In a rut? Need to find new ways to express your musical ideas? It happens to the best of us, sometimes it can simply be that you’re not exercising all your musical muscles and so you’re not able to stretch your ideas as you would like. Here, we offer five techniques that might not be staples in your current repertoire but hold the potential to transform your approach to music production.

1. MIDI Step Sequencing

Once upon a time, the only way to get music out of synths, samplers, and drum machines was by using MIDI step sequencing. MIDI step sequencing, often overshadowed by more direct recording methods, offers a meticulous way to compose rhythms. This technique, harking back to the early days of electronic music, allows for the programming of complex patterns that might be challenging to play manually. Modern software has elevated this process, offering an array of features that encourage intricate beat-making.

Consider the workflow: You plot notes in a sequence, usually in steps, which can be manipulated for pitch, duration, and velocity. The power lies in its precision and repeatability, inviting you to experiment with polyrhythms, unusual time signatures, and nuanced dynamics. Software like Ableton Live and FL Studio provides advanced step sequencing tools that can ignite new rhythmic ideas, although almost all DAWs offer some kind of step sequencing option. For those accustomed to loop-based or real-time MIDI recording, step sequencing can open up a new realm of rhythmic possibilities.

2. The Uncompressed Mix

In an industry often leaning heavily on compression to achieve loud, dynamically tight tracks, the notion of an uncompressed mix might seem unconventional. Yet, this approach can yield a sound that's both dynamic and authentic. When you forego or minimise compression, you allow the natural dynamics of the recording to shine. This is particularly effective in genres where the emotional depth and nuance of performance are paramount, for example acoustic and jazz.

Of course, this approach demands careful recording techniques and judicious gain staging, especially if you have a drummer who has one loudness for gain setting and another for the actual recording. Modern DAWs are the perfect technology for experimenting with this recording technique because of their low noise and headroom, there’s little need to record as hot as you would with analogue equipment.

The goal is to capture the best possible sound source, relying less on post-processing to fix or enhance the audio. This doesn't imply a complete abandonment of compression but rather a more thoughtful application of it. A mix with minimal compression can breathe, exhibiting a life-like quality that's often lost in heavily processed tracks.

In his recent article Dom Morley asked Why Are You Compressing Your Mix? It’s worth a read to consider if you really do need to compress recordings as much you do.

3. Live Band Recording

The energy, spontaneity, and interaction of a live band recording are hard to replicate in a multi-tracked studio session. This approach, rooted in the early days of recording, relies on the synergy of musicians performing together in a single take. It's a challenging yet rewarding process that captures a moment in time, reflecting the raw essence and chemistry of the band.

Once we knew we could use modern DAWs to capture each track and then manipulate them almost endlessly, we’ve sometimes lost the magic of live recording, hoping to get the cleanest recording possible. Sometimes we can have a clean but lifeless recording. Live recording can fix that.

The key lies in meticulous preparation and a deep understanding of the room's acoustics. Each instrument's placement becomes crucial, as does the choice of microphones and their positioning. The aim is to balance the live sound in the room, ensuring that each instrument is captured clearly while also blending harmoniously with the others. It might take some time to move the drums to exactly the right place to get the right acoustic without drowning out everything else.

When executed well, this method can yield recordings with a palpable sense of space and interaction, a testament to the musicians' collective performance. If you’ve ever played with a really great band for a long time, there’s often a nod on stage that can mean one of ten different things, but the band knows which one, and they all move symbiotically together. It’s magic!

4. Two-Microphone Challenge

Embracing a minimalist approach, the two-microphone recording technique stands as a testament to the adage 'less is more.' This method involves using just two microphones to capture an entire band or performance, harking back to the days when multi-track recording was a luxury. The challenge here is to find the sweet spot where these two microphones can capture the balance and essence of the performance.

This technique is not just about simplicity; it's a study in acoustics, microphone characteristics, and the art of balance. The placement of the microphones can vary from the coincident pair to spaced pair techniques, depending on the desired soundstage and the room's acoustics. This approach encourages a focus on performance and arrangement over post-production fixes, often resulting in a more cohesive and natural-sounding recording.

Check out engineer Bob Clearmountain (The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen) and drummer Matt Chamberlain (solo artist, session musician, David Bowie, Tori Amos, Soundgarden) demonstrate and discuss the best way to record drums with two microphones.

5. Experimenting with Non-Traditional Song Structures

Breaking away from the conventional verse-chorus-verse format can be a liberating experience for music producers. This exploration into non-traditional song structures invites a rethinking of how music can flow and evolve. It's about letting the content dictate the form rather than adhering to a predetermined structure.

This approach can manifest in various ways: songs that evolve linearly, compositions that circle around a single motif, or tracks that unfold like a story with distinct acts. This experimentation can lead to unique and memorable music that stands out in a world often dominated by formulaic structures. Producers can draw inspiration from genres like progressive rock, jazz, and classical music, which often employ these varied structural approaches.

We asked our friends to name some classic songs that avoided the verse/chorus, middle eight trap. Here’s a few to get you started;

• Still Crazy After All These Years - Paul Simon

• Princess of China - Coldplay/Rihanna

• Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

• Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

• Band On The Run - Paul McCartney & Wings

• Regulate - Warren G (Featuring Nate Dogg)

• MacArthur Park - Donna Summer

• Paranoid Android - Radiohead

Go Try It!

Muscle memory can be a blessing but also a curse, meaning we keep ploughing the same furrow as we try to come up with new ideas. These five techniques - MIDI step sequencing, uncompressed mixing, live band recording, the two-microphone challenge, and experimenting with non-traditional song structures - offer avenues to expand your sonic palette and approach to music production. Each method, with its unique set of challenges and rewards, encourages a deeper engagement with the craft of making music. By exploring these techniques, you may just come up with your best idea or recording yet!