Remixes are not new. On a radio, or more commonly, in a club, you can hear a remix. To explain it in music, remix means a reworking of an original song. Remix makes a song shine with different brilliance very often.
Remixing a song involves many aspects, like vocals, keys, beats, tempo, instruments, and sound effects. In most cases, song remixing is based on using purposes; for example, to transform a genre from hip hop/pop into EDM so as to make the song more suitable for dance, to turn it into a countryside theme so as to better perform instruments; or, to turn it into soul music in order to showcase beautiful vocals.
Remixing a song is interesting. During the process, you need to do a lot of tasks, including but not limited to element analysis and spem separation. More importantly, how to do it legally needs learning as well.
This article is best for beginners. We will introduce how to remix a song, related terms, tools to use, and topics about legal issues.
12 Necessary Tools to Remix a Song
How can you remix music without tools? They are essential for turning your creativity into reality. During the remixing process, you need both hardware and software. Here is a list.
Hardware
MIDI Controller: a device to generate and transmit MIDI signals so that to control sound parameters among software and other devices.
Audio Interfaces: a device to convert audio signals that allows to connect microphones, instruments, and speakers with the computer.
PC: serving as the hub for music remix.
Synthesizer: an electronic instrument that generates audio signals and enables to control sounds based on pitch and timbre.
Headphone: allows you to hear subtle details in the mix so that you can better monitor effects.
Recording Devices: use a large-diaphragm condenser microphone to record vocals; and you can use a handheld digital recorder to collect instrument samples.
Software
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation): a professional software used for recording, editing, mixing, and producing audio; in addition, you can use it to analyze a song including its spectral, tempo, key, frequency, etc.
Audio Editor: an easy-to-use software to cut, copy, and paste audio clips, usually with other effects like noise reduction.
VST ( Virtual Instruments) Plugin: tools that reproduce the sounds of real musical instruments, usually used within DAWs.
Beat Maker: software to create beats.
How to Remix a Song? Step-by-step Guide
As you have a quick view of tools for song remixes, it’s time to go to practice. So, how to remix a song? The process can be summarized as four parts: song analysis, desgning a remix plan, song rearrangement and editing, and mixing.
Important!: One thing should be noted is that, all subsequent steps are based on the premise - you have the right to adapt the song. In other words, you should remix a song legally (we will talk about this topic in part three).
Step 1. Analyze the song from its structure, mood, and key elements.
The general composition of a song is Intro > Verse > Pre Chorus > Chorus > Interlude > Verse > Pre Chorus > Chorus > Bridge > Chorus > Outro.
You can follow this structure to identify sections of the song and then create a visual map. It will help you to get a clearer picture of places to add or remove sounds.
Next, read the lyrics. The deeper you read, the more you can understand the mood. In this way, you can decide the direction, for example, to highlight the original theme or to reinterpret the song.
Now, you need to know what elements are included in a song. By figuring out, you may have an overview of what to replace and rework. You can take these items as a reference.
Melody line
Harmony
Chord progression
Rhythm
Tempo
Instruments
Effects
Vocal
During the analysis, you can make good use of a stem splitter and audio analyzer software. They’re able to separate a song into certain tracks and allow you to listen to an individual element.
Step 2. Create a plan for song remixing and determine the genre and elements.
Remixing a song is a multi-task project involving numerous modifications. A plan helps clarify your creative vision and ensures that you’re not disorientated.
To make a song remix plan, you can get these questions answered.
a. What is the new genre or style? b. What instrument tone is needed for the accompaniment? c. What is the tempo? d. What is the rhythm? e. How is the bassline? f. What effects are needed? g. Should you change the melody? h. Should you form a chord progression?
In some cases, like remixing a song to hip-hop style, you may need to change the lyrics and add rapping. You need to take the song structure into consideration and address it in your remix plan.
Step 3. Sample your own instruments or use VST.
Instrument choices are crucial in remixing a song. The style of the remix song decides what instruments will be used. They add layers and give better textures. For instance, if you want to remix a song to Pop, you may need a drum, electric guitar, bass, and piano to provide a different hook.
To add instruments, you can make your own sample or use a VST to generate sounds.
For sampling, you need to pay attention to the environmental conditions. Find a quiet room so you get better audio quality.
As for using VST, just make sure that the VST is compatible with your DAW and computer operating system.
Step 4. Rearrange the song' structure.
You can change the order of verses or add new sections. Here’s an illustration.
Before
After
Intro Verse 1 Chorus Verse 2 Chorus Bridge Chorus Outro
Intro Chorus Verse 1 Chorus Verse 2 Bridge Chorus Outro
Step 5. Change tempo/BPM.
Tempo is the speed of a piece of music. Many called it BPM (beats per minute). It’s significant to shape a song’s mood. Slower tempos might evoke feelings of nostalgia or melancholy, while faster tempos can bring excitement.
When remixing a song, you should choose an appropriate tempo or BPM based on genres.
Pop: 90-130 BPM
Dance/EDM: 120-130 BPM
Hip-Hop: 70-100 BPM
Trap: 60-80 BPM
Rock: 110-140 BPM
Jazz: 100-200 BPM
Folk: 80-120 BPM
Then, how to change the tempo to remix a song? Most DAWs have tempo settings. In Audition, you can follow these steps.
1) Open the audio and switch it from Waveform to Multitrack.
2) Drag the audio file to Track 1.
3) Click Toggle Metronome.
4) Set your wanted value in Tempo.
Step 6. Change key/pitches.
The key defines the tonal center in music. But whether to change it for remixing music depends on the compatibility of harmonic mixing.
If you want to change keys for a song, you can use Effects > Time and Pitch > Pitch Shifter in Audition.
Step 7.Keep the original chord progression or modify it.
Chord progressions serve as a backdrop for melodies. They are essential in pop music as well as rock. Therefore, some musicians will keep the original chord when creating remixes.
However, to keep or to edit the chord should be on a case by case basis. If you would like to alter and add new chords, you can do it in this way.
1) Figure out the chord structure. For example, a C major chord consists of Root - C, Major Third - E, and Perfect Fifth - G.
2) Alter the tone. You can change specific notes, like C7♭5: C-E-G♭-B♭(flat fifth).
3) Add extensions. Typically, you can add the 7th note or 9th note of the scale.
4) Voicing. Spread notes across octaves ( it’s called open voicing).
Note: Changing chord progression for song remixes requires basic musical knowledge, such as scale degrees, keys, key signatures, and more. If you’re a complete beginner, the best way is to keep the original version for your remix.
Step 8. Add new effects.
There are many effects you can add to remix a song and bring new feelings, like Reverb, Delay, Compression, Distortion, etc. You can use them easily in the DAWs, usually in the Effects menu.
Step 9. Balance and mix all elements.
At this moment, you may have various tracks. It’s time to mix them together in the last step. You will need a DAW to help. Just drag all tracks to the dashboard and start adjustment.
a. Balance the volume for each track and make sure that no part is overpowering or getting lost.
b. Adjust the speed for each track to keep harmony and consistency.
c. Use EQ to reduce or cut down certain frequencies. This helps to remove muddy noises.
If everything looks good, you can export the file. Choose a format, like WAV or MP3.
Is It Legal to Remix a Song?
Yes, remixing a song is legal, but conditionally.
It touches on the issue of copyright. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, works like “paintings, photographs, illustrations, musical compositions, sound recordings, computer programs, books, poems, blog posts, movies, architectural works, plays, and others” are protected by the copyright law (Copyright Act of 1976) to ensure that the owner has exclusive rights. It means that you cannot use one’s work as you please. Your adaptation and processing of the song can be considered as infringing on another's copyright.
Then, what are the legal circumstances for using someone else's music to remix a song?
1Fair Use
Your purpose of using the copyright-protected work decides if your remix is applicable to this situation. Non-commercial, educational, or transformative uses are more likely to be considered fair use.
2Public Domain
Works in the public domain are free to use without permission.
Works with expired copyright. (All American works created before 1926 are in the public domain currently)
Works explicitly released into the public domain by their creators.
3Creative Commons Licenses
Creative Commons (CC) allows creators to share their works with the public and grant permissions to everyone. If you find a song marked as CC, you can remix it legally.
However, please note that there are limitations on different types:
CC BY - allow to use, distribute, and adapt the work as long as they credit the creator.
CC BY-NC - use and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes.
CC BY-ND - allows to use and share the work, but it cannot be modified.
4Obtain a License from the Owner
This is the safest way to legally remix a song. As you get permission, you can remix and edit the song freely.
Just clarify how you intend to use the remix, such as commercially, non-commercially, or online. And consider the duration as well. Sometimes, payment issues may occur. It requires negotiation with the creator.
REMEMBER: You do not own all rights to your remix generally; unless you have obtained explicit permission from the original copyright holder.
Learn more:
Laws related to copyrights:
Copyright Act of 1976
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998
Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990
Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market
TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)
Penalties:
In cases of willful infringement, particularly for commercial gain, criminal charges can be filed, leading to fines or imprisonment.
Musical Terms Explanation
Key
The height of the pitch in a musical piece.
Note/Tone
A musical symbol to illustrate how high or low a sound is.
Pitch
The position of a note in a scale.
Scale
The pitch arranged in a fixed pattern within an octave.
Compass
The range between the lowest and highest notes.
Beat
The basic unit of rhythm, provides a time frame for the composition.
BPM
Measurement to illustrate fast or slow.
Tempo
The speed of a piece of music, usually measured in beats per minute (BPM).
Rhythm
The length and intensity of the sound; consists of Meter, Tempo, Accent, and Pattern.
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