If there is one thing that a lot of EDM producers and DJs have been accused of at one time or another, it is “sounding like everyone else”.
Now, if this is something you have noticed yourself, it isn’t your ears playing tricks on you: Most people are more interested in being popular rather than unique.
Once the general public falls in love with a particular sound or style, it is easy to keep them happy, so producers will tweak these tracks and then keep churning them out. Copycat producers will also try and replicate the popular sounds, too.
If this is not something you are interested in doing and want to make a real name for yourself, here are a few tips for you…
Find Your Unique Sound
This may sound like the most obvious piece of advice, but it is surprising how many EDM artists fail to take this step. In an attempt to start producing and putting out tracks, the average producer focuses on what sounds good.
Unfortunately, this could end up with you sounding just like everyone else. If you are willing to put in the effort, however, you will discover that you have a unique sound to offer.
This largely starts with figuring out what kind of music you like and why these tracks appeal to you. Once you have isolated certain elements, it is then time to figure out how you can make them work well together.
Make the Intro Work for You
When people are crammed into a club, they have no choice but to hear a track out. The same can’t be said for individuals who are choosing to listen to your music. This is why you can’t waste any time in getting them hooked to the track, prompting them to listen to it for longer.
So, how can you capture their attention? Well, that is largely up to you since the intro has to suit your own personal style. However, reverb based effects and retro hits are always a safe bet, particularly when creating music for a more versatile crowd.
Use Live Instruments Where Possible
These days you can find virtually any sound that you want via a software program. So, the idea of even picking up an instrument can seem rather ludicrous. Still, this is something you should consider doing more often. This is because, at the end of the day, real instruments will have a richer, warmer sound.
Due to this, they can liven up your track and certainly make it sound quite different from the other tracks out there. For more guidance on how to do this, check out TheMusicPal and learn how to really combine instruments with digital elements.
Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Things Up
One of the dangers of being in the EDM game is sticking to what you are most comfortable with. Now, you can hardly be blamed for this. Being familiar with a style or genre often means that you have mastered it and thus, are able to create better tracks as a result.
However, this is certainly not going to help you out. If you want to make it to the top of the industry and stay there, you will need to start mixing up genres. This is something top producers like Calvin Harris have mastered to great success. It is also what makes them so exciting.
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about making your EDM tracks stand out from the rest. With the guidelines mentioned above, you should have no trouble carving out a spot that is your own.
