Using patches that have been used by others?

[The Magic Hoof]

Sometimes we program patches or use factory patches that other bands/artists have used before on their albums. Am I worrying too much about using some of those exact same patches? I think we've all been through this, but it kinda worries me to use a distinct patch that's part of some other band's sound....... and I just can't help but to, because they rule sometimes

[Yoozer]

Am I worrying too much about using some of those exact same patches?

Are you using them in a similar concept and leaning on them as much as the original band did?

If you worry too much - well, consider that according to that logic, nobody in trance could ever use a supersaw again.

[golden beers]

Originally Posted by The Magic Hoof

it kinda worries me to use a distinct patch that's part of some other band's sound.......

sounds to me like that band is using patches.

[thehuman]

Originally Posted by Yoozer

Are you using them in a similar concept and leaning on them as much as the original band did?

If you worry too much - well, consider that according to that logic, nobody in trance could ever use a supersaw again.

Exactly. Or a 303. Or even in rock music, how about the sound of a Strat through a Fender amp of any sort? Or a big, distorted Ampeg bass guitar sound?

I used to really worry about using presets, but hey... if it works for you song, use it. Even if it were the EXACT same as one used in a really famous song, what are the chances that:

a.) anybody would ever notice
b.) anybody would really care

You might have a few snobs here are there dissing you, but who gives a crap?

[Jake]

This is such a non-issue to me. If a patch or preset works well for what you're trying to do just use it and stop worrying about whether someone else used it. At the end of the day, it's more about what you do with the patch then the patch itself. I would suggest that if you're sounding too much like another band, the problem is not with the patches you're using.

[Beermaster]

well, does using a Steinway piano make you a fraud or a plagiarist as millions of artists have used the same Piano

Does using a 'Patch' mean you're a fraud ? Depends on what a 'patch' IS and what it does:

A If a 'patch' is a whole all dancing all playing loop of drums and synths all riffing on the press of a key ... Then YES you're a faking `mo `fo !

If patch is just a bass sound that YOU use to play the music that YOU wrote then NO !

The world has changed. Most people don't even understand that they know NOTHING and that the software they rely on is Playing everything they 'Think' that they're 'producing'

People who have Zero xperience ( talent ) need to have their noses pressed firmly in the dog turds to 'elighten' them that they need to learn 'Something !'


21st Century... an era of mainly idiots and the chance for a few to make a big difference !

Education ! Please learn........ the world needs it !

Beer

[Brian!]

I feel that an equal portion of a patch's sound comes from how it's played/sequenced, so go for it.

[golden beers]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

well, does using a Steinway piano make you a fraud or a plagiarist as millions of artists have used the same Piano

yes

[tombak]

Patches and presets often become iconic and becomes a signature sound to a genre.

Think of Joey Beltram's "Mentasm" using a preset from a MKS-50 which became iconic in early breakbeat and drum and bass music.

I wouldn't worry about it so much, if you like the way it sounds in your composition then use it.
Sounds and samples are recycled daily, it's a matter of using it in a creative way.

[Beermaster]

Originally Posted by initialsmm

Patches and presets often become iconic and becomes a signature sound to a genre.

Think of Joey Beltram's "Mentasm" using a preset from a MKS-50 which became iconic in early breakbeat and drum and bass music.

I wouldn't worry about it so much, if you like the way it sounds in your composition then use it.
Sounds and samples are recycled daily, it's a matter of using it in a creative way.

If you really don't understand much and can only copy what you've already heard then no matter what sounds you have you'll never be able to create something original ! If you can't speak a language then it doesn't matter if you have a pen and paper !

[golden beers]

909 kick?

[golden beers]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

If you can't speak a language then it doesn't matter if you have a pen and paper !

well... you don't have to speak if you have a pen and paper..




edit: just a silly joke.

[tombak]

Originally Posted by Beermaster

If you really don't understand much and can only copy what you've already heard then no matter what sounds you have you'll never be able to create something original ! If you can't speak a language then it doesn't matter if you have a pen and paper !

That's why there are monster modulars systems!

[MikeSV]

Originally Posted by initialsmm

That's why there are monster modulars systems!

Very stimulating use of the jumpy smiley face!

[Beermaster]

Originally Posted by initialsmm

That's why there are monster modulars systems!

Hooray ! ! !

[Derp]

I think it depends on your personal ethic. I can't bring myself to use presets anymore. So much so that when I used a choir sound from a Proteus on one of the recent tracks I did, I felt dirty and have been learning to synthesize my own choirish sounds so I wouldn't have to be in that position again. Then again, really I like making sounds more than I like making music. But that's not to say that there aren't a ton of great musicians out there that utilize presets and somebody else's patches. This one band I listen to utilizes loops from a couple libraries that I happen to have. I don't frown on them for it, instead I think it's entertaining to have insight into their particular techniques.

[DevonB]

There are people who like to make sounds, there are people who like to write music, there are people who like to play music, there are people who like two or all three of these options. Do what works for you, and get away from the elistism sobbery that you have to do your own presets, or really do anything anyone else says 'you have to do'. If that's the case, you have to do your own recording, make your own CD's, make your own guitar, make your own computer, build your own piano, make your own mics, because hey, we can't have someone ELSE doing the work for us, now can we?

Devon

[chrisrnps]

I don't have a moral opposition to using factory presets (or commercially-sold 'preset collections') - it's just that it's so rare that a preset sound is already exactly what I want without any tweaking, it almost never survives intact.

[DevonB]

Originally Posted by Derp

I think it depends on your personal ethic.

I think "ethics", personally, is a bit over the top. Personal preference? Sure. Being unethical to me implies that you're stealing. If you "lifted" a sample illegally, then yes, I'm with you on ethics. If it came with the synthesizer, that's what you PAID for was the sounds, along with everything else; the complete "package". If it was 'unethical', then you'd have 512 "Init Patches" and it be up to you to fill them in, no? If it was 'unethical' then bands woudl be sueing each other for someone else using 'their' preset in a song.

Making sounds is your thing. That's awesome. Writing music is my thing. Having other people help me with my writing process I think it's great, no matter what part of the process it is.

I mean heck, have you ever used a chord progression that's in another published song? Is that ethical? Someone else already wrote it before you, right?

I mean really, we could beat this to death. At the end of the day, do what makes you happy and makes you feel GOOD about the music you write. To me, that's all that should matter.

Devon

[Tibbon]

All of that being said, for most synths after I play around with them for a few minutes I clear all of the memory blank and start from scratch. Obviously don't do this for Romplers, but then again I don't own any of those...

[Dr.Wu]

it has been said before but since its true:
the only thing uncooler than using presets is NOT using them because they ARE presets.

Anyway-with most synths its really easy to tweak and optimize the sound so it sits well in the track and in the end it all depends on how you use it. Its still about the notes that we play.
I roll a lot of my own sounds but when i come across a cool sounding preset that inspires me i will certainly use it and dont spend a second thought about someone else having used it already or not. Heck-i even use patches that i used myself before a second time.

Funny enough-in the dance scene at least here in germany everyone is trying to sound like a clone of whoever is the flavour of the month, which is one reason why dance music bores me to death. All those silly rules and dos and donts-its the exact opposite of evolution.