Dubstepforum.com

Getting High at such an age has it's consequences.
If a must, then just a small amount, no point having a white-out

Korupt wrote:I'm kind of a newcomer to this website, but this is the place I think I would get the most help. Well, I've been listening to dubstep for about a year and only started producing like two months ago. I only knew of producers such as Flux Pavilion, Cookie Monsta, Skrillex because those are just the mainstream "brostep"(don't really like the term) artists. I'm also from the US and only 14 and teh FILTHZ WUBSWOOBSEEE scene is really the only popular dubstep scene there is here *sigh*. But, I signed up for this website and usually scoured the SNH every day or two. That's where I heard about artists such as MRK1, Kromestar, Digital Mystikz, Kode9, Burial, etc. Now don't get me wrong I still listen to some Flux Pavilion and whatnot, but that's usually when I'm stoned, because that stuff BLOWS YOUR MIND. Now to the real point, I've been producing "brostep", but I want to switch over and start producing deep and bassy tunes. I'm just asking for some advice since if I google "dubstep tutorial" the majority would be teaching me how to make teh WUBSWOOBSEEE's. Also, I know you guys/girls are nice people and probably have some good advice to give, although whether you want to give out that information is completely up to you. Finally, I wonder if any of you guys made the switch from "brostep" to dubstep. I use FL Studio BTW, but I also have Cubase 5. One specific topic that I've been wondering about also is where to get the drums because I'm using VEC1, 2 and 3 and it just isn't really cutting it. Digital Mystikz's drums sound kind of real, so is that the case?

tl;dr: 14 year old switching from producing "brostep" to dubstep. Needs some advice.

Hmmmm, much promise does this one show!

Ok, let's address a few of the points here.

- Firstly, fair play on wanting to expand your tastes a bit. You've mentioned MRK1, Dig Myst et al, and checking SNH, so I'm going to assume you've also seen this thread... http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=194172 ...and downloaded all the mixes contained within

- For drums, you are quite right; the Vengeance selection is a bit too 'clinical' for the sort of music you have described. Whilst DM's drums are not from the VEC packs, I'm not sure what you mean by 'real' - you mean someone has micced up a drum kit and smacked it about, right?

In any case, there are lots of drum samples that are synthesised that still retain some character to them. Goldbaby do a fantastic selection of old/crunchy drums, and there is a selection of them here that are free to download... http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=173315

- In terms of actual production style, the difference between 'bro' and 'real' (not terms I entirely agree with personally, but appropriate in this context) is the approach to production. Brostep is characterised by it's synth heavy, kitchen sink approach, where there are a lot of different elements/sounds going on all heavily compressed and gelled together to create that wall of sound that is so prevalent at the 'raves' these days.

By contrast, 'realstep' ( ) has a more minimal approach. You'll be looking at 8/10 elements tops in a lot of the tunes, with plenty of space etc to give the track time to breathe yadda yadda. Basic production tips I can think of off the top of my head;

* Use subby 808 kicks. There is a good intro on kick drums here, and a sub bass tutorial here
* Apply lots of reverb to your elements to give the illusion of sound when there isn't anything playing. You've mentioned using FL, so setup one of the group channels on the mixer (far right hand side) to have a short reverb on it, and another to have a long reverb. Run your elements through those to give the track texture.
* For the third group channel, apply a Delay. Use to similar effect.
* Less is more, esp when it comes to perucssion. Try having sections of the tune where no percussion is playing.
* Apply shuffle liberally. This can be achieved either in the pattern editor window.
* Don't be afraid of turning the grid snap off and arranging elements where you THINK they should go. The human feel to programming, particularly in percussion, is good for this kind of music.

Ok, it's still early and thats all I can think of right now. If you have any more questions, please feel free to add them. The search function in the top right of the board is good, as is checking the stickies etc for topics that may have already been covered.


Finally, if you're new to 'realstep' ( ), then I'd heartily recommend watching the documentary Living Inside The Speaker, which focuses on the Bristol scene circa 2006. All parts are available to watch free on YouTube;

Part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Taqn_Wk1c
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptBI3ObNHAc
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPKUFSQCfQM
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9cRJebt_Gw

back on topic, try not focus on the wobbles to much (as you would if you were making brostep) just put the words "chill, atmosphere, calm but not calm, sub bass, some nice laid back drums (i love burials drums)" and just let the music flow from your brain into your fingers onto your midi keyboard through your usb cable to your computer to FL studio to your track to your mixer track to the master track and export. DONE


but just make some chill laid back shit, or some filthy but still calm and sick as fuck type of shit (perfect example of this is coki-squared off) track is just nasty, but its not all loud like flux or something.

Shum wrote:I mentioned Mala's name because he is an outstanding producer of music in general, though what I perhaps meant was that you should listen to (and mimic) artists that you enjoy. The purpose of which is to provide a focus (keyword) for your work to build up your bag of musical/studio tricks. This, in turn provides a base for your own creativity to grow from.

so what you're saying is that he should listen to and mimic artists that YOU enjoy?

Ayatollah wrote:

Shum wrote:I mentioned Mala's name because he is an outstanding producer of music in general, though what I perhaps meant was that you should listen to (and mimic) artists that you enjoy. The purpose of which is to provide a focus (keyword) for your work to build up your bag of musical/studio tricks. This, in turn provides a base for your own creativity to grow from.

so what you're saying is that he should listen to and mimic artists that YOU enjoy?

He mentioned Mala because Mala is quite in depth to that area of the genre.
If it's not to your taste, mention an artist YOU enjoy instead and mention to the OP.

jaimelee wrote:

Ayatollah wrote:

Shum wrote:I mentioned Mala's name because he is an outstanding producer of music in general, though what I perhaps meant was that you should listen to (and mimic) artists that you enjoy. The purpose of which is to provide a focus (keyword) for your work to build up your bag of musical/studio tricks. This, in turn provides a base for your own creativity to grow from.

so what you're saying is that he should listen to and mimic artists that YOU enjoy?

He mentioned Mala because Mala is quite in depth to that area of the genre.
If it's not to your taste, mention an artist YOU enjoy instead and mention to the OP.

Don't have anything against Mala. The never-ending DSF Mala circlejerk gets kinda tiring though.
And I'm not going to mention any artist I enjoy because I think the OP should just make whatever HE enjoys and not jump on a bandwagon because it's the "right" thing to do.

Ayatollah wrote:Don't have anything against Mala. The never-ending DSF Mala circlejerk gets kinda tiring though.

I think any circle jerk gets tiring after a while. Plays havoc on my knees too, reckon that's just my age though.


In any respect;

1) OP did mention Digital Mystikz, and last time I checked that included Mala, so the comment is valid.

2) This thread is to discuss production techniques of that style of Dubstep, not a discussion as to which artists are/aren't valid in the context of said discussion. Take it to the main board or SNH if you want to have a chat re; artistic relevance, and save this board for production.

I'm not sure what you're on about there, talking about "valid" and "not valid". But you're right, 2) is fair enough, don't want to derail a production thread.

nowaysj wrote:That really is not a good idea, kids. Long term consequences for the developing brain.

true

Don't leave us bros. :'(

nowaysj wrote:That really is not a good idea, kids. Long term consequences for the developing brain.

This is true. Nobody I know that started that young is quite with it these days.

As for sub powered minimal dubstep. It's all about giving the drums extra presence in my opinion. In brostep the drums are just there to accentuate the wobbles but in this style the drums are there to drive the track and keep you interested.

nice effort wub!

imo first stop smoking weed, it really isn't that good for your brain when you are young (at least that's what I was experiencing).. as a teenager you're pretty chaotic and forgetful and irresponsible anyway and with most of the people weed only strengthens that. At 14 it's all about the booze dude

Then I would advice you to go back to your roots: check out some documentaries about Dub and downoad king tubby/lee perry and that kind of old skool pioneering stuff. Dub is the foundation of everything. You must first learn to feel and recognize the dub before you can actually really produce it yourself. I'm not talking about techniques, I'm talking about the vibes and the subtleness and the underlying emotion that dub brings up within you. Go to a small reggae/dub party in your area and have a listen to them scoops to really get a feel of what is going on there. Notice how the low sounds completely fill everything and how those rhythmic and melodic elements are creating a unique vibe. Notice how you get hypnotized by the echoes. Only if you experienced that you truly know what dub is about. it's not jus a big bassline. It's more than that.

After you have studied the dub, and you really feel it look for some good techniques. Try different stuff. Try to make your own interpretation of the dub. Don't try to copy the sound but start with the general feel or emotion of dub and start building something around that. Something unique that fits your style.

Of course don't listen to a word what I say if you're just after they moneys, or the fame or having a lot of friends or whatever.. it's first about the music and the need to express yourself/emotional outlet bullcrap... Everything else comes second.

I stopped smoking weed a while ago because my brain is fucked. some lucky stnuc can snort crack up their dick on a daily basis and still have a healthy mind.

to produce "deep" dubstep. just limit yourself. try creating loops (or "tunes" as you fancy musicians make) with less than 5 tracks.

ps

noam wrote:copy everything

learn nothing

best advice about anything ever. learning things is for idiots and egomaniacs.

samurai wrote: to produce "deep" dubstep. just limit yourself. try creating loops (or "tunes" as you fancy musicians make) with less than 5 tracks.

definitely not true, there can be a lot of things goin on in a deep track that make up the sound.. infact, i often use twice the amount of tracks on my deep tunes than i do on my wobble stuff

Korupt wrote:Now don't get me wrong I still listen to some Flux Pavilion and whatnot, but that's usually when I'm stoned, because that stuff BLOWS YOUR MIND. .

Being stoned and listening to the deeper side of things will take you on a journey.

Listen to DMZ/Mala/Loefah and then listen to it again and again and again

Try and make stuff like it and when you get stuck do a search on here and try and find out what you need to learn!

I would try and keep things simple. Start off with decent drum samples, maybe start with 808/909 drum kits (dry) and get into processing them. Then play around with simple waveforms for bass, melody and atmos.

Keep it simple, use simple basic synths and learn them inside out. Dont waste too long flicking thru presets, learn how to make the sounds.

wub wrote: Finally, if you're new to 'realstep' ( ), then I'd heartily recommend watching the documentary Living Inside The Speaker, which focuses on the Bristol scene circa 2006. All parts are available to watch free on YouTube;

Part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Taqn_Wk1c
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptBI3ObNHAc
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPKUFSQCfQM
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9cRJebt_Gw

I had a spark of inspiration almost immediatly after watching the first video! Been spending the last few hours coming up with a beat inspired by these vids, i cant thank you enough wub! Big up mate!

davwuh wrote:

samurai wrote: to produce "deep" dubstep. just limit yourself. try creating loops (or "tunes" as you fancy musicians make) with less than 5 tracks.

definitely not true, there can be a lot of things goin on in a deep track that make up the sound.. infact, i often use twice the amount of tracks on my deep tunes than i do on my wobble stuff

what's not true? people take things so fucking literal all the time it hurts my skull.

to clarify for people who take everything as gospel:

maybe try practicing creating a couple of tunes/loops, where you purposefully limit the number of tracks you're working with. as robotchainsawstep seems to want to overload your ears sonically, producing "deeper" stuff tends to rely on a more minimalistic approach. when you get comfortable throwing a basic loop together that you can vibe to then start throwing some more stuff on to track to keep it interesting. but I think the backbone of your track should be solid for a start.


or else you can just do you own thing. everybody here is just experimenting (or they should be anyway).

i actually thought your drums sounded pretty good!
no you don't need real drums, or samples of 'em, unless you want em i guess, but they are around, floating about online.
But even if you like mental basslines, the "bass"-line in tune you posted isn't really that energetic or interesting.. it was just loud..

My tip would be to reach for basic waveforms and make them interesting by modulating... the melody was pretty good, but to make good dubstep i think its more about giving it more dynamics via amplitude, FM, and/or filter modulation... see your bassline was the same level of loudness throughout. very loud, and relentlessly so. boring imo, whether you like tearout or deep.. it does need movement

try to get more dynamics

Also, another difference you notice a lot is in the drops. Bro tunes build everything up and get that gradual hype going till the big, colorful, explosive drop. In deep tunes generally it's about stripping the elements away and leaving the listener to fend for themselves in space until that familiar sub bass punches them in the chest.

Just for the record, i'm not saying these are rules to live by. This is how the style is done. After playing with it you'll eventually grow to find out what bits you personally like and what other bits you don't care too much for. That's why it's ok to emulate certain artists because if you're honest and creative it's inevitable that you'll want to put your own twist on it.

Thanks A LOT wub and and to everybody else that helped me, of course. I was looking into EZ Drummer, to see if thats any good, too. Also, about the bud I control it and am responsible with it (what everyone says, right?) but I do have over 95's in almost all of my classes (except gym, 'cause my teachers a guy and is a little creepy ). So don't worry about that, I'm not doing it to be cool, I'm doing it because it opens up your mind and makes almost everything better. If I started slipping because of the bud, I would quit right away until my life got back in shape. Again, thanks everybody and I know my track isn't that good (although, I do like the drums), it was kind of rushed.