Ableton Forum

Z3NO wrote:I also generally find that forcing yourself to finish tunes (and end up with a long series of disappointing results) is not only counter-productive but also quite demoralising for many, and progress is often slow.
Approaching production from a different angle that yields quick gratifications, like working on individual sounds only or make the arrangement process more concise, is usually more stimulating and can benefit the learning curve.

I always found this was the case for me... I learnt lots more by making more tunes as apposed to spending ages trying to 'fix' a track that was fundamentally crap sounding to start with. I tended to repeat steps (to reinforce learning) and also try out new ideas and techniques this way....

Of course then judgement then has to come into play as to when its worth spending that but extra on a track.

its a never ending learning process

but i have improved by skills a lot by reading the forums, mags and watching the futuremusic videos.
mastering is important too, but that only works if the mix is good, as the mastering engineer cant turn s... into gold

ok, i´ve got a suggestion

Arrange the shit out of the song, get a dude to mix the song and another to master

He said your arrangements were good, that's a huge part of songwriting so I'd say that's a pretty good sign. It moght be hard to take his advice because it's hard to find people who just finish songs & shape sounds (they're often pro & quite busy) but if you know someone go for it. At 6 months though you're a beginner so read up on sound design & mixing so you'll know enough to get something out if it if you do get a chance to learn from someone. Just keep writing and making tunes, practice makes perfect. Best of luck, music is a life long friend.

+1 to all the above.

And yes, listen to a lot of stuff, analyze it, train your ears, A-B tracks, try to find out what the guy means when he says your sounds are not "up the scratch"...

I myself still hesitate between practising and practicing, though.

Good luck!

Cool.. will check 'em out latter when I get back in the studio .. and give you some feedback mate..

And yes I reckon you're right about this being a helpful thread, stacked with good advice for all... I love this about the forum bro.. most of the guys are really willing to help out when they can.

Cheers

Hd

Hey just had a quick listen to your tunes man..

I reckon if you've only been doing this for 6 months.. then you REALLY have nothing to worry about..
This is 'off the top of my head' without getting into serious analysis.. but I'd say you got a great feel in your music and the mixing of the sounds is pretty good, in the fact that everything is in it's place and not fighting to be heard. I can understand what your friend said though regarding the sounds you choose.. It's certainly not that the sounds are 'bad'. Again imo they are kinda 'generic', 'old school', maybe a little 'tame' sounding (this is all a matter of taste... no right or wrong at all).
You've got the groove and the feel pretty nailed.. now you gotta create YOUR sound..
Open Live and just start funking with sound... bend it, stretch it, shrink it, mangle the shite out of it.. play with sounds and don't think about tunes just sound.. I have no doubt you'll get there mate!

Hope this helps some

Hd

For six months I thing you're ahead of most. Yeah, I'd say the sound are 'dated' but if that's your thing then roll with it. Some people may not like the style of house you're making, but I wouldn't change the style just to please someone else's taste.

tech44 wrote:but I wouldn't change the style just to please someone else's taste.

i agree!, stick to your guns.

we have enough one in a million lame artists around and that is not just about having the most unique sounds...

just stick to what you do for years and years, your whole lifetime stick to yourself and you will make a name for yourself, because people will associate whatever sound it is with you at some point and feel the integrity, very important, in my book.

you are still young, don't develop into one of those thousands and thousands of lame average dudes all making the same lame contemporary sound and style. develop your own. and if you dig 'retro' then do retro.

p.s. that doesn't mean that it is good advice to improve and develop your actual production quality!

SubFunk wrote:
practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise, practise,
and practise.

Also, if I might add: practice. It makes perfect, I've heard.

keep on man, keep on.

Annette who?

wow... cool collection, very busy