Actions - One Minute Smile

An original downloaded from the Cambridge library, used to guide my session set up and remix process.  I'd been itching to play with this track since learning some mixing techniques with it. The image below is my take on fader and pan positions with tracks normalized at -12db. (Still, turn your speakers down for the original)

Once I was satisfied with the session set up and mix matching, I completely cut the drums and bounced out several stems with or without percussion, bass, guitars, and/or vocals.  This is a variation of the entire song with the drums replaced.

After converting my set drums to MIDI I was able to try different tools to transfer the groove to Abelton via ReWire.  I was set on halftime and double time changes but found it difficult to choose a new kit outside of Logic.  I found some creative ideas in the process but stuck with logic and added some drone.

After faders and panning comes EQ and effects.  I also applied light compression and later on experimented with side chain and parallel options to seek closer matches with the original.  Some kick and snare track duplication became necessary as well.  I was given additional tracks to start with when remixing this song in Pro Tools.

Many drum kits and groove changes were made to eventually help me decide on a suitable drum track for just the chorus.

The creative process brought me eventually to imagining what a music video scene might be like for this song.  I chose the reality of a car ride since I'd been listening to stems everywhere I went. The video would start with a listener walking to and starting their car.  During a chorus you'd see them whistling along (rather poorly for effect).