Do you use presets?

[craig]

Even Aphex Twin used an Ableton Suite preset on his track "Z Twig".

eh?

[Pedro Sánchez]

I make my own soundwaves, I make my own samples, I make my own instruments in reaktor, I make my own smoothies, I make my own patches in vsts, I steal soundwaves and samples, I use others real instruments, I use others patches in vsts, I use stock library presets, I MAKE ELECTRONIC BASED MUSIC.

[jsills]

yes

[trifonic]

Very interesting discussion. I tend to think a lot of people miss the point when they discuss presets. Bottom line question is whether the sound fits the context of the track? I never understood the idea that people should feel ashamed of using presets. In my experience working as a producer/sound designer alongside (or for) some other very talented producers... most of the producers we all admire use a combination of tweaked presets layered on top of each other, custom created or (more often) custom compiled sample kits, un-tweaked presets and some sounds entirely generated from scratch (in that order).

That being said the talented/professional/detailed oriented producers tend to have an excellent ability to decide how to layer and arrange sounds together to make something musically meaningful and aesthetically interesting no matter what the source. Even though the majority of producers use primarily tweaked presets alongside custom-made sounds, people love to claim that they make every sound from scratch. There are a handful of producers that create every sound from scratch, and build all there own software and hardware. That certainly is the minority and doesn't mean on average that they create better music than the rest. Sometimes it is worth reinventing the wheel, other times it is a waste of time. It really depends on the context. Knowing how to tweak a sound and create your own is essential and saves a lot of time. However, the more important skill is to develop your ear to understand how sounds interact and how to make good aesthetic choices that serve the function of your song. Easier said than done! and always an ongoing process. ok enough of my ranting

[shoot2stun]

Very interesting discussion. I tend to think a lot of people miss the point when they discuss presets. Bottom line question is whether the sound fits the context of the track? I never understood the idea that people should feel ashamed of using presets. In my experience working as a producer/sound designer alongside (or for) some other very talented producers... most of the producers we all admire use a combination of tweaked presets layered on top of each other, custom created or (more often) custom compiled sample kits, un-tweaked presets and some sounds entirely generated from scratch (in that order).

That being said the talented/professional/detailed oriented producers tend to have an excellent ability to decide how to layer and arrange sounds together to make something musically meaningful and aesthetically interesting no matter what the source. Even though the majority of producers use primarily tweaked presets alongside custom-made sounds, people love to claim that they make every sound from scratch. There are a handful of producers that create every sound from scratch, and build all there own software and hardware. That certainly is the minority and doesn't mean on average that they create better music than the rest. Sometimes it is worth reinventing the wheel, other times it is a waste of time. It really depends on the context. Knowing how to tweak a sound and create your own is essential and saves a lot of time. However, the more important skill is to develop your ear to understand how sounds interact and how to make good aesthetic choices that serve the function of your song. Easier said than done! and always an ongoing process. ok enough of my ranting

Very good points. I always go by the rule of thumb which is...if it sounds good, then go for it. Tweaking the parameters to better fit is something I almost always do. Creating sounds from scratch is something I do when I have an idea in my head but no basic sounds to tweak from.

[AJGR]

Even Aphex Twin used an Ableton Suite preset on his track "Z Twig".

eh?

yeah i thought ableton came after Z Twig.

[3za]

Even Aphex Twin used an Ableton Suite preset on his track "Z Twig".

eh?

yeah i thought ableton came after Z Twig.

Aphex twin invented ableton, the day after he invented the world

[DOOMTROOPER/T40]

on occasion. if it sounds good in the tune then why not? often though i will start with a preset and change it to a new sound

[AJGR]

when it comes to electronic sounds i make everything from scratch most of the time. i got the korg legacy collection digital and if i'm honest i don't understand what's going on, especially with the wavestation. so i use some of those presets mostly for pads.
i got some sample packs i use for non electronic sounds, mainly acoustic percussion, pianos and vintage keyboards like rhodes, clavinet and hammond.

i find it's quicker to make my own sounds than look though 1000 presets. i use to use presets but it was only when i stop that i really began to understand synthesis. IMO it's more fun and rewarding doing as much as you can yourself.

[Technosaurus]

As many have said, I wouldn't normally use a preset for a bass/lead, but for pads and other elements that aren't the "main" part of the tune, if it fits I think it's fine.
Another good thing about presets is being able to reverse engineer in a way, and if you come across a super sweet sound, being able to figure out how it was made. This, to me, means that even if I use this preset at least in the future if I want a similar sound, I'll have an idea of how to get there myself.

I've got a buddy who never uses presets/loops etc, and his music is shit because he spends all his time tweaking and less time making it sound musical.

It's been said but: sounds good = is good

[woutersantens]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFtIB_olVqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7gAtPKOKCY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RduuiRlN7QY

All three use this depthcore preset that comes with FL Studio, and is made by Deadmau5.

Just to show that presets are used very often.

[Echoi]

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All three use this depthcore preset that comes with FL Studio, and is made by Deadmau5.

Just to show that presets are used very often.

[kaiori breathe]

I use presets all the time, not ashamed, there's nothing wrong with using presets, if it sounds good use it. I doesn't hurt to know how to build your own sounds in a couple of different vsts, but sometimes there's no need to sit and build a sound from scratch if there's a preset already making the sound you want.

[2nd chance]

use them for for pads alot and tweak/add effects but tend to make all my own bass and other patches.

[legend4ry]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RduuiRlN7QY

I always wondered if this tune was serious or a total piss take.

[samkablaam]

i dont like doing it, cos i find it hard to see whats goin on unless i do it from scratch. but if i cant make the sound, then ill use one and work it out.

[qwaycee_]

the best thing about the presets thing is that the average listener (who you're presumably making music for) does not care whatsoever.

most listeners don't have a clue what ni massive and brutal electro is....and they never will.

[glottis5]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RduuiRlN7QY

I always wondered if this tune was serious or a total piss take.

I like it... It's kind of crude but it has a nice vibe and could work nicely in the right context

[th@-pu$$y]

Brutal electro in massive

[groucho_marxx]

One of the biggest House tracks of 2005 uses a straight up Legacy Cell preset on the main lead.