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How to make a track sound "real" and not amateurish
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| Zomg |
Well i have seen a lot of posts about Djing, but i hope i can ask sthin about producing in this section as well.
I am facing some problems(I use ableton and i guess normal plug in vstīs) especially at finishing the track.
It has occurred quite a few times already that when i come to the point introducing the BASS to the BEAT that some how the beat becomes "weak", as if the bass "eats" it. I dont know how to fix this, i tried putting the volume of the beat track up, but it doesnt change anything..Im guessing it might have something to do with frequency cancellation or some thing(s been a while since i had Physics). How can i fix this, some how giving the beat more power, or changing the bass/beat so that this doesnt happen?
The second Thing has to do with how to make the point at where melo bass and everything is together sound better and more harmonic. Is there some theory ond maybe using the Eqs, if so, how can you do that.
Maybe it has some thing to do with "a Compressor" (whatever that is), or
"mastering" (..huh?) the track?
I know this is a lot to ask in one post and at one time so I im not expecting a really detailed answer, but if you could point me into the right direction i would be greatful
thanks!! |
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| kadomony |
you shouldve posted this in Production Studio.
but anyway, you have a few ways to go about this.
1. Sidechain a compressor or volume automation on your bassline that is triggered by the kick
-compresses or lowers the volume of the bassline when the kick hits so the bass clears out of the way of the kick.
this is probably the most used and recommended technique because it allows the bassline to retain the low frequencies when the kick isnt active.
2. EQ
-eq either the kick or the bass to shelve off the frequencies that conflict
with this you run the risk of losing some power or dynamics in your bassline if what you eqed out was essential to its sound
3. Restructure your bassline/Change the sounds you used
self-explanatory. |
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| PutBoy |
You need to post this in the production forum.
However, for you problem, learn to EQ. Basically, the kick will use certain frequencies, and the base others. However, they will use of the same frequencies, and you job is to identify precisely which they are, and whom of them gets the better of that frequency.
It's sound-engineering. |
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| hasbone |
| You need moar analog. |
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| Mr.Mystery |
Experience, experience, experience.
Practice.
There are no magic tricks. |
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| derail |
It helps a lot to have some great sounding loops from your favourite songs set up in your sequencer, so you can flip between your song and the songs you're referencing against, as you're working on your kick and bass loop. Most trance songs have sections where it's just kick, basses and percussive elements. You'll learn a lot by flipping back and forth, and listening to exactly how your kick sounds different, or your bass.
Sure, every trance song sounds slightly different, but there's an overall sonic ballpark that sounds right for the style. Producing can provide some major frustration for the first while, but stick with it, keep changing your approach and you'll get there. |
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| Zomg |
Alright thanks alot! I will look into this sound engeneering since obviosly this is what im totally lacking at the moment(and im guessing once i figured that out, making sounds from scratch should be easier as well).
Iīm gonna google this, but if anybody has some links to tutorials or anything about EQing and stuff, much apreciated.
Sorry for posting this here, i thought the Production Studio was only for posting loops and samples, not gonna happen again.
PD: hey somebody moved this to Production studio!!haha i just realized now!!!!excellent |
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| Stylz |
| You need more cowbell. |
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| Darkarbiter |
I'm wondering on the topic of having bassline at the same time as beat:
Would it be a good idea to perhaps have it so only the bass (if I understood it was the main conflicting frequency, but maybe also mids if thats more the main frequency range of the kick) of the bassline is reduced in volume rather then the whole thing? |
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| hadi burpee |
why dont you try cutting the lows out of everything except the bass and kick. also on the master channel cut around 250-350, might clear some mud out of the mix. practice with eq and compression. you dont necessarily have to sidechain the bass to make it clear.
@darkarbiter
depending on how you want it, you can cut some of the lows out of the kick or out of the bassline. try both and see which sounds better (with the lows id go between 80 and 150hz or so for the eq). also try standing back like 5-10 feet from your speakers. since the lower freq waves take longer for 1 cycle, you can possibly hear mud in the bassline at 10 feet and not right in front of the computer. |
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| Zomg |
| quote: | Originally posted by hadi ******
why dont you try cutting the lows out of everything except the bass and kick. also on the master channel cut around 250-350, might clear some mud out of the mix. practice with eq and compression. you dont necessarily have to sidechain the bass to make it clear.
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if i understand correctly eq and Compression is the same thing?? If not where is the difference??->Mastering is a totally different thing i presume.. (the only synth i got is Z3ta+, in the FX site is an EQ thingie)Is one suposed to EQ always in the synth or does ableton for example have something like that as well ?
The hihatīs and etc.seem not to ahve a problem with anything, so the only probl. is the kick |
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| hadi burpee |
| quote: | Originally posted by Zomg
if i understand correctly eq and Compression is the same thing?? (the only synth i got is Z3ta+, in the FX site is an EQ thingie)Is one suposed to EQ always in the synth or does ableton for example have something like that as well ? |
eq and compression is not the same (i guess one could argue that though)
a compressor takes the dynamics out of a track, for example, if you have a synth with a bunch of different amplitude levels, you compress it. the compressor has a threshold and when the signal breaks the threshold, like -15db, it starts to turn the volume down. you use attack and release to make it smooth and make up gain to make up for what you lost and the perceived loudest is louder, although the actual peak is not.
eq you can cut and add frequencies as you wish at whatever bandwidth you like.
i have never used ableton, but it comes with a compressor. |
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