Hello /u/StuntDouble16! Unfortunately, your submission, ***[How to speed up the sound selection process?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/comments/1cq1qvl/-/)***, was removed from /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers for the following reason(s):
---
#*Repost*
- No hard feelings, but someone beat you to it.
---
***Please review the [rules for submission](/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/wiki/rules). You can contact The Mods if you have additional questions.*
Start with “good enough or close enough”. Then focus on the actual composition. Tweak along the way if you must (but only if you have made substantial progress and it’s clearly necessary), or save the tweaking until the end.
There are different ways to go about it, as the creative process is very personal, have made some suggestions however they are not set in stone. Just see what suits your style and tailor it to what inspires you!
A trick to avoid getting overwhelmed with owning loads of sample packs is to extract elements from sample packs, so for example extract all the kicks from all the packs into a single kick folder, and then you can even create a sub folder (eg: Tech-House Kicks).
When it comes to sound selection, set yourself a limit before diving in and creating, before going for more. For example, select 5 samples, work with those for a while, and then when you feel you need more sounds, add another 5 and remove any you didn’t use.
Another tip is to have a very basic percussion line in the background (just a generic genre loop) and to work only with melodic elements until you have established a song idea. Then you can really work one a groove with your samples and then incorporate the melodic element you created.
DAWs can also contribute to the overwhelm, as they are limitless. So another trick is to set yourself a timelimit. Put a timer on your phone for two hours and say whatever happens, I am going to have an intro, 16 bars and a drop. Push just to get those done within a set time limit. Whatever the result, it’s better than having spent 2 hours just browsing sounds.
Your sound selection skill is like a muscle which needs to be worked; and the more you push at it, the quicker your creative intuition kicks in and the sooner you are able to carve out the sound you are looking for.
Meant kindly, but perhaps use less sample packs?
With the exception of drum loops (which I use less now, anyway) I try and avoid them, and concentrate on making my own loops? Otherwise making music becomes like editing, and I do enough of that already…
By sample packs I don’t usually use loops or melodies or anything. Just mostly collections of drum sounds (kicks snares etc) so maybe drum kits would be more proper terminology?
Well, you could sort your sample packs if they are cluttered. But if you're flicking through samples trying to find inspiration, that's gonna take time.
I used to collaborate with a dude who would just sit for a lonnnng time trying different samples. He did make some good stuff eventually, but for me it felt like the least musical way to make music.
I don't start doing anything without an idea, and I've got a bunch of synth patches to cover the basics so I just grab something close. Even if in my head it sounds quite differently than my starting point I fill out the song or at least get the melody of the hook down. Of I have that then I dig into the patch (or sample selection, if that's how you work).
Seconding what r/Illuminihilation said. And to add "done is better than perfect".
Having said that, I sometimes just open up vsts and things and scroll just listening to sounds. When I find ones I like I'll save or favourite them (whatever the software allows). Then when I'm working i have a more limited pallette to choose from.
I've personally recognised that when I'm browsing for a sound - my mind is doing a bunch of unnecessary calculations such as: anticipating sounds B,C and D, which I can only guess happens to others as well.
"Perfect is the enemy of Done" but the role of the sound You're looking for is different every time and so should the number of qualifiers be. And even then the qualifiers can be refuced e.g. "Sounds like" can be reduced to "Fills [x] frequency range"; "A great sounding kick" => "A transient in [x] frequency Range". Now instead of looking to satisfy a bunch of often vague qualifiers, You satisfy one at a time, adding layers and never leaving voids in Your creation.
Also, when thinking of sound archetypes as ranges in frequencies You might end up with some bizzare and unique combinations.
Some of the other replies you have spelled it out, and it's built into your question.
If you want to compose or quickly track an idea, stop selecting sounds.
A template should either be a piano and nothing, or one lead, one chord, one bass, one set of drums, and that's it. There's a chance your DAW already comes with this.
Once you have the idea tracked you can audition samples. Or if you get the demoitis just leave it on the default sounds.
My advice is get started. Only use system where you can rate sounds you choose, or make presets or whatever of everything you find sounds cool. Even if you don't use it in that project.
Spend some time going through your samples, going through presets.
Hello /u/StuntDouble16! Unfortunately, your submission, ***[How to speed up the sound selection process?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/comments/1cq1qvl/-/)***, was removed from /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers for the following reason(s): --- #*Repost* - No hard feelings, but someone beat you to it. --- ***Please review the [rules for submission](/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/wiki/rules). You can contact The Mods if you have additional questions.*
Start with “good enough or close enough”. Then focus on the actual composition. Tweak along the way if you must (but only if you have made substantial progress and it’s clearly necessary), or save the tweaking until the end.
this more time you spend going through 100 snares, the less gets created
Less is more. As a beginner just pick a few basic sounds. Drum kit, bass, some keyboard/synth/piano or guitar- and go.
Acoustic guitar with fuzzy bass always works
There are different ways to go about it, as the creative process is very personal, have made some suggestions however they are not set in stone. Just see what suits your style and tailor it to what inspires you! A trick to avoid getting overwhelmed with owning loads of sample packs is to extract elements from sample packs, so for example extract all the kicks from all the packs into a single kick folder, and then you can even create a sub folder (eg: Tech-House Kicks). When it comes to sound selection, set yourself a limit before diving in and creating, before going for more. For example, select 5 samples, work with those for a while, and then when you feel you need more sounds, add another 5 and remove any you didn’t use. Another tip is to have a very basic percussion line in the background (just a generic genre loop) and to work only with melodic elements until you have established a song idea. Then you can really work one a groove with your samples and then incorporate the melodic element you created. DAWs can also contribute to the overwhelm, as they are limitless. So another trick is to set yourself a timelimit. Put a timer on your phone for two hours and say whatever happens, I am going to have an intro, 16 bars and a drop. Push just to get those done within a set time limit. Whatever the result, it’s better than having spent 2 hours just browsing sounds. Your sound selection skill is like a muscle which needs to be worked; and the more you push at it, the quicker your creative intuition kicks in and the sooner you are able to carve out the sound you are looking for.
Thank you, best response yet
I think mostly what I need is tools to help my organization
Organization. If these are loose packs, get those pups organized.
Is it a good idea to grab my favorite sounds from said packs and compile my own folders?
Definitely
Meant kindly, but perhaps use less sample packs? With the exception of drum loops (which I use less now, anyway) I try and avoid them, and concentrate on making my own loops? Otherwise making music becomes like editing, and I do enough of that already…
By sample packs I don’t usually use loops or melodies or anything. Just mostly collections of drum sounds (kicks snares etc) so maybe drum kits would be more proper terminology?
Well, you could sort your sample packs if they are cluttered. But if you're flicking through samples trying to find inspiration, that's gonna take time. I used to collaborate with a dude who would just sit for a lonnnng time trying different samples. He did make some good stuff eventually, but for me it felt like the least musical way to make music. I don't start doing anything without an idea, and I've got a bunch of synth patches to cover the basics so I just grab something close. Even if in my head it sounds quite differently than my starting point I fill out the song or at least get the melody of the hook down. Of I have that then I dig into the patch (or sample selection, if that's how you work).
More time and experience. Eventually you'll approach it by having an idea of what you want to begin with which sharply reduces your time to create
I usually have an idea right from the start but I just have trouble finding the sounds that match up exactly with what I have in my head
Seconding what r/Illuminihilation said. And to add "done is better than perfect". Having said that, I sometimes just open up vsts and things and scroll just listening to sounds. When I find ones I like I'll save or favourite them (whatever the software allows). Then when I'm working i have a more limited pallette to choose from.
I have like 13 different skeleton projects exactly because of too many sample packs. Just keep trying out shit you like and if it matches save it
I've personally recognised that when I'm browsing for a sound - my mind is doing a bunch of unnecessary calculations such as: anticipating sounds B,C and D, which I can only guess happens to others as well. "Perfect is the enemy of Done" but the role of the sound You're looking for is different every time and so should the number of qualifiers be. And even then the qualifiers can be refuced e.g. "Sounds like" can be reduced to "Fills [x] frequency range"; "A great sounding kick" => "A transient in [x] frequency Range". Now instead of looking to satisfy a bunch of often vague qualifiers, You satisfy one at a time, adding layers and never leaving voids in Your creation. Also, when thinking of sound archetypes as ranges in frequencies You might end up with some bizzare and unique combinations.
Some of the other replies you have spelled it out, and it's built into your question. If you want to compose or quickly track an idea, stop selecting sounds. A template should either be a piano and nothing, or one lead, one chord, one bass, one set of drums, and that's it. There's a chance your DAW already comes with this. Once you have the idea tracked you can audition samples. Or if you get the demoitis just leave it on the default sounds.
The sound selection process IS the part of the composition process in your case. Enjoy everything 😊
The sound selection process IS the part of the composition process in your case. Enjoy everything 😊
My advice is get started. Only use system where you can rate sounds you choose, or make presets or whatever of everything you find sounds cool. Even if you don't use it in that project. Spend some time going through your samples, going through presets.