I think it's more about how the elements work together rather than specific elements that can be added to any track to give it "drive".

Some people might think a pumping, sidechained pulse bassline is driving, others might think an interesting melody is enough to drive a track, it really just depends.

If you posted an example of your work we might be able to pinpoint why it sounds stale to you but we can't really explain all the elements that drive a track since it's both subjective and varies from song to song.

yeah..well..i posted this a few hours ago..and a fair comment came about drive...and also a few other things...

Beautiful Planet 1.0 by CREST

cheers

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Wow, I actually really like that. The bass is kind of muddy, I think it's the sub. it feels really wobbly for some reason and doesn't seem to mix very well with the midbass.

You could use some more upper freqs overall, maybe up the cutoff on a couple of the background pads? I'm really loving your songwriting there, shows a lot of promise.

Just keep working at it. I don't have much of anything specific to point out unfortunately, maybe someone else does.

nice melody going on.. In your case I would let some more dynamics on the kick, and pan, eq, the cymbals so that the whole track breaths more.

quote:

Originally posted by Kysora Wow, I actually really like that. The bass is kind of muddy, I think it's the sub. it feels really wobbly for some reason and doesn't seem to mix very well with the midbass. You could use some more upper freqs overall, maybe up the cutoff on a couple of the background pads? I'm really loving your songwriting there, shows a lot of promise. Just keep working at it. I don't have much of anything specific to point out unfortunately, maybe someone else does.

wow! glad you like it!
good feedback...that subish bass does kinda suck a bit...its actually something i added and never went back to..woops..but now i have a better idea about how to lose the muddienes...and wobbliness too ;-)
thanks for taking the time...
thank you to everyone who has on that note!

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quote:

Originally posted by Mise nice melody going on.. In your case I would let some more dynamics on the kick, and pan, eq, the cymbals so that the whole track breaths more.

good idea!

cheers!

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so...anyway...lol
back to the issue of drive...

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quote:

Originally posted by Mise nice melody going on.. In your case I would let some more dynamics on the kick, and pan, eq, the cymbals so that the whole track breaths more.

that will help to improve drive too, drive is about how the whole harmonics glue together and push forward an emotional vibe.

quote:

Originally posted by CREST yeah..well..i posted this a few hours ago..and a fair comment came about drive...and also a few other things... Beautiful Planet 1.0 by CREST cheers

Well I'm assuming that this track had an intro in there somewhere but anyway... Its not a drivey track to me, I don't think getting it really pumping would really help it's overall theme when you've got such a relaxed melody.

Adding some percs probably wouldn't hurt, its hard to have drive without percussion. Also, most drive is created from the bass and drums and percs, not from the melody IMO. So maybe focus more attention there. But drive isn't always a good thing either, as a DJ you're often looking for something that feels uplifting or relaxing or stripped back rather than driving.

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quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Well I'm assuming that this track had an intro in there somewhere but anyway... Its not a drivey track to me, I don't think getting it really pumping would really help it's overall theme when you've got such a relaxed melody. Adding some percs probably wouldn't hurt, its hard to have drive without percussion. Also, most drive is created from the bass and drums and percs, not from the melody IMO. So maybe focus more attention there. But drive isn't always a good thing either, as a DJ you're often looking for something that feels uplifting or relaxing or stripped back rather than driving.

i hear what you're saying...this has a definate need for percs...and that will add alot of motion to the track for sure
cheers for the feedback!

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Another thing that will help. The 1:06 snare, needs a tiny bit of presence, and work out the dry/wet levels.