Everyone makes beats...where do you fit in?

I've been thinking about how to separate yourself from the overcrowded beatmaking space. What do you do that's unique? How are you adding to the craft? For me, it was always about finding samples and the craft of chopping. But lately, I've been all about exploring sound.
In the next videos I make in this new space, I plan to experiment more..push sound to the limits, and really focus on the craft of mixing, creating balance, and keeping it simple.
I hope everyone's doing well, and staying safe.
equipment
mpc 3000
yamaha su 700
chandler rs 124
pultec eqp
akai s950
lisciel maletomp
chandler limited tone control
audioscape meq
1/4" reel to reel

[@jack3361]

"...the randomness of a man's mind is incomputable" - The Rza This is a very important _Short._ I hope that the future generations get to hear and see this. Very important. You nailed it.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Dope quote. We'll keep elevating sound, no matter what they say

[@jack3361]

Peace.@@eddieleonard6925

[@Quimmoo]

100% It's a lot of cheap accessible digital stuff out here, you can make music in seconds, using pre-made loops, presets, tons of 'tips and tricks' and stuff like that. Taking time to understand the music, understand the theory, understand sound design, routing, mixing, mastering allows you to be creative on a much deeper level. Embracing limitations of a highly tailored and very intentional workflow is the way to go. No need to go fast. Going slow and steady, perfecting the craft unveils a true therapeutical essence of music.

[@eddieleonard6925]

I couldn't agree more. One of my biggest goals is to eliminate distractions and shortcuts. To simplify and really focus on craft and composition. Thanks for these words!

[@kennydust]

Nailed it. That's where the ball is being dropped in modern music, especially hip-hop, cos we're in the 'just add water' phase. Homemade from scratch just hits different.

[@eddieleonard6925]

You get it. Everyone wants a button or a knob to do all the work for them. Not me...

[@officialmagnumopusmusic]

Man this is dope brother being a engineer and producer it is great to hear and see this

[@eddieleonard6925]

Just trying to experiment, learn, and most importantly, have fun. Thanks for tuning in.

[@arbeitstitel1057]

Like back in the days, you have to define your sound, everyone recognise a dre or a swizz beat because of the unique sound

[@Noise-Conductor]

This is so true & much needed advice in this "Type-beat" era. Peace!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Right? Folks need to focus on their own sound.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Couldn't agree more. Hard to find your own sound...but we gotta try

[@Noise-Conductor]

@@eddieleonard6925 You don't have to find it, since you are it, you just have to create it & release it.

[@screamchand]

Not only are you a kickass producer - you are wise.

[@eddieleonard6925]

haha...not that wise, just always questioning

[@linnharres]

I completely agree man also good luck with your studio!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks fam.

[@Tomorrowomari]

I agree with this. Sound quality and sound design is the thing that will be the separator for the producers of the future.

[@eddieleonard6925]

right? we all have the equipment, we all have samples...it's your mind and how you approach it. this will elevate the music.

[@machinelanguage5108]

It's always been what separates the wheat from the chaff. Nothing new with that. It's always been about sound design and mixing technique.

[@TommyVamoz]

💯 bro and also make what you love to make 🚀

[@eddieleonard6925]

Exactly. I appreciate you, fam. Keep doing your thing..

[@maxatorium]

Absolutely correct

[@xfloodcasual8124]

its all about tone, now more than ever

[@eddieleonard6925]

I totally agree. Everybody can make stuff, but what's your unique tone/sound/feel.

[@officialmagnumopusmusic]

Due this is amazing line you wisdom and thoughtfulness. Seems very much like we are in the beginning of a switch back to quality of sound E-A-Ski

[@eddieleonard6925]

I don't see too much originality in hip-hop these days. I hope some people go back to creating their own sound.

[@officialmagnumopusmusic]

@@eddieleonard6925 this is so true but you a a couple others are at least starting conversation and creating a wave is dope your in the bay area

[@sivaangrey]

I enjoyed hearing your thoughts about this. Well said.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks. Especially with A.I. taking over, I still think this is really important.

[@sivaangrey]

@@eddieleonard6925 you’re welcome. I think it’s more important now than ever to be authentic. AI can do a lot and is only getting better. But it will never be able to replicate real, genuine human emotion.

[@adelitb6189]

Thank you 🧨facts only

[@eddieleonard6925]

Glad u dig this.

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

💯💯💯💯🎯💯💯💯

[@eddieleonard6925]

Appreciate you, fam.

[@jmoemorris4133]

You are so right, it is sound that even draws the interest

[@eddieleonard6925]

That's the key. After composition, sound is everything.

[@mfbeatz]

Totally agree, sound quality

[@eddieleonard6925]

Glad you agree. Lotta people skipping this nowadays

[@Swellthekid]

Yesss!! Thank you!!

[@eddieleonard6925]

word.

[@akagweilo]

Your mentality around your production is very inspiring for me personally my only goal is not to make profit hut to produce for some of my favorite vocalists i will be following your journey and curious to see what you can cook up next

[@eddieleonard6925]

Your intentions are in the right place. That's huge. It's good to know why you're doing what you're doing. Personally, I'm still in sound exploration mode. Stay tuned...Cheers

[@BarceMessi]

ur a god bro!

[@pygmyhippomusic]

This is so necessary

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for listening. Assuming you agree?

[@Chasemoney316]

Dope studio bro

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks

[@freeplaysamples]

facts! 💎

[@eddieleonard6925]

Always has been true. Still is

[@OckwordProductions]

Very important

[@eddieleonard6925]

Word.

[@kostoglotow]

I'm tired of my two go-to DAWs rn, both became very unstable after their last respective updates, and want to buy sth. standalone. This convinces me to go for an Octatrack over one of the recent MPCs, as I think the elektron stuff just sounds way better

[@eddieleonard6925]

The octatrack is a great choice. I love how much control & nuance that machine has, even though I have no idea what I'm watching whenever I see one used.

[@mandinho425]

Thts true bro....

[@eddieleonard6925]

Glad u agree.

[@profilmwork]

As a lifelong tech guy I started to agree with you, but quite often we are clouded by our passion. I’m saying that to say this , if you look at the rate of which ai is acquiring new skills in various fields, you might change parts of this video.

[@uselessvideo]

Absolutely agree. Thank u.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Glad this resonates.

[@BigCore-]

I'm still at the phase of "make something dope..." I'm not really trying to complicate anything. I like how it makes me feel when I make something when I didn't even know what I was going to make. My beat is just my POV.

[@eddieleonard6925]

love that approach.

[@Noise-Conductor]

Keep your beats Dope, Different & Deep!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Always.

[@Fundaground]

true that!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Glad u agree.

[@blkrbbt]

Where do I fit in?? Thats the trick.... I DONT! (now Im gonna go cry in my stu)

[@eddieleonard6925]

lol...we all have our own lane. Turn those tears into tracks. :)

[@blkrbbt]

@@eddieleonard6925 And that is how Emo was borne

[@eddieleonard6925]

@@blkrbbt LOL

[@lechesangre]

Yeeeaaaahhhh!!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Facts.

[@lurelover7065]

Because of beat making and tech, we lost our desperation and exploration behind composing music by taking away the validity of composing and songwriting.

[@eddieleonard6925]

This is truth. The question now is how do we get back to that foundation?

[@lurelover7065]

I think Andre 5000's new album is going to inspire a lot of people to create and express themselves as opposed to a hit record. I saw the comments and people who never listen to music like that are digging it. He went way left field and people liked it.

[@SamplePuzzles]

Are you located in Germany? Bauhaus Weimar :) Nevertheless Greetings and keep up the good work!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Haa, no! I'm in California, but I like Bauhaus designs. :) Always wanted to visit.

[@SclimBeats]

Hey eddie maybe you can help me. I’m new to outboard gear I bought some old VLA 2 compressor, analog heat and guitar pedal compressor from EH I’m running my signal trough this chain using Mpc x and then I print audio in to ableton using scarlet 3G 8i6 but the wave is quiet I’m picking about 12-10db but I’m controlling inputs and outputs signals running trough this gear it should be loud I guess and the wave form seems tiny 😅 dunno My grammar is not that great but I hope you understood my question is clear.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Hmm...you have to do some trial and error. Try gain-staging from the top. Plug your MPC into your interface and make sure the sound is good. Then, 1 by 1, insert each of your devices into the chain and see how the signal changes each time. Then you'll know what's causing the error.

[@timothyharrison]

I can hear when someone uses an untreated loop and it distracts me. Same with simple beat making. Chop it up, put it on the grid. Add kick, snare, hi hat. Booooring.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Yea, that's the easy way. Always better to push the limits of the medium..

[@timothyharrison]

​@@eddieleonard6925 Layer them, overlap them, reorder them until something new pops out. And it's something you just can't create with an instrument. I

[@WHern-gs6im]

Yeah true true. You need to stand out somehow. There's so many "type-beat" yt producers making the same sounding stuff. I respect the hustle but it's all so samey sounding

[@eddieleonard6925]

So true. Nothing wrong with imitating to learn...but I'm looking for the courage to try something new, take chances...

[@WHern-gs6im]

@@eddieleonard6925 Agreed. Btw, why do you think more people are making beats nowadays? Is it just a fad or something else?

[@eddieleonard6925]

@@WHern-gs6im it's a mix of greater access to technology (which is a wonderful thing) and the gain in popularity/influence of hip-hop culture. As a result, there's more music than ever before, but the majority of it is unoriginal and derivative.

[@WHern-gs6im]

Ahh I see. Hip-hop has blown up so much it's unreal. On another note, I'm fed up with companies now just re-inventing the same stuff over and over. Like, wow another sampler with effects. Didn't have enough of those... I've been sticking with my MV-8800 I got a few years ago for 300 and I've yet to see anything REALLY game changing. People should just master what they have and stop buying every single latest piece of tech thinking that it'll make them a better producer.

[@eddieleonard6925]

@@WHern-gs6im those mv-8800s were overlooked. i have a few friends who use that exclusively today, and they love it. i wanted one when it came out, but it was really really expensive back then. i agree with you..buy something that's built to be a workhorse, and let these other casual producers buy the latest greatest, cute & flashy boxes.

[@TeslaDanser]

New to yourself but my god I'm on Yr team

[@eddieleonard6925]

This is where my head's at right now. Glad it resonates.

[@machinelanguage5108]

Just as using sample packs in cracked FL Studio isn't the way, neither is the other end of the spectrum - spending tons of money on "high end" analog gear and thinking it somehow legitimizes what you're doing. If a kid can rock Koala Sampler on his phone and do something innovative, he could end up being the modern equivalent of Coltrane, RZA, Jeff Mills, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix etc. nothing wrong with having high quality gear, just don't think that makes you a better artist.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Good point. It's easy to get caught up in the gear and the tools, when it's really about how you use them, and what you have to say.