Isnt it interesting how alot of producers just hit a ceiling?

[ThaRealness]

You'd expect that every talented producer would just keep getting better... but alot of people get to a point where they're technical skills such as mixing, arranging etc are still improving, but the overall creativity/intricacy of their beats isnt really changing.

I think its because hip hop is a genre where its hard to get past the basic formulas and really be original.

At the same time, alot of musicians just get bored of hip hop and move on to other shyt. its a somewhat limiting genre

 

[BlackDroog]

Madlib and The Alchemist keep getting better and more original. Examples: Russian Roulette and Medicine Show

 

[ThaRealness]

Madlib and The Alchemist keep getting better.

this thread doesnt really apply to famous producers tho. I mean technically, every artist is gonna peak at some point.

for the record tho, madlib def hit his peak with madvillainy

 

[BlackDroog]

this thread doesnt really apply to famous producers tho. I mean technically, every artist is gonna peak at some point.

for the record tho, madlib def hit his peak with madvillainy

but you said "every". my bad...i see your point but I disagree about Madlib

 

[ThaRealness]

but you said "every". my bad...i see your point but I disagree about Madlib

Ya Im just talking about at the beginning of the process. Alot of talented producers hit their peak after like two years in the game.

 

[Cole Cash]

recreating yourself is whats important to production and what i mean is, using different themes and updating your sound, or making your sound so simple with a few tweaks that you dont get worn the fukk out. for instance, lil johns riffs were only going to be hot for so long, he would have had to recreate himself in order to suceed, but the problem is, what you recreate as may not be as big or as successfull as before. thats the thing, top of the line success makes it hard to tweak your formula because you never know who is or isnt going to back you.

guys like alchemist and madlib were never super producers, they were guys who were consistent and that is more important than being a fukking hitmaker. alot of guys who i wont mention are seeing the tale end of their carers because their sound is worn the fukk out.

ill use myself as an example, i my first full length i used boxing footage/willie hutch/ronnie laws/taxi driver type samples to craft a sound based on drama.

like this

https://soundcloud.com/colejamescash-1/the-edge-of-the-edge

my next album is going to be based on relationships/love from a california/west coast point of view so im using oldies, shyt like this

https://soundcloud.com/colejamescash-1/juanita


i find that alot of guys who used the same synths and the same little tricks over and over got their shyt duplicated, but crate diggers still live on.

 

[BlackDroog]

Ya Im just talking about at the beginning of the process. Alot of talented producers hit their peak after like two years in the game.

True...i have only been doing it for close to a year but all my beattapes or "albums" have a different theme. Even if its something simple like using only jazz samples or playing with a specific synth, it keeps me from getting bored as i learn new things.

I have one called Thrown Away where i picked sounds and samples that i had downloaded at random....the first thing i opened i used it in the beat no matter what. Some beats were but a few were dope.

 

[ThaRealness]

recreating yourself is whats important to production and what i mean is, using different themes and updating your sound, or making your sound so simple with a few tweaks that you dont get worn the fukk out. for instance, lil johns riffs were only going to be hot for so long, he would have had to recreate himself in order to suceed, but the problem is, what you recreate as may not be as big or as successfull as before. thats the thing, top of the line success makes it hard to tweak your formula because you never know who is or isnt going to back you.

guys like alchemist and madlib were never super producers, they were guys who were consistent and that is more important than being a fukking hitmaker. alot of guys who i wont mention are seeing the tale end of their carers because their sound is worn the fukk out.

ill use myself as an example, i my first full length i used boxing footage/willie hutch/ronnie laws/taxi driver type samples to craft a sound based on drama.

like this

https://soundcloud.com/colejamescash-1/the-edge-of-the-edge

my next album is going to be based on relationships/love from a california/west coast point of view so im using oldies, shyt like this

https://soundcloud.com/colejamescash-1/juanita


i find that alot of guys who used the same synths and the same little tricks over and over got their shyt duplicated, but crate diggers still live on.

idk its not like cratediggers are all extremely creative. Alot of dudes cant get past flipping the same soul samples over and over.

 

[Cole Cash]

idk its not like cratediggers are all extremely creative. Alot of dudes cant get past flipping the same soul samples over and over.

those dudes aint crate diggers.

alot of those guys are usually just trying to make something or what is seen as hot. if they are flipping he same bullshyt over and over then they arent digging. i own well over 5000 vynil. i will never run our of ideas for albums.

 

[ThaRealness]

those dudes aint crate diggers.

alot of those guys are usually just trying to make something or what is seen as hot. if they are flipping he same bullshyt over and over then they arent digging. i own well over 5000 vynil. i will never run our of ideas for albums.

They arent necessarily in it for the money though. alot of them are passionate about producing, but for whatever reason they just dont make the transition to sampling more advanced material such as prog rock or smooth jazz.

 

[ThaRealness]

True...i have only been doing it for close to a year but all my beattapes or "albums" have a different theme. Even if its something simple like using only jazz samples or playing with a specific synth, it keeps me from getting bored as i learn new things.

I have one called Thrown Away where i picked sounds and samples that i had downloaded at random....the first thing i opened i used it in the beat no matter what. Some beats were but a few were dope.

Thats cool. Ya man keep expanding your pallette. thats key - you gotta develop a diverse skillset. And then when you get really experienced, your diff skills will come together... thats when you can pull off some next level shyt.

These days no one cares if you can flip a nice soul sample and put some boom bap drums on it.

But if you can flip a soul sample and layer some dope synths over it, then lay down a trap drumline, and have it still sound tight.. then youre at a point where you can really get somewhere with your music

 

[L&HH]

If I was in their position I'd spend time actually learning music theory or learn how to play a new instrument. Learn about synthesizers, incorporate different cultures and stuff like that. And honestly taking a break or some time off we're I stop creating and just let that creative energy build up.

 

[Double Burger With Cheese]

You'd expect that every talented producer would just keep getting better... but a lot of people get to a point where they're technical skills such as mixing, arranging etc are still improving, but the overall creativity/intricacy of their beats isn't really changing.

I think its because hip hop is a genre where its hard to get past the basic formulas and really be original.

At the same time, a lot of musicians just get bored of hip hop and move on to other shyt. its a somewhat limiting genre

Once you have your formula and producing style down, it becomes too simple to bang out beats using your technique, whether that is using go to sounds, programming your drums a certain way, throwing your favorite filters and effects on the track,etc...

Your beats will become stagnant and redundant, sometimes without you even realizing it. That is the producers ceiling.

They key, is to never become too comfortable when making beats. Once I started making beats in 15 minutes, I knew I had to switch some shyt up, because if you are making beats that quick, you're not really taking your time.

Breaks are important. Sometimes you just need to take a break and come back "fresh" Changing your producing environment (if possible) is also helpful. The same concept applies to rappers when they record albums in get away spots or what have you. A different environment will foster new ideas, for better or worse.

If you are not willing to learn yow WILL eventually hit a ceiling. You will become an expert in your style and technique and won't grow beyond that. That's why it's important to keep an open mind and try new things as a producer.