Things you don't need to make the sounds your favorite artists do and make your music sound original
The other day, I spent some time thinking back on my journey as a producer.
My biggest challenges, my goals and if I've achieved them or not.
And the area that I by far have improved the most in and feel the most confident in now is sound design.
Oddly enough, it was the area that I had the most difficulties and challenges and confidence and mindset blocks in.
This led to many issues with identity (imposter syndrome) and general self confidence.
That I'd never get good at music, my sounds will always sounds trash, never like my favourite artists.
I'll never make a unique sound, never "catch up" to where my favourite producers are.
If I should give up music and spend more time on my career and earning more money (thats a whole other story for another time)
The list goes on and on and I could get super detailed about it.
Like how I one time took my computer to the car with an aux cable just to produce in the car so I can hear what the mix sounds like in a car vs my headphones.
It didnt help at all and my mix still sucked - another story for another time lol
But after all these struggles and trials, I one day back in late 2022 realized...
"I am actually happy with the sounds and music I am making"
I noticed that I no longer hated every sound I made.
I actually liked and even loved the sounds and songs I was making.
That I actually could be confident in myself and music.
And this was a crazy new feeling and realization for me.
I know better now that I shouldnt have had my identity dictated by external skills, things we accomplish, or any talents we are gifted with...
But at the time, it felt really good to see all my hard work finally pay off and genuinely feeling content with my music and sound design.
Now looking back with a more wholesome perspective and mindset.
I want to share with you things that I thought I needed back then but really didn't and what the solution really is for them instead.
So heres Things you don't need to make the sounds your favorite artists do and make your music sound original
1. Expensive plugins "I need the top tier expensive plugins to make the top tier sounds"
Stock synths, like wavetable or even a free one like Vital will do.
The expensive plugins like Serum are helpful, don't get me wrong.
I invested into Serum and learned it in and out and its payed off in ways I can't calculate.
But in regards to sound design, an expensive synth wont make a difference.
It's like giving an expensive car or a standard priced car to someone who cant drive.
It doesnt matter whether they drive a bugatti or a toyota...
They still cant even drive yet!
The key here is to learn how to drive first AKA the fundamentals first!
It's the fundamentals of sonic manipulation (sound design) which is key for your growth - NOT the synth you use.
Invest your money and time on learning HOW to use the tools vs HAVING the best tools. AKA HOW to sound design vs HAVING the best synths, otherwise, no expensive synth will make a difference.
2. Talent "I need to just be talented and grow up playing music, otherwise, I'll never get good"
I didn't know anyone who produced.
I also didnt have any previous knowledge of production before learning to sound design whatever I hear.
I did know how to play the guitar quite well actually and I did know a bit about music theory, but none of it really translated to production and mainly sound design.
However what did transfer was the daily discipline to show up everyday and practice my craft to get better.
This leads to point 3.
3. Laziness. "I'll just use use presets, loops, midi and I'll never need to learn sound design (cuz its too hard and scary and I dont wanna spend time feeling insecure becuase I realize how little of sound design I actually know)
I'll keep it real, learning sound design isn't for the weak minded or lazy.
It requires discipline and constantly acknowledging how bad your sounds are and how little you actually know.
Its a hard look at reality which I still face at a small scale when I see new Virtual Riot tutorials.
But what keeps me going is the experimental nature of sound design.
There is just so much to explore and discover with sound design that even at times when I am upset with the sounds I make.
I cant help but try new things, experiment, take a sound design challenge, try a new technique etc.
All of which we do in the sound design community, which you can join for free here
4. To do it alone.
I think there is a certain time when every producer needs to produce on their own and develop their own traits and character.
But I regret not getting help and feedback when I was learning sound design.
I really needlessly beat myself up mentally obsessing over making the perfect sounds I envision in my head.
None of the bad self talk helped, it was actually sharing my music, joining communities and producer challenges.
And networking, asking for feedback, and getting really practical about how I can develop my sound design skills just 1% better everyday.
Even today, I still spend atleast 3-5 hours a week bettering my sound design.
Whether it's a challenge in my sound design community.
Getting feedback, or hearing a dope sound in a song and taking 30-40 minutes to reverse engineer it in Serum and learn how it all works.
Or taking a course and learning from those videos.
The sound design community is aimed at helping producers overcome the issues I had with learning sound design and provide a supportive environment for everyone to learn and ask questions and network.
Again, click here to join the community for free.
Peace,
Vig
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