I know there are posts that already talk about this, but we have new members and I'm sure people have evolved their approaches over time.

How do you approach an original?


How do you approach a remix?


I'm going to pass on the first question because I've yet to finish an original, but I always start with kick and percs. I think im going to continue that and instead of doing my bassline after that do my chords then bassline.

For a remix, I put every MIDI on a track and cycle through presets. As I cycle through them, my mind is heavily stimulated and it helps me to decide how I want to approach the track. After that, I do what I do with my originals.

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bassline and leads first

If I'm lucky, I'll get an impulse and take it that direction right from the start. Other times come from playing ideas (on the midi keyboard) over the original/original's parts (basslines, chord progressions, lead solos) which usually generates enough of an idea to move forward.

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quote:

Originally posted by echosystm bassline and leads first

+1, but I also sometimes just get a groove going then let the lead develop around that.

Remixing is a different matter - I often hear a track and know instinctively what I'd do it to make it my creation - what's missing, what I would add, what I would take away etc.

It's about adapting the vibe of the original, so that it compliments it but makes it something very different in feel, if not content of melody.

REMIX: What do I hear in the original as it "should be"
ORIGINAL: Percussion > Melody > Bassline > harmonies > Arrangement

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idk it really varies. but usually

ORIGINAL: main theme (usually pad melody) > drums/bassline/groove > melody > harmony > arrangement


REMIX: same as above


idk sometimes it really varies and depends on what pops into your head first cuz sometimes i start with the drums or sometimes i start with the melody. dont try and put a formula on it, just do what you feel.

Kick (although it will change like 5 times before completing a song), percussion, bassline, lead. Then I'll lay out the structure of the structure of the track and see what more it needs. Then i'll tweak and tweak for a month or so before allowing it to become complete.

Usually I start with the bassline.

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Well.. For me -

Remix : Start with a good bassline that goes along with the song! Then trust your instincts...
Make a good intro, decide on arrangement, your signature effects (Like mine's Stuttering), and try to bring in those elements that were concealed in the original song.

Originals : Happen a lot like "Love at first sight"..
Your Doing sometihng usual and suddenly an idea strikes your mind. and then you make a small MIDI out of it.
The rest of the process is just remixing it!
I can never "Sit" to make an original. It is purely Inspiration!

Cheers !

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originals: pray and hope something works.

remix: well I try to make it as original as possible and try to make it of a different genre sometimes. Sometimes because of the overall structure of the song, you can't do that. I try to stick with the main theme of the song to remind the listener that it's still true to the original work.

half the time I just listen to the acapellas or just look at midi notes, and I never listen to the the original song. When I'm stuck I listen to the original.

IF i'm makinga bootleg of a classic, that's just too hard for me, because sometimes you just do not need to remix an already good song. it's not a bad idea to do it for learning experience though.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN +1, but I also sometimes just get a groove going then let the lead develop around that. Remixing is a different matter - I often hear a track and know instinctively what I'd do it to make it my creation - what's missing, what I would add, what I would take away etc. It's about adapting the vibe of the original, so that it compliments it but makes it something very different in feel, if not content of melody.

yeah thats what i do, groove first

Drums, Bass, Arrangement, Synths, Effects and then back and forth between all of them to it all sits right.

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