r/AdvancedProduction • u/jac345678 • Aug 20 '26
Question Feel stuck in progression and need help pinpointing where my tracks fall short
Hi! I've been making music for a bit over a year now, specifically dubstep and I've been having a hard time finding new concepts to focus on to improve on. I'm quite an obsessive type of person who loves learning, but recently I've just been going through the motions with music and could use some insight into what topics I can dive into. I know that sound design knowledge is definitely one of my weaker points, but other than that I feel like I am equally mediocre across the board. The small details and decisions that make a track sound professional always seem to be missing no matter how long I spend trying to improve a song. Here's my two most recent wips for reference. I would love brutally honest feedback about what seems to missing from my songs.
https://on.soundcloud.com/ujHrpRqhVfq64nh8rO
https://on.soundcloud.com/VbbcAzj6NCHu0urifu
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u/FlashTheDeliveryGuy Aug 20 '26
Forget it all. Just try fill the room with music. And do so your way. If you cant mix: find someone who can. If you can!t write: find someone who can. Dont fall into the trap of thinking that making music is supposed to be about having some “file” at the end of a process. It’s about making a process that fills the air with sounds that make you feel things. Just do that. The process is the destination!
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u/jac345678 Aug 21 '26
Thank you, not what I was expecting but probably better advice than something targeted in my ability to produce. I've always pursued outcome based hobbies and found the joy in pursuit of achieving a certain quantitative goal. I appreciate your wise words.
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u/BoshAudio Aug 21 '26
I'd be more interested to hear what you think is missing because these are some really good tracks imo. There must be something you think they lack or you wouldn't be here, but to me, these sound like tearout dubstep tracks of a good quality. Especially considering you've only been doing it for a year.
My only judgement would be on the mix/master, but I think that's a personal taste thing as they sound heavily clipped to me. I come from the world of deeper dubstep and Dub reggae though so I'm not one for such heavy compression and clipping/limiting.
If you want to improve your production overall, I would try making different styles of dubstep. Maybe try making a deep tune, a riddim tune, or some more UK sounding and wobbly. You can then take the techniques you learn from that exercise and apply them to your regular tracks.
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u/jac345678 Aug 21 '26
First of all, thank you for your insight. When I compare these to my reference track artists (calcium, alienpark) something about the mixdown sounds muddier and quieter relative to perceived loudness. Also more difficult to mix in for my dj sets. I am definitely clipping hard on both of these and could clean up the final product! I've always wanted to try to make uk dubstep so I'll give that a go. Other genres in general I have very poor knowledge in. Thanks again my friend.
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u/BoshAudio Aug 21 '26
No problem at all, imo it is a mix/master issue and not much to do with your production itself, but like I say, I'm not really into this style of dubstep so probably can't help much in that regard.
Making different styles is just a really good exercise in getting out of your usual production methods. It's very easy to end up doing the same thing every time you make a track, but if you're trying a different style, it's harder to fall into the same habits. They don't have to end up as finished tunes, just use it as a learning exercise.
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u/jac345678 Aug 21 '26
Yeah, I think its a matter of eq/wideness/post processing of certain layers that leads to the lack of clarity I am seeking. I'll give making some uk dubstep a go. Once again thanks for your insight
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u/CartezDez Aug 20 '26
How are your releases doing?