Some nice discussion going on so far, keep it up
I dont disagree that making your own sounds is very satisfying and educational, as by tweaking each parameter, you get a little closer in learning your equipment inside out.
But you have to draw the line at some point. Todays bedroom producers need to be able to tackle all the issues that surround the music making process. Composition, sound design, arrangement, mixdown, mastering; all these where once jobs of different people. Each one of these tasks is a science by itself, and professional spent years in developing their skills in one of them, let alone all of them.
Let me point something out: most of the people who frequent this forum, including myself, are firstly interested in producing dnb, techno, dubstep or a similar formulaic rave style; and secondly are still learning the how-to of that process. The most important aspects of making this music is the mixdown and arrangement; the mixdown will create the pumping sound, and the arrangement will make people groove. Once this is cracked, then you should push yourself into learning how to make your own original sound. Just check early releases from many top producers. Cooh, proket, and noisia to name a few. All of their early tunes where very basic in terms of sound palette, but with a solid mixdown and a dancable arrangement. Once they had the foundations down, then they proceeded in making some of the most original music this genre has heard (imo of course).
as far as using presets, im completely against the patch snobs, no offence to anyone here. But at the same time, im yet to use a preset 100% raw within a tune. I always look for something with the timbre im after, and then modulate it to my liking, or even bounce it and start chopping/mangling. Also, dont forget that using presets is extremely useful in learning how a synth works. Even the developers recommend you do so in order to familiarise yourself with their products.
And to finish this, as ive rambled on quite a bit, i'll mention the most important things ive learned in the last year. That you should make music for yourselfs, not for anyone else. I know that this sounds pretty cheesy, but i dont think many people realise its meaning properly. Why worry about what people will say when you tell them that you've been using presets and vengeance samples on your new "crappy" tune? its a learning curve, you're not expressing your emotions, you're not breaking ground in musicianship, you're just learning. If you where releasing such music regularly, then yes, it would be a bad move to stay on that route. But if you're still trying to breakthrough, then i say fuck it, use whatever you can get hold of, samples, presets, tutorials, anything goes. Label owners will be able to see through that, and recognise your potential for good music. And once you gain the confidence of couple releases, and with the advice you'll receive from you newly acquired peers, you'll be far more comfortable in pursuing your own sound.
and remember, just like arseholes, everyone has an opinion, and the above is just mine.
