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

[video]https://youtu.be/Bxz6jShW-3E[/video] I was kind of losing my mind because it just hit me a few weeks ago that you can just get whole packs of 80's kits. How are more people not doing this :o I had to stop myself from making a whole contemporary Kraftwerk/Art of Noise kind of album because I think I really could. [url]https://soundcloud.com/wolfgangstubblefield/spoony-babies[/url]

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;52587076]This stuff sounds great, I kinda love the very end section that starts at about 3:34, it gets real muddy and reverby but there's some great rhythm going and it comes together great when it then comes down and ends. [editline]18th August 2017[/editline] It sounds real good, I just wish there was some sort of theme going through it, more variety in terms of chords and progression! [editline]18th August 2017[/editline] So I'm making music for this 3rd person arena laser-tag sorta shooter, but I really need some feedback. [url]https://soundcloud.com/messier-51/zg2/s-wyYiE[/url] I'm trying to get that tense but not in your face vibe, but I don't know if the whole grooviness takes away from it or if I'm just not managing my 16ths right or what's going on cause I'm not sure it's actiony enough and I can't tell if it's down to sound design and little tweaks to the progression or if the entire composition just set out in another direction from the start.[/QUOTE] It could really use some 16th hats to get the beat rolling. I'm not too sure how you can get both action-y and tense at the same time, but since you're in the context of a video game, why not swap between them? Create a tense mixdown with no beat and just ambience and sound effects, then create an action mixdown with the ambience and the music. And hi-hats. Maybe you could make a "climax" mixdown for those. Then, just crossfade between them depending on what happens in the game (go to action when you shoot, go to climax when you get shot?).

[QUOTE=Ott;52587791]It could really use some 16th hats to get the beat rolling. I'm not too sure how you can get both action-y and tense at the same time, but since you're in the context of a video game, why not swap between them? Create a tense mixdown with no beat and just ambience and sound effects, then create an action mixdown with the ambience and the music. And hi-hats. Maybe you could make a "climax" mixdown for those. Then, just crossfade between them depending on what happens in the game (go to action when you shoot, go to climax when you get shot?).[/QUOTE] So do you think I should focus less on melodic synth design and more ambient stuff to get it more tense and urgent?

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;52589983]So do you think I should focus less on melodic synth design and more ambient stuff to get it more tense and urgent?[/QUOTE] It will help. It's more about the contrast between ambient and action that'll make it effective when you switch between the two. Build up suspense before the beat kicks in, you know?

Would plugging a piezo pickup into a guitar buffer pedal make it more usable with a electric guitar amp (or anything else that's not a dedicated acoustic amp)?

[QUOTE=Ott;52590814]It will help. It's more about the contrast between ambient and action that'll make it effective when you switch between the two. Build up suspense before the beat kicks in, you know?[/QUOTE] [url]https://soundcloud.com/messier-51/grave-danger/s-SELLY[/url] I messed around with a new project, I think this one got a bit more urgency to it. It's less groovy, but it's on a higher tempo which I'm starting to think is the main issue with the previous one I made.

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;52591383][url]https://soundcloud.com/messier-51/grave-danger/s-SELLY[/url] I messed around with a new project, I think this one got a bit more urgency to it. It's less groovy, but it's on a higher tempo which I'm starting to think is the main issue with the previous one I made.[/QUOTE] The feel of this one is much better. You should make the bass stab pump more like you had on the last one, it's a bit static as is. Also, when the 16th hats come back in, experiment with having some hits open and some hits closed. This is really good, I'm getting hyped just listening to it. I love that echo-ey synth that comes in with the beat.

Decided to try some "fuck the chords, pitch shift it" [video]https://soundcloud.com/ottworks/module-wip[/video]

[QUOTE=Ott;52591989]Decided to try some "fuck the chords, pitch shift it" [video]https://soundcloud.com/ottworks/module-wip[/video][/QUOTE] the drums sound unnatural to me, I think it could benefit from some more reverb and maybe more hihats playing alongside the kick & snare so that the current hats don't stick out so much

[QUOTE=Ott;52591989]Decided to try some "fuck the chords, pitch shift it" [video]https://soundcloud.com/ottworks/module-wip[/video][/QUOTE] I really like this. Only criticism I can think of is the way the bass comes in. It felt like some low-grindy-saw eargasm was about to happen after a minute of that beat. Like it should be Intro -> teaser bassline for a couple bars -> current bassline -> current rest of song. Tease us there for whats to come later.

[QUOTE=MedicWine;52592373]I really like this. Only criticism I can think of is the way the bass comes in. It felt like some low-grindy-saw eargasm was about to happen after a minute of that beat. Like it should be Intro -> teaser bassline for a couple bars -> current bassline -> current rest of song. Tease us there for whats to come later.[/QUOTE] Can you elaborate more on this? Should I change my bass to be more growly? The bass is present throughout the whole song, starting from where the beat kicks in. Currently it starts simple and gradually increases in complexity, are you saying I should put the "finale" first as a teaser?

[QUOTE=Ott;52592629]Can you elaborate more on this? Should I change my bass to be more growly? The bass is present throughout the whole song, starting from where the beat kicks in. Currently it starts simple and gradually increases in complexity, are you saying I should put the "finale" first as a teaser?[/QUOTE] Sorry bassline might not be the right words. You'll have to pardon my autism on getting some elaboration out of me, words can be very difficult with music. I've been at this post for like an hour now haha. After many listens and many rewrites of this post:. Like yea personal preference obviously but something about the 4th loop of that vocal chop makes my ears want any sort of cool drop to happen, and instead we're launched right into the chill section of your song. Then later we're bumpin hard, that end section is fire. Why don't you do a drop at the ~0:50 section and then transition into the chill part? I feel like that part sounds great but it's steak for breakfast. If you wanna send me a screenie of what the DAW looks like, I can doodle over it MS Paint and show you what I think should go where, I just don't know how comfortable I feel going that far. I'll nitpick but I dont wanna just re-write/re-arrange a whole song just because it doesn't fit my tastes.

[QUOTE=MedicWine;52592824]Sorry bassline might not be the right words. You'll have to pardon my autism on getting some elaboration out of me, words can be very difficult with music. I've been at this post for like an hour now haha. After many listens and many rewrites of this post:. Like yea personal preference obviously but something about the 4th loop of that vocal chop makes my ears want any sort of cool drop to happen, and instead we're launched right into the chill section of your song. Then later we're bumpin hard, that end section is fire. Why don't you do a drop at the ~0:50 section and then transition into the chill part? I feel like that part sounds great but it's steak for breakfast. If you wanna send me a screenie of what the DAW looks like, I can doodle over it MS Paint and show you what I think should go where, I just don't know how comfortable I feel going that far. I'll nitpick but I dont wanna just re-write/re-arrange a whole song just because it doesn't fit my tastes.[/QUOTE] Sure, here's a picture: [t]https://my.mixtape.moe/tbmxhh.png[/t] and also an [url=https://clyp.it/pzhutjje]updated render[/url]

[QUOTE=Ott;52593541]Sure, here's a picture: [t]https://my.mixtape.moe/tbmxhh.png[/t] and also an [url=https://clyp.it/pzhutjje]updated render[/url][/QUOTE] Okay so I have to say, that by the very nature of music, every time I listen to it I "unhear" my version a little bit more. At this point with the updated render, I'm starting to feel bad for even saying anything because it sounds fine now. But if you want my thoughts I'm happy to give them. [img]http://i.imgur.com/AzotZ8o.png[/img] You know when music does stuff that plays with the idea of breaking rules, and it sounds refreshing? I feel like Record 04 is building up so you can 'break' a musical rule if you know what I mean. Like, it's just [I]too[/I] proper for what I thought was gunna be there. And honestly, would never have pointed this out if the ending didn't totally deliver on the same effect. Basically the green boxes symbolize not the actual patterns themselves but the 'groove' of them. These need to be the parts where I bounce my head the hardest. This is why this is hard for me, I cant just fiddle with it until it grooves there. You also can't just copy the patterns from the end without it being just a stitch-together. It's a weird sentiment but the first listen of that song was "ooh this is really good, but you can you put more ____ where that purple arrow goes?" and these posts have just been me opening the floodgates to my brain trying to fill in what that blank should be. That's really how I make music honestly and if I didn't really like my own stuff, I wouldn't be telling other musicians anything about their work because I'm extremely extremely self-taught. I didn't wanna compare it at first because its not about sounding sonically the same [I]at all[/I], and not everybody likes him, but [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEwjkJJW_zU]some songs[/url] give you Patrick Batemen face to listen to. I can't hear that beat without going "oo yea" in my head. I just got that same feeling from module and thats why I'm tryna iron it out. Like how heartbeat has those 16th notes that break up how long the longer notes are? "duuuuuum duuuuuuuum bumpadumpa buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum buuuuum" I feel like your song is analogous to heartbeat that's missing some of those faster notes. Still a good song, but it [I]needs[/I] that.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/wolfgangstubblefield/boom-boom-clap-lying-on-the-news[/media] I keep making these dumb one-offs just because I want to use a sample that doesn't fit musically.

[QUOTE=MedicWine;52594642][media]https://soundcloud.com/wolfgangstubblefield/boom-boom-clap-lying-on-the-news[/media] I keep making these dumb one-offs just because I want to use a sample that doesn't fit musically.[/QUOTE] The "lead" sounds like it's in F major, while the other synth sounds like it's in D minor. The two scales share the same notes, but the lead sounds really out of place when it's major in such an edgy (for lack of a nicer word) song. As for the beat, you kind of over-use the toms. Sounds more like a jungle theme than a sick beat. It could generally use more elements, it's a bit sparse at the moment.

[QUOTE=Ott;52594922]The "lead" sounds like it's in F major, while the other synth sounds like it's in D minor. The two scales share the same notes, but the lead sounds really out of place when it's major in such an edgy (for lack of a nicer word) song. As for the beat, you kind of over-use the toms. Sounds more like a jungle theme than a sick beat. It could generally use more elements, it's a bit sparse at the moment.[/QUOTE] I was going to say the same. The lead and some of the piano chords sound off in the current scale you have them in. However, I really lke the mastering on your drums and percussions. That's something I'm still struggling with as well as transitions and music progression. Love the glichyness as well!! Here's something I just finished working on that I feel could be better but I was letting it sit for too long and I fell out of love with it and just finished it not entirely as planned. What are some of your techniques for mastering? I'm using FL Studio. [video]https://soundcloud.com/chronicsynths/into-the-void-ft-stephen-hawking[/video] Also how do you post the link with the soundcloud widget included?

[QUOTE=Cpt.Hubba;52603576]I was going to say the same. The lead and some of the piano chords sound off in the current scale you have them in. However, I really lke the mastering on your drums and percussions. That's something I'm still struggling with as well as transitions and music progression. Love the glichyness as well!! Here's something I just finished working on that I feel could be better but I was letting it sit for too long and I fell out of love with it and just finished it not entirely as planned. What are some of your techniques for mastering? I'm using FL Studio. [url]https://soundcloud.com/chronicsynths/into-the-void-ft-stephen-hawking[/url] Also how do you post the link with the soundcloud widget included?[/QUOTE] Oh damn this is groovy. I love that lead. The arp that comes in at 2:41 sounds like the notes aren't quite right though. This track has a great sense of progression and if you ever change your mind about working on it, I'd suggest a section where you slowly increase the tempo and get faster and faster before resetting to normal speed. You can use video tags, by the way.

[QUOTE=Ott;52604708]Oh damn this is groovy. I love that lead. The arp that comes in at 2:41 sounds like the notes aren't quite right though. This track has a great sense of progression and if you ever change your mind about working on it, I'd suggest a section where you slowly increase the tempo and get faster and faster before resetting to normal speed. You can use video tags, by the way.[/QUOTE] Yea theres a chord change in the arp. The notes are the same as the main background chords but the way i have them makes the F and G cause a note dissonance. I tried doing that once but FL Studio's automation clips are the worst. Are there any other ways? I appreciate the compliment! I've still got a lot of work to do, and right now chords are hard because I have to use my computer keyboard due to my M-Audio frying out on me :/

[QUOTE=Cpt.Hubba;52605329]I have to use my computer keyboard due to my M-Audio frying out on me :/[/QUOTE] rip, I just bought one the other day Feels great having an actual keyboard in front of me after playing music off a computer keyboard for years. It's intimidating as shit though 'cause I haven't played piano in ages and I can't just naturally lean on my go-to scale for writing - the classic "z s d v g h j q 2 3 r 5 6 7 i 9 0 [ ]" scale. [URL="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8brr7ey1re7co8z/20170824_230239.mp4?dl=0"]also been working on some kind of excuse for a tongue drum made out of a propane tank (it's not tuned yet, the markings are just for reference while I fuck everything up trying to cut into it)[/URL]

[QUOTE=Cpt.Hubba;52605329]Yea theres a chord change in the arp. The notes are the same as the main background chords but the way i have them makes the F and G cause a note dissonance. I tried doing that once but FL Studio's automation clips are the worst. Are there any other ways? I appreciate the compliment! I've still got a lot of work to do, and right now chords are hard because I have to use my computer keyboard due to my M-Audio frying out on me :/[/QUOTE] Yeah the arp sounds totally fine dude. Good sense of harmony. Slow arpeggios like this are the perfect place to squeeze in unexpected notes. I was expecting something like when rappers mismatch major and minor scale parts.

Thanks for the feedback! The more I listen to it the more I wish I changed but I'm glad people like it as is. I wanted to ennunciate the lead a little more. I accidentally turned the master down too far before exporting. Also, awesome propane drum.

[QUOTE=FFStudios;52566708]if I could describe this in two words, I would say it is "rather good". it's very subtle, it doesn't attack your ears with high end, but it sounds a little muffled towards the 3 minute mark and on. I think it's the kick that's just a little overwhelming, but it provides a good amount of substance to the mix. I feel like this would also sound good if it was slowed down vaporwave style for some reason. it's got that modern take on 80s new-age mall music and I mean that in a really good way. it could be background music in one of Dan Bell's videos, for example. here's a new thing I started today, already 3 iterations deep on it. i feel like i am cranking out lots of demos but not lots of full songs. this one has potential in my opinion [media]https://soundcloud.com/murbleyarchive/bwllz_3[/media][/QUOTE] This is really cool, I could easily see some piano going over this [editline]27th August 2017[/editline] Thing i finally released after procrastinating: [video=youtube;2RWcW3oEQic]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RWcW3oEQic&feature=youtu.be[/video]

[QUOTE=Clovis;52617606]Sorry this isn't really feedback, but if I want to post something here that i've finished, can i make a thread for my album in creationism corner? or videos/flash/that kind of crap? ive seen a couple musicians post their stuff before and i cant remember where the appropriate area to do so is[/QUOTE] Videos & Flash. Creationism Corner barely gets any activity at all.

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;52591383][url]https://soundcloud.com/messier-51/grave-danger/s-SELLY[/url] I messed around with a new project, I think this one got a bit more urgency to it. It's less groovy, but it's on a higher tempo which I'm starting to think is the main issue with the previous one I made.[/QUOTE] I liked both tracks actually, they have a lot of potential. If you're looking to bring a feeling of action to them, try adding sounds that take up high frequencies, like cymbals, white noise and "bright" synths, since high frequencies tend to give an "energetic" feel. If you break up the sounds a lot (like you did in the 16th high hats and the bass), you also will get a feeling of "speed". Check out this track to see what I mean (it's from a racing game): [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrI9dKbY5GI[/url] For tension you can use long, sustained notes and effects like sweeps and risers. Also little breaks in which you completely stop playing the low frequency content for a bit can create a lot of tension. What Ott said is good also. [QUOTE=Cpt.Hubba;52603576] Here's something I just finished working on that I feel could be better but I was letting it sit for too long and I fell out of love with it and just finished it not entirely as planned. What are some of your techniques for mastering? I'm using FL Studio. [video]https://soundcloud.com/chronicsynths/into-the-void-ft-stephen-hawking[/video] Also how do you post the link with the soundcloud widget included?[/QUOTE] Your track gives me Solar Fields kinda vibes, pretty nice. For mastering I put a Maximus in my master slot, go to "MASTER", turn the "soft saturation threshold" to, like, 10% mode A and raise the post gain until I almost hear distortion on the loudest part of the track, and that's it. However, I have to make sure that the mix is as good as possible before doing this. [QUOTE=SIRIUS;52617793] [editline]27th August 2017[/editline] Thing i finally released after procrastinating: [/QUOTE] Great progression there. I would have made the drums stand out more, but I quite like it.

[QUOTE=skylox;52620281]I liked both tracks actually, they have a lot of potential. If you're looking to bring a feeling of action to them, try adding sounds that take up high frequencies, like cymbals, white noise and "bright" synths, since high frequencies tend to give an "energetic" feel. If you break up the sounds a lot (like you did in the 16th high hats and the bass), you also will get a feeling of "speed". Check out this track to see what I mean (it's from a racing game): [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrI9dKbY5GI[/url] For tension you can use long, sustained notes and effects like sweeps and risers. Also little breaks in which you completely stop playing the low frequency content for a bit can create a lot of tension. What Ott said is good also. Your track gives me Solar Fields kinda vibes, pretty nice. For mastering I put a Maximus in my master slot, go to "MASTER", turn the "soft saturation threshold" to, like, 10% mode A and raise the post gain until I almost hear distortion on the loudest part of the track, and that's it. However, I have to make sure that the mix is as good as possible before doing this. Great progression there. I would have made the drums stand out more, but I quite like it.[/QUOTE] I'll give that a shot on my next track. I'm having a bit of a creationism block currently. Been making too much music and I'm burned out from work :/ Thank though! Also, I just looked up Solar Flare and I really dig this. I'm already feeling some inspiration. I've been listening to too much Flume lately thanks for the info!

[QUOTE=SIRIUS;52617793]This is really cool, I could easily see some piano going over this [editline]27th August 2017[/editline] Thing i finally released after procrastinating: [video=youtube;2RWcW3oEQic]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RWcW3oEQic&feature=youtu.be[/video][/QUOTE] I really like this. I keep thinking it's going to drop into something crazy but it stays chill. Good work man. Here's something I've been messing around with today: [URL="https://clyp.it/r5mj3iyr"]https://clyp.it/r5mj3iyr[/URL]]

Do any of you do "sound mastering/mixing"? When you blend music, sound effects and dialogue, usually for films?

Quick question, how do the new Macbooks do in terms of music production: 1)How is Ableton performance? 2)Is USB-C picking up among MIDI keyboard manufacturers (or music hardware in general)? I suspect I'd need a dongle anyhow...

can't say anything to 1), but for 2) I think it's obvious that manufacturers won't switch to usb-c, it just doesn't make any sense if the majority use the standard usb plug.