Why Do You Produce?

[krz?]

I'm 18, been producing for around 2 years... it all started from listening to my brothers mixtapes when i was like 9-10, listening to DnB, UKG, Reggae, Pop etc it got me hooked on music, i was music mad, then i got myself music 2000 for PS1... started messing about on that, was hooked on that.... then at around 14-15 my bro got decks, learnt to mix, sold the decks so decided to give producing a shot cos i wanted to stay on top of what i loved most... and here i am now still making beats

[shapesinthehall]

i tend to get the shits if im not making any music

[3rdeye]

i woke up today after a demoralising logic session and asked myself this very question

but really:

i tend to get the shits if im not making any music

this!

[+2]

I produce because I'm addicted to staring at screens, twitching my index finger repeatedly and its safer than crack!

im sure that this has something to do with it too. beats tv.

[futures_untold]

I produce because it's a more creative & intelligent way of staring at a screen than watching TV.

[futures_untold]

I produce because I love all the excitement and feedback I get!

Nothing beats downloading the latest bug fix update of software x, firing up some new freeware synth and sweeping that notch filter through a nasty hoover patch!

(Bliss!)

[futures_untold]

It's healthier than drinking ten pints of lager each Friday shaggin' some sket and waking up with 2 bob change from 40 quid...


---------------------------------------------------------

Seriously.. Why do I really produce?

I guess it is easier than learning to play a real instrument, and it meets both my need to be creative and to be obsessive!

I've loved music tech/computer music since playing on my school mates beefed up Casio in Year 5. After messing with Rebirth for hours on end, the rest is history!

[corpsey]

Interesting thread...

My PC crashed the other week and I haven't been able to go on Reason in that time and I think the break has given me a bit of perspective. When I started messing about on Reason I found it so exciting and interesting but recently I've been feeling less enthusiastic about it and what I've been making, even though what I was making recently was about 1000 times better (in technical/stuctural terms) than the stuff I made when I started... But I think I've come to view making tunes as something like playing a video game or something, with no real 'meaning' to it or purpose behind it.

In one way I think this is a good way to look at making music, because you don't tie yourself down with restrictive manifestos/beliefs, and some of the best music I've made has come about by accident/experimentation. The problem is I often fiddle around a bit, settle on something half good and end up trying to develop a tune around that half-decent thing, which is a waste of time (although it never REALLY is a waste of time, because you learn something new every time)...

Another thing about production is that it gives you a different perspective on music, and that can be a good or bad thing... Since starting production I've come to view a lot of music (especially dance music, especially of the type I want to make) in terms of how its put together, how its mixed down etc etc... Sometimes this can help you appreciate how a producer has achieved something, but also I think it can distort your perspective so you stop seeing why you like a piece of music in the first place.

When I get back on Reason I want to start thinking things through a lot more, trying to find the best possible chord sequence or bassline or drum pattern rather than settling for anything (although another method might be to just get every element down as soon as possible and edit from there... I suppose different people prefer different methods)... and I want to use more samples (vocal snippets etc.).

I suppose I see making beats as a logical progression from being obsessed with listening/raving to music and mixing it - I almost find it hard to see why someone who is as into music as I am WOULDN'T want to produce. There's nothing like listening to something you've made when its really worked, if only for a few seconds... I suppose ultimately I'd love to make something which effected other people - whether that would be making them go nuts/zone out at a rave or just listen to it and feel moved by it somehow.

I was listening to 'Timeless' today - the amount of thought and work thats been put into it, the fearlessness and single mindedness of it... the VIBE of it. I know I could never make something as good as that but I think I'd like to start shooting for that feel... also I dont hear that vibe in a lot of new music so I suppose I could make a killing doing it and get on T4 in some neon reflective sunglasses...

[-dubson-]

Since starting production I've come to view a lot of music (especially dance music, especially of the type I want to make) in terms of how its put together, how its mixed down etc etc... Sometimes this can help you appreciate how a producer has achieved something, but also I think it can distort your perspective so you stop seeing why you like a piece of music in the first place.

yeah i find this, i think ignorance is bliss a lot of the time

[emef]

i've been making tracks since 95
i'm not really a born knobtwiddler
the process of making a track isn't fun for me (mostly)
i just love the end result which is a track i've made from nothing
this feeling is heightened when its a good track and ends up on vinyl for people to play and listen to
i initially got into making tracks cos i thought i could do it better than the records i was buying at the time

i used to be a wedding cake decorator, making music is a much better form of self expression

[DOOMTROOPER/T40]

I started producing properly after hearing dubstep for the first time, but before that attempted making some drum n bass when i first got my hands on reason and failed. But since i started doing Music Technology and college and got talking to some of the people and friends there I have got much better.

I produce because it's fun and i've always been creative and I like to try and have a unique sound.

[altered state]

Most people who like music dont make music.

So thought

wtf, why ever not.

and i started from there. I think its fun.

Why do i produce dubstep, now THATS a question I can ask - I listen to so many differnt forms of IDM and dance music.

I guess its cause I can actually make what I like - and it appeals to my geeky nature!

[r]

To trip the fuck out and be lost for couple of hours of this horrible world.

[penguin snares]

Im 20, Been producing a little over a year.

I've spent loads of money on equipment, software and most of all time.

Life is hilariously dull. Music plasters that hole until we all die.

On a lighter note.

I love the feeling of making a tune, the time it steals, the end product, recognition and most of all I feel like im doing something that makes living a little bit more interesting.

Now im off to go shoot some heroin and fuck a hooker.
Times.

[darkmatteruk]

coz THEY told me to

[ketamine]

Im 20, Been producing a little over a year.

I've spent loads of money on equipment, software and most of all time.

Life is hilariously dull. Music plasters that hole until we all die.

On a lighter note.

I love the feeling of making a tune, the time it steals, the end product, recognition and most of all I feel like im doing something that makes living a little bit more interesting.

Now im off to go shoot some heroin and fuck a hooker.
Times.

ADHD innit... Me too

[wirez]

Just wondering what makes you wanna produce, why you do it, what makes you spend a shit load off money on software, hardware ect and spend hours sitting by ya set up making beats?

Because I'm one of those people who are like... How the fuck did they do that?! Then spend my life trying to work it out... For me, my brain is everything, I believe my meaning of life is to learn. (Philosophical or what!?)

Music has always been something so powerful in my life, controlling emotions, encouraging emotions. Etc. So it will be the first thing I'm to master in my life time.

Edited: Going on what scarabza said how old are you(if ya dont mind saying), how long you been producing and did you produce before dubstep or did you start producing because off dubstep

I'm 19, been producing since I was 12/13 so that's around 7 years. I started off producing hip hop... Found it boring, moved on to trip hop... Then found dubstep, intend on staying here until something comes up as dark and as free-moving as dubstep! Although I intend on working on my 2 step garage skills for summer!

EDITED: Just thought did you teach yaself or have you done like a uni/college corse

Got up on my feet with help from friends who were already producing. Done numerous courses now, and a whole load of self study.

Nice thread

[wirez]

I like learning, I really like music...a lot.

I'd hear a tune I liked and be like - HOW?!? - to certain noises... one thing led to another, and ended up trying to recreate certain noises, which in turn led to making tunes.

All helped along by the fact that most of my mates are guys who produce too.... and didn't want to be the girl who couldn't do that too!! Haha!

Rarr a girl

*gets pervy*

[wirez]

originally i wanted to be famous

This is me. I heard Mike Skinner and I was like This guy is the biggest legend, he don't give a fuck how he sounds and the girlies want a bit.