The Musician's Gig Room Chat V1 - Songwriting and Sound Design for all!

[Ott]

[QUOTE=UnknownDude;51878115]This mix has very little headroom, to put it lightly. The high notes on the melodica fits in nicely but the piano is barely audible except whenever the pounding kick isn't there. And when I do get a good earful around the 2 minute mark, it doesn't sound like a 90's rompler piano. However, it does sound interesting in its own right and worth using.

Onto the more subjective qualities of the composition. This tune is delightfully catchy, however I'm not a huge fan of the vocals, they sound too much like the sort of pop music you hear in Spotify commercials. Your chord progressions are really nice, harmonically interesting and suitable for pop at the same time. I can hear some similarities with it to the progressions of Jim Stärk's "Morning Song" and Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely".

[editline]26th February 2017[/editline]
(I don't want to make WIP tracks that are as early as this public on Soundcloud so no embed)
[url]https://soundcloud.com/brotherworks/ambivalence-part-1-alpha-version/s-CCe6r[/url]

An early version of a two-parter prog rock tune featuring the takes from the University studio and the Minilogue. No guitars yet, gonna add that later. The organ is also supposed to last through the entire song, but it's only there in the first half for now.[/QUOTE]

The crashes are very quiet. The organ really sets the mood and the moog is really quirky and fun. The rising progression is super satisfying. There's two notes that the moog plays right at the beginning of the second half that are kind of left hanging. After that, it's a little too subdued when it comes back in. The ending could set it up for some sweet guitar improv if you kept going. It reminds me of [url=https://allthemwitches.bandcamp.com/track/it-moved-we-moved-almost-there-a-spiders-gift]this song[/url] at 11:44 and 9:48.

[Waffler]

[QUOTE=Lord Xenoyia;51879122]Thanks! This actually helped a lot, I'm still working on my technique with all forms of EDM and these tracks are just experiments to help me find and develop my own style.

I made another one recently:

[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/kick-it[/media]

[/QUOTE]

Here's some suggestions, try not to have any bassy elements in the buildup, the drop will lose its impact. Also incorporate fills or silence before it drops for added impact. Having a silence can also allow your compressor to reset itself before it hits again, which again will make it 'drop' harder. The track doesn't have any direction which makes it hard to follow, which comes to my second advice! Your arrangement needs working on as well. Have a listen to your favourite tracks and see how they are structured and try mimicking that. The talent is there, you just need the time to improve it! Sounding a shit-tonne better than the tracks I first started producing!!

[QUOTE=borisjake;51879158]I've taken your advice, and also definetly going to listen to this comment too!

Also 'Derelict - Version 2', I can totally imagine that being part of a movie or game, I want to know how this progresses! And I'd love to know how you did the instruments, are they samples? Or are you recording?

Based off the first comments I made this:

[video]https://soundcloud.com/borisjake/race[/video]

I just need to focus on chord progressions, varied melodies and I'll start learning some music theory too.[/QUOTE]

I feel as if the lead melody could be worked on a bit, it just sounds random to me. I agree with Ott on the moog and organ, especially the moog! You've done an awesome job there. I suggest changing the hi-hat sample to something that doesn't sound as 'flat' as that one, needs more sparkle in it imo.

I have produced for a remix competition! I don't have many friends I can show this & get feedback, so I'm all for criticism! I don't know what genre you would call it, but it's a mixture of trap & dubstep with some wonk elements to it. I used Serum to make the synths. I'm happy to share the presets if anyone is interested in looking at them and how the sound itself was made. If you enjoyed the track and wouldn't mind swinging it a vote, the link is [url=https://cymatics.fm/remix/cymatics-signal-wubble-remix/]here[/url]. (The Like button doesn't post to facebook, is an actual like button to vote)

[media]https://soundcloud.com/ohsabi-official/cymatics-signal-wubble-remix-1[/media]

[Unkle Dada]

[QUOTE=Waffler;51886142]I suggest changing the hi-hat sample to something that doesn't sound as 'flat' as that one, needs more sparkle in it imo.[/QUOTE]

It's not a sample, it's a full drum kit recorded with 14 mics, including 2 pairs of overheads (condensator and ribbon) and a pair of ambient mics. I will slightly raise the volume of the ribbon overheads in the drums submix to get more high-end. That will boost the cymbals as well.

[hobo4president]

[QUOTE=Rich209;51873946]
Here's something I've been working on. Its not finished by any means. Kinda of has some Prometheus vibes.
[media]http://soundcloud.com/russiangodfather/derelict-version-2[/media][/QUOTE]

This is nice, very ominous but mysterious sounding at the same time.

[QUOTE=SebiWarrior;51874053]
Here's something I've cooked up in the past two days, thinking of having this go on this thread's album

[media]https://soundcloud.com/xuzul/id-1[/media][/QUOTE]

I do like the lead synth and vocal sounding hit in the first few minutes but it gets quite monotonous going for so long without really any change except in the drums. The chords at the end I think could be much wider to give it some drive, consider more voices and a bit of detune.

[QUOTE=Ott;51877345]
I recorded some piano and melodica into my "spend months on this" track. I wanted that 90s fake piano vibe so I recorded an octave lower and sped it up 2x.

[video]https://soundcloud.com/ottworks/caleidoskope-bootleg-wip-v2[/video][/QUOTE]

That kick is fucking huge man, really makes the track drive and adds so much to the groove with the bassline. This is really quite catchy, great work. I mean the only problem I can think of is the mixing, if you were going for the drivey piano stuff then the piano is pretty drowned out but I think it works fine as is. No need to try and perfectly recreate a certain vibe if what you have sounds good.

[QUOTE=Waffler;51886142]
I have produced for a remix competition! I don't have many friends I can show this & get feedback, so I'm all for criticism! I don't know what genre you would call it, but it's a mixture of trap & dubstep with some wonk elements to it. I used Serum to make the synths. I'm happy to share the presets if anyone is interested in looking at them and how the sound itself was made. If you enjoyed the track and wouldn't mind swinging it a vote, the link is [url=https://cymatics.fm/remix/cymatics-signal-wubble-remix/]here[/url]. (The Like button doesn't post to facebook, is an actual like button to vote)

[media]https://soundcloud.com/ohsabi-official/cymatics-signal-wubble-remix-1[/media][/QUOTE]

This is really big, great work on the percussion. Would be surprised if you don't win, it's really well produced.

__________________________________________________ ___________

I haven't been motivated to make anything in a couple of months but I finally forced myself to sit down and work

have this loop and I'm not sure where to go from here

[media]http://soundcloud.com/philmaah/wip-1000000[/media]

[Audix]

I just finished a edit /remix of the timesplitters neotokyo ost. [url]https://soundcloud.com/observeyourself/neotokyo[/url]

[Adeptus]

[QUOTE=Audix;51904327]I just finished a edit /remix of the timesplitters neotokyo ost. [url]https://soundcloud.com/observeyourself/neotokyo[/url][/QUOTE]

Rules man! Read the OP

[Ott]

[QUOTE=Adeptus;51905823]Rules man! Read the OP[/QUOTE]

Keyword: finished. He's not looking for feedback.

[Garry #2]

[QUOTE=Hobo4President;51898161]This is nice, very ominous but mysterious sounding at the same time.

I do like the lead synth and vocal sounding hit in the first few minutes but it gets quite monotonous going for so long without really any change except in the drums. The chords at the end I think could be much wider to give it some drive, consider more voices and a bit of detune.

That kick is fucking huge man, really makes the track drive and adds so much to the groove with the bassline. This is really quite catchy, great work. I mean the only problem I can think of is the mixing, if you were going for the drivey piano stuff then the piano is pretty drowned out but I think it works fine as is. No need to try and perfectly recreate a certain vibe if what you have sounds good.

This is really big, great work on the percussion. Would be surprised if you don't win, it's really well produced.

__________________________________________________ ___________

I haven't been motivated to make anything in a couple of months but I finally forced myself to sit down and work

have this loop and I'm not sure where to go from here

[media]http://soundcloud.com/philmaah/wip-1000000[/media][/QUOTE]

thats good shit dude. reminds me a lot of Epikur. What is the instrument supposed to be around the 16 second mark? Sounds like a guitar with some cool effects

[editline]3rd March 2017[/editline]

Not sure if anyone is into this type of music, but recently ive been working on this

[media]https://soundcloud.com/user-882964961/hero-revision-3[/media]

i intend to add vocals. without vocals the first half of it is pretty boring tbh

[Ott]

Did some sound design.

[video=youtube;W1vg9qwSRSc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1vg9qwSRSc[/video]

Would anybody be interested in making an analog hardware thread? I don't think I'm worthy as this MS-20 mini is the only synth I own.

[Unkle Dada]

[QUOTE=Ott;51910840]
Would anybody be interested in making an analog hardware thread?[/QUOTE]

Should be hardware synths in general TBH.

[Waffler]

[QUOTE=Garry #2;51906483]thats good shit dude. reminds me a lot of Epikur. What is the instrument supposed to be around the 16 second mark? Sounds like a guitar with some cool effects

[editline]3rd March 2017[/editline]

Not sure if anyone is into this type of music, but recently ive been working on this

[media]https://soundcloud.com/user-882964961/hero-revision-3[/media]

i intend to add vocals. without vocals the first half of it is pretty boring tbh[/QUOTE]

Dude, I could listen to this on hours on repeat! I fucking love the atmosphere that is going on in this track. That guitar work is amazing, it makes me want to get back into it! Good use of effects :) Mix could do some work, there are clashing frequencies. Overall the track is great so far. I'm picturing it as background music for a video game. I'd like to hear more, so I've followed ya!

I also have a new release for everyone! It's a Glitch Hop track (click the image)

[url=https://soundcloud.com/ohsabi-official/kung-fu-original-mix]
[img_thumb]http://i68.tinypic.com/oiun8w.png[/img_thumb][/url]

[Ott]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;51841845]Few guidelines then;
1) Completely new music
2) Mastered at -0.1dB. This means, just put a limiter on the track when it is finished at -0.1dB.
3) Be done by [B]March 31st[/B]

Anything else?

OH, we need album art. Anybody knows what number the latest was on?[/QUOTE]

Has anybody made any progress on this? I started one concept a week ago but I haven't felt inspired enough to get it past 2-bar loop stage. Instead I've been working on mixing my other, not-new track.

[XUZUL]

[QUOTE=Ott;51920063]Has anybody made any progress on this? I started one concept a week ago but I haven't felt inspired enough to get it past 2-bar loop stage. Instead I've been working on mixing my other, not-new track.[/QUOTE]

I just need to master mine

[Unkle Dada]

[QUOTE=Ott;51920063]Has anybody made any progress on this? I started one concept a week ago but I haven't felt inspired enough to get it past 2-bar loop stage. Instead I've been working on mixing my other, not-new track.[/QUOTE]

I'm bogged down with a university assignment for this week but I've got a half-finished electro-funk track that I think I can get done in time for the 31st.

[Xenoyia]

[QUOTE=Ott;51920063]Has anybody made any progress on this? I started one concept a week ago but I haven't felt inspired enough to get it past 2-bar loop stage. Instead I've been working on mixing my other, not-new track.[/QUOTE]

I've made a few already for this, and one I'm quite happy with!

Going to keep making new tracks so I have a nice choice tho.

[editline]7th March 2017[/editline]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;51841845]Few guidelines then;
1) Completely new music
2) Mastered at -0.1dB. This means, just put a limiter on the track when it is finished at -0.1dB.
3) Be done by [B]March 31st[/B]

Anything else?

OH, we need album art. Anybody knows what number the latest was on?[/QUOTE]

I believe we're on number 12 now, how about something kinda simple with warm colours?

[t]http://i.imgur.com/APVpFJe.jpg[/t]

[Garry #2]

[QUOTE=Waffler;51919485]Dude, I could listen to this on hours on repeat! I fucking love the atmosphere that is going on in this track. That guitar work is amazing, it makes me want to get back into it! Good use of effects :) Mix could do some work, there are clashing frequencies. Overall the track is great so far. I'm picturing it as background music for a video game. I'd like to hear more, so I've followed ya!

I also have a new release for everyone! It's a Glitch Hop track (click the image)

[url=https://soundcloud.com/ohsabi-official/kung-fu-original-mix]
[img_thumb]http://i68.tinypic.com/oiun8w.png[/img_thumb][/url][/QUOTE]

Thanks man! I am extremely new to this whole mixing and producing thing (that thing was the first thing I've ever recorded). What would you suggest I do to the track?

[Xenoyia]

[QUOTE=Garry #2;51906483]thats good shit dude. reminds me a lot of Epikur. What is the instrument supposed to be around the 16 second mark? Sounds like a guitar with some cool effects

[editline]3rd March 2017[/editline]

Not sure if anyone is into this type of music, but recently ive been working on this

[media]https://soundcloud.com/user-882964961/hero-revision-3[/media]

i intend to add vocals. without vocals the first half of it is pretty boring tbh[/QUOTE]

Definitely add vocals, it's a strong track but it could be so much more interesting with vocals.

I've been trying a few new styles:

Electro/House
[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/arcadia[/media]

Melodic Dubstep
[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/unbelievable-original-mix[/media]

idek, brostep?
[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/the-addams-family-dubstep-remix[/media]

[nonhuman]

[QUOTE=Lord Xenoyia;51936194]
Melodic Dubstep
[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/unbelievable-original-mix[/media][/QUOTE]

I just personally don't like vocals, but that's just me. I like the wackyness of the tune and the violin sounding synth alot tho, pretty good.

Here's my thing... i don't know if this is the sort of genre people like here but i love me some early styled cheesy trap beats.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/dayum-nonhuman/pear-eater-extremely-cheesy-brass-trap-beat[/media]
( This track is finished btw, i'm not really looking for any feedback. )

[Unkle Dada]

[QUOTE=nonhuman;51941156]
Here's my thing... i don't know if this is the sort of genre people like here but i love me some early styled cheesy trap beats.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/dayum-nonhuman/pear-eater-extremely-cheesy-brass-trap-beat[/media]
[/QUOTE]

You absolutely nailed the cheesiness. Sounds like it's straight out of a royalty-free production music library. (And in your case that's a good thing)

The gun sounds are a tiny little bit overpowering. The snare needs some compression and more oomph in general. The kick needs more of that aswell. The entire mix needs more bass.

[editline]11th March 2017[/editline]

[video]https://soundcloud.com/brotherworks/ambivalence-part-1[/video]

Fully tracked organ, guitar tracks graciously provided by friends, mixing is now close to finished.

[Xenoyia]

[QUOTE=UnknownDude;51944242]You absolutely nailed the cheesiness. Sounds like it's straight out of a royalty-free production music library. (And in your case that's a good thing)

The gun sounds are a tiny little bit overpowering. The snare needs some compression and more oomph in general. The kick needs more of that aswell. The entire mix needs more bass.

[editline]11th March 2017[/editline]

[video]https://soundcloud.com/brotherworks/ambivalence-part-1[/video]

Fully tracked organ, guitar tracks graciously provided by friends, mixing is now close to finished.[/QUOTE]

Love the tune, it's real catchy. Great job! Not sure if it's what you're going for, but it sounds like the lead is getting a little lost in the chords at 1:04~, but if you're still mixing that should be no problem.

Made something kinda retro-sounding
[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/ataristep[/media]

[Liam]

[QUOTE=UnknownDude;51944242]
[video]https://soundcloud.com/brotherworks/ambivalence-part-1[/video]

Fully tracked organ, guitar tracks graciously provided by friends, mixing is now close to finished.[/QUOTE]

what kind of hammond is that?

[Unkle Dada]

[QUOTE=Little Donny;51946156]what kind of hammond is that?[/QUOTE]

First half is Yamaha Reface YC, second half is Hammond SK-1. Both are run through a Leslie 760.

[Xenoyia]

So I've been learning mastering a little more, remastered three of my songs, hopefully this isn't against the rules because I gave feedback a few posts up :v:

[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/arcadia[/media]

[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/unbelievable-original-mix[/media]

[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/ataristep[/media]

thoughts?

[TimeBomb]

So I've come up with a new (to me) way to write music lately, I record several minutes of riffing to a metronome. Cut the ideas that work into usable blocks and make an arrangement and then go over it with final instruments change any parts that need to be changed, add harmonies, etc.

I recorded a couple of minutes of two bass guitars noodling on top of each other. Chopped them up and turned them into this:

[URL]https://www.dropbox.com/s/cc36lw01id9w9p5/Bass Ghost-Coast2Toast.mp3?dl=0[/URL]

I added some guitar parts, Glockenspiel, and even a synthesizer in the background I then rearranged the second half of the big middle part with a new guitar part and I ended up with this:

[video]https://youtu.be/4nWocbmsA3k [/video]

I did another between yesterday and today.

I started with two sloppy improv tracks:
[URL]https://www.dropbox.com/s/agk45rnh1vwmtma/METRO - IMPROV.mp3?dl=0[/URL]

I then edited that into a skeleton track with drums and any further overdubs:
[URL]https://www.dropbox.com/s/jxzme83lk4jwu62/METRO - Skeleton.mp3?dl=0[/URL]

and finally recorded the actual parts on top of it:

[URL]https://www.dropbox.com/s/ngpe6wwttt9ujqp/METRO - DAY 2.mp3?dl=0[/URL]

[Ghille]

[QUOTE=Lord Xenoyia;51860134]ok, I made something weird and bassy

[media]https://soundcloud.com/lukexvalentine/feel-the-beat[/media]
[/QUOTE]
The sort of sliding sound melody sounds kinda confused in terms of what notes are playing. I'd also personally would give the track more of an intro as opposed to instantly starting at the buildup, but it's not really a huge deal. Overall though, I think the track is more interesting than most other songs in the similar realm.

I'm working on this thing and it's pretty much almost finished.
[url]https://soundcloud.com/ghille556/2a-2/s-ZdHPf[/url]

Edit: Finished
[media]https://soundcloud.com/ghille556/square-window[/media]

[Ms. Gyroscope]

[QUOTE=TimeBomb;51956491]

and finally recorded the actual parts on top of it:

[URL]https://www.dropbox.com/s/ngpe6wwttt9ujqp/METRO - DAY 2.mp3?dl=0[/URL][/QUOTE]

God I fuckin Love this. ITs so sludgy and grimy and when those disto guitars come in it fucking compliments the vibes that the organ gives and everything. Fuckin Sick stuff!!

[editline]15th March 2017[/editline]

[QUOTE=Ghille;51956666]
Edit: Finished
[media]https://soundcloud.com/ghille556/square-window[/media][/QUOTE]

Ok I really like the lo-fi chip aestetic you got going on. But I cant help but think it would sound better if you kinda did some eq on the bassline and maybe boost the lows on the drum and eq out the high end just a tiny bit. It kinda gets a little swamped. All in all Tho I really like the idea.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/sugardust-afterimage[/media]
Ok so I made this like a month ago. I Felt like making some more more melodic Breakpop stuff at the time. Like my old Track poppy seed.

[MrDwarf11]

[t]http://i.magaimg.net/img/7z2.jpg[/t]

So I got this thing.

Anyways, if you guys want some cello samples for some odd reason I'll borrow a pickup, so just hit me up.

[Ott]

[vid]https://my.mixtape.moe/gdemxm.webm[/vid]

I love this DAW

[MilkBagz]

[QUOTE=MrDwarf11;51967652][t]http://i.magaimg.net/img/7z2.jpg[/t]

So I got this thing.

Anyways, if you guys want some cello samples for some odd reason I'll borrow a pickup, so just hit me up.[/QUOTE]

tbh that couch is fucking sick

[Ott]

[QUOTE=Ghille;51956666]The sort of sliding sound melody sounds kinda confused in terms of what notes are playing. I'd also personally would give the track more of an intro as opposed to instantly starting at the buildup, but it's not really a huge deal. Overall though, I think the track is more interesting than most other songs in the similar realm.

I'm working on this thing and it's pretty much almost finished.
[url]https://soundcloud.com/ghille556/2a-2/s-ZdHPf[/url]

Edit: Finished
[media]https://soundcloud.com/ghille556/square-window[/media][/QUOTE]

Great atmosphere. I dig the staccato-ness. Could use a little more movement during the 2 minute intro, add some sweeps in. The chip drone is good, very interesting. It's a little too harsh to be background music and a little too progressive to be foreground music. Honestly I don't have a whole lot to say about it other than that.

[video]https://soundcloud.com/ottworks/the-walk-wip[/video]

This will probably be my track for the collab album. I haven't really done any mixing/mastering other than sidechaining to the kick and dropping a preset on the master.