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TEMPLATES IN LOGIC PRO STEP 1:

STRUCTURE
by Luke Prosser | Feb 5, 2016 | Logic Pro, Production, Workflow & Productivity | 0 Comments

As annoying as it is, the old adage Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance holds true every
time. But it neednt be laborious the key is to make things simple and, more importantly, fun.
We can view the empty arrangement as one big problem, for which there are any number of
solutions. But problems can be broken down into distinct parts, and we can use templates to do
this. Indeed, structuring your tracks before you even get started is a fantastic solution to avoiding
the creative block altogether.

Every solid wall, no matter how huge, starts with just one brick. Your job is to lay that first brick
as carefully as you can, then the next, and the next. Dont worry about the wall yet, just make sure
each brick is laid perfectly on top of the last. Eventually you can take a step back and see your
solid, sturdy wall.
Break it down
If the track is the problem, then the key is to break it down into its constituent parts to form
templates. Construction engineers dont start a building without a blueprint and, likewise, its a
good idea to start your production by mapping out the structure first at least then youll know
where youre going. Then its simply a case of filling in the blanks.

Structuring a track before youve even started writing it can seem strange, and sometimes even
intimidating. You may be asking, How the heck am I supposed to know how Im going to end a
track, if I havent even come up with the start? Fear not were going to start by immediately
eliminating the guesswork.

Beg, borrow, steal

Steve Jobs famously misquoted Picasso when he said good artists borrow, great artists
steal. It is believed that this was inspired by the words of T.S. Eliot, Immature poets imitate;
mature poets steal Either way, theyre getting at the same point. Its ok to take something, get
inspired by it and make it your own, adding your own flare. Thats not stealing, thats
inspiration thats templates.

No one starts with a blank page. Even if you think you have, you definitely havent, something will
have made its way into your brain ona subconscious level without you even realising. Just look
at hip hop and the majority of electronic music sampling defined both genres, they were
simply more honest about it.

Analyse
Choose a track that you like, preferably one in a similar style, feel or tempo that youre aiming to
create. Listen to the track, I mean really listen to it. Analyse the structure and look for patterns.
Where possible, I select a track with the tempo Im looking for and place it in the arrange window
of my DAW. Next, I analyse the tempo of the track using a BPM analysis plugin (most DAWs have
these, for example BPM Counter in Logic (found in Utilities in the plugin dropdown)). I then set the
project tempo to match and sync the metronome of the project with the track, shi9ing it slightly
until its totally locked in.
 Using Logics BPM Counter metering plugin

Now you can create markers for each new section within the music, for example, Verse, Bridge,
Chorus or ABAC , whatever works for you. Once you get to the end, zoom out and view your
completed structure map huzzah! A template. You can even mute and hide the guidetrack I
recommend hiding it so that you can reveal it again as a point of reference later (simply click
CTRL+H).

Inserting markers

Listen and learn

You see, the tracks composer has already done the hard work for you theyve tested their
structures with audiences, online, in clubs etc. over and over again, and already optimised them
for the best audience response. Its not cheating, its simply working smart using templates. Most
people didnt build their own houses, but it doesnt stop them from living in them every day
without worrying about the DPC level or the depth of the cavity wall insulation.

Now that you have the markers in place, its a useful exercise to listen to the arrangement and
instrumentation again with these in view. Ask yourself, for example, what techniques are used to
build from intro to verse? How does the artist go about creating tension? What elements make up
the breakdown? Do the drums drop out at any point? Once youve asked these kinds of questions
and observed the results, take note. These points form a really valuable list of creative ideas for
your own compositions.

Rinse and repeat

This structure map is now a fantastic template for writing your own tracks. A9er all, structures
arent the same as melodies no ones going to sue you for using the same structure! If that was
possible, the pop industry would be even more corrupt than it is now. Save this marked out
project as a template and re-use it as many times as you like!

Saving the project as a template

Dont forget, every track is diAerent.When writing using a template structure, if you feel that
something needs to change, go for it. The main objective is control and inspiration you can
add/delete/amend to taste, this just gets the ball rolling and avoids the issues of the blank page.
You can even map out transitions such as noise builds, risers, cymbal hits etc. in advance, as
these elements are o9en required in almost every track definitely beats constructing them over
and over again. I love templates.

Go forth and multiply with templates

Once youve analysed a number of tracks, youll see a lot of patterns. Not naming names, but
many artists use the same proven structure over and over again, and why not? If it aint broke,
dont fix it, as they say. What else can you use from the work of others? What else can you take as
inspiration? The possibilities are endless. Remember, stealing from one person is stealing, but
stealing from many people is research!

By analysing existing material in this way and creating templates, youre freeing up your own
creativity by preparing in advance. You dont even have to make diAicult choices, as someone
has already made these for you. You can just get on with being inspired and getting creative.

Step 2: Instrumentation
In the next part in this series, we look at setting up your instrumentation ahead of time.

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Haha absolutely! Bizarre Thank you Dylan,
track but so catchy just subscribed to his channel! Great
resource, much appreciated :)

How to finish tracks and free your
creativity
Hey Luke...great
post! Really well written and I can
totally relate to this; especially the
Templates in Logic Pro Step 5:
Processing and Effects
No problem at all
Patrik and thank you for the kind
words! I'm glad this article was
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