Key learning points

1. Technology can be used in many different ways to refine a composition. These vary between musical styles.
2. Common tools to use across many styles include reverb, EQ and volume automation.
3. In modern styles (e.g. pop and electronic genres) songwriters often use echo, filters, chorus, auto-tune and sampling.
4. It is generally best to use these tools subtly, but in some cases it can be appropriate to use them at higher levels.

Keywords

• Reverb - an effect that creates the impression of a sound being played in a more ‘echoey’ space

• Volume automation - a DAW tool that allows you to gradually increase or decrease dynamics within a track

• Balance - the relative volume of the different parts; creating effective balance is crucial when composing

• Chorus - an effect that makes it sound like more than one voice or instrument is playing the part at the same time

• EQ - a process that adjusts the sound frequencies within a track (short for 'equalisation')

Common misconception