Seeding and Crafting (Rick Rubin technique)

Hey there, fellow music producers! I’m Parandroid, and I want to share with you two transformative concepts that have significantly elevated my creative output: “Seeding” and “Crafting,” as articulated by the legendary Rick Rubin. I discovered these concepts about 18 months ago after reading his amazing book, “The Creative Act,” and they’ve been game-changers for my music production journey.

Seeding

Definition: Seeding is the initial stage of the creative process, where ideas are born and nurtured. This phase is all about capturing those raw, spontaneous moments of inspiration that will lay the groundwork for your music.

My Experience with Seeding:

• Inspiration: I’ve learned to draw inspiration from everywhere – a melody that pops into my head, a unique rhythm I hear on the street, or even a fleeting emotion.
• Spontaneity: The key is to capture ideas as they come, without overthinking. This has led to some of my most authentic and powerful music moments.
• Environment: Creating a conducive environment is crucial. For me, it means having a comfortable and flexible studio setup where I can quickly record ideas whenever they strike.
• Recording: I always have a way to capture my ideas instantly, whether it’s a voice memo on my phone or a quick session in my DAW.

Techniques for Effective Seeding:

• Jam Sessions: I regularly spend time jamming and experimenting with sounds, letting the creativity flow freely.
• Sound Exploration: Trying out new plugins, sound libraries, and even unconventional instruments keeps the process fresh and exciting.
• Emotion-Based Creation: Focusing on conveying a specific emotion or atmosphere has helped me create more compelling music.
• Non-Judgmental Attitude: Embracing all ideas as potentially valuable has been a huge shift. It’s about generating material that can later be refined.

Crafting

Definition: Crafting is the process of refining and developing those seeded ideas into a polished final product. This phase is about structure, detail, and perfection.

My Experience with Crafting:

• Editing: I go through the raw material from the seeding phase to find the most promising ideas.
• Arrangement: Structuring these ideas into a coherent form – verses, choruses, bridges, etc. – has been vital.
• Production: Enhancing the arrangement with the right instrumentation, effects, and mixing techniques is where the magic happens.
• Polishing: Focusing on the fine details ensures that every element is clear, balanced, and adds to the overall feel of the track.

Techniques for Effective Crafting:

• Critical Listening: Regularly stepping back and listening to my work with fresh ears, in different environments, has been immensely helpful.
• Feedback: Getting input from trusted collaborators has been invaluable.
• Detail Work: Paying attention to micro-level aspects like EQ, compression, reverb, and automation has made my tracks sound more professional.
• Iterative Process: Being prepared to go through multiple drafts and revisions. Crafting is often about refining incrementally.

Balancing Seeding and Crafting

• Flow Between Phases: Allowing myself to move fluidly between seeding and crafting has been crucial. Sometimes crafting an idea leads to new inspiration for seeding.
• Time Management: Allocating specific times for each phase helps maintain focus and prevents getting stuck in one phase for too long.
• Mindset Shift: Recognizing when to switch from a creative, free-flowing mindset to a critical, detail-oriented one has been key.

Conclusion

Mastering the concepts of Seeding and Crafting, as outlined by Rick Rubin, has revolutionized my music production process. By embracing the raw, spontaneous generation of ideas in the seeding phase and meticulously refining those ideas in the crafting phase, I’ve been able to create music that is both innovative and polished. The key is finding the right balance between these two phases, allowing each to inform and enhance the other.

Further Learning

• Rick Rubin’s Interviews and Books: Explore more of Rick Rubin’s philosophies through his interviews and writings.
• Workshops and Courses: Consider enrolling in workshops or courses that delve deeper into creative processes and production techniques.
• Practice and Patience: Like any skill, mastering seeding and crafting takes time and practice. Keep experimenting and refining your approach.

I hope these insights help you as much as they’ve helped me. Happy producing!