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Mine is writing basslines. Not synth programming, I'm getting better at making the sounds I want, but the actual layering of notes and making a bassline move in time with the drums etc, and evolve over the course of the tune. I know automation can sometimes play a big part in getting that moving feeling about it, but overall it's the placement of notes thing that is throwing me.

Mines probaly writing basslines too and keeping a track interesting throughout the whole thing, maybe i should get myself a midi keyboard?

matthewcradduck wrote:Mines probaly writing basslines too and keeping a track interesting throughout the whole thing, maybe i should get myself a midi keyboard?

They definitely help IMO. I can get more ideas up on the screen, and faster, by recording myself hitting notes until they sound good than I would dropping notes in using a point & click.

Creating a dancing groove. I'm fairly decent at synthesis, sampling, composition etc. But creating those effortless grooves, does my swede in.

wub wrote:

matthewcradduck wrote:Mines probaly writing basslines too and keeping a track interesting throughout the whole thing, maybe i should get myself a midi keyboard?

They definitely help IMO. I can get more ideas up on the screen, and faster, by recording myself hitting notes until they sound good than I would dropping notes in using a point & click.

I can imagine writing them on a midi keyboard helps them flow more and is more natural sounding, it would definitely help with melodies too.
I usually find when writing a bassline by pointing and clicking its hard to get it flowing for me, just doesn't feel right and i end up writing some boring bassline.

Making tracks flow and gel so they don’t sound like random vst presets stuck on a grid. Ie, using default patches to make all noises/basslines and keeping things interesting and simple at the same time. Trying to build noises/basslines that have a human touch and don’t sound generic junk made by someone with a computer and mouse.

Programming drums. I've got endless amounts of 16 bar projects which falter when I try and add variation as it ends up sounding like two different things tacked together...
And then I end up with two different songs and can't maintain concentration as I end up with a different vibe.
AND THEN I'll stumble upon some nice ambience and it's game over as I sit there lost in it for 3 hours

Plus I think I get too attached to an initial idea.

By far my biggest weakness is keeping a track interesting. All those little changes, hits and switch ups keep a track interesting and i'm terrible at it.

Think working with another producer would be I good step to help us all over come things like this.

JemGrover wrote:Programming drums. I've got endless amounts of 16 bar projects which falter when I try and add variation as it ends up sounding like two different things tacked together...
And then I end up with two different songs and can't maintain concentration as I end up with a different vibe.
AND THEN I'll stumble upon some nice ambience and it's game over as I sit there lost in it for 3 hours

Plus I think I get too attached to an initial idea.

I have no problem with drums I dont think. I would be up for trying to help if you want to show some loops or something. If you have FL it would make things even easier.

serox wrote:

JemGrover wrote:Programming drums. I've got endless amounts of 16 bar projects which falter when I try and add variation as it ends up sounding like two different things tacked together...
And then I end up with two different songs and can't maintain concentration as I end up with a different vibe.
AND THEN I'll stumble upon some nice ambience and it's game over as I sit there lost in it for 3 hours

Plus I think I get too attached to an initial idea.

I have no problem with drums I dont think. I would be up for trying to help if you want to show some loops or something. If you have FL it would make things even easier.

Also if there is any way of learning to play drums this helps alot!

I got so many problems... it's like someone dropped a tray of silverware down a stairwell.

Probably my mixdowns. Mainly bass handling. I'd definitely love to blast all the sub bass in my tunes and really get a feel for it... See what bits need more bass and what parts are overdone... But I live in an apartment so I kinda can't really. Trying to do this on headphones is a trial!

Getting melodic content..

I'm pretty decent at drums, sound design,structuring, finding my feet with mixing down, can compose decent enough b-lines I just feel like tracks lack some finishing touch of harmonies and chord progressions.

EQ, compression and mixdowns.

I really want my tracks to come alive dynamically and sound punchy.

nowaysj wrote:I got so many problems... it's like someone dropped a tray of silverware down a stairwell.

this

Project EX wrote:

nowaysj wrote:I got so many problems... it's like someone dropped a tray of silverware down a stairwell.

this

Yeah this too.

Biggest problems probably that I suck at synthesis. Terrible at working with audio and still don't totally *get* compression. I mean I understand the idea of what a compressor does but every one I have seems to have totally different controls on it and that makes my head go "mrh?"

wub wrote:Mine is writing basslines. Not synth programming, I'm getting better at making the sounds I want, but the actual layering of notes and making a bassline move in time with the drums etc, and evolve over the course of the tune. I know automation can sometimes play a big part in getting that moving feeling about it, but overall it's the placement of notes thing that is throwing me.

This, and keeping my tracks varied.

dubmatters wrote:EQ, compression and mixdowns.

I really want my tracks to come alive dynamically and sound punchy.

Same here. I learn a lot better once im shown how to do stuff in person. Ive watched endless videos and youtube tutorials and still can't get Eq'ing sorted. I end up just leaving it and it's proper getting to me at the moment

My crip walk. I just can't seem to get it right.

Melody.
I like more minimal stuff because as soon as you wack out some form of melody over a promising idea it just cheapens the rawness of a track imo.
As you might tell I'm not a fan of the "purple sound". Shit sounds like a porn track for 2080's Japanese erotica. The product of a Stevie Wonder cyborg.

Finding a balance between melody and minimalism is what I find hard, leaving space to breathe.

serox wrote:

JemGrover wrote:Programming drums. I've got endless amounts of 16 bar projects which falter when I try and add variation as it ends up sounding like two different things tacked together...
And then I end up with two different songs and can't maintain concentration as I end up with a different vibe.
AND THEN I'll stumble upon some nice ambience and it's game over as I sit there lost in it for 3 hours

Plus I think I get too attached to an initial idea.

I have no problem with drums I dont think. I would be up for trying to help if you want to show some loops or something. If you have FL it would make things even easier.

Ah, I can DO 'em, I just struggle when changing up. I think I just need more work on transitions so there's less of a blunt verse/chorus change. I'm not very good with decisions, haha. The possibility with drums and then rhythm and percussion is so endless sometimes when you get into programming velocity and swing...Aghh, melts my brain. Good fun though