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

[Hakita]

[QUOTE=splenda;49508489]As long as you are not making money off of it, which you will not be, then it should be ok. To be sure though you might want to ask the artist if you have a way of doing it.[/QUOTE]
actually, it's not a music sample, it's a sound effect: [url=http://freesound.org/people/guitarguy1985/sounds/57808/]here[/url]

[splenda]

[QUOTE=Hakita;49508705]actually, it's not a music sample, it's a sound effect: [url=http://freesound.org/people/guitarguy1985/sounds/57808/]here[/url][/QUOTE]

[url=http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/]You are good then.[/URL]

[Hakita]

[QUOTE=splenda;49508719][url=http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/]You are good then.[/URL][/QUOTE]
yeah, that's what i figured, just asking if it's fine for skeeter, since he's pulling the show

[KmartSqrl]

[QUOTE=geogzm;49507696]i really fucking hate writer's block[/QUOTE]

I've found that when I feel blocked I just need to push myself through it. Learn something new or try something you wouldn't normally do. Check out the creative strategies book that ableton put out if you haven't yet. Lots of nice, simple ways to try to approach something differently in there.

[chaz13]

[QUOTE=KmartSqrl;49508779]I've found that when I feel blocked I just need to push myself through it. Learn something new or try something you wouldn't normally do. Check out the creative strategies book that ableton put out if you haven't yet. Lots of nice, simple ways to try to approach something differently in there.[/QUOTE]

To further this I tend to find new samples and mess about with some in different ways. Try out effects you wouldn't normally use, granular synthesis etc always gets my creative juices flowing. And foley samples!

[paindoc]

[QUOTE=KmartSqrl;49508779]I've found that when I feel blocked I just need to push myself through it. Learn something new or try something you wouldn't normally do. Check out the creative strategies book that ableton put out if you haven't yet. Lots of nice, simple ways to try to approach something differently in there.[/QUOTE]

That book is really quite good, just tons of ideas and covers the bases really nicely.

It also helps to know why you're stuck. For me, it's mental and mostly a block caused by the time of year (and how this month and the next was last year). Once you identify what's getting you stuck, it's easier to work on getting unstuck.

[MeesterJawn]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but a couple of months ago my school did a David Bowie themed show where various bands covered Bowie hits, and I played the song "Life on mars" on ukulele as a transition act while they were setting up for the next band. With Bowie passing recently, I decided to start playing it again. [video=youtube;gH5g874Sl14]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH5g874Sl14[/video]

I also made the poster for it, which was pretty fun.

[img_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/wMMuhdB.jpg[/img_thumb]

[MadPro119]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;49507047]The best way to evolve as a producer, artist and any other creative line of work is to learn the rules, break the rules, and by breaking the rules start to understand why those rules are there in the first place.

As for the [B]Facepunch Collaborative - What number are we on?[/B]

It's time for another facepunch collaborative album, this time we'll have the deadline in just one month, or to be more precise [B]February 11th[/B]

The rules are as always:
[B]Submit what you're proud of[/B], if you're not sure how people are going to react, or wondering if it is good enough, then maybe it isn't the right track for this album. If you however feel that you're track is a killer then it should obviously be on the album!

[B]No samples unless you have the rights to use them[/B], samples can be a legal gray area but if you know you don't have the rights for them or in any way got yourself covered, don't use samples. This album rarely gets much coverage so generally you would be in the clear, but it can also be a huuuge hassle if samples are used without the necessary precautions.

[B]Master the track to 0dB[/B], this is just so that all the tracks are somewhat in the same ballpark when it comes to how loud it is percieved.

All monetary gains will be given to charity, so this is purely non-profit.

[B]Who wants to make the album cover?[/B][/QUOTE]

I submitted a bunch of attempts when you talented folks made the Space collab album and would be happy to try my hand again.

Will this Collab album have a theme?

[paindoc]

I'm attempting to make dubstep, one track in brostep style sorta like skrillex's ragga-themed stuff, another a lot more like Variens epic orchestral dubstep stuff

its pretty fun, I have no standards but still have all the skills I've picked up since i last finished a track (still, effectively just remixing here)

[splenda]

Since my next song will probably be for the collab I'll try to do something fun. My normal compositions are ambient noise or ultra dubbed out berlin-esque art music (fuck genre names) so I might try something more dancey.

[SentientToilet]

Eh, I might give the collab a shot

[Wingz]

[QUOTE=paindoc;49500882][editline]10th January 2016[/editline]

Here are two good videos about Flux Pavilion as he produces- I have a lot more respect for this guy now. He's awesome to watch cause he just works so well and lays stuff out so nicely, and seems pretty humble. Also lol at the amount of saws he uses

[video=youtube;2rM_q9Vof4Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rM_q9Vof4Y[/video]
[video=youtube;lLBPLyOzN_I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLBPLyOzN_I[/video][/QUOTE]

i want dis niggas setup
holy gear

[editline]12th January 2016[/editline]

[QUOTE=splenda;49500947]A serious word of legal caution around this: while sampling can be fun, you are still putting yourself in a serious grey area, where at any time any of the people who you sampled can get enough lawyers to show that you did not do any meaningful changes to their sample, and that would ruin you, or anyone. The best thing you can do is ask the artist if you can use their material in your song. I have asked a few people when I do covers of their songs and they are always super receptive to it, but I guess I have been asking really little bands so the dynamic is a bit different. Like most likely nothing is going to happen, but if by some weird chance a song that you made with samples from big artists becomes big, you will be faced with millions of dollars worth of lawsuits.[/QUOTE]

prolly a dumb question but do you have to worry about this if ur not making any money from it

[splenda]

[QUOTE=Wingz;49512841]
prolly a dumb question but do you have to worry about this if ur not making any money from it[/QUOTE]

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: it depends on the source you are using and a whole bunch of other stuff. For example under no circumstances can you legally sample tswizzle unless you get permission from her, actually, probably her label. At the same time though, bootlegs exist, basically remixes of songs without the original artist's permission, and you rarely see people filling lawsuits against them. Soundcloud is notorious for taking down DJ mixes too, which is why mixcloud now exists, using the same laws.

There are a bunch of different tiers of creative use one can put on their music, for example, I usually put my stuff out where you can make remixes and stuff if you want to but you cannot use my work in a commercial piece unless you ask me first. Big label's music always falls under "you can only listen to this song, but not in a commercial space (or large group on occasion), and you cannot alter it in any ways." Smaller bands usually fall somewhere in-between what I use and what record companies use, but are usually more receptive to the idea of someone sampling them. I have asked a few artists via email and tumblr and junk if I could use a snippet of their piece in a song and they are always very enthusiastic about saying "yes."

With all of this in mind, you should not be 100% frightened of copyright laws. Let's face it there is a difference between all of us and pharrell or anyone else who has been sued recently. Also if these were strictly enforced [URL=http://www.whosampled.com/]this website would not exist. [/URL]

[chaz13]

Any thoughts on getting a bass guitar to sound like this? Compress the fuck out of it? Synthesize it instead?

I'm going to try some stuff out later but I'm currently pondering it away from my pc.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trX3CogSQlU[/media]

[splenda]

[QUOTE=chaz13;49515799]Any thoughts on getting a bass guitar to sound like this? Compress the fuck out of it? Synthesize it instead?

I'm going to try some stuff out later but I'm currently pondering it away from my pc.

[/QUOTE]

Good DI box + lots of compression + clever muting/gating.

[editline]12th January 2016[/editline]

Actually it sounds like he sampled a bass guitar and is just playing it via keyboard. That is allowing the super quick mutes and sameness.

[Skeeter]

[QUOTE=Hakita;49508420]-3dB is a good standard in my opinion, that's what most of the facepunch collabs used at least
also the suite i'm thinking of submitting currently (might change though if i get another song i like more done by february 11th) has a creative commons/attribution license so it's fine to use it as long as the original creator is credited and the source linked, would this be fine?[/QUOTE]

I would count that as having taken the necessary precautions for it :)

[editline]12th January 2016[/editline]

[QUOTE=MadPro119;49510650]I submitted a bunch of attempts when you talented folks made the Space collab album and would be happy to try my hand again.

Will this Collab album have a theme?[/QUOTE]

No theme, we could definietly try and make a themed collab album however! Who organized the last one? Get him/her on board :)

[editline]12th January 2016[/editline]

[QUOTE=splenda;49515144]Short answer: yes. Longer answer: it depends on the source you are using and a whole bunch of other stuff. For example under no circumstances can you legally sample tswizzle unless you get permission from her, actually, probably her label. At the same time though, bootlegs exist, basically remixes of songs without the original artist's permission, and you rarely see people filling lawsuits against them. Soundcloud is notorious for taking down DJ mixes too, which is why mixcloud now exists, using the same laws.

There are a bunch of different tiers of creative use one can put on their music, for example, I usually put my stuff out where you can make remixes and stuff if you want to but you cannot use my work in a commercial piece unless you ask me first. Big label's music always falls under "you can only listen to this song, but not in a commercial space (or large group on occasion), and you cannot alter it in any ways." Smaller bands usually fall somewhere in-between what I use and what record companies use, but are usually more receptive to the idea of someone sampling them. I have asked a few artists via email and tumblr and junk if I could use a snippet of their piece in a song and they are always very enthusiastic about saying "yes."

With all of this in mind, you should not be 100% frightened of copyright laws. Let's face it there is a difference between all of us and pharrell or anyone else who has been sued recently. Also if these were strictly enforced [URL=http://www.whosampled.com/]this website would not exist. [/URL][/QUOTE]

Lawyers are usually pretty lenient if you're not someone huge who has the potential to make a lot of money, and will always send a warning first telling you to lay it off or things might turn nasty.

[splenda]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;49516003]
Lawyers are usually pretty lenient if you're not someone huge who has the potential to make a lot of money, and will always send a warning first telling you to lay it off or things might turn nasty.[/QUOTE]

Basically think of it like if your youtube video gets flagged for having a copyrighted song, nothing really happens to you, you just get a DMCA takedown notification. However if a movie like Star Wars was found using the same song without the correct permissions, they would be sued because Disney has money.

[editline]12th January 2016[/editline]

Also are will for sure going with -3dB mastering now?

[Skeeter]

-3dB sounds a bit unnecessary, since the files uploaded are .wav it means we won't have to deal with unnecessary .mp3 compression and hence won't have to worry about the mastering turning bad. :)

[splenda]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;49516104]-3dB sounds a bit unnecessary, since the files uploaded are .wav it means we won't have to deal with unnecessary .mp3 compression and hence won't have to worry about the mastering turning bad. :)[/QUOTE]

They will be converted to mp3 at some point though, so it isn't like the problem will magically go away. I'm all for -.3dB to -1.5dB, but I also have to agree that -3dB is a little much.

[Ott]

[t]http://i.imgur.com/KYPpMVeh.jpg[/T]

I love this thing

[splenda]

[QUOTE=Ott;49516301][t]http://i.imgur.com/KYPpMVeh.jpg[/T]

I love this thing[/QUOTE]

The MS-20 (going to assume mini because of the scale) is a super fun instrument. It's filter is sweet too because it screams like nothing else. I just wished it was built a bit better, at least the ones that I have used are a little too wobbly and stuff for my liking but I guess you get what you pay for. Sound wise it is a classic though!

[Ott]

[QUOTE=splenda;49516390]The MS-20 (going to assume mini because of the scale) is a super fun instrument. It's filter is sweet too because it screams like nothing else. I just wished it was built a bit better, at least the ones that I have used are a little too wobbly and stuff for my liking but I guess you get what you pay for. Sound wise it is a classic though![/QUOTE]

[vid]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108682320/mahnamahna.mp3[/vid]

:v:

[Skeeter]

[QUOTE=chaz13;49485560]I like! Rather long of course, but that's what you were going for so alls good. It's interesting enough for the length so I think you pulled that off.

I find the drums a little muffled, if the snare was a little brighter I think it may help. There's a tad too much reverb throughout for my taste. I like the percussion that comes in throughout.

Just made a silly trap kinda thing quickly:

[media]https://soundcloud.com/prizymmusic/trappy[/media][/QUOTE]

Thanks! Yeah it is pretty long, I tried to cut down it but felt that cutting too much would make it too rushed and lose a bit of what I originally captured in the original (original is almost 11½ minutes), I could probably cut two more minutes from it without making too much of a difference, I've started to like where it keeps progressing though.

It's hard isnt it, deciding what to do with tracks once you've grown accustomed to them.

Re: Your track, I jumped when I hit play, but caught myself nodding with what you've got going so far. Really solid and I could definietly hear some aggresive rapping over it! Very nice use whatever it is that keeps on going in the backgroung!

[QUOTE=sourcegamer101;49490389]

Here's a snippet of a shred solo I'm trying to mix (warning, abrupt start):

[media]https://soundcloud.com/sourcegamer101/test-mix[/media]

theres some parts that im playing in the solo that call for playing runs down low on the neck which are a pain to make sound clearer[/QUOTE]

A good way to make solos stand out (even during lower frequencies) is to send the solo to a new channel with distortion, highpass it pretty steep (I'd go for around 800hz or higher) and then have that channel at a barely audible channel. That way the overtones are more audible when you're running those lower notes, if possible you can always automate it so that if it becomes too much as you go higher on the fretboard you'll just have the distorted signal going mute.

You should probably have a highpass on the guitar too, it sounds like some of the issues you're having is caused by too much bass from both bass drum, bass guitar and the electric guitar. :)

[QUOTE=elasticity;49491769]So I do a bit of electronic music production from time to time, i'm not very good, but I give it a go anyway

[media]http://soundcloud.com/petebound/lostinthought[/media]
[/QUOTE]

I love the intro synth, especially how you've panned them! I think one thing the mix needs is some reverb or subtle use of delay on the snare, right now it's pretty bare and sounds a bit shallow.
The big problem with vocal samples is that you either find good vocal samples from already famous songs, or some pretty shitty vocal samples drenched in stupid effects that makes mixing it pretty hard. I had a pretty good sample site a long time ago but I can't find it, but if I ever find it again i'll hook you up with it.

You've got a nice sound to your stuff, good use of panning and that bass is pretty slick!

[QUOTE=lNloruzenchi;49493429]welp
i have never touched an audio program in my life and this is what happened after about two minutes of fucking around
just high distortion nonsense

[media]https://soundcloud.com/noruzenchi86/untitled[/media]

i think you should add something in the background for the intro to smooth into the song[/QUOTE]

What kind of distortion is that? I really enjoy the tone it got and I suppose you're playing a guitar, right? I would definietly love to hear more of stuff like this, with some more stuff added (like drums, bass and maybe some neatly placed synths).

Me, I've been producing some stuff heavily inspired by Pendulum (I love what they had going), without vocals and instead a synth.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/skriket/slam-dunk[/media]

[media]https://soundcloud.com/skriket/into-a-brick-wall[/media]

[notgeogzm]

[QUOTE=KmartSqrl;49508779]I've found that when I feel blocked I just need to push myself through it. Learn something new or try something you wouldn't normally do. Check out the creative strategies book that ableton put out if you haven't yet. Lots of nice, simple ways to try to approach something differently in there.[/QUOTE]

my friend told me some pretty crazy mixing tips, on top of me actually having a good week, I've managed to plop out 16 bars of jungle and wubs

at least it's something :v:

[editline]13th January 2016[/editline]

[QUOTE=paindoc;49507726]Yeah, I feel this. And I know some of the other shit you're putting up with too. Music is a relief, and just playing piano is still therapy, but making music just makes me feel worse

Also no comments on what I have going so far? :c

Probably just nuke em tbfh

[editline]11th January 2016[/editline]

Also, nearly all my favorite artists listed numerous times like this during their careers. And they just kept trying and pushing until they broke through better than ever.

So I'm going to keep trying and trying and trying, music has helped me with so much of my mental shit and is my personal epic of fighting the legacy of my past so like hell I'm quitting

So keep going geogzm I'm here with ya[/QUOTE]

recently it's been a heavy workload to make the money I need to live, then I come home and I'm too burnt out to have any real great ideas. the only time i ever seem really produce anymore is between 10PM and 6AM :v:

about to pass out now, might come in and drop a feedback bomb tomorrow

[BenJammin']

[QUOTE=Skeeter;49518235]
[media]https://soundcloud.com/skriket/slam-dunk[/media]

[media]https://soundcloud.com/skriket/into-a-brick-wall[/media][/QUOTE]

Not that I am a master of mixing, but I think the instruments need to sound a bit more distinct from each other in the mix. Nothing really seems to "pop" sound wise to me.

Do you play the instruments on these? Or is it digital. Either way it's rad, reminds me of 90s videogame soundtracks. If I was good at making games I would hire you for making music.

Anyways, just recently uploaded a new WIP thought might as well post my last 4 work in progress thingies on here that I haven't put up yet for critique. It's nowhere near as good as a lot of your guys stuff though.

[media]https://soundcloud.com/kralcneb/wasp-jam-wip-new-drum-mix[/media]
[media]https://soundcloud.com/kralcneb/was-bored[/media]
[media]https://soundcloud.com/kralcneb/another-wip[/media]
[media]https://soundcloud.com/kralcneb/wip-second-iteration-now-with-guitar-solo-shit[/media]

[samh]

Does anyone know a program on OSX to compose and export General MIDI files? Like I want to compose music with that original list of 128 instruments and export it as a .mid file that plays on anything. Closest I've found is Anvil Studio but that is PC only.

[Unkle Dada]

[QUOTE=The Salmon;49521096]Does anyone know a program on OSX to compose and export General MIDI files? Like I want to compose music with that original list of 128 instruments and export it as a .mid file that plays on anything. Closest I've found is Anvil Studio but that is PC only.[/QUOTE]

[URL="http://ariamaestosa.sourceforge.net/"]Aria Maestosa[/URL]

[notgeogzm]

guys guesss what

i've got an interview with bath spa university for their creative music tech course in feburary

maybe i'll be able to get a job in foley in 3 years

[samh]

[QUOTE=UnknownDude;49521682][URL="http://ariamaestosa.sourceforge.net/"]Aria Maestosa[/URL][/QUOTE]

absolute legend cheers mate

[Ott]

[QUOTE=Skeeter;49518235][media]https://soundcloud.com/skriket/into-a-brick-wall[/media][/QUOTE]

It sounds very gamey/bleepy (almost Newgrounds). Drop the lead an octave or two, add a slight attack, and play around with wah effects (automated lowpass, peaks etc). Maybe a bit of portamento to make it less perfect (subtle detune as well?). Also play around with rhythm, try clapping along to some vocals to get the groove of it. The part near the end where the guitar dropped out was cool, you should do more of that towards the middle of it, maybe a breakdown. I had mixed feelings about the arp but I think it works well.

[editline]13th January 2016[/editline]

[t]http://i.imgur.com/ByXwsAgh.jpg[/t]

I accidentally a motorbike (loud):

[vid]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108682320/MOTORBIKE.wav[/vid]

The MS-20 mini is feeding the distorted output into the F-V converter (tracks notes) and putting it back into the oscillator frequency, resulting in a "MIDI" feedback loop. Detune some stuff and the sound bounces around between the filters. I made the sound by slowly raising the lowpass but playing around with pitch and modulation will get you all kinds of weird sounds.