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So this one comes in the form of sound design. No matter what synths fx chains and other various methods I use, I keep ending up with the same sound. I'm pretty well versed in sound design and am fully aware of how achieve many different types of sounds and even moods. But lately at some point every sound I create comes out the exact same. whats even stranger is that I've addopted the George Costanza school of thought where I do the exact opposate of what I'd normally do and although of course its not the same exact sound it's in the same ball park for sure. It's like my brain wont stop jacking off long enough for me to break away from this aparently subconcious obscession of a sound that i'm quickly coming to hate. But it's all I can create, but i hate it,But it's all I can create, but i hate it,But it's all I can create, but i hate it, And so the cycle goes. Whats really got me the most frustrated about this whole circumstance is that I'd otherwise be banging out tunes left and right if i could generate some sounds that stood apart from eachother(i've got at least 7 tunes that just need basslines). I'm not asking for advice on how to break through the block. i'm aware that it just takes time and that sudden flash of insperation. But God damn is it anoying, and I just had to rant on about it in hopes that my incescient bitching may be what my douchebag right brain needs at the moment.

Try another genre, or try a technique that you have yet to try out?
Usually, gets the random inspiration wheel turning.

Efrafa11 wrote:Try another genre, or try a technique that you have yet to try out?
Usually, gets the random inspiration wheel turning.

I've been working on some 110 stuffs and some drumstep, but when it comes to dub I hit the wall. Ya know, come to think of it.......yeah this is RealTalk & Symbiotic's fault. I heard some of their shit the other day and it blew my mind so fucking hard that I think their sound is just on my mind and coming out every chance it gets. I'm from Denver too man. What's your name? You a sutra (I guess it's the hive now) or submission regular?

Try using a different VST or a different program completely just till you get over the block, then if you make anything you like you can use it or rewire/sample it back into whatever DAW you're using. Or if you haven't then try re-sampling your sounds like in completely different ways till you get a sound you're happy with.

What I try and do is make a bassline that I'd like to use with any sound till I like the melody and feel and then I'll try make the sound and if you've made a good bassline for the track pretty much any sound should sound good as long as the track is mixed properly, I think Flux does something similar if that makes a difference haha.

change up the order of your effects chain.

example, if you always put a filter before you distort, reverse it.

try putting fast/slow lowpass filters randomly in the chain. try using more high pass filters (beginners always fuck this up).

quit putting chorus on everything.

quit putting band reject/pass on everything.

try making sounds with JUST white noise.

try using vsts you haven't ever used before. this forces you to learn new techniques.

Hi mate.

Best thing I do is:
1. Take my old vinyl's (Marvin Gaye, Beatles, some old Belgian rock bands, etc...) and just put them on, sit in front of the player and really think about the production and how it's build up.
2. Take my dog for a walk and throw a ball in the park with him (seriously, best advice evah!)
3. Cry in a corner under my table.
4. Sample various music.
5. Read and watch tutorials. (No seriously, this is the best advice, if anyone gives you shit for watching tutorials he's a twat. Learn as much as possible).
6. Produce another genre.

Hope this helped you somehow.

Dont use vsts for a while just use samples and make them your own.

presets

your using massive too much lol
just kidding
but seriously im so glad i no longer use massive it did a lot for me

Try emulating real sounds for the exercise. Here's a game.

Then change your process. Plan, don't explore.
Imagine a sound in your head (not your defining sound) and create then in a synth. Benga says that's how he works in his masterclass.

As far as your explorations go, use randomness.

Other than, like has been discussed, become intimate with other synthesis methods: Additive, FM, granular etc.

sunny_b_uk wrote:your using massive too much lol
just kidding
but seriously im so glad i no longer use massive it did a lot for me

Actually this is in some ways very true. The one problem that has happened to me is I use the same synth for so long that eventually I get used to doing things a certain way. Eventually that method exhausts itself and I end up coming back around and doing all the same things I've done before. Even if I'm not entirely meaning to.

haha my brain is jacking off too