09-01-2020, 10:52 AM
Reverb is often added because it makes the sounds wider, more stereo. However, as mentioned, its muddy. Perhaps try making all your songs in plain mono so you aren't biased toward stereo sound when you add reverb. Reverb isn't a bad thing, it just should be used sparingly on OS. If you need a tail effect, try the OS delay instead (I like OS delay on the Ragtime Piano)
Reverb on kick is bad
We like to listen to music loud and thats great, but its not great for making music. If you are a beginner, try turning your computer volume real high and turning down what feels too loud instead. If you can, though, making music is much easier at lower volumes because you get a better sense of volume balance that way. I mix everything at a low volume, much lower than what I would listen at
Octave overload doesn't make a fuller sound! If you want a fuller sound, harmonize, especially with mid/low instruments for an epic fullness. Use background melodies, use pads, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgsSktZd0hk This video has a great advice on music and he explains how he gets that massive sound. Also they have awesome music
When you use only one instrument, things get really boring real quick. It isn't too bad with 8bit if you do it right, but piano only songs are lame. Try using instruments you think would often not use, and use them together maybe
Percussion is not hard!! For beginners, I will assume all your songs are 4/4. Try a cymbal or hat on every beat, a kick on every half measure, and a snare on every second half measure. The pattern should look something like this
. Copy and paste from that if you want. I like to add variations to that drumbeat to give it more wow, like this 
. You can use the same drumbeat in multiple songs if you need to and it will sound fine.
Elitism and sequence spamming are bad, if you really need someone to help you with criticism, you can send me a Private Message with the song, and I will eventually listen to it.
Mud often comes from 150Hz to 300Hz, or close to 500Hz. These frequency ranges are not bad, and make your songs sound warm and full, but the mud happens when they are too loud or when the notes collide with each other due to reverb or long release times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw7xu8yEpzM Any instrument you can hear a lot of this coming from, try to not use that one too much
I use the key guide still, as it really helps me to see the length between notes. As DCSM stated, use it as a tool, not a handicap. The biggest tip in music is rely on your EARS, not your eyes!
I hope this helps you to fix any of these issues if they apply to you, and you cannot seem to avoid them
Reverb on kick is bad
We like to listen to music loud and thats great, but its not great for making music. If you are a beginner, try turning your computer volume real high and turning down what feels too loud instead. If you can, though, making music is much easier at lower volumes because you get a better sense of volume balance that way. I mix everything at a low volume, much lower than what I would listen at
Octave overload doesn't make a fuller sound! If you want a fuller sound, harmonize, especially with mid/low instruments for an epic fullness. Use background melodies, use pads, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgsSktZd0hk This video has a great advice on music and he explains how he gets that massive sound. Also they have awesome music
When you use only one instrument, things get really boring real quick. It isn't too bad with 8bit if you do it right, but piano only songs are lame. Try using instruments you think would often not use, and use them together maybe
Percussion is not hard!! For beginners, I will assume all your songs are 4/4. Try a cymbal or hat on every beat, a kick on every half measure, and a snare on every second half measure. The pattern should look something like this
Elitism and sequence spamming are bad, if you really need someone to help you with criticism, you can send me a Private Message with the song, and I will eventually listen to it.
Mud often comes from 150Hz to 300Hz, or close to 500Hz. These frequency ranges are not bad, and make your songs sound warm and full, but the mud happens when they are too loud or when the notes collide with each other due to reverb or long release times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw7xu8yEpzM Any instrument you can hear a lot of this coming from, try to not use that one too much
I use the key guide still, as it really helps me to see the length between notes. As DCSM stated, use it as a tool, not a handicap. The biggest tip in music is rely on your EARS, not your eyes!
I hope this helps you to fix any of these issues if they apply to you, and you cannot seem to avoid them