Creative Music in Progress - Always Post Feedback, Read OP before posting! - General

I just kind of wish one of us could be a moderator for this section, someone who would actually care about the quality of the musician's gig room. We desperately need someone to moderate this place, because it's getting a bit ridiculous.

Even though we can't force them, I feel that musicians of any sort should give feedback for good luck. At least, that is why I see people should

[QUOTE=chaz13;46893387]This would be awesome sample for a beat or something along those lines. I've got a midi keyboard finally so I figured I'd make a depressing-but-not-too-depressing-with-some-hope piano ballad thingy. [media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/pi-a-no[/media][/QUOTE] Really digging this, getting a "trouble-in-paradise-in-an-anime-dating-sim" vibe for some reason. I've always been jealous of people who can write music like this. My only recommendations at this point are to maybe lower the volume on the string synth that's in the background in order to give emphasis to the piano. And maybe to add some gloomy reverb effect to the piano itself? Might make it gloomier. I've come up with a new alias - "Color Deaf". I hope it's not taken~ New low-tempo track: [media]http://soundcloud.com/color-deaf/crystal[/media] And I've updated this: [media]http://soundcloud.com/color-deaf/dark-type-computer-magic-original-mix[/media]

[QUOTE=Dead Madman;46899987]is there any actual point to this thread anymore? i took some time away from this site for like 6 months and this thread is literally the exact same as it was before, people constantly reminding each other of the rules i wish there was some kind of like addon you could make where your post was like FORCED to quote another track[/QUOTE] its been pretty much the same except you weren't mean to anyone :) [QUOTE=Eyefunk;46900309]I just kind of wish one of us could be a moderator for this section, someone who would actually care about the quality of the musician's gig room. We desperately need someone to moderate this place, because it's getting a bit ridiculous.[/QUOTE] Section is too small. Could easily be relegated into the music section but there will be no moderator nonetheless

I've pm'd a couple of senior mods asking if we can have someone here made a mod for this section, hopefully someone will take notice and we can sort it out. For now though it's best if we all just lead by example and do our best to give good feedback and there'll at least be a decent sized group of us doing it - just continue to ignore anyone who doesn't provide feedback. It wouldn't hurt if we (definitely including myself here) actually went a bit more in depth with the feedback too, a paragraph would be decent if possible. [QUOTE=ScreamingGerbil;46903100]Really digging this, getting a [b]"trouble-in-paradise-in-an-anime-dating-sim"[/b] vibe for some reason.[/QUOTE] Uhh.... Just kidding, thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you liked it :smile:

[QUOTE=healthpoint;46858026]The compositions themselves are great Skeeter, but when I quickly hit play between all four tracks it almost sounds like it's all part of a single composition. I'd try switching out the synths and/or drums for some of the tracks so that it feels a little more diverse.[/QUOTE] Oh, thanks! I think that is a huge part my fault, I went into making the four tracks so that they would sound the same since they were all going to be part of an EP, but it is probably better if I try and make them different as you mentioned. I'll do that, and thank you for listening and giving me well-needed feedback :) [QUOTE=Waffler;46873652]I'm with healthpoint here. Whilst those 4 tracks are awesome compositions, it's all similar sounding and nothing really makes them stand out. I'm having a hard time hearing the snare in the mix (the hi-hat is a lot louder). [media]http://soundcloud.com/ohsabi-official/are-you-ready-original-mix[/media] The drop is sounding a bit bare at the moment, but I'm gonna play around with it later and try and switch it up a bit![/QUOTE] I will spice the tracks up, thank you for listening and giving me feedback :) [B]A small guide to in-depth feedback[/B] There's a lot of ways to give feedback, a lot of it depends on the skill of the listener but there's also huge differences between different cultures. Some cultures believe in being hugely optimistic and using words such as amazing, terrific, and other words for greatness. Some believe in more moderate approach, both highlighting the good parts and the bad parts. Either way, most people want feedback so that they'll know what is working in their piece of art, and also what needs to be fixed. A good way to give feedback is to first provide a few notes on what works well, a few positive remarks before highlighting the things that bothers the listener, and then top it off with a few more positive remarks. This could be called a shit sandwich. It is proven that people are more open to negative critique if you start off with something positive, so that the feedback isn't purely negative. It can be a good thing to listen through the track 2-3 times, so that you can tell the artist about the track of your initial impression, and later pick out more in-depth what you think is rocking the track, and what could sink it. [B]Step 1 - The positive stuff & first impression[/B]¨ I like the sweeping back and forth of the synth, the pseudo-piano has a very nice timbre to itself too and I really enjoy the sound the hi-hat and the synth that sounds a lot like a human saying something. I think the buildup might be too long as it is right now, especially with the huge contrast between the first part and what comes after the drop. [B]Step 2 - Pointing out what doesn't work for you[/B] When cranking this track high, the distorted sound of the flowing synth and snare doesn't really sound pleasing to my ears, I think if you were to dial back the distortion just a bit and have something in the lower registers joining up it could work a lot better. I'm not too sure about the gigantic contrast either between the intro and main part, since the intro builds up a feeling of something completely different than what actually comes. [B]Step 3 - Ending on a high note[/B] With that said, I think that the intro especially has a lot of potential for greatness! I can totally hear the bass coming in at 0:32, with a buildup from a snare rolling faster and faster before dropping like an nuclear bomb, with a part building up once again (maybe a piano plug with the same chords as the pseudo-piano, without the flowing back&forth?). The main part after the drop lacks something as well, a strong lead perhaps? The kick is very nice too, is it a sample or did you make it yourself? All in all, feedback should help the artist grow in some way, and providing both good&negative things about the track should help with that. Don't be afraid to speak your mind or give feedback to music you're not familiar with, because it helps you as well to grow since you'll be putting words to what works and what doesn't.

Man, disregarding the thread title/OP/subforum rules thread is bad enough, but damn, when people argue against it as if it's actually a difficult, time-consuming thing to do, or just snip their posts when called out, I kind of wish one of the mods would just come around here and slap the shit out of this part of the forum.. At least they're not gaining anything aside from boxes though, by posting their shit without providing feedback. [editline]asdf[/editline] This thread was so sick a while ago, when everybody was posting walls of feedback along with their music.

someone's going to take the "always post feedback" literally, and just post samples of guitar feedback I can see it happening now

You say it as if it's a bad thing :<

[QUOTE=ScreamingGerbil;46903100] I've come up with a new alias - "Color Deaf". I hope it's not taken~ New low-tempo track: [media]http://soundcloud.com/color-deaf/crystal[/media] And I've updated this: [media]http://soundcloud.com/color-deaf/dark-type-computer-magic-original-mix[/media][/QUOTE] I really like the atmosphere you laid down in the first track, but the high end almost ruins it for me. It's really harsh, and could probably be turned down a bit. It sounds to me as if you mixed these on budget headphones and tried compensating for the lack of high frequencies. The second one has the same problem in the high end, and the bass synth sounds weird when panned like that. I'd keep it dead center (and maybe only pan it as an effect). Aside from that it sounds dope, keep it up! :) [editline]12th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Number-41;46877111] [media]http://soundcloud.com/patronbernard/the-poor-mans-bass-clarinet[/media] [sp]Some improv inspired by Wayne Shorter/Zawinul duo's and Joe Henderson, I feel like I made a drawing and added a filter in photoshop, but I can't help it, I think an alto sax shifted down an octave sounds pretty damn neat.[/sp][/QUOTE] Aww YISS! I love this! And I love those handling/mouth sounds. Makes it sound so nice and warm. :v:

Thank you for the kind commentary! I think that's because of my advanced recording setup that I put a lot of thought in :v: : [IMG_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/SYBkcam.png[/IMG_thumb] I just sit there and play into the mic, but it's very close to the sax itself so those get recorded too. I honestly have no idea how to record/master a sax decently.

[QUOTE=Number-41;46907275]I honestly have no idea how to record/master a sax decently.[/QUOTE] Who cares, it sounds great like this :)! I love ghetto setups like that. A friend and I are working on an album where we extensively (and intentionally) use the most ghetto setups we can think of to record and create our songs. I'll have to link it since it's private, but on this track for example we recorded my hardware synth to some trashy reel-to-reel, and then recorded the internal speaker of the thing with a mic: [url]https://soundcloud.com/meagrehosts/meagrehosts-12-23-2014/s-ZDZYW[/url]

Sometimes, un-orthodox recording methods are the best. The album "Brothers In Arms" by Dire Straits had the guitar being primarily recorded with a microphone that pointed into the floor, hanging loose.

[QUOTE=chaz13;46893387]I've got a midi keyboard finally so I figured I'd make a depressing-but-not-too-depressing-with-some-hope piano ballad thingy. [media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/pi-a-no[/media][/QUOTE] Nice combination of instruments, they make up a good harmony. The sudden transition to a brief solo piano was well fitting too. I don't like how the track suddenly ends, you should let every instrument fade into silence, rather than just chopping it off like that :v: _________________________ Update on something I posted here two weeks ago: [media]http://soundcloud.com/mezzokoko-wip/night-highway-1[/media]

I don't wanna have to start banning for not following thread rules, because I really don't know how this can be more clear. Consider me the mod for this section from now on. I'll be keeping my eye out. [editline]12th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Mezzokoko;46908756]Nice combination of instruments, they make up a good harmony. The sudden transition to a brief solo piano was well fitting too. I don't like how the track suddenly ends, you should let every instrument fade into silence, rather than just chopping it off like that :v: _________________________ Update on something I posted here two weeks ago: [media]http://soundcloud.com/mezzokoko-wip/night-highway-1[/media][/QUOTE] Diggin' the bassline here and the piano is nice, kinda gives it the old video game feel, I can't really explain it. What I think needs work though is general samples you've used, particular the drums. They kinda sound a bit default and basic, like the ones you would get bundled with a programs. Getting good samples is just something that kinda happens over time, you just start collecting them and getting an ear for it. I think it's pretty solid though and I quite like the sound the comes in at 2:35. Keep it up dude. [QUOTE=healthpoint;46907392]Who cares, it sounds great like this :)! I love ghetto setups like that. A friend and I are working on an album where we extensively (and intentionally) use the most ghetto setups we can think of to record and create our songs. I'll have to link it since it's private, but on this track for example we recorded my hardware synth to some trashy reel-to-reel, and then recorded the internal speaker of the thing with a mic: [url]https://soundcloud.com/meagrehosts/meagrehosts-12-23-2014/s-ZDZYW[/url][/QUOTE] Really liking this man. That sound that kinda sounds like a whale that comes in a few times is nice. Don't really have much else to say. Anyway here's a very short remix I did of the end credits theme to 'Check it Out'. Was gonna turn it into somethimg more but I lost the will. [media]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/checkitout[/media] And some sort of VHS tape company jingle [media]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/logo-screen[/media]

I apologize for not reading the rules first, and posting without giving feedback. [QUOTE=AshMan;46909887] [URL="http://facepunch.com/"]Listen to Soundcloud recording[/URL] [URL]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/checkitout[/URL] [URL="http://facepunch.com/"]Listen to Soundcloud recording[/URL] [URL]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/logo-screen[/URL] [/QUOTE] The beginning of the "Check It Out" theme, sounded almost like Phil Collins was about to come in and start singing. When the bass kicked in and it went very 80's-esque was a great way to add energy to the arrangement. Well done. And the "VHS Jingle" nailed it. I feel like I'm throwing in a childhood movie and seeing an ad for the company that made the film. Here's another one I threw together [media]http://soundcloud.com/travis-cumming-3/redemption-retribution-genesis-part-ii[/media] EDIT : I don't know why it keeps changing the links to your songs, every time I edit this post.

My bad huh

[QUOTE=Radaghast;46910865][media]http://soundcloud.com/clint-mandela/duno[/Media] [media]http://soundcloud.com/clint-mandela/work-is-better[/Media] [media]http://soundcloud.com/clint-mandela/philae[/Media] Trying some differents remixes[/QUOTE] try some title and OP reading as well

[QUOTE=AshMan;46909887]Diggin' the bassline here and the piano is nice, kinda gives it the old video game feel, I can't really explain it. What I think needs work though is general samples you've used, particular the drums. They kinda sound a bit default and basic, like the ones you would get bundled with a programs. Getting good samples is just something that kinda happens over time, you just start collecting them and getting an ear for it. I think it's pretty solid though and I quite like the sound the comes in at 2:35. Keep it up dude.[/QUOTE] Currently I am using a Yamaha MM6, which is a very basic synthesizer, so the amount of available sounds is unfortunately limited, plus after I finish the MIDI, I have to playback each instrument and record it through my pc's line-in, which is veeeery tedious and often results in a crappy recording quality. Can ye recommend any good starter vstis, which don't need too much fiddling around to get them working? It is time to finally get proper tools :v:.

[QUOTE=Radaghast;46910865][media]http://soundcloud.com/clint-mandela/duno[/Media] [media]http://soundcloud.com/clint-mandela/work-is-better[/Media] [media]http://soundcloud.com/clint-mandela/philae[/Media] Trying some differents remixes[/QUOTE] Please read the thread rules. Next person that does this gets banned. [editline]13th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Mezzokoko;46910909]Currently I am using a Yamaha MM6, which is a very basic synthesizer, so the amount of available sounds is unfortunately limited, plus after I finish the MIDI, I have to playback each instrument and record it through my pc's line-in, which is veeeery tedious and often results in a crappy recording quality. Can ye recommend any good starter vstis, which don't need too much fiddling around to get them working? It is time to finally get proper tools :v:.[/QUOTE] Ah I see. Well I use NI Massive for pretty much everything, very powerful. But I'm sure there are some good free ones around too (sorry I don't really know any, I'm kind of stuck in my ways). It may take some reading and fiddling around to get your head around it, but it's worth learning how to make your own synth patches, and software synths are a good start, just look at some presets and figure out how they made it. As for drums and such, you can always find sample packs all over the net, just start collecting! Maybe some other guys can give you a good place to look.

Can't we rename the thread to "READ THE FIRST POST - Creative Music in progress"

[QUOTE=Skeeter;46911179]Can't we rename the thread to "READ THE FIRST POST - Creative Music in progress"[/QUOTE] rename it to "READ THE FIRST POST - READ THE FIRST POST"

Could we also make a rule that the first post after someone violating that rule should say "Hey please read the title", followed by actual criticism/content and then no one bothers with mentioning it again and we just continue like nothing happened. This is not a personal attack or something, but when I see that there's 4 new posts to this thread and 3 of them are people telling someone to read the title I feel cheated :v: [QUOTE=Mezzokoko;46908756] Update on something I posted here two weeks ago: [media]http://soundcloud.com/mezzokoko-wip/night-highway-1[/media][/QUOTE] It's nice, but I feel you could vary the sound of the bass a bit sometimes, you know like the classic tone envelope people throw on there (it could also be an envelope on the volume of a single oscillator, there's several ways of doing it), so it goes from a very bright to a very dark sound. Think stuff like Aphex Twin's acid songs. I tried looking for a good example but can't find one atm. Another idea would be to vary which instruments are playing. I.e. not just drums/bass/piano/synth all the time but maybe have small sections were only two of these interact or communicate. E.g. make the bass go nuts and let the drums respond to that. Things like that. It's very labour intensive to do such things though :v:

[QUOTE=AshMan;46909887]I don't wanna have to start banning for not following thread rules, because I really don't know how this can be more clear. Consider me the mod for this section from now on. I'll be keeping my eye out. [editline]12th January 2015[/editline] Diggin' the bassline here and the piano is nice, kinda gives it the old video game feel, I can't really explain it. What I think needs work though is general samples you've used, particular the drums. They kinda sound a bit default and basic, like the ones you would get bundled with a programs. Getting good samples is just something that kinda happens over time, you just start collecting them and getting an ear for it. I think it's pretty solid though and I quite like the sound the comes in at 2:35. Keep it up dude. Really liking this man. That sound that kinda sounds like a whale that comes in a few times is nice. Don't really have much else to say. Anyway here's a very short remix I did of the end credits theme to 'Check it Out'. Was gonna turn it into somethimg more but I lost the will. [URL="http://facepunch.com/"]Listen to Soundcloud recording[/URL] [URL]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/checkitout[/URL] And some sort of VHS tape company jingle [URL="http://facepunch.com/"]Listen to Soundcloud recording[/URL] [URL]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/logo-screen[/URL] [/QUOTE] The jingle was a little long, but yeah I felt like I just took a trip to the 90s for sure. Great stuff, nothing else really to say it was simple and I enjoyed it. [editline]12th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=4yourmalice;46910399]I apologize for not reading the rules first, and posting without giving feedback. The beginning of the "Check It Out" theme, sounded almost like Phil Collins was about to come in and start singing. When the bass kicked in and it went very 80's-esque was a great way to add energy to the arrangement. Well done. And the "VHS Jingle" nailed it. I feel like I'm throwing in a childhood movie and seeing an ad for the company that made the film. Here's another one I threw together [URL="http://facepunch.com/"]Listen to Soundcloud recording[/URL] [URL]http://soundcloud.com/travis-cumming-3/redemption-retribution-genesis-part-ii[/URL] EDIT : I don't know why it keeps changing the links to your songs, every time I edit this post.[/QUOTE] Not a fan of your style, but it does sound quality. [editline]12th January 2015[/editline] snip

None of those links work, are they private? Also do [code] [media] your soundcloudlink that is not https [ /media] [/code]

[media]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/go-crazy[/media] [editline]12th January 2015[/editline] Short piano riff that I took out all of the bass keys and replaced them with bass. Listen to Soundcloud recording [url]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/aint-with-that-que-onda-donde-estas-i-move-that-pack[/url] This one I sampled Majoras Mask, and it's more of a gross beat expirement from Fl Studio, but I'm sure someone will appreciate it. [url]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/majoras[/url] This one here is called Batageer for the ending, but it's a pretty good song to do some street dancing too: [url]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/batageer[/url] This one has an annoying tag because I worked hard to get that ultra long bass line in, so I can't have it being stolen: [url]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/bangarang[/url] This one was inspired by Andressa Soares "Vai" somehow, mostly just the 808 I used but hey check it out: [url]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/bailando[/url] This one isn't even done and is just a 16 bar loop. let me know if you like the general idea: Listen to Soundcloud recording [url]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/nufortu[/url] This is the first beat i've successfully co produced with someone else: [url]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/frank-lucas[/url] Last but not least my all time favorite (capcom startup sample) [url]http://soundcloud.com/naturalhighimporters/acalm[/url]

[QUOTE=AshMan;46909887][media]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/checkitout[/media][/QUOTE] That synth that rises in volume right at the end of the intro, there's a really high, metallic noise coming from it that's kind of annoying to me. Everything else is good though, sounds 80's as hell, but nice & clean at the same time. I like that warm pad thing a lot, the one that's still sustained at the end after everything else cuts out, that's sick.

[QUOTE=Skeeter;46911179]Can't we rename the thread to "READ THE FIRST POST - Creative Music in progress"[/QUOTE] I really doubt the op or title need to be made any more idiot proof

[QUOTE=AshMan;46909887] [media]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/checkitout[/media] And some sort of VHS tape company jingle [media]http://soundcloud.com/system_lock/logo-screen[/media][/QUOTE] Oh holy fuck those are some retro ass synths! Sounds so 80's I love it. Legit drive or hotline miami shit right there. The second track sounds like something the boards of canada would make [media]http://soundcloud.com/corn-mouth/spironolactone[/media] Here are some more of my beats that ive been working on [editline]13th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=ScreamingGerbil;46903100]Really digging this, getting a "trouble-in-paradise-in-an-anime-dating-sim" vibe for some reason. I've always been jealous of people who can write music like this. My only recommendations at this point are to maybe lower the volume on the string synth that's in the background in order to give emphasis to the piano. And maybe to add some gloomy reverb effect to the piano itself? Might make it gloomier. I've come up with a new alias - "Color Deaf". I hope it's not taken~ New low-tempo track: [media]http://soundcloud.com/color-deaf/crystal[/media] And I've updated this: [media]http://soundcloud.com/color-deaf/dark-type-computer-magic-original-mix[/media][/QUOTE] Chill as fuck. I love the weird vox thing you got going on. ITs all great!

[QUOTE=chaz13;46893387]This would be awesome sample for a beat or something along those lines. I've got a midi keyboard finally so I figured I'd make a depressing-but-not-too-depressing-with-some-hope piano ballad thingy. [media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/pi-a-no[/media][/QUOTE]This is very nice, even if a bit cliche, but seems like thats what you were going for. My favourite part is the 1:07 where there's only piano, I'm a huge sucker for solo piano pieces :3. [editline]13th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=ScreamingGerbil;46903100] New low-tempo track: [media]http://soundcloud.com/color-deaf/crystal[/media] [/quote] The intro is really important because you're supposed to give the listener a general feeling of the track without giving away too much but it still has to grab the listeners attention. In this instance it might feel a bit drawn out without a good reason, there isn't really that much happening in it, just some basic melodies, try coming up with a little gimmick for the intro? Though I like the way you introduce the bitcrushed synth, sounds almost like a didgeridoo, more of that thanks! I don't really know what else to say about the track, it's pretty decent overall. [QUOTE=ScreamingGerbil;46903100] And I've updated this: [media]http://soundcloud.com/color-deaf/dark-type-computer-magic-original-mix[/media][/QUOTE] [/quote]I'm sorry I just find the 'big room banger combined with the cheesy and overdone mid part that transitions into some kind of secret agent melody into a big room banger again' setting really, really goofy. But it's a good thing right? Not all music has to be serious, sometimes you just need a smile on your face! [editline]13th January 2015[/editline] Ok I'm running out of time so I can't look into other tracks right now so I'm dropping this here: [media]http://soundcloud.com/shpe/vault[/media] I'll look into the last page in more detail later this evening!