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10 timeless production tips.
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A.Rosengren
Solid Snake
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Posted : Dec 20, 2010 02:27:32
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Found this while browsing through another community (yes I do that).
Here it is:
I was going through some old archives of mine, and I ran across a list of my top ten pieces of production advice, something I had written years ago. Struck me that I probably wouldn’t change anything even after all this time.
1. Less is almost always more. Turn down the effects, back off the compression, use less EQ and reverb, get rid of tracks that don’t really add anything important to the song.
2. Don’t force yourself to write only in one genre (blasphemy, I know). Variety is the spice of life, so experiment with other genres/styles, it’ll only make you a better musician/producer.
3. Learn at least basic music theory. You may never, ever use it, but it’ll help you understand how we got to where we are, and might just help you out in the future.
4. Don’t force yourself to write if you’re not feeling it. Go outside, take care of your errands and BS, and come back to it when it’s fun again. Even if that means a month long hiatus (or longer).
5. Do it for the right reasons. Make music because you love the process, not the hopeful outcome. Never make music thinking you’ll make money, cause you won’t 99.999% of the time.
6. Understand it takes years and years to get that polished and professional sound. It’s not down any magic plug ins or settings. An experienced producer can make a pro-sounding tune no matter what the gear. It’s the ears, not the gears. (trademarked) The only way to get to this point is practice, plain and simple.
7. Learn to calibrate people’s comments about your tunes. There’s a fine line between solid, unbiased production advice, and personal preferences. Listen to what people say, and then judge if their comments are expressing their own personal preferences, or if it’s a genuine advice from an experience producer. Listen either way though, both kinds of advice can be helpful if taken in the right context. On that note, your friends will always tell you they like your tunes.
8. Learn to play a real instrument.
9. Interviews with other producers are the best source of production advice. Especially if they produce a completely different genre than you.
10. Slim down your studio. Kinda ties into #1 above, but the less gear you have, the easier it is to learn it, and the farther you can take it. Especially with plug ins.
Cheers.
A
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
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Posted : Dec 20, 2010 03:53
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Trevon
Started Topics :
6
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376
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 04:04
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wise words 
I guess I totally agree with them all.
going to level 2 of music theory. it helps at lot on composition.
yes, watching interviews and tutorials is a way to learn and keep evolving, even when we think we know everything 
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
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162
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8087
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 04:23
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point 6 and 10 are so true like most of them, just point 9 maybe i didn t find the good interviews |
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TimeTraveller
IsraTrance Full Member
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80
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3207
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 04:31
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 I've read it somewhere else recently too.Must be from the same source,perhaps idm or sth like this dunno now.
Nice to read it here for sure.
These are really golden points.
 https://soundcloud.com/shivagarden |
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Cosmic Tandav
Trailoka
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67
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1026
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 07:46
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makus
Overdream
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82
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3087
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 11:17
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dj chichke
Chichke
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83
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705
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 12:49
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Nomad Moon
IsraTrance Full Member
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134
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Posted : Dec 20, 2010 14:28
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Thanks, i'm stikking this one in front of my display  |
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A.Rosengren
Solid Snake
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266
Posts :
4139
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 15:40
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Quote:
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On 2010-12-20 12:49, dj chichke wrote:
i don't so agree with point 1. not to use copmpressors and eq's it's like you tell me not to mix my channels. about getting rid of the tracks that are not important. it's true that you will have more space at your mix but in fullon and dark you need to add more and more tracks if you want to rock the dancefloor.
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He's not telling you to not use it, he is pointing out that you should use it moderatly (which means not killing the "natural" dynamics of a sound), at least that's how I interpret the sentence.
A
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daark
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Dec 20, 2010 17:29
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
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5380
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 17:57
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Quote:
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On 2010-12-20 15:40, A.Rosengren wrote:
Quote:
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On 2010-12-20 12:49, dj chichke wrote:
i don't so agree with point 1. not to use copmpressors and eq's it's like you tell me not to mix my channels. about getting rid of the tracks that are not important. it's true that you will have more space at your mix but in fullon and dark you need to add more and more tracks if you want to rock the dancefloor.
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He's not telling you to not use it, he is pointing out that you should use it moderatly (which means not killing the "natural" dynamics of a sound), at least that's how I interpret the sentence.
A
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Also, if you can make a good mix without using shitloads of EQ and compression and FX, it means your sound sources are really good to begin with - and this is THE best way to get a good-sounding track: use good sounds.
Mastering - http://mastering.OOOD.net :: www.is.gd/mastering
OOOD 5th album 'You Think You Are' - www.is.gd/tobuyoood :: www.OOOD.net
www.facebook.com/OOOD.music :: www.soundcloud.com/oood
Contact for bookings/mastering - colin@oood.net |
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Xamanist
Xamanist
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49
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938
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 18:51
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great tips! I specially try to follow nº1, with great results
Sérgio Xamanist
facebook.com/xamanist
soundcloud.com/xamanist |
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Trevon
Started Topics :
6
Posts :
376
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 20:46
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thesedays everyone adds a compressor to e-v-e-r-y single chain of the track...... and sometimes it's not needed at all.
compressors are not miracle sound makers..  |
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danfoss
Started Topics :
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62
Posted : Dec 20, 2010 20:52
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I used to work without compressors.. I almost never use them. |
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