Artist focus/signature sound

[Kolendo]

It's been just about a year since I started making music with Ableton.
What I've come to realize is that I really enjoy making a bunch of different genres, as well as a bunch of different styles of garage. BUT, lately I've been consumed with idea that to create a solid following and response to your music, one should have a signature sound.

A great example of this would be Ghostek.
I mean, how would you feel if you went to his soundcloud page and he all of a sudden uploaded a couple disco house tunes? You'd probably be confused, right?

I guess what I'm trying to get at is that I just don't know what kind of sound to pick for myself. I know I want to make garage, but with the future garage movement there are endless directions you can go style-wise. And I don't want to confuse people or lose followers because I have producer A.D.H.D.

Guys, help me out. What's your opinion on all this?

[Carbon]

Don't worry about it, that'll come naturally soon enough. After a while you simply settle on a sound that resonates with you, so keep on making music in every which genre you like. Seems like you want to create an image for yourself already, but it may be too early for that right now. At the moment you should just focus on producing as much music as you can and honing your skill.

[Stealth Elf]

Don't worry about it, that'll come naturally soon enough.

This.

Whether you want to or not everyone develops a signature sound in the end. Even if you never stick to one genre your sound will still shine through. All the little details you repeat in your tracks start to add up, synth sounds you like, scales/melodies you lean towards, how you EQ your pads. It all goes towards that recognisable feel.

[bkwsk]

There's little to add to what the other posters said. Making a lot of tunes of different genres is really good for learning and understanding how these genres work musically and sonically. When you've got that perfectly clear on your head (and that might just take more than a little time ) you'll end up making the kind of music you love the most. That's been my experience, at least (even though I consider I haven't learned enough yet, of course).

Just keep going and you'll get there.

[anexpresso]

I think that's one of the reasons you see producers with multiple aliases. I've thought of using one if I started making something very different from the house/garage/bass stuff. But I guess it doesn't really matter, Submerse produces multiple genres of music within the same name and still has his signature sound through all of the genres. Then you have producers like Jeremy Sylvester with tons of aliases even within just garage but it works for him too it seems, just do you for now.

[ebbdeezy]

I think if your productions are hot, no followers will be complaining if you try something unexpected. Right now all genres are gravitating towards each other, many artists mainstream and underground are "crossing over" constantly and being celebrated for it... If Lil Wayne can put a punk rock song on his album, we bedroom producers certainly shouldn't feel obligated to make this or that kind of music. I would point to Engima Dubz, one of the most diverse producers out there and always sounds hot, and drops some off-beat stuff as well. Right now I'm trying to fight the tendency of falling into my same patterns cause I'm realizing my "sound" can be a drawback as well as advantage.

[Kolendo]

I guess I'm just being sort of irrational about the whole situation. Time will reveal all I suppose.
Have started releasing some house tunes under a different alias though.
All my future bass related music is still under Kolendo.

[Lye Form]

Meh your music sounds like you because you made it, i suppose unless you sample way too heavily (a multi way mash up) then it will have lots of different personalities in it.

I think getting caught up in making sure you don't disappoint 'fans' etc can be a negative influence, you should always be making the music you want to make, for yourself. Unless you are looking at making music for other people for money, then you literally are 'selling out'

I think you can make both jungle and disco house as long as it's you that's in it, anyone who knows your music well will be able to hear it, and that's what they enjoy.

I actually love listening to new Zomby tunes because i have no idea what he may do, but there is always some zomby in there (amongst some hardcore 'sampling')

[beebmun]

Just make shit you want to hear. Don't worry about anything else.

[TheSoundCenter]

Just make shit you want to hear. Don't worry about anything else.

This is absolutely the most important thing to remember about creating fucking anything. And if what you want to hear doesn't seem to be about yet, then make that shit yourself

[Rufus_FrequentFlyers]

Basically everything above. Your signature sound will only be truly "yours" if you let it develop naturally. I think it's important to let that sound decide who you are as an artist, rather than you deciding on your sound and trying to force it.
Having said that you should still always try to push yourself and whether that's trying to produce new genres, using samples or synths your not comfortable or even just doing collaborations it's always going to help!
So basically what eeveryone else said

[parsons19]

I know what you mean man, when I finally started putting tunes out under the name of Crypticz I just wanted to keep all my sounds dark. I still make dark tunes and have some new dark stuff coming but I have just started expanding my sound! I made a more uplifting Future Garage thing the other day and also have made some more Tribal stuff and also trying my hand at Grime. Now I just say I make Bass Music cause I can fit lots of styles into that

Basically, what I am saying is is don't restrict yourself! Just make whatever comes out dude As long as it fits under one big main genre I don't see a problem! Your sound will always be changing

Take Skream as an example. Started off proper dubsteppy with like The Judgement and Request line and now he has tunes like Where You Should Be. Those are completely different style tunes and all his fans seem happy !