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kikaruu wrote:IMHO: Another thing; signature sounds aren't always about timbre and tone, like Santana's guitar work or Fieldy's bass slapping. They can also be about feel and technique. Kromestar doesn't use the exact same hats in all of his tracks, but I could tell a track was made by Kromestar because of the way he patterns his hats. Reso's "Onslaught" and "Otacon" have very different bass patterns/synths, but they're both identifiable as something made by Reso. And the way you approach music has a wide bearing on how much of it is "you". Kevein Shields's, of My Bloody Valentine, approach is the same, even if all of the tracks and guitars sound different.

This is on point IMO.

To look at it in the broad view, if your music is about expressing yourself and you're not exactly the same as anyone else then the better you express yourself the more your music will be distinct from anyone else's.

I think patches/workflows/mixdown philosiphy helps to guide and shapes your sound. The same way Trey from phish kept building custom guitars until he found his sound... or bb king with his guitar or victor wooten with his bass. They tweak there instruments along with creating and developing their technique to create there signature sound. This can grow and change but its definatley a product of reusing stuff that works and dropping habbits that dont work.

You cannot have a very solid signature sound without reusing/rinsing some parts of your workflow/patches/mixdown tech. Its a balance, like everything else in life... you will know when you get to that point and you shouldnt have to force it at all.

I agree with the people who are saying that a signature sound isn't one single synth its all your workflow, the way you do things rather than what you do..
its every little thing you do which no-one else does which builds into your track and people can go 'yeah, that songs by Skrillex' or whatever.. and to the stupid person who said feed me made Skrillex's bass that's bull, they all work as one team sharing tips but Skrillex makes everything himself whether you like his tracks or not you have to respect he has amazing talent..

but yeah I don't think you should purposely go for a signature sound it just comes automatically with every button you press on your DAW

good post though

ChadDub wrote:Fuckin love Flying Lotus.

wtf is going on with Chad these days?

jaydot wrote:Alright we all know having one sets you apart from the rest. But can you over-dilute it to the point of all your tracks sounding the same? And then you have to decide how much to use and then it does'nt really become "your track"anymore.

What does everyone think?

i know some artists who over dilute a certain patch sound and it's all they use. i'm fine with it i don't care if an artist does that.

flying lotus is the only producer i respect and my only favorite producer ever. he has his own sound as in just arrangement and rhythm

Work out what you dont like and dont do that. Process of elimination. Sounds facetious but its true.