COMPLETE SONG TEMPLATES

Complete Song templates are original pieces of music created by a producer. They include all of the  elements that are used to create a song. Some channels will be set up with MIDI and virtual instrument and some channels will include audio samples.

Most projects also use plugins to process the audio and/or virtual instrument channels. The benefit of having all of the elements separated, including the notes in midi and complete processes, gives you a true look at how the song has been produced.

Once you have analyzed the track you can then deconstruct it and build your own.

All of the audio samples used to create the track will be included in the template. Since the template is designed to work with your specific DAW, instruments and effect plugins used by your DAW will load up and the presets will be included as well. Every setting used by the template creator will automatically load just as they were when the track was completed.

COVER SONGS & REMIX TEMPLATES

Cover songs are reproductions of popular songs. By learning songs by our favorite artists we learn genre specific techniques and even modify those to make them our own.

Remaking a song is also a perfect way to get acquainted with all of the features available to you within your DAW.

Cover song and remix templates are complete sessions including vocals, instrument samples, and effects.

These templates are very valuable for anyone looking to create mash-ups or remix the original song. By adding your own unique style you could give the original an update that could be an improvement or completely indistinguishable from the original.

Some of today's top artists have made their contributions and released their own signature DAW templates.

GETTING STARTED WITH DAW TEMPLATES

If this is your first or second time with a DAW template, or if you've never seen one at all, using FL Studio 20 I have broken down the basic contents and am giving you a look inside.

Keep in mind, some templates have completed tracks, this one does not. It is a clear canvas, however, all the sounds, instruments, effects, are all there. They are all ran through the mixer, levels are all set, and organization, yes, everything is color-coded and labeled.

It took me 3 seconds to start up and be ready to go. Had I done all of this myself, it could have taken me hours.

• YELLOW - The Tempo(BPM) is set.
• RED - Channel Rack has all the sounds I need.
• PINKISH - Instrument has been inserted, set up, and ready to go.
• BLUE - The mixer is routed.
• GREEN - Effects are present and already set up.

 All I have to do now is start creating. Before I do that, I would like to share with you that there are more benefits to this template aside from that it is set up and ready to.

 Notice all of the channels are color coded. The same color is used for the kick drum in the channel rack, mixer, and playlist. It is also clearly labeled. I don’t even need to spend time on wondering what it all is. Within 5 seconds of opening the template I knew exactly what everything was, where it was routed, the effects assigned to it, and its location in the playlist. And like a bad infomercial ….

 “Wait, there’s more!”

 If you actually want to grow as a musician, or if curiosity gets the better of you. Take a look around. Solo things, mute things, layer things. Look at the actual configuration and why the sound is the way it is. Remember, and this applies to all DAWs, no matter what you do there is an undo feature, or close it out and don’t save.

 Any changes that you do make and want to keep, save the file with the template name and stick a number after it. This way you can keep track of your revisions.

 TEMPLATES WITH INSTRUMENT PLUGINS

As you get more into DAW Templates you will start to notice that some will include 3^rd party plugins. These templates DO NOT include the plugin itself. This is something you will need to obtain.

 However, if you use one, or all, of the most widely recognized synth plugins like Sylenth, Massive, Spire, Nexus, and Serum, you are in luck. DAW Templates will also utilize these audio plugin instruments and their presets will be included in the template.

HOW TO INSTALL DAW TEMPLATES

Since each DAW, system, and template pack is different the best thing to do is check the website for installation instructions or check to ensure that instructions are included inside of the download package.

The download will come as 1 compressed folder. The best practice is to unzip the folder from the location of your DAW. You will need to apply the template file to the directory folder within the DAW.

Any presets and sounds will also need to be placed in their corresponding folders within your DAW.

This is a quick and easy process that consists of “copy” and “paste”.

General Installation:

Simply drag and drop * files to their corresponding folders.

MAC OS X:

{user name}/Library/Application Support/DAW Name

WINDOWS:

C:\Program Files\DAW Name

From there you can locate folders for projects, presets, templates, and your sample library. This process shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes to complete.

ALWAYS read the description and details provided about the template to ensure compatibility.

WHO CREATES DAW TEMPLATES?

DAW Templates used to be created by the creator of the DAW and a few came included as a way to introduce the features and capabilities of the DAW. Eventually, DAWs made it possible to create and save your own templates for convenience at startup.

The same producers and labels that create audio sample packs and instrument/effect plugins also create and offer their own customized templates. These 3^rd party companies are staffed with sound designers and audio producers that exist with you in mind.

Based on their own experiences they have made their innovative ideas available to you. They understand the roadblocks that can arise as well as ways to make the process easier.

Who better to learn from than from a professional, who at one point, was in the same position as yourself?

ARTIST CREATED TEMPLATES

Did you know that some of the hottest DJ’s and artists have created DAW templates?

Top artists have created working partnerships with producers of DAW templates and given up all their tips and tricks to creating a track.

Some artists who have created DAW Templates include:

Matt Minimal, Blink 182, Alex Kidd, Dave Parkinson, The Thrill Seekers, KPunkt and more.

CREATING DAW TEMPLATES

Now that you have a few DAW Templates under your belt, I bet you are ready to create a total customized template of your own. This is a great way to save time at startup by including instruments and setting that you use regularly. Below you will find some tips to consider when creating your very own DAW Template.

 1. Plan out your template

Ever notice that you rely on core instruments, sounds, and effects for your mix?

Keep track of what you are using and how it is set up. While no track is the same and will likely vary, if you know you are going to use the same instrument plugin, just with different settings, why not have the instrument load up on startup?

You are going to have drum tracks, audio tracks, and a possible vocal track. Why not dedicate channels to them and have them routed to the mixer?

Make a solid plan of what you use and a basic layout.

2. Start with a blank template.

In your DAW there will be a template library and menu. Start with a blank template. As you create your template and customize it to your needs, save the template. Depending on your DAW you may have the option to save template as or you will need to save the project file and then place it into your template library by following the system path to the appropriate folder.

 3. Start out basic.

You don’t need a huge selection that you will either not use or delete. Keep it simple. Start with drums and then create a drum group. Even if you don’t load up the sounds, at least it’s ready for when you do.

4. Effects bus.

Set up your effects buss with a range of reverbs and delays you commonly use. Now, go back and select all of your tracks and add a send for each effect. Don’t forget to label your I/O’s.

5. Be Consistent.

Use the same channels and mixer tracks every time. While this is not an exact science, do what works best for you. As an example, I dedicate the following mixer tracks as follows:

• 1-5 designated for drums
• 6-9 for synths
• 10-14 for other instruments
• 15-20 for audio samples
• 20+ for MIDI or line in instruments.

Whatever order you choose, just be consistent. When things are always in the same place, you always know where to go to access it.

6 .Get Organized.

Color code and label everything clearly and in a way you will understand. If you have a channel rack, mixer track, playlist track or any other options where you have access to the same sound, make it the same color throughout. Assign a specific color to just drums and percussive instruments, another color for audio samples, another color for synths, and so on.

7. Name your template.

Don’t be generic. Remember this is supposed to save you time. You don’t want to go on a wild chase for the template you want. Name it by genre, tempo, or it’s use, such as strictly for vocals, strictly for mastering.