When I started i tried to remix but got no where, then I tried something original and I finished it but it was utter crap. Then I started doing cover versions and man did that make a difference! Actually paying attention to why yours sounds horrible and theirs sounds good really makes you notice the more subtle yet very significant components of music. I still haven't finished a remix, yet I have a few originals and a couple covers up my sleeve. Each to their own. Good luck

Edit: oh yea, I'm about 1 year into it, although work commitments means I realistically have about 6 months experience. I have 0 previous music history

It really depends on the type of person you are, like you said previously, your not really good at chords/scales and such, so remixing would probably be easier.

For me though, original work is a lot easier to do than remixes, for the very simple fact that I get to work with the chords and keys I choose rather than working within something someone already wrote. If that made any sense at all lol

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quote:

Originally posted by BshidoHEAT It really depends on the type of person you are,

I agree. I've never really tried to seriously remix someone else's track, but I can easily see that it would be very difficult for me to keep it creative/fresh and recognizable without falling into the trap of sounding too much like the original.

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quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley I know the answer might seem obvious (remix) but I have gotten mixed feelings on this from people I talk with, which is why I posted this here. There are solid arguments to be made for both sides of the coin.

Hi Stephen,
I think you've got a point there...I mean it depends...when you're just starting out, it would be possibly better for you to try and remix a track you feel strong passion to remix. You'll learn a lot on the way, but try to understand the theory of the track you're remixing, not just stick a midi and new patches and call it a remix. Try to work out which melodies work with which and why.

To answer your question...when you're making your own track, it's you who decides.
While when remixing you gotta understand what the author intended and then work "symbiotically" with it. I actually kinda prefer making original music, but many times I will just feel frustrated when nothing good can come out, so...remixing is a good way to relieve...

Also...(and now that's quite arguable) remixes of some popular crap tracks can get sometimes your foot in the door of a club...that's how I've got my first residency you remember Akon ft. Eminem - Smack that, huh?

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It all depends on the person and the level they are but for me personally, a remix is always much easier.

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I do think originals are more difficult than remixes. I'll be honest to say that during creating a remix I tend to get more inspiration rushes because a 'basis' to work on is already there.

Then again, on some remixes I did have a hard time getting the right inspiration to make it sound 'like my own'

I guess it depends?

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It is entirely subjective, depending on the producer and then, on the original material to be remixed.