Frustrated with lack of progress/improvement

[TW1306]

The kvr osc was mentioned but I guess ignored? It's stickied in the instruments section. I think it can potentially really help with sound design.

I'm assuming you mean the One Synth Challenge? What is it and how does it work?

[empphryio]

You make a track every month and put it on soundcloud. Everyone votes and most will leave constructive comments. Most months it's with a free synth and free fx. Occasionally the synth of your choice. It really can help with sound design learning to use different synths, mostly with very few presets. And some good stuff is definitely made.

You could just go to the stickied thread in that section. It's explained there.
Knowing people are going to be listening (and with a deadline) helps keep some motivation also.

[vurt]

or the monthly cafe contest, a different theme each month, use what you like mostly.

if nothing else, either of these, will get you trying to get something done;
and we get better by doing, especially doing things we don't normally do.
ie you're a trance guy, try doing something completely different, not dance. broadening your horizons, adds skills you didn't realise you could use

[OzoneJunkie]

For me, making music in such a way where I actually like what I'm doing, requires me often to be in the right headspace. And to have the right emotion/energy. Sometimes writing actually evokes it anyway. But if I'm feeling low, sometimes it won't pull me out, and writing in that space usually yields stuff I don't like. Not that I don't like dark - I do. It's that if my ego is feeling fragile, I don't tend to vibe with the output.

I might offer: listen to one or two of your favorite tracks - get hyped - like, super hyped - but not unsustainable more than 5 minutes hyped. You know, hyped, where you can keep the energy going for 35 minutes. Then have at it - create something, and don't concern yourself with the overall duration of that output. Then step away.

Might yield something you like, might not. But even if it gives you nothing as far as the result, the good part is you've had a moment of love with the process. That goes a long way, for me at least.

Good luck, keep at it, keep learning!

[Uncle E]

For me, making music in such a way where I actually like what I'm doing, requires me often to be in the right headspace. And to have the right emotion/energy. Sometimes writing actually evokes it anyway. But if I'm feeling low, sometimes it won't pull me out, and writing in that space usually yields stuff I don't like. Not that I don't like dark - I do. It's that if my ego is feeling fragile, I don't tend to vibe with the output.

It's OK if you don't like it. Writing is very much an exercise: the more you do it, the stronger you will be at it. So do it even if you don't like it or aren't feeling it, it's still going to make you stronger and more capable of expressing your creativity when you are in a better headspace.

Plus, many of the biggest musicians became who they are off of music they didn't like or weren't feeling. Radiohead hates "Creep". Coldplay wrote "Yellow" as a joke. etc. etc.

[OzoneJunkie]

For me, making music in such a way where I actually like what I'm doing, requires me often to be in the right headspace. And to have the right emotion/energy. Sometimes writing actually evokes it anyway. But if I'm feeling low, sometimes it won't pull me out, and writing in that space usually yields stuff I don't like. Not that I don't like dark - I do. It's that if my ego is feeling fragile, I don't tend to vibe with the output.

It's OK if you don't like it. Writing is very much an exercise: the more you do it, the stronger you will be at it. So do it even if you don't like it or aren't feeling it, it's still going to make you stronger and more capable of expressing your creativity when you are in a better headspace.

Plus, many of the biggest musicians became who they are off of music they didn't like or weren't feeling. Radiohead hates "Creep". Coldplay wrote "Yellow" as a joke. etc. etc.

Yup, all good points, Uncle E.

Part of my point, which I didn't express well, was that I personally find that if I'm not in the right mood, that it not only makes things harder, but that my results aren't to my liking, because the mood often dictates the direction of the song.

I was helping to record a country band years ago, and the singer was nailing his part, pitch/timing-wise, but the performance was flat. After a take, I had a quick 1 on 1 with him, and told him just the first part - you're nailing the parts. But, go to the place that you were when you wrote this in the first place - capture that feeling inside you again... and let ME feel it. He nailed it - all of it. And everyone in the room was like 'whoa'.

[TW1306]

do this on multiple forums (music related) im sure you will find someone somewhere

I've posted here and on reddit with a track I'd like to finish to a good standard, do you know any other places I could ask?

[vurt]

do this on multiple forums (music related) im sure you will find someone somewhere

I've posted here and on reddit with a track I'd like to finish to a good standard, do you know any other places I could ask?

im afraid im not big on the trance stuff?
id imagine facebook as shite as it is, will have some groups and such?
and anywhere musicians spend time really

[Uncle E]

The forum for that remix site that Splice bought used to be great for feedback.

[vurt]

The forum for that remix site that Splice bought used to be great for feedback.

i think he's looking for collabs?

[Uncle E]

Try mix-challenge.com. You submit your music and around 20 people will try their hand at mixing it, then you pick the winner (I think).

[TW1306]

It's more collaboration in making tracks that I'm looking for, being able to take a draft or 2-minute section through to a full track for example.

[vurt]

but you may meet someone to work with by doing it.