I need help from people who are good at making music especially rnb

[tepid prawn]

see im a new rnb artist like i havent put anything out but i wanna go for a partynextdoor, the weeknd, brent faiyaz,
drake inspired style and make like really good dark rnb hits u see now the problem is shit dont sound good when i make it if some people who are like good or experienced could give me advice id love to take it.

[woven jolt]

I mean you’re not gonna learn how to make hits overnight. Really vague as well on what you even want to improve on. Gotta first figure out why you don’t think it sounds good then work from there

[tepid prawn]

I don’t expect to make hits overnight—my goal is to reach a point where I can at least try when I’m more experienced.

My main issues:
• Vocal Chain: My voice sounds robotic with effects, but without them, it feels unfinished.
• Layering: I haven’t learned much about it, and it shows.
• Beat Fit: Ideas sound good in my head but don’t blend well in recordings. My voice seems to fight the beat instead of flowing with it. When I do go with the beat, I lack variation, making it sound bland.
• Vocal Tone: It’s unique, which makes it harder to work with.
• Songwriting: Mediocre at best.

These aren’t all my issues, just the ones that come to mind right away.

[woven jolt]

With songwriting I recommend those 7 minute drills J Cole would use where you write nonstop about anything on paper. As for vocal tone try to find a sound and style that complements it rather than trying to shoehorn your way in. Ngl instead of worrying about a vocal chain focus on getting a great recording and on proper recording technique since that will get you closer to a professional sound vs a priceless chain that you’re clueless about using

So many artists get so obsessed with vocal chains missing the whole point of why you’re even making music in the first place. Tap into the story you want to tell in music and be authentic about it. Inspiration is fine but don’t try to clone a sound, instead make it your own

[tepid prawn]

Firstly thanks for the advice ill practice those drills for sure,
how can i find that sound tho like im experimenting a lot but its really hard to make it sound professional.
What do you reffer too when you talk about a proper recording technique because as for me im using a sm7b but the recordings dont always please me.
As for vocal chains that was something a lot of people recommended me your right that i shouldnt hyperfocus on that just thought it might be usefull.
The kind of story i wanna create is a dark moody one which is presented with a really beautiful sound kinda contradicting eachother

Its just really hard to make a sound of your own when its something that is of importance and really dificult

im writing a lot of songs currently and do work on my music but it just feels like im stuck to a point somehow thats why im out here asking for advice

like since my first song a month ago i havent really improved a lot

https://on.soundcloud.com/DmCtvp86YWAZBXVw6

this is my first song but usually i practice singing with a slightly higher tone

[woven jolt]

Main thing I noticed from listening to this is you gotta expand your range to open up melodic possibilities for this style. To get some space subtle delay with a hall or chamber would work great for this style. Also doing ad libs that are drowned out in reverb as a stylistic effect would work well with some background harmonies for layers

Regarding how I typically process vocals, besides making sure the recordings are good and things aren’t clipping and assuming I ain’t using hardware in the studio. I start with autotune, a channel strip(SSL 9000 or Amek 9099), saturation, compressor(1176 or LA2A or both), EQ (Kirchhoff or FabFilter), de esser(Lindell 902), Soothe2, then have it sent to delay and then reverb that depends on the style I’m going for.

[tepid prawn]

for sure since that recording ive worked a lot on my range and will continue too.
Have also thought about those drowned ad libs that idea is actually really good thx for bringing it up, im gonna see what i can do with the delay it could work out probably. Im actually so bad at making harmonies as for layers thats something i gotta work on forsure

[tepid prawn]

i will try that out too thanks for helpin me a lot.