Dubstepforum.com

I haven't been posting here much, as most of the regulars would notice (or not, haha)

Basically, I have been in a massive inspiration slump...I have been spending about an hour a week on tunes and I haven't completed a tune in like 3 months, it isn't on, so I ask you dubstep forum...inspire me.

Post samples, tell me something to try and inspire me or something I dunno, I just felt like posting a thread about my woes.

I used to work primarily in abletons session view but have recently switched to using arrangement due to use of alot more samples. It's worked out brilliantly, I've got about four songs down in three days.

So my advice to you is to change your workflow or introduce something you wouldn't ordinarily use, such as samples, breaks etc.

It worked wonders for me and my tunes sound deeper, darker and more importantly better than ever before.

Arrangement view is the right way. Just like anal.

upstateface wrote:Arrangement view is the right way. Just like anal.

hahaha sigged

you could try a different style too. I find I start to get stuck so I try a different style/genre/whatever, and I'm freed from the constraints that I have set up for myself. And then when I come back to what I usually make, I feel refreshed! yay!

take a break and come back when your ready

you need to put things in ... to get things out ... go live life n make music when the inspiration hits ... dont force yourself to make a good tune as you'll just make poop ... good tunes usually happen without trying + when u least expect it

Gonna sound simple but just "doing other stuff" go for a mooch with your mates or a drive, the brain needs stimulus of some kind to spark creativity and repetitiveness usually suppresses it. Failing that I like to buy some obscure records outside of my normal listening patterns.

like everyone else has said dont try so hard to make music let it flow, if your not feeling motivated just try a different genre of music or try and listen to some different kind of music might spark something on the inside

legend4ry wrote:Basically, I have been in a massive inspiration slump...I have been spending about an hour a week on tunes and I haven't completed a tune in like 3 months, it isn't on

Im in the same boat

You could always play QuakeLive.

hahaha... but seriously.


Even when I am not inspired, I try to remain productive... so I dig for samples, or work on patches, or make some ambient soundscapes, or fuck around dj'ing, etc etc. Music isn't always about inspiration or even being in the mood for it - the best musicians also have the discipline to continue working even when it isn't its own reward. Perhaps don't worry about writing great tracks for the moment - but sometimes continuing on with the less emotional side of the creative process (working on one's technique) can re-inspire you... or at least keep your skills sharp until it comes back.


That or just play QuakeLive.

Listen to music (all kinds of music, not just Dubstep and not just the style of Dubstep that you might normally go for ). I find listening to all kinds of shit helps.

Watching films is a big one, even playing computer games. Anything that kind of puts you in a mood outside of your normal one is good.

Go visit a museum or an art gallery maybe. Basically expose yourself to any audio or visual stimulus that might be out of the ordinary for you.

All that said, when you are not in the mode to write new material, maybe go back over old stuff, try a different compression here, mess with some EQ there, just experiment with shit...it all falls in the portfolio of knowledge.

DZA wrote:

legend4ry wrote:Basically, I have been in a massive inspiration slump...I have been spending about an hour a week on tunes and I haven't completed a tune in like 3 months, it isn't on

Im in the same boat

Ditto...

But Leg, I'd just say CHIN UP MAYT!!!

Hehe, naww I'd go with what one of the other guys said... Mix it up man, work in a different style to what you normally do (make the melodies first, use unfamiliar synths, try different methods for generating melodies etc...) cause it'll allow your brain to approach the song from a different angle...


Dub Fiend

Why on earth would you want to make music?

But if you're going to forge ahead, I recommend working with someone else, and actually having them there in the room with you. Someone with very good taste in music. And basically jamming. And just recording your jams.

I haven't made really anything since last we IM'ed and that was years ago. No love lost. Seems like everyone is in the same slump at the same time?

My time has been pretty heavily monopolized by mw2... currently ranked 370 in wins in the world. Beasting!

inspiration comes and goes, sometimes you get stuck for a few days, and other times its alot longer

im sure you'll find soon enough you'll just have this overwhelming urge to get something written and it'll just write itself

prolonged periods away from production are sometimes very useful

tripaddict wrote:take a break and come back when your ready

you need to put things in ... to get things out ... go live life n make music when the inspiration hits ... dont force yourself to make a good tune as you'll just make poop ... good tunes usually happen without trying + when u least expect it

Yeah this happened to me man, trying my hardest to write a tune because i wanted a set of them to be finished then i just gave up that idea and wrote something different. the flow started again.

big ups you lot..

You say take a break right.. but I have! I think what it is, cause ive taken such a long break and put more time into DJing ive kinda "Forgot" how to make music, I dunno how to explain and as for QuakeLive..

I started the DSF clan.. search me up innit "Legend4ry" I ain't played in yonks cause of my old ISP blocked it but I will start playing again if people on back on it!

legend4ry wrote:big ups you lot..

You say take a break right.. but I have! I think what it is, cause ive taken such a long break and put more time into DJing ive kinda "Forgot" how to make music, I dunno how to explain and as for QuakeLive..

I started the DSF clan.. search me up innit "Legend4ry" I ain't played in yonks cause of my old ISP blocked it but I will start playing again if people on back on it!

Will download and start playing
Gnome4766 is my name

legend4ry wrote:big ups you lot..

You say take a break right.. but I have! I think what it is, cause ive taken such a long break and put more time into DJing ive kinda "Forgot" how to make music

anything can put you back in the right direction though, sitting down, getting a nice pad on the go, or a little drum loop that gets your head nodding

key is not getting frustrated over it

Try a different genre.
Do a remix.
Find a sick vocal sample and make a tune around it.

i have tried everything to get inspiration, but forcing creativity sucks.



my tip, when reading and studying new techniques, immediately go and start a song around this new technique you had just read/learned, you'll find inspiration through the act of practicing new things,... sounds dumb but works for me everytime.


for instance, go take a project and focus on one thing. Like eq'ing or compression, spatiality, multipoint delays, focus on one thing and work on just that for a long time. Found this a way to learn and gain inspiration at the same time.