I've been DJ'ing going on a few years now but I've begun to get more interested in production now that I've finally learned how to use Reason. I spent a few weeks with the program and managed to make a track that I am not very satisfied with, which I think is because I am not very adept at making my own melodies and hooks. and since my main interest in production is house-ish and downtempo tracks, my hook should be all the more emphasized. my question is basically this, is it looked down upon to use the preset loops that the program includes? for fellow Reason users, I am talking primarily about the Dr. REX Loop Player. thanks.

My rule of thumb is, if you can't reconize it, there's nothing wrong with it. Just as long as you don't ONLY use preset loops. For instance, I almost always fruity preset loops in my tracks, but buried under layers of self-made percussion tracks, you can't reconize them, and they only serve as a layer.

i know you know this but you are not going to become a producer overnight, just keep at it but dont get all down because it doesnt sound good. All the producers are still learning new things out there.

i have only just reached the musical benefits of using reason knowing how to properly make my tracks (7 months), all my problem now is feeling comfortable sequencing my track, i have alot of trouble in having faith in my work.

use loops whenever you want if thats what you have in mind then use it.

cheers

Well, since you are using REX files why not experiment with rearranging the loop to create your own version? At least then it would be original (even though the original loop wasn't).

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Well, since you are using REX files why not experiment with rearranging the loop to create your own version? At least then it would be original (even though the original loop wasn't).

that's true, but I guess some part of me doesn't see a point if it already sounds good. I appreciate the advice.

^

Well make it sound better and just change a little bit of it. Somthing can always seem better so just expirement. Add some Eq and effects and your ready to go

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Originally posted by phyrrus that's true, but I guess some part of me doesn't see a point if it already sounds good. I appreciate the advice.

The question is not whether or not it sounds good, it's how close one is to that thin line between resourcefulness and outright plagiarism.

Most people accept the use of preset patches and samples but draw the line at loops, especially synth/melody loops. Painters aren't expected to make their own brushes and palettes but they mix their own colours and start with a blank canvas. Writers don't invent their own words but they don't copy-and-paste sentences from other people's books either. Loop-based productions in music are sort of like collages in art - not original, and rarely viable commercially.

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It is so easy to make a loop your own and impossible to identify. I'm only talking percussion though, but yeah I see no problem with using percussion loops.

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Originally posted by DigiNut The question is not whether or not it sounds good, it's how close one is to that thin line between resourcefulness and outright plagiarism. Most people accept the use of preset patches and samples but draw the line at loops, especially synth/melody loops. Painters aren't expected to make their own brushes and palettes but they mix their own colours and start with a blank canvas. Writers don't invent their own words but they don't copy-and-paste sentences from other people's books either. Loop-based productions in music are sort of like collages in art - not original, and rarely viable commercially.

Nice post!

To the original poster: Why don't you try creating your own loops? It's unbeliveably easy to do using Reason's Redrum. You could use the loops you already have as inspiration. You can even import parts of the REX files into the Redrum if you are wanting to use a particular sound from those loops.

___________________

"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."

Sometimes a nice perc loop without any open hi hats or claps can fit in quite nice as long as you layer it with other sounds.

However I have trouble understanding why are there so many loops with the kick included?

And what is the fecking point of Bass or Lead loops? If you use these then part of the track are you really produceing?

Reminds me of the sterotypical kids with fl studio who think there the next big thing when all they have used is a couple of loops.

I had one round the other day ( brothers mate not mine ) and hes like oh I'am really good with Fl studio so I let him have a go and all he did was drag a few fl samples round the play list. No eq No compression or effects of any kind yet he still thought he was good.

Then he had the cheek to look at my Virus and ask what does that do?

I would spend a lot of time helping anyone but twat really thought he was somthing lol

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Originally posted by DigiNut Loop-based productions in music are sort of like collages in art - not original, and rarely viable commercially.

Digi....brilliant words, mate. Mind if I print them and stick them to my wall so I'm not tempted to resort to a loop again?

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Loop-based productions in music are sort of like collages in art - not original, and rarely viable commercially.[/COLOR][/FONT] [/QUOTE]

Saying that my uncle done quite well by doing this lol

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...3310910-4299124