Over the last 2-3 years, I've been analyzing my improvements when it comes to EDM production. But with time, it seems like there are downfalls as well.

I've been pretty busy with school and applying for university for next year. When I'm at home, I usually mess around with Acid + Reason, vst effects, and samples. I've picked up a lot of 'know-hows' regarding sound design and what not.

I can get musical ideas down and come up with some cool sounding loops and stuff. But, that's as far as I seem to be going. I've been making small loops that are just repeated over and over again in 'loop' mode and when I get tired, I just lose interest the next day. This is how I don't get any tracks finished.

So my question is, what do you guys start your tracks with & what process does it go through, until the finished product. I don't care about sound quality. That stuff comes after.

When you guys compose tracks, do you think of a sound and replicate that via VSTi instruments or just jam along and see where it takes you? I'm really interested in knowing different producer's 'thought patterns' when it comes to production.

one last thing I want to try and ask you guys is, listen to this small loop I made. If you can provide me with an input as to what your reaction would be if you were making this into a full track would be. This is one way I can analyze my own self and compare to see where I lack in terms of skill.

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Thanks everyone for any input.

From my point of view. Your questions results in many answers. I mean personally I generally start of with a drum line and a bass line then work in some sound. Others may start with a lead/melody and then structure the rest around that, as there is really no sure answer.

But the best thing to do is to attempt as many methods as possible to get an end result, even leave it if your happy with it and approach it again another day with a fresh mind, and perhaps with fresh ideas.

perhaps map it out on paper, so many bars i run with this, then change here, and run with that etc.

hope that helps

edit: also put your audio in a stream to, people are funny about DL stuff of the web

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Couldn't listen now, but there's just too many ways to answer your question.

Some people compose by having an idea of the atmophere they want to create, others have bassline rolling around their hed, some doodle on a keyboard or even paint notes until a melody appears....

I've done all of those approaches and more at one point or another and sometimes all of them in one track.

If you're a loop building kind of guy, then try copying certain midi parts (anything from perc hits to pad parts) and loading them in to a vst track and trying loads of patches - something will pop out to give you direction.

Get three or four good loops in a session and try just muting and unmuting parts *set a tarck to record the group output incase something happen that you want to keep). this can be a great way to get a basic phase structure going.

I could go on but I think you get the point, so many ways to do something. Everytime you even begin to loose interest just change it up.

hey, i sometimes start with playing a pattern on my keyboard, looping that over say 8 bars and changing one or two notes each bar to variate it in the sequencer window.

Sometimes i start by playing some chords too. Once you have those you know the cars notes and bass patterns are not hard to come by even if its just oompa to start with. Then you also have things like arps you can use from those chords. So without making much else bar drums you have an arp, pad. Bass. Combine that with the first thing i said and your away.

Why not try to follow the arrangement of a track you dig. So like 'ok 8 bars of drums to start, then fill, them bass and pad' least you have direction. You don't need to copy the song just add new elements when you hear them in the reference song. I did a remix doing it this way and the label loved it.

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Processing a highly structured and complex pattern of sensory input as a unified percept of "music" is probably one of the most elaborate features of the human brain.....understanding how music is perceived and how it may elicit intense sensations is far from being understood.

Sonic, it's a common problem. I know a guy that in 3 years has not finnished a track and I think it's down to the fact he gets all excited with that first 'fun' part where a new loop sounds really fresh and cool, but then he gets bored and cant maintain the interest to see it through.

Making a full track I think is hard work and there are always points I have to kick myself along - for me those parts I find the most tedious to finish are things like the build up into the main chorus and adding lots of fx and interest throughout.

You either just have to accept you'll only ever make loops for fun or you have to find it in yourself to do the hard work. A nice looking garden is 95% hard work!!

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quote:

Originally posted by Richard Butler Sonic, it's a common problem. I know a guy that in 3 years has not finnished a track and I think it's down to the fact he gets all excited with that first 'fun' part where a new loop sounds really fresh and cool, but then he gets bored and cant maintain the interest to see it through. Making a full track I think is hard work and there are always points I have to kick myself along - for me those parts I find the most tedious to finish are things like the build up into the main chorus and adding lots of fx and interest throughout. You either just have to accept you'll only ever make loops for fun or you have to find it in yourself to do the hard work. A nice looking garden is 95% hard work!!

Thanks lol but its not my thread i was offering some advice =p

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Processing a highly structured and complex pattern of sensory input as a unified percept of "music" is probably one of the most elaborate features of the human brain.....understanding how music is perceived and how it may elicit intense sensations is far from being understood.

not much there really so can't comment on the form

the production is very dated. The sidechain bass is going to make jesus cry. The kick needs to be more present.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Butler I know a guy that in 3 years has not finnished a track and I think it's down to the fact he gets all excited with that first 'fun' part where a new loop sounds really fresh and cool, but then he gets bored and cant maintain the interest to see it through. Making a full track I think is hard work and there are always points I have to kick myself along - for me those parts I find the most tedious to finish are things like the build up into the main chorus and adding lots of fx and interest throughout.

That pretty much sums up my problem.

I will try the methods all of you guys have suggested. Thanks.

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Originally posted by RichieV not much there really so can't comment on the form the production is very dated. The sidechain bass is going to make jesus cry. The kick needs to be more present.

Ya I was just screwing around on that loop. By the way, the bass wasn't side-chained. I usually don't beef it up unless I'm satisfied with how it's coming along 'musically'. So that explains why the kick doesn't have a lot of punch to it. Overall, it's just a 15-20 min work. Nothing special.

then why post it.

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Originally posted by RichieV then why post it.

Have to agree there, if you want to know where you lack in skills surely posting your best effort makes the best sense. Post something your pleased with then you can get an honest opinion. =)

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Processing a highly structured and complex pattern of sensory input as a unified percept of "music" is probably one of the most elaborate features of the human brain.....understanding how music is perceived and how it may elicit intense sensations is far from being understood.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Butler Sonic, it's a common problem. I know a guy that in 3 years has not finnished a track and I think it's down to the fact he gets all excited with that first 'fun' part where a new loop sounds really fresh and cool, but then he gets bored and cant maintain the interest to see it through. Making a full track I think is hard work and there are always points I have to kick myself along - for me those parts I find the most tedious to finish are things like the build up into the main chorus and adding lots of fx and interest throughout. You either just have to accept you'll only ever make loops for fun or you have to find it in yourself to do the hard work. A nice looking garden is 95% hard work!!

That's was my problem and now I have decided to really focus on finishing stuff that I start. It was exactly how you described it: I would make a short loop, get bored and think that my next loop adventure would somehow be different.

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quote:

Originally posted by dj_alfi change your avatar for fucks sake.