oh, Richard, check your PMs

quote:

Originally posted by deegee Could you point me at a track that uses the kind of booming kick you think would work better?

Perhaps something like this:



Or more like this (your track reminded me of this one):

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Butler Sorry I know I'm being greedy but I want to get this track right, can you please let me know of any improvements. Only home mastering for now. I'm guessing the build ups to the chorus's need mooore "epicness" and vocals need work?

I really really dislike that organ sound. It's ruining the track for me. I think if you want to use something like that you're going to have to go full-on Ghosts & Stuff for it to work, with a distorted, aggressive organ-like sound. Honestly though, I'd replace it all together.

The vocals are interesting but they're really hard to understand, and are set really far back in the mix.

The drums are nice though, and it's cool melodically.

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quote:

Originally posted by AlphaStarred Perhaps something like this: Or more like this (your track reminded me of this one):

Wow, that is quite the compliment, thank you!

So you're suggesting a bit of distortion (that first one sounds like a pretty classic distorted 909 to me?) and a bit more reverb?

quote:

Originally posted by deegee So you're suggesting a bit of distortion (that first one sounds like a pretty classic distorted 909 to me?) and a bit more reverb?

Yep, just make it more booming. Play around a with it a bit, perhaps. The choice is ultimately yours, of course, but that's at least what I'd like to hear, I think.

Also, notice the breaks and buildups in the 2nd track. They still retain the tension throughout, whereas your break in the middle sounds like the track is ending and a new one is beginning.

Good point. It's an effect I've heard in many tracks--kill everything down to the kick and then blast 'em in the face again, but it seems like I've missed some crucial element in making that, y'know work I like the way the structure goes, but I need something overlaying the kick to add tension. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Butler Sorry I know I'm being greedy but I want to get this track right, can you please let me know of any improvements. Only home mastering for now. I'm guessing the build ups to the chorus's need mooore "epicness" and vocals need work?

I quite like it to be honest. Not the style I'm usually listening to but it is catchy. I have no problems with the organ sound, I think it fits the style. The mix sounds good to my ears, and the vocals are good. Doesnt really matter that they dont make sense. They just need to be there so peeps can hum along.

quote:

Originally posted by deegee Anyone care to have a go at this WIP? I'm mainly at the stage where I'm endlessly fussing with tiny things so I can avoid doing a final mixdown. I'm aware some of the EQ needs work--waiting for some time with a friend's good monitors. Thoughts, anyone? Don't hold back.

I think the buildup to the breakbeat needs more tension. It feels pretty meh with that snare alone...
And I agree that the kick needs some compliment at the drop. Maybe you can use a big delay on the FX sound? It doesnt feel good when that dissappears altogether for a moment. Thats what makes it sound like it's ending.

And yes, a moore boomy kick would do no harm.

Well it's mixed very nicely (in my headphones anyway) and will make a very nice breakdown. The basic melody, though, isn't all that interesting. If you're going to go with simple (and I love simple!) you need to jazz it up a bit more with any of: fatter/fuller sound, more filter ******y, more interesting/morphing synth lead, distortion... something. For me it feels like the more complex the melody, the simpler the sound should be, and vice versa. Ends up a little cookie cutter otherwise.

Which is not to say I don't like this!

quote:

Originally posted by soundinquiry

Ok this could work if you bring in a prominent counter melody at 49 seconds in. It will need to have a great sound and be clear and not saw like, so something like a distorted square. To make it original don't just play it, maybe use staccato and editing tricks, the sort of thing Seandroid does.

The resonant filter that opens into the main saw melody is slightly old fashioned, needs a bit of a tweak so it's not so standard.

Could be a big sounding piece if done right. Nice mix.

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Really appreciate the feedback on my track guys, VERY useful.
On balance it seems the organ has to be killed and replaced by something more interesting. I deliberately tried to find an old boring small chapel organ as I wanted this to be a foil / contrast for the much more interesting piano part that comes after.

But I don't want people to turn off the track right away due to a depressing organ sound so I will address this.

Droidika - that's a good point about the lack of clarity in the vocals, maybe time to layer them up with a less affected version but I'm terrified this will cause me to loose the mix balance I've got.

Cheers again!

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