I was wondering about different people's workflow methods. I'm trying a few different approaches...
-Getting a kick and bass down, and going thru percussion and then into leads, etc.
-Or alternatively sticking with percussion until it really drives, then going into a more subtle bass.

I pretty much get hung up when I try to take it further without it sounding cheesy. Whenever it gets sounding cheese, I get pretty frustrated and start deleting.

So, recently, I've heard it mentioned to really focus on every step. Get all the modulation for your sounds in place and really sounding fantastic before adding any other elements. This has helped a little in getting my underlying stuff to not sound so crap... but I still just end up with some random 'rolling beat' that still doesn't sound really anything like I want it to. Thus I don't really do much with it aside from make halfassed arrangements as I don't like the underlying motif.

Hell, I can get really hung up just picking a kick drum sometimes. Synthing my own sounds even worse.



I suppose I'm wondering if anyone might have any words of wisdom on how to refine/define/focus/improve ones workflow.

I'm not really after "faster results", or some way around practicing, but I wish I were way more efficient in my practice.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Topic 68

Wouldnt say im the most experienced at this shit but i know exactly how you are feeling and i think we've all been there...

You start to analyse every sound, start changing the kick, change the bass until it just sounds nothing like what you started with and then you invariably delete the project or just abandon it

Only thing i can say is to try and get a clear picture in your mind of what you actually want to make, get something going that works, like a good bassline that interacts nicely with percussion or a loop, if its not working scrap it until you get something that does work, dont convince yourself it sounds good unless it does

Ive found the more you stick at this and the more tracks you make, your sound selection becomes better and your ideas start to sound like you want, then the kick, percs, bass just seem to fall into place easier?

Cant emphasise enough the importance of good sound sources, whether they be samples, synths, drum machines, hardware...whatever...you'll be more comfortable in developing your ideas if you arent worrying about whether the sounds you are using are good enough in the first place

my 2c

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I usually just dump as many ideas into a project and cut away first sounds that are terrible. Then I just keep adding and subtracting until I have what I am looking for

quote:

Originally posted by jsrobinson I was wondering about different people's workflow methods. I'm trying a few different approaches... -Getting a kick and bass down, and going thru percussion and then into leads, etc. -Or alternatively sticking with percussion until it really drives, then going into a more subtle bass. I pretty much get hung up when I try to take it further without it sounding cheesy. Whenever it gets sounding cheese, I get pretty frustrated and start deleting. So, recently, I've heard it mentioned to really focus on every step. Get all the modulation for your sounds in place and really sounding fantastic before adding any other elements. This has helped a little in getting my underlying stuff to not sound so crap... but I still just end up with some random 'rolling beat' that still doesn't sound really anything like I want it to. Thus I don't really do much with it aside from make halfassed arrangements as I don't like the underlying motif. Hell, I can get really hung up just picking a kick drum sometimes. Synthing my own sounds even worse. I suppose I'm wondering if anyone might have any words of wisdom on how to refine/define/focus/improve ones workflow. I'm not really after "faster results", or some way around practicing, but I wish I were way more efficient in my practice. Thanks for any thoughts.

When you're song writing, that is not the time to try and figure out how to improve yourself. Save that for another time when you focus on one thing. If you keep on trying to analyze why you're shit sucks, then you'll hesitate at every opportunity while making a song. Just do the best you can, and move on after its done.

As for kick drums, use any Vengeance sample pack(not construction kicks) or just sample from a pro track.

If you're trying to improve on something, trying hitting up youtube to see if there's a tutorial there. If you're trying to make a rolling bassline, there's more than few tutorials for that.

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quote:

Originally posted by dj_alfi change your avatar for fucks sake.

quote:

Originally posted by jsrobinson I was wondering about different people's workflow methods. I'm trying a few different approaches... -Getting a kick and bass down, and going thru percussion and then into leads, etc. -Or alternatively sticking with percussion until it really drives, then going into a more subtle bass.

F### the kick drum. Start with a generic drum loop and come up with an idea for a song first, then go back and work on the drums. If you don't have anything to say musically, a good kick drum isn't going to save your track.

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right on

its often considered best practice to build from the bottom and work from there.
it is also good to have something in mined its no good just selecting any old shit hoping it sticks.Think about what you want to achieve and what moves you.

you may fined things like post production very useful not only does it save on cpu power but it will save you time in the long run.

Cool.
I do know the general sound style I'm going for, and I have several ideas in my head on songs I thing would work. Just the execution blows.

you can always make the melodies first and add drums to that later, that's how I do it. I find it easier to make drums that fit my synths instead of the other way around. Try it, maybe youll like it.

ask a guitar player to write a song around a drum beat

quote:

Originally posted by mathieu you can always make the melodies first and add drums to that later, that's how I do it. I find it easier to make drums that fit my synths instead of the other way around. Try it, maybe youll like it.

Not a bad idea.
I need to stop thinking so linearly.