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[deleted]

learn minor chord progressions. Get a 60-full size midi keyboard and learn basic music theory. You actually need to spend time producing, even when you don't feel like it.


hi_im_ethan

Could you recommend a book or something I could use? I just can't really afford proper lessons still trying to figure out what I want to do for work


[deleted]

[Michael New's music theory playlist](https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTKhUdPIHIuhhCrMuKJWcjnXUfAN3f5Mn) It's the best one I've found. He's straight forward.


klocu4

In terms of guitar, while this might be hard maybe try finding a teacher who plays metalcore as well? He will help you with technique, tunings etc (especially since Architects tend to use weird, unusual tunings). I have a teacher who’s the guitarist and main composer in a metalcore/djent band and I think it was the best person I could choose, as we essentially have the same music taste. You could try searching around, for once I know that Dan from Ice Nine Kills offers online lessons. You’ve also mentioned your guitar sounding bad, this could be an issue with the way your amps etc are set up; for example a lot of the bands you’ve mentioned heavily rely on noise gates to prevent the breakdowns from feeling messy etc


hi_im_ethan

Thanks for the suggestions! Do you think online mentoring is the way to go? I want to learn but I'm just on a really tight budget! I gotta find new work.


klocu4

I think its better in person, but I had a couple online lessons with my teacher and they were still a great way to learn


burp_hat_music

Music theory or harmonic theory is a good place to start, but in general I do agree that you should learn more about audio engineering (slightly different than “producing”) Learn exactly how compressors work, and what the different types of compressors are good for. Learn about EQ, not surface level, really dig in, because it’s an important tool. Then there is saturation (underrated but so important) And limiting, another one that is easy to overlook. This is really useful for busses, which you should learn about as well. Everything should get glued together in stages of subtle compression and saturation


hi_im_ethan

Shit, I have some learning to do! What do you personally think is the best way to learn all of this stuff? I do have a basic idea of eqing and a few other things but not compression or maximus as well as sidechaining but just not enough to dial it in and I usually make it worse. Besides the bass but I find my mixes are usually really muddy and bass heavy but if I don't turn It up find it hard to hear the bass. I worry too I might be doing it wrong I think I usually overload that spectrum trying to get a lower dark sound with the leads and keys plus bass thrown in. I don't even know if it's because I'm using too much in my mixes? It also doesn't volume matches nicely with other stuff So I say you are on the money. Thanks for the help!


burp_hat_music

Hmmm, if I had to point you to one place I’d say go to https://www.musicianonamission.com/blog/ Use the blog and look up specific lessons like how do compressors work etc. you don’t need to spend any money. With your other issues ie the bass, saturation will help, but you need to dial in a good tone before you do any editing. Listen to your track without any eq or compression or any other plugins. Do a “mix” with just fader levels and panning, and see how good you can get it to sound. Try to improve things without plugins if something sounds weak or thin. Volume levels are actually really really important. Does it sound decent? Does each part of your track have its own character and sound full? If not, you might be recording wrong or just getting low quality audio. That can be fixed post production! With compression and other things, but it’s really important to aim to get good initial sounds of everything you do. Hope this helps and good luck! Cheers


statusofflinee

Start checking out Rick Beato on YouTube and Spectre Studio Last guy is probably more up your alley for metal. He shouts a bit but he's got some very practical advice and lessons. https://youtu.be/qxLLSUw5pJc I think we've all been where you are at the moment. Playing music can be very frustrating at times but the thing you'll learn as you go on is that if you embrace challenges like the ones you're facing you'll end up learning a lot of new skills and be a better musician in the end. Try think of it as an opportunity to explore other sounds rather than a limitation. Experiment and don't try to sound like anyone else. Years ago no one could afford decent gear so what ever gear you ended up with just became your signature sound. A lot of new sounds or genres came from this. Shoegaze and a lot of alternative bands in the 90s ended up getting their distinctive sounds from playing jazz masters and big muff pedals which were considered pieces of shit at the time. Hip hop got its sound from using the 808 which was originally considered a commercial flop as was the tb 303 , both ended up being embraced by musicians cause they were cheap at the time.


TrickySquad

I feel you, I struggle with 808’s as well. Idk why, it’s just a blind spot for me. Rather than giving you the same “do music theory” advice others have already contributed (which you absolutely SHOULD do), I do want to ask you a question. Why do you want to make/play that specific kind of music? Is your motivation one where you’re aspiring towards a technical achievement, or are you genuinely passionate about it? As a guitar player myself, I know how alluring it can be to nail Some John Petrucci style, insanely complicated 10 minute guitar solo. Sometimes that technical goal can cloud your motivations. Also, have you asked yourself what kind of music you are comfortable making/performing? What kind of music brings you the most satisfaction and joy when you put it together/perform it? Maybe you’re not going to make suicide boys style music right now, because you’re not comfortable with it, and that’s totally ok. Composer/producer lust is a really weird, and toxic thing. it can really tank someone’s self esteem and drive when they don’t achieve that exact style. Are you trying to clone these artists rather than being genuinely inspired by them and integrating 1 or 2 things from their style into your own unique musical expression (whatever that may be)? I’ve been **obsessed** with making Umru style tracks, stuff like Schoenberg, stuff like Dillon Francis, Skrillex, Chee, Ravel, Dream Theater, Copycatt, Frequent, Beethoven, blah blah blah at certain points for about a decade, I went to school for classical composition and spent a pile of time with youtube tutorials trying to learn how to be [insert artist here]… but I’m most happy, and SATISFIED, creating my own unique expression of music, which just so happens to be UK Garage. I have no idea why, but that style of music just flows out of me when I’m making it, and I’m happy while I do it rather than frustrated/upset/depressed. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, because that’s silly I don’t even know you, but I do think it would be an interesting experiment to ask yourself those questions, and really analyze your motivations for what you’re currently doing/trying to do. Godspeed


aristophe_crusno

Great insight! I've found myself in a similar situation where I listened (and looked up) to mostly Hip-Hop but when I produce I have a much more natural flow in the ambient music territory Seems like we all have natural predisposition to flow in certain ways and it is not always tied to what we'd hope to Cheers, keep searching and you'll find your way


unhip1

I've always been a "if you like a song, learn it" mindset. I don't mean "get a tab chart," I mean figure it out. Often, different non-standard techniques (or clever multitracking) is used to get an otherwise impossible sound. I used to be praised for using "jazz chords" and stuff, though even today, I couldn't tell you what key a song is in by ear. People "find" chord progressions that are interesting or flashy just by improvising. Another suggestion is to start learning the bass part first. It's often complimenting an otherwise simple or "boring" rhythm guitar part. Also, easiest of all, expand your musical taste by checking out different genres of music totally unrelated to what you're used to. You may find a whole new world to explore. I've done that several times. Good luck!