Tune Shed

Bringing back one of the most powerful concepts from this podcast. This is a theory episode, but a simple concept that can change the way you write music. Perhaps it is a new way of thinking about harmony.

Blake breaks down counterpoint, the study of bringing two or more melodic lines together creating independent melodies that also inform underlying harmonies. This is a great tool to help you compose when you are stuck, create catchy lines, and beautiful melodies.

Blake and Marty discuss external macros, and using reverb and panning to move the multiple parts of the instrument through space. The duo then demo a small portion of the final instrument, available to download on Discord soon!

Blake and Marty distinguish internal macros, adding more and more to the instrument and bringing it to life. This episode the duo offer a few more creative ways to add texture and interest to virtual instruments.

A secret tool for creative sound design. Marty showcases the hidden talent of macros, and Blake has a few ideas for how to use them to build a virtual instrument that is as alive and non-synthetic sounding as possible.

Blake and Marty continue the journey to building thier instrument, and discuss the details of how to use any DAW as a creative sandbox. Blake highlights how the duo will make a "living and breathing" instrument and Marty discusses the operational path to doing so.

One of the most powerful tools in production is the envelope follower. Blake and Marty showcase how to use this simple tool to make an instrument come alive, and bring a plethora of creative ideas to the table for building unique sounds.

Marty and Blake continue the journey to building their instrument. In this episode Marty details a few key aspects to organizing samples to make playing a virtual instrument easy and intuitive.

Blake and Marty solve the perpetual delay puzzle. How do you make delay not get louder, but infinitely repeat? Solve the mystery and help build a living and breathing instrument.

Marty takes samples Blake recorded and prepares them. This episode is a master class on the technique of EQ and "finding the best" of each sound. This is an essential practice to sampling.

Using samples Blake recorded, they start to build their virtual instrument. Marty shares how to process samples for the highest quality result. A quick masterclass in waveform timing, EQ, compression and saturation.

Marty and Blake brainstorm a virtual instrument before they build it. In this episode, the duo reviews the samples Blake recorded, and considers the possibilities of how to use them in a new virtual instrument.

Marty plays the guessing game as they play through unique samples recorded by Blake. See how many you can get right! The duo then discusses various ideas for how to create a unique and alive drum rack from these sounds. Join the Discord to contribute ideas!

Marty and Blake take the ukulele to new places, away from strumming and four chord songs and into the world of effects and shoegaze. Join us to hear ukulele reimagined.

Why does it sound like espionage? Marty reveals the secret ingredient that makes spy music its own genre, from James Bond to the Pink Panther.

Blake and Marty sample James Bond. On the way they discuss the legality of sampling, including the specifics of creative commons and monetizing. At the end of the show, the duo create a spooky starter to a song.

While still discussing spy music, and what makes it work, Blake and Marty break down the Phrygian and Locrian modes. These modes are very similar, and full of the secret ingredient that makes spy music work. This secret element also is the secret to Baby Got Back.

Marty and Blake compose in Phrygian, a mode of car chases, the middle east, and determination. Using James Bond samples and guitar the duo builds the foundation to a song. Join our Discord, and we will share the song starter with you!

Marty presents and demonstrates the E-Bow, a magical tool to vibrate strings. Blake and Marty test it on various instruments, add effects, and find new sounds for production. Hear something you have never heard before!

Episode 100 special! Blake and Marty begin the journey to build an instrument and sample pack. The duo discuss the vision and then look through various strange sounds Blake has recorded. See if you can guess what these samples are!

Blake presents the myths of vocal health and Marty fact checks them. These are the simple tips to keep your voice healthy and sing when you are sick.

Introducing the ukulele. Marty informs on its origins, and why it is a great instrument to pick up. Then Blake and Marty record some simple strumming into a song where you wouldn't expect it to fit.

Blake and Marty successfully made music using the whole tone scale. Marty now will teach Blake all of the must-know information about how to send music files and handle reverb, other effects, groups and more.

Blake and Marty are on a quest to learn and create music involving the whole tone scale. In this episode, the duo creates a version of the same beat but in a major key. The goal will be to hear the difference between the two and implement them into a more final song. Marty also records an amazing vocal.

Blake and Marty are on a quest to learn and create music involving the whole tone scale. Today they produce guitars and Marty drops a handful of production tricks.

Blake and Marty are on a quest to learn and create music involving the whole tone scale. Today they produce drums and prepare to add more elements to the song. At the end, they discuss the rare and important connection between "flow" state and washing dishes.

Blake and Marty are on a quest to learn and create music involving the whole tone scale. The duo prepare to roll up their sleeves and produce a new song by sampling Blake's composition. In this episode, they clean up Blake's composition and utilize time saving templates to set the groundwork.

Blake and Marty are on a quest to learn and create music involving the whole tone scale. In this episode, Marty breaks down the theory behind the whole tone scale and shows some examples of where it is used in popular music, from Eric Whitacre to Stevie Wonder. At the end, the duo dabble in horror.

Blake and Marty enter a quest to learn and create music involving the whole tone scale. To kick off, Marty uploads one of Blake's compositions and diagnoses what he is hearing in the piece.

Special guest Leland Kumar Rege-Colt breaks down a common recording pain point called "phasing". Blake, Marty and Kumar then get into how to improve the sound quality of a room by considering what sound really is.

Leland Kumar Rege-Colt joins the Tune Shed podcast to share his story. From his Dad's records to a band with Blake, from Herbie Hancock's bass lines to Gojira's studio, Leland Kumar exemplifies how to find what you love in music and make it part of your life.