So if you hear a synth you like or a combination of instruments that work well together, try recreating them in your own productions. Think of rock music and the use of electric guitar, drums, guitar bass, etc. Many genres are actually defined by a specific group of instruments. You don’t have to invent new instruments every time you produce. Sound selection is about choosing a palette of sounds that express the emotions you want to communicate. Once you have the chords down, you can add other parts to it or continue finding references for different elements of the song. Then experiment with different ways of performing it maybe a different rhythm, inverting the chords, or adding chord extensions (7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, etc.) So if you find a song with a chord progression you like, try recreating it in your DAW. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you’re composing because chances are, there’s already a song out there using the same idea. If you know music theory, you know artists in any given genre reuse the same chord progression, drum beats, or melodies as a foundation for new ideas. Here are some different scenarios where you can use reference tracks to elevate your productions to the level of the best ideas out there (as well as some reference track plug-ins you can use). For instance, you may use one track as a reference for synth sounds, another for chord progressions, and another for the mix and master. The key to using reference tracks is to use multiple references for different stages of the music production process. 10 Great Reference Mixes for Electronic Music.12 Great Reference Mixes for Rock in the Modern Age.For more, check out how and why we chose reference tracks for different genres: Select reference tracks that proven to be commercially successfulĪs you listen to music, try building playlists of songs that catch your attention so you can go back to them whenever you need them.Use reference that sound great in different listening environments and speaker systems.Choose reference tracks with similar sounds, timbres, and instruments.Choose reference tracks with a similar style or genre as the project you’re working on.So how should you choose a reference track? Here’s a checklist you can use to help you choose the best reference tracks for your music production practice: Instead, allow yourself to borrow ideas from other songs while you focus on adding one or two new elements such as a sound design technique, unique vocals, or a clear master. You don’t have to innovate on arrangement every time to create innovative music. Artists always build on existing ideas and techniques.įor example, there are plenty of common arrangements in every genre that work really well. All art movements, including music, exist within the context of a conversation.
You can give yourself a starting point by curating sources of inspiration. The originality of your work will be expressed through your taste-the ideas you chose and how you went about combining them.Īnother benefit of using reference tracks is that they remove the pressure of creating from scratch. So if you’re on a journey of finding your sound, the way to do it is to explore as many ideas as possible and curate your favorites. Whether you’re aware of it or not, everything you create is inspired by ideas you’ve already been exposed to. Using reference tracks help you find your sound as a music producer.
Setting industry standard benchmarks for loudness, width, and dynamic range.Providing a roadmap for song arrangement, structure, and instrumentation.Ensuring your mixdowns are comparable to productions you admire.Letting reference tracks guide your decisions at different stages of the music production process will help ensure your work is headed in the right direction by: Ultimately, you want to be able to accurately compare your work to what’s out in the world-recordings, sounds, musical ideas, or songs you admire that define the genre within which you’re working. A reference track is a professionally produced song from another artist representative of how you want your own music to sound.
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