My Drop is missing something I can't quite pinpoint! Help!

[Dabrenn]

I'm trying to make a Dubstep/Brostep (A genre I'm not a huge fan of, but I figured I should try my hand at it, good practice eh?) song for the first time and I feel like my drop is just missing something I can't quite pinpoint, I feel its rooted in the percussion and I'm not sure what I need to do with it to make it sound better. also, I'm working in Ableton Live.

Disclaimer here, there is a lot of bass, probably too much so be careful-ish. This is still very WIP and unmixed and is also a general skeleton of the way the drop will sound, I plan to add more variation and fills in there later. Also, it drops around 1:17, everything before that is just sort of Haphazardly arranged sounds.

http://soundcloud.com/dabrenn/dubstep-wip

Thank you for the listen, all critiscism welcome!

[ChromaticChaosPony]

It sounds like you only used one or two bass patches throughout the drop. Maybe add some bass growls to make it more interesting?

Also, it seems to be missing any creative sound effects. Try adding something that isn't a bass or lead.

Maybe you could try glitching a few parts via gating or beat repeat? You don't have to, but it sounds much less stagnant if you do.

[Indigo Spectrum]

Trying adding a pad, or some white noise. Maybe some hi hats to fill up the spaces between your drums.

[XXDarkShadow79XX]

Please, oh please use the search function, or just go back a bit. We really don't need any more "How do I drop" threads.

[DJGaugen]

Trying adding a pad, or some white noise. Maybe some hi hats to fill up the spaces between your drums.

This, and maybe put an arpeggio or a melody somewhere in the background.

I definitely suggest filling it up with hats, that shit is magical.

[Dabrenn]

Maybe you could try glitching a few parts via gating or beat repeat? You don't have to, but it sounds much less stagnant if you do.

I have Dblue throwing some stuff around, but I hate working with it and I'm only using it for the shuffler, but the phrase "Less stagnant" stuck with me. Thank you! I'll work on on that. It seems very "loopy" i guess, I need to move away from that sound. It does this, then this, then this, repeat with a little change. Stagnant is a great word.

Trying adding a pad, or some white noise.

This, and maybe put an arpeggio or a melody somewhere in the background.

I have a little something in there to fill space, that delay-heavy "da da da da", Maybe I should up the volume and add a pad, since that seems to be a shared sentiment of it being empty outside of the drum track.

Maybe some hi hats to fill up the spaces between your drums

I definitely suggest filling it up with hats, that shit is magical.

I'll try that out, I think I need to find some better samples, I have some hats and a ride in there, but I couldn't really get them to sound "not-cheap" for lack of a better word. I guess I need to mix it better and add more variation, the Ride is most in there for presence, not necessarily rhythm.

Please, oh please use the search function, or just go back a bit. We really don't need any more "How do I drop" threads.

I have looked through some of these, this isn't a blatant "how do I drop", Like i said, i can't quite pinpoint what is wrong here, I just wanted some more ears that just my own since I know what I want to hear, I think I'm forcing myself to hear it. This thread has helped me, and isn't that the purpose?

[Nonsense_Profile]

1. White Noise - Basically the lazy artist's(Like me) escape route to making something sound more full than it actually is.

2. Sidechained Backing - Most likely a 1/8 so it sound's more melodic and quick, I call it quick feet

3. Large amount's of bass - Meh, sure

4. Lot's of very very high note's - drunk people love that shit, also if it's high enough, no one will even notice how plain your music is, just look at Afrojack! he got famous with stuff like that!(that's mean)

5. Do that Avicii Thing with you have a 1/16 high beat just low enough to where it doesn't get in the way of the main drop, but high enough so that the listener say's "oh there's something back there"

Hope that helpssssssss

[GumsOfGabby]

Okay, these are just some general techniques I like to use to build some suspense, energy and anticipation.

1) Repetition. Pick one or more elements of your track and slice them into halves, quarters, eighths, etc. Sequence a line for your instruments that hints what's to come next, play it in smaller then shorten it, then shorten it again and again until you reach the "drop".

2) Filters. Low pass and high pass filters are most frequently used, but don't restrict yourself to just these. Usually the beginning of the breakdown is low passed (so that only bass frequencies are being let through) to slow the track down and lower the energy. The low pass opens up gradually (increasing energy) before a high pass starts sweeping up the frequency spectrum as we approach the "drop". Sometime the high pass sweeps back down to let through all the bass frequencies again and gives the listener the feeling of being dropped.

3) Sound effects. Reversed samples, white noise sweeps, pitch bending, etc. You get the idea. Pretty much every track has a rising effect that leads us up to the chorus.

4) Reverb and delay. Sometimes automating the wet setting of reverb and delay plug-ins (to increase while approaching the "drop") can give a feeling of insecurity and instability, like the track is about to fall apart. Then slamming the wet levels back down to '0' as we hit the chorus, gives the feeling that the track has recollected itself. I'm not sure if I'm explaining this too well, just try it out. Have a listen to some other tracks to see this in action.

5) (Not build-up/drop specific) Sidechain compression. Try sidechaining your main kick and snare to all of your instruments. DO NOT buss all your channels together and sidechain the buss, that won't work. Generally sounds that sit in the higher frequency ranges require less compression than the bass frequencies. This will help your kick and snare punch through and avoid frequency clashes between your drums and other instruments. Hence you can increase the loudness of your track. It also makes your kick sound "heavier" if done correctly, which is MASSIVE in dubstep.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Now onto your track...

(I know this is just the project skeleton, but I'm commenting on what I hear)
I think you could use a few more layers to thicken up your track and make it sound a bit more interesting. Pretty much like everyone has said, try using pads and cymbals to add a bit more depth to your track (a hi-hat playing a constant off-beat hit is not what I mean by "cymbals"). Don't overdo it though. More is less. It's how you use them that really matters. It's no good looping a pattern of pads and cymbals throughout the whole track because it doesn't really dictate any change in energy. Bring them in when you want things to "heat up" and sound fuller.

Your track seems to start in a 4/4 time signature, but when it reaches the chorus it changes to 3/4. I'm not sure if this was purposeful, but atleast 99% of all dubstep tracks are made (and kept) in 4/4 time sig. I'm not saying "don't" use a 3/4 time sig, I encourage you to experiment in other time sigs, but just a thing I noticed.

I'd suggest doing some research into melody, harmony (how the two work and how to use them) and counterpoints. Knowing how to create these will help to give your track some some more life and emotion.

Your track needs more variation. I'm hearing the same tune being looped for 2 minutes. Make it more interesting for us! A couple of major 3rd switch ups can make a huge difference, but get old very easily.

You snare sounds like its stereo separated. Slam that sucker into mono. On a mono sound system, the phases from the left and right channel will destroy each other and make your snare sound weak. Also, just a side tip, keep your bass freqs in mono for the same reason.

Can't really add much more. Once again, I'm just commenting on what I'm hearing, I know you're still adding stuff to it, but...yeah. I'm liking the track's theme, alot. Sounds very evil and menacing. The chorus is well structured (excellent for a first go) and flows nicely despite being a tad "glitchy/jumbled". Awesome work, can't to hear what you come up with for the rest!

Hope it helps!

Just re-read the OP. Sorry, I do go way off-topic in some areas. Just ignore them

[XXDarkShadow79XX]

If you could do one thing to make your drops harder/better, it would be LISTENING TO MORE DUBSTEP. Just listen to a crap ton and your drop will just magically get better. It's awesome.

[Dabrenn]

Hope that helpssssssss

yep, definitely does. I appreciate it!

1) 2) 3) 4)

I realize that I must have worded my topic very poorly, I'm not really asking about the buildup (though looking back it sort of looks like I am), I know that factors into the drop quite a bit, but this buildup is very very lazy since I've been focusing on the actual hit and it is more of a placeholder, but I will definitely keep these techniques in mind.

(Not build-up/drop specific) Sidechain compression.... Hence you can increase the loudness of your track. It also makes your kick sound "heavier" if done correctly, which is MASSIVE in dubstep.

I love Sidechain compression and I use it quite a bit, but I've never really heard of this genre, which generally uses a "wall of sound" type approach, using it on any of the main leads, Maybe I'm just deaf or misinformed, but unless its a sort of drumstep or moombahton, I didn't think much SC compression was used.

Your track seems to start in a 4/4 time signature, but when it reaches the chorus it changes to 3/4.

Sort of intentional, it just happened that way and I left it. Maybe I'll switch it up.

Your track needs more variation.

Definitely true, This thread was really meant to pinpoint the problem in my initial drop, the rest of the track or more or less a little ditty I made in a car trip and haphazardly arranged before I thought I'd turn it into dubstep. It's no where near finished and is really repetitive, but that is also one of my problems, i think it may be rooted in laziness.

You snare sounds like its stereo separated. Slam that sucker into mono.

This was intentional. that snare is three snares, one hitting partly left, one hitting partly right, and another one hitting down the middle. I like the effect this gives, makes the snare seem much bigger and poke through better. I'll mess around with it again and see what I like with your comment in mind.

Awesome work, can't to hear what you come up with for the rest!

Thank you so much! Your help and comments really do mean a lot to me!

I know may sound a little bit ungrateful in my posts since I'm sort of refuting your comments, but I don't mean it in that sort of way. I value all the help you (any everyone :D) gives, I'm just trying to explain why I did what I did.



P.S.

Just listen to a crap ton and your drop will just magically get better.

Is this sarcasm?

[Lavender_Harmony]

Alright, seeing your attitude thus far, I am unwilling to give much feedback, as I fear you're just going to turn it all away and believe whatever you want.

First of all: Your drum samples suck. There's no two ways about it, they're awful and they do not suit this style of music. Search the forum, there is a ton of fantastic samples available. Then you need to do some proper processing on them, compression, EQ, the whole lot. Some reverb on a snare never hurts if you're careful.

Secondly, the mix overall lacks dynamics completely, there is very little substance to it, there is no major lift at the drop, no filling of sonic space nor increase in dynamics.

Another major problem here is that it is flawed in terms of composition. There is very little changing here, and along with the not so spectacular sound design, it feels very lackluster. As someone said above, listen to lots of music of this type, but not just listen. Analyze it, pick out elements, see what you can learn about the composition and sound design. Don't copy things at initial value, but expand on those ideas you get from trying to mimic certain sounds and timbres.

Now let's go over some of the previously stated feedback also...

You should be looking at your build-up, because it's all about tension and release in this sort of music, and if you have a weak build up, you're going to have a weak drop. Simple as that.
The snare panning isn't the best idea, as it can give you some problems when it comes to mixing. If you want your snare to have more presence and be able to cut through the mix in a more clean fashion: EQ.

Overall, you need to rethink the arrangement and composition, have a look at your drums in terms of swapping out those samples, read up on how to use compression, EQ and other tools effectively and continue sculpting this piece and continue progressing.

[Dabrenn]

Alright, seeing your attitude thus far, I am unwilling to give much feedback, as I fear you're just going to turn it all away and believe whatever you want.

Could you please point me to where I simply "turned away" feedback? I've been explaining why I did what I did, and made a couple clarification points on a few things. At no point have I totally ignored a comment just to believe whatever I want, I value everyone's feedback and I really appreciate it, as I have said multiple times throughout the thread.

If I'm really coming off like this I'd like to know because its not my intention at all.

First of all: Your drum samples suck. There's no two ways about it, they're awful and they do not suit this style of music

Could you elaborate on exactly how they are so bad and why they don't suit this style of music? (regardless of how good they are). I will look into more samples, but I'd much rather know what exactly about them you think is so bad for understanding and future purposes.

[Lavender_Harmony]

First of all: Your drum samples suck. There's no two ways about it, they're awful and they do not suit this style of music

Could you elaborate on exactly how they are so bad and why they don't suit this style of music? (regardless of how good they are). I will look into more samples, but I'd much rather know what exactly about them you think is so bad for understanding and future purposes.[/quote]

Compare to those in other tracks. Yours are very weak, cheap, and unprocessed. Layering is important, especially with snares, and if you're going for bass music, you're going to need to rethink what kind of samples you use.

[Dabrenn]

Compare to those in other tracks. Yours are very weak, cheap, and unprocessed. Layering is important, especially with snares, and if you're going for bass music, you're going to need to rethink what kind of samples you use.

Ok, I'll go do some more reading up and such. I'm not a big fan of my snare and can definitely hear what you hear in that for the most part, but I don't really see what about my kick you consider "weak". Unprocessed and poorly mixed? probably so, but I don't hear the weak.

Thanks :D

[ChromaticChaosPony]

The kick definitely doesn't fit the song. Lavender's right, get some new samples. There's a bunch of good free samples if you look for them. There's even some on this site.

Overall though, it's just dull. Vary it as much as you can. And please make more pads, leads, basses, etc.; and then modulate some of their parameters. I hate it when producers of bass music only use one type of bass throughout the song. It's boring.

[Lavender_Harmony]

Compare to those in other tracks. Yours are very weak, cheap, and unprocessed. Layering is important, especially with snares, and if you're going for bass music, you're going to need to rethink what kind of samples you use.

Ok, I'll go do some more reading up and such. I'm not a big fan of my snare and can definitely hear what you hear in that for the most part, but I don't really see what about my kick you consider "weak". Unprocessed and poorly mixed? probably so, but I don't hear the weak.

Thanks

Its a weak sample. It has no power behind it. Here, an example. The first pattern uses a kick and snare I'd consider weak and unfitting, the latter uses processing, EQ and decent samples to get that 'bass music' feel:

Link

[XXDarkShadow79XX]

P.S.

Just listen to a crap ton and your drop will just magically get better.

Is this sarcasm?

I an afraid it's not. So maybe just listening to more music doesn't magically make you amazing, but it is just a gorgeous way to get inspired and learn about the genre. Listen to the tracks. Analyze them. Go underground AND listen to mainstream. Just keep listening to music really, and your dubstep (or any other genre) will be better.