Heh. I almost had the exact opposite experience. I was so focused on producing music the way I wanted it to sound that I more or less shunned a lot of technical know-how in favor of learning how to write creative music. I didn't want a clean, polished sound since my music was perfectly listenable, maybe not great but it got the point across. I just viewed production and musical expression as two different things and chose one over the other.
I'm still pretty limited thanks to ignoring production for a good 3 years but I'm starting to get the hang of it.
Owsey2008
Nice read, a lot of points I can relate to. I used to indulge obsessively into mixing techniques up until about a year ago. My mixing today isn't great, probably not even mediocre, but I definitely feel more satisfied with my music when I don't obsess over its technical aspects.
I'd like to chime in with my friend, Kristian's, blog. He speaks on the same terms while leaning towards how music can be associated with visuals:
lets hope robby reads it. 16 instances of zeta for a baseline, enough said.
theterran
Good read.
Rings true enough. I see it alot on these forums too, that over-complex songs can end up being quite boorish, while more technically simple songs conveying what the artist feels can be quite captivating.
I like the bit about learning the nitty gritty until it's ingrained. Reminds me of learning how to EQ and mix everything for the first time, and how frustrating and time consuming learning it all was...(My first track took like 160 hours because I was trying to learn everything at once)
Now when I start up a new track I don't really have to think as much about how to level everything, EQ'ing and compressing my kick and drums, how to properly sidechain my basses and pads, mucking around with sends and verbs etc...Sorta happens naturally now, and I can start focusing on what I want as the artist.
For what it's worth, I think that one should always try to embrace both production and music writing equally, and try to give each the amount of time that you as an artist feel it deserves. The goal being to provide the best possible aural experience to your listeners.
Even classically trained musicians using an instrument have to devote their time to scales and Etudes to progress their technical level, because if they don't they end up hitting a wall at the musical level, hindering their ability to express emotion in more involved pieces.
(oh yeah, forgot about fun. Music should most always be fun...sure it's work, but man it's work that I love)
Beatflux
quote:
Originally posted by theterran
Good read.
Rings true enough. I see it alot on these forums too, that over-complex songs can end up being quite boorish, while more technically simple songs conveying what the artist feels can be quite captivating.
Unless there are lyrics, nobody has any ing idea what an artist is trying to convey.
G-Con
Nice post.
I've realised recently that I have fell into this trap of thinking too much of the technical side. This has led to very little output of late as I'm never in the right mindset to take an idea to a full song.
So now I'm trying to write stuff and literally forget all the bull that bogs me down. Like Tarekith mentions, a track I'm currently working on sounds less polished and technically less accomplished than previous efforts but I'm enjoying the process more and actually have a vision of what I'm trying to achieve creatively.
It can be hard to take the simple approach though. It's too easy to second guess yourself thinking "this track sounds TOO simple, almost too easy." You wonder if the listener will feel it's a bit boring because there's not much to it. Then you start to want to add additional elements and layers, and complex automation, thinking that a more impressive production will lead to a more interesting tune....which we all know is bull but it is difficult not to slip into bad habits.
Richard Butler
When I persuse beatport I find I skip 95%+ of tracks, dwelling on the outcasts for no more than a few seconds - why is this?
I've tried to analyise what deep impulses lead me to cast aside most released tracks within seconds.
I find myself saying things like this as I peruse tracks;
+ noisey beat
+ sloppy claps
+ heard that a billion times before - nothing new
+ trying to be too cool and clever and arty - too much of a nasal gazer / too personal for it's own good
+ drive lacks
+ background musak
+ sama ole same ole beat
+ 'epic' break seems like dog charity advert music
Technical precision mand artistic endeavour are for me at least one and the same. In the end we output a wave that disturbs the air and interacts with brain chemistry at the quantum scale. In other words there are many different approaches and no one approach such as 'music should be fun' is a silver bullet solution. I find myself thinking why, really why should the natural order of things mean it must always be fun - cannot it sometimes involve unfun?
I am of the less is more school, but at the same time I personaly am more moved my tracks with shall we say appropriately accomplished automation such as to give the feeling the track was well cared for and nourished.
G-Con
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Butler
I am of the less is more school, but at the same time I personaly am more moved my tracks with shall we say appropriately accomplished automation such as to give the feeling the track was well cared for and nourished.
I don't think anyone is suggesting to abandon all production quality to achieve a good song. No one enjoys hearing a track with really production values.
But always focusing on achieving an excellent production level, can for many people, lead to a decrease in the quality of the track itself because your focus and mindset is all wrong.
A slight dip in production standards is nothing if it means better song-writing!
Richard Butler
quote:
Originally posted by G-Con
A slight dip in production standards is nothing if it means better song-writing!
What current edm track would epitomise good writing for you?
tehlord
I'd have to learn to remember first.
G-Con
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Butler
What current edm track would epitomise good writing for you?
I fail to see what possible use my own personal taste of current dance tracks I enjoy are in this discussion but here's three covering different styles.
