How to create your own style as a music producer

Imagine one day, when people hear your music on the radio, they will know right away that it belongs to you. Wouldn’t that be pretty cool.

In today's environment, having a signature sound is essential for artists, singers, and producers. With thousands of new songs being released every day, you want your music to stand out from the crowd and be instantly recognizable, not just sound like everyone else's.

So, how on earth do you accomplish this?

Let's start by debunking the notion that a signature sound is something you have to acquire or that it is something that exists outside of you. Using this method puts you at risk of just duplicating the trademark sounds of other people, which kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think?

Rather, you should think of your distinctive sound as something that is already a part of you; it's what sets you apart not just as a musician but also as a person. It is therefore your responsibility to look within, find this distinct tone, develop it, and use it as the foundation for all of your endeavors. If you put in the effort to do this, your music can transition between several genres and styles while maintaining that one distinctive element that makes it wholly original.

Let's discuss a few strategies for creating your own distinctive sound in this post. While there is no quick fix for any of them, with enough effort and perseverance, you can create unique, unforgettable music that only you can create.

Spend hours listening to a lot of music

"Elements of music that you absolutely love" are fundamentally synonymous with your unique sound. In fact, it's a good indication that you should keep searching if you feel like you've found your sound but you're not really into it.

And how do you discover your passion? Naturally, through a lot of music listening. Even if you probably already do, listening to music inertly is insufficient. Rather, practice active listening and record what you discover. Finding the elements of other people's music that appeal to you, strike a chord with you, and inspire you is the goal here.

Play your best music first. Create a personal playlist, if you don't already have one, with your top ten to twenty songs that you listen to on repeat. Next, listen to each song and make a list of the particular parts that you enjoy. Do they share any characteristics with each other? Do you have any ideas for new songs you'd want to write?

Remember that this is not an exercise in mindlessly copying other people's ideas. Instead, the goal is to determine what your ear inherently finds intriguing and pleasurable. From then on, feel free to alter these concepts, blend them in novel ways, or test them in unexpected settings. It's possible that you'll attempt to copy something and, in your inability to do it exactly, end up with something you enjoy even more.

You can attempt deliberately listening to songs you dislike after you've finished your favorite tunes. It's equally critical to recognize components that you find objectionable so that you can purposefully incorporate them out of your own song.

Last but not least, make sure to listen to music in genres you don't usually enjoy. You might find something you never knew you enjoyed!

Work to your advantages

What you enjoy might also be inferred from your strengths. If you're a good drummer, it's likely that you love the art of drumming so much that spending hours training doesn't feel like a chore. Therefore, it makes sense that your tunes have intricate patterns and real drums.

However, it's also possible that you're not as skilled since you don't practice because you don't enjoy playing the guitar. Of course, there's value in putting in the effort and learning new abilities, but if guitar riffs aren't already your thing, they're probably not a part of your characteristic sound.

Keep in mind that you are the only one who can create your voice, so consider your strengths, interests, and favorite projects to work on.

Break the rules

If all you're doing is mimicking other people and matching the same old standards, it will be difficult to discover your own sound, which is distinctive. Instead, use your imagination to explore the limits of musical genres and production techniques.

Although creativity is frequently thought of as haphazard, it can and ought to be deliberate. Consider a favorite musical part, then purposefully attempt to replicate the effect with a completely different method. Alternatively, consider an idea that would work well in your song, then perform the complete opposite of it. The secret is to enjoy yourself and make it a habit to breach the rules whenever you sit down to compose music. While not every experiment you do will create spectacular outcomes, you just never know, you might just stumble onto the next big thing.

Go with your gut

What excites you should be your unique sound, not what you believe listeners will find appealing or what would help you get your song played on the radio. Therefore, only you may decide which aspects of your music should remain and which should be removed. Have faith that your personal tastes and taste in music will guide you.

Perhaps you've made something you truly adore, but you're not sure if other people will feel the same way. Don't modify it, no matter what you do. Any attempt to alter it will merely remove its authenticity.

In a similar vein, if you've produced something that sounds decent but you feel like it's lacking something, give it some thought and discover that something extra. Have faith that your gut will lead you to the ideal changes that will help you personalize the song.

Make as much music as possible

Above all, making as much music as you can is the best method to discover your sound as an artist. Although the majority of it probably won't be released, the process of producing music will help you improve your abilities, hone your taste, and widen your horizons. If you're not sure where to begin, one of our midi packs will give you instant inspiration and can help you come up with original song ideas more quickly. You can then expand on these ideas in your DAW to create your characteristic sound.

You'll begin to see trends in your music as you produce more and more songs, and these will eventually shape your unique sound as a musician. Despite the fact that it can take tens or even hundreds of songs to notice it, there will undoubtedly be a theme connecting them all. This is how a characteristic sound comes to be, so hang onto it, use it more thoughtfully, and draw attention to it for your audience.

Play your music to family and friends

If you're a prolific artist and you're still not finding a theme in your music, keep in mind that other people frequently pick up on patterns in our work before we do.

Make the most of this by inviting your loved ones to hear your music, whether it has been released or not. Make a note of the comments you get and consider what appeals to people about your music. You can even ask them straight out if they see any patterns, but chances are good that their responses will provide the answers on their own.

If you've ever had media coverage for your music, notice how the reviews characterize your sound. What distinguishes you from the other artists they've written about are precisely the features they've chosen to highlight.

What to do next to develop your trademark sound as an artist

No matter where you are in your musical career, keep in mind that it takes time to develop your signature sound. The good news is that it's a result of regularly creating real music and paying attention to how it makes you feel rather than something you have to set aside extra time for. All you need to do is keep working and being authentic as an artist; in time, your sound will come to the fore.