What do you like to hear in music? Thread for improvement.

[scubacell]

This isn't about genres, I'd like this to be more about the elements of music so I'll give an example beforehand as to help avoid confusion, but try not to take it to literally, i don't want to influence people's answers, I just want to give an idea for what we're talking about.

I enjoy a balanced frequency spectrum, not filling a bunch of frequencies at once but if it's a song with a lot of low-end, to have something like a wood block or synth up 2 or so octaves for example. Even if it's something small, one hit per 32/64 bars, it builds anticipation if done well. Not to say that there aren't great songs which don't have contrast, but it definitely gets my ears excited.

TRY NOT TO READ ANY LOWER, RESPOND WITH WHAT YOU ENJOY HEARING IN OR ABOUT MUSIC, then join in!


Alright so I've wanted to do this for a while, but been a little scared to. Basically my thoughts are these, I'd like this thread to be a thread that is a sort of database for what people like to hear, and also an open discussion on these elements. Everybody has elements of music in which they might specifically enjoy than another, when i'm listening to guitar you could be listening to the drums. As a producer who solely produces alone i don't have that other mind to suggest or change things, so I feel as though it'd be nice for those who make music alone to have a chance to if not help put yourself in someone elses shoes, have an idea for what a bunch of different people like to hear.

The thread isn't going to be massively interesting unless a bunch of people share, but if a bunch of people just post a quick answer, it will become a decent resource for coming up with new ideas for a track or ways to improve. it's almost like what economists or sociologists do, they poll a bunch of different people on a specific question and try to formulate some conclusions based on the data.

I've had my coffee this morning, can anyone tell?

[Dystinkt]

I like tracks that have weight to them, but also really rhythmic, something you vibe out to rather than mosh to. I also like songs that have a really deep meaning to them, but on the surface seem really abstract.

[lloydy]

Structure and interest,filing the sound stage out too is just as important for me.Its allright having all this mental sounds mashed together but i tend to lose interest pretty quick.If im listening to a cd in my car after a few plays i tend to skip all the really mental tracks that are just a mishmash of noise and listen to the tracks where the sounds all sit well together and form some type of stucture.

[jrisreal]

I'd like to hear more melody and creativity. Seems like everybody (myself included) boxes themselves in and makes music within restriction...I personally hate that. It would be cool if people stopped using quantization, 4/4, beat grids, etc. IMO. I'd like for everybody to explore some theory...even people who work atonally. Theory has some stuff that can really help make atonal music sound better. And for people who work with melody, key, chords, etc...you're doing fine as is, but you can do better IMO. I wrote this while daydreaming, so forgive me if I said something stupid.

EDIT: and agreed with Cheeky

[xstatic]

I like to here complex melodies, intricate rhythms with lots of variation, lush r&b esque vocals like what Von D and Phephe do, and i'm a sucker for a nice catchy hook

[Shum]

First thing that popped into my head are sweeping LP filter effects, the percussion on Kode 9's '9 Samurai' is the only dubstep example I can think of right now though the prototype track I had in mind was DJ Sneak's 'You Can't Hide From Your Bud'. The feeling of movement, often emphasised by the resonance of the filter, gives what are otherwise loops playing over and over again some interest and it can (and has cf. that DJ Sneak track) been used to give entire songs structure.

If this thread keeps rolling I'm sure I'll have a lot more to add later.

[B-Frank]

My general rule to EDM: If it doesn't make me involuntarily tap my foot or nod my head it is no good.

Otherwise there are no rules I can play universally.

[hutyluty]

-mad panning
-some form of atmosphere at the back, or it just sounds empty
-If theres a vocal, mkae sure it's in tune!- like to have have vocals but quite happy with instrumentals
-Interesting rhythms on the drums ,not kick snare etc (something i need to pay more attention to myself!)

[mikeyp]

vocals, or a melody/sound combo so great that it sounds like it's speaking
strong drums. so much shit these days is lacking a solid kick and the snares seems soft and idk the word, not tight? like chhhhhh instead of chclap lol i'm sure someone will know what i mean
a song that i can listen to in the car and not need a huge system to enjoy it on, yet I know on a huge system it's epic
simple, but not simple as in minimal, more like the sound design and quality is so good there doesn't need to be 8 things going on at once
loooww sub, like <70hz. i wanna feel it not hear it
something I can nod my head to
sounds that sound even better on drugs
idk what else

[Killamike49]

I like evolving phrases alot. Even keeping the same melody but giving it a different timbre is good enough for me.
Nothing gets me more than when i listen to song and 'find' something i didn't hear before, and i think that can be achieved by having sounds that mesh, but are still very distinct. I can't think of the proper word to describe it.

[scubacell]

thank you guys so much for responding! ahh such a good thing to come back to after a busy (but awesome) day! everything said so far has been great, one thing that i gotta bring up and i don't know how i can properly vocalize this, but along with what was said with sweeps...

i've started noticing it more and more that it's all about risers and sweeps and such. it doesn't have to be white noise or a pitch up to do so, just anything that can portray movement. with electronic tunes it's all about your audience feeling the movement of a track and also hinting at where your tune is going. things you don't necessarily 'actively' hear but sense is the best way i can put it... there are exceptions like switch-ups where it just slaps ya right in the skull, but just think movement. if you were on stage in front of hundreds of thousands of people, how would you want the crowd to bump?

EDIT: and agreed with JR, and agreed with JR agreeing about Cheeky.