I create an outro for each one,
and you ?

 

Well, obviously that depends. Unless you're making the same tune over and over again, I don't see the point in always ending them the same way.

 

I like fade-outs, but they can be a problem.
I mean, I can see a problem if "Happy Birthday to You" just fades out.
And the the US National Anthem...
99 Bottles of Beer...
TV show theme songs...
Most hymns...
Those kinds of songs.

 

I fade them out just after they start, people seem to appreciate it.

 

it depends if you make a radio edit then a fade but if you make an extended version an outro

 

I don't like fade-outs in general unless it's really called for. Usually I like a short instrumental ending. Depends on the song. I believe you'll hear if the ending doesn't work.

 

Someone whose opinion (and playing) I highly respect once told me "Let the melody go where it wants to go." And that's definitely something to which I subscribed, then and to this day.

However, too little is said of the Harmony (chord changes). Some chord changes lend themselves nicely to a composed outro ending, whereas some are better suited for noise endings (check out Supertramp's Fools' Overture ending on the studio version, and then on the live version for illustration). Some chord changes shine best in a long fade out (check out the long fadeout on Steely Dan's Glamour Profession).

The thing about harmony, is that it's rich in emotional content - in contrast with the monophonic (unisonic) melody.

So sometimes I'll follow the melody where it leads, sometimes I'll follow the harmony. Sometimes, a cue must hit a mark (or two) and then end on the spot (when scoring a film or TV show, or even a musical/ballet/opera), so you work backwards from that.