Practicing and efficient workflow question...

[Praxisaxis]

Firstly, there are no set rules. Instead, probably the best thing to do is pick up tips here and there and combine that with a decent commitment.

Here's a few of mine for what it's worth, in no particular order. Not everyone will agree with all of this.

1) be ready to find that it takes a long time to get much better. Some people do very well quite quickly, but this is the exception not the rule. And of those, they usually find they meet stumbling blocks too eventually.

2) Put aside senseless pride. Most of us start out thinking we know this or that, but only start to make real improvements once you begin listening critically to other people's music, and their technical advice. Don't be afraid to try new things, even if you've always done something a certain way.

3) Time is important - you have to work out a way of working reasonably quickly. This isn't something which is just true for professionals, although they have learned this. When you try any new technique you'll go slow at first, but be conscious of it. Part of improving is in completing tunes, and the rate at which this occurs has some bearing on how much you eventually improve. This is coming from someone who is a relatively slow worker, but I think it's important to finish stuff, or at least occasionally start something new. Essentially, refining your workflow has an impact on the quality of your music.

More specifically:
* Put aside a regular time to work. As much as you can reasonably afford without killing your interest or jeopardising your other priorities.
* Train your ears. You think you can hear what a good mix is to begin with... this is usually a bit misguided. The best way to establish this is to critically listen to other people's tunes (which achieve a sound you're interested in), and work out how to do that. You can even import other people's tracks into your own projects, to hear it along side of yours.
*This is NOT about copying them. It is about training your ears to hear the crucial differences between a track by an experienced producer and your own efforts. Remember music was always something meant to be learned from and shared with others.

The thing is even though we have different gear and a different mindset, what'll come out usually won't be the same.

You use what gear you have to aim at a particular sound that you're after. Because everyone does things differently, no doubt your process will be a bit different to someone else's. And in the end it might sound a bit different too, but learning the process itself will help you to make the most out of what you have, and that's what is important.


Well, that's just a few random tips. I'm sure others can expand on that.

[ozy]

Originally Posted by isuckreallybad

the folks who play acoustic instruments get better by practicing and copying the masters.

Which NON-ACOUSTIC instrument do you play?

I mean: which instrument do you play, which:

* doesn't produce good or bad sounds, depending on your skills

* doesn't follow specific rules, you should know

* hasn't a book of good music writetn for it, which could help you learn its nuances

* doesn't require tricks and tips

* doesn't require some degree of physical effort, for which you should warm up, stretch, rest, refine your motion and gesture?

If your NON-ACOUSTIC instrument (does it exist?) requires neuromotor skills, knowledge of music, elaboration of a personal style, knowledge of better players' styles...

... well, you've got your answer.

[Praxisaxis]

Originally Posted by ozy

Which NON-ACOUSTIC instrument do you play?

I mean: which instrument do you play, which:

* doesn't produce good or bad sounds, depending on your skills

* doesn't follow specific rules, you should know

* hasn't a book of good music writetn for it, which could help you learn its nuances

* doesn't require tricks and tips

* doesn't require some degree of physical effort, for which you should warm up, stretch, rest, refine your motion and gesture?

If your NON-ACOUSTIC instrument (does it exist?) requires neuromotor skills, knowledge of music, elaboration of a personal style, knowledge of better players' styles...

... well, you've got your answer.

I assumed he's talking about production, and comparing that to learning an instrument.

[drosophila]

I find it's effective to set goals for yourself. Focus on programming certain types of patches more effectively, experiment with breaking out of established habits, work on reducing the steps needed to accomplish a particular result, whichever.

Along those same lines, it's a good idea to revisit gear you've had for awhile and try to squeeze a few more tricks out of it. Even if it seems tedious sometimes, the process of doing this can really open your eyes to some new ideas.

The most important thing is to not let yourself get stuck in your comfort zone. A fast workflow is vital, but you need to keep it adaptive, not methodical.

[Spyrow]

Originally Posted by isuckreallybad

You know the folks who play acoustic instruments get better by practicing

You are right, so go practice just like you would do with any instrument: use ear training for sound engineers software.

[isuckreallybad]

I see some hostile posts...the thing is i'm being honest here and I'm not trolling.

I listen to my musical heroes and say "how the hell can they do that?" I mean, I make techno, I want to make super stripped down techno. I just don't know how. How exactly does one learn about texture and know what sounds good with what? I think it's experience but I still have trouble with it.

[Dubtek71]

Originally Posted by isuckreallybad

I see some hostile posts...the thing is i'm being honest here and I'm not trolling.

I listen to my musical heroes and say "how the hell can they do that?" I mean, I make techno, I want to make super stripped down techno. I just don't know how. How exactly does one learn about texture and know what sounds good with what? I think it's experience but I still have trouble with it.

This guy figured it out. So if he can do it then surely others can too. If one could do something like this then I would say you're not doing too bad. Its a pretty decent benchmark in my opinion. Sounds pretty much like the tracks that I know. Something to consider. So yeah maybe you want to try to recreate one of your favourite tracks. Hell why am I telling you this? I should be doing it myself!!

[audioconsult]

recreating tracks? why not play a bit smoke on the water on the guitar to warm up or learn some beatles songs?

In case you are into electronic music its better to find your own handwriting because there is no band on your side that adds to your style..

You should practice to do a track in one day.. with an beginning and an end and minimal 3 minutes long..

Its better spending 10 days training to do a track in one daythan spending 10 days on one track...

once you got there you can start to try to make better tracks in one day..

and the last level in that game is to do an whole album in one day..

that never really works out because of the editing and mastering..but its a good school for live playing to try...

[audioconsult]

Originally Posted by Dubtek71

This guy figured it out. So if he can do it then surely others can too. If one could do something like this then I would say you're not doing too bad. Its a pretty decent benchmark in my opinion. Sounds pretty much like the tracks that I know. Something to consider. So yeah maybe you want to try to recreate one of your favourite tracks. Hell why am I telling you this? I should be doing it myself!!

The setup of the guy looks a bit too developed to just cover tracks.. he has it all there and also enough talent.. Wonder what else he might do.. I would think it is to limiting to try to concurent with personal vave tracks all the time. Electronic music lives from the unperfect trys that give new styles..and it always dies when too much people copy common grounds..
So to be brave enough to dont be perfect but finish a track never the less is in my opinion a better school than aiming for the top from the start and therfore avoiding risks...

However.. better to learn from the master pieces than just using soundalike premade loops.

In any case the guy should be able to do own original tracks all along with such a setup and skill set.

[Dubtek71]

Originally Posted by audioconsult

The setup of the guy looks a bit too developed to just cover tracks.. he has it all there and also enough talent.. Wonder what else he might do.. I would think it is to limiting to try to concurent with personal vave tracks all the time. Electronic music lives from the unperfect trys that give new styles..and it always dies when too much people copy common grounds..
So to be brave enough to dont be perfect but finish a track never the less is in my opinion a better school than aiming for the top from the start and therfore avoiding risks...

However.. better to learn from the master pieces than just using soundalike premade loops.

In any case the guy should be able to do own original tracks all along with such a setup and skill set.

Yes he does have a fair amount of gear. I don't think his studio is bloated, nor does he seem to be lacking for anything. He seems to be using each piece of gear for a role. In that regard its justified.

I am not suggesting that recreating tracks should be a full time pursuit. Taking a stab at it isn't going to hurt. In trying to work it out a brother is gonna learn a thing or 2 at least.

Of course with Electronic music one is always trying to explore their own sound. Well, those of us who are not down with the colour by numbers looppack anyway.

Here is some of his own stuff.