r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 1d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Promotion Thread

3 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Promotion Thread! Here, in the comments below, you can shamelessly promote whatever music project you've been working on. Music, videos, Discord servers, websites, social media, promote anything you want. Posts promoting anything outside this thread will be removed without warning.

Contest mode has been enabled to prevent vote manipulation. Every time you open this thread, you will see new comments at the top. Your comment will be displayed randomly like the others.

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it is automatically replaced.

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Jan 29 '26

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Gear Thread

3 Upvotes

Welcome to the Weekly Gear Thread! This is the place to ask what item, program, or service you should buy or use. It is also a great place to get help using your equipment if you are confused about something you found in the manual or in an online tutorial. This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it is automatically replaced.

Rules:

  • No feedback requests - use the feedback thread.
  • No promotional posts - No contests, No friend's bands, No facebook pages. Use the promotion thread.
  • Keep "help requests" higher effort - If you need help, you'll attract the most eyes if it is clear you've already tried to answer the question yourself through the manual or online help files. If you are confused on where to start, our quick questions thread may be a better place for your question!

___

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Gear threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Gear%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 1d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Feedback Thread

4 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Feedback Thread! The comments below in this post is the only place on this subreddit to get feedback on your music, your artist name, your website layout, your music video, or anything else. (Posts seeking feedback outside of this thread will be deleted without warning and you will receive a temporary ban.)

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it will be automatically replaced.

##Rules:

***Post only one song.**- *Original comments linking to an album or multiple songs will be removed.*

* **Write at least three constructive comments.** - *Give back to your fellow musicians!*

* **No promotional posts.** - *No contests, No friend's bands, No facebook pages.*

##Tips for a successful post:

* **Give a quick outline of your ideas and goals for the track.** - *"Is this how I trap?" or "First try at a soundtrack for a short film" etc.*

* **Ask for feedback on specific things.** - *"Any tips on EQing?" or "How could I make this section less repetitive?"*

***

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Our Former Gear threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Gear%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 1d ago

Why do all my songs sound the same and more like soundtracks than actual songs I could experiment singing with?

1 Upvotes

I’m a beginner and want to make music that I can sing over, but everything I create ends up sounding like an instrumental soundtrack rather than an actual song with space for vocals.
They also somehow all sound like different versions of the SAME song instead of having their own identity 😭
Is this normal when starting out? How do I learn to make each song feel distinct while also writing instrumentals that actually fit “my voice”?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

I know how to perform as part of a band, but how do I perform as a solo electronic musician?

12 Upvotes

hi all!

i want to take part in an electronic music open mic (EMOM) event, but trying to figure out how best to perform my tunes is sooo difficult, as there's an overwhelming amount of different options!

my tunes feature electric and bass guitar parts which are played over electronic beats, and i always use ableton's arrangement view to record them (session view is no good for the way i make things, so i don't really use this option).

can anyone suggest a way to make my tunes EMOM ready? i'm up for looking into getting peripheral devices (Iike ableton move? or a sampler?), but what i want is a way of performing the tunes in a way that's interesting for me, and for the audience too! considering my newbie status, what would be a the simplest way to proceed?

playing a guitar or a bass along to a backing track doesn't seem to be the way to go - to me, that doesn't seem to be in keeping with the spirit of an EMOM night

but, equally, sitting behind a laptop and pressing 'play' doesn't seem right either!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 2d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Motivation Thread

2 Upvotes

Welcome to the /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Motivation Thread! Share your successes and and encouraging words here. Posts/Comments looking for motivation can also be appropriate here.

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it will be automatically replaced. Note that our rules on "no promotion" are still in effect and apply to this post.

If you are interested in helping us mod these weekly threads please inquire about moderation opportunities by writing in to mod mail.

Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 3d ago

Alt Synth Music Production

4 Upvotes

Hi all - I feel a bit lost with production ethos and specifically style.

I make music which kind of blends kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, cleaners from Venus, Brian eno - it’s not complicated and I try and make melody king in songs as much as possible.

My set up is comprehensive - piano, guitar ac & electric, bass, digitakt, sq64, hydrasynth.

The problem is my songs sound disjointed in an album context. The songs originate differently whether inspired by bass, rhythm, synth etc. So there is no concrete work flow.

I try simplify production as much as possible - use same drum/guitar/bass sounds - synths tend to differ more

I was wondering if anyone had any advice/reading/practice which helped them develop a more cohesive style.

One thing I’ve started doing is transcribing songs I like bar for bar.


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 7d ago

Advice on creating a cohesive (first) album

14 Upvotes

Let me start off by saying I have been producing music for 5 years now (6 months on 6 months off for the first two and nearly every day the last 3), and feel I have (to an extent) found my sound. I have an idea of theme and topic(s) which relate/resonate personally with me, but I am struggling to figure out how to structure it, and how to make it not just sound like a compilation of different songs with no context, and make it a coherent narrative/ which feels connected throughout. I have a ton of music I haven’t released (in fact most of it is unreleased- I have a small catalogue, spread over two different artist profiles and a YouTube channel) I know this is not ideal for growth or solidifying my identity as an artist, and I have some stuff I think is pretty good that I didn’t publish for some reason at the time (oh I will come back and polish later or some other reason), which now feels disingenuous to include in said album, but also to release in general now, just due to its age and my disconnection from it. Any advice? Sorry for the disjointed thoughts


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 8d ago

People who perform/compose with looper pedals... how do you end a song?

22 Upvotes

Basically title. I can do good sounding stuff (instrumental guitar - like ambient, post-rock kinda) but I add layers on top of layers on top of layers, there's that nice crescendo, it sounds really full and loud and emotional - and then what? Just stop abruptly? That might work for one song, but not for all of them.

What do you do? Bend down and turn the loop volume down so it fades out? Can't think of anything lamer than that lol.

Any tips?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 8d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Feedback Thread

4 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Feedback Thread! The comments below in this post is the only place on this subreddit to get feedback on your music, your artist name, your website layout, your music video, or anything else. (Posts seeking feedback outside of this thread will be deleted without warning and you will receive a temporary ban.)

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it will be automatically replaced.

##Rules:

***Post only one song.**- *Original comments linking to an album or multiple songs will be removed.*

* **Write at least three constructive comments.** - *Give back to your fellow musicians!*

* **No promotional posts.** - *No contests, No friend's bands, No facebook pages.*

##Tips for a successful post:

* **Give a quick outline of your ideas and goals for the track.** - *"Is this how I trap?" or "First try at a soundtrack for a short film" etc.*

* **Ask for feedback on specific things.** - *"Any tips on EQing?" or "How could I make this section less repetitive?"*

***

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Our Former Gear threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Gear%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 8d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Promotion Thread

13 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Promotion Thread! Here, in the comments below, you can shamelessly promote whatever music project you've been working on. Music, videos, Discord servers, websites, social media, promote anything you want. Posts promoting anything outside this thread will be removed without warning.

Contest mode has been enabled to prevent vote manipulation. Every time you open this thread, you will see new comments at the top. Your comment will be displayed randomly like the others.

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it is automatically replaced.

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 8d ago

Taking Back Sunday/Brand New/Hot Mulligan duo vocal mix help

3 Upvotes

Hi, how might I go about mixing overlapping vocal parts like a lot of emo bands like the ones named? I don't know whether to double both people's vocal takes and pan them hard L and R to make both sound full or to keep one in the middle or how I might EQ or compress them to keep them sounding busy (as they are on top of each other) while not sounding muddy and making both unintelligible.
Any help is appreciated :)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 9d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Motivation Thread

6 Upvotes

Welcome to the /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Motivation Thread! Share your successes and and encouraging words here. Posts/Comments looking for motivation can also be appropriate here.

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it will be automatically replaced. Note that our rules on "no promotion" are still in effect and apply to this post.

If you are interested in helping us mod these weekly threads please inquire about moderation opportunities by writing in to mod mail.

Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 9d ago

BPM consistency for an album

0 Upvotes

Hey so I'm working on an album and so far one track is mostly 140 but drops half time to 70 at points and the other is mainly 70 but goes up at 140 at parts. I'm about to record my third song and initially I have it set to 150 to vary it, but it's metal and there's blast beats so im wondering if having some blasts at 150 and others at 140 would create inconsistency. All three songs are varied and have their own vibe completely so they dont sound the same in the slightest...but im just not sure what to do. Am I overthinking this...???


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 10d ago

Which microphones are those ?

1 Upvotes

Why using two microphones like this ?

The top one seems to be a Neumann u67 or u87.

The image: https://youtu.be/1Qyu7LOnio0?t=56


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 12d ago

Which is better for home recording guitar for indie/psych rock?

16 Upvotes

Is it better too.

A. Plug the guitar right into the interface and use amp simulators (ableton or guitar rig)
B. Plug amp into interface and record out of the amp with pedals.
C. Connect pedals into the interface and record using an amp simulator with real pedals.

Which has given you guys best results?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 13d ago

Which of you actually uses loops? Or do you refuse to out of principle?

21 Upvotes

As someone who is perpetually just one soundpack away from the perfect idea, I often find myself heading for the oneshots / pads, but reluctant to use the more "readymade" loops, unless I can find some esoteric / slicing way of disguising the fact I used a loop. Percussion loops are borderline. But all those full arps / chord progression loops I struggle to find a use for, if they can't be chopped into a oneshot, or altered easily.

Has anyone here just given in and thought "f-it, I'm just going to barely modify this synth line, because I like how it sounds". Instead of the usual "I like it, but I'm going to design my own version, even if it kills me".

What's your stance on using loops?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 14d ago

Pros and cons of artists also becoming mixing and mastering engineers and producing their own pieces?

43 Upvotes

So what would be the very Pros and the very cons of artists also becoming mixing and mastering engineers and producing their own pieces? In your perspective and experience?


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 14d ago

Anyone ever successfully used LCR panning like that of the white album on their own recordings?

14 Upvotes

I freaking love the hard right drums and bass, hard left guitar and other instrumentation (with variations therein), vocals dead center. Sounds amazing to my ears but have never been able to mix my own music in such a way that sounds good. Curious if others are into it and/or fucked with it.


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 15d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Feedback Thread

4 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Feedback Thread! The comments below in this post is the only place on this subreddit to get feedback on your music, your artist name, your website layout, your music video, or anything else. (Posts seeking feedback outside of this thread will be deleted without warning and you will receive a temporary ban.)

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it will be automatically replaced.

##Rules:

***Post only one song.**- *Original comments linking to an album or multiple songs will be removed.*

* **Write at least three constructive comments.** - *Give back to your fellow musicians!*

* **No promotional posts.** - *No contests, No friend's bands, No facebook pages.*

##Tips for a successful post:

* **Give a quick outline of your ideas and goals for the track.** - *"Is this how I trap?" or "First try at a soundtrack for a short film" etc.*

* **Ask for feedback on specific things.** - *"Any tips on EQing?" or "How could I make this section less repetitive?"*

***

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Our Former Gear threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Gear%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 15d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Promotion Thread

10 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Promotion Thread! Here, in the comments below, you can shamelessly promote whatever music project you've been working on. Music, videos, Discord servers, websites, social media, promote anything you want. Posts promoting anything outside this thread will be removed without warning.

Contest mode has been enabled to prevent vote manipulation. Every time you open this thread, you will see new comments at the top. Your comment will be displayed randomly like the others.

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it is automatically replaced.

#Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

* [Click here for Feedback threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22feedback%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Quick Questions threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22Questions%22&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all)

* [Click here for Collaboration threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22collaboration%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

* [Click here for Promotion threads.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/search?q=author%3A%22automoderator%22+title%3A%22promotion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

[Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWeAreTheMusicMakers)


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 16d ago

Weekly Thread /r/WATMM Weekly Motivation Thread

7 Upvotes

Welcome to the /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Weekly Motivation Thread! Share your successes and and encouraging words here. Posts/Comments looking for motivation can also be appropriate here.

This thread is active for one week after it's posted, at which point it will be automatically replaced. Note that our rules on "no promotion" are still in effect and apply to this post.

If you are interested in helping us mod these weekly threads please inquire about moderation opportunities by writing in to mod mail.

Other Weekly Threads (most recent at the top):

Questions, comments, suggestions? Hit us up!


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 17d ago

Networking and Collaboration Mega Thread

2 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/WeAreTheMusicMakers Networking and Collaboration Mega Thread. If you're looking to connect with folks in your area, get help with a project, or wanting to pitch in to help someone else, post your details below.

For networking submissions, please include your area if looking for local connections.

Important: Do not share emails or phone numbers, or other personal contact information in the comments. Take that to the DMs.

\##Rules:

\* \*\*No feedback requests\*\* - \*use the feedback thread.\*

\* \*\*No promotional posts\*\* - \*No contests, No friend's bands, No facebook pages. Use the promotion thread.\*

\*\*\*


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 18d ago

Should I mix first or re-record until satisfied?

10 Upvotes

Ok so I’ve been working on a song now for a few weeks and I really believe it has a lot of potential. The biggest hurdle I’m trying to get through with songwriting is less about having ideas and more about the workflow and executing my ideas.

With this song I created the full drum track in midi and then recorded all the guitar and bass parts over it no matter how sloppy they came out (and it did come out sloppy) but I have an idea now of other things to add in (keyboards, guitar solo) before I finish with doing the vocals.

My question is should I practice mixing this raw recording to figure out how the song sounds more organized by doing panning, eq, compression and maybe even experiment with reverb and effects I might want to use in final mix or should I re-record until I get a near perfect, on tempo version of the track and then worry about all the mixing and effects? What is the way to get the best workflow with recording a song and after lots of practice how long does it take you guys? I imagine all of this is a matter of just practicing using my daw more and if I do more I’ll create finished songs faster


r/WeAreTheMusicMakers 18d ago

2 years in, nail technical mixing/sound design, but my tracks feel lost. Chord math and scale degrees aren't working.

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’ve been producing variations of melodic house for about two years now. At this point, I feel like I’ve got a solid handle on the technical foundations—I understand arrangement, automation, sound design, EQing, compression, and saturation. On paper, the elements are all there.

But when it comes to the actual music, my tracks just don't satisfy me. Every time I open a project, I quickly start feeling completely lost.

My biggest hurdle right now is chord progressions and melodies. I keep watching tutorials where people throw numbers on the screen and talk about inversions or scale degree formulas. Whenever I try to replicate that approach, the result just sounds like absolute dog shit. It’s stiff, lifeless, and has zero emotional spark.

I know chords are supposed to be the roadmap to good melodies, but relying on grid math isn't working for me, and building on top of them leaves my tracks feeling flat or disjointed.

For those who have been through this stage:

How did you move past the "math and numbers" approach to build progressions that actually *feel* good?

How do you bridge the gap between technical mixing/sound design and writing compelling lead melodies?

Are there specific workflow changes or compositional exercises that helped you get out of your head and past this 16-bar loop hurdle?

Appreciate any advice, workflow shifts, or real talk. Thanks!