[Evilsagent]

I was just wondering, do you think some producers, or even any of you guys, know their DAW or just synths in general so well they can make the noise they hear in their heads? Like as soon as they get an idea they know what waveform, filtering and everything they need to get that sound? If so how much time are we talking before you can get to that point, because ive been using ableton for a couple months (and yes, no one would really be at that stage so soon, im not and wasnt ever expecting to be throwing out albums by this point), but its kinda frustrating when i get this idea in my head and cant seem to be able to make the sounds i want to. Any replys or help would be appreciated.

[Crude_beats]

Evelon can maybe

Personally. Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Other times close. And sometimes I loose the idea on the way and get something else instead.

Usually I don't know exactly what to do. I have to tweak and test a lot before getting there. And I often get close. You do not need to get 100% there though as long as the element you are working on does the job you intended for in the context of the song it its alright.

[Noir Fiction]

It has less to do with time than it does experience. Just like after you have played an instrument for so long it is easier for you to hear notes and play them. That's why it's always best to create your own patches rather than use someone else's. Even if you're not very experienced with sound design you are still being familiarized with the sound and how to manipulate it. But if you just have to load up a patch, at least pay attention to what's going on. If you find one you really like, try to recreate it from scratch. You'll thank yourself in the end when you don't have to rely on other people for the sound you want. As for the effects, just play around with a couple new effects each time you make a track. Then it will all start to come together.

[Barry Acid]

Well time and experience kinda go hand in hand... You've got to put the time (practice) into it to gain the experience to be able to do what you're talking about. I can do it now because I spent close to 3 years doing nothing but synth patches on my various synthesizers and soft synths (VSTs) I just spent hours reading and studying about the different types of synthesis and techniques used. Then like many things it just comes to you after so long.

[Crude_beats]

Wanna add something.

The sound in your head changes as you move on. So even if you did nail the sound you had 6 months ago you might have another now. And I think that it will be like that for you always, has been for me. And I think its an important part of progress. Mozart could never have imagined reggae or dubstep. Just as we can't imagine the next thing, its a blend of what has been and new influences.

[JarrodL]

I think the most important thing with the biggest artists is that they are at a comfort and proficiency level that allows their thoughts, idea and concepts to flow naturally when they are in a session.

So yes most of the veteren producers can most likely get a sound close to what they are looking for but fine tuning is probably a longer process.

[lebeux]

Lots of people can. Quite a few here can, I reckon. I can, most of the time.

You seem to be into deadmau5 and the like, so we're talking mostly substractive synthesis and bread-and-butter fx, in which case the answer is anyone who even remotely knows what the fuck they are doing can do it in a breeze.

The answer to your second question is, longer than it will take for that shit to go out of fashion.

[claudedefaren]

Absolutely. BT recently said on his twitter that the entire Movement In Still Life album he made from scratch (no samples)

[The Kell]

I also make my tracks without samples, but only because I'm such a noob at this that i haven't gotten comfortable with audio clips yet, and I exclusively use midi only. But it does help me learn what knobs to tweak to get the exact (or close to it) sound I want.

[Numerical]

Only samples I use are for drums. with my ambient tunes I am always looking for a new sound of my own making rather than trying to emulate someone else's sounds, or even just going for a certain staple sound that is inherent to any given genre. May sound like I'm putting myself on a pedestal but anyone with the notion just to explore their own thing can do it, it's actually more fun too.

[Dippshoe]

Not exactly, but pretty fucking close. If you know your wavetables along with your filters/FX's you can get a long way.

[page the dj]

Lol yes and no. Sometimes the sound in my head comes right out, exactly as I hear it. Other times....I am still working on a heavily effected synth/horn stab I started on over a year ago.

[TNT1325]

I usually end up messing with the sound, i dont have a concrete idea in my head, im just like "well that should be flanged, or that should be spacey or... meh stuff like that.