Production Summary

Joshua Miles | Blue Skies

Song Name and Credits

Blue Skies
Composed by Joshua Miles
Lyrics by Joshua Miles and Colton Bailey

Track Length

3 minutes and 50 seconds

Musicians’ Credits

All instruments are VSTs and samples performed and programmed by Joshua Miles. Vocals are performed by Colton Bailey.

Production Credits

Mixed and mastered by Joshua Miles.

Studio Credits

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Mile1Music. Engineering and production by Joshua Miles.

Production Process and Mixing Approach

The production for “Blue Skies” began in early May when I learned that I would be creating a final portfolio song for my degree. Because I enjoy producing EDM, I wanted to create an upbeat track that blended elements of drum and bass and dubstep, two styles that I am especially drawn to as a producer. I started by writing the chord progression for the chorus, then built the rest of the song around that foundation. From there, I developed the arrangement, created the synth sounds, and shaped the instrumental sections before writing the lyrics. Writing the music first made the vocal process more challenging than I expected, because I had to find the right balance between vocal space and instrumental movement, especially during the chorus where the pauses and rhythmic breaks needed to feel intentional. Colton Bailey and I began recording vocals in early June and worked through the song section by section, starting with the chorus, then moving into the verses, background vocals, and additional vocal layers. For the mix, I focused on keeping the drums and low end energetic while still allowing the vocal to remain clear and present. I also worked to make the synths feel wide and polished without overcrowding the vocal arrangement. After completing the production and vocal editing, I mixed the track and mastered the final version in FL Studio.

Final Reflection

I am very happy with the final track. This project gave me the opportunity to structure a complete song from start to finish, write lyrics that matched the emotion of the production, and design synth sounds that supported the overall energy of the song. I also feel accomplished knowing that I mixed and mastered the entire project myself. One of the most rewarding parts of the process was collaborating with Colton Bailey, who helped bring the vocal melody and lyrics to life through his performance. Overall, I am proud of how “Blue Skies” turned out, and I am looking forward to releasing the track, sharing it on social media, sending it to friends, and eventually making it available on music streaming platforms.