmann.com/music.

    SHOW NOTES

    * My co-producer Django Flaherty drummed the hi-hats for this track. Check him out at http://django-dj.com
    * Uptown Funk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0

    SOUNDS & DEVICES USED

    * Ableton Live Drum Rack “Kit LD”
    * Reason 5 Thor
    * Kontakt 4 Factory Sounds: Brass, Bass

    ABOUT THIS SHOW

    How I Make Music is a show for aspiring music producers, podcasters, audio drama creators and film-makers. Hey, I'm John Bartmann. I make music and offer my own perspective on how to make it. My original music has been used in film, TV, radio and online. Each week, I write, record and release a new soundtrack. In this podcast, I deconstruct these original soundtracks one by one, sharing the separate musical parts, decisions and stories behind how each complete tune was made.

    SUBSCRIBE

    Spotify
    Apple Podcasts
    RSS
    Stitcher
    TuneIn

    CONTACT https://johnbartmann.com/contact

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    How I Make MusicBy John Bartmann
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    9 ratings