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Why do my tracks sound so cheesy?

Home :: Producer tips and DAW information :: Why do my tracks sound so cheesy?Reply

Why do my tracks sound so cheesy? Posted on: 03.05.2012 by Henrietta Dortch Hi Guys, I've been producing in live and logic for about a year, and i'm beginning to get frustrated. I'm trying to make big, fat, killer tracks, and everything turns into a cheesy, trance melody. Any suggestions? Any one know from experience how to break that barrier from amateur tracks? Thanks so much! http://soundcloud.com/stephenphilibin/rush
Sylvia Greener 22.05.2012	Arturia offers some Analog Classics like the Minimoog (extensively used by Deadmau5 for example). They're not as cheap as Sylenth 1 but really good emulations of the original hrdware synth. If you won't manage to pick out your favorites you will be able to get them all as the V-collection (bundle is far cheaper than all of them as single purchase).
Henrietta Dortch 22.05.2012	Originally Posted by Mark Bastian If you don't have get Sylenth1. That's what i thought, i wasn't sure if there was a better one though
Yukiko Beauvil 22.05.2012	If you don't have get Sylenth1.
Henrietta Dortch 22.05.2012	Originally Posted by Xonetacular You mean like virtual analog? By nature software synths are not analog. Well yea, analog sounding.
Romelia Stankard 22.05.2012	Originally Posted by sphilibin Alright, so i've got like, $200ish for production stuff... what are some good analog software synths? You mean like virtual analog? By nature software synths are not analog.
Henrietta Dortch 22.05.2012	Alright, so i've got like, $200ish for production stuff... what are some good analog software synths?
Henrietta Dortch 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by Mark Bastian layer different sounds to get your leads bigger. I love you guys, implementing almost all these tips as soon as they pop up on here!
Yukiko Beauvil 21.05.2012	Then you don't have too much of a problem with a bassline besides the bassline you can use on your intro etc. Try stronger synths or layer different sounds to get your leads bigger.
Henrietta Dortch 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by Mark Bastian Also a common bassline for this kind of house is to use your chord progression and create a bassline with it. Yea, i've gotten that from playing piano
Yukiko Beauvil 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by sphilibin Definitely, yes... what are your best suggestions for bass programming? Normally my bases sound too "mario" like lol Also a common bassline for this kind of house is to use your chord progression and create a bassline with it.
Georgina Schatzman 21.05.2012	Really simple way to make sure it's groovy, is to take an 808 kick, give it a slow attack so you don't have the initial hit, and then just drop it in and have it play with the actual 4/4 kick and snare until you have a nice groove going with just that. From there just take the midi notes from the 808 kick and use that as the basis for your actual bassline.
Henrietta Dortch 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by Xonetacular Techno might not require a bassline but yeah for progressive house they're not optional. Definitely, yes... what are your best suggestions for bass programming? Normally my bases sound too "mario" like lol
Romelia Stankard 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by JasonBay I'd argue that, but for what he's doing yeah, you need a bassline. Techno might not require a bassline but yeah for progressive house they're not optional.
Georgina Schatzman 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by Xonetacular Also remember basslines are not optional. I'd argue that, but for what he's doing yeah, you need a bassline.
Georgina Schatzman 21.05.2012	You're writing is good for what you want, so I would start by going back and just work on beefing up you're track. This could be in the mixdown, or just going back and changing out some samples as well. Just keep at it, keep listening to tunes and try and read everything you can on audio production and engineering.
Romelia Stankard 21.05.2012	Also remember basslines are not optional.
Henrietta Dortch 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by JasonBay Ha! You posted all cheesy tracks. In that case just keep working on what your doing. You're young so don't sweat it too much, everything else will come with time. Haha i'm counting on it! So what i'm taking away from all of this is, put more time into sound programming, percussion and drums, and also, work a bit on the mix, and leveling? In what order would you put these, as in what needs the most immediate attention, and also, if there's anything worth adding...
Georgina Schatzman 21.05.2012	Ha! You posted all cheesy tracks. In that case just keep working on what your doing. You're young so don't sweat it too much, everything else will come with time.
Henrietta Dortch 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by JasonBay Show us some examples of what you want to try and make maybe? Uhm, the best i could say would be these... http://cl.ly/3s2O1h0R2J0s300X0n1E http://cl.ly/353k2a031n3o0G051M1E http://cl.ly/2u3q3K3k12120D3y2i2a http://cl.ly/1f0A363L1X1G2N0F3x0R And it's like, i've been playing piano for 10 years, i don't even really read music, i just hear it, and plunk it out on the spot. I take viola, and along with piano, i have an in depth knowledge of music theory, so, idk what's up with me...
Georgina Schatzman 21.05.2012	But some one had the right idea about listening to music, just not his favourite. If he doesn't want to keep writing cheesy music, then stop listening to cheesy music. Show us some examples of what you want to try and make maybe?
Tera Baragan 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by RockingClub I actually tried to do this and gave some ideas. Though there was no kind of resonance... I thought I was aswell. But Jason is right. He's gonna have to take it back to the writing stages.
Sylvia Greener 21.05.2012	Originally Posted by JasonBay Give him hope by actually helping him then = p I actually tried to do this and gave some ideas. Though there was no kind of resonance...
Yukiko Beauvil 21.05.2012	That's true in a way of creativity but also listening to his fav. genre will give him an idea of how they mix and balance stuff, even take a listen to lil atmospheric things in the song. I forgot who's video was it but on one of the future music in the studio videos I heard a producer say do not use the same sound for your chord progressions and harmonies like try to use different sounds playing different parts so it has space in between them and let the song breath.
Georgina Schatzman 21.05.2012	I believe that listening to his favourite tracks is what got him in this situation to begin with
Yukiko Beauvil 20.05.2012	Listen your favorite tracks, but don't listen to them as you listen to music, try to understand how do they mix and balance the instruments, how the instruments are introduced to the song etc etc.
Henrietta Dortch 20.05.2012	Originally Posted by AllDay I just believe he is meant for trance. All his melodies suggest that! Dude, i'm 14, i believe i have time in life to adapt.
Tera Baragan 20.05.2012	Originally Posted by JasonBay Give him hope by actually helping him then = p I just believe he is meant for trance. All his melodies suggest that!
Georgina Schatzman 20.05.2012	Give him hope by actually helping him then = p
Tera Baragan 20.05.2012	Originally Posted by JasonBay No, even if you add that it will still sound "cheesy" because of the writing. Lol true that, Im just trying to give the kid some hope..
Georgina Schatzman 20.05.2012	Originally Posted by AllDay Most definitely. But its lacking beefyness and grime factor! No, even if you add that it will still sound "cheesy" because of the writing.
Tera Baragan 20.05.2012	Originally Posted by JasonBay Don't believe it has anything to do with that. Should go back to the writing stage first I'd say. Most definitely. But its lacking beefyness and grime factor!
Sylvia Greener 21.05.2012	Just to give you a few ideas for a good build-up: - synth becomes thinner by using a high pass filter 8 bars before the drop arrives - or: exponentially decrease your synths cutoff (people then get nervous and await the drop) - snare enhancements from one snare per 1bar to 1 snare/0,5 bar to 1snare/0,25bar .... - at the same time you take the kick out to bring it back right after the drop. - filtered white noise (using a side-chain compressor) --> you can find some nice filtered white noise for free in C.B.s Prog House Sample Pack here: http://www.djranking s.com/2012/05/0...-sample-slots/ - using a synth/sound that raises in pitch. - ... - get creative I believe what I've listed now is a lot . Of course, it makes sense to combine various of these techniques!
Henrietta Dortch 21.05.2012	I guess going back to the original question, why do they sound so cheesy, isn't quite. I understand everything about how my sound programming, and melodies, suggest trance, but if i were to use a more creative melody with a well programmed synth, what elements are my tracks missing that make it sound straight out of a cartoon, vs. avicii who can use the same creative, uplifting melodies, but his can be taken far more seriously.
Henrietta Dortch 20.05.2012	Originally Posted by RockingClub 3.) I believe your song parts as single samples (e.g. only the synth or only the bassline) standing for their own are not quite bad. But then you lack in the right song structure and build-up techniques and there is no coherence in your song (Untitled summer). It just sounds like a selection of three songs mixed together one after another. For example there are no elements in the end which one would remember as already heard in a similar way in the beginning. I get that, it's not supposed to be a whole track yet, that's just ideas. What would be considered "right build-up techniques?"
Sylvia Greener 20.05.2012	We already talked about the kick. It lacks in the right punch! Now I would like to add 3 more things: 1.) You have to make more use of the filter (high pass/low pass)! 2.) I guess your piano near the end is clipping! Pay attention to your levels! 3.) I believe your song parts as single samples (e.g. only the synth or only the bassline) standing for their own are not quite bad. But then you lack in the right song structure and build-up techniques and there is no coherence in your song (Untitled summer). It just sounds like a selection of three songs mixed together one after another. For example there are no elements in the end which one would remember as already heard in a similar way in the beginning.
Georgina Schatzman 20.05.2012	Originally Posted by AllDay Start using distortion, phasers, saturators.. Things to give your song more grit. trade the kick and snare for something harder hitting. Don't believe it has anything to do with that. Should go back to the writing stage first I'd say.
Tera Baragan 19.05.2012	Start using distortion, phasers, saturators.. Things to give your song more grit. trade the kick and snare for something harder hitting. Other then that I believe you might not be made for anything but trance..
Maricruz Mouw 19.05.2012	your kick has no kick
Georgina Schatzman 19.05.2012	Still sounds cheesy to me, not much of a groove. Very stale sounding
Henrietta Dortch 19.05.2012	Alright, so i started this track about 10 hours ago, would you say it is more on track? as on, more pro, or dance floor ready? http://cl.ly/2O471O152r12310E1o3q

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Why do my tracks sound so cheesy?