Ok, brainiacs. Looking for some help/tips/advise/pontification. Here's your chance to put all that wisdom to good use.

What I noticed is that I have a serious case of ADD and serious fear of actually completing something. Hence, my only completed (if you can call it that) track was something I recorded in one shot, while um... not being entirely sober... and it only contains one synth.

It was an "art" piece - very similar to the kind of art you see in some weird galleries - almost like someone vomited on canvas or shot paint out of the ass.

Here's where you come in. I need a structure. I need ideas. I need a track by the numbers, so that I can get at least one track done. Let's be scientific, let's be repetitive, let's do it for the sake of exercise.

How do I approach this? Any tips, suggestions, comments, etc. are welcome. I will be posting progress, as it is made. So, where do we begin?

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What kind of sound are you going for?

Are you hearing anything (an idea, etc.) noodling around in your head, and if so, can you put it up on sound-cloud?

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Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

Limit yourself. Take 20 minutes to work on an element, after that commit or delete it. Do or die, no in betweens/maybe's. If you don't like it enough you can't keep it. If you like it after those 20 minutes you can't touch it until after you've got a proper arrangement. A small but complete clip/loop/foundation.

Then start building blocks where you create tension, variations (counter-melodies/automation/dynamics/breakdown/buildup/whatever on the first theme. Try and apply the 20min rule there as much as possible (but more loosely - 40 min for example) too. If the thing you were working towards isn't quite working out. Ditch and start over with something new.

Then take a track you like which has a similar vibe and draw it out per bar and per channel. Or take any other track you think is applicable for the structure you desire. What happens when/where, visualize it. Apply to own track. Done :-).

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Storyteller Website | Storyteller @ Facebook | Storyteller @ Beatport | Storyteller @ Soundcloud | Stephen J. Kroos - Europa (Storyteller Remix)
Anthony Mea - Get It On (Storyteller Remix)

quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

Last edited by Storyteller on Jun-16-2011 at 01:52

Maybe you could try a pop arrangement or something and put your twist on it if you want.

If youre in ableton, something I like doing is playing all my clips and then start taking sound out, just to see how it affects the track and take mental notes. Ex: '' ahh when I take out X sound it sounds like it could be a part where the listener anticipates something'' or ''ahh when I have the bass playing a repetitive intro pattern and then I drop the real pattern + X synth it sounds real cool''

Stuff like that. It helps to see different ''moments'' of your track that you might not have heard or thought of if you had just arranged blindly without any real thought.

In short: I like to experiment with different parts while creating and organise everything in my head before arranging.

some excellent ideas so far, keep 'em coming!

Right now, I don't have a specific style preference. I think possibly "progressive/trance" would be the easiest....

Think Armin's Sunburn:



relatively simple, imo... gradual adding/removing elements (by formula proposed above).

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Last edited by aNYthing on Jun-16-2011 at 02:59

live approach has helped me numerous times. beardyman inspiration ftw.

Of course if you make a "kick - bassline" and loose 2 hours in eq'ing them you won't finish it.

Don't spent more than 5 minutes on a element while building the track.

Complete the structure, make the arrangement and only after that you should conentrate on a detailed mixing.

quote:

Originally posted by MSZ live approach has helped me numerous times. beardyman inspiration ftw.

sorry, i don't follow...

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you've never seen beardyman?



just try to jam out a track in a few record automations.

There is no approach. You either feel it or you don't.

quote:

Originally posted by MSZ you've never seen beardyman? just try to jam out a track in a few record automations.

HOOOOOOLLY SHIT, THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!

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Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate