The Real Reason Why Todays Music Is Starting To Sound The Same

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on how modern music production, shaped by digital technology, has led to a loss of uniqueness in today's music. The widespread use of plugins, sample libraries, and emulation software has resulted in a homogenized sound where songs from different artists often sound the same. While acknowledging the value of these digital tools, the speaker encourages artists to experiment and step outside the box to create more distinct, authentic music, capturing the individuality that was once central to music production.

Takeaways

• 😀 Music production has become more accessible with the use of emulation software, allowing producers to replicate classic hardware sounds.
• 😀 Many young artists rely on downloadable loops and stock sounds, resulting in music that often sounds very similar across different creators.
• 😀 Despite the popularity of software plugins, there is a noticeable lack of uniqueness in tracks made using identical tools and sounds.
• 😀 Real-world music production tools, such as microphones, preamps, and instruments, can give each track a distinct sound that software cannot replicate exactly.
• 😀 The uniqueness of tracks recorded with physical gear comes from subtle differences in equipment and room acoustics that can't be modeled accurately in software.
• 😀 Emulation software and plugins can be helpful, but they tend to provide a 'one-size-fits-all' sound, limiting creativity in music production.
• 😀 Even among high-end studios, no two pieces of hardware (like a microphone preamp) will sound exactly the same, contributing to the individuality of recordings.
• 😀 Recording with physical instruments and in varied room acoustics leads to unique, irreplaceable sonic characteristics.
• 😀 While software modeling provides convenience, it often leads to a lack of diversity in sound, as producers use the same virtual instruments and effects.
• 😀 Producers should strive to be more creative by stepping outside the box and exploring new techniques and setups, even without extensive equipment.
• 😀 The speaker encourages young artists and producers to experiment with different approaches to music production to stand out from the crowd.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main observation about the music produced by young artists and producers?

The speaker observes that many young artists and producers are using the same production tools, leading to music that sounds very similar. This includes using the same loops, drum beats, and instruments, which results in a lack of distinctiveness in the music.

What is a 'plug-and-play' event, and how did it help the speaker understand the issue with current music production?

A 'plug-and-play' event is where young artists and producers present their music to industry professionals for feedback and potential opportunities. The speaker attended one of these events and realized that the music sounded very similar due to the widespread use of the same instruments and production techniques, such as downloadable loops and common production software.

What does the speaker mean by 'emulation' or 'modeling software' in music production?

Emulation or modeling software in music production refers to digital tools that replicate the sounds of real-world hardware, like microphones, preamplifiers, equalizers, and guitar amps. This allows producers to achieve the sound of expensive or vintage equipment in a digital format.

How does the speaker compare the sounds produced by emulation software to real-world hardware?

The speaker explains that while emulation software, such as universal audio plugins, can be very accurate and help with production, it still doesn't fully capture the unique qualities of real-world hardware. For example, even two identical pieces of gear, like the Neve 1073 mic preamp, can sound slightly different based on subtle variations in the hardware.

What role do physical instruments and equipment play in creating unique-sounding music, according to the speaker?

Physical instruments and equipment contribute to a unique sound due to subtle variations in each piece of gear, such as slight differences in microphones, amplifiers, and other hardware. These variations create distinct tonal qualities that emulation software cannot fully replicate.

What specific examples of gear does the speaker mention in the video, and how do they impact the sound?

The speaker mentions several pieces of gear, including the Universal Audio plugins emulating the Teletronics LA-2A compressor, Neve 1073 mic preamp, and Fairchild 66 compressor. They also mention a special U87 microphone and Distressor compressors. These pieces of equipment are valued for their unique sounds, which can affect the final sound of a recording.

Why does the speaker suggest that using only digital plugins might limit creativity?

The speaker suggests that using only digital plugins can lead to a lack of originality, as many producers are using the same tools and sounds, resulting in music that sounds similar. They believe that exploring unique, physical equipment and more varied techniques can help break this cycle and produce more distinctive music.

What is the speaker's stance on the use of digital emulation software?

The speaker acknowledges that digital emulation software is not bad and can be very useful, but they encourage artists to explore different methods of music production. They believe that relying solely on emulation software may result in a lack of uniqueness in music.

How does the speaker suggest artists can still be unique without expensive equipment?

The speaker suggests that artists can explore different production techniques and experiment with creative approaches. They mention that being unique doesn't necessarily require expensive gear, but rather thinking outside the box and trying new methods to achieve distinctive sounds.

What is the speaker's overall message to aspiring music producers and artists?

The speaker's overall message is to encourage artists and producers to break free from the common tools and methods that are widely used in the industry. They urge them to experiment with different techniques and equipment to create unique and original music, which will help set them apart from others in the industry.