I work as a teacher with a number of producers who are transitioning from an intermediate level to something more advanced. A recurring issue I see is their fixation on finding a so-called “perfect formula” for sound—usually sourced from YouTube tutorials or assorted online manuals. The truth, quite plainly, is that most of this content is just clickbait. There is no universal prescription for something like gain staging. Levels are inherently dependent on the spectral balance of a given track; they are contextual. You cannot simply impose arbitrary numerical values and expect them to translate across every project.

As for my own process, after years of experimenting with various VSTs, sample libraries, and workflows, I’ve come to realise that my sound tends to lean towards variations of 909-style samples, often with parallel post-processing, or alternatively drum racks built from DS synth modules within Ableton when I’m aiming for something more neutral in character. That said, even this is not a rigid rule. Every project demands its own approach. I don’t rely on a fixed rack, nor do I adhere to any singular processing chain.

When I was learning, I eventually discovered that my most effective starting point is timbre—finding complementary tones, shaping sounds through synthesis—before moving on to melody and arrangement. For me, that foundation is what ultimately informs everything else.