There’s a lot of mystery around the idea of "finding your sound" as an electronic music producer. It’s something everyone talks about, but no one seems to have a clear path to getting there.
So, how do you find your unique sound?
The best way to approach this is to reverse your thought process. Instead of trying to “find” your sound, think about what holds most producers back. There are two main issues that keep electronic music producers from standing out.
1. Sounding Like Everyone Else
I can’t stand listening to Spotify anymore.
Once you start, it’s like falling into a rabbit hole of sameness.
One track leads to another, and before you know it, you’ve listened to a thousand producers doing the exact same thing. It’s wild how Bicep came out with Glue, and now half the producers out there sound like them.
This happens for two main reasons. First, producers convince themselves they need to sound like someone else. Maybe it’s because they think that sound is popular, or maybe they just love a particular artist’s work so much that they subconsciously start imitating them.
Then there’s the issue with dance labels. Labels often brand themselves around a specific sound, and if your track doesn’t fit, you’re out of luck. This creates a system where producers feel like they have to fit into a mold to get signed.
But here’s the truth: pointing the finger at others is easy. Blaming labels, Spotify, or the scene won’t help you. The responsibility to sound unique is yours.
The good news? Every producer has their own unique sound.
The bad news? Most producers decide not to pursue it. It’s easier to copy what’s already working. But deep down, you know that’s not going to satisfy you in the long run. You’ve got to make the decision to pursue your sound, and that’s something you can start working on today.
2. Relying Too Much on Sound Design
Here’s where a lot of people get stuck: they think their sound is all about presets or some fancy synthesis technique they’ve come up with. That’s what I call micro sound design.
Your true sound isn’t just about the individual sounds you use.
Sure, coming up with a killer synth line or unique patch is cool, but that’s not what’s going to make your music sound like you. Your unique sound comes from the thousands of small decisions you make throughout the production process. It’s the way you approach arrangement, structure, mixing—all the stuff that adds up to something bigger.
That’s the macro side of sound design. It’s less about the individual sounds and more about how you use them together to create a cohesive, professional-sounding track.
Unfortunately, there’s a ton of education out there on the micro side—tons of YouTube tutorials on sound design—but barely any on the macro side. And that’s where your sound really starts to take shape.
Getting your macro game right takes time.
It’s not something that happens overnight. It requires education, constant progress, and an environment that challenges you to grow as a producer. But here’s the thing: while #2 is a long-term journey, #1 is a decision you can make today.
Stop Hiding Behind What’s Easy
At the end of the day, it’s easy to hide behind what works for others—whether that’s copying a popular sound or trying to fit into what a label is looking for. But that’s not you, and even if you find success that way, you won’t feel fulfilled.
The only way to truly be happy with your music is to be genuine.
Stop trying to chase someone else’s sound. Be yourself. That’s your story, and it’s what will make your music stand out in a sea of copycats.
So, what’s it going to be? You can keep following trends, or you can decide today to start pursuing your unique sound. The choice is yours.
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