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

[QUOTE=bok306;53123885] [media]https://soundcloud.com/bok306/some-demo[/media] Here is some new stuff I'm testing out.[/QUOTE] Man this could be really fuckin' awesome. It already has a great mood to it, the percussion's good (hihats especially have like a 2000's dubstep feel which I like), the lead synth thing is great, and that whole second drop at the end (especially the bassline) is sick. I gotta say it mostly feels pretty barebones right now though, up until the end - the intro could do with some ambient soundscapes or something (at least for the first 90 seconds or so) to make it feel more spacey & atmospheric as I get the feeling that's already sort of the aim of the song. Some subtle filter sweeps or risers or shit like that wouldn't hurt during the intro either, I think having some of that in it would really make it progress way smoother than it does now.

[QUOTE=MilkBagz;53125031]Man this could be really fuckin' awesome. It already has a great mood to it, the percussion's good (hihats especially have like a 2000's dubstep feel which I like), the lead synth thing is great, and that whole second drop at the end (especially the bassline) is sick. I gotta say it mostly feels pretty barebones right now though, up until the end - the intro could do with some ambient soundscapes or something (at least for the first 90 seconds or so) to make it feel more spacey & atmospheric as I get the feeling that's already sort of the aim of the song. Some subtle filter sweeps or risers or shit like that wouldn't hurt during the intro either, I think having some of that in it would really make it progress way smoother than it does now.[/QUOTE] Thanks, yes, that is exactly what I'm aiming for. And Thank you for great feedback! I'll be sure to post an update when the time comes.

I still don't understand how to use a compressor to compress sounds down that are greater than a certain threshold. Can anyone help?

[QUOTE=killerteacup;53111601] [media]https://soundcloud.com/teacarp/l-r-01b-4[/media] Well, here's a track. Am enjoying branching out![/QUOTE] I think it's personal preference thing but for me, I feel like some of the instruments are slightly too spaced out. On my M50s it sounds like I'm listening to the song on a pair of open backs. Sounds fine on speakers tho and other than that it's a nice chill track, good job. [media]https://soundcloud.com/yousef-alam/melancholy[/media] I've been feeling down recently so I wrote this.

[QUOTE=FlamingSpaz;53129658]I think it's personal preference thing but for me, I feel like some of the instruments are slightly too spaced out. On my M50s it sounds like I'm listening to the song on a pair of open backs. Sounds fine on speakers tho and other than that it's a nice chill track, good job. [media]https://soundcloud.com/yousef-alam/melancholy[/media] I've been feeling down recently so I wrote this.[/QUOTE] Very cinematic! I like the overall swell/build in emotion. Your orchestral sounds are on point, what VSTs do you use?

[QUOTE=luverofJ!93;53130110]Very cinematic! I like the overall swell/build in emotion. Your orchestral sounds are on point, what VSTs do you use?[/QUOTE] Thanks! It's Albion One for the string ensemble, Spitfire Solo strings for the violin and CineWinds for the flute.

[QUOTE=Speedhax;53126316]I still don't understand how to use a compressor to compress sounds down that are greater than a certain threshold. Can anyone help?[/QUOTE] By "greater" do you mean frequency or volume? If it's frequency, you might be looking for a filter (low pass). If volume, I'm pretty sure most compressors have settings to toggle around with to adjust when it kicks in and how much. Might be helpful to know what program / compressor you're using.

[QUOTE=FlamingSpaz;53129658] [media]https://soundcloud.com/yousef-alam/melancholy[/media] I've been feeling down recently so I wrote this.[/QUOTE] Nice chord progressions in there and pretty good orchestration. Not sure how much I like the low uff you use multiply times. Example is at 1:21. Only saying that with how you've orchestrated everything else, but that's just my taste. Another note and this just my opinion, but the epic taiko drums at your climax are really quite overused in soundtracks. I mean if you're trying to go for that generic epic feel then I guess use them, but if you're trying to stand out I'm not sure I'd use them. Honestly it's a rabbit hole when discussing the use taiko drums in soundtracks these days haha. So don't take much offense to that suggestion. _____________________________________________ Haven't written much in the past few months because of life stuff (bought a house!), but I'm working on getting back into it. Here's a teaser of something I've been working on for the past couple days. Its not done at all. I'm going to try to get at least 5-7 mins of music. So like I said its just a teaser. [media]http://soundcloud.com/russiangodfather/magnum-opus[/media]

[QUOTE=Rich209;53140173]Nice chord progressions in there and pretty good orchestration. Not sure how much I like the low uff you use multiply times. Example is at 1:21. Only saying that with how you've orchestrated everything else, but that's just my taste. Another note and this just my opinion, but the epic taiko drums at your climax are really quite overused in soundtracks. I mean if you're trying to go for that generic epic feel then I guess use them, but if you're trying to stand out I'm not sure I'd use them. Honestly it's a rabbit hole when discussing the use taiko drums in soundtracks these days haha. So don't take much offense to that suggestion. _____________________________________________ Haven't written much in the past few months because of life stuff (bought a house!), but I'm working on getting back into it. Here's a teaser of something I've been working on for the past couple days. Its not done at all. I'm going to try to get at least 5-7 mins of music. So like I said its just a teaser. [media]http://soundcloud.com/russiangodfather/magnum-opus[/media][/QUOTE] Thanks for the feedback, I'll admit the low boom is kind of a crutch for when I think there isn't enough variation in the low end or I need to clearly separate sections. Is there something you would have done differently, or would you have just not had them at all? I definitely need to get better at my perc game in general. Your track sounds great, and it could go anywhere in my mind. Looking forward to hearing the rest.

[QUOTE=FlamingSpaz;53140915]Thanks for the feedback, I'll admit the low boom is kind of a crutch for when I think there isn't enough variation in the low end or I need to clearly separate sections. Is there something you would have done differently, or would you have just not had them at all? I definitely need to get better at my perc game in general. Your track sounds great, and it could go anywhere in my mind. Looking forward to hearing the rest.[/QUOTE] A good way to transition between sections are cymbal rolls or timpani rolls. Basically you have them start low and crescendo up. There's also a lot of miscellaneous percussion instruments that are pretty useful in helping in section transitions like the wind chimes. Sometimes nothing but silence works really well creating clear sections. There's a lot that you can do. Just experiment and listen to a lot of different composers to help with ideas. Some composers that might help you is Michael Giacchino, Alexandre Desplat, Joe Hisaishi, James Horner, Ennio Morricone, Alan Silvestri, and Thomas Newman.

[QUOTE=Rich209;53141010]A good way to transition between sections are cymbal rolls or timpani rolls. Basically you have them start low and crescendo up. There's also a lot of miscellaneous percussion instruments that are pretty useful in helping in section transitions like the wind chimes. Sometimes nothing but silence works really well creating clear sections. There's a lot that you can do. Just experiment and listen to a lot of different composers to help with ideas. Some composers that might help you is Michael Giacchino, Alexandre Desplat, Joe Hisaishi, James Horner, Ennio Morricone, Alan Silvestri, and Thomas Newman.[/QUOTE] Michael Nyman is very good too. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldkSV0gElxg[/media] [editline]24th February 2018[/editline] [QUOTE=FlamingSpaz;53133516]Thanks! It's Albion One for the string ensemble, Spitfire Solo strings for the violin and CineWinds for the flute.[/QUOTE] Albion was the Roman name for Britain, lol. I wonder why they chose that? [editline]24th February 2018[/editline] [QUOTE=FlamingSpaz;53129658]I think it's personal preference thing but for me, I feel like some of the instruments are slightly too spaced out. On my M50s it sounds like I'm listening to the song on a pair of open backs. Sounds fine on speakers tho and other than that it's a nice chill track, good job. [media]https://soundcloud.com/yousef-alam/melancholy[/media] I've been feeling down recently so I wrote this.[/QUOTE] I am also feeling down. :c I liked your piece. It is difficult to write with not-so-great samples, although it was good. It's kinda classical - exactly my sort of music. In fact, speaking of not-so-great samples, I wrote something and a friend wrote a guitar and bass part for it, with me playing piano and writing strings. We used some great samples for Logic Pro, and they sound quite good indeed! [media]https://soundcloud.com/mikehawkbiscuit/allbecauseofyou5[/media]

[QUOTE=bok306;53123885] [media]https://soundcloud.com/bok306/some-demo[/media] Here is some new stuff I'm testing out.[/QUOTE] The intro reminded me of FeedMe. I kept expecting this big drop throughout but it stayed "minimal" which wasn't a bad thing. I think I'm conditioned for big changes or something but it's nice to hear something I enjoyed that I didn't expect. I'm not sure if you're going for it with this style but this could potentially sound like a really big(wide/phat) track! It's already been said but try adding in a little extra to make it feel like its constantly progressing towards that drop. Another tip is try cutting into the drop with some samples. Overall good work! Hope you show --- I'm very excited about my new project. I want to clean up the vocals properly and mix/master a little better but I'm a little excited so I thought I'd come back here and post a work in progress (maybe get some feedback too) [media]https://soundcloud.com/enamoreme/inon[/media]

Going through some old projects... [vid]https://my.mixtape.moe/qfshrl.mp4[/vid] good lord

[QUOTE=Dan The Man;53155954]Michael Nyman is very good too. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldkSV0gElxg[/media] [editline]24th February 2018[/editline] Albion was the Roman name for Britain, lol. I wonder why they chose that? [editline]24th February 2018[/editline] I am also feeling down. :c I liked your piece. It is difficult to write with not-so-great samples, although it was good. It's kinda classical - exactly my sort of music. In fact, speaking of not-so-great samples, I wrote something and a friend wrote a guitar and bass part for it, with me playing piano and writing strings. We used some great samples for Logic Pro, and they sound quite good indeed! [media]https://soundcloud.com/mikehawkbiscuit/allbecauseofyou5[/media][/QUOTE] I love your stuff, has that perfect pop/rock/classical mix. If I wasn't so busy rn I'd suggest we try and collab.

[QUOTE=FlamingSpaz;53161182]I love your stuff, has that perfect pop/rock/classical mix. If I wasn't so busy rn I'd suggest we try and collab.[/QUOTE] That's very kind of you, man. :) Thanks a lot for the feedback! Wrote that one a few years ago. I'm working on a couple of new songs at the moment, but can't really record them on my phone like I've been doing thus far, as it's terrible quality, so have ordered one of these expensive stereo mics that pick stuff up really well and don't distort. :) Let's just hope I don't procrastinate. :P

[QUOTE=The Janitor;53156333] [media]https://soundcloud.com/enamoreme/inon[/media][/QUOTE] Woah In instantly taken back by how pretty theese pads are. love em. Holy crap the vocals and the beat just hit and I'm loving this. The synth that comes in around the 44 second mark is my favorite. I love how metallic it sounds. Definitely keep working on this. Really Love the vocals too. [quote][media]https://soundcloud.com/mikehawkbiscuit/allbecauseofyou5[/media][/QUOTE] Already love the chord progression. Strings fit nicely on top of the piano. Holy crap that balance with the vocals and the rest of the song!! This is mastered perfectly! I love it. Great job. I finally managed to get out of my depression fueled art block and released some music that has taken me waaaay too long to finish. Its kinda rough but having finished something for the first time in 10 months really felt like a big step forward for my mental health. Its just a huge milestone i cant believe it did this. [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/rusted-paintpeeling-pipes-ft-ambivalenceg[/media] I switch from 7/4 to 5/4 at this and im proud. Can you tell the later half is more recent? haha If you want a download the album is here [url]https://ms-gyroscope.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-nothing-songs-for-no-one[/url]

[QUOTE=Ms. Gyroscope;53164046]Woah In instantly taken back by how pretty theese pads are. love em. Holy crap the vocals and the beat just hit and I'm loving this. The synth that comes in around the 44 second mark is my favorite. I love how metallic it sounds. Definitely keep working on this. Really Love the vocals too. Already love the chord progression. Strings fit nicely on top of the piano. Holy crap that balance with the vocals and the rest of the song!! This is mastered perfectly! I love it. Great job. I finally managed to get out of my depression fueled art block and released some music that has taken me waaaay too long to finish. Its kinda rough but having finished something for the first time in 10 months really felt like a big step forward for my mental health. Its just a huge milestone i cant believe it did this. [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/rusted-paintpeeling-pipes-ft-ambivalenceg[/media] I switch from 7/4 to 5/4 at this and im proud. Can you tell the later half is more recent? haha If you want a download the album is here [url]https://ms-gyroscope.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-nothing-songs-for-no-one[/url][/QUOTE] I like it, it gives me '90s vibes here and there, the rhythm is nice. The bass is too on top of the sound you hear at the beginning Overall it's the type of track I'd love to be able to make, ala AFX :) love the reese bass later on Meanwhile I've made this in like, 10 minutes. Was just practicing [video]https://youtu.be/8MxQuhPbv70[/video]

[QUOTE=Ms. Gyroscope;53164046]Woah In instantly taken back by how pretty theese pads are. love em. Holy crap the vocals and the beat just hit and I'm loving this. The synth that comes in around the 44 second mark is my favorite. I love how metallic it sounds. Definitely keep working on this. Really Love the vocals too. Already love the chord progression. Strings fit nicely on top of the piano. Holy crap that balance with the vocals and the rest of the song!! This is mastered perfectly! I love it. Great job. I finally managed to get out of my depression fueled art block and released some music that has taken me waaaay too long to finish. Its kinda rough but having finished something for the first time in 10 months really felt like a big step forward for my mental health. Its just a huge milestone i cant believe it did this. [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/rusted-paintpeeling-pipes-ft-ambivalenceg[/media] I switch from 7/4 to 5/4 at this and im proud. Can you tell the later half is more recent? haha If you want a download the album is here [url]https://ms-gyroscope.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-nothing-songs-for-no-one[/url][/QUOTE] This is really cool shit dude. Really 90s sounding itself actually but also reminds me a lot of venetian snares which makes sense cos he does a lot of odd time signature work in 7 4 too. I can actually tell a little bit the later half is more recent but not due to so much as a change of quality as a change of style. I actually really love the melodic bit around 00:50 Anyway, I'm abandoning this one [media]http://soundcloud.com/teacarp/itkillsmetosaythistoyou[/media]

So I've been recording using a phone DAW and my phone mic and I find I'm having way more fun than when I use FL Studio with actual studio equipment. I just record straight in and jam along and the tracks just feel way more alive. I'm thinking of buying one of those studio mics you can plug into your phone. I like just recording on my bed.

[QUOTE=Speedhax;53197190]So I've been recording using a phone DAW and my phone mic and I find I'm having way more fun than when I use FL Studio with actual studio equipment. I just record straight in and jam along and the tracks just feel way more alive. I'm thinking of buying one of those studio mics you can plug into your phone. I like just recording on my bed.[/QUOTE] Personally I would consider a portable digital recorder (the [URL="http://tascam.com/product/dr-05/"]Tascam DR-05[/URL] for example) as an option as well. Some of them come equipped with mic out ports so you can connect it with your phone, but on top of that, you can bring it around with you and record samples of anything right then and there and it's saved onto the digital recorder. It could be a pretty useful tool that can integrate with your desktop production setup as well as your phone's IMO.

Does anyone have any tips or link to tutorials on recording straight into FL? I've been trying to decide if Audacity or FL would be simpler to record instruments and vocals into. Or would a combination of both be viable?

[QUOTE=iggy650;53202346]Does anyone have any tips or link to tutorials on recording straight into FL? I've been trying to decide if Audacity or FL would be simpler to record instruments and vocals into. Or would a combination of both be viable?[/QUOTE] You can record straight in as an audio clip, or use the Edison plug in that FL Studio provides. [QUOTE=Octopod;53200662]Personally I would consider a portable digital recorder (the [URL="http://tascam.com/product/dr-05/"]Tascam DR-05[/URL] for example) as an option as well. Some of them come equipped with mic out ports so you can connect it with your phone, but on top of that, you can bring it around with you and record samples of anything right then and there and it's saved onto the digital recorder. It could be a pretty useful tool that can integrate with your desktop production setup as well as your phone's IMO.[/QUOTE] That looks sick. I've just been enjoying recording music on my phone and not caring about the outcome. My guitar playing has never been so tight and fun sounding. Like I made two songs in 3/4 time and I didn't even mean to do it. It's only afterwards I was listening to it and was oh damn.

here are a couple of electronic tracks i made a long time ago https://www.facebook.com/joshlilio/videos/vb.100000189847647/1855399967809647/?type=2&video_source=user_video_tab https://www.facebook.com/analarmforsharks/videos/430633093943671/ and i haven't forgotten the crit4crit requirement here, stay tuned for an edit

Just so everyone knows, I was formally know as Rich209.

Would anyone be interested in making some music for me for a project in Garry's Mod I'm working on? I'm thinking Boards and Canada / Portal -esq atmosphere. If anyone's up for it, I may be able to pay you too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUT6hiNEkq8 This is the first original song I've ever made, it's edgy as hell.

wow you're not lying, that's pretty ~~~ e d g y ~~~ I like the beat change when you first start singing, but for the most part the song is kind of boring imo though i can't honestly critique it as i haven't been into metal for so long that it all just sounds like "this is metal" to me however I can leave you with this lovely image from the OP http://i.imgur.com/PkIcdAf.png

Hey all. Good to see the topic is alive. Just a reminder that the old rules still apply, so please read the OP before posting Also regular plug, we have a discord, join it, we talk and provide a lot of feedback there for each other!

Three things 1 - i really liked the tone of the rhythm guitar 2 - the drums are decent but would be better if they were more lifelike, their production is a bit dull 3 - i found the lead guitar riff uninspiring. Too 'major'/simple. Try migrating to harmonic minor scale or some sweep patterns, itll sound more impactful. Cool sound though overall. So since this thread mostly focuses on creation, I figured I'd sgake things up a bit by sharing an article i just wrote on promotion. If youre wanting to spread your wings and grt your music into peoples ears more, this is for you. Let me know what yall think! Not All Playlists Are Created Equal – Ayay – Medium

I use FL to record psych-rock songs, mainly with DI guitar/synth recordings going into amp sim VSTs. It's a lot of audio clips and automation. The playlist is pretty good for chopping audio up, thought it can get unorganised. The pattern layout is helpful for me to program electronic drums for a demo until I can record drums in a studio.