a beginner with $ to spend on a nice set up

[mcloughlinmusic]

Hi guys,

I'm a singer songwriter in the electronic pop genres who has had some decent success in the music industry, having recently been offered a singles deal through a major label. One of my biggest issues thus far has been finding quality production for my songwriting and singing, and I've decided to try and work on producing my own beats since I have a clear sense of what i'm going for.

The biggest issue i've seen in other producer's beats (like seen on beat websites like soundclick.com) is that the quality of the instruments sounds cheesy. the synths lack the power and energy of the good electronic instrumentals you hear on the radio (like Dr. Luke's and Max Martin's stuff, Taio Cruz Dynamite and Usher's "DJ Got Us Falling in Love,") and I'm wondering if this comes from a poor keyboard. Does the issue with beats I find on beat sites like soundclick.com stem from poor instrumental pre-sets in logic or whatever, or is it because their keyboard is crappy? Why do Dr. Luke's synths have so much power and clean, refined yet interesting sounds to them?

This brings me to my 2nd question. I am currently using a logic Mbox 2 set up on my home recording, which is clearly basic but I was wondering if I should buy a keyboard in an effort to begin making my own instrumentals. I'm wondering if my abilities will be capped however because my "sounds," im using through the logic pre-sets just aren't professional enough. Hopefully you guys can give me some insight, thanks for responding.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

If you've been offered a singles deal through a major label, why are you asking about buying home gear? Hit the studio and ask these questions in person to the professional working there.

 

[mcloughlinmusic]

because i'm not sure I want to sign the deal, its a pretty terrible offer that tries to lock in my publishing rights as well. I just want to have options beyond the singles deal so i'm interested in making beats anyway

 

[CFox]

Hi.

Those samples on soundclick are most likely not mastered ( compressed to within an inch of their life in the case of pop/dance/electro/rock ) so when you compare these to a commercial release track then yep, they will sound thin and whimpy.

I recommend you spend a good few minutes listening to all the audio demos under each of the included modules and synths in the Native Instruments Komplete 7 pack. It will keep you discovering sounds for the next 10 years. Also include drum sampler Battery and their sampler player ( and most of the sample library ) Kontakt. On top of that it includes Guitar Rig 4 .

It's basically f*cking awesome and will get you well on the road.

I wouldnt bother with a dedicated keyboard. A keyboard controller could be a good idea though.

 

[PDP]

There are many things that affect synth sound. Many of those tracks are old samples, (1980's quality at best) Top quality sounds are expensive. You need to get some good articles on synthesizers, because there's alot to them. Such as software synths and contollers, hardware synths, synth modules, etc.

I'll just throw this out,
I just bought Spectrasonics new Trilian bass module. Some of the sounds used over 20,000 samples to create just one sound. Modern producers layer several of those sounds to make one track on a song. So you've got to have gear that can sync and run alot of complex sounds, and that aint cheap. Hang around the forum, theres alot of info.

 

[CFox]

There are many things that affect synth sound. Many of those tracks are old samples, (1980's quality at best) Top quality sounds are expensive. You need to get some good articles on synthesizers, because there's alot to them. Such as software synths and contollers, hardware synths, synth modules, etc.

You could read lots of articles or you could just use your ears.

NI Komplete 7 is not expensive considering the monster soft synths that comes with it. 24 instruments and FX, 90 gigs, 10,000 sounds. These sounds are fat. Heck, even if the OP bought the $120 lite package he would still have more than enough.

 

[kcearl]

Komplete 7 is a bargain if you'll use the other stuff..and FM8 is an awesome synth...but theres better out there when it comes to softsynths...especially if you are looking for modern dance stuff

I wouldnt look much further that Lennardigital's Sylenth..at 139 euros its not ridiculously priced and is one of the best sounding soft synths out there....if you need an all rounder try Tone 2's Gladiator at 149 euros..

I use a JV1080 with great success (there are bigger versions)...they start at $200 and the expansion cards range between $50-$200..the vintage synth card is awesome and up until the Roland Fantom nothing they produced touched it....thats a lot of synth for software prices and honestly its sounds blow away most of its software counter parts

 

[kcearl]

just noticed you say you have $$$ to spend..so Id suggest exactly what I did above but instead of the JV try some modern hardware synths

Dave Smith stuff is excellent...Mofo has just been released with a keyboard and he has an excellent Prophet remake..Arturia do an excellent module too and then Id maybe consider an Access Virus Ti Snow

BTW Arturias softsynths also get some great reviews but they are CPU hungry so make sure you have a decent rig

 

[RichJ]

I'm no expert, but I think that eq, effects, mixing, and mastering all play a big part in how a synth ultimately sounds in an overall mix.
For what it's worth, Gorillaz' Plastic Beach has some amazing sounding synths - nice mix of retro analog, strings, FM, modern, etc...overall mix is nice.

 

[kcearl]

I'm no expert, but I think that eq, effects, mixing, and mastering all play a big part in how a synth ultimately sounds in an overall mix.
For what it's worth, Gorillaz' Plastic Beach has some amazing sounding synths - nice mix of retro analog, strings, FM, modern, etc...overall mix is nice.

yup they are all important

Understanding synthesis helps and being aware that the mix isnt the end of a synth tracks life, merely part of the journey..I think automation plays a huge part too along with layering and movement

Kinda off topic but I wonder if an unsigned artist was to hand Plastic Beach to a record company whether it would get released or not...other than the obvious song it sounds like a bunch of sketches and half finished ideas...Im an Albarn fan..always have been, but that album made me laugh, I couldn't help thinking the bloody cheek of it...some of those tunes would even be laughed out of the mp3 clinic in here

 

[grimtraveller]

Kinda off topic but I wonder if an unsigned artist was to hand Plastic Beach to a record company whether it would get released or not...other than the obvious song it sounds like a bunch of sketches and half finished ideas...Im an Albarn fan..always have been, but that album made me laugh, I couldn't help thinking the bloody cheek of it...some of those tunes would even be laughed out of the mp3 clinic in here

which reminded me of this

I wonder what kind of reviews some of the biggest songs in rock history would get here in the MP3 Clinic if being heard for the first time?

I often hear tunes and notice things that, if it was just some home-recorder posting it, would be shot down right away.


I guess it's that, once you're an established star, you could put out crap that an un-known home recorder would be told "This sucks".