Post Mortem - DRAX / Blood Sucker

Critical Reflection

During the course of our first project as DRAX, we had some key points that helped us with the song - Blood Sucker. We also had real learning curves through some not so positive actions. (l always personally look at a negative occurrence as a positive opportunity waiting to be learnt)

Positive attributes:

• The song was completed on time

• The team managed to overcome setbacks that could have derailed the progress of the song by adapting new strategies to catch up on different parts to finish the song. Without changing our strategy the song would not have ended up being completed for the final presentation e.g. Strategy was changed for the drums from an electronic kit to just record a normal acoustic kit and record the drum tracks quickly, when they fell behind by 2 weeks.

• I helped as much as possible by keeping the communication dialogue up tp date, and the other team members well informed of any changes.

• We made it easier for ourselves with ticking of key points by weekly meetings, and changing our milestone planner.

• We were able to resolve our midi problems really quickly.

Areas we could have improved on:

• We had trouble with some areas of the project due to the lack of knowledge. Dec didn't know how to separate the electronic drum kit from stereo to individual tracks. We needed to have the drum kit separated for easier control for mixing. (Lesson, resolve problems quicker to keep on track). Also make sure that when you are planning out a project, you have different strategy plans that can be implemented straight away.

• Since Tom was in control of the EDM side of the project, we never asked questions on how we as a team were going to mix the song with EDM. This created a problem when it came time to mix the song. It end up that 3 members of DRAX being exclude into having input for final the mix, however Tom did what he thought was best for the group, because no one knew just how EDM worked, and as Tom never explained it to us what he was doing, we ended up with a final production that the rest of the team where not expecting. I count this as a learning experience for me to not assume. (Lesson - learn quicker on the areas you don't know, so you can have more input for the end result).

Insight into Project Management and teamwork.

As l was the team leader of this project, I put a lot of time into trying to keep the work flow ticking along at a pace that would get the project done on time. l was able to help my fellow DRAX members as much as possible through problem solving and supporting them with any of their issues the best l could. I personally thought we as a team went pretty good and managed to get the song done on time.

l asked all the members of DRAX team to submit what they had contributed to the project as part of the final presentation for the project. I don't know what happen to Tom's, but unfortunately l didn't receive it. The one thing that l feel was a big problem for the DRAX project, was not being able to mix the song as a group effort at the end of the project. Everyone put their creative parts into the project, so everyone should have had a part in voicing their opinion into the mix.

Reflection on planning

I probably would plan this project a little different if we were to do it again. Being the team leader l really should've found out exactly what team members skills were and what they did well, when it came to members recording their parts for the song.

Week 1-2

The project strayed from week 1 into week 2. This interfered with the milestone plan we had submitted. We started playing catchup because the drum tracks were taking too long to do. The reason being, Dec was using an electronic drum kit which he borrowed from a friend. and he was unfamiliar with the software within the kit, and how to use it to its full potential.

Week 3-4

During week 3-4, we were having trouble with Phil's midi instrument. I went home and l knew that the midi had to be fixed asap, so l learned how to fix it and add midi parts to the song so that by the start of week 4 we were back on track.

Week 4-5

This allowed me in week 4 to put down the guitar solo that was required to have the song ready to do a 'show and tell' session to the other members and our lecturer to oversee progress in week 5.

We were still having tempo timing problems at week 5, but we were hoping that we could use EDM and put electronic drums in there on the last part of the song as I didn't wanted to interfere with the drums original audio wav tracks. However we did slightly shifted the drum tracks to fit in better but l didn't want to interfere with the rhythm feel too much.

Week 5-6

We talked about the song as a team and discussed how we were going to present it. I shared the audio files with everyone but Tom needed the files to be bounced as he didn't have 'protools' and he was using FL Studio. I had a backup track already to go if Tom had problems. At this point none of the team had heard what Tom had done to the song, so we ended up with an EDM song as Tom figured the production was going to sound too 'old school', so without consultation of the team he rearranged it, and did not inform us until after the presentation. The project ended up missing the mark, which l found to be very disappointing to what the team original discussed and stated during the original pitch presentation.

Learning curve

l have learnt so much from this project in terms of strategy, planning and organising for a more positive outcome. We had to do a rush job and we ended up making mistakes that altered the finished product. Unfortunately we didn't get time to fix problems properly or correct any small mistakes as we went through week by week.

l feel the project was probably too ambitious for the time frame and not simple enough to carry out quickly. l would have like the opportunity to really show off the team DRAX's talents, but we ended up pushing for time and the project was rushed to the finish line.

I feel that the EDM version is good, it's just not what l expected.

Creative Work & Processes Used

DRAX wanted to do everything through the DAW. No amplifiers, only plug-in for guitars. The drums were to be electronic, the keyboards where only to use plug-in sounds of the DAW. We were also going to us EDM as part of the genre style based on electronic music.

The vocals were the only instrument that we were going to use through the console desk before the DAW.

The Drums as mentioned prior, was the only thing obstacle that ended up not working for the project, as the drums were recorded on an acoustic drum kit instead of an electronic kit. For this to be improved on, Dec would need to learn more and practice on his friends drum kit.

The guitar sound was pretty good for the first time just using the DAW plug-ins. I will be experimenting more and learning how to improve the sound so l can work towards getting a high standard in plug-in guitar sounds.

The bass guitar was plugged straight into the interface through a DI Box. I didn't use any plug-in amplifiers like l did with the guitar. This could be improved by finding a bass guitar plug-in amplifier and cabinet.

I feel the whole sound could be improved by learning techniques in equalisers and mastering. The processes and outputs that can be improved, are making backup plans that can be implemented straight away without having to wait to do any changes. DRAX waited too long to get problems solved.

The area that l want to improve on are:

• learning to get the right sounds quickly.

• Knowing how to blend the sounds into a mix without it getting lost in the background.

• Translating the sounds l hear in my head on to the DAW quickly.

• Dial up sounds that people describe to me.

• Communication skills with team members.

• I also want to improve my sound technique and skills, so l can get the same quality production values as you hear on a multi million dollar selling CD.

DRAX - Blood Sucker Single Release Below

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