Musician's Gig Room V2: Can't Be Arsed - Creationism Corner

Helo everybody! I have been lurking around for sometime, checking around these forums, and people here post some good stuff with some awesome insights. So I hope you guys dont mind I join in the discussion! Since this is my first post in these forums im going to share a track I compose mostly neo classical stuff (like cinematic soundtrack and the sorts) And im currently working on a couple of videogame soundtracks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOj1WkEwSlg I did this track in my free time not long ago to build up my portfolio, wich im trying to figure out how to get some exposure on. (or even the best method/plattform to do it. Any advice?) (Also sorry if i made any mistakes writing im not a native speaker)

Welcome mate! Remember to post constructive criticism on someone else's track, first. It's the only rule this thread has!

I love those drums and their pattern, reminds me of Halo. However I feel like the piano's sound is too digital and somehow clashes with the vibe. Also the structure is a bit simplistic, but that's just preference I'm also interested in ways to get exposure (the musical scene in Italy is less than ideal, pop or trap is all there is) I wanted to get some feedback on this but I forgot for two whole months https://soundcloud.com/xuzul/segna

Thanks man! And roger that! Sorry, I totaly forgot that when I was writing the post!! Kept it simple out of lazyness really. But since you mentioned it, you gave me a couple of good ideas of what to do. I think the musical scene is bad in general prety much everywhere... Here is also all about that pop brasilian music thingy "Zumba" or something... About your track I love the synths you used! And the progression that comes at the 2min mark is awesome. Also the buzzer synth that comes right at the end, seems to lead up to something awesome, kinda like a bass drop or something, its a shame that stops there. Just runs a bit long, but sounds perfect.

That was awesome, i like your strings they reminded me of some, game/movie which i can't remember, also those drums are awesome too, but could use little reverb maybe. Not an expert on house music but that was interesting, not too bright and uplifting like most house music on radio which i like. https://soundcloud.com/user-977253003/subconsciousness-pentode-adaptive-circuit https://soundcloud.com/user-977253003/subconsciousness-pentode-friendship-of-a-machine Alright my music is kind of experimental Electro industrial/Industrial metal, first song is older and longer and more repetitive. Second is newer and shorter, there are more songs on soundcloud but they are older and less evolved. These i think in my opinion are best ones i currently have that are uploaded. All my songs are made in fl studio but i will be changing that some time in the future...

First one's definitely my favourite, though in both cases I like how they smoothly transition to being more melodic, its not jumpy. Maybe experiment with different sounds or instruments to add for different sections?

I like the sound of it, it sounds very smooth, also I like the use of that guitar. I guess you could add some extra time but strangely it doesn't feel short, for being only 2 minutes. https://soundcloud.com/user-977253003/subconsciousness-pentode-vengeanceearly-version This is one of my earliest songs form back in 2014, i think. Also more sound variance sounds good advice, since my songs feel repeaty.

I really like this. Lovely chords and it varies enough to be interesting throughout. I can definitely hear a vocal line that'd suit it. I've actually been writing a clubby thing too (not sure how best to describe it.) Here's something I'm currently working on. I've actually mostly finished it now, but I was just hoping to get feedback on the first verse (up to about a minute I think) of this recording to see if people like it. Thank you. https://soundcloud.com/mikehawkbiscuit/test

The chords are really cool with the piano, for the vocal it would be really cool to hear some airy effects on it to go with the cloud-like (best I can describe it) piano

Is there any free software where I can create a sheet of music and then have the program play it back to me? I know musical theory but can't really play anything

MuseScore

Thank you!

This definitely conveys a lot of emotion. Nice work! I would just say that maybe you could really take it to the next level if some of the more important parts were "bigger" to emphasize them. Like adding more layers to the piano and the vocals. Here's a kind of funk/nu disco track I'm calling done. Speaking of vocals, this is kind of my first time working with them outside of "already wet" remix stems. https://soundcloud.com/tappioca-music/offmyfeet

Not entirely sure if this is the right place to ask, but can anyone advise on a keyboard/MIDI controller? I was looking for a keyboard mainly to use in a DAW like Reaper to do drums and effects etc, I realised it probably makes more sense to get one with some sound banks built in so I don't have to rely entirely on plugins? I am also interested in actually learning to play the piano/keyboard too though so I want a full-ish size one that can be played properly. I've looked around and this Yamaha EZ-220 seems pretty good? That's about the max I'd be willing to spend. So does anyone know if that's any good, if there's anything better for a similar price / less and can anyone confirm that you can still use a keyboard like this as a controller in a DAW? Any advice appreciated, thanks.

I write songs for solo piano and vocals, so that was just a direct recording with a microphone. I do plan to add more layers when I record it properly though! I liked the chords and bass a lot on this. I'm not really one for this style of music but you've definitely got talent! If you're keen to learn piano, what I can suggest is finding something with weighted keys, as MIDI controllers/pianos without are not going to teach you to play at all well if they don't have this. I've got a Roland that cost £1,500 although it's probably cheaper now. What's the sort of price range you're looking for?

The main reason is to use as a MIDI controller, it's just a bonus that I could play some piano stuff, do weighted keys really matter that much? To be honest I'm not that bothered about learning to play traditional piano, I don't mind if I can somehow only play keyboards with weightless keys I wouldn't want to spend much more than that Yamaha one, so about £200 and tbh I was looking at even less before that.

You can find some cheap digital pianos with weighted keys that are full-sized for about £100 on eBay. Not sure how good they are, but it's worth looking at reviews for them on an external site and seeing if any take your fancy? Weighted keys aren't really important for a synth, but they do help play without making mistakes. I suck on keyboard, relatively, but am quite a good pianist.

Damn, man that's some crispy mixing. Any time I've worked with vocals has brought nothing but headaches. I had been trying to produce a new acid techno track for the longest time but my perfectionism got in the way, so I just said "fuck it" and recorded a jam sesh with the clips in Ableton. Turned out pretty good with some nice moments in there, I think. https://soundcloud.com/halfasser/acidjam_113018

I know the feeling, prefectionism allways gets in the way of sending out something that is "good". Like Voltaire said "prefect is the enemy of good" Damn that was different... And in a good way different! I enjoyed the hell out of that jam vibe that it has... It's like acid with a human/intuitive progression. I never heard techno quite like this! Keep it up maybe its method making that track that spiced things up! And speaking of "prefect is the enemy of good". I did this track a few months ago. I'm not good at putting down orchestral brass to my tracks yet, so I started doing "practice" tracks just like this one. This one turned out with an awesome progression and build up (towards the brass part) And usually, If theres something cool I did on a track I post it just for future reference, or to use has a cue for some other track I need to do. https://soundcloud.com/ernesto-campo-pequeno/fall-on-saturn

This doesn't sound like practice at all, man. Keep it up!

SIRIUS, I really enjoy it, literally awesome stuff. Has a good atmosphere and really good sounds. New one I have done, https://soundcloud.com/dillon-m-jepsen/terraform

Sounds ver mau5ey in a good way, I really dig that syle. I'd wish that era of real Progressive house just came back from nowhere. I'm not a fan of the claplike sound which goes over the bassdrum, kinda takes away the punch the kick should have on the lower spectrum. Love the piano chords on this one. If you're thinking of recording it more professionally, then give it a shot, it has some nice vibes going on. Daaaaaaamn mate, the synths are on point on this track.I'd love to be able to do some funk house/french house but for the love of god I've tried and failed. Really nice, coherent with the genre, sounds great. Love it. Really nice when the percs stepped in. could use some sub bass for greater punch. I love orchestral pieces like this. Awesome progression, awesome mixing. Love it. This definitiely has nice vibes going on. Similar to what Mau5trap is offering right now (take a look at that label if you haven't already, crazy shit going on). I'd personally add some variation on percs, given the fact that range of instruments is pretty much plain all over the track, A change in pattern, some fills, maybe an eq pass, some resources which can help you make the track feel a bit more dynamic. ------------------ Now, off to my work. I kinda post here from time to time, but it's been a long time since I did (old forums, timewise), so I'm gonna throw in what I've uploaded last. I make electronic music, sometimes more technoey, lately deep house, sometimes a bit of trance. I'm in love with the genre, and have always been. I use FL studio for production, currently have 400+ unfinished projects (and no fully finished tracks), and I tend not to mix and master my stuff properly because, frankly, I lose interest in a track quite quickly. Here it goes: My first attempts at DH, forget those crappy snare drums: https://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/wip-deep-house https://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/117a My best, I think. An orchestral progression, with a space vibe (i think). Not danceable, but I like it. One of the few projects I never lose my interest on https://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/122a-1 Ignore the first 33 seconds of this track https://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/144a A more real attempt at Deep House: https://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/n-14 A quick attempt at Deep House, low volume: https://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/141a Something I found searching for old projects, don't know tf is that, kinda improvised. https://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/n10 Hope some of you enjoys my crappy attempts at making music. C&C is welcome and encouraged.

Alright so there's no way I'm going to respond to every song on there, but I listened to each of them for a little bit and I can definitely give you some good advice. Learn to master. Even just very simple stuff like overall compression on the track, a little EQ, and some stereo imaging. It'll make them pop much more and you won't have to say "sorry, low volume" anymore. All of these songs share a common theme in my opinion, they don't really go anywhere. They're all interesting to listen to for a bit, and your production and sound design is pretty good, but eventually I found myself saying "alright, next" because it was just loops over and over. This isn't necessarily a bad thing if that was what you were going for but to keep songs interesting means more people will want to listen. Along the same lines as #2, adding a bit more to some of your songs would go a long way. A bit more progression, slightly different chord progressions, a few more instruments fading in and out; all of these help to keep interest and keep a song alive. You want an evolution of a song, not just loops coming and going at different times. Like I said above, you have a really good grasp on atmosphere and sound design. Like, better than what I can do for sure. If you take my points above and keep making more stuff, you'll be going places for sure. Another note, don't dump 10 songs on a thread for C&C as it will make nobody want to respond to you. Choose one or two of your best and present those. -- break -- Anyway, here's my latest. https://soundcloud.com/papkee/waterfall

This is great! It's giving me Infected Mushroom vibes. I like all the little percussive details in the background, they add a lot. The vocals are cool, too. I think towards the end it gets a little too hectic - and it'd be nice if the drums switched up occasionaly to give the listener a bit of a `break'. I remixed the Prodigy's Timezone Bomb (they said they'll repost some versions on twitter which is cool, fingers crossed!). https://soundcloud.com/monsterchuck/prodigy-timebomb-zone-monster-chuck-remix

Totally agree on everything you said. I'm currently mixing on crappy speakers (generic 2 usd quality), saving up for some good monitors. Should get those in a month or two (after years of saving up). I used to be on this thread more often in the past, yet still it breaks my heart to see there's such little activity over here. Thanks for your C&C buddy. I'll be working these concepts for sure.

If you're using Ableton, the default mastering presets under the Audio Effects Rack are a decent place to start. I haven't bothered to go listen to the newest Prodigy release, but this has me looking it up, which I imagine is exactly why they're asking for remixes. Good shit, man. ______________ Here's my latest full(ish) track. Listening to it after MonsterChuck's track, I need to change up some of my mastering. That snare isn't as bright as I want it. https://soundcloud.com/halfasser/dreamrace-demo

Thanks! I like this track a lot. I agree with you about the snare, just a little extra snappiness would be nice. Maybe even a tiny bit of bright noise layered over it? Love the drum rhythms etcs, the programming is great. The cymbals aren't my favourite either - although I can't pinpoint what it is exactly I'm not a fan of. Perhaps a little too dry, and a little too robotic? Varying the levels and adding a bit more verb could be nice. Either way, good track! Here's another track I worked on. It's a loong rap song that was released on Halloween, so, uh, here it is on Xmas. https://soundcloud.com/thisissuburban/sinister

It's been a while since i've shared anything here. I've been caught in the daily grind so haven't really done much. Tryna work more with samples and that and keep my tracks a bit more 'simplistic' in the sound design. [ https://soundcloud.com/dejafuoz/hazier

Guys, I'm struggling to find a piece of hardware to split a line level mono signal into a line level stereo signal (or two identical line level mono signals, doesn't really matter), any help?

You could get a small mixer, there's some that take mono inputs and output stereo (with panning).