How Do I Update My Sound?

I actually have had a few readers suggest this topic, even though I have touched on it a little in other articles. In some respects, it is far more important to find your own sound, but if you continually have people tell you it sounds dated, here are a few ideas you might try.

LISTEN TO THE RADIO

Sometimes, the easiest way to get used to a new genre is to just turn on the radio and find out what is out there. For some of us older folks, this may be tough, but think of it as an excuse to find something in common with the younger folks you live or work with. Whatever category you used to like to work in the most, find out which channel is playing the most cutting edge stuff in that field and give it a listen. Ask what is "hot" to the teens and college kids you know and see if there is any of it that appeals to you. Chances are, there is, since "retro" is very hot at the moment-many of the kids I see everyday at the local university are really having fun rediscovering groups like The Beatles, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Pretenders, Blondie, The Grateful Dead and Willie Nelson. Many of the hottest new Rap, R&B and dance groups are sampling or reworking a lot of hits from the 60's and 70's. Much of "new country" sounds like "old country" or roots rock to many of us. Some of the hottest British imports sound like 60's groups. If you used to write music similar to any of these groups, you are in luck. If not, hopefully, one of these have a sound you can relate to, or you find you really like some of that new R&B that is out there.

FIND A GROUP OR SOUND YOU LIKE

Surely, after immersing yourself in this for a bit, you will find some tiny facet of new music that you can really get your teeth into. Now, if you can, look around online or at your local music store and find some of the recordings they have put out if at all possible, and some of the deeper cuts. In many cases, too, you will be able to look in the current issues of instrument magazines and find out exactly what equipment, patches, and combinations of effects they decided to use to get that sound. Your local music store, pawnshop or want ads are probably full of new or used equipment you can get to fulfill this part of the sound requirement. In many cases, you might easily be able to create the sounds you want on your sampler, computer keyboard program or composition program either by finding the correct patches to add or creating your own with your knowledge of waveform shapes and a good set of ears. Compare your new sounds to those on the CD or radio until you get that "new" sound. Feel free to change it up a bit, though, or find some way to make it yours, but many groups sound alike in many ways, so don't let that worry you too much. There is really only so many ways you can change a drums/guitar/bass/vox/keyboards lineup.

Go To Page: 1 2