TalkBass online Collaborators

Hey TB, first thread here, be gentle, or not.

I collaborate online quite a bit.
Typically I write a melody, then lyrics, then chord changes and basic arrangments.
Then I either set up a click track, program simple drums or rough-chop some drum samples to make a reference track and record rough takes of instruments and vocals. This rough track goes out to the drummer and other musicians if any, then I retrack to the new drums and instruments and do a ton of post work to finish the song. Sometimes I come up with passable demo material that way. It's always fun for me.
I started doing this about 5 years ago to save money on gas, and use time efficiently, while still working with other musicians. Now I enjoy it more than working in bands directly.

-Wondering if anyone else on here is into that sort of thing, and how they go about it.

Some ideas for online or remote sessions/collabs nerd discussion:
What's your workflow?
How do you share the files?
Do you use contracts?
Are you satisfied with the process?

Please feel free to share your tips and tricks and stories if you like.
Thanks!
-Slimm(bassbeater)

 

There is no intended subversion here. Probably there should be!

 

It's hard to get a workflow going when you first try, because it's all kind of freeform. I've used wikiloops. looperman, ohm studio and various forums. The best luck I had was going to a forum. Like a bass forum, radio forum etc and posting an advert or contacting players that i liked directly through band pages and websites. that's the big puzzle! How do you start? I'm thinking of starting one here. Lots of good players!

 

It is a very hard sell to get started! I have to pitch the tracks like I'm courting a label, and sometimes it just doesn't go anywhere. I offer contract options and writer's percentages for those interested. And I explain exactly what I do with the tracks.
It's surprising how many great players will put in the time, because it really can be like having an original band once you get the relationship and workflow going. And zero drama shared, just creativity!
Through online collabs I've been able to work with musicians in California, France, Greece, Armenia, Italy, Russia, Germany and Croata. I feel pretty lucky!! It's very cool learning the differences in various music cultures!

 

Agreed. For me the speed factor starts to catch up when I add in the band management time involved with travel, rental, organizing and etc. Still I'm sure the workflow and approaches will continue to be refined with time. (hoping).

 

That track sounds great, well done!
Outputting tracks like that is called rendering stems. I always do that because I don't want to worry about various DAW formats.
If there are a lot of tracks I render groups(keys, drums, vocals) instead of individual tracks.
Sometimes I use .OGG to save space because it can me uncompressed to raw PCM without losing quality.

 

Yes and YES.
I have been lucky to work with easygoing professional types, but sometimes there is this amazing musician, and remotely you can work efficiently, but in the studio, after a few hours, egos would clash, or his cat would get your allergies going, whatever.
Likewise if you encounter a slacker you can simply move on. It is harder for a slacker to drag down the project when they aren't physically involved in the process.

 

Non Linear Editing and inexpensive digital audio interfaces changed everything. So amazing to be a songwriter or video producer right now!

 

Well, the ideal band would be mostly bass players! Actually I see a lot of posts from people who play other instruments.
I play guitar, synth, drums(not well), bass and sing... but I can only tolerate bassists!