91
Mixing/Mastering / Where We Belong (Zomboy Remix), how did he do it?
« on: February 16, 2016, 05:42:00 am »
Specifically, how did he get the track to be so darn loud? Care to share any tips?
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
92
Composition/Arrangement/Theory / Re: Do you guys ever get bored of your production while you produce...
« on: February 14, 2016, 10:38:36 am »
What I've been doing recently to overcome this problem is working in smaller chunks of time. Not listening to the song on loop.
So once the song is about almost done, I do this:
1. Bounce the track to audio.
2. Listen to the track on my laptop or iPhone. I find it more beneficial to be away from the DAW while doing this, it helps to just focus on listening to the track and not get distracted by what the track looks like in my DAW.
3. Without stopping the track, I take down notes of what needs to be fixed, added or taken away. I listen to the track about 3-4 times, usually by then I will have identified all the things that needs to be worked on. If not, I'll listen some more and take down more notes.
4. Finally, I open up the song in Bitwig, set a timer for 25/30 minutes, and get to work based on the notes from before. I check off each thing as they are addressed.
This approach has kept me super focused and productive, and I finish more tracks this way. It's helped me avoid ear and mental fatigue as well because I'm working in smaller chunks of time. It's also more fun this way!
I totally understand how it can get boring after a while.
So once the song is about almost done, I do this:
1. Bounce the track to audio.
2. Listen to the track on my laptop or iPhone. I find it more beneficial to be away from the DAW while doing this, it helps to just focus on listening to the track and not get distracted by what the track looks like in my DAW.
3. Without stopping the track, I take down notes of what needs to be fixed, added or taken away. I listen to the track about 3-4 times, usually by then I will have identified all the things that needs to be worked on. If not, I'll listen some more and take down more notes.
4. Finally, I open up the song in Bitwig, set a timer for 25/30 minutes, and get to work based on the notes from before. I check off each thing as they are addressed.
This approach has kept me super focused and productive, and I finish more tracks this way. It's helped me avoid ear and mental fatigue as well because I'm working in smaller chunks of time. It's also more fun this way!
I totally understand how it can get boring after a while.
93
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: What are the top three tips that you'd give to a producer with less experience?
« on: February 14, 2016, 04:16:36 am »
My top 3 based on what has had the greatest impact in my personal journey so far. I'll break this up into production/workflow and mindset based tips, because there are just too many good tips out there.
Production:
1. Finish your tracks. Always. Don't take too much time finishing tracks if you have not finished that many tracks (less than 50/100). Finish them and move on.
2. Use reference tracks a lot.
3. Work in smaller chunks of time (10/15/25/30/60/90 minutes). Take breaks in between. The Pareto Principle and the 30/30 methods work wonders
Mindsets:
1. Have a sense of humor, laugh at yourself and your mistakes. Don't beat yourself up and don't take yourself or your work too seriously.
2. Be true to yourself and really go to know yourself and your habits. Keep the good, change the bad.
3. You don't have to be directly working on your computer to improve on it. Get outside and listen to music, analyze tracks.. stuff like that. Read a book about mixing/your synth's manual/good poetry at the park. It's good to get away from the computer and technology sometimes.
This thread is killer! A lot of really advice already on here so far and I'm really glad to see tips from Mat Zo, SeamlessR and Sam Matla too, thanks so much for sharing guys!
Production:
1. Finish your tracks. Always. Don't take too much time finishing tracks if you have not finished that many tracks (less than 50/100). Finish them and move on.
2. Use reference tracks a lot.
3. Work in smaller chunks of time (10/15/25/30/60/90 minutes). Take breaks in between. The Pareto Principle and the 30/30 methods work wonders
Mindsets:
1. Have a sense of humor, laugh at yourself and your mistakes. Don't beat yourself up and don't take yourself or your work too seriously.
2. Be true to yourself and really go to know yourself and your habits. Keep the good, change the bad.
3. You don't have to be directly working on your computer to improve on it. Get outside and listen to music, analyze tracks.. stuff like that. Read a book about mixing/your synth's manual/good poetry at the park. It's good to get away from the computer and technology sometimes.
This thread is killer! A lot of really advice already on here so far and I'm really glad to see tips from Mat Zo, SeamlessR and Sam Matla too, thanks so much for sharing guys!
94
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: What's The Most Efficient Practice Method?
« on: February 14, 2016, 02:13:03 am »I was lucky enough to have several friends who were interested, and have gone to school for this sort of thing. I've also taken a very basic class in school to make sure my foundation was solid enough. It wasn't a mixing class, but it focused more on the precursor elements to mixing.
Sure, I think everyone learns differently, I mean that's pretty obvious by now. Some people are hands on, some are not. Other people need teachers. I've learned a ton of things on my own but I also do like teachers a lot. They have the ability to pinpoint where stuff is going wrong and they can tell you exactly how to work on it.. kind of like a doctor who prescribes medication. I would love to take a lesson or two with Mr. Bill or SeamlessR and I will once I have the extra funds, I think they're really good teachers with a lot experience and know-how. I think Seamless charges $90 an hour which is very reasonable.
Looking back on all these threads from Lydian, this one included, I can say that we have made pretty good progress. From not knowing exactly how to improve, to pinpointing mixing as the problem. I see this as something very positive.
95
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: What's The Most Efficient Practice Method?
« on: February 14, 2016, 12:18:22 am »Its only the mix downs that I can't yet quite figure out and that's why I have such a problem with finishing songs.
Ok, so you've pinpointed the problem to being a mixing one, great. So I would suggest to just practice mixing, a lot. Go this site http://www.cambridge-mt.com/ms-mtk.htm and download some multi tracks and mix them. So there you go, you're working on what you think is your weakness.
If you find yourself still struggling after all the book reading and video tutorial watching, then that's when I would move onto some real one-to-one help from a real professional. Maybe you need a real teacher to break all of it down directly to you. I've heard that some people have gotten serious results from getting lessons directly from Mr. Bill and SeamlessR. If you can get some money together, maybe you can schedule in a lesson with people like them. I think Sadowick offers Skype lessons as well. They would be able to tell you directly what you need to work and how to go about doing that, since you don't seem to be able to pinpoint the problem yourself. Sure, it will cost you money, but so does a lot of things in life.
96
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: What's The Most Efficient Practice Method?
« on: February 13, 2016, 02:37:52 pm »
Yes, it's me again 
And yes, here you are again, asking a question you indirectly have asked before. How do you get better quicker? How do you expedite the process?
You're comparing two different things. You can't really compare piano playing and production like that, they are two different things. Playing the piano is performance based, whereas production is not. What is the result of end result of piano playing practice? It is a high level of piano playing performance. You want to get good at production, what is the end result? A song. A track. Do you see where I'm going with this?
The answer is very simple. You want to get good at producing songs? Practice just that. Producing full songs. Produce a song and finish it. You have to look at it as a whole, because it is just that.. a single thing. You release a single song. It's interesting because you already answered your own question: "Or is this a bit impractical considering that all these things are pretty much irrelevant unless you're able to combine them all at the same time to complete a finished track?" Yes, you could practice single components, like mixing, sound design, blah blah blah. But you'll be doing all these things out of context. Don't you think it would be more beneficial to practice these things within the context of a song, which is what you're aiming to be good at anyway?Producing songs?
You asked for a "superior practice method". The best thing you can do for yourself is this.. make a track, finish it, put it away and move onto the next. You don't have to release it or upload it.. no one else has to hear it. Just keep it on your hard drive. Do this at least 100 times if you want to see results quickly. It's a proven method for rapid progress, which is what you're aiming for right? Your songs won't be great in the beginning, but you seem to not want to face this (for reasons I will never know) and therefore you're not finishing enough songs to make any real progress to begin with. And you wind up back at the beginning, repeating this over and over again. Failure can be a good thing. The more times you fail, the more you learn. The more you learn from your failures, the less you fail.
I really don't understand why you find it so hard to grasp the idea of finishing tracks. Don't over think it. Don't be afraid to suck in the beginning. Just go for it.
And yes, here you are again, asking a question you indirectly have asked before. How do you get better quicker? How do you expedite the process?You're comparing two different things. You can't really compare piano playing and production like that, they are two different things. Playing the piano is performance based, whereas production is not. What is the result of end result of piano playing practice? It is a high level of piano playing performance. You want to get good at production, what is the end result? A song. A track. Do you see where I'm going with this?
The answer is very simple. You want to get good at producing songs? Practice just that. Producing full songs. Produce a song and finish it. You have to look at it as a whole, because it is just that.. a single thing. You release a single song. It's interesting because you already answered your own question: "Or is this a bit impractical considering that all these things are pretty much irrelevant unless you're able to combine them all at the same time to complete a finished track?" Yes, you could practice single components, like mixing, sound design, blah blah blah. But you'll be doing all these things out of context. Don't you think it would be more beneficial to practice these things within the context of a song, which is what you're aiming to be good at anyway?Producing songs?
You asked for a "superior practice method". The best thing you can do for yourself is this.. make a track, finish it, put it away and move onto the next. You don't have to release it or upload it.. no one else has to hear it. Just keep it on your hard drive. Do this at least 100 times if you want to see results quickly. It's a proven method for rapid progress, which is what you're aiming for right? Your songs won't be great in the beginning, but you seem to not want to face this (for reasons I will never know) and therefore you're not finishing enough songs to make any real progress to begin with. And you wind up back at the beginning, repeating this over and over again. Failure can be a good thing. The more times you fail, the more you learn. The more you learn from your failures, the less you fail.
I really don't understand why you find it so hard to grasp the idea of finishing tracks. Don't over think it. Don't be afraid to suck in the beginning. Just go for it.
97
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: What Makes Music Worth Your Time?
« on: February 11, 2016, 09:14:25 am »I'm just trying to help you realize that none of this will come easy. I work a minimum wage job to pay my bills and soon want to get another job but I'm doing the second job for my music, I'm prepared to sleep 2, 3 hours a night to help pay for my music, equipment, I'm going to libraries, buying books to learn etc.
Listen man, the knowledge you've attained sounds like you haven't been using to it's full extent, sounds like you're afraid to fail, but you can't be, you have to come into this being prepared to fail and NOT be afraid to fail.
Experiment more, even if it sounds like shit push through it man, finish it, and go back & see what you could of done better & fix it, while reviewing your work you'll realize so much more you could of done & then you will go back to it and add more you'll get inspired, thus you will improve more & more
Learning is one thing but producing is a totally different beast man. That's why this forum is here to help people like you & I achieve our dreams, some people cared enough to create this for us and many other forums, so lets put in the work, & also search on our own.
This guy totally gets it.
Do I seriously bother you that much that you need to stalk my profile and throw self help books at me?Yes, it does bother me that you seem to basically ask the same questions over and over again, like a broken record. That book is actually really good. I only bought it because Morgan Page recommended it and I'm really glad I read it. But I was right though, you don't want it enough. You won't even admit to the problem, that you're afraid of failing as KAB mentioned, and you turn away any gesture of help. You just want people to tell you the things you want to hear. Well, life just doesn't work like that. Life is so much more cruel than that.
Just because you're good enough to make a living off of writing music doesn't mean the rest of us on this forum can be as pro as you.The only reason why I brought the thing about me doing music for a living was to make a point; that I have been through what you're going through but yet I chose to fight back and push through. Anybody can achieve anything, even you and everybody else on the forum. Anybody can be a pro. But it takes a lot of work and sacrifice, just like with anything else. And not only is it going to take time, you gotta be in a certain mindset as well.. letting go of the fear of failure. In fact, I've seen a few pros on this forum; Mat Zo, Matt Lange, etc.. and they will all tell you the same thing.
I think I've invested more time than I should have on trying to give you advice so I'm going to stop now. So Lydian, good luck in achieving your dreams.
98
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: What Makes Music Worth Your Time?
« on: February 11, 2016, 08:06:52 am »The ultimate goal would be able to make a living off of writing music that I'm proud of. It's music that I'm TRYING to be proud of but can't because I'm far to critical of my own work.Well, take it from a person who actually does make a living off of writing music.. your first step would be to get over yourself.
Try picking up this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-War-Art-Steven-Pressfield-ebook/dp/B007A4SDCG It's funny because in this book the author actually describes people just like you. Check out the book, seriously. You seem to have a lot of inner issues, and this book might help you. I've read your other posts too.. you are the same guy who was asking about whether it's okay to force yourself to produce, and you also started the 'Writing Faster and Finishing Songs' thread. I wonder... do you have any fun at all when you produce music?
From your previous posts, it sounds like you've only completed 'a few songs'. While you might have some knowledge about production in general, all of this doesn't really matter when you haven't made a full track. Making a full track is a lot harder than mixing something or making some nice bass growls. It is it's own art form. How do you think Madeon got so good? He says it himself in some AMA that his number goes into the hundreds/thousands.
99
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: Lyrics/Melody
« on: February 11, 2016, 06:57:18 am »I'm finding it really hard to write lyrics, and even if I get something nice, I still can't think of melodies that I think are engaging or anthemic enough. I'm trying to make my music quite catchy and anthemic in terms of repeatable, simplistic choruses and more depth in the verses.
Does anyone have any advice on songwriting lyrically?
I too am just getting into my own lyric writing.. so far I have only worked with lyrics written by other people. I think I'm quite good at coming up with stuff that is catchy, but my lyric writing is not where I want it to be yet. So, in order to try to get better at it, I've started getting into poetry. Here's a list: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10589153/15-best-poetry-books-of-all-time.html I have 4 of the books in that list. I remember during Crywolf's AMA, someone asked him this same question, and the answer he gave was to read a lot of good poetry. I'm currently reading Seamus Heaney's New Selected Poems 1966 - 1987. Also, study the lyrics of songs you like. Like with anything, it takes practice... you know, the 10,000 hours thing. Everyday, I write a song with lyrics on my guitar, verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge type of thing. I even write out the song in my Moleskine (the one with the music staff paper). I write out the melody, chords and lyrics. Hope this helps!
100
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: What Makes Music Worth Your Time?
« on: February 11, 2016, 06:12:36 am »Hey guys. It's been 6 years and a half since I've gotten into music as a hobby. I started off with guitar and then expanded to bass, piano, production, engineering, sound design, DJing, vocals, and drums. I'm at a point where my music isn't good enough to be profitable and yet I've already dedicated so much time to the art.Ok, in the past 6 years, how many tracks have you finished? The time you've spent doing this is hardly as important compared to the amount of tracks you've finished within that time frame.
The life of any artist is tough and requires lots of sacrifice. It seems like the only way to make a decent living nowadays as an artist is through touring and touring makes it difficult to have a relationship according to what I've heard. Aside from that I've heard its even harder to make decent money in the industry.So you're looking at music making solely from a money-making point of view... hmm...
What makes it worth it to you?
You know what? I actually don't ever ask myself questions like that. The option of doing anything else has really never come into play.
I've reached a point where I've come too far and given up too much to stop writing music. However I feel like I'm having somewhat of a quarter life crisis when it comes to thinking about whether all that time was worth it considering the things I had to give up because of it.Let me tell you.... 6 years might seem like a long time to you, but it really isn't. True story. I have a friend who grew up playing keyboards, was in a signed 80's synth pop band, got into producing and engineering after the band disbanded, owned and ran a large studio for 10 years . And then the economy hit and had to shut down his studio. He always had a background in graphic design so he decided that he wanted to focus on that and now has a very good job in that field. He earns a very nice pay check every month and has even worked with Coldplay (he did some of their graphics for their live shows), Jay-Z and Usher. You say you have invested a lot of time and effort... what about my friend then? 10 years running a studio? 10 years mixing and producing? What about the 10 years of classical piano training? Suddenly the 6 years you mentioned now seems quite minuscule in comparison.
It feels like I live in a different world from everyone else around me. People don't understand how I can spend so much time on music and there is so much pressure from society to focus on a career, get married, and have kids. The only people who I can really have a good conversation with are other musicians/producers because they're the only ones who understand what I'm doing. Does anyone else feel the same way?I feel that to this day, people still do not get me, why I do the things I do, or the choices I make. A producer's life (unless you have a collab partner) is quite a solitary one. It's different when you play in a band.. you have band members and you play music with other people. But as a producer, you're doing almost everything on your own. I can say one thing though. I was blessed with parents who were pretty understanding and let me go to music school, do music professionally, etc.. If you're parents aren't as understanding, then I don't know what else to say. At the end of the day, YOU make the choice of whether to give in to the pressures of "society" or not.
Actually, the title of this post and what you wrote don't really connect with one another to be honest. Again, I think it's really strange to ask a question like this.
At the end of the day, you either do it or you don't. Music doesn't own you anything, it never will.
When talking about ambitions/goals, it always depends on how badly you want it. It doesn't sound like you want it enough.
101
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: Your opinion for a coworker just starting out
« on: February 10, 2016, 11:38:59 am »I have a very excited coworker who just bought Ableton with Push (he still pronounces it AH-bleton), and today he talked my ear off about everything he expects to do with it.
Meanwhile, I have been steadily making music for 6 years, so I'm well aware of Ableton's capabilities. He has no idea I work on music though. I already know we have different tastes in music, so I'm not sure there is any point in sharing with someone I'm required to work with.
What would you do? Nod politely while he tells me about "splicing" (read: slicing, hah), or engage in conversation?
There's a very easy solution, which could possibly benefit the both of you. Tell him that you know a thing or two about production as well, and that you would recommend using Reference tracks to improve. It will instantly help put things into perspective for him, because he will be able to instantly see what he needs to work on.. maybe he will quiet down a bit.
102
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: Starting from scratch, what areas to address
« on: February 05, 2016, 05:01:45 am »What you say is not incorrect, but i think it's out of place to suggest for a person who is just beginning their journey.
I still disagree with this and I don't think it's out of place at all, but it's just my opinion of course. The beginning should always start with the music itself, not the techniques behind it.
103
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: Starting from scratch, what areas to address
« on: February 05, 2016, 12:38:58 am »How can you write a song if you don't know how to use your DAW?
Ermmm... early classical music was written with a pen and a paper for crying out loud. people have been writing songs without DAWs long before DAWs ever existed. And most of them will FOREVER be on the radio. Can't really say the same for most music that is coming out of DAWs these days.... Also, some people are STILL writing music without DAWs.
Or know some theory, at least enough to get started?That's why I mentioned Hook Theory. I would take music theory over mixing theory any day.
How can you start using your DAW if you don't know how the plugins work?
How can you know how the plugins work if you don't know what the functions they're performing accomplish?
How can you learn about the various functions without knowing what's out there, and why you'd want to use them?
You learn all of these things after you have written a song... as you're making the track. You can sketch out a full song first and then worry about mixing and plugins afterwards.
The main takeaway though is *don't get discouraged*.You only fully reach this state after learning to love the process.
104
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: Starting from scratch, what areas to address
« on: February 04, 2016, 12:28:58 am »
Since you're starting afresh, I would recommend throwing away all the methods and stuff you were told to read.
The most important thing about music production is the song itself, contrary to popular belief. Music first, technical stuff later.
If I were you, I would pick up Hook Theory and work through it. That's a good place to start. It explains the theory behind the music, which is something that is seriously lacking in normal theory books.
After that, analyze all the songs you really like and emulate them. I mean actually remake them in your DAW or at least map out the form and make a note of what instruments plays when and what its playing.
Then, just make songs and make some more. Finish those songs. Don't worry if they're crappy, we've all been there before, even the greats.. look up the old Madeon stuff when he was starting out and tell me it isn't crappy.
When you come across something you don't know how to do, find a tutorial for it, do it and move on, keep working on your song. Make sure that every tutorial you watch contributes directly to the song that you are making.
You WILL get frustrated, that's just normal. But I can assure that you WILL see progress if you just focus on finishing every song you make.
The most important thing about music production is the song itself, contrary to popular belief. Music first, technical stuff later.
If I were you, I would pick up Hook Theory and work through it. That's a good place to start. It explains the theory behind the music, which is something that is seriously lacking in normal theory books.
After that, analyze all the songs you really like and emulate them. I mean actually remake them in your DAW or at least map out the form and make a note of what instruments plays when and what its playing.
Then, just make songs and make some more. Finish those songs. Don't worry if they're crappy, we've all been there before, even the greats.. look up the old Madeon stuff when he was starting out and tell me it isn't crappy.
When you come across something you don't know how to do, find a tutorial for it, do it and move on, keep working on your song. Make sure that every tutorial you watch contributes directly to the song that you are making.
You WILL get frustrated, that's just normal. But I can assure that you WILL see progress if you just focus on finishing every song you make.
105
Samples/Plugins/Software/Gear / Re: how do you get your kicks?
« on: February 02, 2016, 01:08:22 pm »
I am a sample pack whore. I use Black Octopus's Leviathan quite a bit. I also love Sample Magic's stuff.
The Producer's Forum © 2016
