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Arranging and Production in Logic Pro X

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August 2, 2016

In our world of DAWs and plug-ins, we tend to focus on the technical. After all, its a large
part of our job. But its sometimes easy to lose sight of the bigger picture the actual music
we are producing in our DAWs.

Arranging
There are lots of tutorials on songwriting; some even by me
plethora of tutorials on mixing!

And there are certainly a

But what about the part in between; arranging?

When you think about it, arranging is a very large part of what many of us do within Logic.
For example, we might copy regions to new tracks to double certain parts, audition dierent
loops or Drummer grooves, tweak synth parameters, or experiment with various backing
vocal parts.
In the context of songwriting, arranging revolves around how you conceptualize a
previously-composed piece of music. It could involve choosing the instruments used, reharmonizing some of the existing chord progression, changing the phrasing of the melody,
altering the song structure, introducing transitions or modulations, etc.
In the context of the modern DAWs we use, arranging may involve developing signature
sounds unique to this song, or adding specific processing to individual instruments to give
them a unique quality. I like this definition best: Arranging is the art of giving an existing
melody musical variety.

W h e re t o S t a r t ?
So, what informs our decisions and choices as we arrange songs; whether they are our own
songs or songs written by others?
Depending on the genre of music, there are always expectations of how things are going to
sound and how the song will develop. Listeners bring expectations based on cultural and
musical conventions that are part of the modern canon. Knowing what to expect is part of

the pleasure of listening. But as arrangers, it is our job to take advantage of those
expectations and play with them. Meeting them head on sometimes, and throwing a curve
ball at the listener other times.
For example, a pop ballad, a jazz ballad vs. a rock ballad dropping a sax into one might
make sense, but not into the others. And dropping a bagpiper into any of them would be
wrong for the listener unless its a Celtic folk ballad.
On the other hand, subtle use in the bridge of a distorted guitar can surprise the listener in
an acoustic folk song or jazz pop tune. Maybe adding a pause or a couple of couple of extra
beats either before or at the end of the bridge section might enhance the song. Perhaps
reharmonizing the bridge to make it minor if the rest of the song is major (or vice versa) will
add harmonic interest.
Often creating a big build up leading to a climax, and then having everything drop out,
except the bare essentials, creates an interesting element of drama. These can all have a
strong emotional impact on the listening experience.
But back to the original question:
How do we decide what to do when arranging a song?
I think we need to be guided by the notions of authenticity and meaning. Truly
understanding the intent and spirit of a song helps us determine what will best serve the
meaning of the text.
Personally, I find sitting back and studying the lyrics of a song pulls my mind and
sensibilities in a dierent direction than I am normally in when sitting in front of Logic. I dont
do this nearly as often as I should. As a musician, I am primarily drawn to the music. As a
craftsmen, I am drawn to analyzing the production and use of the tools.
But as an arranger which I often am the larger context of the overall song is what is most
important to focus on. In other words, I probably shouldnt pick up my saw until Ive studied
the grain of the wood before me, so to speak.

The Song
Recently I entered into a project where my job was to arrange a song written by Rex
Strother, a buddy of mine. He sent me a quick and dirty demo he had made, with a piano
part mocked up from the EZ Keys MIDI library, a drum loop, and a guide vocal.
Despite its bare bones nature, I could easily hear a strong song with a lot of potential. The
melody and chords were simple, but solid. Combined with the lyrics, the whole thing
conveyed a strong emotional punch. Here is a short excerpt of the lyrics and the
accompanying chords;

and of the original demo:

00:00 00:00
00:41

So, what to do with it now?

00:50

Reflecting on the emotional tone of the song, I tuned in to the contrasting duality of the lyric.
On one hand, it is confessional in nature, with the protagonist exposing his wounds and
displaying his vulnerabilities to the listener. And on the other hand, there is the aspect of the
anger and hurt felt towards the antagonist in the story.
So, how to communicate these contrasting emotions and messages through
arrangement and production in Logic?

The Song and Logic

Rex sent me his guide vocal track from the demo. I tried several dierent feels and grooves.
Flex Time was invaluable for auditioning dierent tempos. I eventually settled on a slower
tempo than his original demo, although I think the finished arrangement feels faster and
more agitated and angry in places.
I used dierent grooves and instrumentation to communicate the contrasting emotion in
dierent sections of the song. I brought in a live guitar player, and recorded some live
drums, while programming the rest with software instruments.
I also came up with some unexpected twists, both in terms of instrumentation and in use of
production techniques, to throw the listeners expectations o balance and (hopefully!) draw
them more deeply into the narrative. I eventually had Rex re-record the vocals at the new
tempo. And of course, inevitably a word or two of the lyric got tweaked along the way.
This project was a stimulating experience for me in stretching my musical sensibilities.
Rather than staring at a blank Logic screen, trying to figure out which synth or sounds or
plug-ins will sound good, I let the story guide me.
Logic became the tool to build the house; rather than it being the house itself that I go into
to work in. I feel Ive grown through this project. As a musician, an arranger, a Logic user;
and as a creator of tutorial content.
Here is a short excerpt of the finished mix.
00:00 00:00
00:33

A
r r a n g i n g a n d P ro d u c t i o n i n L o g i c P ro X
00:45
If you like what you hear, and this sort of musical journey interests you, you can follow along
with me step-by-step in this series of videos I created that captures the whole experience:

Singer / Songwriter Production & Arranging

You will even hear some of the missteps I took at the beginning, what did and didnt work,
what elements and ideas I opted to include and exclude, and more. The whole thing is
created in Logic Pro X, but this series really isnt about Logic per se.
Its about using Logic Pro as a means towards an end; toward fleshing out the song. And
ultimately, that is really what we all use Logic Pro for; as songwriters, arrangers, and
producers.

About

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E l i K r a n t z b e rg

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Apple Certified Pro Eli Krantzberg is an internationally known author and music
software trainer for Groove3. His instructional videos have helped demystify music
software such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Sonar, BFD, Melodyne, and Kontakt for
thousands of users all over the world. Based in Montreal, Canada, Eli is involved in all
aspects of audio production. In his studio he works with various artists, as well as on
commercial jingles, corporate videos, and original music composition.

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LancesUK

August 3, 2016 | #
Another great article. What a week for LPE
LancesUK

August 2, 2016 | #
Fascinating article.
danski

July 24, 2016 | #

Lol!
Pierre Delpit

July 24, 2016 | #

where is this blackbox ?
danski

July 22, 2016 | #

Hey Max, its right below the article, under the grey box that says LICENSE. This will take you to a checkout page, but
you dont have to pay. Its still free your email required though. Note that everything above that box that starts with
download, is a crappy ad. No hand clapping for those from me, mind you.
M a x G r i t h s

July 22, 2016 | #

Sorry cant seem to find the black box to download, could someone please point me in the right direction? Thanks
Evan Roberts

July 19, 2016 | #

Love it!
p0o0p

July 14, 2016 | #

how to work 10.8.3
danski

July 13, 2016 | #

Hey Texasman,

Theres a link with a .pt extension: https://itunes.apple.com/pt/book/logic-pro-x-user-guide/id960809726 but it seems

thats still an English version, unfortunately.
Te x a s m a n G u i t a r

July 12, 2016 | #

in portugueswhere? BRAZIL

&

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