In a Slump...

[papkee]

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Hello everyone,

I've been "writing" electronic music for about three years now, and recently I've just been getting stuck. I get a good tune down, add in some drums, and then realize it sounds exactly like something I tried last week. And recently, I've been looking back at some old stuff that I had made and saw that it's just as bad. I want to be able to write catchy electro, but most of my efforts produce nothing more than a lead with a straight bass and some kicks. I really would like you guys to try and tell me where I've gone wrong, because I can guarantee you it's not electro.

Here's my newest "good" song.
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/470197 (http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/470197)

As you can tell, that is nothing like electro even remotely sounds like. I've tried video tutorials, as well as text ones, and they offer little help. So if you didn't already stop reading, I would really appreciate it if you could give me some feedback. Have a look at some of the other songs on my newgrounds account.

Thanks a ton.

(that paragraph was mostly for me to vent my frustration )

[ntom]

Learn to embrace a style you are comfortable writing.
When I started I was trying to go for the whole dance, tarnce thing but my stuff didn't have enough side chain and wasn't compressed near enough to stand up in the tarnce/darnce crowd.
That said, explore different genres, and why limit yourself to "writing darnce"? You've just closed your mind off to hundreds of other writing possibilities.

Other things, if you want my brutal honest opinion the song sounds a bit rough cut. Probably could benefit from some better production qualities. And, usually whenever I am inspired to write something, it can often come from learning fun new techniques in production, so maybe it's time to sharpen your production skills.

Also, taking a guess, I am supposing you say "writing" in quotes like that back you are mousing in the MIDI. Sure, that's fine...I've done that for a long time. But nothing beats inspiration than just letting your music play, and you sit down with a keyboard and play what your fingers tell you to.
I do this with a lot of my tracks, but god forbid I am able to keep decent enough time, so usually I find a section of my doodling, learn how the notes go and mouse the notes into the MIDI.

Also, new instruments/sounds always inspire me. Consider downloading a few synths, like Crystal, Synth1 (though I bet you already have it) or some of the other great freeware synths, or try out some commercial synths too.
I only know of one commercial synth that has a fully, 100% working demo with absolutely no "fuzz" every so many seconds, which would be Synplant. It's a fun synth, certainly inspired some creative writing out of it's quirky little sounds it can produce...kind of sad that demo ended now. Don't think I will get around to buying it any time soon either.

Also, the last and final thing I can say is: Step away from the music!
We all go through phases where we lack an ability to write, but it's a phase. Don't waste your time TRYING to write something, use that time to explore new things...or catch up on work. Take a week break from music. Any luck? Then take a two week break. Still no luck? try a month. Still no luck? Then maybe you should try something else instead of waiting...

[papkee]

That was pretty much exactly what I wanted.

Yes, I do use the piano roll quite frequently, and I try to actually play as much as I can. However, my 9 years of playing piano seem to somehow work against me. But I do try.

I have quite a large repository of VST's; the only problem is I am the equivalent of a 5 year old when it comes to making patches.

Now I'm gonna take your advice, and (fingers crossed) am hopefully gonna be able to come back with some decent tracks.

Thanks for the help,
Patrick

[havran]

We are fish in the ocean of time. There are no requirements.

Relax, consider, perhaps later to make more artifacts, or not.

Wishing you well, in any case.

[Bonteburg]

Why is it that for some reason many people seem to think presets on synth are there so you don't use them? Don't let your perceived inability to create your own patches keep you from playing and composing.

Taking a break is also a good idea.

Also - what Havran said.

Marco

[VitaminD]

Hello everyone,

I've been "writing" electronic music for about three years now, and recently I've just been getting stuck. I get a good tune down, add in some drums, and then realize it sounds exactly like something I tried last week. And recently, I've been looking back at some old stuff that I had made and saw that it's just as bad. I want to be able to write catchy electro, but most of my efforts produce nothing more than a lead with a straight bass and some kicks. I really would like you guys to try and tell me where I've gone wrong, because I can guarantee you it's not electro.

Here's my newest "good" song.
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/470197

As you can tell, that is nothing like electro even remotely sounds like. I've tried video tutorials, as well as text ones, and they offer little help. So if you didn't already stop reading, I would really appreciate it if you could give me some feedback. Have a look at some of the other songs on my newgrounds account.

Thanks a ton.

(that paragraph was mostly for me to vent my frustration )

After reading this^ post and listening to the song included.. I'd say.. you really are in a personal music rut. I get a sense you are not getting out of your box creatively.. and that is hurting your potential greatly.

The sound selection is really pretty bad in this song.. none of the sounds chosen match each other. Also, You are not altering the melody enough.. (read: at all) its the same boring loop over and over and over and over and over. On the chords you choose, work them more to a more dynamic melody.. as an example, surely from your piano playing experience, you know about inversions.. use them

What video tutorials have you watched? Have you seen the Dance Music Production video tutorials? www.dancemusicproduction.com they are tailored to dance music and even have one on progressive house (which yes is different than electro, however the techniques should most/all translate over).


I think, largely, your biggest issue is probably you don't try many creative/risky events while writing. that is.. you won't learn unless you make a lot of mistakes, understand them as mistakes, and understand WHY they are mistakes.. in the context of your goal.

Perhaps don't even approach your audio host with the thought that you're going to write a song.. get a 4 on the floor drum rhythm going and try playing a funky bassline along to it. Just practice making basslines.. forget whole songs. Practice making melodies.. forget whole songs. Ensure your chord progressions are creative enough to keep YOU interested.

Details are what make the mediocre song one that stands out.. thats giving drive to your percussion.. perhaps even melody or bassline.. thats making your melodies more dynamic... breathing life into them... thats ensuring your sound selection is coherent... you have to get an ear for it..

Put on some headphones and try listening to a varied selection of electro/house songs (you enjoy) and break them apart in your mind as you listen... Instead of relaxing and enjoying them, try to determine how many different sounds are in a given song. Analyze. Listen to how the different timbres merge into one entity.. a good song will have a sound selection that complements each other. Dont just pick 5 cool preset sounds and cobble together a song. They have to blend. You will have to tweak most/each sound to get it to work.

Your song is a relationship.. a team. Just like a human relationship.. there has to be give and take.. there has to be complementarity.. there has to be counterpoint (PersonA says one thing, PersonB says another in return)... etc

That is the end of my vague rant on electronic music production... for now.