How to get Feedback for your EDM Music
Listen to our podcast all about getting feedbnack for your EDM track, click play below.
1. Introduction: The Indispensable Role of Feedback in EDM Production
In the dynamic realm of electronic dance music (EDM) production, the pursuit of excellence is a continuous journey marked by learning, experimentation, and refinement. A critical component of this journey is the acquisition and thoughtful application of feedback. Engaging with external perspectives offers EDM producers an invaluable opportunity to transcend the inherent limitations of self-assessment. Due to the immersive nature of music creation, producers can often become deeply entrenched in their work, potentially overlooking technical imperfections or creative avenues for enhancement. Feedback serves as an objective lens, providing insights that might otherwise remain obscured.
The benefits of actively seeking and thoughtfully considering feedback are manifold, extending beyond mere error correction. Constructive criticism can lead to significant technical improvements in areas such as mixing and mastering, spark creative inspiration by suggesting novel arrangement ideas or sound design approaches, and provide a crucial understanding of how the music is perceived by its intended audience. This external validation and guidance can be instrumental in shaping a producer's artistic trajectory and ultimately elevating the quality and impact of their musical output. This report aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the diverse online resources available to EDM producers seeking feedback, offering a roadmap to navigate these platforms effectively and harness their potential for continuous growth.
2. Leveraging Online Forums and Communities for Peer-to-Peer Feedback
Online forums and communities have emerged as highly accessible and vibrant platforms for EDM producers to connect, share their musical creations, and solicit feedback from a diverse collective of fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These digital spaces foster a collaborative environment where producers can exchange knowledge, discuss production techniques, and offer mutual critique.
General music production forums, such as KVR Audio, Gearspace, Future Producers, and Sound on Sound, host a wealth of discussions spanning a wide array of topics relevant to music creation. Within these extensive platforms, producers can often find dedicated sections specifically designated for sharing their work and requesting constructive criticism. These forums serve as repositories of collective wisdom, encompassing threads on fundamental music theory, intricate recording methodologies, the nuances of mixing, mastering, and editing, as well as innovative sound design concepts. The sheer breadth of expertise and perspectives available within these general forums can expose EDM producers to diverse viewpoints and potentially uncover insights that might not arise within genre-specific circles. However, given the wide spectrum of musical styles represented, producers might need to filter feedback to identify advice most pertinent to the specific demands of EDM.
For more targeted feedback attuned to the specific characteristics of electronic dance music, genre-specific communities on platforms like Reddit offer a valuable alternative. Subreddits such as r/EDMProduction, r/TechnoProduction, and r/dubstep provide dedicated spaces for producers working within these particular styles to connect and share their music. The primary advantage of these genre-focused communities lies in the shared understanding of musical nuances and production expectations within the specific style. Within these subreddits, producers can often find dedicated feedback threads or channels, facilitating a focused exchange of critiques among peers who possess a deep appreciation for the genre's conventions and innovations. This targeted feedback can be particularly beneficial for addressing genre-specific challenges in areas like sound design, arrangement, and mixing.
Active participation forms the cornerstone of thriving online feedback communities. Engaging by providing feedback to other producers is not only a gesture of reciprocity but also a crucial element in maximizing the value derived from these platforms. Many forums and communities encourage, or even require, members to offer critiques to others as a prerequisite for receiving feedback on their own work. This reciprocal exchange fosters a supportive ecosystem where producers are invested in each other's growth. Furthermore, the act of critically listening to and analyzing the music of others can significantly enhance a producer's own auditory perception and analytical skills, leading to a more refined understanding of their craft. Beyond the direct exchange of feedback, online forums and communities often serve as fertile ground for networking and potential collaborations among EDM producers who share similar interests and aspirations. These connections can extend beyond mere critique, potentially leading to long-term creative partnerships and mutual support networks within the often-solitary world of music production.
3. Dedicated Music Feedback and Critique Websites
Beyond the broader scope of online forums, a number of websites are specifically designed to facilitate music feedback and critique, offering more structured environments and connections to a wider range of perspectives, including industry professionals. Platforms such as SoundBetter, SubmitHub, and Groover provide dedicated services for producers seeking to gain valuable insights into their music.
SoundBetter connects music creators with a network of experienced professionals, including producers, mixing engineers, and mastering engineers, who offer feedback services. While feedback on this platform often involves a fee, the opportunity to receive critiques from individuals with extensive industry experience can provide invaluable guidance for producers looking to elevate their tracks to a professional standard. SubmitHub operates on a model that connects musicians with music bloggers, curators, and influencers. While the primary aim of SubmitHub is often music promotion, the platform also facilitates feedback, allowing producers to gain insights from individuals who curate music for a living and understand current trends and industry expectations. Groover offers a platform that guarantees feedback from selected curators and music professionals within a specified timeframe. This guaranteed response can be particularly beneficial for producers seeking timely critiques to inform their production process. Groover connects artists with a diverse range of industry contacts, including labels, managers, radio stations, and playlist curators, offering opportunities for both feedback and potential career advancement.
Other dedicated feedback platforms, such as RepostExchange and Trackbits, offer unique approaches to the feedback process. RepostExchange utilizes a credit-based system where users earn credits by providing feedback to others, which can then be used to request feedback on their own tracks. This model incentivizes active participation and fosters a community-driven exchange of critiques. Trackbits, on the other hand, focuses on providing tools for managing feedback, particularly in collaborative settings or when working with clients. The platform allows for timestamped comments and organized tracking of revisions, streamlining the feedback workflow for producers. Additionally, platforms like iMusician and Music Review World, while not solely focused on direct feedback, offer avenues for music reviews and critiques that can provide broader exposure and insights into how the music is perceived. These platforms can bridge the gap between targeted feedback and public-facing evaluations, offering producers opportunities for both improvement and promotion.
4. Utilizing Music Upload Platforms for Inherent Feedback Mechanisms
Popular music upload platforms like SoundCloud and Bandcamp offer inherent feedback mechanisms that allow EDM producers to receive comments and critiques directly from listeners and fellow creators. These platforms serve not only as distribution channels but also as interactive spaces where engagement and feedback can flourish.
SoundCloud, in particular, is renowned for its comment feature, which enables users to leave feedback at specific timestamps within a track. This granular level of feedback can be incredibly valuable for producers, allowing listeners to pinpoint precise moments in the music for praise or suggestions. Furthermore, SoundCloud facilitates both public and private sharing of tracks. Producers can opt to share their music publicly to garner broad feedback or utilize private sharing links to solicit critiques from a select group of trusted peers before a wider release. Engaging with comments, responding to feedback, and actively participating in the SoundCloud community are crucial for fostering a supportive environment and encouraging further interaction. Bandcamp, while primarily a platform for selling music, also offers comment sections on tracks and album pages, providing another avenue for producers to connect with their audience and receive feedback. The platform's emphasis on direct artist-to-fan relationships can cultivate a more personal connection, potentially leading to more thoughtful and engaged feedback.
Beyond these music-centric platforms, YouTube, while primarily a video-sharing service, can also be a valuable tool for EDM producers seeking feedback, especially when their music is accompanied by visuals. The comment sections on YouTube videos can serve as a space for viewers to share their opinions and critiques on the music. This can be particularly useful for producers who have already established a presence on YouTube or who create visually engaging content to accompany their tracks. Utilizing private sharing options on YouTube, similar to SoundCloud, also allows producers to obtain targeted feedback on works-in-progress before making them publicly available. While the quality and focus of feedback on these music upload platforms can vary widely, they offer a direct and often immediate line of communication with listeners, providing valuable insights into audience perception.
5. Exploring Mentorship Programs and Feedback Services from Experienced Producers
For EDM producers seeking more personalized and in-depth guidance, mentorship programs and direct feedback services offered by experienced professionals can provide a significant boost to their development. These avenues offer the opportunity to learn directly from individuals who have achieved success in the industry, gaining insights into their techniques, workflows, and artistic perspectives.
Platforms like FaderPro offer mentoring programs that connect aspiring producers with highly experienced artists for one-on-one coaching sessions. These programs often involve live video sessions where mentors can provide direct feedback on the producer's music, offering tailored guidance on areas needing improvement. Finish Better Music also provides a mentoring program focused on helping producers finish high-quality music and navigate the industry. Similarly, DJ Henry Fong's Artist Mentoring Program offers customized one-on-one coaching aimed at helping artists develop their production skills, brand, and career strategies. Bass Kleph's mentoring program provides personalized training from industry experts, covering advanced mixing techniques, sound design, and career development. While these mentorship programs typically involve a financial investment, the personalized attention and expert guidance can be invaluable for producers serious about accelerating their progress. Learning directly from established professionals can provide insights into the nuances of EDM production that might be difficult to glean from more general feedback platforms.
In addition to structured mentorship programs, individual coaching and feedback services are also available from experienced producers. For instance, Dennis Sheperd offers one-on-one music production coaching, specializing in genres like melodic techno and progressive house. Platforms like EDMProd also provide opportunities for producers to connect with experienced professionals for feedback and guidance through their courses and community forums. Furthermore, some online music production courses incorporate feedback mechanisms, either through direct instructor interaction or within community forums, offering a structured learning environment with opportunities for critique on submitted work. Engaging with experienced producers, whether through formal mentorship or individual feedback sessions, offers the advantage of receiving targeted advice tailored to the producer's specific genre, skill level, and artistic goals. The insights gained from these interactions can be particularly beneficial for addressing technical challenges, refining creative ideas, and gaining a deeper understanding of industry standards.
6. Participating in Music Production Challenges and Competitions for Evaluative Feedback
Music production challenges and remix competitions present another valuable avenue for EDM producers to receive feedback on their work, often within a structured and motivating environment. These events not only provide an opportunity to test creative skills but also offer the potential for evaluation from judges and engagement with a community of fellow producers.
Platforms such as SKIO Music regularly host remix contests and original song competitions, offering producers a chance to showcase their talent and receive feedback from A&Rs and other industry professionals who often serve as judges. These competitions often feature attractive prizes, including mentorship opportunities, studio gear, and even official releases, providing added incentive for participation. Armada University also frequently launches remix contests, giving producers the opportunity to remix tracks from renowned artists and potentially earn an official release on the Armada Music label. REMIEXS serves as an aggregator, listing a wide array of remix contests and production challenges from various platforms, making it easier for producers to discover relevant opportunities. Participating in these competitions can expose producers to feedback from experienced professionals who evaluate submissions based on criteria such as creativity, production quality, and arrangement. Additionally, many platforms foster community engagement, allowing participants to listen to and provide feedback on each other's submissions.
Beyond these major platforms, other resources like Beatportal also list remix contests, while EDMProd occasionally hosts production challenges focused on specific techniques or creative prompts. KVR Audio's One-Synth Challenge provides a unique opportunity for feedback, requiring participants to create an entire track using only a single virtual synthesizer, thereby emphasizing sound design skills. Even without achieving a winning position, the act of participating in these challenges can be a valuable learning experience. Analyzing the winning entries can provide insights into production techniques and creative approaches that resonated with the judges, while receiving feedback on one's own submissions can highlight areas for improvement. It is worth noting, however, that some producers perceive remix competitions as potentially being influenced by popularity rather than solely based on the quality of the music. Nonetheless, the structured environment and the opportunity to receive feedback from both industry professionals and peers make music production challenges and competitions a worthwhile avenue for skill development.
7. Engaging with DAW-Specific Online Communities for Targeted Assistance
For EDM producers seeking feedback and assistance within the specific context of their chosen Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), engaging with DAW-specific online communities can be particularly beneficial. These communities provide a focused environment where users share their experiences, troubleshoot technical issues, and offer critiques on music produced using the same software.
Ableton Live, a popular DAW among EDM producers, boasts a vibrant ecosystem of online communities. The official Ableton Live forums provide a dedicated space for users to discuss various aspects of the software, including music sharing and feedback. Similarly, the r/ableton subreddit on Reddit offers a large and active community where producers can share their tracks and ask for feedback from fellow Ableton users. Additionally, numerous Ableton Live Users groups exist on Facebook, further expanding the network of producers available for feedback and support. These DAW-specific communities offer the advantage of receiving feedback from individuals intimately familiar with Ableton Live's features, workflows, and common challenges. Producers can often receive technical help alongside creative critiques, gaining insights into specific device usage, mixing techniques within the DAW, and arrangement strategies tailored to Ableton Live.
FL Studio, another widely used DAW in the EDM world, also has robust online communities. The official Image-Line forums provide a platform for FL Studio users to exchange music, seek feedback, and discuss production-related topics. Reddit's r/FL_Studio subreddit serves as another active hub for FL Studio producers to share their work and solicit feedback from a community that understands the software's unique interface and tools. Similar to Ableton communities, these spaces offer targeted feedback from users who share a common platform, making it easier to address technical questions and workflow-specific advice. Logic Pro X and Cubase, while also popular DAWs for music production, have their own dedicated online communities. The Logic Pro X forum and the r/Logic_Studio subreddit provide spaces for Logic users to connect, share their music, and receive feedback within the context of the Apple ecosystem. Similarly, the Steinberg forums and the r/cubase subreddit offer Cubase users a platform to share their productions and seek assistance from fellow users familiar with the software's features and workflows. Engaging with these DAW-specific communities allows EDM producers to tap into a wealth of knowledge and receive feedback tailored to the nuances of their chosen production environment.
8. Harnessing the Power of SoundCloud Groups for Genre-Specific Feedback
SoundCloud, beyond its general comment functionality, also hosts a multitude of groups and networks that cater to specific EDM subgenres, providing a valuable resource for producers seeking targeted feedback within their niche. These groups often foster a strong sense of community and facilitate the sharing of music with like-minded creators and listeners.
Platforms like RepostExchange and Artist Influence have established networks on SoundCloud that focus on reposting and community support within particular EDM genres. Artist Influence, for example, manages numerous SoundCloud groups dedicated to subgenres such as Dance, Dubstep, Future World, Hard Dance, Melodic Bass, Tech House, and Trance. By joining these genre-specific groups, EDM producers can share their tracks with an audience that has a dedicated interest in that particular style, potentially leading to more relevant and insightful feedback. These networks often emphasize community engagement and may involve reciprocal reposting to increase visibility and reach a targeted audience within the SoundCloud ecosystem. Beyond these larger networks, producers can also explore smaller, more niche SoundCloud groups that cater to very specific subgenres or styles within EDM. These smaller communities can offer highly focused feedback from individuals with a deep understanding and appreciation for the particular nuances of the music.
To maximize the benefits of SoundCloud groups for feedback, active participation is key. Engaging with the groups by listening to and thoughtfully commenting on the tracks of other members not only contributes to the community but also increases the likelihood of receiving feedback in return. By becoming an active and supportive member, producers can cultivate relationships with other creators and foster an environment conducive to constructive critique. SoundCloud groups, therefore, offer a valuable avenue for EDM producers to connect with a genre-specific audience and receive feedback that is both relevant and insightful, ultimately contributing to their growth and development within their chosen style.
9. Free vs. Paid Feedback Services: A Comparative Analysis
EDM producers seeking feedback on their music have access to a spectrum of options, ranging from free community-driven platforms to paid services offering professional expertise. Each approach presents its own set of benefits and considerations, and understanding these differences is crucial for making informed decisions about where to invest time and resources.
Free feedback options, such as online forums, Reddit communities, and comment sections on music upload platforms like SoundCloud, offer several advantages. These platforms provide accessibility and cost-effectiveness, allowing producers to obtain feedback without any financial investment. They also expose producers to a diverse range of opinions from peers, enthusiasts, and potentially even industry professionals who participate in these communities. Furthermore, these spaces can foster networking opportunities and facilitate collaborations with other producers who share similar interests. However, the quality of feedback on free platforms can vary significantly, and producers may need to filter through subjective opinions to discern genuinely constructive advice.
Paid feedback services, on the other hand, often provide access to experienced professionals and industry experts, offering a different set of advantages. Platforms like SoundBetter connect producers with seasoned mixing and mastering engineers, while SubmitHub provides access to feedback from music bloggers and curators who have a pulse on current industry trends. These paid services typically offer more in-depth and targeted critiques, often focusing on specific aspects of production or offering advice from an industry perspective. Platforms like Groover can even provide opportunities for career advancement by connecting producers with labels and other industry contacts. However, these services require a financial investment, which might not be feasible for all producers, particularly those just starting out.
It is also worth noting the existence of "freemium" models, where platforms offer a combination of free and paid features. For example, SubmitHub's "Hot or Not" feature allows producers to get free peer feedback by rating other artists' tracks, while also offering paid credits for submitting music to curators. RepostExchange utilizes a credit system that can be earned through participation or purchased for more immediate feedback requests. These models can provide a balance, offering accessible free options alongside more comprehensive paid services for those seeking a deeper level of critique or industry connections.
| Feature | Free Feedback (e.g., Forums, Reddit, SoundCloud Comments) | Paid Feedback (e.g., SoundBetter, SubmitHub, Mentorship) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Usually requires payment |
| Expertise | Varies widely (peers, enthusiasts) | Often provided by industry professionals |
| Depth of Critique | Can be shallow or subjective | Typically more in-depth and targeted |
| Structure | Often unstructured | More structured platforms and processes |
| Targeting | Less control over who provides feedback | Ability to target specific expertise or roles |
| Potential for Exposure | Can lead to community engagement | May offer opportunities for industry connections |
Ultimately, the choice between free and paid feedback services depends on the individual producer's needs, budget, and goals. Free platforms offer accessibility and community interaction, while paid services provide the expertise and focused attention of professionals, potentially leading to more targeted improvement and career progression. Producers should carefully consider their priorities and explore the various options to determine the best fit for their specific circumstances.
10. Best Practices for Requesting and Implementing Feedback
To maximize the value derived from seeking online feedback, EDM producers should adopt certain best practices both when requesting critiques and when implementing the advice received. These strategies can help ensure that the feedback is relevant, constructive, and ultimately contributes to the producer's growth and development.
When requesting feedback, it is crucial to be specific about the type of critique being sought. Instead of asking for general impressions, producers should focus their inquiries on particular aspects of their track, such as the mixing, arrangement, sound design, or overall energy. Providing context about the goals for the track can also help the feedback provider tailor their advice. For example, indicating whether the track is a demo, intended for release, or designed for club play can influence the type of feedback that is most relevant. Sharing a private link to the track ensures focused listening without the pressure of public scrutiny. Finally, maintaining a polite and professional demeanor in all requests increases the likelihood of receiving thoughtful and engaged responses.
The process of implementing feedback is equally important for continuous improvement. Producers should approach all critiques with an open mind, avoiding defensiveness even when the feedback is critical. It is beneficial to identify recurring themes in the feedback received from multiple sources, as consistent points of concern often indicate genuine areas for potential improvement. While considering all feedback, producers should ultimately prioritize advice that aligns with their artistic goals and vision for the track. Not every suggestion needs to be implemented, and it is important to maintain creative control over the music. Taking breaks after receiving feedback can provide a valuable opportunity to process the critiques objectively and determine the most appropriate course of action. Finally, documenting the feedback received and the subsequent actions taken can help producers track their progress over time and identify recurring patterns in the critiques of their work.
11. Conclusion: Navigating the Feedback Landscape for Continuous Growth
The online landscape offers a wealth of resources for EDM producers seeking feedback to enhance their music production skills. From the open forums of Reddit and dedicated critique websites to the personalized guidance of mentorship programs and the competitive environment of production challenges, a multitude of platforms cater to diverse needs and preferences. Actively seeking and thoughtfully utilizing feedback is not merely an optional step but rather an indispensable component of the continuous growth and development inherent in the pursuit of musical excellence. By strategically exploring the various platforms discussed and adopting best practices for requesting and implementing critiques, EDM producers can navigate the feedback landscape effectively, transforming valuable insights into tangible improvements in their craft and ultimately realizing their full creative potential.
