choosing a lead

[mickomoo]

How do you guys choose what instrument you want to lead your songs? Simple question, but I'm just curious

[Rozovian]

I just pick almost anything that'll sound good with the rest of the instrumentation... so it takes some trial and error to find/make one that'll work in particular set of sounds.

[eilios]

Basically what Rozovian said. I went from a heavy, atmospheric, almost overbearing powerful lead to a vox lead to an autotuned cat purr in about 3 songs. Choosing a lead is a mix-match thing, trying to figure out what works and what doesn't.

[Legion303]

I use whatever I have at hand until the composition is done, or mostly done, then try out different presets or VSTs until I narrow down something that sounds good, then tweak settings until I like it.

I've also started with a blank patch and built up the elements I knew I wanted (i.e., waveform, ADSR settings, portamento, etc.), but frankly that way is for people less lazy than I am. It depends on how much work you want to put into it and whether you're happy with your final sound or need to shape it further.

[Nabeel Ansari]

I usually just pick something that fills whatever frequencies I'm missing (since I always start with the backing track).

[Dissidia]

You can pick by: blend, contrast, genre, expression, and so much more. It's just usually a matter what fits in the mix.

[erineclipse]

I just look at the titles, and hopefully, based on the name of the preset it will give me an idea of what the sound will be. So I basically pick which names sound interesting, and go from there. Once I hear the sound, then I start to plan the song out.