How I Make Music

By John Bartmann

Discover new fiction podcasts in an immersive, sound-designed listening experience with their music composers. In this show, we challenge audio drama music makers to break apart a song, soundtrack or ... more

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FAQs about How I Make Music:

How many episodes does How I Make Music have?

The podcast currently has 108 episodes available.

How I Make Music episodes:

January 01, 2020 #037 90s Sitcom Joy
The soundtrack in this week's episode is called 90s Sitcom Joy. It’s a super quirky and silly parody of the theme music used in sitcoms like Full House in the 90s. It’s also currently my #1 most popular track by download on iTunes. The title, vocal harmonies and overall cheesy feel gives it a strong, easily identifiable mood. It’s suitable as a theme tune for introductions to geeky podcasts about casual topics like beer, film and TV, games and anything retro or 90s-themed.
IN THIS EPISODE
* The Saga of the European King medieval comedy audio fiction https://thesagaoftheeuropeanking.bandcamp.com/
* Tracks with any kind of vocals will always be more attention-grabbing
* Using drum loops instead of creating them with individual hits is more retro
* Stick to instrumentation from the period
* Double-tracked guitars and vocals provide a fuller sound
* Voice-leading is the key to writing good melodies
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
* Download https://gum.co/HCNCE
* Use this music in your podcast, audio drama or (non-commercial) video
* Quick search my entire library of soundtracks by keyword at https://johnbartmann.com/music
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* Boss DR-220A drum machine samples
* ADM 80s Trumpet Ableton device
* Native Instruments FM8
* Voice, acoustic guitar
ABOUT THIS SHOW
How I Make Music is a show for music producers, podcasters and storytellers to better understand how digital-era composers make their music. Hey, I'm John Bartmann and I’m from Cape Town, South Africa. I write music and offer my own perspective on how to make it. My soundtracks, moods and themes have been used in commercial film, TV and radio, and also in plenty of non-commercial videos, podcasts and audio dramas. 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. Why? To help you better understand how to make, select and use production music that grips your audience.
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CONTACT
https://twitter.com/johnisthemusic
https://johnbartmann.com/contact
...more
14min
December 25, 2019#036 Ghost House Christmas Fun
The soundtrack in this week's episode is called Ghost House Christmas Fun. It’s a quirky ‘Christmas-ified’ comedy/horror podcast theme tune which I wrote for the offbeat audio fiction series Haunted Hell House of Horror. This week, we break formula to discuss the process of adapting the original podcast theme tune into a special Christmas version by changing it to a major key and introducing different instrumentation.
IN THIS EPISODE
Anything comedic sounds better when it’s amateur. Nothing should be too tight or professional.
Major Scaled ‘Nothing Else Majeur’ parody https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7FzLX0Ql8M
Christmas is about sleigh bells, harps, church bells and jazz piano
Haunted Hell House of Horror podcast theme https://twitter.com/hhhohpo
What We Do In The Shadows comedy gothic New Zealand film https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3416742/
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
* Download https://gum.co/Ilmqgl
* 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.
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* Spitfire Audio LABS Drums + Charango + Dulcimer + Strings
* Heavyocity Evolve (patch “Gnarly Piano Gods”)
* Spook Keys VST
* PianoTeq 4
* ADM Christmas Bells https://brianfunk.com/blog/2013/12/24/merry-christmas-free-jingle-bells-for-ableton-live
ABOUT THIS SHOW
How I Make Music is a show for aspiring music producers, podcasters and audio drama creators. 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://twitter.com/johnisthemusic
https://johnbartmann.com/contact
...more
19min
December 18, 2019#035 Uptown Fatness
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
21min
December 11, 2019#034 African Bliss
The soundtrack in this week's episode is called African Bliss. It’s a crossover between string ensemble and African traditional and gospel music. The simple chord progression and cheerful tone make it suitable for moments set in Africa, moments of cultural bridging and childrens’ TV.
In this episode, we check out:
How much live instrumentation do you use?
Avoiding the temptation to complexify
Combining live and sampled sounds for bigness
Choosing instrumentation by geography
Everyone is searching for authenticity. Deliver it!
SHOW NOTES
* Soweto String Quartet ‘Kwela’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBABMxn9W70
* Spitfire Audio Originals - Epic Strings https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/originals-epic-strings/
* 7de Laan theme song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBdEAAfhZNc
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* instruments: acoustic guitar, violin, electric bass, hand claps
* Spitfire Audio Originals - Epic Strings
* Kontakt 4 Marimba, Grand Piano
* Native Instruments West African Discovery Series
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
Download and use the track from this episode in your podcast, audio drama or (non-commercial) video https://gum.co/CggB. Quick-search all my soundtracks at https://johnbartmann.com/music.
...more
22min
December 04, 2019#033 Dungeon Of Fear
The soundtrack in this week's episode is called Dungeon Of Fear. It’s a dark and brooding suspense track suitable for tension and brooding moments, like the ones you experience shortly before a horror ‘reveal’ or as the soundtrack to some underground torture cavern.
In this episode:
A bass drone represents plot stasis. The lack of harmonic progression mirrors the suspense in the narrative
Make it easy by avoiding the temptation to tweak everything. Use default patches.
Create a ‘reveal’ for your dusty skeleton moment
PItch drops with the Doppler Effect works in horror and tension
Purposefully de-syncing your LFOs to create more humanity
Allow yourself to be surprised by your software tools
Use glassy sounds above 10kHz for the ‘nails on a chalkboard’ effect
SHOW NOTES
* John Carpenter’s Halloween soundtrack: the original https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT4FY3NrhGg and the remake (with the LFOs disappointingly synced!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqVyois9mp4
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* Heavyocity Evolve “Gnarly Piano Gods”
* Absynth 5
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
Download https://gum.co/Cobmp. 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.
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
21min
November 27, 2019#032 Crazy Balloons
The soundtrack in this week's episode is called Crazy Balloons. It’s a silly but rich and layered rhythmic jazz track suitable for children’s activities, themes of madness, circus clowns and harmless fun.
In this episode, we check out:
The silly, lovable rhythms of the gypsy jazz genre
Use live instruments! Invite your musician friends over!
New instruments (or patches, or libraries) are a great way to start new ideas. My Jew’s harp completely sparked off this track.
Mild, medium and hot drum brush loops for dynamic variety
Accidental dissonance? Don’t panic! Include it in your track, but resolve it quickly
Perfection versus humanity: choose where you want to land
Sound like yourself
SHOW NOTES
* The Hot Club of France - the original gypsy jazz band
* The band behind this soundtrack Pravda https://pravdaofficial.com (their sound has evolved)
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* Ableton Live 9 factory sounds
* live guitar, double bass, violin, clarinet, trumpet
* Kontakt 4 trombone ensemble
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
Download and use the track from this episode in your podcast, audio drama or (non-commercial) video https://gum.co/UahiZ. Quick-search all my soundtracks at https://johnbartmann.com/music.
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
26min
November 20, 2019#031 Gqom Urban African
The music in this week's episode is called Gqom Urban African. It’s my first attempt at gqom music, which is a global dance music style that originated in Durban, South Africa. It’s super-heavy on the rhythm.
In this episode, we check out:
Keeping dance music harmonically and melodically simple
The ever-present Eminem ‘Lose Yourself’ hip hop chord progression
SHOW NOTES
* Distruction Boys “Madness” (ft Tipcee) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5oMV-kn0Og
* Frank And Fearless feature film in which part of this track was used https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8slPqV-16w
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* Reason 5 Kong Drum Kit
* Ableton Live 9 factory sounds
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
Download and use the track from this episode in your podcast, audio drama or (non-commercial) video https://gum.co/pYqJE. Quick-search all my soundtracks at https://johnbartmann.com/music.
ABOUT THIS SHOW
How I Make Music is a show for music producers, podcasters, audio drama creators and film-makers. Hey, I'm John Bartmann. I make music and offer advice 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. Then, I offer understanding into that process to make your own productions shine!
SUBSCRIBE
* Spotify
* Apple Podcasts
* RSS
* Stitcher
* TuneIn
CONTACT https://johnbartmann.com/contact
...more
12min
November 13, 2019#030 It Was Another Time
The music in this week's episode is called It Was Another Time. It was written to underpin some pretty heavy subject matter for a podcast set in the dark days of apartheid, so much delicacy and space was needed!
In this episode, we check out:
Using ambiguity between major and minor tonality
Leaving loads of space for tender moments
Moving down the scale for sadness, and up the scale to raise energy
SHOW NOTES
* Alibi - True Crime podcast about a man (possibly) imprisoned wrongfully in apartheid South Africa https://alibi.org.za
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* Ableton Live 9 factory sounds (Sogawni Arp Split patch)
* Kontakt 4 factory sounds (piano)
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
Download and use the track from this episode in your podcast, audio drama or (non-commercial) video https://gum.co/TPeJj. Quick-search all my soundtracks at https://johnbartmann.com/music.
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
...more
10min
November 06, 2019#029 Chill And Grill
The music covered in this week's episode is called Chill And Grill. Here in South Africa that’s a cool phrase to describe the activity of doing very little while smoking a bit of weed on a Sunday, which is basically what inspired this crossover hip hop / blues track in the style of Flying Lotus.
In this episode, we check out:
Getting the beat to sound wonky by not quantizing 100%
Using sampled beatbox hits to layer the beat for a more human sound
Who invited the acoustic guitar blues? Crossover music for an original sound
The absurd Pink Floyd ‘carnival keyboard’ versus the happy, warm Fatboy Slim piano
SHOW NOTES
* Wonky, off-grid beat sounds inspired by Flying Lotus - Do The Astral Plane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8E5KnNPt4g
* Flying Lotus The Imperfect Beat via XLR8R https://xlr8r.com/features/flying-lotus-the-imperfect-beat/
* ‘Carnival keyboard’ sounds inspired by Pink Floyd - The Trial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCMHmDnfD6I
SOUNDS & DEVICES USED
* Kontakt 4 Percussion Beatbox Kit
* Ableton Live 9 factory sounds
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
Download and use the track from this episode in your podcast, audio drama or (non-commercial) video https://gum.co/EMEU. Quick-search all my soundtracks at https://johnbartmann.com/music.
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
14min
October 30, 2019#028 Careful Tiptoe
The music covered in this week's episode is called Careful Tiptoe. It was written as an experiment in horror and suspense music production. It’s suitable for spooky, creepy and tense moments.
In this episode, we examine:
Tapping into established horror soundtrack norms
Light piano symbolizing a child’s footsteps
The emphasis on orchestral strings in classic horror soundtracks
The immense impact of Bernard Hermann’s music for ‘Psycho’
SHOW NOTES
* John Carpenter Halloween theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amZQdMtjNA8
* Song Exploder John Carpenter Halloween theme http://songexploder.net/halloween
* The Korg 05 RW piano sound in this track https://planetbotch.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-korg-05rw-review-and-retrospective.html
* Bernard Hermann psycho theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMTrVgpDwPk
DEVICES USED
* Korg 05RW digital synth module
DOWNLOAD THIS TRACK
Download and use the track from this episode in your podcast, audio drama or (non-commercial) video https://gum.co/UJhXc. Quick-search all my soundtracks at https://johnbartmann.com/music.
ABOUT THIS SHOW
How I Make Music is a show for music producers, podcasters, audio drama creators and film-makers. Hey, I'm John Bartmann. I make music and offer advice 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. Then, I offer understanding into that process to make your own productions shine!
SUBSCRIBE
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
RSS
Stitcher
TuneIn
...more
10min

FAQs about How I Make Music:

How many episodes does How I Make Music have?

The podcast currently has 108 episodes available.