Composing / Arranging / Songwriting

This new four-part series explains all you need to know about creating brass arrangements for a range of genres.

You have the skills and the gear, but how should you tackle your first sound-for-picture projects?

In the final part of this series, we develop a basic chord sequence into something more elaborate.

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In part two of this series, we explore more simple ways to spice up your chord sequences.

Once an expensive and futuristic dream, the technology for Internet‑based collaboration is now available and affordable — and more practical than you might think.

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Bored of the same old chord sequences? In this short series, we explore some simple ways to spice up your piano chords.

As a songwriter, I write, record and master on my beloved Boss BR8 (I'm soon to updgrade, possibly to the Tascam DP32). Would...

This month, our engineer gets roped into the writing and arrangement process as he tracks cello parts in a living room.

From a delicate shimmer to an earthquake tremor, harmonics, tremolo and trills can add vibrancy and drama to your string arrangements. Find out how to make the most of them in this SOS masterclass.

The second part of our string-arranging series ventures into more dramatic musical territory, and explains how to manipulate orchestral string articulations when creating MIDI arrangements.

No matter how good the latest, greatest orchestral sample libraries may now be, you still need to develop your arranging skills if you’re to create convincing string parts in any genre. In this first article in a new series, we explain how to get started.

Sound design isn’t just for special effects in the movies: it’s perfect for giving your music a unique twist.

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Composing for an animated series presents a different set of challenges to scoring for film or conventional TV. We look at what it takes to be a cartoon composer...

Last month, we explained how the business of production music works. But if you want to get into it, you'll need to learn how to make stings, cut-downs and the other elements of a usable library track.

Whether you're recording real players or using samples, our in-depth guide is your key to polished and authentic-sounding strings.

The business of TV and film is changing fast, and production or library music is becoming ever more important. One of the UK's most experienced production music composers explains how to get your foot in the door.

In music-for-picture work, there's never enough time to do what you'd ideally like to. We look at what it's like producing music under pressure.

What happens when the Director whose work you're scoring isn't satisfied, or demands changes due to events beyond your control? We find out, and also look at writing music for film trailers.