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How to keep motivation levels up while beginning a new track?
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Architekt
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
22
Posts :
110
Posted : Dec 18, 2010 03:55:29
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As we all know, the genres of music that we are trying to produce take a fair amount of time and effort to get something sounding decent. The feeling of working on a track that is sounding good is amazing - you hardly want to stop to get food, let alone sleep or go out!
But getting to that point can be quite a struggle motivationally. Sitting there for hours trying to tweak a kick or bass to get a sound you like, or that's different from your other tracks, can be quite depressing - especially because you have a limited amount of time before something happens with your hearing and perception of what you're producing that makes progress very difficult.
My question is:
What do you do/use/think to get through this phase of the track? Do you keep going solidly until you get something? Do you move on and come back to it? Smoke something maybe? Take lots of breaks?
I find that I will randomly get it sounding good - I haven't got a technique or plan as of yet!
  http://www.soundcloud.com/architektnz
http://dj.beatport.com/architektnz
http://www.facebook.com/architektpsynz |
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vipal
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
123
Posts :
1397
Posted : Dec 18, 2010 04:12
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nice KB with is for me the best motivator. i like it most to have some non-stop days in a row to come with a raw finished track. my problem is more to have time then to stay on the track. nice track you have on soundcloud. |
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Architekt
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
22
Posts :
110
Posted : Dec 18, 2010 05:17
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freez
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
111
Posted : Dec 18, 2010 05:37
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Kick and bass. |
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Padmapani
Started Topics :
2
Posts :
431
Posted : Dec 18, 2010 05:58
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i get that too with every track i start. usually i resolve the problem by importing channels from older tracks or trying to reproduce a melody/sound from a track i like. those serve as "primers" to help me build something around and in most cases don't even end up in the finished track. |
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Obelizk
Amoeba
Started Topics :
115
Posts :
836
Posted : Dec 18, 2010 09:27
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Get your kick and bass sounding good ENOUGH and move on. Chances are, when you start working more and adding more layers and tracks, you're going to want to tweak the bass differently anyway.
Focus on the fun, keep the creative part of your brain in tact as you go along creating a track. It is way more important than the sounds at that point. Especially if you're just having an 'on' night in the studio, and you're just flowing. These are the times you need to focus on having fun writing and creating.
Maybe the next day, you'll be in more of a tweaking mood, or you have some down time, and you want to fix some sounds and round them out - do that then. It will make your life easier.
For me, being hyped up is a great way to be for creating psy. I guess this is obvious. Sometimes I create the best stuff after working out, or just getting my adrenaline pumping in general - after clubbing if it's possible or whatever.
Looking at your songs not as kick and bass, and hi hat tracks, and lead, but of actual music that you're piecing together is a solid way to look at it for that creative time as well. www.musicproductionnatural.com || www.facebook.com/djamoeba | facebook page |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Dec 18, 2010 15:22
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try to get everyhting ready , sample and presets , templates with beat, fx send ready...when the inspiration strike you concentrate on making music |
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danfoss
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
62
Posted : Dec 18, 2010 16:01
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When I got stuck on inspiration, I try to work on sound or load up some old unfinished projects to pick up few ideas that has been forgotten.
Every track includes some frustrations, it`s never flawless  |
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
112
Posts :
1490
Posted : Dec 19, 2010 02:51
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I try to focus on things i like but not for long...
I make a pretty nice KBBB as Obelisk said, good enough just to make my head rock a little...
Then i procede to add any other cool stuff, cool percussion, cool lead or fx, atmos or build up.
Remember to hit the space bar after a while or you'll get loopitis.
A good strategy is to build your track around a part that you like a lot, i like, for example to create a nice build up and bass drop, something that i enjoy and try to think ahead 'how would this sound on the dancefloor?'
I try to create the wow factor, so each time i listen to it it motivates me to go on and on with the track and repeat that satisfactory feeling.
Inspiration killer is indeed listening to a track too many times or just get stuck on the kick n bass... don't get stuck and just mute the bassline and make something else then u can go back to it when ears relax a litte.
Try to think on what do you want to create instead of trying to get something done on the fly (although it is also possible).
Always use some original content that inspires you... like start with a nice melody and then create bassline under it, or maybe a nice atmosphere (that one is easy and very effective)... deep soundscapes and some 303 with delay can get the psy vibe going on for much more rich ideas to gestate. Also try to have fun.
2 cents. |
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Architekt
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
22
Posts :
110
Posted : Dec 19, 2010 05:27
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Architekt
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
22
Posts :
110
Posted : Dec 19, 2010 05:42
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One good idea that I have discovered lately is getting you kick and bass reasonably sorted, with some percussion happening, expand the whole thing straight away into full song format. That way you can work on later parts of the song when you get stuck on the earlier bits. Quite often figuring out the later sections will give you the ideas you need for the earlier parts.
I also think its psychologically a better feeling adding to a full song, than trying to get the first 3-4min segment sounding right. It just seems more daunting when you're out of ideas and only at the 3 minute mark 
http://www.soundcloud.com/architektnz
http://dj.beatport.com/architektnz
http://www.facebook.com/architektpsynz |
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Freeflow
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
60
Posts :
3709
Posted : Dec 19, 2010 06:36
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Hey nice thread!
I think like this,
Either you get a flow and a burst of inspiration which leads to new ideas quickly!
Or you sit down and fiddle around with some new synth or new samples or playing with new effects and all of a sudden you come up with stuff without the intention of really creating something solid.
The best way like PoM say, have a good setup with organized stuff and presets you have tweaked in a flavor organized way so you know what it is and can easy reach it.
having templates can be good but also i find starting in a empty project is more mystic and leaving much to chance what you will bring in to it...
But knowing your program and knowing as much as possible about your tools of course give a good flow as you work inside of your limitations and inside your own knowledge base...
but too finish is about discipline and endurance, and also about compromising. i think you have to tweak alot sometimes thats just how it is and if that means you are drained of inspiration and creativity and your ears lose perspective than so be it, you have learn that its so and you can avoid same mistake again.
i really like not having a set style of how i make things, i try new stuff often and it brings different result of course i got some special characteristics in my creation methods and ways i do stuff but its good to break free from them also...
so my advice is just create and have fun like Obelizk say.... just go with the flow when you can and the rest of the time try and be more technical and sort stuff, name and organize, but sometimes that really isnt the best way also because you can lose inspiration and feel inhibit to create. but most of all try and be free and open in mind and do things you wouldnt, keep mistakes and pull and twist everything if you have to....
in ableton live its real fun, if arm record is activated you automatically record all tweaks inside of the time frame you choose, haha i did that to my brothers nordlead 3 automated every single parameter and recorded it, it was pure psychedelic and seeing all those lights flashing was so amusing...
HAVE FUN 
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Freeflow
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
60
Posts :
3709
Posted : Dec 19, 2010 07:53
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aciduss - Nice advice, thank you
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Obelizk
Amoeba
Started Topics :
115
Posts :
836
Posted : Dec 19, 2010 07:58
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Freeflow
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
60
Posts :
3709
Posted : Dec 19, 2010 08:20
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Obelizk - man iv been totally into that too, i used to train right and left brain by juggling, or tapping hands or feets.. doing paradiddle also is great... or just using left hand to trigger the right brain side... often you forget that its the opposite, when you use left you are actually triggering the right and when you use right hand you trigger the left side...
i love this brain things, you got more ideas about this?
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