The Importance of Using Scratch Tracks in Recording and Music Production

Posted by Brian Casel  |  January 12, 2009  |  ADD COMMENTS

The art of producing songs in the studio involves a tremendous amount of patience and focus. Songwriters should strive to achieve a recording that will be appreciated for many years to come. Crafting and perfecting your production process is different for everyone. It’s important to be aware of what works and what doesn’t. Learn from past experience and always strive to make progress creatively, technically, and professionally.

Today, I want to discuss the importance of using scratch tracks. Scratch tracks are recorded parts of a song that have not been perfected yet. They are meant to be rough takes, not to be used in the final mix. In this article I’ll talk about how using scratch tracks are crucial part of a successful production process. I’ll also go over how to use playlists to easily record multiple takes in Pro Tools.

Using Negative Space in Songwriting

Posted by Brian Casel  |  November 23, 2008  |  1 COMMENT

Often times the best addition to a song is a subtraction. Keeping things simple and straightforward can serve your song quite well. By stripping away the clutter you can focus your audience’s attention on the core concept of the song.