Track Colors

Author
mumpcake
Max Output Level: -59 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 1609
  • Joined: 2004/06/16 16:27:42
  • Status: offline
2016/07/27 00:31:53 (permalink)

Track Colors

I was wondering what color schemes people were using for their tracks.  Nothing seems to speak to me.  Maybe bass should be purple?  Piano black?  Drums white? 
 
I was curious what schemes are working for others, because I just don't have one that makes sense, or a reason why I should associate these instruments with that color.
#1

4 Replies Related Threads

    Skyline_UK
    Max Output Level: -54 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2133
    • Joined: 2004/04/15 17:55:09
    • Location: Midlands, UK
    • Status: offline
    Re: Track Colors 2016/07/27 03:59:44 (permalink)
    The ones I've always used - and seemed (to me) to match the instruments:
    - DRUMS/PERCUSSION: Red
    - BASS: Brown
    - PIANO: Royal Blue
    - OTHER KEYS: Purple
    - BRASS: Yellow
    - STRINGS: Light green
    - RHYTHM GUITARS: Light pinks
    - LEAD GUITARS: Bright pinks
     

    My stuff
     
    Intel Sandy Bridge i7 2600 @ 3.4GHz, 4 cores, 8 threads, 16GB RAM.
    OS & Programs drive: 240GB SSD
    Data drives: 1 x 1TB drive RAID mirrored, plus extra 1TB data drive 
    Windows 10 Home 64 bit
    Cakewalk by BandLab 64 bit, Studio One 3, 
    Band In A Box 2016, Ozone 8
    + too many other plugins
    BandLab page
    #2
    chuckebaby
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 13146
    • Joined: 2011/01/04 14:55:28
    • Status: offline
    Re: Track Colors 2016/07/27 06:53:01 (permalink)
    The System I use has no rhyme or reason. its simply something I adopted early on and it has stuck over the years.
    This goes back to my old Analog days, writing on the desk with colored markers, it was just easier to identify.
    I have begun to change some of my colors due to automation, selecting brighter colors on VOX tracks so I can see the waveform clearer through selections. One thing has not changed though. and that is color groups. if you notice below- my colors are grouped depending on the instrument groups velocity's. For example: Guitars are all in the Red group but acoustics are lighter, Lead Guitars are darker.
     
    -DRUMS/PERCUSSION: blue
    - BASS: yellow
    - STRINGS: Light brown/gold
    - PIANO: gold
    - OTHER KEYS: dark brown/gold
    -ACOUSTIC: light red
    - RHYTHM GUITARS: red
    - LEAD GUITARS: dark red
    - VOCALS: green
     
    I have also adapted a naming system to categorize tracks. (there's also a link for the template if you'd like)
    that thread can be found here:
    http://forum.cakewalk.com/Orginizing-Labeling-Audio-and-Midi-Tracks-m3448904.aspx
     
    Organization is one of the most important things in engineering/producing music.
    it doesn't just save headaches, it speeds up the process.
    post edited by chuckebaby - 2016/07/27 07:16:59

    Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64
    Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GB
    Focusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
       
    #3
    AntManB
    Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 144
    • Joined: 2016/06/01 10:58:19
    • Status: offline
    Re: Track Colors 2016/07/27 07:52:07 (permalink)
    I started with some kind of plan based on the initial letter:
     
    Green for Guitars
    Blue for Bass
    Violet for Vocals
     
    After that it broke down (lack of colours beginning with D or K) so I have
     
    Yellow for Keyboards
    Red for Drums
     
    AMB
     
    #4
    chuckebaby
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 13146
    • Joined: 2011/01/04 14:55:28
    • Status: offline
    Re: Track Colors 2016/07/27 09:19:20 (permalink)
    AntManB
    I started with some kind of plan based on the initial letter:
     
    Green for Guitars
    Blue for Bass
    Violet for Vocals
     



    This ^^^^^ is a pretty good idea.
    if not for a color scheme I've been using since the 1920's I would give this a shot.

    Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64
    Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GB
    Focusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
       
    #5
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1