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IDEA MACHINE BOOTCAMP

You can’t build your body of work as a synthwave producer unless you finish tracks. You can’t finish tracks if you have trouble coming up with ideas to start them in the first place. Chicken or the egg, anyone?

Maybe it’s writer’s block, or maybe you’re stuck in a rut making the same kind of track over and over again?

In the Synthwave Idea Machine Bootcamp, you’ll learn five ways to start a synthwave track and over the course of four weeks, you’ll get hands-on experience on four of them.

You’ll be challenged with the task of creating 12 new musical ideas throughout the program, and you will discover how to kill writer’s block and lack of inspiration once and for all (hint: you don’t need inspiration to make legendary tracks).

These days starting and finishing tracks is nothing but joy to me. Sure, there are always challenges and obstacles that I have to overcome but I have developed the skill and confidence to finish each and every track I start.

Frustration and boredom in finding ideas to start tracks is a thing of the past for me. My results aren’t due to my being a genius producer, because I’m definitely not it.

I have simply found a way to defeat writer’s block and to forgo the need for inspiration altogether.

I will show you exactly how to do it in this program.

 

Program objective:

To learn and practice The 5 Ways To Start A Synthwave Track and turn you into a synthwave idea generation machine!

 

What it is:

A four-week program where you’ll join a cohort of producers from around the world in a private group and individually create at least twelve new musical ideas (Main Stacks-8 bar loops). You’ll have the guidance and support from the instructor (Alonso Carballo) in a safe environment with weekly assignments, accountability and encouragement from your peers.

Don’t worry if you fall behind or if life gets in the way, you can complete the assignments at your own pace too!

 

5 Ways To Start A Synthwave Track

This is the foundation for the program. It’s very simple once explained and incredibly powerful when put into practice (practicing is the main focus of the program).

  1. Random Parameter Generation: Use random parameters to generate ideas (tempo, key, drum samples, synth, other restrictions and restraints)
  2. Direct Influence: You analyze a style or a producer, make note of the elements you find interesting and that you want to reuse
  3. Indirect Influence: You aim for a certain sound or mood and a general style, but not directly influenced by a producer or artist
  4. Spontaneous Inspiration: You play with your synths, samples and tools until you find something interesting that sparks your curiosity
  5. Divine Inspiration: You get a sudden and unexpected musical idea seemingly out of nowhere, like a melody, riff or lyric (for example, the songs Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones and Yesterday by The Beatles)

 

Program Start:

TBD

 

Enrollment Deadline:

TBD

 

Instructor:

Alonso Carballo – synthwave producer, creator of the Synthwave Dojo YouTube channel and the Synthwave Dojo online learning platform.

 

Time Investment:

6-8 hours per week

 

Program outline:

  • Week 1
    • Objective: Create three Main Stacks (8-bar loops) using Random Parameters (provided by the instructor)
    • Q&A Call:* Monday April 8th, 5:00 PM New York | 11:00 PM Berlin
  • Week 2
    • Objective: Create three Main Stacks (8-bar loops) using Direct Influence (parameters provided by the instructor)
    • Q&A Call:* Monday April 15th, 12:00 PM New York | 6:00 PM Berlin
  • Week 3
    • Objective: Create three Main Stacks (8-bar loops) using Indirect Influence (parameters provided by the instructor)
    • Q&A Call:* Monday April 22nd, 5:00 PM New York | 11:00 PM Berlin
  • Week 4
    • Objective: Create three Main Stacks (8-bar loops) using Spontaneous Inspiration (parameters provided by the instructor)
    • Q&A Call:* Monday April 29th, 12:00 PM New York | 6:00 PM Berlin
    • Wrap Up Call: Saturday May 4th, 9:00 AM New York | 3:00 PM Berlin

All Q&A calls will be recorded and shared with the group in case you cannot assist. You’re welcome to send your questions for any calls you cannot attend.

 

What’s included

  • Private Discord server to interact with your peers and instructor
  • Instructor feedback on one assignment of your choice at the end of the program
  • Specific instructions and parameters to complete every assignment with enough room to bring your own creativity and style into the music
  • A weekly Q&A Call* via Zoom that alternates between American and European evenings
  • One complimentary group Q&A call in June with your cohort
  • Q&A Call recordings
  • Synthwave Dojo 80s Machines drum sample pack
  • Synthwave Dojo Vital, PG8X and TAL UNO LX soundbanks
  • Synthwave Dojo ebooks on composition and melody
  • All Q&A calls will be recorded and shared with the group in case you cannot assist. You’re welcome to send your questions for any calls you cannot attend.

 

This program is for you if:

  • You often struggle to come up with ideas to start your synthwave tracks
  • You want to improve as a synthwave producer
  • You want to produce professional-level synthwave tracks someday
  • You have the desire and willingness to learn
  • You’ve been involved in making synthwave for at least 6 months (this is not a program for complete beginners, if you have doubts, send me an email and we’ll discuss it)

 

Monetary Investment

  • White Belt Package: $300 USD payable via PayPal. It includes the program outlined above and the review and feedback of TWO ASSIGNMENTS of your choice at the end of the program. Informal reviews and suggestions will be given on your tracks along the way.
  • Black Belt Package: $450 USD payable via PayPal. It includes the program outlined above and the following:
    • Review and feedback o 6 YOUR ASSIGNMENTS of your choice at the end of the program. Informal reviews and suggestions will be given on your tracks along the way.
    • A personalized plan on how to improve your synthwave skills in the next 6 months
    • A 30-minute 1 to 1 mentoring call with Alonso
    • A 60-minute group call with other Black Belt students one month after the bootcamp ends

 

Requisites:

  • An open mind to try out the methods and process shared by the instructor
  • Intermediate knowledge of your DAW of choice
  • Basic understanding of how to create:
    • Bass patterns
    • Drum patterns
    • Chord patterns
    • Arpeggios
    • Pads
    • Simple melodies
  • Can create a simple 8 bar loop consisting of:
    • Drums
    • Bass
    • Simple melody
    • Chords/Pads/Arpeggios
  • 6-8 hours of time per week for attending/reviewing the weekly call and completing the assignments
  • A Discord account for joining the private server

More info on the next cohort coming soon!