[iKlecKtic]

One thing to remember, that has been said in these posts (in one way or another), is that a lot of people mind's are simple when it comes to music, which is why "Simple" songs are so popular. I'm not saying that people have no taste in good music, but music is many peoples release in some way, and, perhaps unconsciously, the human mind doesn't want to process a million different tones, octaves, etc.

While the notes themselves may only consist of 4 keys in an octave, making the sound that comes with the notes, the drums that accompany with it (which may also be simple), etc, I think, is the most complicated process (and is the process) of making music.

Sure, a simple beat and a 4 key melody may be simple on its own, but to come up with that synth that sounds JUST right and to find that drum sample (or, create your own drums) that sound REALLY good with that sound (or adding that extra ghost snare, kick, etc. in with the drum pattern to give it that last extra touch) is difficult. I'm struggling with it while learning all of this stuff at the moment. I listen to a song and I think "man... I could've made that, if only I knew how to..." and that last sentence is where the art comes in.

[SoloSaga]

Originally Posted by iKlecKtic

One thing to remember, that has been said in these posts (in one way or another), is that a lot of people mind's are simple when it comes to music, which is why "Simple" songs are so popular. I'm not saying that people have no taste in good music, but music is many peoples release in some way, and, perhaps unconsciously, the human mind doesn't want to process a million different tones, octaves, etc.

While the notes themselves may only consist of 4 keys in an octave, making the sound that comes with the notes, the drums that accompany with it (which may also be simple), etc, I think, is the most complicated process (and is the process) of making music.

Sure, a simple beat and a 4 key melody may be simple on its own, but to come up with that synth that sounds JUST right and to find that drum sample (or, create your own drums) that sound REALLY good with that sound (or adding that extra ghost snare, kick, etc. in with the drum pattern to give it that last extra touch) is difficult. I'm struggling with it while learning all of this stuff at the moment. I listen to a song and I think "man... I could've made that, if only I knew how to..." and that last sentence is where the art comes in.

I thank you because your comment along with many others, was very helpful. Once I have enough posts I will post some music that everyone can critique

[CallAndResponse]

Well yes, if your goal is to make the bulk of that garbage currently occupying the beatport top 100 then yes it is as simple as you thought. I have nothing against charts but the EDM people like these days is simple-minded, repetitive nonsense which is easy to make as well. Simpler seems to be more popular for some reason, so many producers who made their name in complextro have already abandoned that in order to make big room electro house for example. Doof, Doof,Doof,DOOOAH - Doof, Doof,DOOAH, DOOAH (And the 8 bars repeat over and over again). Yeah I get that the kids go mad headbanging to repetitive basslines but what happened to the musicality?

[SoloSaga]

Originally Posted by CallAndResponse

Well yes, if your goal is to make the bulk of that garbage currently occupying the beatport top 100 then yes it is as simple as you thought. I have nothing against charts but the EDM people like these days is simple-minded, repetitive nonsense which is easy to make as well. Simpler seems to be more popular for some reason, so many producers who made their name in complextro have already abandoned that in order to make big room electro house for example. Doof, Doof,Doof,DOOOAH - Doof, Doof,DOOAH, DOOAH (And the 8 bars repeat over and over again). Yeah I get that the kids go mad headbanging to repetitive basslines but what happened to the musicality?

On that note, what do you think of the track "Static" by Tommy Lee and Aero. It has repetitive basslines and such, is that something you would not like? I like how it sounds, even though it's simple.

[ShinobiDef]

I'm not sure if I understand your question correctly but my 2 cents is that simple doesn't equate to crap. Regardless of whether music is made electronically or not, sometimes simple can be amazing. I'm a fan of minimal tech but for me, I find it one of the hardest genres to do - as iKlecKtic rightly said:

Originally Posted by iKlecKtic

Sure, a simple beat and a 4 key melody may be simple on its own, but to come up with that synth that sounds JUST right and to find that drum sample (or, create your own drums) that sound REALLY good with that sound (or adding that extra ghost snare, kick, etc. in with the drum pattern to give it that last extra touch) is difficult. .

Like art - you'll get people that dislike Old Masters, but love abstracts that consist of just a blue square on a black background - something a lot of people might look at and say "What the fuck is that? I could have done that myself". But then who knows? I can appreciate complex music but still not like it. I can like stuff that sounds incredibly simple but realise that it may have been done with little talent or much time involved.

Personally, I hate EDM - more so because it's become so incredibly popular, but I hated the effect on Cher's voice in "Believe" the moment it was released. Why? I have no idea but I make an effort to try to work out why I don't like particular music/sounds - occasionally, I admit its through association with subcultures, but not always.

[Digit]

Originally Posted by SoloSaga

Sometimes I listen to a song and think, is this really all there is to it? Like of course, Wolfgang Gartner's stuff is extremely complex and intricate, and I respect that. But for some other stuff, I guess I just overthink how hard it was to make.

Does anyone understand what I'm talking about? I'm new to making electronic music, so maybe that's why, but I don't know.

Someone will probably come in here and be like: "Are you kidding me? It's INSANELY hard to do. You have no idea what you're talking about."
and they're probably right...

But is the hardest part creating a catchy melody? the music theory part of it? The mastering/audio quality part? The drums?

it can be absurdly easy and simple, and it can be as complex as one wants to make it.

there are now so many aids, that anyone and their gran can be sat infront of a machine and have passable music come out of it.

often, i think it's the stuff that looks easy, is actually the stuff that's had a massive investment on those diminishing returns of refinement.

everyone has their own aptitudes, and has discovered different tools and tricks, so i think it's hard to point to any one area and proclaim it the hardest. some aspects are more prone to more easily being graded on some kind of scale of profficiency, like many of the technical parts, and some, are the less tangible, more taste-oriented ("subjective") stuff, like finding the right catchy melody. some folks can just let the music flow from their sole (or something), where others will seek to deliberate over every note. ... quite often, i just spray notes over the music sheet, and go through a series of tweaks and refinements. a sort of method of attenuated chaos. such ways, can be incredibly easy... much like "abstract art" that's little more than creatively spilling and splashing paint around.