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I think the question's a bit confusing and imprecise, tbh.

Is it a good idea to make all your tunes really boring and predictable so some muppet who wanders into a dubstep night on a whim (maybe as a DJ) doesn't get confused that you've done something very slightly nonstandard and thus reduces the amount of wonga you make with the minumum of effort? No, I don't think it is.

Are you prostituting your pure artistic spirit if you think about whether a good DJ who you respect could fit your tunes in a set and get a response from an audience of people like you? To be honest, if you think that then I don't know what you're doing listening to dubstep, because throughout the history of jungle, dub, funk, soul, techno and house that idea hasn't been far from peoples' minds, and has resulted in a lot of very very good music. Unless you aren't interested in commercial whores like King Tubby, Steve Gurley, U-Roy, Juan Atkins, Congo Natty and so on...

So yeah, if you're talking about 'following the rules to the letter' and making predictable cookie cutter music then screw it, I'll do what I want. On the other hand, wanting to make a tune that I could imagine hearing and loving at a good night - something that fits the vibe but takes it somewhere new, and is predictable enough to be mixable but unpredictable enough to spin you out - is part of what I want to do, not something contradictory to it. As far as I'm concerned, breaking some of the rules is as much part of 'fitting into the dubstep genre' as following them.

You might actually have a better chance of making it big time making tunes that don't neatly fit inside a box. I have intended on making my own personal style of music for years but it is soo much fun making dubstep tunes and then going out and rinsing them live. If I had more time I would make a lot more non genre music no doubt. But time I don't have *sigh*

cataract wrote:mate just write what you think sounds good
thats my philosophy

Totally agree here - I've made a bunch of tunes that no one likes but me

Something I notice often, is that "listeners" and fans of music will appreciate what you do more than other producers will.

at the moment i'm happy putting idea's/inspiration within boundaries. Every so often during the making of something, the boundaries might get breached and something i like might come out of it as a result....couldn't say what boundaries i always set myself...but i definitely don't approach a new tune with no idea for what i want to hear.

if that makes sense

you only have to listen to Stockhausen to understand the damage of the free approach...mixed bags of fruit IMO!!!![/moderately controversial i don't mean that at all]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but these are my thoughts on your question.

I used to produce "underground" hiphop for about 11 years. I'm still making hiphop beats for alot of mc's in the netherlands.

But a few months ago i started focusing more and more on dubstep. Besides the SICK AND ADDICTING sound, i also produce it cos it let's me finish tunes right away. With hiphop i have to wait for the mc and built from there (i hate that!).

Anywayz, i was really studying dubstep for a while. But after doing some tunes, i noticed i already am making something different then the useal dubstep. And i think that's good, cos see, my actual goal IS to have my own sound, to be onest i'm striving to create a totally new style of music! (and hope i will haha)


So it's not bad to make different things, i don't really care about how many people will follow my music.. I just make it, if i enjoy it and like it everything is fine with me. And if other people like it then i see it as a compliment for all the hard work.

Just make music and have fun, fuck what other people think! Remember, new things will always be hated on and the more haters the more succes


Just my 2 cents..

p.s. i will post some links to new tunes soon, so ya'll can hear what i mean..