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

[killerteacup]

[B]I just chucked a link in the OP to the discord. Would recommend joining, so far its been really helpful! We discuss a lot of theory and give each other tips on plugins and cool resources.
[/B]

[QUOTE=Ott;53031143]Sea Monster feels like it needs to drop into some sick-ass synthwave with that arpeggio, but it never does. It kinda feels like it should be an interlude between tracks. On the second track, the drums feel like they're lower quality than everything else. I really dig the acidic synth. The steel drum (lol) kinda sticks out, like it's not playing in time. Actually, it feels like you're crossfading between two different tracks in a DJ mix because they conflict so much. I really liked the rhythm part at the end. Eek Rainbow Launcher sounds like it could be a sick Rob Dougan track, but then it goes into major key. Very C418. I love the binaural(?) percussion in Audiotrack 2, it sounds like it's in the room with you. 1:06 is fuckin' sick with that violin in the right channel, I wish there was more of it. With Love is just an all around great track, It sticks to its guns and delivers a focused experience. The harmony is always there, leading you through the track. I feel like you should swap Chi with With Love so you leave the album with a good feeling, though. Chi is just too dissonant. If you want ambient soundscapes for your album closer, make sure it's pleasant to listen to, ya know? [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivBQHsSkeic]Like this one[/url].

I feel like there's some hidden gems in this album, but you're too busy experimenting with other things to explore and develop them further. I'm getting a lot of C418 vibes from this, which I like. Favorite track: With Love.

Hey I got back in the groove of being groovy!
[video]https://soundcloud.com/ottworks/the-way-we-want-it-to-be[/video][/QUOTE]

I really like this a lot, great command of rhythm here, though I feel like the first verse suffers from a lack of variation. It drags before the melody comes in and then the melody could do with being more pronounced after that. That said it is really good!

[media]http://soundcloud.com/teacarp/electric-whip[/media]

I did a thing myself, first thing I've done in like...a while. First upload in literally an entire year. It could do with being a bit louder but apart from that I'm happy with how it turned out.

[Flaming Spaz]

Does/has anyone used Bitwig Studio? I'm having a weird issue with the Delay-2 plugin, it's giving me a weird kind of crackling noise and I don't know if that's a knob I can turn off or unintentional. Here's an example:

[url]https://soundcloud.com/yousef-alam/delaything/s-0ITGr[/url] (Mix is at 100% so it's easier to hear what im talking about)

This is what I've got:

[img]https://yalam.co.uk/i/XR5E.png[/img]

Failing that, could someone tell me what the 3 and 7 means as a time signature so I can use a different delay plugin? I'm thinking it's close to 1/8T and 1/4T or 1/2T?

[editline]13th January 2018[/editline]

[QUOTE=killerteacup;53050373][B]I just chucked a link in the OP to the discord. Would recommend joining, so far its been really helpful! We discuss a lot of theory and give each other tips on plugins and cool resources.
[/B]

I really like this a lot, great command of rhythm here, though I feel like the first verse suffers from a lack of variation. It drags before the melody comes in and then the melody could do with being more pronounced after that. That said it is really good!

[media]http://soundcloud.com/teacarp/electric-whip[/media]

I did a thing myself, first thing I've done in like...a while. First upload in literally an entire year. It could do with being a bit louder but apart from that I'm happy with how it turned out.[/QUOTE]

I really like the drums on this.

[Ott]

[QUOTE=FlamingSpaz;53050374]Does/has anyone used Bitwig Studio? I'm having a weird issue with the Delay-2 plugin, it's giving me a weird kind of crackling noise and I don't know if that's a knob I can turn off or unintentional. Here's an example:

[url]https://soundcloud.com/yousef-alam/delaything/s-0ITGr[/url] (Mix is at 100% so it's easier to hear what im talking about)

This is what I've got:

[img]https://yalam.co.uk/i/XR5E.png[/img]

Failing that, could someone tell me what the 3 and 7 means as a time signature so I can use a different delay plugin? I'm thinking it's close to 1/8T and 1/4T or 1/2T?

[editline]13th January 2018[/editline]

I really like the drums on this.[/QUOTE]

The 3 and 7 means 3/16ths and 7/16ths.

[Arid]

[URL="https://soundcloud.com/branden-borysewich/the-way-out"]Whill Kreate - The Way Out[/URL] (soundcloud link) - Here's my new song. It's a rock/ rap vibe, so a bit different. I'd be very pleased to hear any feedback.

[killerteacup]

[QUOTE=aridpheonix;53052753][URL="https://soundcloud.com/branden-borysewich/the-way-out"]Whill Kreate - The Way Out[/URL] (soundcloud link) - Here's my new song. It's a rock/ rap vibe, so a bit different. I'd be very pleased to hear any feedback.[/QUOTE]

Hey man:

[img]http://i.imgur.com/PkIcdAf.png[/img]

Top of the OP :)

[mkultra2018]

[QUOTE=killerteacup;53050373]

[media]http://soundcloud.com/teacarp/electric-whip[/media]

I did a thing myself, first thing I've done in like...a while. First upload in literally an entire year. It could do with being a bit louder but apart from that I'm happy with how it turned out.[/QUOTE]

I really like the atmospheres that you build with your sounds. It gives off a very vivid colour pallet which I really like, The mastering is also quite good. Good job man.

So, I know I posted this before and thanks Ott. I really like your tracks too, I think you should work on your mastering.

After listening to it a few times, I added two more tracks and then realised that I actually had the arrangement backwards.

So, uploaded a band camp version which you can download for free. Highly suggest as like Ott pointed out, I have a lot of sound trickery and lossless formats really give them an awesome

[url]https://omtheory.bandcamp.com/album/the-power-of-now[/url]

Also, SC updated version

[media]https://soundcloud.com/lewislancastermusic/sets/the-power-of-now[/media]

[MrJazzy]

I feel like I'm getting nowhere with my electronic music production, creatively especially. I'm trying to put together a bunch of "acoustic" songs and I'm just trying to get enough of them "finished" enough so that I can feel good about showing my friend them and see if he'd be up for helping me make music out of it and try it with a band. I feel like when I just let go and make music happen it ends up being mostly blues and blues inspired stuff and I just can't express that inner musical love of mine very well through electronic music.

[editline]16th January 2018[/editline]

Atleast not yet. I'm not done trying forever, just for now.

[ayay]

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;53056871]I feel like I'm getting nowhere with my electronic music production, creatively especially. I'm trying to put together a bunch of "acoustic" songs and I'm just trying to get enough of them "finished" enough so that I can feel good about showing my friend them and see if he'd be up for helping me make music out of it and try it with a band. I feel like when I just let go and make music happen it ends up being mostly blues and blues inspired stuff and I just can't express that inner musical love of mine very well through electronic music.

[editline]16th January 2018[/editline]

Atleast not yet. I'm not done trying forever, just for now.[/QUOTE]

I feel you man, for years i only felt comfortable with indie, folk some jazz and metal and thats what i made since i started creating music on the guitar. Everytime i sat and tried to work on something for electronic, hiphop, soul etc it just didnt come out right. It was frustrating because i loved those genres too and wanted to create in that style.

It changed when i started on some more post-metal style atmospheric spacey effects laden songs which fit in well with the early rise of soundcloud electronic. But then i buckled down and really delved into more jazz and all of the sudden i found myself able to come up with chord progressions for anything and im making hip hop, electronic and the like all the time now, in a way i only used to dream about.

Guess i mean to say is dont give up, keep learning and hold onto your unique style. Stylistically my playing is very quirky and thats held through during all my years of creating, regardless of genre and it shows in my music. Experiment. Learn. Experiment. Learn. Find what would make a piece of electronic music 'you'.

[Speedhax]

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;53056871]I feel like I'm getting nowhere with my electronic music production, creatively especially. I'm trying to put together a bunch of "acoustic" songs and I'm just trying to get enough of them "finished" enough so that I can feel good about showing my friend them and see if he'd be up for helping me make music out of it and try it with a band. I feel like when I just let go and make music happen it ends up being mostly blues and blues inspired stuff and I just can't express that inner musical love of mine very well through electronic music.

[editline]16th January 2018[/editline]

Atleast not yet. I'm not done trying forever, just for now.[/QUOTE]

I've made blues electronic music before. I just use the blues scale lmao.

[MrJazzy]

[QUOTE=Speedhax;53058163]I've made blues electronic music before. I just use the blues scale lmao.[/QUOTE]

Sure but there's more to it than just making use of the pentatonic scale with some blue notes in there imo.

[Llamaboy9]

Used to play a bunch of bass back in college, but really lost touch with creating music the past 5 or so years due to life in general. I've been trying to pick up guitar and would love to somehow listen to both music on my PC and play at the same time through the same headphones. I have a toddler and live in an apartment, so I'm pretty much stuck on headphones.

Anyone have any suggestion for low latency ways of hooking a guitar up through a PC? I've done some google searching, but it seems like everywhere I look is pretty saturated with not-so-helpful reviews/suggestions.

[ayay]

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;53058291]Sure but there's more to it than just making use of the pentatonic scale with some blue notes in there imo.[/QUOTE]

Listen to some neo-soul/future funk, there tends to be a lot of blues rooted style there but its thoroughly electronic in direction.

[Skeeter]

[QUOTE=Llamaboy9;53058364]Used to play a bunch of bass back in college, but really lost touch with creating music the past 5 or so years due to life in general. I've been trying to pick up guitar and would love to somehow listen to both music on my PC and play at the same time through the same headphones. I have a toddler and live in an apartment, so I'm pretty much stuck on headphones.

Anyone have any suggestion for low latency ways of hooking a guitar up through a PC? I've done some google searching, but it seems like everywhere I look is pretty saturated with not-so-helpful reviews/suggestions.[/QUOTE]

A Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 will get you going. It's an external soundcard that allows recording of up to two instruments at the same time without any latency. :)

[bok306]

[QUOTE=killerteacup;53050373]

[media]http://soundcloud.com/teacarp/electric-whip[/media]

I did a thing myself, first thing I've done in like...a while. First upload in literally an entire year. It could do with being a bit louder but apart from that I'm happy with how it turned out.[/QUOTE]

I really like the vibe i get from this. And as others said, really good mixing!

I sat down last night and started on a new track:

[media]https://soundcloud.com/bok306/breakingpoint[/media]

[Meller Yeller]

[QUOTE=bok306;53064415]I really like the vibe i get from this. And as others said, really good mixing!

I sat down last night and started on a new track:

[media]https://soundcloud.com/bok306/breakingpoint[/media][/QUOTE]

I like this a lot! It's got a really nice groove, but I would have some sort of break or variance in the beat somewhere before the end.

Just about ready to call this track done. I'm pretty new at this, so I'm just trying to get into the habit of finishing things so I can actually improve a little. Any and all feedback is much appreciated.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/jared-tapp/incoming-arrival[/media]

[Chonks]

[QUOTE=bok306;53064415]I really like the vibe i get from this. And as others said, really good mixing!

I sat down last night and started on a new track:

[media]https://soundcloud.com/bok306/breakingpoint[/media][/QUOTE]

Sounds dope man. I really dig the sequence from 1:30 onward. The high pitch click part of the percussion feels a little sharp on my ears, but that might just be because I'm focusing too much on it.

[bok306]

[QUOTE=chonks;53065249]Sounds dope man. I really dig the sequence from 1:40 onward. The high pitch click part of the percussion feels a little sharp on my ears, but that might just be because I'm focusing too much on it.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! Yes, and it's not mastered so that will be fixed!

[killerteacup]

[QUOTE=Meller Yeller;53064771]I like this a lot! It's got a really nice groove, but I would have some sort of break or variance in the beat somewhere before the end.

Just about ready to call this track done. I'm pretty new at this, so I'm just trying to get into the habit of finishing things so I can actually improve a little. Any and all feedback is much appreciated.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/oexia/incoming-arrival[/media][/QUOTE]

Dude. This is fucking sick. That bass line and the flutes and just, man. Legit.

[billeh!]

[QUOTE=aridpheonix;53052753][URL="https://soundcloud.com/branden-borysewich/the-way-out"]Whill Kreate - The Way Out[/URL] (soundcloud link) - Here's my new song. It's a rock/ rap vibe, so a bit different. I'd be very pleased to hear any feedback.[/QUOTE]

I enjoyed this first of all. It was entertaining and I relate to the lyrics personally. Beat and feel was dope, it's a unique vibe. You have your own style, mad props to that.

Man your flow is outrageous. I felt that. You have a future I bet. Idk much about rap though so noob opinion.

Criticism: the lyrics are about personal development, but the way it's framed isn't relatable. All the rappers that get big do so because they communicate first, then the metaphors follow from there. What I mean is it's easy to play with metaphors. It's easy to put your own story down on paper cuz it happens naturally. But going beyond your own and living life out in the same places where your listeners are is where it's at.

But man you're doing fine. Great job dude'

[editline]20th January 2018[/editline]

I should mention that I'm reacting to your work too, so my advice is too extreme in a way. I'm like trying to counterbalance you, dig? :v:

[Meller Yeller]

[QUOTE=killerteacup;53067155]Dude. This is fucking sick. That bass line and the flutes and just, man. Legit.[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much! This is basically the first thing I've felt okay enough with to post so it means a lot.
Yeah I'm super into funk and disco stuff, so that's what I'm usually trying to make. Even though it seems like that's declined in popularity a lot in the past few years.

[Ghille]

[QUOTE=Meller Yeller;53064771]I like this a lot! It's got a really nice groove, but I would have some sort of break or variance in the beat somewhere before the end.

Just about ready to call this track done. I'm pretty new at this, so I'm just trying to get into the habit of finishing things so I can actually improve a little. Any and all feedback is much appreciated.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/oexia/incoming-arrival[/media][/QUOTE]

This bassline is funky as fuck. The only thing I'd say that sounds a little off is the flutes at about 1:55, one note seems off.

I made a song and visuals. I got inspired by three chord garage punk songs.
[video]https://youtu.be/YU35wUwO4RU[/video]

[Skeeter]

[QUOTE=Ghille;53076329]This bassline is funky as fuck. The only thing I'd say that sounds a little off is the flutes at about 1:55, one note seems off.

I made a song and visuals. I got inspired by three chord garage punk songs.
[video]https://youtu.be/YU35wUwO4RU[/video][/QUOTE]

I love the drums. That's the first thing that caught my mind (because well, they're the first thing, but also because they have a really, really nice dry sound to them).
I think what caught me off guard a bit is the synthesizer, mostly because I read where you got your inspiration from. That however, is a thought that leaves just as the chord progressions keeps on pumping. It's a very sweet progression, and combined with the visuals keeps your head bobbing.

And then, the melody comes. Wow. Just, wow. I am absolutely enthralled by it, why is this song not 2 hours and 50 minutes instead of 2 minutes and 50 seconds? I can't envision this song being anything but this chord progression and the pumping drums. Maybe some vocals? I really, really like this song (if it wasn't apparent by the praise :v: ) and I think some sort of doomy "We should totally hang out and leave this town oh and maybe burn it down while we're at it I don't know you in" lyrics would propel this into infinity and beyond.

You've found something golden here my friend, that's for sure.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/skriket/little-white-flower-ft-skriket[/media]
A friend of mine produces dnb, I'm a huge fan of his and this beat in particular caught my attention and made me visualize so many things that I asked for permission to build on it, and well, here it is!

[Meller Yeller]

Not sure if anybody uses FL, but I'm a bit confused on the best way to vary the pitch of sample chops.

So let's say I have a loop of a guitar or other instrument/vocals that I throw into Slicex. What's the best/simplest way to vary the pitch when I repeat the same slices in a pattern and stay in key? Is this something maybe Pitcher or Newtone would work well for?

[Ghille]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;53083198]I love the drums. That's the first thing that caught my mind (because well, they're the first thing, but also because they have a really, really nice dry sound to them).
I think what caught me off guard a bit is the synthesizer, mostly because I read where you got your inspiration from. That however, is a thought that leaves just as the chord progressions keeps on pumping. It's a very sweet progression, and combined with the visuals keeps your head bobbing.

And then, the melody comes. Wow. Just, wow. I am absolutely enthralled by it, why is this song not 2 hours and 50 minutes instead of 2 minutes and 50 seconds? I can't envision this song being anything but this chord progression and the pumping drums. Maybe some vocals? I really, really like this song (if it wasn't apparent by the praise :v: ) and I think some sort of doomy "We should totally hang out and leave this town oh and maybe burn it down while we're at it I don't know you in" lyrics would propel this into infinity and beyond.

You've found something golden here my friend, that's for sure.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/skriket/little-white-flower-ft-skriket[/media]
A friend of mine produces dnb, I'm a huge fan of his and this beat in particular caught my attention and made me visualize so many things that I asked for permission to build on it, and well, here it is![/QUOTE]

It really means a lot to hear how much you enjoy it.

I really enjoy when people blend DNB and distorted guitars, especially when it blends in as well as this.

[Drasnus]

I'm not sure whether I should post this here or the hardware forum but I imagine you guys will have experience with this stuff.

I'm currently trying to record a synthesizer. I've got line outputs going into an audio interface, and then the interface connects to my PC with a usb cable. This setup is fine and it records perfectly.
When I connect another usb cable from my PC to my synthesizer so that I can send midi arrangements to it then anything I record now contains very faint noise. It sounds like this:
[URL]https://my.mixtape.moe/lypeos.mp3[/URL]
I turned up the volume by about 20db.

Is this a ground loop, or something else? I've googled around a lot but I don't want to buy an expensive piece of hardware to fix things unless I'm sure I'll need to.

[Speedhax]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;53083198]I love the drums. That's the first thing that caught my mind (because well, they're the first thing, but also because they have a really, really nice dry sound to them).
I think what caught me off guard a bit is the synthesizer, mostly because I read where you got your inspiration from. That however, is a thought that leaves just as the chord progressions keeps on pumping. It's a very sweet progression, and combined with the visuals keeps your head bobbing.

And then, the melody comes. Wow. Just, wow. I am absolutely enthralled by it, why is this song not 2 hours and 50 minutes instead of 2 minutes and 50 seconds? I can't envision this song being anything but this chord progression and the pumping drums. Maybe some vocals? I really, really like this song (if it wasn't apparent by the praise :v: ) and I think some sort of doomy "We should totally hang out and leave this town oh and maybe burn it down while we're at it I don't know you in" lyrics would propel this into infinity and beyond.

You've found something golden here my friend, that's for sure.

[URL="https://facepunch.com/"]Listen to Soundcloud recording[/URL]

[URL]https://soundcloud.com/skriket/little-white-flower-ft-skriket[/URL]

A friend of mine produces dnb, I'm a huge fan of his and this beat in particular caught my attention and made me visualize so many things that I asked for permission to build on it, and well, here it is![/QUOTE]

I think this could be cool, the background "keyboard" sound that plays throughout the whole track should probably be muted at some points. I feel like it makes the other parts feel too much like the same. I like the backwards parts too, reminds me of those majoras mask remixes.

Here's something less than a minute, it's not mixed or mastered

[media]https://soundcloud.com/blazing234/a-half[/media]

[SteenRNS]

Thought i`d post my new song here. Been a while.
This is melodic elektronika.
I hope this is the right place to post.

Youtube
[video=youtube;tjrODgJaZz0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjrODgJaZz0[/video]

[URL="http://soundcloud.com/steenrns/steenrns-terra-incognita-2018"]https://soundcloud.com/steenrns/steenrns-terra-incognita-2018[/URL]

Anyone know of any good forums for posting electronica?

[killerteacup]

[QUOTE=SteenRNS;53110185]Thought i`d post my new song here. Been a while.
This is melodic elektronika.
I hope this is the right place to post.

Youtube
[video=youtube;tjrODgJaZz0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjrODgJaZz0[/video]

[URL="http://soundcloud.com/steenrns/steenrns-terra-incognita-2018"]https://soundcloud.com/steenrns/steenrns-terra-incognita-2018[/URL]

Anyone know of any good forums for posting electronica?[/QUOTE]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/PkIcdAf.png[/img]

:)

As for forums for posting electronica, it depends what you're looking for. If you're just looking for people to give you feedback, reddit r/wearethemusicmakers is a good place to start or you can join our discord, idmforums.com is another place.

[editline]6th February 2018[/editline]

[QUOTE=Ghille;53076329]This bassline is funky as fuck. The only thing I'd say that sounds a little off is the flutes at about 1:55, one note seems off.

I made a song and visuals. I got inspired by three chord garage punk songs.
[video]https://youtu.be/YU35wUwO4RU[/video][/QUOTE]

This is really, really good - sounds like early Harmonia or Cluster, I suggest you look them up to see the similarities! What they were doing was 3 chord stuff but using synths in this sort of way. This is in the same vein, its great.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/teacarp/l-r-01b-4[/media]

Well, here's a track. Am enjoying branching out!

[Ghille]

[QUOTE=killerteacup;53111601][img]http://i.imgur.com/PkIcdAf.png[/img]

:)

As for forums for posting electronica, it depends what you're looking for. If you're just looking for people to give you feedback, reddit r/wearethemusicmakers is a good place to start or you can join our discord, idmforums.com is another place.

[editline]6th February 2018[/editline]

This is really, really good - sounds like early Harmonia or Cluster, I suggest you look them up to see the similarities! What they were doing was 3 chord stuff but using synths in this sort of way. This is in the same vein, its great.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/teacarp/l-r-01b-4[/media]

Well, here's a track. Am enjoying branching out![/QUOTE]

Funny enough your track actually reminds me of those two groups. I really like this and honestly can't find anything you could do better, it's a solid track. Maybe up the lower end a bit but that's just looking for things to give feedback on.

[bok306]

[QUOTE=killerteacup;53111601]

[media]https://soundcloud.com/teacarp/l-r-01b-4[/media]

Well, here's a track. Am enjoying branching out![/QUOTE]

This is so chill! There is a snowstorm ourside right now and this gave the perfect mood. Would love to hear more of this.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/bok306/some-demo[/media]

Here is some new stuff I'm testing out.