What comes first?

[RDR]

When writing a piece there are many different ways to do it, for instance pop music composers/producers may reach for a guitar or a piano to lay out the tune.

What do you reach for when you start writing a piece of electronic music, and does it vary according to genre or tempo?

Personally i start with the synth

[rhythmtech]

i generally start with a synth or bassline. the some percussion.

[dirty_bass]

For dance music I start with the beat.

[Jay Pace]

Load up reason
Play with drum pattern
Put in a few stabby synth bits to complement drum programming
Put in hook last if I decide track is going to have a hook.

[FILTERZ]

drums then the bass

all follows from there for me

[Barely Human]

For techno, deffinately the kick and bass. Then get the rest to follow. For my more abstract stuff, it deppends, it could be anything.

[stjohn]

Load up reason
Play with drum pattern
Put in a few stabby synth bits to complement drum programming
Put in hook last if I decide track is going to have a hook.

bobs your uncle, fannys your auntie

[TechnoNRGKid]

drums then the bass

all follows from there for me

[massplanck]

A joint of weed.

[rhythmtech]

A joint of weed.

i cant produce stoned at all :(

i like playin synths and i'll record back what i've done but when it comes to the actual nitty gritty i need to be straight. wish i could :(

[BloodStar]

kick+sub