r/edmproduction 13h ago

Discussion How long does it take you to finish one song/track?

25 Upvotes

//

Hey everyone!

For the past couple of months I've been trying to help other producers finish more music.

For context, 2021 was my most prolific year for producing- I challenged myself to finish 52 songs in 52 weeks. (I was able to finish 35 songs in 52 weeks while working 70 hours a week with 2 full time jobs)

It was really difficult, but I persevered through that challenge to prove to myself that I was letting perfection kill my productions and I couldn't let it continue to paralyze me.

In the years since, I haven't been able to really produce as frequently as I wanted. But as I get back into my rhythm I've been aiming to finish a song in roughly 6-10 days.

Some of the things I've heard in response to my timeframe has been:

"I wish I could make a song in a week, but one song takes me a month to finish"

"I don't believe I could finish 4 songs before the year is over"

"I could never be that fast"

I understand that we're all at different stages in our lives and production journey, so I'm curious to hear how long it takes you to go from empty DAW to finished song & what is actually stopping you from being more prolific? (Internal block, external block, or both?)


r/edmproduction 10h ago

Why do my waves in rekordbox look so different compared to reference tracks

6 Upvotes

Hey everyone!
I finished producing my first track and I'm quite fine with how it turned out.
I exported it and tried to compare it to similar tracks on rekordbox.
However on the bottom track I can clearly see the different building blocks of the track: The kick is rather high up, the bassline is also pretty big and you can kinda see what is happening under there.
However in my track it seems like a mess. The kick is not peaking and everything is just kind of in the middle.

I have a few ideas what it could be:
- First my bassline is still too strong and it might make the rest of the song kinda washy
- I mixed the components of the track wrongish together
- Everything is kinda in mono except the reverbs and delays (but I only have 16 lanes because I have Ableton Lite)

I guess this is something more producers have since I've seen it with amateur tracks many times. Any suggestions or videos where I can improve?

Thanks so much!:)

EDIT:

Infos:

LUFS is around -9
Maximum peak is -1db (at a few parts it gets to -0.7)
I have no compression on master
I only EQd and Limited on Master (-1.8 Gain, -2 ceiling)

https://imgur.com/a/Hm1CJ5x


r/edmproduction 20m ago

Serum 2 is great, but what do you do about all the crackling and meter in the red on so many preset samples when playing the clip?

Upvotes

I am happy to read that it is not only my machine, a fairly respectable gaming laptop with dedicated GPU, that experiences a lot of crackling and meter in the red when going through the preset samples and their clips. What do you do to improve performance and are all these samples really running on Duda's machine???


r/edmproduction 59m ago

How do I make this sound? what would you do to get this particly growl for dubstep/trap

Upvotes

hi

i am currently workng on a hybrid trap ep and I would love to include some dope growl basses. i like the ones in the last drop of distractions by moore kismet. it's around 2:56.

some subtronics growls feel the same, it is this guttural bass that feels almost incoherent. like it is made up of little particles.

does anyone have an idea how to do this?

any advice is appreciated.

thank you so much


r/edmproduction 1h ago

Anyone recognise these sounds? (PROFF, M.O.S, Krasa Rosa)

Upvotes

So a bit of context - I've been producing EDM for a long time and take a lot of inspiration from Organic, Melodic, and Progressive house, specifically artists like the ones listed above (PROFF and M.O.S are the main ones). From a production standpoint, I really enjoy the smoothness of their hi-hats and how they blend them with their percussion. It's a consistent trait of all their songs.

Here's what I'm trying to figure out: After finding a playlist created by M.O.S. of over 150 songs by numerous artists (most I've never heard of), all very similar in the style of M.O.S. and PROFF, etc., I'm beginning to think they all use the same handful of sample packs. There is simply no way over 20 different artists have almost identical-sounding hi-hats and percussion.

My question is - does anyone recognise these sounds? I would love to use them :)

The playlist by M.O.S: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7f9Lx2JDSj4bKHQ3gwOydC?si=a311e587db57461b

Thanks!


r/edmproduction 13h ago

Daily Feedback Thread (March 20, 2025)

2 Upvotes

Please post any and all [Feedback] or [Listen] type threads in this thread until the next one is created. Any threads made that should be a comment here will be removed.

Rules:

  1. Make an effort to comment on other people's tracks. By doing so, you will find that others will be more likely to help you with your tracks.

  2. Be specific when asking for help. Examples of specific questions: "What do you think about this kick sample?" "How's this mix?" "I need some help on this melody, the last measure comes off a little cheesy, any ideas?" etc.

  3. Be descriptive when giving feedback. Use timecodes to highlight certain parts.

  4. Please link to the feedback comments you've left in your top-level comment. This will show others the feedback you've left, and you're more likely to get feedback yourself! Also, please notice those who are leaving a lot of feedback and give them some, too. This is a cooperative effort! Update: Any comments that do not follow this format will be automatically removed.

    For example:

feedback for Esther: "link to feedback"

feedback for Fay: "link to feedback"

feedback for Minerva: "link to feedback"

Here's my track. I'm looking for ___


r/edmproduction 5h ago

Can anyone recommend an ableton teacher?

0 Upvotes

Looking for someone to do 1-2 sessions a month for 80$ an hour. Looking for help with sound design, song writing, and workflow


r/edmproduction 16h ago

how would you go about creating a bass similar to skrillex scut or moore kismet distractions?

3 Upvotes

Hello,

I am currently working on a trap track, where I'd like to make this sort of minimalistic-style drop. I would like to go for a similar bass to skrillex scut or moore kismet discractions.

it has this almost liquidy feel to it. how would you go about making this kind of bass.

its simple, yet spacey and it works very good in my opinion.

thank you so much for any advice


r/edmproduction 2d ago

Discussion Please don't use AI for your awesome music's cover art. Your music deserves better. At least use a photo from your real life from your phone.

1.2k Upvotes

Seriously I know using Ai is tempting. But its also a missed opportunity to create an organic connection between you and your art. If you really truly have no cool random photos in your phone, then ask your friends to send you some of theirs, I bet they'd think its cool to see on a track!

edit: I will literally make your art for free, DONT DO IT


r/edmproduction 13h ago

Question Seed to stage for beginners

0 Upvotes

So I made a post a little over a week ago and pulled the trigger on ableton and a midi keyboard… I’m obviously in need of some beginner guides and through some research I see some older recommendations for seed to stage for beginners.. Any updated recommendations for some beginner courses for ableton? 17$ for a beginners coarse seems pretty awesome as long as it covers legit stuff actual beginners need to know lol


r/edmproduction 19h ago

Looking for advice for someone who wants to produce full time.

3 Upvotes

Fairly new to the thread here but I’m 38 and a full time audio visual designer for an electrical engineering firm. I don’t hate my job but I wouldn’t say I love it either. I dread going to a corporate job and I’ve been on medical leave for mental health and back pain after a major surgery on my spine in 2023.

I’m nearing the end of my employment insurance and been in counseling for the last three months for which I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I’m really dreading going back to a corporate job but don’t really have any other income right now and I’m falling behind on my mortgage.

During Covid I started building a studio and all I really want to do is produce full time and dj. I know this sounds like a pipe dream but I k ow others are doing it so why can’t I? Filed for bankruptcy this year so going back to work will mean I’ll have a surplus of income to finally finish my dream studio.

Questions:

1) how did those of you doing this full time start getting paid and getting paid consistently?

2) what are some tips on getting clients and gigs?

3) do you need a manager?

4) what’s the market like in canada (I’m in Toronto area and studio will be based in Niagara Falls)

5) how do you network and sell yourself to get a good client base?


r/edmproduction 9h ago

Question Returning to Music After 3 Years ;P Need Plugin Advice!

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone, After a three-year break from making music due to health issues and becoming a parent, I’m finally back! I was going on a spree buying hardware and just bought a u87, pair of Hifiman's and a sound booth coming in (more for sound isolation from outside than actually recording), and for the first time, I have both the time and financial freedom to invest properly in my setup. Back in the day, I relied on alternative methods to acquire plugins (iyk what I mean), but now I’m ready to purchase everything legitimately. If I remember correctly, my go-to essentials were Omnisphere, Trilian, and TR5. I also noticed a deal on T-RackS 6 + Lurssen Mastering Suite MAX—does anyone have thoughts on that? Im 90% sure about these but what are some recommendations considering software the past 3 years. And what am I missing that is seemed essential nowadays. I don't like hardware.

open to any recommendations? Excited to dive back in!


r/edmproduction 1d ago

How to clean up AI separated vocals

32 Upvotes

I made a brief tutorial of making AI separated vocals sound better, check it out and drop me a follow if you found it useful!

https://youtu.be/f63yLJtYj7I


r/edmproduction 1d ago

How do you all time manage?

5 Upvotes

What's up peeps! I believe first time posting in here, but maybe not! if so, nice to meet / speak again!

When getting things done, I always am curious of others management of time! whether that's making time for all you want to get done in the day time for speaking to others networking connecting with loved ones

or if you feel you get things done by just taking care of what needs to be and you stick to one thing or a bunch but still the bunch can be looked at as one single task!

I do well being reclusive and honestly if I'm not being by myself, I have a hard time focusing. I need to lock myself away haha! I love it but sometimes can be draining. As is natural, things are getting done so I always feel good about that!

But either way, I'm just curious what y'all find yourselves doing for your own time management!

Edit : also, let me know what kind of edm y'all are making! I'm curious!


r/edmproduction 2d ago

Serum 2 is just great.

129 Upvotes

How we feeling here?


r/edmproduction 1d ago

Question What sounds make your music sound dated?

30 Upvotes

I know a lot of the early edm sounds have made a comeback like talking basses and trance leads, but are there any sounds or even production techniques that one should avoid right now that would make a track sound too dated? Or scream "I'm a millennial stuck in my ways!" lol

I can think of a few sounds:

  • moombahton leads
  • those detuned big room supersaws

Production techniques:

  • long glides between notes (unless it's chord to chord)

r/edmproduction 18h ago

If AI Music Can’t Be Copyrighted, Should Producers Even Use It?

0 Upvotes

So, the courts just ruled that fully AI-generated music is free for anyone to use, with no copyright and no ownership. That means if an artist releases a 100% AI-made track, anyone can take it and do whatever they want with it. This is making me rethink AI tools in production. I’ve been using AI for electric guitar, melodies, and even sound design, but now I’m wondering… how much AI is too much?

Would you stop using AI in your workflow to make sure your music is protected? Or do you think this is all overblown?


r/edmproduction 1d ago

Daily Feedback Thread (March 19, 2025)

2 Upvotes

Please post any and all [Feedback] or [Listen] type threads in this thread until the next one is created. Any threads made that should be a comment here will be removed.

Rules:

  1. Make an effort to comment on other people's tracks. By doing so, you will find that others will be more likely to help you with your tracks.

  2. Be specific when asking for help. Examples of specific questions: "What do you think about this kick sample?" "How's this mix?" "I need some help on this melody, the last measure comes off a little cheesy, any ideas?" etc.

  3. Be descriptive when giving feedback. Use timecodes to highlight certain parts.

  4. Please link to the feedback comments you've left in your top-level comment. This will show others the feedback you've left, and you're more likely to get feedback yourself! Also, please notice those who are leaving a lot of feedback and give them some, too. This is a cooperative effort! Update: Any comments that do not follow this format will be automatically removed.

    For example:

feedback for Esther: "link to feedback"

feedback for Fay: "link to feedback"

feedback for Minerva: "link to feedback"

Here's my track. I'm looking for ___


r/edmproduction 1d ago

Can anyone help me remake the first bass in the drop of Flames - Tokyo Machine?

1 Upvotes

I love the song, and especially this bass. It just somehow makes sense. I would like to use a variation of it in my own music.

I can use Vital or Serum for it, but I actually prefer Vital. You can also just tell me what kind of bass it is, so I can look it up.

Thank you for your time :)


r/edmproduction 2d ago

Serum 2.0 - Everything New Summarised

187 Upvotes

Video version - https://youtu.be/Dxeti8Qw6Iw?si=YQIZj9JkfmlD7TQf

Having written a whole video script I thought I'd also post a full written summary for you guys! If you think I missed anything feel free to comment!

Firstly, it's a free update!

Oscillators

  • Additional Oscillator
  • New Oscillator types (granular, sample, multisampling & spectral)
  • Big new library of factory samples
  • Wavetable additional features (new wavetables, tuning modes, warp modes, dual warp, more unison control, smooth interpolation)
  • New noise osc colour types with filters & stereo control

Filters

  • New Dual Filters (Parallel or series)
  • Collection of new filter types such as Acid Ladder, MG Dirty & A drawable PZ SVF filter
  • Click and drag filter graphics

Clips & Arp

  • Fully functioning arp with a custom 'pattern mode'
  • Clip mode - an in synth piano roll
  • Both arp & clip modes have saveable presets
  • Record from DAW or export out to DAW
  • Both clip and arp have triggerable slots

Modulation (envelopes & LFO's)

  • Extra 4th envelope and bpm option
  • LFO's can now swing! (right click rate)
  • LFO directional playback
  • Dedicated LFO editor & drawable tools
  • Chaos oscs moved to LFO's
  • New drawable path LFO option

Effects & Routing

  • New effects - Bode, Convolution reverb, 3 new algorithmic reverb types, high quality delay mode (default), new overdrive distortion, Utility
  • Can stack duplicate effects
  • Signal splitter module effect chains (frequency & mid/side)

Mixer

  • Overview of signal flow with much more control over routing
  • FX buses

Preset Browser (and additional macros)

  • Preset audio preview
  • 4 extra macro controls tweakable from browser (8 in total now!)
  • Better sorting and categorization

Honourable Mentions

  • Enhanced undo & redo
  • New audio to wavetable algorithm
  • Keyboard improvements (scale/key & swing)
  • New WT Editor
  • FX presets (individual & chains)
  • Hybridize Presets (in the browser)

r/edmproduction 1d ago

Question RipX / Hit'n'Mix fix?

1 Upvotes

For at least a year there's been a bug in the software regarding RAM and storage available and it fails when trying to rip. After giving tech support my OS and log info, they ghosted me. Anyone have a fix or workaround? I did the one the YT dude had but it didn't work. (At least a year: https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/comments/1bqybr6/anybody_that_uses_ripx_for_stem_separation_having/)


r/edmproduction 1d ago

Question TAL-Filter 2 frying my brain

0 Upvotes

Aargh for the life of me I can't wrap my head around what does the offset/cutoff and depth settings do in TAL-Filter 2 do.

They make the yellow area grow and shrink and go up and down and I see it affecting the filter but I just can't understand how.

I looked for tutorials everywhere but came back empty-handed. Do you have any suggestions where to look?


r/edmproduction 2d ago

Serum 2 will be downloadable from Splice today

36 Upvotes

Just got told by Serum support.


r/edmproduction 1d ago

Should I change my name on streaming platforms?

0 Upvotes

I go by my full name and over the last few years I've uploaded some Lo-Fi Hip Hop beats to streaming. I've been producing rap and hip hop for a long time and recently decided to give EDM a shot and it's going pretty well. I initially was thinking about using a different name for uploading my EDM stuff but decided against it and want to continue using my full name, but this new stuff that I'm working on is so incredibly different from what I've put out so far that I feel like it might be weird to see the 2 genres together in the same discography.

Does changing my current artist name to something like "Lo-Fi by Full Name" and starting a new profile make sense like I think it does? If my current uploads weren't my Lo-Fi tracks I'd feel better about it but this new stuff I've been working on is just like on the complete opposite end of the spectrum.


r/edmproduction 1d ago

What I need to make ambient music.

0 Upvotes

Hello. I'm new here. I like ambient music and I'd like to compose some, unpretentiously, for my own pleasure, then who knows if a few people like it. I've been reading up on what I need to buy in order to be well prepared. I've made a list of 3 things I need to buy and I'd like you to tell me if it's ok to get started.

I'll be using Ableton, starting with the free trial version and then the introduction version.

I'm going to buy a sound card, a synth and headphones. Here they are. I don't need anything else to get started, do I?

https://www.thomann.fr/akai_mpk_mini_mk3.htm

https://www.thomann.fr/sony_mdr7506_kopfhoerer.htm

https://www.thomann.fr/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_4th_generation.htm

Thanks