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-- A novice, 6 month producer: Original vs. Remix - Which is more difficult?

A novice, 6 month producer: Original vs. Remix - Which is more difficult?

Fairly simple question. I've had Ableton for longer than 6 months, but I think 6 months is a good reflection of where I'm right now. I would say my engineering skills are much further along than my composition skills. Still learning my scales and chord progressions, but I'm getting there.

My question is a simple one.

Do you think it is easier to do(finish) a remix for a track I already have a good source for? (ie. MIDI) or create an original track?

I know there are variables, and I'll address one important one. Desire. I've got quite a few tracks that I have good sources on that I have a strong desire to remix, however; I have a strong desire for creating original material as well, but not quite as strong.

I've heard many in the past say listen to a song and try to recreate it. That makes sense. What about taking a song that's a favorite and remixing it?

Thoughts?

Thanks

Re: A novice, 6 month producer: Original vs. Remix - Which is more difficult?

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley Do you think it is easier to do(finish) a remix for a track I already have a good source for? (ie. MIDI) or create an original track?

...



take a fucking guess...

I know the answer might seem obvious (remix) but I have gotten mixed feelings on this from people I talk with, which is why I posted this here.

There are solid arguments to be made for both sides of the coin.

Remixing is easier, obviously, for the reasons you have stated. Do a few of those and you will pick up lots of hints and tips from the original midi data. Also if you have trouble putting riffs together that you are proud of, remixing can give you some fresh ideas.

I picked up a lot of production knowledge through collaborating with my mate who was (and still is) a much better producer than me. But the difference in quality between my pre-collab and post-collab tracks is astounding.

Another thing that I think is essential to help good production and acts as a bit of a muse is having decent monitors - I know this is obvious and I only say this as you said you are new to producing. However almost every amateur producer I know started off using hi fi speakers and found the move to monitors correlated with a big boost in production quality and writing ability.

Well, actually, IMO it's harder to work on remixes than on original work.

Yeah, sure, with a remix, you'll get everything supplied (samples, midifiles etc.), but since there already is a basis to work on, it's much harder to create something original out of a the track. Sure, there have to be similarities, but a remix that is quite similar to the original isn't "original".

Remixing requires some more creativity if you really want to do a good and original remix. Just copy/paste everything from the original track won't help you to get any more remix requests.

Creating a original track is easier, again IMO. You can just let your creativity go.

I'm always working way longer on remixes that on original tracks.

quote:

Originally posted by Prototrance Remixing is easier, obviously, for the reasons you have stated. Do a few of those and you will pick up lots of hints and tips from the original midi data. Also if you have trouble putting riffs together that you are proud of, remixing can give you some fresh ideas. I picked up a lot of production knowledge through collaborating with my mate who was (and still is) a much better producer than me. But the difference in quality between my pre-collab and post-collab tracks is astounding. Another thing that I think is essential to help good production and acts as a bit of a muse is having decent monitors - I know this is obvious and I only say this as you said you are new to producing. However almost every amateur producer I know started off using hi fi speakers and found the move to monitors correlated with a big boost in production quality and writing ability.

Great post, thanks for the advance. I think I'm good to go on the monitors. Rocking some Yamaha HS80M's and a pair of AKG701's

I do wish I had a real life collab partner. It's a pain to try and collab over the net unless you're working with somebody who has a near identical setup.

I've found a guy who I trust a lot who knows an absolute ton about music. I can hire him as a private tutor for phone tutorials and online teaching. (I can see his desk top and ask him questions through my mic) - He knows exactly what I'm wanting to achieve in my productions which I think is H-U-G-E because he'll know what to emphasize when we're going through our lessons. He teaches anything you can possibly imagine. Music theory to DAW's, whatever you can dream up. He's actually a college professor out west. His fee is $40 an hour. You also get homework and review of your projects free of charge. Seems like a good deal to me. Anybody else ever try something like this? I havn't had a lesson yet and the guy has already guided me quite a bit. Think it's worth $40 an hour?

Also (again), my weakness right now is scales and chord progressions and how you can weave them all together. I've been studying with a book and reading stuff online along with using the Harmony Navigator demo to visualize things better. The hardest part really right now about them is actually practicing and performing in real time. Thankfully in EDM, it doesn't have to be in real time, but sooooo many people have told me that the best sequences come from free flowing which has made me feel like I must be able to at least flow through the major chords.

quote:

Originally posted by Theran Well, actually, IMO it's harder to work on remixes than on original work. Yeah, sure, with a remix, you'll get everything supplied (samples, midifiles etc.), but since there already is a basis to work on, it's much harder to create something original out of a the track. Sure, there have to be similarities, but a remix that is quite similar to the original isn't "original". Remixing requires some more creativity if you really want to do a good and original remix. Just copy/paste everything from the original track won't help you to get any more remix requests. Creating a original track is easier, again IMO. You can just let your creativity go. I'm always working way longer on remixes that on original tracks.

I see. You have to empathize with me here though. You're way beyond where I am. Try to think back when you had 6 months under your belt and tell me what you think. (Not saying you're wrong, I just think you forgot to empathize with me)

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley Also (again), my weakness right now is scales and chord progressions and how you can weave them all together. I've been studying with a book and reading stuff online along with using the Harmony Navigator demo to visualize things better. The hardest part really right now about them is actually practicing and performing in real time. Thankfully in EDM, it doesn't have to be in real time, but sooooo many people have told me that the best sequences come from free flowing which has made me feel like I must be able to at least flow through the major chords.

I just use my ears dude. I've had very limited music training, being piano lessons for about a year when I was 10. I have a mate who has studied music theory who is fecking useless at writing riffs, so I think it just depends on the individual not the training. I think I got my 'ear' from the massive exposure I've had to music from a young age. Keep hammering away at it, it will happen I'm only just getting to the stage where I'm happy with my productions now and I've been at it years but I'm balancing it with being a Dad, being in full time work, diving and mountain biking. I think if it was my only concern the result would have happened a lot quicker. Bit more advice:-

Play around with synths as much as possible, if you get a sound you are happy with, go a bit further with it. Don't settle for a supersaw riff because you think Armins fanboys will love it.

Get some decent effects, most of the depth in my sounds come from these as I can't afford high end hardware synths with 1,000,000,000 mod routing possibilities and awesome built in effects. I use Ohmforce effects plugins.

Automation is key - get those sounds changing over time.

Speaking of automation.....I'd like to use my dumb question card for the month. How can I automate a VST parameter with Ableton? (For example, how can I automate resonance with V-Station?)

Please do not say this isn't possible...

Hi Stephen,

I don't own the V-Station synth, but with Sylenth1 and other synths I make it this way:
Well, double click the clip to automate. Click an "Envelopes" box on the left. If it isn't there, first click on the yellow E on the left bottom.
On top of the envelope box, you can choose from a dropdown the synth, or some other effects for that track. Choose the synth, and the parameters to automate for that synth, should appear in the dropdown box below. Now you can edit the automation.

Hope that helps!

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks dude

Im at about 9 months right now and have done originals and remixes. When im working on an original it may never see completion just because my ideas may not lead to something im interested in bringing to life. With remixes upon listening to the track I immediately have an idea of what I want to do, how I want to change things, and what sort of a feel I want to go for. Basically it feels like I have a set of guidelines which allow a common goal to be worked towards. It also allows you to come across your own sound a little quicker by picking apart the authors. Originals are def more fun but also much harder to someone who is still picking up theory.

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley I see. You have to empathize with me here though. You're way beyond where I am. Try to think back when you had 6 months under your belt and tell me what you think. (Not saying you're wrong, I just think you forgot to empathize with me)

In that case, I think it's better to work on some remixes. Focus yourself on other things than original composition, and try to work on your arranging and mixing skills.

When I started i tried to remix but got no where, then I tried something original and I finished it but it was utter crap. Then I started doing cover versions and man did that make a difference! Actually paying attention to why yours sounds horrible and theirs sounds good really makes you notice the more subtle yet very significant components of music. I still haven't finished a remix, yet I have a few originals and a couple covers up my sleeve. Each to their own. Good luck

Edit: oh yea, I'm about 1 year into it, although work commitments means I realistically have about 6 months experience. I have 0 previous music history

It really depends on the type of person you are, like you said previously, your not really good at chords/scales and such, so remixing would probably be easier.

For me though, original work is a lot easier to do than remixes, for the very simple fact that I get to work with the chords and keys I choose rather than working within something someone already wrote. If that made any sense at all lol

quote:

Originally posted by BshidoHEAT It really depends on the type of person you are,

I agree. I've never really tried to seriously remix someone else's track, but I can easily see that it would be very difficult for me to keep it creative/fresh and recognizable without falling into the trap of sounding too much like the original.

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley I know the answer might seem obvious (remix) but I have gotten mixed feelings on this from people I talk with, which is why I posted this here. There are solid arguments to be made for both sides of the coin.

Hi Stephen,
I think you've got a point there...I mean it depends...when you're just starting out, it would be possibly better for you to try and remix a track you feel strong passion to remix. You'll learn a lot on the way, but try to understand the theory of the track you're remixing, not just stick a midi and new patches and call it a remix. Try to work out which melodies work with which and why.

To answer your question...when you're making your own track, it's you who decides.
While when remixing you gotta understand what the author intended and then work "symbiotically" with it. I actually kinda prefer making original music, but many times I will just feel frustrated when nothing good can come out, so...remixing is a good way to relieve...

Also...(and now that's quite arguable) remixes of some popular crap tracks can get sometimes your foot in the door of a club...that's how I've got my first residency you remember Akon ft. Eminem - Smack that, huh?

It all depends on the person and the level they are but for me personally, a remix is always much easier.

I do think originals are more difficult than remixes. I'll be honest to say that during creating a remix I tend to get more inspiration rushes because a 'basis' to work on is already there.

Then again, on some remixes I did have a hard time getting the right inspiration to make it sound 'like my own'

I guess it depends?

It is entirely subjective, depending on the producer and then, on the original material to be remixed.

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