The Motivation/Creativity/Inspiration/Writers Block Thread™

[mthrfnk]

Pretty sure Zedd is classically trained on Piano, I've seen a few videos where he's properly busting out on the keys - being musically talented isn't going to make you a great producer but honestly in my opinion (especially in regards to popular electronic music) it's half the battle won from the get go, because melodies/chords/frills etc are going to come much more naturally.

[Hircine]

Don't produce a sound that does not comes out naturally. If you have to brainstorm in order to lay down a track, maybe this genre is not for you, try something else, a different tempo, a different vibe, a different approach to the tracks. Or maybe you just suck at it, who knows?

Honestly I really don't know who Zedd is but you shouldn't try so hard to be like him. Do your own thing, not Zedd's. Doesn't matter if it's big or small, just do it. Who cares if you suck at it? As long as you enjoy it, once again, do it. You said it yourself, you have all the best things plus best samples and you can make a decent mixdown so your tunes must be good. They may not be in that specific style that you want or the most cutting edge thing, but they are good and, at the end of the day, it's all that matters.

[Huts]

I think you're putting way too much pressure on yourself man. Rather than trying to make something other people will enjoy, focus on making something you can be proud of. Whether it's how nice your drums cut through the mix, how a melody sounds, whatever, start small and work from there. As hard as it is, stop comparing yourself to other producers. The reason you think what you're making sounds 'bad' is because it doesn't match up to those other producers you're trying to emulate. Take a break from listening to the type of music you're trying to make and just make stuff you can get into. It's not a competition, you're music isn't up against anyone else's. Make something you can be proud of and I'm sure there are others that will like it as well.

I used to think these producers had some X factor that us forum dwellers were missing, but it's just not true. They're all just dudes with a computer, some free time, and the desire to make music just like the rest of us. Just keep doing your thing and make music you can get into without comparing it to anyone else. If you're not feeling it, stop for a bit. I hadn't finished anything in like 8 months, went to a rave, got hype, and I've made 4 tracks in 2 weeks. This stuff's supposed to be fun

[Gravehill]

Practice practice practice just like anything really. You need to sit yourself down at your computer everyday, pick something to work on (practicing your instruments, sound design in synths/drums/etc, practicing mixing, learning your way around your DAW, working on one particular sound, learning your synths in and out, vocal processing, etc etc etc) and work on it. It should be a combination of experimentation and burying yourself in manuals, books, and videos. Maybe pick up a couple university textbooks. 12 hours a day is a bit much yeah but it shouldn't sound THAT crazy...a few 8 - 10 hour days a week of working on music should be pretty standard to someone that is really passionate about making good music or learning how to play an instrument well. It's tough but if it were easy everyone would be making hits; it takes a ton of practice and dedication. Honestly there is nothing in Zedd's music at all that indicates to me that he would have special training - it's pretty standard stuff. Sit down and try and replicate some of Zedd's sounds and song structures (particularly the way he pieces together synth melodies/basslines) and I guarantee you will get there. The mixes are nice but keep in mind if you have extra cash you can always have your music professionally mixed and mastered, a lot of EDM artists just act as composers/arrangers/sound designers, although it is always good to at least learn some basics about mixing so you can get your music sounding decent on your own. I would say that mixing is definitely something where you want to pick up some books if you are serious about learning it.

[Wobzor]

Stop. Just take a break. Just go out and have fun. Watch a movie, ride a bike or something. Forget about music for a couple of days. Be happy. When the inspiration comes you'll know it. Now, I know that if you're gonna be the best you gotta practice hard. But nothing good is gonna come out of non-stop working.

Also, I tend to stop listening to music for a couple of days so I can get the songs outta my head. I do that because sometimes when I'm producing I just say "Oh this isn't as good as that song and I delete my whole project and start to be angry/sad. That's very bad in my opinion.

[elyhess]

dont stop, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. take a break like he said, come back:)

[Gravehill]

Stop. Just take a break. Just go out and have fun. Watch a movie, ride a bike or something. Forget about music for a couple of days. Be happy. When the inspiration comes you'll know it. Now, I know that if you're gonna be the best you gotta practice hard. But nothing good is gonna come out of non-stop working.

Also, I tend to stop listening to music for a couple of days so I can get the songs outta my head. I do that because sometimes when I'm producing I just say "Oh this isn't as good as that song and I delete my whole project and start to be angry/sad. That's very bad in my opinion.

This is really good advice too

Especially with producing its good to take breaks because you get so caught up in the technical stuff and forget to just make music

[FutureD]

Hi there ...As I've wrote in topic i'm stock a bit with music production...The main problem is like I cannot get creativity and focus on making music...Next one is I cannot do smoothly automation for wobbles and another things even watching houndreds of tuts..Also the point is like ...i've just quited weed demaging daily doses of weed ( 2 months ago) and i was doing music 3-4 years damn stoned...I know the time will teach me more ...but maybe you will have some tips for mee...
I feel like everything i make stays in same area...of sounds of mixes ...i dont have any ideas... and every thing is sounding the same...especialy like dark church organ sounds...
I'm getting frustratied a bit...So if anyone can help something it will be lovely
peace!

[Udyret]

well im not a pro. But whats helped me in the past when im stuck creating the same sounding things over and over again. I browse for some new music, find a track that i like and just copy it, same melody, same sound etc.. This way i end up using/making sounds i havent used before, trying out new melodies and geting new ideas. Might be something that only works for me, but atleast give it a shot!

Sorry if you cant understand anything of what i just said, but english is not my language.

Cheers!

[counterparty]

Hi there ...As I've wrote in topic i'm stock a bit with music production...The main problem is like I cannot get creativity and focus on making music...Next one is I cannot do smoothly automation for wobbles and another things even watching houndreds of tuts..Also the point is like ...i've just quited weed demaging daily doses of weed ( 2 months ago) and i was doing music 3-4 years damn stoned...I know the time will teach me more ...but maybe you will have some tips for mee...
I feel like everything i make stays in same area...of sounds of mixes ...i dont have any ideas... and every thing is sounding the same...especialy like dark church organ sounds...
I'm getting frustratied a bit...So if anyone can help something it will be lovely
peace!

It's a bit hard to teach how to be musically creative, but I'd suggest taking a course on basic music theory so you understand what sounds good and what sounds bad. Even something as simple as learning what triads are or proper chord progression can make drastic results in your long term success.

Definitely a smart idea to stop smoking weed -- I tried making music on the stuff a few times and basically what happens is that it sounds beautiful in your head when you are making it, but the next time you go to listen it is utter **** . The best producers will tell you the same, sober is better.

If you are stuck for ideas, I'd do what Udyret suggested and just listen to other stuff. It can help to take breaks and even go for a walk outside -- anything to get you hearing differently. There's nothing more damaging to your own production than sitting in your room all day listening to yourself make the same track again and again. Try loading up Pandora in another room and just casually listening for 30 minutes before you get back into your studio/bedroom/wherever you are making music

[chemicallyinclined]

Definitely a smart idea to stop smoking weed -- I tried making music on the stuff a few times and basically what happens is that it sounds beautiful in your head when you are making it, but the next time you go to listen it is utter **** . The best producers will tell you the same, sober is better.

I disagree with that. Not saying you have to get stoned to the gills in order to produce, but a bowl or two can definitely let your mind ease and let the creativity flow. Tobacco is good too, imo. Writers are notorious for smoking in order to relieve themselves from writer's block. But all in all its whatever you prefer

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

Definitely a smart idea to stop smoking weed -- I tried making music on the stuff a few times and basically what happens is that it sounds beautiful in your head when you are making it, but the next time you go to listen it is utter **** . The best producers will tell you the same, sober is better.

I disagree with that. Not saying you have to get stoned to the gills in order to produce, but a bowl or two can definitely let your mind ease and let the creativity flow. Tobacco is good too, imo. Writers are notorious for smoking in order to relieve themselves from writer's block. But all in all its whatever you prefer

well, you're true to your name

[ill mindset]

Take some time and go through your samples and copy the ones that you like and have potential to a "future projects" folder. Drums, pads, basses, anything.

The next time you start a new song, go to that folder and load those elements and try to make em work together. It helps me sometimes

Maybe you could reference a favorite track of yours and "borrow" a midi arrangement and swap it with your drum sounds and change up some things.

[antman]

Sounds like a case of......

















Beginner.

Seriously just keep pushing yourself. The ones that disappear are the ones that couldn't make it over this hump. Hell, I'm still not over this hump.

[chemicallyinclined]

Sounds like a case of......

















Beginner.

[twilitez]

I just bumped through my last 6 months of projects, or most of them. Sampled some shit, saved some synth and fx presets. Most of it was bad but i still got some useful stuff out of it. I completely rediscovered how to make proper ambient as well.

[twilitez]

I also dug into my sig track to have a closer look at the (re)sampling techniques i used in there. I was very unconfident about the track until i pushed it on the last evening of submission and came out a winning entry. TLDR: never forget your personal techniques that work, and repeat them, if only with slight variations.

[Hircine]

just read one of the thousand threads about it

[Perej]

m8 i get stock all the time m8
key is not to b stock

use stock in ur dinner but not in tunes

[twilitez]

guess well get this stock spelling mistake and not move on.