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Synth lines - my failing
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thockin
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
114
Posted : Nov 28, 2005 04:22
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I'm pretty comfortable with percussion. I have a collection of pretty killer kicks that I made myself. I can dial in a pretty whomping bass line.
What I can't do, it seems, is work synth lines.
I can make some interesting patches (they're never quite what I intended, but..). I just can't turn those patches into synth arrangments that work. I know how scales and modes work - intellectually - but I can never find the notes and patterns that my tunes need.
Help me! What excercizes can I do? What examples can I look at? I'm so frustrated!
Tim
p.s. I suck at pads, too |
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Illuminatix
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
67
Posted : Nov 28, 2005 05:01
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Nobita
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
30
Posts :
371
Posted : Nov 28, 2005 07:31
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I often find that a good way to come up with leads is to hum a tune over your track, then put that melodie on a synth, tweak the melody, add variations and try on various synths and sounds on it until you get something nice. Cheers !
 Row row row your boats gently down the stream; merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream. |
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Nov 28, 2005 08:32
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i make melody first then tweak the sound. after it is quite good i try to make up the melody and the sound to sit them both peacefully in one harmonic chair, so to say.
it is not the one and only way for sure. but this 'method' is my favourite.
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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EYB
Noized
Started Topics :
111
Posts :
2849
Posted : Nov 28, 2005 17:26
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If u stuck with ur melody u can use ur sequencers randomizer until u get something nice and fine tune this. It can be a nice starting point 
Signature |
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dlx
Started Topics :
6
Posts :
87
Posted : Nov 28, 2005 17:48
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Quote:
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On 2005-11-28 17:26, EYB wrote:
If u stuck with ur melody u can use ur sequencers randomizer until u get something nice and fine tune this. It can be a nice starting point
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Does Cubase SX3 have a randomize option for the MIDI key editor?
"That's no ordinary rabbit! 'Tis the most foul, cruel and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!" |
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DJ Kontakt
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
153
Posted : Nov 28, 2005 18:36
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i suggest just whacking away at your keyboard till you get a tune you like.
start with something that goes on the bassline you made, obviously.
theres diffrent "sweet spots" on the keyboard to inspire dance type sounds in you and your music.
hunt for them and you will find them
if you dont have a keyboard to play, get one.
G+ - Army Collective - Kontakt Recordings
Sie verbringen die Jahre, die zur Schule gehen, einen Job zu
erhalten, und dann verwirklichen Sie, das Sie nie ein irgendwie erhalten!
www.myspace.com/k0nt4kt
Music is my Playground |
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s0ft
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
825
Posted : Nov 29, 2005 00:39
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usually i start with something in my head and try to emulate it through a midi-map or keyboard. i usually cant play it instantly. i have to hunt for the right notes. im sure you have melodies in your head, so this may be the best way for you.
also, you may want to start with what you know; rhythms. find the sound you like (with a synth you are comfortable with) and create a rhythmic patern using that sound. then change pitch to create a melody. i've used this method a few times.
i've gotten results using the "whacking away" method DJ Kontakt suggested too. altho, i enjoy a more structured process for melody creation.
it seems like if i have a kick, bass, and percussion the melody usually fallows pretty easily. it all starts in your head, so just listen to what you have and build on top of that.
one more thing... dont be limited by what the common idea of a "melody" is. it's a lot more subjective than what people think.
The IsraTrance MySpace Group:
http://groups.myspace.com/isratrance
DJ Trypta Sets:
http://waxdj.com/djs/4354/ |
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Elad
Tsabeat/Sattel Battle
Started Topics :
158
Posts :
5306
Posted : Nov 29, 2005 10:07
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Quote:
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On 2005-11-28 04:22, thockin wrote:
they're never quite what I intended
I know how scales and modes work - intellectually - but I can never find the notes and patterns that my tunes need.
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i suggest get back to your knowledge issue.. if u know scales then it should be easy to put nice melody .. simple is good start
and may be work with patches u do want.. instead those just happen to come up and sound nice .
another thing i can suggest is this:
first tap the groove u want on one note then play with the scale 
www.sattelbattle.com
http://yoavweinberg.weebly.com/ |
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s0ft
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
825
Posted : Nov 29, 2005 14:50
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lets get more spacific.
is your problem creating melodies or creating original melodies?
you may want to check out the FAQ thread. there are some good links to "writting music in keys" threads found on isratrance. The IsraTrance MySpace Group:
http://groups.myspace.com/isratrance
DJ Trypta Sets:
http://waxdj.com/djs/4354/ |
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Lord Deo
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
215
Posted : Nov 30, 2005 00:47
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ok during one of those occasional "lack of musical inspiration" periods, there are few methods to i use to lay some melodies.
1) dj kontakt's whacking method - works sometimes.
2) messing with the arpeggiator settings on synths - again works but not always.
3) connecting mic into the sound card, singing whatever melody's in my head and converting realtime audio data into midi events (via Audio2Midi software). afterwards i just clean it up, quantinise, rearrange it just the way i see fit and bling bling - done.
www.venomous2.com
www.myspace.com/venomous2
www.myspace.com/asymmetricnoisesyndrome |
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Kitnam
Mantik
Started Topics :
110
Posts :
1151
Posted : Nov 30, 2005 00:51
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a masterkeyboard will help you much, because you can edit ideas directly with your hands. intuitive workflow is very important for your creative output.
music works with scales, start to choose not notes, search at first for your main-scale. at beginniner you can stay in the song just in one scale, this gives you enough possibilities and gives your track an harmonic form. the trick is only to play the notes in your scale. if you play an off-scale note, its in fact a key change, and is a very advanced technic, which you dont need for making killer-tracks.
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Digital Psyence
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
134
Posted : Nov 30, 2005 01:10
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Another very good method is to put about 30-40 bars of your "main part" out on example here at isratrance, then write what tone youre working in, and the bpm, in that way other people can help you create some layers - not as a final result, but as inspiration only. I've helped many people this way (most friends) and im always happy to give it a shot. I know this will probably not help to develop your skills, but it can be nice with this type of help sometimes, when the creative part of the brain is sleeping |
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talolard
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
64
Posts :
282
Posted : Dec 2, 2005 00:03
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play around with note lengths. sometimes adding some 64ths adds some oomph to an otherwie lame synth line
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
natanofgaza@yahoo.com |
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Milosh
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
27
Posts :
204
Posted : Dec 2, 2005 01:29
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Quote:
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3) connecting mic into the sound card, SINGING? whatever melody's in my head and converting realtime audio data into midi events (via Audio2Midi software). afterwards i just clean it up, quantinise, rearrange it just the way i see fit and bling bling - done.
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Can you explain this a litle bether please?
Never let computers to win a game! :)
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