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-- A few general questions about production preferences.

A few general questions about production preferences.

I know its not really about what techniques you prefer to use but more what you're capable of in a global sense. But still I'm just curious about a few things and what people prefer.

How many people prefer making percussion lines with noise from a synth rather than actual samples? I notice lately that fooling around with hat presets on z3ta can get me a much more professional sound than using any of the best sounding percussion samples I have. Does anyone else prefer synths over samples for percussions and I'm curious what the consensus is. I just bounce it to audio and it always seems to sound better.

Next, I've been focusing a lot on sidechaining (SC) ANY bass line I make around the kick. It really seems no matter what I do the kick will not really break through unless you have even the littlest bit of SC going on. So now I side chain EVERY track I make rather than equalizing the bass to death. It also seems to groove a little bit more with a SC setup. For the people who have been producing for a long time (because I can't think of a single reason) why not just SC every track?

About constructing a melody. I use to start off making the lead/synth lines first than deriving my bass second. Than I noticed some pro's prefer doing the bass line first and deriving the melody from the bass line. So now I try doing the kick/bass line first and I find its a real bitch trying to derive a melody from it. It seems like its limits the melody because now you have to build it around certain keys/chords rather than having free reign on all keys. So I'm just curious how many people start with bass first or do you start with the lead first? Or do you think it doesn't matter.
I'm just looking for a general consensus to see what people prefer.

I can sit here all day asking questions but my final question is for people who use vst's. What do you prefer for your bass? I pretty much have been using pro-53 and z3ta for a looong time but for anyone who uses trilogy I'm just curious how you think it compares to other vst's for basses. I know trilogy is more a sampler than an actual synth but I'm curious what people who have it think about it.

And does this forum have any open chat rooms for members from the board? I know serious sounds has one but its only live on Sundays. If not is there a reason why we haven't made one yet? I just have a ton of crap to talk about and I'd rather ask in a chat room than flood the forums. Thanks all - Rox

Re: A few general questions about production preferences.

I don't use synths for percussion much. Samples are much more powerful and quick, for most things. A better technique than using synths is to layer your existing samples.

I would say almost all producers do use chaining to some degree these days. Just because they're not going Benny Benassi style, doesn't mean they're not sidechaining.

I start with melody first, because it is the most important part (for trance).

I'm not a fan of Pro-53 at all. It is very old and outdated. IMO the sound was never fantastic. z3ta+ is a good synth for pads, leads, and other more complex sounds. However, the oscillators are very weak (IMO) and it is not a good synth for bass. Personally, I think V-Station and Korg Legacy Collection are the best VSTs for bass.

We started a chat room earlier this year, but no one used it, so it got shut down.

Re: A few general questions about production preferences.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox ...and I'm curious what the consensus is. I'm just looking for a general consensus to see what people prefer.

Just to clear some things up: there isn't a general consensus. Everyone has his own way of doing things. There isn't a blueprint for it.
You'll notice it yourself if you open a thread asking how to achieve something. Sure you'll get some replies back which resemble (and by no means the best), but some will give different ways to tackle it. You just need to develop your own technique.

As for the melody construction thing. You'll again notice that everyone has his own preference. Some will always start with kick, percussion and bassline. Some will always start with a melody, building the main part first and then go on to make the intro and outro. And for some it just depends, meaning everytime they start a new tune they choose an appropriate method.

Don't get fixated with just one way. If it doesn't work out, try a different method. And most important: EXPERIMENT!
I don't know for how long you've been producing (just started to see you pop in here), but maybe you just need to find your own best workflow first. Anyway good luck!

- farris

quote:

You just need to develop your own technique.

x2. Whatever works for YOU.

Experiment! If it sounds good, it is good! Thats the beauty of music.

Re: A few general questions about production preferences.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox How many people prefer making percussion lines with noise from a synth rather than actual samples?

Sometimes I use both.

quote:

For the people who have been producing for a long time (because I can't think of a single reason) why not just SC every track?

Why not just forget about creativity all together, and make every track alike?

quote:

So I'm just curious how many people start with bass first or do you start with the lead first? Or do you think it doesn't matter.

Whatever floats your boat. I usually start with the melody, for the reason you mentioned.

quote:

I pretty much have been using pro-53 and z3ta for a looong time but for anyone who uses trilogy I'm just curious how you think it compares to other vst's for basses.

In my opinion, it beats most VST's for basses.

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