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Author Topic: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing  (Read 9374 times)

ehxhfl443

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Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« on: July 11, 2016, 02:21:17 am »
Hi guys, recently, i try to copy the exact sound (not awkwardly similar, but exact) referencing a certain instrumental track. I get to look for samples a lot, trying to figure how to EQ blah blah to make the same sound. But i don't know if people usually do this to practice something. Do u guys think this thing could help? Or not really?
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vinceasot

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Re: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2016, 02:32:15 am »
yes its very good practice to sharpen the blade but doesn't add or stimulate creativity if you copy too much

sound design sound banks are for learning and quick inspiration/further processing needed
but you have to put in extra and push boundaries to stand out
« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 02:50:21 am by vinceasot »
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ehxhfl443

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Re: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2016, 03:47:21 am »
Thanks for the reply.
I have been learning music over 2 years and a half at this point, and i would say i am now fine with overall flow, progression, and okay sound (even though i need to be better as life long term for sure), but as i compare my music to commercial songs out there (i do k-pop music btw), i definitely see how overall tone they deliver is  'more fit to the genre and the typical market' and ' typical sounds that many listeners have heard so they won't bother' .
And i really think i need to be around that 'objectivity' especially i want to do 'pop music' or 'k-pop'. I know how most of EDM producers want to sound 'differenet' so they are kinda against me doing this 'copying' (even though i still think they still need some objectivity')
I try to begin with copying the exact same drum tone and then instrument overall referencing simple instrumental musics out there first no matter how long takes. Do u think this is what i need for now to upgrade my sound to the commercial level?
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vinceasot

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Re: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2016, 04:58:09 am »
Quote from: ehxhfl443 on July 11, 2016, 03:47:21 am
Thanks for the reply.
I have been learning music over 2 years and a half at this point, and i would say i am now fine with overall flow, progression, and okay sound (even though i need to be better as life long term for sure), but as i compare my music to commercial songs out there (i do k-pop music btw), i definitely see how overall tone they deliver is  'more fit to the genre and the typical market' and ' typical sounds that many listeners have heard so they won't bother' .
And i really think i need to be around that 'objectivity' especially i want to do 'pop music' or 'k-pop'. I know how most of EDM producers want to sound 'differenet' so they are kinda against me doing this 'copying' (even though i still think they still need some objectivity')
I try to begin with copying the exact same drum tone and then instrument overall referencing simple instrumental musics out there first no matter how long takes. Do u think this is what i need for now to upgrade my sound to the commercial level?


if you want to make commercial music, then you should study radio/pop history etc and look at how they were created, which you are doing already i think, maybe try study the mind of red one, the producer of lady gaga, etc  pop follows a structure like verse bridge chorus, etc edm isnt too different in some cases

yes we have to sound different because a lot of stuff has been repeated, but new sounds need to be brought to the table

its normal to copy and imitate because everyone looks each each other but no plagarism

you are on the right path but sooner or later you will want to make an identity for yourself to stand out from the others

« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 05:03:34 am by vinceasot »
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bst148

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Re: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2016, 01:23:57 am »
It does help a lot . It helps you in terms of mixing ,sound design or searching through nexus presets etc. You can learn some cool stuff and then aply it to your own music .
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calramirez

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Re: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2016, 07:38:26 pm »
I find it good to recreate using my own tools but ALWAYS, midway through the process, I'll go off track and start adding/tweaking stuff that wasn't there to make a new, personal sound.

It is great for practice and also to start your own synth patch collection, so the next time your stuck in a song you can go "oh, I made that sound a couple of weeks ago. It may work here."

In fact, I'll even reccomend browsing through the dozens of presets your synths have got instead of downloading some from the internet and listening what you dig and what you can modify. :D
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Marrow Machines

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Re: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2016, 08:43:02 pm »
it should help your ears understand what you're dealing with, but it won't necessarily help you UNDERSTAND the sound design.

You can twittle a knob and not know what's going on, just as much as being deliberate in twisting the same knob and know what's happening.

Quite honestly, the biggest thing you should study is recording history and techniques as a foundation for your electronic music production.

that will give you a solid ground to spring board with any synth or source you're using.

Synth design is cool and all that shit, but it's the processing that REALLY makes the sound shine.

some of that stuff doesn't really apply to mixing, but if you didn't have a recording, you wouldn't have a mix.
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MOTY

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Re: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2016, 06:23:58 pm »
Quote from: Marrow Machines on August 03, 2016, 08:43:02 pm
it should help your ears understand what you're dealing with, but it won't necessarily help you UNDERSTAND the sound design.

You can twittle a knob and not know what's going on, just as much as being deliberate in twisting the same knob and know what's happening.

Quite honestly, the biggest thing you should study is recording history and techniques as a foundation for your electronic music production.

that will give you a solid ground to spring board with any synth or source you're using.

Synth design is cool and all that shit, but it's the processing that REALLY makes the sound shine.

some of that stuff doesn't really apply to mixing, but if you didn't have a recording, you wouldn't have a mix.

Do you have any good resources to read/watch oover recording history and techniques?
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Marrow Machines

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Re: Does trying to copy the reference track exactly help in terms of sound designing
« Reply #8 on: August 04, 2016, 07:31:23 pm »
Quote from: MOTY on August 04, 2016, 06:23:58 pm
Quote from: Marrow Machines on August 03, 2016, 08:43:02 pm
it should help your ears understand what you're dealing with, but it won't necessarily help you UNDERSTAND the sound design.

You can twittle a knob and not know what's going on, just as much as being deliberate in twisting the same knob and know what's happening.

Quite honestly, the biggest thing you should study is recording history and techniques as a foundation for your electronic music production.

that will give you a solid ground to spring board with any synth or source you're using.

Synth design is cool and all that shit, but it's the processing that REALLY makes the sound shine.

some of that stuff doesn't really apply to mixing, but if you didn't have a recording, you wouldn't have a mix.

Do you have any good resources to read/watch oover recording history and techniques?

google, ask friends, ask professionals (typically older folks), and scour recording forums

it's tough to fake a good recording....


PS:i don't record things as often as i mix, but i have been learning about recording as i go along. understanding how sounds are made in the recording process, helps break down mixing techniques a little bit better.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2016, 07:33:01 pm by Marrow Machines »
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