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

You can always try before you buy.

[QUOTE=Nitro836;49054791]What differences do DAWs have over each other other? Most of them probably include very similar, if not identical components as far as I can tell, but any glaring differences? I imagine pricier DAWs have more settings to fiddle with, while cheaper products try to go for user friendlier UIs more than for settings to customize.[/QUOTE] You should see my DAW [t]http://www.renoise.com/sites/default/files/images/release-notes/3.0.0/main_ui.png[/t] Renoise ftw

[QUOTE=Ms. Gyroscope;49050297]Me and mah homeboi ambivalence made a fast paced Splatter of breakbeats, dubstep synths and Death Grips Lyrics if anybody is interested! I would really appreciate some feedback on this! [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/trash-bunny-collab[/media] [editline]4th November 2015[/editline] Composition wise this is really goood I think you might wanna eq cut the synths on the low end so that the drums will pop in better. Like figure out where the frequency is that the drums "live" then take that frequency and reduce it on the main the synth.Other than that its really fucking rad bravo! [editline]4th November 2015[/editline] BOOST THAT BASS!!! ITs too quiet. Also youre gonna wanna make those drums more punchy so compress em and give them some more life with the eq. Hint "60 hz" The kick sounds like someone is slapping a soggy pancake[/QUOTE] That neuro-esque synth at the start is so damn nice man, awesome. This isn't my kind of things really, but I still found myself grooving with it a lot. Not really sure how to critique it! [media]https://soundcloud.com/prizymmusic/intro[/media] ...Are you ready?! ..I hope not because the rest of this song is currently non-existent.

Thanks for the criticism everyone. It is harmonically bland, and the drums are a bit weird. For the first one, the bland harmony is because I wanted a reason to use the harmony from "How You Love Me" since I adore the piano version. The drums are a weird artifact - I cut out the frequencies at which the snare punches in, rolled off the synth lows, and boosted the highs where it really shimmered. It sounded excellent in my DAW but the wav export sounded shit. I kept playing with it, adjusting levels to fix it and disabling the eq work. I eventually got something decent but the eq work was gone. I fed this into LANDR which cleaned it up a bit, but LANDR is no substitute for real mastering anyways. I then went back to the pre upload version and was gonna remaster it exactly, but my hdd has been dying and my frozen audio files got lost. So I had to go back to midi and what audio I had, which sounded slightly different since I automated differently in the final track. I exported a remaster, but it doesn't sound quite the same during key transitions and the dub delay rack didn't weird the fuck out in as lovely of a way. Also LANDR is nice. It doesn't completely massacre dynamic range and between my two emails I can get two lightly mastered mp3s for soundcloud a month. I've also been working on an audio visualizer, the first version I'll post a screenie of got corrupted as well and glitched to get 190 render time Tl:dr- fuck hard drives. I have crit to post once I'm off mobile. [editline]5th November 2015[/editline] It's all part of my aesthetic or something [t]http://i.imgur.com/zKzPXng.png[/t]

I'll listen to more of your guys' stuff soon enough, but for about 10 years I used a Windows 95 modular tracker called Jeskola Buzz which was (and still is) free. As my work became more and more complicated, I had to jump ship over to something. Renoise was kind of lame in my use (although I don't diss on others for using it, so I stopped latching onto trackers overall in my decision making. Reason is an old one that I tried a while back that I thought was trying to be far too showy. Before I looked at Abelton ($99 for essentials, $449 for a normal package, and $749 for a full-fledged experience) and something like Pro Tools, I looked at Reaper, and it rules. First of all, it's barebones in that you define your own shortcuts and anything you could think of can be made into shortcut. That in itself speaks volumes. Second of all, it's $60. [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/965202/ShareX/2015/11/2015-11-05_14-29-30.png[/img] Third of all, you get a 60 day trial period with no restrictions. It's what I've been using to compose all of my recent tracks and work for other people. It's good for composition and mixing with reasonable resource usage. I'll be purchasing it soon because it rules. [editline]5th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=paindoc;49043577]holy shit i love your original so much. The organ is excellent and thunders and roars wonderously. The kick/explode sounding thing is well placed and works really well too. Have you thought about simulating the crescendo pedal? I also bet some sine-shaped distortion to warm up the mids and crackle the lowers a touch on that organ would be excellent. Also maybe give that choir+string some light phasing? Its quite lovely. The string sounds are warm, rich, and textured. Samples? Kontakt? what is your sorcery?[/QUOTE] I'm doing a ton of sample modelling using the basic (but now defunct) Albion sample library from Spitfire. I bought it in it's last day of existence before they moved onto their Albion One version because it was on a ridiculous sale - over 50% off. [url=http://www.spitfireaudio.com/albion]Here is the present-day equivalent[/url]. Basically, the strings and short amounts of brass has expressions that are changed via mod-wheel, and articulations via assignable keys. There's legato and stuff like that, but because of how basic this thing is it's really meant for basic stuff and layering. You can compose some really neato stuff with it, but I'd consider it the start of creating your own orchestra. I'll be expanding soon enough with solo instruments with different levels of articulation, but every expansion will run you about £399 (which is $606 as of today) for every expansion. This means I need to get a job, which is going to be difficult but needs to happen anyway. The organ is from a soundfont that is normally used for Doom mods for a more "HQ" feel. I can't remember if it's Weeds or if it's some other popular soundfont replacement for the generic MIDI bank, but it's one of those. I'm also using a cheapo Mellotron-like choir with enough reverb and equalization that it is hardly noticeable. The church bells are various metal clank sounds paired with cheapo church bell soundfonts and synthesized bell sounds in Massive and T-Force Alpha (free VST!) reverberated to all hell with Traktor's Reverb in Guitar Rig. I use Guitar Rig's Traktor and Reflektor reverbs on everything (as well as Guitar Rig in general). Other sample libraries I've used (which aren't in the track I posted yet) is [url=https://cinesamples.com/product/piano-in-blue]Piano in Blue[/url], which is a lovely piano sample library for a relatively cheap price at $99. I got it a couple years back for my birthday. If you want to see the king of sample modelling, check out [url=https://www.youtube.com/hamsteralliance]Hamster Alliance[/url]. He's a best friend of mine that got me into music in general, Reaper, and now sample libraries: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_KJTvk3db0[/url] An alternate VST I want to pick up as a side note is [url=https://www.plogue.com/products/chipsounds/]Plogue chipsounds[/url] since I love chiptune emulation so much. It'll run you $95 which is a great price for something that can emulate anything from arcade machines, to the ATARI Pokey sounds, to Commodore's SID, to NES' 2A03, and more. It was used to create the various mechanical sounds in Portal 2's soundtrack and in Portal 2 in general. Hamst3r also uses this! :)

I'm guessing SOME of these "plugins" allow people to bypass buying pricey versions of DAW packages to some point. Unless these plugins cost money too.

VSTi's are universal and as such, are extremely useful. You can plop them in with a few restrictions - restrictions being physical resources of your computer and OS. Outside of that, I'd argue they are necessary if you don't want to bother with hardware.

I love Ableton, personally but that's because of a few choices that matter most to me. For one, it's integration with hardware instruments and how easily you can set it up with external hardware is a large plus. Most midi keyboard manufacturers make pre-built profiles for Ableton, and Novation stuff is made specifically to work with Ableton. Push too, of course. Ableton is also pretty versatile and adaptable for playing live, or love sequencing thanks to the session and arrangement views being separate, but still in the same project. The hardware integration is particularly nice here. My main problems with it are the the UI isn't very nice, but Ableton just hired someone who did an awesome UI overhaul concept of Ableton to head up a UI redesign apparently. Additionally, it's missing a few plug-ins. Like a dedicated wave shaper. The built in limiter is awful, the built in phaser is very boring, but the EQ8, Glue Comp, and Saturator make up for this. Nice vinyl noise plug in as well. Otherwise most plug-ins are universal. I use mostly samples for my drums, and the Vst I use the most is the Bass Station Vst. Otherwise nearly all of my synth sounds are from one of my hardware synths, and most of the conventional instrument sounds are sampled or from the presets on my JV1080. Ableton has a really nice grand piano though, and Operator is an EXCELLENT synth for making all kinds of sounds from screaming leads to really beautiful moving pads. It's a personal choice. I'd try em out. I tried FL Studio and hated it and Ableton just made more sense when I tried it, so I stuck with it. [editline]6th November 2015[/editline] In terms of free Vsts, TAL Chorus and Reverb are really really good. Noisemaker and bassline by TAL are good too

I don't bother with built-in anything unless it's not important. I always opt-in for other people's stuff, like Voxengo's products. Voxengo rules. I use Elephant and GlissEQ regularly.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/wauterboi/closing-absolution[/media] It's done! Time to roll back through posts to catch up and give critique for others. [editline]6th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=chaz13;49056407]That neuro-esque synth at the start is so damn nice man, awesome. This isn't my kind of things really, but I still found myself grooving with it a lot. Not really sure how to critique it! [media]https://soundcloud.com/prizymmusic/intro[/media] ...Are you ready?! ..I hope not because the rest of this song is currently non-existent.[/QUOTE] I can imagine this going into some harsh Ms. Gyroscope-style Amen breaks. Finish it, dude! The mixing is spot-on, so now you've gotta drive it home.

[QUOTE=wauterboi;49066478] I can imagine this going into some harsh Ms. Gyroscope-style Amen breaks. Finish it, dude! The mixing is spot-on, so now you've gotta drive it home.[/QUOTE] Ironically ive been straying away from the amen all together and experimenting with weird sounds. [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/gyrobreak-test-one-sixty-longer[/media]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/GoRw5P8.png[/img] wat

[QUOTE=wauterboi;49066478][media]https://soundcloud.com/wauterboi/closing-absolution[/media] It's done! Time to roll back through posts to catch up and give critique for others. [editline]6th November 2015[/editline] I can imagine this going into some harsh Ms. Gyroscope-style Amen breaks. Finish it, dude! The mixing is spot-on, so now you've gotta drive it home.[/QUOTE] What VST library did you use to make that song? :000 EDIT: I bought the song to support you homie.

[QUOTE=Llamalord;49078413]What VST library did you use to make that song? :000 EDIT: I bought the song to support you homie.[/QUOTE] - Kontakt 5 - - [B]Spitfire Audio - [url=http://www.spitfireaudio.com/albion-one]Albion[/url][/B] (discontinued version, their newest version is One) - - - Used for Strings, Brass, Metal Clank, and Boom sounds - - [B]Cinesamples - [url=https://cinesamples.com/product/piano-in-blue]Piano in Blue[/url][/B] - - - Used for Piano (obviously) - - [b]WeedsGM3[/b] Free soundfont! - - - Used for choir and organ There's other little things like church bells that I got from Freesound.

[QUOTE=wauterboi;49079106]- Kontakt 5 - - [B]Spitfire Audio - [url=http://www.spitfireaudio.com/albion-one]Albion[/url][/B] (discontinued version, their newest version is One) - - - Used for Strings, Brass, Metal Clank, and Boom sounds - - [B]Cinesamples - [url=https://cinesamples.com/product/piano-in-blue]Piano in Blue[/url][/B] - - - Used for Piano (obviously) - - [b]WeedsGM3[/b] Free soundfont! - - - Used for choir and organ There's other little things like church bells that I got from Freesound.[/QUOTE] I tossed some dosh your way after checking to make sure I had dosh to toss your way :v: This track is honestly great and fuck you for making me want to be able to afford my audio interface even sooner, the JV1080 has an honestly [I]monstrous[/I] cathedral organ patch that I've used to shake my entire desk and room. The RA's don't like that one. Or they do, but rules are rules I guess.

You guys are too nice! I'll have to do some more, then.

[QUOTE=wauterboi;49079283]You guys are too nice! I'll have to do some more, then.[/QUOTE] Make some speedcore with me

[QUOTE=chaz13;49056407]That neuro-esque synth at the start is so damn nice man, awesome. This isn't my kind of things really, but I still found myself grooving with it a lot. Not really sure how to critique it! [media]https://soundcloud.com/prizymmusic/intro[/media] ...Are you ready?! ..I hope not because the rest of this song is currently non-existent.[/QUOTE] mmmmm crispy high end this intro could lend itself well to some nice clean technical hats [editline]9th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=TheDrunkenOne;49026371]finished another thingy. thought i'd share it [video]https://soundcloud.com/venadore/invisible[/video][/QUOTE] juicy compression on your kick and snare there something feels missing in general, around the 1:10 mark maybe some ambience sidechained to the kick wouldn't go amiss that plucking noise is pretty cool, careful to avoid that oversaturated club sound with it though on the whole i love it though [editline]9th November 2015[/editline] [media]http://soundcloud.com/geogzm/dubstyle-tenets[/media] new dubby thing i composed/produced

[QUOTE=wauterboi;49066478][media]https://soundcloud.com/wauterboi/closing-absolution[/media] It's done! Time to roll back through posts to catch up and give critique for others. [editline]6th November 2015[/editline] I can imagine this going into some harsh Ms. Gyroscope-style Amen breaks. Finish it, dude! The mixing is spot-on, so now you've gotta drive it home.[/QUOTE] This is really nice, though I feel like there's a lot of focus on the high end. It's pretty noticeable in the intro, but it's not something I would personally worry about. [QUOTE=geogzm;49084217] [media]http://soundcloud.com/geogzm/dubstyle-tenets[/media] new dubby thing i composed/produced[/QUOTE] The synths in general are spot on! Also I'm in love with that bass. Anyway, I'm trying out some drumstep thing and I have absolutely no clue what to add. I wanted a retro style synth after the intro, but it feels too "forced" so I just removed it. If you got any suggestions as to what I could include it would be really appreciated: [url]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/71300804/music/drumstepthing.mp3[/url] (ignore the very end of it, I forgot to fix it)

I'm going to go through the my music and compile a list of stuff I remember using. Might be useful for you guys since I use a lot of free stuff.

Earlier I asked for some help with bebop scales. Thanks a lot guys, it's been working. I also found a book that outlined a good way to practice with target notes, and that's helped a lot also. Things are moving along again :D

[QUOTE=Ms. Gyroscope;49050297]Me and mah homeboi ambivalence made a fast paced Splatter of breakbeats, dubstep synths and Death Grips Lyrics if anybody is interested! I would really appreciate some feedback on this! [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/trash-bunny-collab[/media][/QUOTE] jesus christ, this is [I]beyond[/I] cool, dude! it's so complex and you guys were really solidly fixed on a unique style. I wish I could make cool FM stuff like some of those synths you have going. This isn't really the type of music that I myself like to listen to, but I can really appreciate the effort put into the incredible complexity of this track. It's just got an awesome aggressive grit to the entire thing which is really unique and keeps a sort of raging energy going throughout the track. I can tell a lot of time was put into the track on both ends. It's so obnoxious yet so awesome at the same time. Keep it up!! I posted this track a while ago but didn't really get very satisfying critique. it's sort of a minimalistic progressive house sort of thing [media]https://soundcloud.com/thehoyticus/underwhelmed[/media]

[QUOTE=Mech Bgum;49101322]Here's my opinion: I looove the buildup since 0:15, it set me in a mood for something cool. Unfortunately, the main part since 1:22 I found a bit uhhh, [I]underwhelming[/I] for my expectations, mmm, I'd expect something more hard hitting, like maybe more bright icey synths or more bass movement. So, I found the rest of the track a little monotonous since that part. Keys sound a little muddy in the mix and chords progression is a little uhh... jumpy? (is that a word? lol) at times. But maybe you wanted most of it this way, I generally find myself attracted by uhh funky rhytmical music and rarely listen to any kind of chill music, so apply that to my critique as a whole. I made a little snippet of a song again and I'm quite proud how silly it sounds while secretly being super jealous how you guys crank up that music theory making complex chords and stuff. [video]https://soundcloud.com/mechbgun/mb-slick-speaker[/video] and another one [video]https://soundcloud.com/mechbgun/mb-dramatica[/video][/QUOTE] soundscaping on the first one is quite intriguing, i like it maybe some more melodic parts would help it come in to its own as a musical piece but then again i have a huge erection for melodic music so i probably can't help :v: [editline]12th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Nitro836;49054791]What differences do DAWs have over each other other? Most of them probably include very similar, if not identical components as far as I can tell, but any glaring differences? I imagine pricier DAWs have more settings to fiddle with, while cheaper products try to go for user friendlier UIs more than for settings to customize.[/QUOTE] late answer, but the main difference between daws (unless you're doing like post-university level audio tweaking or something) usually ends up being the workflow of the DAW, e.g how easy it is to create some patterns and loop them in FL studio, whereas it would be very hard to track and record a live studio setup. on the flipside, logic's workflow doesn't always lend itself to heavily-produced sounds like contemporary hip hop and dubstep and shit, but it's great for tracking live and throwing in overdubs. composing with protools feels like putting a screwdriver down your own dickhole, but it's great for importing guide stems and recording/replacing on top of them [editline]12th November 2015[/editline] my advice for learning the biggest differences between DAWs (yknow to the point where it's internalised knowledge that you don't need to put any thought in to) would be to just download trial versions and fuck around. you can get to grips pretty well with most daws within an hour or two of playing around with them depending on how much you know about audio and shit

[QUOTE=Hoyticus;49100330]jesus christ, this is [I]beyond[/I] cool, dude! it's so complex and you guys were really solidly fixed on a unique style. I wish I could make cool FM stuff like some of those synths you have going. This isn't really the type of music that I myself like to listen to, but I can really appreciate the effort put into the incredible complexity of this track. It's just got an awesome aggressive grit to the entire thing which is really unique and keeps a sort of raging energy going throughout the track. I can tell a lot of time was put into the track on both ends. It's so obnoxious yet so awesome at the same time. Keep it up!! [/QUOTE] Thank you. I really needed that today.

[QUOTE=Mech Bgum;49101322] and another one [video]https://soundcloud.com/mechbgun/mb-dramatica[/video][/QUOTE] That's certainly a dramatic chord progression. I don't think you need to be jealous about making complex chords when you are clearly capable of doing so yourself. Interesting rhythms, you seem to have a good grasp on polyrhythms in 6/8, and the beat works very well. I think this piece could do with some more elements in the lower end of the spectrum. Turn that sub-bass up. Otherwise, the mixing is good. --- Here's something short, sweet and familiar. [video]https://soundcloud.com/brotherworks/return-of-the-living-bossa[/video]

[QUOTE=UnknownDude;49108416]That's certainly a dramatic chord progression. I don't think you need to be jealous about making complex chords when you are clearly capable of doing so yourself. Interesting rhythms, you seem to have a good grasp on polyrhythms in 6/8, and the beat works very well. I think this piece could do with some more elements in the lower end of the spectrum. Turn that sub-bass up. Otherwise, the mixing is good. --- Here's something short, sweet and familiar. [video]https://soundcloud.com/brotherworks/return-of-the-living-bossa[/video][/QUOTE] this is really funny to me, it just reminds me of cheesy supermarket music. or maybe something from animal crossing. you should totally work on the music for a video game or something. i love the cheesy 80's sounding synths you have going there.

[QUOTE=chaz13;49056407][media]https://soundcloud.com/prizymmusic/intro[/media] ...Are you ready?! ..I hope not because the rest of this song is currently non-existent.[/QUOTE] Very cool, good soundscape. I dig it. Feels professionally produced, as a layman I can't see anything to change with it really. Maybe just consider having some more staccato stuttery bits in the background if you want to add more variety to it, but it's not really necessary nor would it improve it- just to mix it up a bit. [QUOTE=wauterboi;49066478][media]https://soundcloud.com/wauterboi/closing-absolution[/media] It's done! Time to roll back through posts to catch up and give critique for others.[/QUOTE] Out of context I can't say it's incredibly interesting by itself. Definitely suited for accompaniment with some other media. I say that with most of my crits on songs of this type so it's not a bad thing at all. Organ sounds good, string synthy bits are okay, and I think the orchestral strings are pretty good too actually. The break at 1:50 is very good as well, I like the whispery high end bits especially. Otherwise, not much to say about it. Solidly produced. Main crit is that the piano break can seem a bit directionless at times when it's playing a bunch of notes that seem to have a less specific pattern, kind of towards the middle. [QUOTE=Ms. Gyroscope;49067226]Ironically ive been straying away from the amen all together and experimenting with weird sounds. [media]https://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/gyrobreak-test-one-sixty-longer[/media][/QUOTE] Definitely not my area of expertise. I can't see anything wrong with it, but I don't really know much about this type of music. I like it and can definitely visualize some kind of pre-fight videogame sequence with a boss or something to that effect- like an impending, cool bad guy approaching. [QUOTE=geogzm;49084217] [media]http://soundcloud.com/geogzm/dubstyle-tenets[/media] new dubby thing i composed/produced[/QUOTE] Dubby things also not something I'm well versed in. As a suggestion, the bass line notes seem a bit sterile, you could try a bit of pitch modulation here and there to glide in and out of some notes to give it a bit more life instead of the pitches being so linear. The lead parts have much more life to them, but maybe that's an intentional contrast. [QUOTE=Hoyticus;49100330] [media]https://soundcloud.com/thehoyticus/underwhelmed[/media][/QUOTE] Me knowing nothing about the genre of music being a theme here- My left ear feels a little neglected- do I have hearing problems or is the main clicky riff louder on one side? If it is, maybe try switching it up or having a little more to balance it out on the other side. If not, RIP my ears I guess. For what it's intended to be I think it works well, but repetitive music of this type has never been my personal preference so I'm not really qualified to comment on the stylistic aspect of it. [QUOTE=Mech Bgum;49101322] I made a little snippet of a song again and I'm quite proud how silly it sounds while secretly being super jealous how you guys crank up that music theory making complex chords and stuff. [video]https://soundcloud.com/mechbgun/mb-slick-speaker[/video] and another one [video]https://soundcloud.com/mechbgun/mb-dramatica[/video][/QUOTE] First one definitely stimulates my imagination, some sort of dystopian thing from a Gorrilaz music video. In a way I'm genuinely enjoying the dissonance of it, I think it works very well. I'd love to have another buildup where it actually gets to harmony, to payoff the rest of the song as a big buildup of sorts- would definitely make for a cool moment. Obviously if you don't feel the same more power to you. Second one is also pretty good, but I think compared to how unique the first is it feels a little overshadowed in scope. [QUOTE=UnknownDude;49108416] Here's something short, sweet and familiar. [video]https://soundcloud.com/brotherworks/return-of-the-living-bossa[/video][/QUOTE] Charming. I basically have zero crit for this since it's exactly how I imagine it's supposed to sound. --- Anyways, sorry my feedback is horrible. I haven't posted here in a while but here's some snippies. Happy with the first, second I've listened to the point where I can't feel anything anymore so not sure if it really works. [media]http://soundcloud.com/logan-mcdaniel/21a[/media] [media]http://soundcloud.com/logan-mcdaniel/rock-thing-bumped-a-touch[/media]

[QUOTE=Biscuit-Boy;49110328]Very cool, good soundscape. I dig it. Feels professionally produced, as a layman I can't see anything to change with it really. Maybe just consider having some more staccato stuttery bits in the background if you want to add more variety to it, but it's not really necessary nor would it improve it- just to mix it up a bit. Out of context I can't say it's incredibly interesting by itself. Definitely suited for accompaniment with some other media. I say that with most of my crits on songs of this type so it's not a bad thing at all. Organ sounds good, string synthy bits are okay, and I think the orchestral strings are pretty good too actually. The break at 1:50 is very good as well, I like the whispery high end bits especially. Otherwise, not much to say about it. Solidly produced. Main crit is that the piano break can seem a bit directionless at times when it's playing a bunch of notes that seem to have a less specific pattern, kind of towards the middle. Definitely not my area of expertise. I can't see anything wrong with it, but I don't really know much about this type of music. I like it and can definitely visualize some kind of pre-fight videogame sequence with a boss or something to that effect- like an impending, cool bad guy approaching. Dubby things also not something I'm well versed in. As a suggestion, the bass line notes seem a bit sterile, you could try a bit of pitch modulation here and there to glide in and out of some notes to give it a bit more life instead of the pitches being so linear. The lead parts have much more life to them, but maybe that's an intentional contrast. Me knowing nothing about the genre of music being a theme here- My left ear feels a little neglected- do I have hearing problems or is the main clicky riff louder on one side? If it is, maybe try switching it up or having a little more to balance it out on the other side. If not, RIP my ears I guess. For what it's intended to be I think it works well, but repetitive music of this type has never been my personal preference so I'm not really qualified to comment on the stylistic aspect of it. First one definitely stimulates my imagination, some sort of dystopian thing from a Gorrilaz music video. In a way I'm genuinely enjoying the dissonance of it, I think it works very well. I'd love to have another buildup where it actually gets to harmony, to payoff the rest of the song as a big buildup of sorts- would definitely make for a cool moment. Obviously if you don't feel the same more power to you. Second one is also pretty good, but I think compared to how unique the first is it feels a little overshadowed in scope. Charming. I basically have zero crit for this since it's exactly how I imagine it's supposed to sound. --- Anyways, sorry my feedback is horrible. I haven't posted here in a while but here's some snippies. Happy with the first, second I've listened to the point where I can't feel anything anymore so not sure if it really works. [media]http://soundcloud.com/logan-mcdaniel/21a[/media] [media]http://soundcloud.com/logan-mcdaniel/rock-thing-bumped-a-touch[/media][/QUOTE] the bass was intentionally simple although i'd call it a mistake looking back on it, however i still agree that it could use spicing up. i think the actual melody would benefit from some re-arrangement and chopping i fucking hate musical writer's block, i told myself i'd put down fallout 4 and write something but i've been sat playing guitar in to ableton for the past hour or so and i'm turning up nothing. i thought i'd try compose more of an existing project, but the way i've half-mixed it is a. flat-out stupid b. very offputting for me (i resampled the two snares i started using, which, of course, gets confusing when you're composing drum rack MIDI and wonder where half the fucking snare sound's gone lmao) word to the wise: compose with as little processing as possible and try to envision what the drums'll sound like instead of trying to mix and compose on the fly. you won't end up shooting yourself in the foot like i've done :v: [editline]14th November 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Biscuit-Boy;49110328]Very cool, good soundscape. I dig it. Feels professionally produced, as a layman I can't see anything to change with it really. Maybe just consider having some more staccato stuttery bits in the background if you want to add more variety to it, but it's not really necessary nor would it improve it- just to mix it up a bit. Out of context I can't say it's incredibly interesting by itself. Definitely suited for accompaniment with some other media. I say that with most of my crits on songs of this type so it's not a bad thing at all. Organ sounds good, string synthy bits are okay, and I think the orchestral strings are pretty good too actually. The break at 1:50 is very good as well, I like the whispery high end bits especially. Otherwise, not much to say about it. Solidly produced. Main crit is that the piano break can seem a bit directionless at times when it's playing a bunch of notes that seem to have a less specific pattern, kind of towards the middle. Definitely not my area of expertise. I can't see anything wrong with it, but I don't really know much about this type of music. I like it and can definitely visualize some kind of pre-fight videogame sequence with a boss or something to that effect- like an impending, cool bad guy approaching. Dubby things also not something I'm well versed in. As a suggestion, the bass line notes seem a bit sterile, you could try a bit of pitch modulation here and there to glide in and out of some notes to give it a bit more life instead of the pitches being so linear. The lead parts have much more life to them, but maybe that's an intentional contrast. Me knowing nothing about the genre of music being a theme here- My left ear feels a little neglected- do I have hearing problems or is the main clicky riff louder on one side? If it is, maybe try switching it up or having a little more to balance it out on the other side. If not, RIP my ears I guess. For what it's intended to be I think it works well, but repetitive music of this type has never been my personal preference so I'm not really qualified to comment on the stylistic aspect of it. First one definitely stimulates my imagination, some sort of dystopian thing from a Gorrilaz music video. In a way I'm genuinely enjoying the dissonance of it, I think it works very well. I'd love to have another buildup where it actually gets to harmony, to payoff the rest of the song as a big buildup of sorts- would definitely make for a cool moment. Obviously if you don't feel the same more power to you. Second one is also pretty good, but I think compared to how unique the first is it feels a little overshadowed in scope. Charming. I basically have zero crit for this since it's exactly how I imagine it's supposed to sound. --- Anyways, sorry my feedback is horrible. I haven't posted here in a while but here's some snippies. Happy with the first, second I've listened to the point where I can't feel anything anymore so not sure if it really works. [media]http://soundcloud.com/logan-mcdaniel/21a[/media] [media]http://soundcloud.com/logan-mcdaniel/rock-thing-bumped-a-touch[/media][/QUOTE] your drum MIDI in the second track sounds a bit rigid, try humanising it a bit perhaps, or maybe using a new plugin/container altogether the guitars however sound pretty lovely, i'm not familiar with how metally/rocky guitars are mixed but i'm finding them pleasant :v:

Trying to make something completely differently than what I normally do... viking ambience and old norse sounding music, I think I have some idea of what I'm doing... Lots of reverb :v:

[QUOTE=MrJazzy;49116012]Trying to make something completely differently than what I normally do... viking ambience and old norse sounding music, I think I have some idea of what I'm doing... Lots of reverb :v:[/QUOTE] get some war horns in there too