That quote encourages people to not lose focus on good songwriting while getting caught up in all the technical aspects of production, I don't see what that has to do with anything he said. Probably because it doesn't.

He has a valid point, OP said he can barely make a standard breakdown and you responded by telling him not to follow basic trance forms and structures. How does that help someone in his position? Especially your last paragraph which is just genuinely unhelpful, through and through.

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J I love how you've got a quote in your sig encouraging people to come up with great ideas and then you make a post like that.

Of all of the great dance songs I've listened to, 99% have an extremely predictable structure.

It's really more about the lead ideas and production of the whole track.

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quote:

Originally posted by dj_alfi change your avatar for fucks sake.

quote:

Originally posted by Kysora He has a valid point, OP said he can barely make a standard breakdown and you responded by telling him not to follow basic trance forms and structures. How does that help someone in his position? Especially your last paragraph which is just genuinely unhelpful, through and through.

Because it might be liberating to know that he doesn't have to use a breakdown, and that he shouldn't have to create a "standard breakdown" which just sounds awkward to him? Maybe it's helpful to a musician to say he shouldn't force his work to sound like something he isn't comfortable doing. Perhaps that might free him up to make more creative and interesting tracks.

But yeah, it's unhelpful to tell someone to break out of the mould and don't worry about forcing something into their music. This is why I shouldn't bother coming into this sub-forum.

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quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Because it might be liberating to know that he doesn't have to use a breakdown

He does if his goal is "Making a strong, interesting and involving breakdown/build-up", which is what he's specifically asking how to do in this thread. He's not asking to be liberated and you come off as a bit preachy by assuming he needs to be.

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Maybe it's helpful to a musician to say he shouldn't force his work to sound like something he isn't comfortable doing. Perhaps that might free him up to make more creative and interesting tracks.

..wow. How have you learned how to do anything with that logic? OP seems relatively inexperienced, he clearly wants to learn how to make better breaks, but he can't. So he's asking us for some tips and advice. That has nothing to do with "forcing" elements into his music.

I'm also pretty surprised you actually believe you'd accomplish more just sitting in your comfort zone and avoiding anything you're less than comfortable with, instead of forcing yourself to broaden your horizons and learn new things. Like, really fucking surprised.

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J But yeah, it's unhelpful to tell someone to break out of the mould and don't worry about forcing something into their music. This is why I shouldn't bother coming into this sub-forum.

It's not bad advice in general. Directed at the OP in this thread, however, I don't see how you could think you're being helpful.

quote:

Originally posted by Kysora ...his goal is "Making a strong, interesting and involving breakdown/build-up", which is what he's specifically asking how to do in this thread.

And my advice is:

1. Don't use one for the sake of it.
2. Don't make a clichéd and predictable one.

And I stand by that. I will happily tell every inexperienced producer to never, ever copy a formula if they want to make interesting and involving music.

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Mixes:
> Maximum Elevation [Progressive House]
> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J And my advice is: 1. Don't use one for the sake of it. 2. Don't make a clichéd and predictable one. And I stand by that. I will happily tell every inexperienced producer to never, ever copy a formula if they want to make interesting and involving music.

How is that even on topic ? The guy wasn't asking how to make interesting, involving music, he was asking how to make a breakdown.

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quote:

Originally posted by skyhunter How is that even on topic ? The guy wasn't asking how to make interesting, involving music, he was asking how to make a breakdown.

quote:

Originally posted by future_newbie This is the hardest part in the process for me. Making a strong, interesting and involving breakdown/build-up.

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Mixes:
> Maximum Elevation [Progressive House]
> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/

But he said breakdown, not music in general.

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Tranceport is the best album ever....

There is nothing wrong with being musically diverse.

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Because a breakdown isn't music, and completely different creative principles apply to making one, right?

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Mixes:
> Maximum Elevation [Progressive House]
> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/

It's just you're talking about music in a pretty broad category.

Anyways, back on topic. They way I think about my breakdowns is in terms of high frequency content. WHen I first enter my breakdowns, I usually lower the high frequency content, filtering down synths, filter effect sweeps, etc. As the breakdown reaches the climax (qlimax if you like hardstyle), I add in more high frequency content, usually by filtering up multiple items at the same time, like supersaws, white noise, percussion, pads, vocals, etc. You can also pitch up different synths, it's all about building up energy, and a great way to think about that is with high frequency content.

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Tranceport is the best album ever....

There is nothing wrong with being musically diverse.

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quote:

Originally posted by skyhunter It's just you're talking about music in a pretty broad category.

Are you trolling?

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quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker Are you trolling?

I just thought this was about breakdowns.

___________________
Tranceport is the best album ever....

There is nothing wrong with being musically diverse.

My Soundcloud