Using Apple Logic Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro to Record an Original Song and Create an Accompanying Video

AKA: Wow, that was quite a bit of work

Duck Dive is the first song I’ve recorded in over twenty years. Things have changed. Gone are the days of stand-alone tape or hard drive recorders for home enthusiasts. Most everything can now be accomplished on a laptop.

I hadn’t originally planned on creating a video. In fact, I’d just wanted to knock out a tune in Garage Band. I quickly found that program to be too limiting. Given the choice between recording using industry standard ProTools and runner up Logic Pro X, I chose Logic for two reasons: 1. Garage Band projects can be opened with it, and I’d already recorded a couple of tracks using it; 2. Price! Let’s face it, Pro Tools is rather expensive for someone who hasn’t recorded original music in decades.

I eventually ended up scratching everything I’d recorded in Garage Band, but that software gave me a reference point to dig into Logic’s similar (but far more advanced) interface. Even so, it was daunting at first. A lot to learn when you have a tune ready to go, but no software-based recording experience. I watched dozens of YouTube clips (here’s a great one on editing by mastering.com) and I bought a couple of books. The first was the Dummies book. Useless as a learning tool. Made me feel even dummier. I’ve since used it as a reference tool with mixed results. However, Marco Perino’s Logic Pro 10.6 From Idea to Final Mastering really opened my eyes. It had me up and running after only a few chapters. I love the way the lessons progress. It just works.

One thing I really like about Logic is Apple Loops. I’d originally spent far too many hours programming my ancient BOSS drum machine to create the rhythm track for this song. A waste of time. Loops features high quality studio-recorded drum kits in every imaginable genre. You can also create your own original beats in any style you desire. Anything from techno or ambient to a full-on Keith Moon solo. For Duck Dive I stuck with some basic pre-recorded rock samples. Loops aren’t just about drums. I also used a loop for the crashing waves. From vocals to instrumentals, it’s all there in Loops.

As I was nearing the mixing stage, and thinking Duck Dive was a pretty cool tune, I considered the possibility of a video. I’d barely gotten a toe wet with Adobe Premiere Pro, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity for a deeper dive. At the same time, I was becoming somewhat addicted to an app called True Surf. It was created by WSL (World Surf League) in conjunction with surfline.com. Super fun. I decided to screen cap some game play and edited it to flow with my song. As that was coming together, I figured it would be negligent of me not to learn how to shoot green screen and camp it up as a fake band (I couldn’t let down all the cheering fans in my head.) I learned Premiere exclusively through YouTube and trial and error. While this didn’t come together overnight, I found Premiere to be well organized and straightforward for my purpose. Green screen video was shot with a Nikon D7500 using an AF-S Nikkor 10-24mm F3.5-4.5G ED lens.

And voila! Duck Dive.

If you like my song please download it on Apple Music, or stream it on one of the popular music platforms such as Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Music. And don’t forget to add it to your favorites!

Music and Video ©Ed Ward

Here are Some Background Images of the Work in Progress

click on any image below for more information