How to Find Your Voice in the Modern Music World?
Exploring what makes music truly unique and how to develop your own sound in today's landscape.
How to Find Your Voice in the Modern Music World?
Hello again, Alex here.
Before I dive into the subject, I need to clearly define what kind of music I'm talking about.
If you're playing jazz, recording an orchestra, or trying to recreate the success of The Dark Side of the Moon — that's a different story entirely.
But if you're an underground-independent artist making metal, rock, electronic, or rap music — this article is for you.
What Do All the Best Albums Have in Common?
If you've been into rock or metal music for years, I'm sure you've heard something like:
"No new music really hits me like it used to. Nothing beats the 60s–90s."
(Depending on your generation and taste.)
But is that really true?
Let's first set aside the age factor — because yes, it's true that many people consider the music from their teenage years the best, and after that, they simply stop looking for new discoveries.
But I'm talking from the perspective of people who are still passionate about music and always looking for something fresh. That's me.
And sure, the success rate isn't crazy high, but every year I discover 2–3 albums that feel perfect to me and stay in my collection. There are even more albums I'd call simply "good."
When I think about all these records that have stayed with me for years — across genres, styles, and eras — one thing always connects them:
Almost each has its own unique sound, and in almost every case, that sound was introduced to the world by the artists themselves.
It doesn't matter what decade they came from or what genre — they always feel unique, even today.
And if you go deeper into the stories behind these albums, were they really made by professionals who had done it a thousand times before? No. Not at all.
The Beatles or The Beach Boys?
Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd?
Metallica or Slayer?
All the underground metal from the '80s and '90s — black, death, doom, etc.
These legendary records were created by people who had no formula. Even those considered "professionals" (like George Martin) were just experimenting with vision.
And it's this combination — vision + experimentation — that gave birth to records that still sound exciting decades later.
Where Is Uniqueness Today?
First of all — music is older now.
If you form a rock band today, you're inevitably blending ideas developed over the past 70+ years. You have your favorite artists, and you bring references to the studio.
Usually, your budget is limited, and to save time, the engineer will ask you for references. You'll name the album that inspired you — and hopefully, the engineer will do a good job.
But what will you get in the end?
You were inspired by certain bands.
You gave those records to the engineer as a reference.
You'll receive a well-made copy of a good album — one more among many similar ones.
Is Home Recording and Self-Producing the Solution?
Kind of.
First, you need to have a vision — a clear picture of what you want to achieve. You need to hear your songs in your head and understand the sound you're aiming for.
These days, there are no more crazy budgets from labels that let you spend weeks or months in expensive studios. Instead, you have to be prepared — do your homework before recording.
It's important to understand your gear, software, plugins, and how things work. If you master this, all doors open: you'll be able to clearly explain your vision to a sound engineer — without relying on references — or you can become a self-producer and do everything yourself.
The more time you invest, the better the results — and the more creative freedom you'll have. With this experience, you'll feel like a pro in any situation.
How Is This Connected to Audialyze?
Pretty simple — Audialyze gives you flexibility.
When you're starting out with all these plugins, you can rely on your intuition. Without even touching knobs and faders, you can begin by using presets that I've already created for you.
Try to understand the nature of the sound — what's been improved, or maybe what's been lost from your original idea.
If we talk about Audialyze as a mastering service (and it will become much more in the future), think of it as adding different flavors to your mix. Even without professional knowledge, you can pick the one that best supports your artistic vision.
And if something is missing — just write to me. Your feedback will always be considered for future improvements.
Let's Stay Connected
— Alex
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