Hi - wondered what the consensus is on using pre sets in Kontakt, Cakewalk, etc... I.e is it deemed lazy/sloppy to use these pre sets in tracks, and really that one should be programming synth parameters themselves?
production etiquette I guess!
Thanks
using VST synth pre sets - frowned upon? - production etique
Re: using VST synth pre sets - frowned upon? - production etique
Mate you can do what you like. Music making is about having fun and being creative. If you want to work in your studio and use presets, go for it.
I find that most of the sounds I use, I'll find a sound I like and then just tweek from there to suit my track.
There's plenty of talent needed to make a track beyond the sound choice. Arranging, mixing etc.
Do what you like, its your art.
I find that most of the sounds I use, I'll find a sound I like and then just tweek from there to suit my track.
There's plenty of talent needed to make a track beyond the sound choice. Arranging, mixing etc.
Do what you like, its your art.
Re: using VST synth pre sets - frowned upon? - production etique
Thats great advice right there!
BUT...
...I will add this: you might want to think twice if the lead/main element of your track is a preset. If your big hook is a completely unmodified preset - chances are someone, somewhere may use it as their big hook.
I think it depends on the style of music - if your productions consist of lots of 'smaller' elements - you could probably use loads of presets without anyone ever noticing.
You might also find that sound design and synthesis is quite fun - or that it takes up loads of time that might be used otherwise in finishing your productions.
Have fun!
BUT...
...I will add this: you might want to think twice if the lead/main element of your track is a preset. If your big hook is a completely unmodified preset - chances are someone, somewhere may use it as their big hook.
I think it depends on the style of music - if your productions consist of lots of 'smaller' elements - you could probably use loads of presets without anyone ever noticing.
You might also find that sound design and synthesis is quite fun - or that it takes up loads of time that might be used otherwise in finishing your productions.
Have fun!
Re: using VST synth pre sets - frowned upon? - production etique
It seems to me that a lot of successful House uses the same sounds, whether it’s a preset or a made sound that a lot of producers just happen to all make themself. A lot of them even use the same rhythm but different chords or notes.
Personally I wouldn’t worry about it. I think listeners even like certain sounds (presets) that add to their interest. I think only producers get self-obsessed with creating their own sounds but the listener doesn’t care. It’s like people dancing not caring about how the DJ is putting the sound in their ears.
I have a lot of plug-ins and listen to a lot of music and I don’t think I’ve ever been preset diving and went “Oh, [insert artist] used this preset!”
Personally I wouldn’t worry about it. I think listeners even like certain sounds (presets) that add to their interest. I think only producers get self-obsessed with creating their own sounds but the listener doesn’t care. It’s like people dancing not caring about how the DJ is putting the sound in their ears.
I have a lot of plug-ins and listen to a lot of music and I don’t think I’ve ever been preset diving and went “Oh, [insert artist] used this preset!”
Re: using VST synth pre sets - frowned upon? - production etique
Personally I make my own sounds because I can never find exactly what I want pre-made. I am the same when shopping for clothes (so I own a sewing machine). This is because I have a very particular idea of what the sound must conform to in order to recreate the sound & song in my head.
Some people might say that using presets is lazy, or shows a lack of imagination, but a preset is just a sound. However you got your sound doesnt matter as long as you make it do something that isnt just derivative preset music. By that I mean - the end-product music should be inventive/evocative/interesting and not anodyne pastiche.
If you create something lame it doesnt matter whether you spent 8 years crafting the Bass sound out of fosilised teak, or just ganked it off Preset1:Bass.
Tl;dr The end result is all that matters
Some people might say that using presets is lazy, or shows a lack of imagination, but a preset is just a sound. However you got your sound doesnt matter as long as you make it do something that isnt just derivative preset music. By that I mean - the end-product music should be inventive/evocative/interesting and not anodyne pastiche.
If you create something lame it doesnt matter whether you spent 8 years crafting the Bass sound out of fosilised teak, or just ganked it off Preset1:Bass.
Tl;dr The end result is all that matters
Re: using VST synth pre sets - frowned upon? - production etique
Thanks everyone for the replies
Lots to think about. I love sound design but just very restricted on time, so using a pre set is of course easier. I can knock up things in operator but just dont have time to learn how to use extensive range of VSTs, or max programming for that matter.
What i'm getting is, it's really the end results that counts.
Lots to think about. I love sound design but just very restricted on time, so using a pre set is of course easier. I can knock up things in operator but just dont have time to learn how to use extensive range of VSTs, or max programming for that matter.
What i'm getting is, it's really the end results that counts.