Is using synth presets 'cheating'?

[yur2die4]

If there is no way to be 100% original, and no way to be 100% unoriginal, then any variation of originality is okay.

So simply choose to place demands on specific things which they personally find value in.

This is perfectly fine, but they cannot always expect others to share the same appreciation.

One person may be all about avoiding presets. If a person uses presets all the time, but makes more music that they enjoy. Then I will not in any way try to pressure them to kick the preset habit.

If they have questions however, I'll be glad to assist. And perhaps through that, they will find a shared appreciation for synthesis

This is a lot like the 'dj' debate. Ugh. Who cares if someone is or isn't 'djing'

[Stromkraft]

If there is no way to be 100% original, and no way to be 100% unoriginal, then any variation of originality is okay.

This is a lot like the 'dj' debate. Ugh. Who cares if someone is or isn't 'djing'

The audience cares even if they don't know why. Because to not "DJ", if that means being actively invpolved in the timing and nuance of mixing, breaks the feedback which build energy on the dance floor. A play-list doesn't build energy on its own. It's what you do with it that makes the difference.

It's the same things with presets, as have already been said, it's what you do with it that counts. Are you communicating? Then you're fine I think.

[BoddAH]

If there is no way to be 100% original, and no way to be 100% unoriginal, then any variation of originality is okay.

This is a lot like the 'dj' debate. Ugh. Who cares if someone is or isn't 'djing'

The audience cares even if they don't know why. Because to not "DJ", if that means being actively invpolved in the timing and nuance of mixing, breaks the feedback which build energy on the dance floor. A play-list doesn't build energy on its own. It's what you do with it that makes the difference.

It's the same things with presets, as have already been said, it's what you do with it that counts. Are you communicating? Then you're fine I think.

This is accurate. Producing electronic music (or any other craft or form of art for that matter) is mostly all about showing that you know what you’re doing. Pretty straightforward.

A big part of orchestrating electronic music is using sounds that both correspond exactly to what you want to express and sound well together. These two little facts should make the limitations inherent to using presets pretty clear.

While some presets might sound cool on their own (it’s the sound designer’s job to make them sound cool after all), the sound designer neither knows exactly what kind of sound you want/need, nor does he know what other sounds you used in your song and if they will all sound good together in a mix.

Your job as a producer is to make sure that the instruments and effects express what you want to express and that they sound good together. Exclusively using “raw” presets probably won’t get you all the way there because A. no sound will ever sound EXACLY like it should in your head and B. the presents weren’t made to sound good together in the context of YOUR mix.

You don’t have to learn how to build presets from scratch (although it can’t hurt to have knowledge of synthesis). A good compromise is probably finding presets that are close to what you want and tweak them until you have what you want.

[102455]

http://www.thevinylfactory.com/vinyl-fa ... ern-music/

[The Carpet Cleaner]

no it's not.

Cheating is when you screw someone else than your partner without them knowing.

[mekanism1200]

I find switching through presets and tweaking settings all while recording helps with inspiration so I dont feel its cheating. I have followed many tutorials by well known producers where they just cycle through presets while recording and then cut out the audio files and piece it where they think it sounds good. However, these guys also can do some decent sound design as well. Designing your own sounds is always good, and you can use shorter sessions to do sound design, longer sessions for composition.

[GeoSuPhat]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEJnK8nvlk4

[DON of ROME]

Most of the Professional Synth players created their very own a sound that's absolutely unique BUT they lack of creativity on how to use it and type Genre their using it . Don't feel guilty don't get fooled by these people saying " Using presets is cheating " coz none of them created a Master piece that every one else's gonna appreciate and Listen to. Listen to the Band THE MIDNIGHT " they remixed a song by: Jon Bellion called " 80'S Films " its an absolute work of Art turning a song even more better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfcf5pv3VfA this is the real Synth wave retro music who cares if they use PRESETS ? or if they created their own , none of that matters as long your bringing the best of the song with your creativity.

take advantage of what you already have AVAILABLE Dont take other peoples words

[Angstrom]

I enjoy a good necrobump.

Some players only need a Rhodes with a wah pedal & a 2600 and a four voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rABZKiAeIU4 (Weather Report Live in 1976)

Or perhaps
https://youtu.be/ehXUyW4-hA8?t=925

Bass players, probably don't watch that unless you want to fall into a Jaco Pastorius hole