You're on the right track, but I agree it's a problem with the melodies. More specifically, the rhythms of the melodies. Look for "off" notes that don't feel like they come in at the right time, and nudge them around a bit until they "pop". Otherwise, you're doing pretty well.

Thanks for the reply Wontolla!

So "off notes" are badly timed notes to you? Do you have example of a song where it's done correctly and it could have screwed the song if it wasn't? Or vice versa maybe.

there's no personality in your melody.

Wontolla might be suggesting you need some more of you in your creation. Something a little more human.

It really sounds the same.

are you playing your melodies?

One way to control your notes, is the length of them, rather than the start.

I tend to quantize a good bit of my musical, but i only do that for the start of triggers(midi notes). Just to make sure they're on top of the beat.

My attack from the synth/drum machine/sampler allows a slight time difference so my transients aren't all on top of each other.

I find it better to adjust the sound with the synth than to do it on the sequencer. (don't over think this, it's just a volume/filter envelop thing)


You need to consider how the sound is being made from all angles, and how you best can control the sound you're after with the tools that are available with your understanding.

Quote from: Marrow Machines on March 21, 2016, 08:09:53 pm

there's no personality in your melody.

Wontolla might be suggesting you need some more of you in your creation. Something a little more human.

It really sounds the same.

are you playing your melodies?

With what does my melodies sound the same? Or in what way?

Also for the latter part of your reply? What do you mean by quantizing your melody so it isn't on top of your beat? For me quantizing is fixing your midi information after recording it, to make sure everything is back on snap.

Thanks for the reply!

Yea your melodies sound the same. From the playing, to the sound, and the overall feel of them. It's sterile and with out character.

I said quantizing so that they ARE on the beat. It's exactly in line with the BPM of the track.

You can adjust the timing with attack of the synths/drum machines/fading.

Read carefully...

I say just start singing your melodies with your mouth while you're trying to make them. You probably know the way you want them to sound if you're just humming a series of intervals together - use that to your advantage! If you're still unsure, go pick 10 songs that you think have great melodies and see if you can recreate the melody in your DAW. Look at the direction of the notes, the length of the notes, and their rhythm. That will give you a lot of insight into the way they tend to work.