Automatic or programmed.
This is the first part you should record. If you choose to have your own programmed drums, set up your patterns ready for use (more on this later). If you choose to use drums from your keyboard or organ, make sure you turn OFF all backings so that you can hear just the drums on their own.
Set your multi - track recording device to standby for the first track ( here we will be using our apple macintosh computer and garageband software).
Now before you start recording the drums, pick a voice that is weak enough not be be heard in the final recording. We would suggest a drawbar voice or quiet piano. Start your recording device recording and at this stage you will be recording the drums at normal volume and a very quiet melody line. The melody line will be your guide when recording your other parts. Make sure whilst you are recording the drums that you insert the relevant intros, fill-ins and endings.
When you have reached the end of your song, end it in whatever way you want, either with drum auto ending or a programmed ending if you are sequencing your own drum backings.

Once you have finished this stage, you should have track 1 recorded with drums and a very quiet melody line which you can just about hear.

Now move on to step 2 - Real melody line.

Now you have recorded your drums and a weak melody line, Select track 2 and get ready to record the melody part. Make sure you choose the voices that you want to use before you start recording, as the last thing you need is to make a mistake time and time again because you are too busy button pushing.
Start track 2 recording - you should hear the drums begin playing and at this point you play the melody line for a second time - this time at full volume (set to the level that you want to hear).
When you get to the end of the track stop the recorder and move to the next part - Bass line.

Basslines can make or break a piece of music. Most organists either play a simple bassline or use automatics. When we sequence the bassline we do NOT use the pedalboard, in fact we use the lower manual which gives us full 2 octave span. Using the lower manual allows you to create a much more realistic bassline.
Most organ music is printed with a simple bassline. - C to G to C to G etc... The truth is if you sit and listen to the bassline of a piece that you are trying to copy, then you will soon realise that the bassline is not as printed in most books.
If you have a keen ear for music, then you should be able to work out most basslines by ear, but for those of you who cannot, we suggest you buy the sheet music as this will give you the real bass notes and parts involved.
Use Track 3 to record your bassline. Use a 16 foot voice spread over 2 octaves, giving you a great deep bass for the lower notes and a mid range for the melody line notes.

If your first attempt does not sound perfect, then try again - the good thing about multi-tracking is that you can do it time and time again until you get it perfect.

Guitar track.
This can be used to give your track a lift. You can play a block chord that matches your chord sequence change on the 2nd and 4th beat or you can play a pattern that suits the music. Our advice here would be to experiment with the pattern you choose.
Use track 4 to record your bassline.

Strings.
Strings are the most important part of any sequence, they can add darkness or they can add light. Using the lower ranges can give your strings section a big cinematic feel or adding high strings can add a disco feel. Strings are a fantastic part to add and this is our favourite section.

We always record our strings in 2 parts, Firstly we record the chorded strings in 3rds, making sure that they do not stand static, but "move" with the melody, as they do with most orchestral arrangements. Use notes from your chords to work out a strings section and this will add lift to your overall sound.
Track 5 is our Strings section.

Pad Synth.
Using track 6, pad synth sounds should be used to "decorate" the overall sequence. Use this track to add small phrases which will add to the overall sound. Some sequences will not require this, but some do. It's a matter of taste.

Brass is added to track 7 in the form of single note phrases which compliment the piece you have chosen. Where you have 2 beat or more rests, see if you can find a phrase that may fill this and add to your piece.

This is the fun track where you can pick a sound that works well with your song and use

Now you have recorded your drums and a weak melody line, Select track 2 and get ready to record the melody part. Make sure you choose the voices that you want to use before you start recording, as the last thing you need is to make a mistake time and time again because you are too busy button pushing.
Start track 2 recording - you should hear the drums begin playing and at this point you play the melody line for a second time - this time at full volume (set to the level that you want to hear).
When you get to the end of the track stop the recorder and move to the next part - Bass line.