I've been making Dubstep for over a year now, I use Apple Logic and Propellerhead Reason, I make sounds, and I don't use loops. I've listened to countless of Dubstep artists, especially Skrillex (mainstream I know, but he does the job well), and when I look back on my drops, they just don't have that power. Dirty Dubstep generally means you can dance to it- it has a good beat that drives you to dance. When I hear mine, I have very little urge to dance, and I can't put my finger on it. I've tried everything I know of trying, sidechaining the drums, emphasizing bass, and changing the progressions. Whenever Skrillex makes a track, it always gives the urge to dance, mine just doesn't.
An example of a recent drop I've done can be found here: http://www.soundcloud.com/schotcher/dubstep/s-W2oY...
(For the record, the last 4 bars are incomplete, so if you're going to say "Why do the lead sounds stop at the end?" it's cause I haven't started on them)
I'm not sure if it's because I made it, and it is fairly dancable (doubt it); I just don't know, I don't know what makes mainstream Dubstep "dancable" and mine dull and boring.
Criticism concerning the track is encouraged, it'll help me become better.
Thank you so much!
Update:Skrillex's Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites for comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSeNSzJ2-Jw
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
I think you could just try putting it in another key but make it "too low" or "too high" compared to whatever key it's in now. It's pretty much perfect though, I thought they both sounded like they were made by the same guy (skrillex, never heard his stuff till you asked this q). if you want you could add some kind of dramatic breakdown in it, but if you go overboard it might just sound cheezy....
sorry i can't help more this music is beyond my area of expertise!
Don't try to sound like other producers, that will make you not as unique. You don't have to conform, but what I have to say is there is no bass in that drop. Add some sub bass!