Hello

As i don't really know how to ask this question i'll just give you an
example :

You need to finish that track that would be used for this company's website
intro. It must be around 3 mins and the guy needs it tomorrow.

What are your tricks to get the job done as quickly as possible without
having to compromise with the quality of the result ? How do you process ?

I've been thinking about this lately. I got a homestudio, with 2 samplers, a
Mac G4 with Digital Performer with a big sample bank, 2 analog synths, 2
fx/reverb boxes, 3 dual compressor/gate, a Soundcraft 24 mixboard, a few
guitars with an amp, a bass, a good mic.

In my case the process would be this :

- 1. Prepare everything. Feed the samplers to their max with sounds i feel
would fit the track. Prepare the sequencer, get the guitar ready to be
recorded if needed...
- 2. Compose the structure of the track. Try to lay down the 3 mins as they
would flow, with rythmic and melodic hints. drums/rythm & chords/melody.
- 3. Arrange. Record the arrangements. Everything that goes through my head,
record as much material or ideas as possible. Then select what stay and what
doesn't.
- 4. Finalize. Fill here and there. Fix that guitar part. Add that cool
reverse cymbal sound.
- 5. Mix. When the tracks feels ok from its start to its end, mix the track.
Then do a quick "mastering" with T-Racks and burn the CD.

Now i'm interested i knowing how YOU work.
Any advice to "work fast" is appreciated too !

the non-songwriter!