Starting a first song...

[ooo0o0ooo]

Well, hey you guys!

I read the whole: WANT TO MAKE DUBSTEP?! START HERE!- Thread. I understood pretty much everything.
I got Ableton Live Suite 8, VST plugins, and DNB Loops I am able to make them sound like Dubstep.
I can do wobbles and warping, use beatsampler and lead synths.

But actually the Question: How to start a song? isn't answered yet. What should I make first and how do you begin a song when do you add lead and bass?

Greetings,

ooo0o0ooo

[Wagsi]

It's up to you how you want to start it pretty much.
And congrats on getting all those goodies in one day.......impressive.

[Eridu]

watch rusko`s tutorial (for computer music?) he lays down the basics of writing a song. In his own way of course.

[Sinisterbeats]

I tend to start with writing a few drum loops, then tend to put a sub b-line over them and work from with pads and maybe some sort of lead. Then add in some incidentals and start to arrange different sections of the track put adding/subtracting different elements. Think there was quite a long thread on this a while ago, I will try and find the link.

edit: here we go
http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 4&start=20

[rubiconguava]

just jam out if you got a keyboard and see what you come up with, if not a more methodical/clinical approach wil be needed i.e ruskos approach. Or find a sample you love and start with that build stuff around that!

[RmoniK]

sit behind your keyboard, and beat box while you play on it

[Sparxy]

just jam out if you got a keyboard and see what you come up with

This! Helps if you are somewhat musical or have any experience playing instruments

[sprayyypaint]

i always start with the beat
usually from there more ideas come. and the more. and then more. and its donezo! haha

[legend4ry]

Well, I start with atmosphere/pads - then some sort of lead and musical percussion, move onto random FX's - then drums then bass 90% of the time.

Thats my work flow, you gotta find your own. (well, you can copy mine if you like but it might not work for you)

[Recessive Trait]

I got Ableton Live Suite 8, VST plugins, and DNB Loops I am able to make them sound like Dubstep.
I can do wobbles and warping, use beatsampler and lead synths.

shit: save, render, send to label.

you should be the one teaching us!

seriously, all you cats who ask how to start a song: don't you actually listen to edm? song structure isn't rocket science.

[ninjadog]

seriously, all you cats who ask how to start a song: don't you actually listen to edm? song structure isn't rocket science.

Yeah no doubt.
Just slowly start bringing in some elements. X bars of pads to set mood, X bars of high hats and/or percussion, X bars of a spoken word sample is optional and bam drop some bass with your snare for another X or X bars. Then repeat with some different patterns or new sounds to keep it interesting.
X=4,8,16,32, 64 or whatever you want really.

[gen_]

Secret ninja technique,

Code: Select all

drop your bass notes in time with your kick, make sure their not over kill together, and voila, you you have groove!  :5:  The rest should come pretty easily if your bass grove/drum beats aren't dog ugly. Good luck.

[Grime Syndicate]

I USUALLY start with drums first. However, as has been mentioned, there are no rules. I've also started tracks by writing a bassline and building a song around that. So, set a bpm, throw some drums on that bitch and go to town. Remember though, convention is a mixed blessing. You want original thoughts! The best way to attain these are by BEING ORIGINAL! Do what feels right. Listen, does it sound right? If it does than it is. Nothing is a replacement for long, hard, honest work. There are very few Mozarts out there (composing scores straight out the womb.) The rest of us had to do it the hard way: Practice practice practice. Just keep at it man.

[nylle]

okay step 1: make music

[shoot2stun]

I find adding the drums brings the song to life. I usually start with a bass line and then go for drums...or even a melody then the underlying sub bass then drums. What ever gets you off faster I guess.