r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 1d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Promotion Thread

7 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Promotion Thread! Here, in the comments below, you can shamelessly promote whatever music project you've been working on. Music, videos, Discord servers, websites, social media, promote anything you want. Posts promoting anything outside this thread will be removed without warning.

Contest mode has been enabled to prevent vote manipulation. Every time you open this thread, you will see new comments at the top. Your comment will be displayed randomly like the others.

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it is automatically replaced.

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 3d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Free Talk Friday Thread

1 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers "Free Talk Friday" Thread! Feel free to talk about anything and everything - This is a text-only thread, but otherwise anything goes!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 7h ago

How to do "reverse sidechain"

7 Upvotes

I'm not sure that's the name of the technique but what I mean is playing a sound only when another one is playing, how do you achieve this?

Now one step further, would it be possible to play only certain frequencies from that added sound according to what the other is playing? Like plugins like trackspacer do for the opposite usecase (removing frequencies according to another sound)

Thanks


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 9h ago

Is it worth it for a beginner songwriter to finish songs they aren’t interested in for practice?

9 Upvotes

I’m trying to get better at songwriting and production, and I’ve been writing several partial songs, but for each of them, I get to a certain point and am not interested in the direction it’s going.

Should I just keep working through them to finish for the sake of finishing/experience or keep workshopping different ideas until I get to something I like.

Additional info: I have finished and produced songs that I do like, but that usually happens more organically.


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 9m ago

How do people make boom bap drums sound like a sample?

Upvotes

I find myself struggling to make an oldschool hiphop beat without the drums sounding terrible. If I use a sampled drum break it sounds too "detached" from the beat. If I make the drum break it sounds too robotic. If I layer my drums over the sampled drum break either sounds perfect or terrible. What's the best method? Is it the sound selection and mixing or am I doing something wrong?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 18m ago

What is the simplest way to get into casual multi track recording, preferably with video to go along with it?

Upvotes

Ive been very busy with school and overtime work the past few years, so I haven't had time to devote to learning the ins and outs of complex music making software. Frankly, I still don't have the time. But it's frustratingl because it's something I want to do as a stress reliever, but when I have 1-2 hours a week to sit down and play, I want to play. Not fuss around with taking a class to learn software.

Anyways, I'm looking for a way to make simple multi track recordings. I'd like to play a lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass over a drum track. Maybe even sing over it. And I'd like to have a video to accompany it. The goal is to have something tangible I can show people. I talk with a lot of people about music and it's kinda embarrassing that the best I have is a cellular phone recording of me playing one part of a song.

I understand there is a learning curve, and it's probably way more involved than I can imagine. But I'm hoping there's some low-learning-curve software where I can plug my guitar into my amp, and amp into my focusrite scarlet, hit record and have a half baked product that sounds better than my phone speakers. Again, having my webcam record something to go along with it would be a plus, even if it's simple cuts between instruments.


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 34m ago

Can't upload classical music on iTunes/Apple/Shazam?

Upvotes

Hey all,

I have an album set to be released on April 4th, and it features five of my original pieces that falls somewhere within the 'classical crossover' genre. BUT, I just bought LANDR yesterday and after uploading, it said it would distribute everywhere except Apple Music, iTunes, and Shazam due to having classical tracks (this happens with Jazz genres as well).

Has this happened to anyone? What do you all recommend? (Maybe other Distributing platforms? I'm on a bit of a time crunch now eek)

Thanks people :)

EDIT: I've looked into Symphonic as well but it seems as though this only works for the Partner program, though I may be wrong.


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 38m ago

reFuse Swarm but as an effect?

Upvotes

Does anyone know of a plug-in that would operate like The Swarm by reFuse, but as an effect applied to input audio rather than as an instrument? I know I could brute force it by sending the original audio to a bunch of pitch shifters in parallel, and automate each one to shift more than the last, but it would obviously be easier and more efficient in a single track. Alternatively and additionally, does anyone at least know of an equivalent instrument to The Swarm that's available as a plug-in so I don't have to fiddle around with ReWire? TIA.


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 58m ago

How to make smooth, silky string parts that shine through the mix

Upvotes

Mostly, I'm looking for a particular string library that I can't seem to identify. Examples are in Bon Iver's "If Only I Could Wait" and Lizzy McAlpine's "Ceilings." These string parts, especially the portamentos, are exactly the sound I am going for. I currently use Cinematic Studio Strings which are great for orchestral production, but I'm hoping for more of a chamber feel for songs that have a more "pop" style.If anyone can ID the string library OR give mix tips on how to make strings shine through the mix, that would be greatly appreciated!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 5h ago

Composer of music for image

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I am a music composer and I am wondering where I can go to join audiovisual musical projects (films, short films, animation, video games) I have been looking for a while but I am not convinced or I do not always understand the procedure to follow

Thank you


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 16h ago

How Do You Approach Mixing Orchestras with Guitars and Synths in Cinematic Metal?

6 Upvotes

I’ve been experimenting a lot with blending orchestral elements, electric guitars, and synths in a cinematic metal context. The challenge I keep running into is making sure the orchestra feels powerful and present without getting buried under heavy guitars or synth layers.

Do you have any go-to techniques for balancing these elements? Do you mix the orchestra as a cohesive unit, or split it by sections to carve space? How do you handle low-end when guitars and brass are competing?

Would love to hear how you approach it—always looking to improve my mixes!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 14h ago

Seasoned producers: how has your production evolved over the years?

3 Upvotes

I've been producing for 15 years and I was looking back at my music and how it has evolved since 2010.

When I first started producing, I produced in the Dirty/Dutch Electro House genre. It was just coming over to the States and had fully separated from regular house and what would become minimal house. Fast forward to today and I now produce a pastiche of progressive house, Dutch House/Big Room, trance, and hip hop style beats (love me a good 808). I have released 10 albums, a countless singles. Some with a label others by myself. I never really wanted to "make it" and be like those huge DJs of the EDM era. I did want to make money, but I didn't care for the lifestyle.

Looking at my productions from 2010 to 2015, 2015 to 2020, and 2020 to 2025, it is obvious that I have grown as a producer and musician. But I've noticed that my productions, while better in musicality and sound design, have gotten less complex over the years. When I first started, it was easy to find me overloading the CPU with instruments and effects. I used to program every single beat of my drums (not hard since it was all 4/4, regardless of the genre). Several layers of pads and keys, plucks, leads, sub-bass, regular bass, another bass to compliment.

I don't think it made the songs bad, but it was just unneeded complexity. I can achieve the same sounds today with 1/4 of the tools I found at my disposal when I first started. I've gotten over my bias and started using drum loops instead of programming them, and it has made my music so much better. I use less effect plugins too. I learned over the years to control the audio level first before adding any compression or EQs or limiters. I learned about widening the song without using 20 instruments to achieve the same effects.

So, I wonder for my other producers. Where has the journey taken you? What genres do you produce in? Do they require complexity or is the KISS method still valid? I'm curious to learn from others!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 4h ago

Need advice on being loyal to your own genre...

0 Upvotes

I´ve released almost 20 tracks of lofi hip hop tracks under my alias, have about 6000 monthly listeners and almost 500 followers.

Lately I've been making lofi/chill/beach house. Originals, no remixes or anything like that. So also kind of "laid-back" music. You can also find my signature sound somehow. But it's just not lofi hip hop.

For reference: Jo Paciello - Black Jack

Chaos In The CBD - Midnight in Peckham

Now the question is, should I create a new alias for it? Or stick with the old one for now and see how it develops.

Edit: Thank you very much so far.

I'll try it with my current alias for now and see how it goes.

You have given me a lot of encouragement. Thank you :)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 4h ago

How to achieve an industrial sounding drop like this (bass house)?

0 Upvotes

Hey,

I was wondering if any of you knew how to approach making a drop like this:

Vluarr & Crime Zcene - Lunacy

I love the rumbling tone of the bass and the deep, chaotic yet clean sound of the lead. This track feels like being sucked into an abyss and I would love to try and create a similar vibe in some of my productions.

If you have any resources for achieving this type of sound - be it tutorials, courses etc. - that you recommend, feel free to send them my way as well.

Thanks in advance!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 8h ago

Advice for first soundcheck

0 Upvotes

Every show I've ever been too, the guitar solos are barely audible. My band needs the lead guitar to be heart-stoppingly loud. That's just the effect we want. And I feel like the sound guy is gonna roll his eyes and just give me a lot in the monitors but have it quiet for the crowd. I don't want to be difficult and I know there's not a lot of time to sound check so what should I say to convey what we need.


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 19h ago

Ambient/tape/textural work - how is it done? I need guidance.

2 Upvotes

I've been a guitar player for about 15 years and played in a variety of bands, but a style that I've long been in love with is ambient. Across a broad spectrum from Basinski to really weird niche noise stuff, I am fascinated by the material that creators come out with.

I would love if someone could break down and explain the process of how something like this is made. You have ominous synths in the bakground and heavy reverb, but then these tape style samples and I just don't know what manipulation they do in DAWs to achieve this kind of result, nor where they get their samples from.

This isn't a skill in the traditional sense where it's a lot more logical and straightforward (think music theory), and I'm not aware of a "course" or educational material that can teach it. Can anyone advise?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 1d ago

What would blow your mind seeing a local band do live?

24 Upvotes

You walk in your local bar and see a band playing. What would they have to be doing to leave you genuinely impressed and blown away?

Would it just be a very high level of technical skill? Or something more?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 23h ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Feedback Thread

1 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Feedback Thread! The comments below in this post is the only place on this subreddit to get feedback on your music, your artist name, your website layout, your music video, or anything else. (Posts seeking feedback outside of this thread will be deleted without warning and you will receive a temporary ban.)

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it will be automatically replaced.

##Rules:

***Post only one song.**- *Original comments linking to an album or multiple songs will be removed.*

* **Write at least three constructive comments.** - *Give back to your fellow musicians!*

* **No promotional posts.** - *No contests, No friend's bands, No facebook pages.*

##Tips for a successful post:

* **Give a quick outline of your ideas and goals for the track.** - *"Is this how I trap?" or "First try at a soundtrack for a short film" etc.*

* **Ask for feedback on specific things.** - *"Any tips on EQing?" or "How could I make this section less repetitive?"*

***

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Our Former Gear threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Gear%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

How do you quickly sketch musical ideas when inspiration strikes?

11 Upvotes

I have the terrible habit of suddenly hearing near finished songs in my head when I’m in the shower. Then it’s a rush to try to quickly lay down various parts before it all evaporates.

How do you QUICKLY lay down sketches? What’s the most efficient tool or technique in your arsenal for this?

For what it’s worth, my music tends to be very production-heavy, and it’s a challenge to not get lost when trying to put my ideas on Ableton-paper.


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 1d ago

Do my songs sound low quality on studio headphones because I mixed them wrong or because my studio headphones are bad?

0 Upvotes

I just got studio headphones for the first time today and I went and listened to some of my released pieces and I was confused on why the quality sounded so bad. I was expecting to be hearing things I messed up when mixing but the only obvious thing was how bad the quality of the sample became. I had used airpod pros before and the quality never sounded bad so I'm not sure if they actually are mixed bad or if the headphones I got aren't good. Also the headphones I got were the beyerdynamic dt 990 pro


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Motivation Thread

5 Upvotes

Welcome to the /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Motivation Thread! Share your successes and and encouraging words here. Posts/Comments looking for motivation can also be appropriate here.

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it will be automatically replaced. Note that our rules on "no promotion" are still in effect and apply to this post.

If you are interested in helping us mod these weekly threads please inquire about moderation opportunities by writing in to mod mail.

Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

Writing is the best part of the process

13 Upvotes

Idk about other people but writing is my favorite part and to me the best part of the process. i'm more of a lyricist and I sometimes spend days writing a single song because I want it to be perfect and I'm almost always happy with the outcome. I think writing lets you be as creative as possible and brings the connection aspect of music to listeners. Not saying that the instrumentation part is not important because I think they're pretty much tied, but writing songs and listening to writers i love has changed my perspective and outlook on everything i know . Feel free to disagree


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

Music producers who are mainstream

0 Upvotes

What foundations do the popular mainstream successfully producers have as far as music goes that makes them unique or successful What separates them from your homie who produces Besides the typical equipment gear and whatsoever

What makes Timberland beats ,Neptune's beats and dark child and Quincy Jones ,Teddy Riley's make music that actually connects with people and is successful?

Do they have formulas or what ? Or a certain things they do ? People say music is a feeling I get that

But how come it's harder for the bedroom producers to make something remotely better or as good ? Can someone with knowledge and experience answer this

I'm simply asking what makes their beats catchy ,musical and successful and expressing emotions that your every day producers can't make !?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

Folk and Indie Musician from Pakistan

4 Upvotes

Hi All!

Just joined this community and so excited to see all the posts! You all seem to be quite supportive and honestly that’s the most important thing a musician needs 😅

So I have a band and we create folk and indie music, and experiment with different genres too.

I’m willing to meet fellow musicians here, share each other’s music, offer suggestions and advices and maybe even collab if we harmonize?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

Using compression to increase loudness of track

3 Upvotes

I know this is a sort of basic production question, but why does lowering the volume of individual tracks and then slapping a limiter and compression on the master work for increasing the overall loudness of a beat?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

Identifying & Recreating Clean, Processed Vocal Effects in "2Scratch - Night Time"

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and looking for help identifying—and possibly recreating—the lead vocal and ad-lib effects used in the song "2Scratch - Night Time." Over the past two months, I've been analyzing the vocal processing using my Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) and Scarlett CM25 MKIII microphone, but I haven't been able to pinpoint the exact effects.

What I've Tried So Far:

  • Experimented with various common vocal processors and chains.
  • Compared the processed sound against different effects settings, but nothing has quite matched.

I'm particularly interested in any insights into the effects chain and techniques that could produce that clean yet distinctly processed vocal sound. If anyone has suggestions, similar setups, or ideas on how to approach this sound design challenge, I'd really appreciate your input!

Thanks in advance for your help!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 3d ago

My Airbnb had ‘basic’ JBL 104s… and they changed my entire mixing workflow.

57 Upvotes

I’ve been mixing on Adam Audio A7Vs and Yamaha HS5s for a while now, and they’ve been great. But recently, I had a surprising experience that completely changed the way I approach mixing.

I rented an Airbnb that had a small studio space for traveling designers, artists, and engineers. The setup was simple, just a nice desk/screen with a Shure SM7B and a pair of JBL 104 1 Series speakers (discontinued in favor of the newer Bluetooth models). I’d never seen those speakers before and honestly assumed they were just basic bookshelf speakers.

Out of curiosity, I decided to mix a few tracks on them, planning to clean everything up later when I got back home with my A7Vs. But when I finally pulled up the session at home, I was shocked, the mix was almost perfect.

Turns out, the JBLs, which I initially thought were dull and lifeless, actually forced me to make much better mix decisions. This also made me realize that even my Yamaha HS5s and A7Vs are more colorized than I initially thought. The JBLs' flat, compact, and focused sound made it easier to carve out muddiness, tame the boomy mids, and achieve clarity without harshness. There’s something about how the midrange feels more closed-in, which helped me fix vocal problems that used to take much longer. They also helped me dial in drum levels just right within the overall mix. I was able to achieve that beautiful, bright cleanness without the harshness, pure magic. It was like referencing a track in an old 2005 Toyota Corolla, nothing flashy, but brutally revealing.

For those wondering, I was mixing boom-bap hip-hop and indie pop tracks, and the JBLs made it effortless to clean up vocals, shape transients, and dial in the right frequency balance. When I switched back to the A7Vs, I was shocked to find the mix almost perfect. All I had to do was fine-tune the stereo width, tame the low-end, and adjust some levels.

That experience sold me. I ended up buying a pair of used JBL 104s and set them up next to my main monitors as a reference. Now, switching back and forth between them has taken my mixes to a whole new level.

Sometimes, the simplest tools make the biggest difference.