{"id":25030,"date":"2016-05-06T17:45:54","date_gmt":"2016-05-06T21:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/?p=25030"},"modified":"2016-05-06T17:45:54","modified_gmt":"2016-05-06T21:45:54","slug":"how-the-duke-western-uses-sonar-to-create-music-for-duck-dynasty-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/2016\/05\/06\/how-the-duke-western-uses-sonar-to-create-music-for-duck-dynasty-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW The Duke Western USES SONAR TO CREATE MUSIC FOR DUCK DYNASTY (AND MORE)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Here at Cakewalk we are fortunate to have an external team of rocket scientists who help test out SONAR beta releases.\u00a0 This team is dedicated, passionate and most of all appreciated by all of us internally here at the Cake shop. \u00a0Recently I received a general email from one of my esteemed colleagues mentioning that one of our trustworthy beta soldiers was jumping off the beta-battlefield in lieu of another SONAR related activity.\u00a0 Huh?\u00a0 This<\/em> peaked my curiosity and I felt obliged to dig a bit deeper on the subject.\u00a0 What could \u201canother SONAR related activity\u201d involve?\u00a0 SONAR Olympics? SONAR CPU Racing? SONAR Academy?<\/p>\n

Featured Music Placements on Discovery Channel, History Channel, CBS, Bravo Network<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As I dug deeper into the email thread I was intrigued and inspired by what I found\u2014a long list of great music for TV including Duck Dynasty, Ink Masters, Intervention<\/strong> and a plethora of other very credible shows.\u00a0 Enter David Scott Rockower<\/strong> AKA The Duke Western<\/strong>:\u00a0 First of all, I don\u2019t think one could have any more of a \u201cRock\u201d name\/surname than \u201cDavid Scott Rockower,\u201d so on that fact alone I had to reach out to this gent.\u00a0 Shortly into my first conversation with Mr. Rockower, I started having a d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu<\/em>-type moment but then quickly relegalized it was a reverberation from my investigation on Mr. Bentley Ousley<\/a> in the fact that I had uncovered yet another SONAR mastermind right under my nose.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>David is a well-schooled and road-tested musical warrior on all fronts.\u00a0 Starting with the basics, education, he achieved his Associates Degree in Music from Onondaga Community College in Syracuse New York.\u00a0 But like so many of us, his musical experiences in life are really what got him to where he is today\u2014composing and recording custom cues on a daily basis in SONAR for some of the most popular shows on modern TV.\u00a0 A guitarist at heart, but a multi-instrumentalist by trade, David\u2019s ability to successfully \u201cnail\u201d cues might just be mined from his past experiences of touring and performing with so many different styles of music.\u00a0 Or maybe it comes from his production experimentation at the ripe old age of 12 where he turned a Christmas present [Yamaha Keyboard] into 4 blistering tracks of MIDI arrangements (read interview below).\u00a0 Regardless of what it is, he has a fantastic story which is best told in his own words:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cakewalk: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What\u2019s the typical technical process for writing these cues?<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Duke Western:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>It\u2019s a little broader than I first thought it would be. \u00a0I am usually sent musical examples, either tracks that are already in use, or a link to another artist with a sound they think is fitting for a scene, and from that point forward I am free to let my mind go. \u00a0 Occasionally I have been sent a rough video edit with ghost tracks that I am to replace. \u00a0I once wrote 2 theme songs for a very well-known religious leader who was starting a talk show, and was sent the whole first episode along with an NDA. \u00a0 My tracks didn’t make the theme but were used in the show.<\/em><\/p>\n

Cakewalk: <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What are some of the specific SONAR features that help you to compose the music for TV and Film?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Duke Western: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c<\/strong>In my workflow these days I\u2019ve really customized so many different playing fields inside of the SONAR Platform. \u00a0The first and most obvious is the template saving feature. \u00a0Track Colors and Icons have made the visual aspect of SONAR\u2019s Console View much more navigable! At this point I have many different templates for individual instruments, and vocal palettes with their respective processing already in place\u2014including effects sends.\u00a0 The new style dial features are cool as well – I use the “Grit” one quite often. \u00a0The mix controls on the standard compressors in the ProChannel are a nice touch, so you can parallel process right inside the ProChannel itself. \u00a0The QuadCurve EQ with its different vintage and hybrid curves is extremely useful and time-saving in terms of workflow.\u00a0 The fact that it uses minimal CPU is a bonus.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Cakewalk:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Are there any not-so-known tricks you use at all in terms of features?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Duke Western:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c<\/strong>Nothing I haven\u2019t stolen from the real geniuses in the sonar forums! \u00a0 How about recording the metronome to a track, then firing it side-chained into a gate so you can add rhythm to a static part – such as a synth pad? \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Here’s a really helpful arrangement trick actually: I use the timeline for a few unorthodox things. \u00a0In the past I would always populate the timeline after a musical idea had evolved, and use it to navigate the existing parts of a song. \u00a0However, when you execute music cues, it\u2019s common to get pretty particular time requirements, such as length, breaks, bridges etc – In many cases like this, once I select a tempo I will populate the TIMELINE with these things that need to happen at a particular point in time – before I play a single note. \u00a0I\u2019ll look at the timeline and THEN say “lets populate this with music.” \u00a0\u2026totally backwards workflow\u2026right? \u00a0I\u2019ll use a left brain idea like this to help focus my right brain ideas.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Another way I use the timeline is when I export multiple mixes. \u00a0My mixdown workflow consists of this: I\u2019ll use waveform preview on my Master Buss, so I can determine the exact stop and start of a song, and then I\u2019ll use the snap feature and go [1] 8th note in front of the piece, and [1] or [2] 8th notes outside of the last reverb tail, and then I\u2019ll place an “In” and “Out” marker at these points. (I always start a song at measure [5] instead of zero – to stay out of trouble if I decide to change the intro). Then, with snap to grid on, I\u2019ll select from these “In” and “Out\u201d marker points to do my exports. \u00a0This ensures that all of my final mixes are completely uniform as far as \u201clength,\u201d and “where the music comes in” – especially if I have to revisit the session to do a remix.\u00a0 By using this technique I know exactly where I originally exported from. \u00a0 It\u2019s sort of like cropping in the photo world\u2014this technique has allowed me to be much more consistent.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Cakewalk: <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How do your sessions come together? Do you track everything and then mix or are you mixing as you go along?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Duke Western:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFor a long time I was a mix-as-u-go guy, but now that I work under a lot of deadlines, I really try to envision my mix as I choose instrumentations for the tracking, and I leave my hands on my guitar as much as possible during this time frame\u2014I really want to stay as warmed up as possible.\u00a0 Especially during some of the more difficult projects such as the track “Texas Holdem” I did for Duck Dynasty, which I put together using the timeline techniques I listed above. \u00a0I knew that I wanted to have 4 different lead guitars playing “catch me if you can” against each other: 1.) A poppy chicken picked Strat, 2.) A super clean notch position Strat, 3.) My US Masters Sportster (Humbucker Tele Style) with an open tuning playing slide, and 4.) Another Strat style guitar doing some pedal steel impersonations. \u00a0I set up the timeline to reflect the skeleton of the idea, put down MIDI drums, played my rhythm and bass parts, then worked up all my leads with a metronome and recorded them. \u00a0 This was about 4 or more hours in just tracking – or “ditch digging” mode. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On this particular track I used all direct guitars – which I record using a dual Focusrite ISA setup – the clean direct guitar is rerecorded via an ISA 1. \u00a0The signal is then routed out to (usually) my tech 21 Character Series Liverpool Pedal – and then back into my ISA Session Pack 220 for me to monitor. \u00a0 If I know I want to use a pedal, like my Keeley Compressor, or my 69 Fuzz, I\u2019ll put that in front of everything and record that. \u00a0 I also have an isolation box in another room here with mics all wired up to my Dr. Z open-back 2×12\u00a0 where I\u2019ll record my JCM 800 or another amp which works wonderful for a good rock tone. \u00a0It\u2019s really hard to beat a great amp\/cabinet\/mic scenario. \u00a0You really CAN hear the “clang” relationship of the strings into the speaker.<\/em><\/p>\n

Writing and playing, vs mixing has a sort of Yin Yang relationship with me – they coexist, but don\u2019t cross pollinate well. \u00a0I\u2019m easily absorbed into each of these worlds as I\u2019m equally fascinated by their potential and outcome.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Cakewalk:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In your own words, how did you get going with composing and what got you to this level?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Duke Western:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c<\/strong>At 12 years old, I got a Yamaha keyboard for Christmas that allowed me to record 4 different MIDI arrangement tracks. \u00a0 I soon covered Ozzy, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard as best I could using the auto arrangement features. \u00a0Soon I figured out power chords and progressions. \u00a0 At one point, I figured that I couldn\u2019t learn a new songs because I would erase the memory on the keyboard, so I figured out how to record it to a tape deck. \u00a0By the time I was 13 I knew I wanted to figure this whole music thing out.<\/em><\/p>\n

When I was 15 years old I used a set of headphones as microphones and covered Heavens Trail by Tesla – I recorded myself on drums to a tape deck, then played it back and played guitar and recorded it on another tape deck – and I would bounce back and forth between the 2 overdubbing myself. \u00a0 I went through the 4 track era as well, however my first actual studio was in 1999 which was a 16 Track Reel to Reel with a giant Tascam mixer, and a few compressors I didn’t know how to use. \u00a0A friend of mine who had a mac teamed up with me in 2000 and we had an early Pro Tools thing happening. \u00a0Then in 2004 I set out to build a new DAW setup. \u00a0I opted for SONAR 4 as I wanted to choose my own interface which Digidesign did not allow during that era, (which I think was a mistake on their part, as other hardware interfaces that outperformed theirs were much more accessible to users like me). \u00a0 My next step was SONAR 7, then SONAR X1 to the new SONAR Platinum. \u00a0 The upgrade to Platinum has really solidified my workflow and I’m a fan of the new Membership program, as I force myself to explore new features when they come out. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

That\u2019s the nuts-and-bolts of it; however, what got me here is my decision to stay faithful to the same left brain, and the fascination with the power of song that made me want to get in the game in the first place. I love songs, I love music, and I love the creative process to my very core. \u00a0Every album I’ve ever bought, or every influence I can list, or every plug-in setting I\u2019ve used, or even every practice routine I tab\u2019d, out is merely a reflection of this core value.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Cakewalk:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What are you using for 3rd party plugs that you dig?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Duke Western:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c<\/strong>I love PSP – I think their Spring Reverb is monstrously useful and dead on. They also have a 2445 Plate Reverb that is really spectacular, and I use it on almost every mix in one form or another. \u00a0I got into the Izotope thing awhile back and use Alloy, and Ozone a lot. \u00a0There are new EQ improvements (Dynamic EQ – Baxandall Filters) and a few other things in Ozone 7 that are noticeable improvements in its use as a Master Buss Processor. \u00a0Their Stutter Edit is great in the right context. I\u2019m currently trying out the Sound Toys stuff and so far it\u2019s cool. \u00a0It’s definitely in the “creative” pool, as opposed to “corrective.” \u00a0I bought the Rapture Pro soft synth and it\u2019s wound up on quite a few TV programs as a result. \u00a0The bass instruments are great, I use the different string patches all the time. The Garritan Pocket Orchestra (Dimension Pro) is my go to orchestral percussion source. \u00a0If you listen to any of my Network TV stuff and you hear a gong, or crash cymbals – that\u2019s Dimension Pro.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/object><\/p>\n

Cakewalk:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What are some of the shows that you\u2019ve created music for fully in SONAR?<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

The Duke Western: \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0“Here\u2019s a short list of shows I’ve used SONAR to work on:<\/em>
\nMTV’s Catfish<\/em>
\nCBS Promo’s<\/em>
\nTyler Henry’s Celebrity Medium<\/em>
\nCounting Cars<\/em>
\nAlaskan Bush People<\/em>
\nImpractical Jokers<\/em>
\nBreaking Amish<\/em>
\nInk Masters<\/em>
\nIntervention<\/em>
\nJep and Jess<\/em>
\nHouse of DVF<\/em>
\nLife in Pieces<\/em>
\nPacific Warriors<\/em>
\nSay Yes to that Dress<\/em>
\nSouthern Charm<\/em>
\nDuck Dynasty<\/em>
\nPGA<\/em>
\n2016 Olympics<\/em>
\nNFL<\/em>
\nUCF<\/em>
\nDiesel Brothers<\/em>
\nMTV’s Real World<\/em>
\nWahlburgers<\/em>
\nMoonshiners”<\/em><\/p>\n

As sad as we are to see David move on from Beta Testing, we are as equally excited for him on his success as a composer\/producer.\u00a0 Obviously we all thank him for his help with Cakewalk, and we will be keeping a close ear and eye on him as fans of his whole mojo.<\/p>\n

For more information on The Duke Western, Please visit:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.thedukewestern.com\/<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheDukeWestern\/<\/a><\/p>\n

To get started on creating your own musical cues, please visit the SONAR pages<\/a>\u00a0or TRY SONAR FOR FREE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That’s all folks… thanks for reading, ~JL … \u00a0 \u00a0 \\\/<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/object><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here at Cakewalk we are fortunate to have an external team of rocket scientists who help test out SONAR beta releases.\u00a0 This team is dedicated, passionate and most of all appreciated by all of us internally here at the Cake shop. \u00a0Recently I received a general email from one of my esteemed colleagues mentioning that … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “HOW The Duke Western USES SONAR TO CREATE MUSIC FOR DUCK DYNASTY (AND MORE)”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,808,134,1458,92,96,1997,97,2609,99,101,990,1549,2130,71,73,1619,49,76,78,68,110,111,1],"tags":[55,12,141,2673,64,143,2674,331,617,118,24,93,170,120,60,122,123,94,127,35,95,1440,2675],"class_list":["post-25030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-artist-news","category-cakewalk-pro-user-spotlight","category-cakewalk-in-the-news","category-news-2","category-daw-best-practices","category-daw-computers","category-developer-notes","category-drum-production-tips","category-editing-tips","category-engineering-tips","category-guitar-tips","category-industry-news","category-inside-the-bakery","category-interviews","category-mixing-tips","category-music-production-tips","category-prochannel","category-sonar","category-sonar-platinum","category-tips","category-sonar-updates","category-songwriting-tips","category-studio-recording","category-uncategorized","tag-artist-news","tag-cakewalk","tag-composer","tag-david-rockower","tag-daw","tag-drums","tag-duck-dynasty","tag-guitar","tag-jimmy-landry","tag-midi","tag-mixing","tag-music-production","tag-pc","tag-plug-in","tag-prochannel","tag-producer","tag-production","tag-recording","tag-software","tag-sonar","tag-sonar-platinum","tag-sonar-x1","tag-the-duke-western"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25030"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25030\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}