Hi everyone

I've a little question about workflow towards composition.

So basically when I make music I start with the chords and melody to make up an idea. This idea is then the worked out into a break and chorus.
The thing is, usually I end up with a project which has no intro/outro and I say to myself:"Those two parts mostly contain elements of the drop (speaking mostly for commercial dance music), so I'll wait with them."

But what if it's all the way around? What if actually the drop contains elements from  the intro?

I would like to hear your thoughts. Knowing your workflow after you've got your idea, is surely interesting.
My projects usually sound like ideas arranged rather than an evolution of sounds, even if I try hard with automated parameters.

Curious what you guys have to say!

Hi guys

I'm still really inspired by this song called The Only Way Is Up by Martin Garrix & Tiësto. It's simply an amazing 128 BPM four-on-the-floor dance track.
However I strongly feel there are influences from other genres close. I'm talking about the sound design in the drop more specifically. The timbre it gives really gives me this strong feeling it's influenced from something else than House. Maybe trance, I don't know...

What do you thinking guys? Should I dig into the old trance music?

Cheers!

feel free to add this into the OP if you want... just a useful tip for beginners on EQ sweeping to find those pesky frequencies.

Set a bell curve with a high Q and headphones on (so you can hear the frequencies while you sweep) then, when you find the annoying one just flip the gain from really high to really low.

About this EQ sweep. Would you do it moderately slow or fast from 20 to 20 kHz?

the layering is not right because we layer similiar sounds (with frequencies hitting each another). yea probably your problem's that you layer sounds with similiar/equal frequencies (?) lol~~

It might be kinda it. I do layer with different kind of patches but I occupy similiar frequencies.
So even though I'm adding extra edge to my sound, it still feels empty.

I'll check my old projects and see if they aren't occupying the same frequency ranges.

Hi

When or how do you determine if something has enough layers? Having layers can fill up your sound spectrum, but it can also over do it.

I know that layers of different sound textures creates a new texture as a whole. However I catch myself putting a lot layers with the excuse But everything adds something the the sound as whole...

Cheers!

Hi

I'm here with something different than EDM. I'm sharing my friend's beat called Caught Up. I'm usually very picky if it comes to Hiphop/Rap but he nailed it right there.
Listen & enjoy!

A key element in music production is consistency. Working 4 hours in a day and then taking a break of 2 days, is not being consistent.

Instead you want to set up a time for ever day. For instance in my case, I produce about 90 minutes a day with a break after 45 minutes. Within these 90 minutes I put up a small goal. I might start with melody & chords and a basic sound idea. This is my main goal for first 45 minutes. After the break I will arrange it into my pre-made arrangement. When the 90 minutes are over, I'm done. I don't produce longer, nor shorter. If shorter, I organize what I made to keep me busy.

After building up consistency, goals are another important subject. Before you start you should set up a goal for your session. Make it a small one. Don't do more. Sure you can do more and work longer. But you create a higher chance to fudge* everything up. With smaller and less goals per session, you'll gain more satisfaction and motivation. Simply because of the fact you accomplished something today.

I hope this helps you a little bit. It's all a mind game, which can be easily overcome with small steps.

It's not easy, and I don't think its really possible to stay motivated 24/7..

I second that it's hard to stay motivated at all time, but you can try to stay motivated as long as possible. Here a view things that help me, and perhaps will help you:

• Why: It's very important to find out why you produce and to keep that in mind whenever you start producing. It helps you to keep determined.
• Workflow: It's very important to have your own workflow. It helps you work fast, achieve more and thereby enjoy more. I've replied to another topic addressing this subject, feel free to check it out.
• Goals: Not the New year, new me goals but the What am I going to do today goals. Before you start working behind your DAW, think about what you want to do. Are you going to make a melody, a chord progression or a beat? Whatever it may be, set up a goal each session. Make them small and you'll be more satisfied completing them.
• Breaks: Don't work too long. Set up a time and really work within that time, take a break, and work again further. If you're really not feeling it, don't mind stepping out of the project. Sometimes we need a full break, it may be a few days or a week. A fresh ear can do wonderful things.

These are few things which help me to stay motivated. I hope it can help you, and feel free to ask more questions!