When it comes to presets I...

[eduardo_b]

Having returned to synths from romplers, I'm once again faced with the issue of whether using presets is a problem even if the preset is pretty cool. I doubt anyone who doesn't use VSTs would even know what a preset is, let alone recognize one -- "oh yeah, they're using that preset in (name of synth)". So how do you use them? Thus, a survey.

[TotcProductions]

I use them as they are...but that's because I make them.

[M'Snah]

I use them if they sound good, and change them if I want something slightly different. Even Frank's. . Both for VSTi's and VST's I nearly always start with a preset and go from there.

[OzoneJunkie]

I'm going to say "it depends". If it's a "press and hold" patch, I probably wouldn't use it as is. If it's a sound that's more dependent on note/chord progression to define it, then I might use the stock patch...

I'm trying not to get so hung up (any more) on having to be completely original on the sound itself - I mean, if it's a basic type of sound, nothing wrong with using a stock patch, aye?

[Warmonger]

It depends. Drum presets, I tend to use as-is. Bass presets, I don't go anywhere near. Everything else, varying shades of grey in between those two extremes.

[ATS]

sometimes I modify them, sometimes I use them as they are. Depends.

[jivamukti]

Modified so no one can recognise them (except rarely unmodified).

[Hovmod]

On my Korg I almost never start with an "init" patch - I modify existing patches. But on softsynths I often start with a blank slate. It depends. I'm not a purist (if I were I wouldn't use software in the first place)...

[deaf dunderkwac]

the poll needs a "all of the above" (or... fish)

[ugo]

for me it all depends on what the situation requires. if i find a preset that fits the part perfectly, then there's no need for me to spend time tweaking. if it close but not quite there, then i'll make the needed tweaks. if nothing fits right, or i dont feel like digging through tons of presets, then i'll just make my own.

when it comes down to it, when im writing a song the most important thing is just that...the song. whatever gives me the right feel is what i use, whether i made the preset or not.

[eduardo_b]

for me it all depends on what the situation requires. if i find a preset that fits the part perfectly, then there's no need for me to spend time tweaking. if it close but not quite there, then i'll make the needed tweaks. if nothing fits right, or i dont feel like digging through tons of presets, then i'll just make my own.

when it comes down to it, when im writing a song the most important thing is just that...the song. whatever gives me the right feel is what i use, whether i made the preset or not.

So, basically, you're saying that if a preset fits in a song, it won't matter if it's identifiable or it won't even be recognizable?

I only started thinking about this when I saw comments some time ago on KVR about being able to recognize presets and even synths in songs. I couldn't tell if the comments were simply observations or if they were negative assessments about using presets/synths so easy to identify. Assuming, of course, they were correct in their claims of recognition.

It reminds me of seeing the same clip art in different places and sort of thinking they didn't really try very hard to find clip art that was unique. It's the lack of originality, I suppose, although there's always borrowing and reuse in the arts.

[M'Snah]

So, basically, you're saying that if a preset fits in a song, it won't matter if it's identifiable or it won't even be recognizable?

Guitarists and pianists and singers have that problem all their life, the sound stays the same but the song changes.

[RTaylor]

It reminds me of seeing the same clip art in different places and sort of thinking they didn't really try very hard to find clip art that was unique. It's the lack of originality, I suppose, although there's always borrowing and reuse in the arts.

There is one picture of a vaguely Latina woman that I know I've seen on 5o corporate websites. Not that she's not attractive but... I'm bored with the picture. Frankly, it strikes me as about as professional {tasteful, interesting, etc} as trying to pass off something from a clip art cd as artwork. It may work to decorate inter-office memos but that's just a pointless decoration that would probably be better left in the folder. The least a company could do is shoot actual pictures of their employees...

That's the way I feel about presets... If it's just a pointless decoration...

[ugo]

So, basically, you're saying that if a preset fits in a song, it won't matter if it's identifiable or it won't even be recognizable?

im only speaking for myself, but yes that is correct. when i listen to a song, what i am concerned with is whether or not the piece of music moves me...not who made the preset or if i might have heard it before. as a result, when i write a song im not worried about using other people's presets (or using presets i made, but have released to the public) because what is most important to me is the final piece of music.

also, music rarely flows freely from me. its usually a difficult process and its a rare thing that i finish a song. (lots of writers block problems, combined with limited time.) so when i might be on a roll with a musical idea, the last thing i want to do is stop the writing process so i can create every last sound i might need at that time. i use plenty of my own sounds, but im just as likely to use someone else's if it fits the part and i can continue to move on.

sure, i could go back after the song is written and replace the sounds with my own creations...but again, why bother? if someone else's patch is exactly what i was looking for, then why reinvent the wheel?

additionally, i sometimes find inspiration in other people's presets. i can be flipping through a synths presets and hear a sound that makes me think of music to go along with it.

i've also purchased some commercial preset collections and plenty of sample libraries. if it sounds cool, i'll use it.

I only started thinking about this when I saw comments some time ago on KVR about being able to recognize presets and even synths in songs. I couldn't tell if the comments were simply observations or if they were negative assessments about using presets/synths so easy to identify. Assuming, of course, they were correct in their claims of recognition.

whether or not the comments were negative depends on who said it and what their feelings towards the subject are. some synth players are elitist and insist that if you play a synth, you must also be a sound desinger. but the majority of musicians (even among synth players) are mainly concerned with writing songs and are not alwyas interest being sound designers.

It reminds me of seeing the same clip art in different places and sort of thinking they didn't really try very hard to find clip art that was unique. It's the lack of originality, I suppose, although there's always borrowing and reuse in the arts.

but right there you're only criticizing someone by not finding more unique clipart. you didnt suggest that the person should have drawn their own graphic.

so following that path, it would seem that what bothered you most was actually how uncreative the work was as a whole...that it didnt move you at all...rather than that the artist didnt create every element themselves. (and make sure it looked as unique as they could.)

so why should it be any different in music?

just look at all the creative music that has been made with samples pulled from other sources. none of that would have existed if musicians were not 'allowed' to use any sounds other than those they create themselves.

[RTaylor]

but right there you're only criticizing someone by not finding more unique clipart. you didnt suggest that the person should have drawn their own graphic.

On a professionally created site {even an amateur site} ...just like coffee shops do their own identity with labels, menus and graphics, magazines use their own content, retail stores/chains, television stations... anyone that's actually in business or that wishes to offer a worthwhile product that's distinguishable from the competitions.