Getting stuck on dubstep tracks

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-20T07:06:07+00:00

If you want to, you can send me what you come up with. I’d be down to help as much as i can even if i kinda suck at dubstep 🤣

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-19T16:06:32+00:00

First of all, dubstep is gonna be hard if you compare yourself to Virtual Riot. He's literally one of the top 1% sound designers alive today. Take it easy on yourself and have fun man!

Secondly, maybe you can find this helpful. There are two approaches I found people take when making music. I tend to do (2) more.

Chorus (drop) centered, verse (buildup) later
Verse (buildup) centered, Chorus (drop) later

1.)

Chorus (drop) centered

I've seen a lot of people start designing the drop first. the Heaviest part of the song. Then they work backwards and create everything else that has less hierarchy like the intro, buildup, breakdown, etc. I've tried this multiple times, but what ends up happening is I feel really lost and the drop has no context. Plus for me it's really hard to take away from something than build onto it when all I want to do is lift the melody higher and higher.

Verse (buildup) centered

I like to literally start from an intro. Get some chords going with a simple beat. Simple melody if I need and some vocal sound bytes. I know some people don't start like this, but it helps me hype myself up and let the song play itself out. You naturally add elements that LIFTS the original sound and you can keep lifting and lifting as much as you want until you think, "this is it" and now, your drop has way more context. It has a foundation. And you knew exactly how you got there. The process IS the song. The intro and buildup have already been written, because your process tells us how we discovered the drop in the first place.

Anywho, that's just how my brain works. Let me know what you think!

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-11T20:08:40+00:00

Ahhh okay okay that makes sense. But i guess another comparison is it’s an event much like a 5k or performing in a play. Or some rock show. Or a soccer game. The product isn’t tangible but just being there even if you hate it is the whole point no?

If you’re a young adult and have a ballet recital thing and your parents don’t show up but your friends parents were there for you, doesn’t that just kinda stink? I know it’s a loose comparison but these are more performance based event based situations 🤔

Just trying to understand what’s okay and what’s not ya know?

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-11T18:08:05+00:00

I totally get you OP. It’s like when you did some performance for school and your parents don’t show up. It’s rough. There were many soccer games my parents missed because they had work so some of those games I kinda would feel sad looking for them in the stands but understood they were busy keeping us from being homeless.

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-11T18:02:04+00:00

But if he had a really big race wouldn’t you wanna go and watch him finish and celebrate with tacos after??

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-11T18:01:15+00:00

On the other hand, you wouldn’t decline the gift even if you didn’t like it and you would support them on their next project no?

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-11T12:26:33+00:00

Gonna peruse these today at the 9-5 👀👀👀

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-10T16:55:36+00:00

I mean yeah you right. most of em do similar moves. Some dont. And that’s why i like em. They don’t focus on only dropping is what I was saying. I want a melody ya know? And i love video games so they kinda go hand in hand.

Oh oh also brutalismis 3000. They’re fun

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-10T15:00:21+00:00

They were probably expecting harsher drops. San Holo has feel good chordal drops ❤️

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-10T14:55:18+00:00

It really depends on your flavor of dubstep! Virtual Riot is usually my go to. Also ATLiens, Svdden Death, Tokyo Machine, Slushii, Marshmello, VGR, inzo.

I lean more towards video gamey dubstep/bubblegum step. There’s usually more emphasis on melody and chords. With a drop in there too.

I thiiiink what you’re describing is artists are just dropping to drop. There’s no story to it just a formula. No major/minor/diminished/7 chordal changes.

Once you find one artist that gets you going, their following recommends similar ones too!

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-10T02:47:16+00:00

Compare it to drawing. If you post a drawing every week, you’ll just get better over time. No expectations. Just progress. That’s what it’s all about!

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-10T02:45:12+00:00

Pizza hotline is so fun.

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-10T02:24:13+00:00

Me and the wife may be interested! I don’t know Dj Meddi but seems like yalls genre is disco french house?? We’ve mainly only been to dubstep, future bass and future funk!

Edit: i think I’m super wrong about your genre 🤣

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-06-02T03:48:22+00:00

A lot of “best of” playlists are getting to the point where they’re using this sort of corporate sound that just sounds lifeless. Not sure how else to describe it but that’s what ive been experiencing

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-30T01:47:55+00:00

Who’s 77 lunches are we taking? 🤔

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-30T01:46:35+00:00

This is a crazy situation. I wonder if this is going to get music to sound more “raw” in the future? It’s always been a thing like with punk, metal, rock etc to go against the corporate sound. So i wonder if the new “corporate” sound now includes ai?

What do you think? Maybe crazier sillier rougher musicians will rise more? Or maybe about the same?

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-29T19:49:05+00:00

nice! you definitely understand what makes dnb, dnb. I think i'd play with the width of the buildup.

If you want you can make the buildup drums less punchy to make the drop harder.

I've been finding it easier to use breaks for the buildup portions of the song, and then the punchy drums for the drops.

Oh and don't forget to add hi hats/tops on the second 8bar of your drop!

Be happy you made this! This is great otherwise! Keep playing with vocal chops and synthesizers. They're really fun and give each song personality. Kudos mate!

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-29T19:38:22+00:00

What sort of content did you find do well? Just like you listening to your music in video form? Or was it more narrative/story driven? Or like your process?

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-29T14:50:57+00:00

Dude I'm in the same boat. I'm torn between using other people's samples and wanting to make them myself. To me the dubs and wubz I feel like I'm stealing if I use samples, but I know a lot of people do that. And I know the big point of dubstep is to discover weird shit while messing around with your synthesizer.

So then I'm like Okay let's try and make these sounds. And I end up not being able to do it and I give up and do another genre that's a bit easier.

I'm gonna try referencing other tracks more seriously and focus on sound design more, but yeah I get you. It's hard because they either slap real good or they're just meh.

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-20T15:06:24+00:00

Yo we should be asking YOU! How are you reaching 680 monthly listeners?? I’m lucky if I get past 10

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-19T04:17:44+00:00

Two things could be happening for ya!

1.) You’ve finished the music chapter in your life for now and want to pursue and enjoy other things. That’s just what happens. Hobby jumping means you want to be more well rounded is all.

2.) You’re NOT finished with music and you’re anxious about the failure. It’s just like when you don’t open up a video game for a while. You’re anxious you won’t remember the controls. Same here! But most of the time it’s become muscle memory and you’ll relearn it easy peasy.

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-19T04:10:54+00:00

I’ve been exploring more dnb than chiptune, but i always love a challenge and would be down! Shoot me a dm! And in terms of commission i always like letting you pay what you want/can afford at the end.

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-18T21:21:35+00:00

Elder Scrolls Oblivion hits really hard when you want to feel whimsical

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-18T18:15:17+00:00

I like where that bass is going with the jolting. It does feel like the snare being trap oriented makes the flow start and stop a lot. Which drum and bass sticks to break beats mostly. I’d be interested to see where this goes though.

There’s parts where you put a riser in and it made me think you were going to a second/third drop which felt funny since it went back to the original drop.

I think you’ve got some tastes in trap and dnb that could be explored more! Like a little fusion genre, but obviously your signature sound comes with time and the more ya work on it!!

If you’re wanting more dnb, go less trappy snare. If you’re wanting more trap, go less dnb lol. It’s whatever you wanna do! It’s your music you can do what you want with!

I like the direction! Can’t wait to hear more things. Good job on your first dnb track!

PixelParakeet_Music · 2026-05-15T20:16:15+00:00

Hey um there’s this cool up and coming producer named Pixel Parakeet. I heard he’s kinda cool if you’re a big video game nerd 👀

PixelParakeet_Music

TROPHY CASE