Arranging Dubstep

[Cyren]

Any tips for arranging Dubstep? How do you work? How about differences arranging filth/brostep, deep dubstep or dubstep with vocals?
Let me know how you do it!

[Attila]

[Static D0gma]

It's always the same with me, if you're talking about basic song structure.

Intro/build-up

"Drop" #1

Breakdown/build-up

"Drop" #2

Outro.

[ChadDub]

Yeah come on guys lets structure all dubstep the exact same so people know exactly what's going to happen EVERY TIME!

[Attila]

That's kinda the point of edm structure man. Catching people off guard kills the vibe and frustrates the crowd. If someone can't make their music compelling within a layout that's already pretty broad, then I think it's a statement about their musical ability rather than a structure that's homogenizing a genre.

[zonetrooper5]

That's kinda the point of edm structure man. Catching people off guard kills the vibe and frustrates the crowd. If someone can't make their music compelling within a layout that's already pretty broad, then I think it's a statement about their musical ability rather than a structure that's homogenizing a genre.

It does get very boring when most dubstep tracks are dropping at 55 seconds in, mix it up for a change and make it more interesting for yourself, listeners and the dj. Hell if the dj is good enough he/she will be able to mix in any track of any structure with enough practice.

[Attila]

But the point is that DJs will just edit it to fit their workflow, so even if you have a song with a weird structure no one'll hear it except you and your soundcloud followers. Its fine if youre making music for yourself or already have a big following, but for everyone trying to get their tracks played out it's in your best interest to make it as easy as possible for DJs and listeners.

[mikeyp]

Yeah come on guys lets structure all dubstep the exact same so people know exactly what's going to happen EVERY TIME!

so i should start going outro - breakdown - drop - intro - drop? then ill be awesome?

[Climax]

That's kinda the point of edm structure man. Catching people off guard kills the vibe and frustrates the crowd. If someone can't make their music compelling within a layout that's already pretty broad, then I think it's a statement about their musical ability rather than a structure that's homogenizing a genre.

I agree completely. When you start going too far outside the box, its just a sign imo you dont know what you are really doing

Thats not to say there is a "formula" per-se to write a tune but there is definetely a structure and expectation that you should follow

[Sonika]

Cyren, you joined DSF on my birthday!

[cheshirebeats]

That's kinda the point of edm structure man. Catching people off guard kills the vibe and frustrates the crowd. If someone can't make their music compelling within a layout that's already pretty broad, then I think it's a statement about their musical ability rather than a structure that's homogenizing a genre.

This is a huge music-philosophy paradox to me; how can you make interesting music with such strict genre requirements, and structure requirements for dance floors? I think the way to get past this is to drop the song structure mentality and think of mix structures instead for a live setting: Build up > drop > build up > drop. As long as you maintain some predictability and use that format you can put almost anything into your set; you just need to introduce it in the build up, and then drop it somehow, all the while maintaining continuity - the reason you can't surprise the fuck out of people that often in a set is because its incredibly hard; playing a left field tune will clash with the vibe of your set, so you need to know exactly how you're introducing the track if you're going to do it.

And by drop I don't mean skull crushing bass, just MUSICAL CLIMAX.

[PewPewBoom]

This is just a template, no reason to freak out imo.