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

I need a piano duet partner. I miss my piano duet ensemble at my university.

[QUOTE=Colteh;47906708]dang i love how smooth this feels, the balance between guitar and vocals is quite nice very simple yet very effective heres my second track ever that i just recently completed, wanted to make use of a sax vst i got, also wanted to make everything either from stock/free vst's or free samples: [media]https://soundcloud.com/colteh-1/saxophone-chill[/media][/QUOTE] Ok I like this track buuut- I dont know if the sax itself fits the song you know? Also the noise shakers you got around the 2 min mark are really loud in comparison. This is a preview of something Im working on and im not sure what to do next with it. [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/secret-track-donut-share[/media] whats misssing what more could i add ect. Im confuzzled about it. also when its done its gonna be twice as long.

Yeah I never found an acceptable Jazz sight-reading book either. Usually the transcriptions are funked up and not useful if you actually wanna like, play some jazz.

[QUOTE=thisispain;47918635]Yeah I never found an acceptable Jazz sight-reading book either. Usually the transcriptions are funked up and not useful if you actually wanna like, play some jazz.[/QUOTE] the real book

Well the Real book is mostly full of lead sheets iirc, the Bible for jazz but not very good for practicing your sight-reading. I'm a great lead sheet reader, but an awful sight-reader for that reason.

I made an impulse buy yesterday, And ordered a novation launchkey 49 [t]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81WHU0wzvSL._SL1500_.jpg[/t] Should be fun to play around with, seems like a nice integrated unit for performance and production, relatively cheap too I also grabbed a cheap pair of monitoring headphones, checked reviews up and what not only real downside to them being a cheap pair seems to be the build quality (can be a little flimsy from what I understand) but otherwise supposedly has good sound quality behringer hps50000 so i'm expecting the audio drivers will be of relatively high quality, hopefully better than trying to produce through my Logitech THX 2.1 speakers especially when it comes to mastering should arrive by the end of the week :dance:

[QUOTE=Consciousness;47919285]I made an impulse buy yesterday, And ordered a novation launchkey 49 [t]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81WHU0wzvSL._SL1500_.jpg[/t] Should be fun to play around with, seems like a nice integrated unit for performance and production, relatively cheap too I also grabbed a cheap pair of monitoring headphones, checked reviews up and what not only real downside to them being a cheap pair seems to be the build quality (can be a little flimsy from what I understand) but otherwise supposedly has good sound quality behringer hps50000 so i'm expecting the audio drivers will be of relatively high quality, hopefully better than trying to produce through my Logitech THX 2.1 speakers especially when it comes to mastering should arrive by the end of the week :dance:[/QUOTE] Awesome! I'm picking up my Launchkey 49 tomorrow after my last final and I'm so damn hyped! Can't wait to start learning music theory and all the other bits and bobs make automation and stuff like that so much more organic, and those drumpads/sample launchers just seem like fun. Did you get it for the $100 sale price then?

[QUOTE=paindoc;47919456]Awesome! I'm picking up my Launchkey 49 tomorrow after my last final and I'm so damn hyped! Can't wait to start learning music theory and all the other bits and bobs make automation and stuff like that so much more organic, and those drumpads/sample launchers just seem like fun. Did you get it for the $100 sale price then?[/QUOTE] nah unfortunately, I could have saved a bunch of money probably if I ordered it from overseas but i'm lazy and got it from a local retailer with express delivery; most Australian retailers are selling it between 200-250 dollars, averaging around 220 part of me wishes I hadn't because it puts a bit of a dent in my wallet, but it'll be fine, not too significant and can be made up for relatively easily. That being said, I think in the long run this is the kind of impulse buy i'll be more than happy with having made, seems like the sort of thing i'll probably use for a long while until I eventually upgrade to something better or units that serve more specific purposes down the line I wouldn't mind an MPC for instance, but I can't afford to be spending in that price range right now as you said with the other bits and bobs like automation being more organic, that's primarily why I wanted a new keyboard (My current 5 oct yamaha keyboard only works for keys with midi controls, and one key is basically broken but I can usually work around that) so either way it's definitely a step up from this: [t]https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYzAGb_yzDUyBOy6GJ0ON36H-spcdY3AUXE0mVBDG51778I_ia[/t] but I still really like this particular keyboard just for it's retro looking style, bit of a bare basic keyboard but I could always use it as an extra midi controller for other instruments alongside; the pads on the novation are just a plus and save me the trouble of buying a seperate piece of gear to use for drum pads, hoping it's relatively intuitive to get it all working in tandem within ableton but it looks so much more convenient than constantly having to start and stop tracks just to mess around with tones/drum patterns and stuff like that, I think i'm going to have to build a production desk at this rate, though, my current set up is really lacking on space edit: formatting

[QUOTE=Ms. Gyroscope;47917834]Ok I like this track buuut- I dont know if the sax itself fits the song you know? Also the noise shakers you got around the 2 min mark are really loud in comparison. This is a preview of something Im working on and im not sure what to do next with it. [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/secret-track-donut-share[/media] whats misssing what more could i add ect. Im confuzzled about it. also when its done its gonna be twice as long.[/QUOTE] If it had a phatass grainy break that came in with the intro and layered over what you have, it would be very accessible and super badass. I envy your creativity when it comes to all this crazy obscure shit and listen to your stuff regularly. -- I put this in the Doom thread, but I composed this short piece with the thought of Doomguy being just outside the final boss: [media]https://soundcloud.com/wauterboi/the-marine-outside-the-temple[/media]

So remember when I said that I set up my speakers so I would stop using my shitty headset for producing? It made everything sound a thousand times better.

still waiting on my new keyboard to arrive, should be here tomorrow excitied

[QUOTE=Consciousness;47923532]still waiting on my new keyboard to arrive, should be here tomorrow excitied[/QUOTE] On the bus home now with my keyboard in hand. Will be jammin in an hour :D [editline]10th June 2015[/editline] So the keys are nice and all but the in control mode is not working so all of got is just the ability to play vsts or record notes, that's it [editline]10th June 2015[/editline] x posting but fuck this sucks [QUOTE]That keyboard I bought totally fucked up a ton of the USB drivers on my system, plus it didn't even work. Only worked in most basic mode which is not what I wanted. I got it to recognize software drivers for the dual modes, but then ableton didn't detect it and unplugging it and plugging it back in just causes ableton to crash and nothing to change in device manager. So now I'm waiting on a system restore. I'm going to assume novations goal is to give me artistic inspiration in the form of fury and angst, I think it works for Skrillex?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=paindoc;47923662]On the bus home now with my keyboard in hand. Will be jammin in an hour :D [editline]10th June 2015[/editline] So the keys are nice and all but the in control mode is not working so all of got is just the ability to play vsts or record notes, that's it [editline]10th June 2015[/editline] x posting but fuck this sucks[/QUOTE] hopefully you can work it out and find some enjoyment with it; not sure what version of windows you're on but i've heard it has driver issues on window 8.1 for some people, i'm still on windows 7 myself hoping this same thing doesn't happen to me though, i'd be pretty disappointed in all honesty because it looks like a lot of fun when it's actually operational, but I might make a system restore point as a just in case on that note though... Gear Acquisition Syndrome is very real, I underestimated it. i caved and treated myself to an early birthday present that I probably should have waited for a while before buying... Didn't bankrupt myself, still have a good deal of savings but I put a pretty hefty dent into them but in theory, it's something that should be well worth the temporary dent in the long run, and it's still a better investment than anything i've put my money towards in the last few years as it's not something that will only serve the purpose of temporary/one time use ordered an ableton push, feeling a fair bit of buyers remorse right now but i'm sure i'll love everything about it once it arrives and I start playing around with it i've wanted one for a long while now, so it was bound to happen sooner or later, but I probably really should have waited til the end of the year, it'd be just my luck if they announce something superior in that time span, or give it a massive price drop

launchkey arrived; struggled to get the in control working; the trick was to select the launchkey 49 (port 2) in ableton in the control surface list for both input and output the launchkey49 first port doesn't provide in control to work, port2 allows for in control.

Is there a good mobile alternative to Soundcloud? I used to love the ios app until they removed shit like comments, now I can't properly give C4C as I'm away from my computer a lot.

Funny enough I've been trying to get rid of gear. I had like 10 keyboards from the 70's at some point, and now I'm just trying to stick to one stupid synth.

[QUOTE=Consciousness;47927992]launchkey arrived; struggled to get the in control working; the trick was to select the launchkey 49 (port 2) in ableton in the control surface list for both input and output the launchkey49 first port doesn't provide in control to work, port2 allows for in control.[/QUOTE] Yeah I did all that and followed loads of tutorials, updated firmware, played with settings etc. Finally got it to work somehow. The pads are so convenient for drumming! I throw on the metronome and loop 2-3 bars and just stop recording when I think I've got the segment right. And fading volume in and playing with plug-ins is far easier and more organix now. I'm just scratching the surface but it's quite lovely so far. How do you like the included stuff? I think the two vsts are pretty good but I don't have much else. Sample pack has some nice stuff, digging the dark dubstep and funk packs but those are all I've used so far.

[QUOTE=paindoc;47928343]Yeah I did all that and followed loads of tutorials, updated firmware, played with settings etc. Finally got it to work somehow. The pads are so convenient for drumming! I throw on the metronome and loop 2-3 bars and just stop recording when I think I've got the segment right. And fading volume in and playing with plug-ins is far easier and more organix now. I'm just scratching the surface but it's quite lovely so far. How do you like the included stuff? I think the two vsts are pretty good but I don't have much else. Sample pack has some nice stuff, digging the dark dubstep and funk packs but those are all I've used so far.[/QUOTE] haven't really messed around with the included stuff yet, just messing around with the keyboard it self the pads are decent but i've got some minor gripes in how it controls, but I think that's just because I haven't really learnt how to take advantage of all the features yet. the knobs are super handy for synths though, got them routed into massive's macros and that's super handy, overall i'm definitely a fan of it, just need to get a bit more acquainted to how certain features work before I start using it more seriously, happy with the upgrade my headphones arrived as well; I thought I ordered the behringer ones when I earlier mentioned them but turns out I ordered a set of AKG K44, still decent, pretty damn nice headphones considering their price actually kind of surprised in terms of sound quality, i have my volume maxed out and it's not distorting or compressing heavily, can hear more or less the full range at full volume so that should make mixing tracks a lot easier, my speakers are pretty good but they get a bit muddled in the finer details and aren't too great to mix and master on by comparison

For now I'm using Sony xbr 500s or whatever I bought like 5 years ago when I got started listening to edm for muh bass. Studio headphones are on the together list but I've got other people things to buy first. Like car parts and food :I

I'm on a journey to save $2,000. $1,000 for Komplete, and $1,000 for the 8dio Strings Bundle. [url]http://8dio.com/instrument/bundle-9-all-adagio-strings/[/url] Gonna have to make a loooooot of websites.

Working on SNES style music for [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbURQrXpmSw]DOOM: The Golden Souls[/url]! [url]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/965202/Facepunch/Batondy/grass.mp3[/url]

I'm making my own (tenor/bass) PVC recorder :v: Getting a sound is surprisingly easy, the tone holes is a bit more difficult. Will post results if I get any. [editline]11th June[/editline] Okay I implemented [URL="http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/fingers.html"]this[/URL] and I have to put the holes in complex locations ??? There's a fucking negative square root somewhere and it doesn't make any sense.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/giggleblizzard/playtime[/media] just playing around a little with some stuff [editline]11th June 2015[/editline] god that snare sounds so bad [editline]11th June 2015[/editline] im generally really bad at making drums

[QUOTE=wauterboi;47930354]Working on SNES style music for [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbURQrXpmSw]DOOM: The Golden Souls[/url]! [url]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/965202/Facepunch/Batondy/grass.mp3[/url][/QUOTE] this is great! love the melodies on this. cant wait to see what you do with this, the sounds are so ridiculously upbeat and catchy. can i ask what you use to make this? [QUOTE=MrJazzy;47931123][media]https://soundcloud.com/giggleblizzard/playtime[/media] just playing around a little with some stuff [editline]11th June 2015[/editline] god that snare sounds so bad [editline]11th June 2015[/editline] im generally really bad at making drums[/QUOTE] you've got a nice melody and some basic synthwork here, but i think it might be a good idea for you to look into a couple of guides or tutorials on mixing your tracks down and compression techniques for the drums. the snare just sounds very flat and i feel like this could be so much better with some more professional love and attention. cool work so far, just gotta get better at creating a crisp and clean sound. made this [video]https://soundcloud.com/partyhat/876875a[/video] and can anyone crit me on this one too? nobody seemed to notice it QQ [video]https://soundcloud.com/partyhat/35368a[/video]

I use a Windows 98 modular tracker called Jeskola Buzz - it's been recently updated to take advantage of .NET programming and extensions as well as tons of bug fixes. Along with that, I used SNES soundfonts with the built-in soundfont player, plus some extra samples and effects to help make the overall quality sound a little more HQ. I'll be doing some more mixing and stuff to make it sound better. I may eventually make a Jeskola Buzz thread on Facepunch because it's free. I will also listen to your stuff when I get home from work.

[QUOTE=Bobie;47933733] made this [video]https://soundcloud.com/partyhat/876875a[/video] and can anyone crit me on this one too? nobody seemed to notice it QQ [video]https://soundcloud.com/partyhat/35368a[/video][/QUOTE] First One: I really dig your percussion here, it's natural, flowing and drives the piece forward well. Really nice on the kick drum part here, it feels organic and reminded me of a good hand drummer lol. The bass is obligatory and you've provided, however it feels like a tad more substance could be added to complete the sound. Perhaps play around with the bass synth's sound in a rhythmic fashion, add some random cool synth sounds, or even add some kind of melodic part. Second one: Again your percussion section is nice, however my main gripe is that 0:43 - 1:02 is the perfect spot to feature some kind of part, whether it be a solo or some kind of breakdown; you even have the dive back into the central theme at 1:04, great! However all you have is the same old bass synth playing the same old root notes of a I-IV-V-I with no rhythmic variation, so when you take the high voice out at 0:43 the soundscape quickly stagnates and becomes uninteresting. I feel like your sound could really improve if you fully took advantage of adding some variation such as more dynamic synth sounds, more dynamic rhythms, more sound effects, etc. This is your canvas, feel free to color it as much as you like (with some sweet chords) and add some cool shit to make your sound stand out from the rest! I don't listen to much DnB so take what you will from my thoughts lol, I think you've got what it takes though so keep it up man! First post here btw, I really like hearing the kind of stuff you guys produce, it's interesting to see what other similar creative minds are up to

[QUOTE=Bobie;47933733]this is great! love the melodies on this. cant wait to see what you do with this, the sounds are so ridiculously upbeat and catchy. can i ask what you use to make this? you've got a nice melody and some basic synthwork here, but i think it might be a good idea for you to look into a couple of guides or tutorials on mixing your tracks down and compression techniques for the drums. the snare just sounds very flat and i feel like this could be so much better with some more professional love and attention. cool work so far, just gotta get better at creating a crisp and clean sound. made this [video]https://soundcloud.com/partyhat/876875a[/video] and can anyone crit me on this one too? nobody seemed to notice it QQ [video]https://soundcloud.com/partyhat/35368a[/video][/QUOTE] like those dnb percussion patterns, good work on those I like the second one more than the first, tbh, more so because of the chrod prog but those 7ths(i'm guessing they're 7ths) in your synth sound a bit funny, I get the vibe you're going for with it though and I think it works more or less, a bit of work on the synths would help it stand out in a nicer way, also cool sample work towards the end and ye; I agree with what woodenspoon said, some variance in the chord progression would help carry it further, even if it's just a set of 4 bars where you hold a single chord to build up a bit of hype, then go back into main progression, it still gives a bit more sense of progression edit: i'm loving the novation launchkey49 now that i'm getting more used to it, and my push is arriving today :dance:

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;47931123][media]https://soundcloud.com/giggleblizzard/playtime[/media] just playing around a little with some stuff [editline]11th June 2015[/editline] god that snare sounds so bad [editline]11th June 2015[/editline] im generally really bad at making drums[/QUOTE] If you're going for that 80's tone you gotta get an 808 snare reverb it to FUCK then gate it to the kick drum. That way you get that really punchy snare effect without the long tailed sound. maybe highpass it a bit too. I can make a demonstration video if you like, but you probably already know all this :v Otherwise it sounds quite nice, I like the intro and overall "plot" of the song. Synth sound is pleasant too [editline]11th June 2015[/editline] also all moved in and setup at my aunts house. Taking music theory courses on coursera for now I'm just fucking around and playing with audio clips, so much easier to do that with hardware knobs and faders [t]http://i.imgur.com/yInsVpT.jpg[/t]

[QUOTE=paindoc;47936503]If you're going for that 80's tone you gotta get an 808 snare reverb it to FUCK then gate it to the kick drum. That way you get that really punchy snare effect without the long tailed sound. maybe highpass it a bit too. I can make a demonstration video if you like, but you probably already know all this :v Otherwise it sounds quite nice, I like the intro and overall "plot" of the song. Synth sound is pleasant too [editline]11th June 2015[/editline] also all moved in and setup at my aunts house. Taking music theory courses on coursera for now I'm just fucking around and playing with audio clips, so much easier to do that with hardware knobs and faders [t]http://i.imgur.com/yInsVpT.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] funny how much a bit of hardware can make such a difference towards the overall workflow, the realtime/tactile feedback of knobs and sliders is so much more workflow friendly

[QUOTE=Bobie;47933733]made this [video]https://soundcloud.com/partyhat/876875a[/video][/QUOTE] This is pretty sick, it's nice to hear something on here that sounds a little like what I normally listen to. I don't really have anything to suggest though, I think it's good how it is. The drums are crunchy as fuck and the pad's real cold and dark, the way I like it.