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New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 12:31 am
by INCiDA
Hey guys, how's everyone doing?
For the past few days I've delved into Dubstep production using FL Studio 9. Everything I've learned so far has mainly been from YouTube tutorials and just playing with different settings. I've made one track so far and I know it isn't great. It was more of a test to see what I could make with such little production knowledge. I want to keep making recordings so that I can see my progress in the future. Anyway, I'm serious about getting into Dubstep production and I'm a bit stuck really. I've browsed through the "WANT TO MAKE DUBSTEP? START HERE!!! " thread and I can tell there is a lot of useful information in there. My only trouble is that I'm completely overwhelmed by it all. There's tonnes of information to absorb but I'm ready to give it a shot. Where do I go from here?
Soundcloud
Here's the track I made of little things I've learned so far. I've looked through this forum and I can tell there is some SERIOUS talent here, so I guess you're the right people to ask!
Thanks guys
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 12:40 am
by kaiori breathe
genuine n00b seems genuine,
it sounds to me like you've got the basic sounds down and your production value isn't too bad for somebody who's just started, i'd look at some of your favorite producers, and check out how they structure their tracks, i'd also have a look at how they move from one musical idea to another and really build a tune up into those massive drops, having great production tech is one thing, using it is another. You tube is a great resource for learning, there's loads of great guys on there showing you how they do what they do, so just keep absorbing as much of it as you can - good luck bro, and just so you know, there's a finished tunes for feedback thread up to if you finish any more work and want to know what people think/get some constructive crit on your work
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:02 am
by CyanoType
Instead of trying to dive into 'advanced' techniques i suggest getting to know the very basic things that are used to make almost all sounds.
Having a good understanding of how all the different filters and their parameters affect sounds is a necessity, though listening to your track i assume you have past this point already.
Knowing the characteristics of different waveforms and how they interact with each other is also invaluable.
you will probably find that once you know all the basic ways to make and modify your sounds, transposing them from your imagination to a sequencer will become MUCH easier.
Assuming you are comfortable with your knowledge of filters, FX, and waveforms, you may want to start improving your EQing.
heres a link to one of my favorite articles about EQing.
http://www.dnbscene.com/article/88-thin ... q-tutorial
Hope this helps!
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:21 am
by Wrigzilla
Firstly, welcome
I know it's all well daunting when you get into production, all these different types of synthesis, effects n all that; but have patience and persevere - you'll get there one day.
I'd recommend to start with by learning your DAW inside out (even read the manual) and choose a synth and learn that inside out. That was a great help to me when I knew I could get close enough with my synth of choice to the sound that I was imagining in my head. You're new to production, so load up some presets and tweak the parameters so you get a feel for what does what.
Then learn what different effects do to a sound, when you start out it's all experimentation, but the better you get then you'll be thinking "I want this sound therefore I need a bit of chorus, some distortion + ringmod" etc. It's a learning process, don't be disheartened if you can't get you favorite producers bass sound at first (trust me I've been trying to do something close to Phace's bass sound for a couple of years now and I'm finally getting there).
The "WANT TO MAKE DUBSTEP? START HERE!!!" thread is a fantastic resource, just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to experiment, who knows, one day we'll get threads every week with people asking how to make YOUR bass sound.
Peace and good luck
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:23 am
by OlzaMK
I've just touched my feet into production doing it for 8 months now. I'm still very overwhelmed.
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:39 am
by Basic A
IDK but read the mixing and mastering thread sometime soon.
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:39 am
by NRHc
Yeah,I started about last february and I'm still overwhelmed by it..Between school and the GF I can barely get the time to produce and that's what I find is the hardest..When I had time 6 months ago,I was full of inspiration and was learning everyday,because I was producing everyday and A LOT.Now,with almost no time at all,I seem to be going in circles and that's where the best advice I can give you comes in...PRACTICE A LOT
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:47 am
by Vermeil
When You produce dont force yourself to make dubstep just make music from your soul and then bring dubstep elements into it!
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:47 am
by BaasDNB
you should rephrase the question to "I see all of those tutorials and lirbraries of knowledge and rather than slowly learning everything bit by bit, can you just tell me the QUICK and EASY way to sound like Datsik and then become super popular and signed??? I mean common, hard work is hard!!"
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:37 am
by shaneynclan
BaasDNB wrote:work hard is work!!"
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:57 am
by kaiori breathe
BaasDNB wrote:you should rephrase the question to "I see all of those tutorials and lirbraries of knowledge and rather than slowly learning everything bit by bit, can you just tell me the QUICK and EASY way to sound like Datsik and then become super popular and signed??? I mean common, hard work is hard!!"
Tbf i usually slam these threads because they are created by the type you describe, but this guy actually didn't strike me as that type, it seemed like he'd actually spent some time reading and learning already and has tried to apply what he's learned by writing a tune, just seemed to be looking for some direction to me, which is why i made a genuine response instead of being a bag of dicks as I usually am in these threads. To me he's shown he wants to learn and spend time on this by watching vids on youtube and reading up on threads here and trying to make a tune, that's pretty much how I started, then I came here much in the same way this guy did and asked for direction because when you look at all the information that's presented it is disorientating given the vast wealth of it that exists, and finding a starting point can be difficult when it's all new to you. Being a bag of dicks has it's place of course, just I didn't think it did here. I'm also trying to bring the term "bag of dicks" into common usage.
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:14 am
by amphibian
that's a bag of dicks, kaiori.
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:25 am
by therook
If you're looking for a paid synth I would recommend NI's Massive if you want to make more of the more "filth" or "brostep" sound (ex. datsik, funtcase, etc.) or Sylenth for an all around general synth. Albino 3 and Predator are also good as well. Get the demo's and find something that you find easy to use. Most synths work the same (filters, envelopes, lfo's, mod matrix, wave types, effects, etc.) so don't let anyone tell you that one synth makes a nicer sound than another.
As a FL Studio user myself I highly recommend using 3xOSC as its very simple to use and puts out some pretty decent sounds (When routed in the mixer and loaded up with effects). It's also good for makes a nice simple sine sub.
Learning to make music in general is a time consuming process and requires practice, patience, and persistence. I would highly advise you to read the stickies, wikipedia(for genre info), and most importantly to listen and try to replicate what you hear. With time you will be able to learn how the pro's do it and create your own style.
Best of luck to you!
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:39 am
by LordBid
OlzaMK wrote:I've just touched my feet into production doing it for 8 months now. I'm still very overwhelmed.
really? I felt like I had things at least fairly pegged down by that point.
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:42 am
by therook
LordBid wrote:OlzaMK wrote:I've just touched my feet into production doing it for 8 months now. I'm still very overwhelmed.
really? I felt like I had things at least fairly pegged down by that point.
I guess if you're jumping from genre to genre it can be overwhelming.
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:40 am
by bigfootspartan
therook wrote:If you're looking for a paid synth I would recommend NI's Massive if you want to make more of the more "filth" or "brostep" sound (ex. datsik, funtcase, etc.) or Sylenth for an all around general synth. Albino 3 and Predator are also good as well. Get the demo's and find something that you find easy to use. Most synths work the same (filters, envelopes, lfo's, mod matrix, wave types, effects, etc.) so don't let anyone tell you that one synth makes a nicer sound than another.
Definitely agree with this. Once I felt I had a handle on a synth of choice (in my case, Massive) I found my workflow was way quicker. Also, don't let anyone tell you certain synths are only for certain applications. Massive is super easy to learn, but I've made everything from chill bass to "filthy" bass to pads/textures and atmospheres with it. It's all about how you use the tool, not what tool you use.
Also, try saving two copies of your files. For example, if you really want to muck around with one effect or another or a synth, save a copy and work on that. That way you'll be more confident to fiddle with things without worrying about losing what you originally had. If it sounds way worse and you don't know how to go back, just reopen your old file and you're back to the original, where you can start fiddling again!
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:57 am
by glottis5
You should learn about writing and arranging music- what notes and chord progressions work, how to structure the elements of a song to keep it interesting all that stuff
you should also try to produce CONSTANTLY
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:30 am
by BaasDNB
kaiori breathe wrote:BaasDNB wrote:you should rephrase the question to "I see all of those tutorials and lirbraries of knowledge and rather than slowly learning everything bit by bit, can you just tell me the QUICK and EASY way to sound like Datsik and then become super popular and signed??? I mean common, hard work is hard!!"
Tbf i usually slam these threads because they are created by the type you describe, but this guy actually didn't strike me as that type, it seemed like he'd actually spent some time reading and learning already and has tried to apply what he's learned by writing a tune, just seemed to be looking for some direction to me, which is why i made a genuine response instead of being a bag of dicks as I usually am in these threads. To me he's shown he wants to learn and spend time on this by watching vids on youtube and reading up on threads here and trying to make a tune, that's pretty much how I started, then I came here much in the same way this guy did and asked for direction because when you look at all the information that's presented it is disorientating given the vast wealth of it that exists, and finding a starting point can be difficult when it's all new to you. Being a bag of dicks has it's place of course, just I didn't think it did here. I'm also trying to bring the term "bag of dicks" into common usage.
Yah your probably right, I just have to be an ass for good measure once in a while
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:32 pm
by amphibian
therook wrote:so don't let anyone tell you that one synth makes a nicer sound than another.
big, BIG disagree here. Sorry, but certain synths for certain sounds.
Mid-range cack - massive.
Deep, warm basses - sylenth1
Amazing pads - FM8/Absynth
Experimental - gladiator
Re: New to Dubstep production, slightly overwhelmed.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:53 pm
by victor w
Basic A wrote:IDK but read the mixing and mastering thread sometime soon.
lol when I started production, this was the last thing I wanted to worry about
op: also stopping by here on a regular basis and reading other people's questions will help. since youre new to production, obviously time is a factor to becoming better at it. just be patient and go at your own pace.
and i'm still confused as to why people are overwhelmed so often on here about starting production...is it because you want to become good at it immediately? in reality it will take a long time to reach that level. sure its overwhelming, but the majority of people didn't need their own thread with people telling them what to do when they first started. nothing beats practice, and if you let this become a hobby, then a lot of time devotion to it will help greatly
