Figured i would throw mine up aswell

[Blank]

Ok this took me 2 days to throw it together...i cant tell if it sux or ive just heard it too many times...the opening is horrible i know...and it hasnt been mastered...pretty much shit...but honest opinons please!!

ftp://virus@djblank.serveftp.com/Let_it_Rain.mp3

peace
Blank

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

Ok, listenign to this track and watching your avater at the same time made me piss myself laughing. Very good Blank! :lol:

Ok, now ill do you the curtesy of an honest opinion. Please bear in mind im no pro! Intro a little lacking...but kicks off nicely into something atmospheric at 44 secs. Bass from reason? Its ok but a little cliched (Hell I can talk...I make fucking 80's sounds!). Ah yes and here come the trance leads.....actually sound pretty damn nice! Its good they play a kinda background role....

As far as structure goes I think its quite confusing. To me it sounds like you kept changing your mind... Its a mismatch.... Re-listen to it with fresh ears and decide what direction you wanna take this in....and be consistent. You trying to make a progressive track here?

Overall I'd give it a 6/10

DS

[Blank]

my structure in my music always lacks consistancy...I have been reading on themes/motives and phrases to improve this but that has always been my hard spot...

No reason bass...I hate reason...but i will say that the whole song was made with fruityloops :wink:

my midisport broke so im waiting for the firmware upgrade...and decided to throw something together...

I am curious on what you mean about me changing my mind...please elaborate because this might help me dive deeper into my structure problems...

peace
Blank

anyone else?

BTW: I got DS to like trance sounds :lol: :lol: :lol: MUAHAHAHAH j/k
Thanx DS

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

BTW: I got DS to like trance sounds :lol: :lol: :lol: MUAHAHAHAH j/k
Thanx DS

I'll never forgive you for that :lol:

Hmmm...changing your mind. What I mean by that is...you make a sound and you write something for it. That idea then leads you onto something else and you make another sound....but the thing is...your getting all these ideas but your struggling to connect them all. Its hard for me to articulate this....but its a common problem for most people. You obviously have the technical knowhow/ability to write a song....I just think you need to work on one idea (write it down if you have to) and structure everything around it. Try writing 3 minute songs and you'll see what I mean. If your having a problem with structure then why are you trying to write 6 min songs?

The song you posted is a classic example of reasonably good/interesting intro then you loose it a bit. At the moment im working on 3 min songs....I myself am trying to develope the ability to write good catchy tunes. The last thing I want to do is write a repetitve 8 min tune. I dont do repetition (well not to that extent anyway). Hmm does this answer help you in anyway? If not ill try and think how to articulate it better.

DS

[Blank]

know i see what you are saying, and i agree...I use to make 8 minute songs...that just changed all over the play thats why i went down to 6...and im trying to put in more reputition...This is exactly why im reading on Themes, motives, and phrases...you can also tell that by my volume levels...i want everything equally heard...

peace
Blank

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

Yep.....volumes that another factor. I sometimes do Jams with one of my housemates (guitar player)....and he ALWAYS cranks up the volume both on the jam and mix. I try to tell him to turn that shit down...but he just doesnt get it. Its like you got 3 instruments going (not much by any means) and you cant hear shit! Arrgh...he plays distorted bass, distorted leads...and im trying to fit a nice smooth pad in there! God damn rocker

DS

[Blank]

HAHA...well i dont consider myself to that extent but i have played with guys like that...


peace
BLank

[Hollowcell]

I'm looking forward to listening Blank! :D I'll be at work on Monday, so I'll DL it then.

Good to see you putting something up though.

[jasedee]

D/L 'ing now........

Jeez....How many megs????? 3.8 and still going....sorry, Im just impatient.

Ok.....here we go!

Cool.....Like the intro. Some breakbeat/DnB action is good. Nicely atmospheric. Nice main loop. Kick could have a little more definition, sounds a bit murky/fluffy. Some sample work might be nice...

Nice breakdown, a bit of an old school rave vibe here with that synth, i like it. Building.....building, could have used a slightly more filtered build there for the drums, comes back into the main loop nicely and new melody is cool.

Another breakdown......change, pianos....I see what DS means. It is lacking in form, and seems to change too much. I really like the pianos.

Cool track dude!!!!!!

[Blank]

Dude i love your critic, I can imagine you listening to it and speaking live...Thanx man....what do you mean about filter work on the drums? Ive never filtered drums b4...

peace
Blank

[jasedee]

In some tracks you hear for the intro they put the drums through a filter, resonace etc, and slowly unleash until it is sounding "Normal"....

Im not much of a synth buff, but you can just run the drums through the Virus, and use the filter/cutoff/resonance and fuck with it

It might sound cool?

[Blank]

hmmm...ill consider it...what i did was i made to drum beats...EQ'd the kick on one loop and compressed the snare...and the other boosted the kick and compressed the snare...so the first one sounds more mid...then the other kicks in to fill...and when the 2 snares layer it keeps the punch...but it didnt seem to work that well...i cant get drums to sound like they flow...even by adding lots of variations...i think i need to focus on making longer drumbeats...

peace
Blank

[jasedee]

I find drums the hardest part too...no matter what I do they dont sound "Live" enough. I can really explain it, but some of my friends can program drums so well!!! But those are usually drummers themselves..

Drums are so important, especially in a track like yours...DnB, breaks etc

[Blank]

Yeah i know...but heres the problem...i play drums really well but composing them i suck...ive been wanting a digital kit for sometime but dont have enough $cash$...hell i dont even have reference monitors...LOL

peace
Blank

[blay]

Yeah i know...but heres the problem...i play drums really well but composing them i suck...ive been wanting a digital kit for sometime but dont have enough $cash$...hell i dont even have reference monitors...LOL

peace
Blank

if you are in the market for a resonably priced set of monitor check out the tapco s8's - been using them for a few months now and i am very impressed. bottom end response would be great for you since you are producing electronic with quite a consistently heavy bottom end.

[Blank]

im saving for a pair of hr824s...but thanx for the insight....

peace
Blank

[blay]

im saving for a pair of hr824s...but thanx for the insight....

peace
Blank

even better if you have the money.....
:)

[Blank]

Well im sick of buying what will work for the moment...i want something that will last...and they have good enough functionality for me not to have to upgrade until they wear down...

peace
Blank

[jasedee]

Well im sick of buying what will work for the moment...i want something that will last...and they have good enough functionality for me not to have to upgrade until they wear down...

peace
Blank
Thats a good attitude to have.......if you settle for something less, you will only compromise your audio, and it will end up costing you more in the long run.....

Obviously we all cant afford the absolute "best", but Im sure some of us (Me!) are guilty of buying something that was OK, for the sake of a few hundred dollars, when onl a little more of a wait, and we could have something that we would truly get the most performance from

[Blank]

yeah when i first started buyin gear i figured get as many synths as possible and of course i was moron and didnt know how much i wanted analogue so i bought as follows....

AN200 (Dedicated VST)
DX200 (Dedicated VST)
SH32 (dedicated VST)
EA1 (although it makes some decent sounds)


peace
Blank

[jasedee]

This may turn into a "Project Studio hall of shame"

My stupid purchases......Lets see:

Korg X5D- Ummm....why did I get that?
Behringer Ultragain pro MIC2200 (Dual Tube preamp)
DBX266XL Compressor/Gate (WTF? This is a "live" comp.)
Lexicon MPX110 (Really budget reverb)
2 x Behringer unbalanced patchbays (why oh why did I buy all those unbalanced leads>>???)

All that money couldve been spent on a Poco or UAD-1 .....or even a Ti (If only i had some foresight)

[Blank]

HAHA LOL I bought the MPX110 too...i like my m300 better


peace
Blank

[jasedee]

HAHA LOL I bought the MPX110 too...i like my m300 better
Hehehe.....I like my M300 better too!!!!! Sheesh...wierd Virus forum connections happening again...

[Blank]

well for me i heard good reviews on both companies and figure i will probably need 2 reverb boxes...so why not by one from each...doh!

for some reason the mpx110 will not get loud like the m300 but of course i havent researched it that much

peace
Blank

[jasedee]

Im not sure what is going on......I wouldve thought the Lexicon would sound better, through their reputation.

I tried a Lexicon 480L the other day, and it was damned amazing!!!! We only had a chance to go through a few presets, but it was the sweetest sounding reverb I have ever heard. Those things used to cost bloody thousands (And still do I think)

I have also tried the MPX550, and actually that one is a very nice reverb, and alot better than the M300

The M300 is great, cos I can use it as an AD via S/PDIF if I need another 2 inputs

[Blank]

yeah i agree...but i had a problem with digital feedback...but maybe i was just hooking it up wrong or it was just shitty cables...

peace
Blank

[blay]

This may turn into a "Project Studio hall of shame"


roland mc-505. my first and worst ever purchase. very expensive midi controller :wink:

behringer: i dont even need to say anymore. if you are running audio through anything by this company you should take a serious look at yourself.(pete wanders over to mirror 8O )

[Blank]

hey hey hey not everything is bad...i actually really like my ddx3216...

peace
Blank

[jasedee]

hey hey hey not everything is bad...i actually really like my ddx3216...
Oooohhhh......The Behringer debate! This could get ugly :)

Behringer has its place...and it also has its sound/sonic qualities. One interview I read this guy loved his obscenely cheap Behringer preamp, cos it sounded real dirty and Lo-fi......so It had a purpose.

The assumption that all Behringer gear is shithouse cos it is made in china and is dirt cheap is a dangerous one. For a start, Chinese production is in fact very highly standardised and modern. There are so many people in China that Labour is cheap, and so many companies are realising this and setting up shop there....

One thing I will say about Behringer is they have outstandung customer service. Their products are well manufactured, For the price you pay

No-one can deny that in terms of value for money, Behringer is a company above all the rest.

and lets not forget Behringer brings technology to those that could not previously afford it.....

I could go on all night, but I wont bore you all, plus, I have alot of shit to do, so can you fuckers stop posting!!!!!! ;) J/K

[Blank]

yeah!! anyway you are fukin up my thread...its suppose to be about me!!! Me!!! DAMNIT!!! ME!!! j/k LOL

any1 else having any opinions of my work?

peace
BLank

[blay]

never used one of those and i never intend to.

a friend gets some good results from one of their effects units - but on the whole i have found Behringer gear to be noisy, unreliable pieces of average audio gear.....

any time you think about buying this stuff just repeat after me:

"this stuff is crap it only sells because it is cheap. if i am patient and save just a little bit more money i will get a piece of equipment that i will actually be able to use and will last me more than 12 months".

i call it the behringer creed :wink:

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

im saving for a pair of hr824s...but thanx for the insight....

peace
Blank

You working ina small studio Blank? Bedroom? The reason being is that the 824's are big bastards....I wouldnt regard them as near feild at all. I use the 624's....and they are just perfect for my medium sized bedroom. Both the 624's and 824's use identical drivers and crossovers. The 824's have slightly better base response. But you should seriously consider the environment your in.

DS

[jasedee]

I went with a mate when he was shopping for monitors, and we listened to both the 624's and 824's, and I was actually very dissapoited with the sound from the 624's.....the 824's seemed IMO much nicer, fuller sounding monitor.

Then we listened to some Dynaudio Acoustics BM6A's & OMFG they were so f*ckin beautiful

I would buy them for sure if I were upgrading....

[blay]

Then we listened to some Dynaudio Acoustics BM6A's & OMFG they were so f*ckin beautiful

sing it sister :twisted:

ive been dreaming of a pair of those for way too long. $3000 though :roll:

[Blank]

well yes im in my bedroom but its quite a large master!! and i have already read about placement and i have plenty of room for that...


peace
Blank

[jasedee]

ive been dreaming of a pair of those for way too long. $3000 though :roll:
Same as a pair of 824's no?

[Blank]

824s run about 1100 new...

peace
Blank

[jasedee]

In OZ the 824's retail around AUD$3495 (RRP) and the BM6A's @ AUD$4750 (RRP)

824's US$2760

BM6A's US$3750

Of course RRP is not what you'd pay (unless you are really dumb).....

F*ck we get shafted all the way over here......

[Blank]

Hell yeah u are getting shafted!! :lol: :lol:

peace
Blank

[blay]

so as not to be involved in advertising i will just let you know that there is a shop in syd selling the bm6a's for $3000 a pair :twisted:

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

Yes i do Blanc....

When you play the keyboard do you find it hard to sit still?

DS

[blay]

When you play the keyboard do you find it hard to sit still?

check my avatar :wink:

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

Hehehe....btw Blay...did you make that Avatar yourself? How do u get it too move?

DS

[blay]

Hehehe....btw Blay...did you make that Avatar yourself? How do u get it too move?

DS

its just a simple animated gif
4 frames, head up/head up(creates the pause)/head middle/head down
i didnt make it but i couldnt resist it as an avatar
i cant even remember where i found it now to credit the maker! :oops:

[Tomer=Trance]

I went with a mate when he was shopping for monitors, and we listened to both the 624's and 824's, and I was actually very dissapoited with the sound from the 624's.....the 824's seemed IMO much nicer, fuller sounding monitor.

Then we listened to some Dynaudio Acoustics BM6A's & OMFG they were so f*ckin beautiful

I would buy them for sure if I were upgrading....

yo mate check out the new quested monitors
about the same price range as the mackies
active 6.5` http://www.quested.com/f/
ive heard they beat the dynaudio like that mixes translates from them much better.

[Blank]

DS, when the groove hits me i just cant seem to stop movin' :lol:

Tomer ill definitely check out those monitors...always looking for a good alternative :wink:

Thanx

Peace
Blank

[Hollowcell]

OK, finaly got the time to take a listen Blank...Been a fucking busy week!

Not a bad track mate. Little bit clashy on the styles though. Got a groove though and quite easy on the listener.

Drums - I like the drums in general. Specially like the high end. The snare didn't do much for me though - sat too far back and didn't have that "snap" that I'm into. The kick is cool though for sure. Like the ambience on the reversed cymbal too.

Synths - Mmmm. Not my cup of tea really. Here is where the styles just seem to clash too much for the track to sit well. I know you can program mate, so I was hoping for some original sounds to burst out. The only sound I liked was that detuned underlying pad sort of sound - damn eary sound that one.

FX - Some cool little effected sounds in this. Some sort of reminded me of an older trancie number though, but on the whole cool.

Piano sound - Another sound that kind of clashed a bit for me. But a nice melody.

I think if you had used different sounds it would have been a really cool track. The production isn't too bad and the flow of the song is quite nice too - just the sounds didn't fit for me.

Thanks for the listen Blank. Keep 'em comming!

[Blank]

Clashing styles? i didnt know we had to stick to styles in music? :lol:

as for the sounds!! my midisport broke so this is all software...I cant program with softsynths...its foreign to me!!

peace
Blank

[Hollowcell]

Clashing styles? i didnt know we had to stick to styles in music? :lol:

Of course you don't have to stick to styles, but using the well known unoriginal sounds that are trademarks with-in their respective genres creates an uneasy listen (specially when using them all in one track). If the sounds you had used for this track weren't as well known as they are, the track would have sat better. That's all I was getting at. Just a person preference is all. :)

as for the sounds!! my midisport broke so this is all software...I cant program with softsynths...its foreign to me!!
peace
Blank

Fair enough. How about posting a few of your tracks that were completed before the death of your Midisport?

[Blank]

well i only have one with my hardware and it was a quick lame trance song i threw together in a day...ever since i got my hardware i have had one thing after another go wrong...or something preoccupy my time...but sure enough ill put something out soon...because maudio is sending me a firmware upgrade for my midisport...the R&A guy said it should fix the problem...my first dive into repairing my own gear!!! im so excited...

if you would like to hear it i could get you a link but i dont want to post the song...i really dont like it...

peace
Blank

[Blank]

OKAY speaking of different styles!! this one will really throw you off...This was an experiment...Hollow gave me the idea...started it yesterday and finish it @ 3:00am pst this morning...yesterday!! YOu will atleast get a laugh! :wink:

its rough but listenable!!


ftp://virus@djblank.serveftp.com/TechStepEpicTrance.mp3

peace
Blank

[jasedee]

Dude!

Nice track......

Intro was great.......I reckon u should've stuck to that style. But I guess my opinion is somewhat biased as I dont really like trance. But I do like the sounds you've used, especially the pads and bass line...Im not really into the lead line...

Ooohh...Nice panning, Ok here comes the second trancey lead..

Anyways, for the amount of time you spent, this is a really cool track

[Blank]

For right now i figured i would play around until i get my midisport fixed...Heck maybe i can go back to a few and redo then right!! :wink:

Thanx for the positive criticism!!

peace
Blank

[Juho L]

Let's Che... I like the drums, although the snare could be a bit more snappy instead of that "paf".

TB303... Noooo. Nice atmosphere on the middle when that bloody hover comes. Really spacey due that heavy reverb. Nice.

I kinda expected a piano to come. Good... Maybe a bit more complexity towards the end would be nice.

Basic trance track with nice atmosphere. Lacks a climax point, which I'd like to hear on this track.

[3o3]

AHH, good old sound of an tb303. Classic one Blank! Respect

[Blank]

LOL!!! thank you 303...which song did you check out tho? because i have 2 on this thread..?

and can u explain climax to me? In musical terms, whats your definition of climax...

the only reason im asking all these questions is because want to see how other ppl listen to music!!

Thanx
Blank

[tranzash]

I like the second one better. there is something about the climax, is it missing? those dark trance pad by Vir C? Nice songs Blank..

[Blank]

Im keeping my opinions to myself...im just looking to you guys for your opinions! Do you think a climax is missing? and where? everything on the song is software!!

peace
Blank

[3o3]

Err - I am listening to Let it rain;

and i'll give it a comment now:

First of all, the beat in the begining of the track makes the track feel like an dnb-track and with those pads; this could acctually become a really nice dnb.

I'd probably use the tb's in a different way here; double the tempo on those 303's and dont let them be running all the time that would create and "dddd"-effect instead of an "d-d d-d" and use them as an 'break' or something like that.

When the 'lead'-part comes in has a more of an trance-feel, which i personally feel is not suitable for this track or maybe as an break in an massive dnb-track since the beats are quite nice in this - maybe some more variation on them. But if you like this you should raise the volume on the lead and get another piano. (but then again, who i am i to complain about bad soundquality)

I think it's missing an part aswell; when it all comes togheter in the song if you know what i mean. With extra everything on it!

Another tip for that intro; i do like the rain-sound (i love rain so) - make it abit longer and add some effects which you just use in the end of the intro - maybe an phaser + flanger and tweak those so you get this really electric-type of sound. Then add some of the beats you got but vary them abit more because if you aren't into dnb-music you could always make this quite an nice breakbeat-track.

However; respect on those tb303!

[Blank]

I like your critic...very honest...maybe i shoud go the dnb style...did you listen to the other one i posted above? would love to here what you think of that one aswell!!

peace
Blank

[3o3]

Ok, i am downloading the other track now:

First thing that comes to mind; what a beutiful and very moody intro - I could easily hear this in an horror/drama-movie. just beutiful work on that piano and the pad in the very beging is really going nice with the piano. I am not really sure about those drums - I do like the beat but i feel that the kick is abit synthetic-sounding for this one, i'd go for another type of kick here.

I do like the hihats, but still not sure about those samples either acctually. and i do enjoy those -dddddrrrrrr effects you use on the beat - I've always been a sucker for those types of effects.

Now the bass comes in, which i do feel is abit soft if you want this to be an trance-tune, i'd raise the volume on that one and try to get it abit more 'punchy' - you gotta feel when the bass hits aswell as the kick, these are the things people are listning to on the dancefloor. Then the lead kicks in and it gets another turn; it now goes for more of an Robert Miles-kind of trance, very dreamy - with some more work on this part it could be really nice; add an arpeggio in the background with some panning work and some cutoff on that arpeggio later on (maybe use the an lfo to control it)

Then all of the sudden, the beats starts to sound really odd - it sounds more clear like the have been tweaked before with cutoff (?) or is it my extremly nice audio-system that is acting up again.

Anyways, again now the 'intro'-beat starts wow, i do enjoy those electric-effect on the drums. Those are mad as hell, and would really fit well into another DNB-track or why not make another remake of this tune and make it into more of an psy-trance tune with some effects and so on.

Well, i'll listen to it a few more times and i'll give it a comment later.

[Juho L]

and can u explain climax to me? In musical terms, whats your definition of climax...

It's just... climax. It's a part of a song that is more intense than the rest. It's that kind of part that you play if someone asks you to play a 20 second clip from a track of your choice. Climax has all the essential themes of a track and it's usually located at the end of a track so the climax is like a prelude for an outro. For example on a basic rock song the climax is usually the final chorus.

Sometimes it's good that track doesn't have a climax and sometimes it's bad. The lack of climax creates very flat result, which is ideal for a background type of music which purpose is not to catch attention, like ambient. On the music that's actually ment to be listened or danced almost requires a climax, otherwise the result might be too flat to be interesting enough and you eventually loose attention.

On this your track I'm not sure is the lack of climax a good or bad thing. The atmosphere is very ambientish, but still it's basicly dance music. Maybe it works both ways: With and without a climax. I personally would prefer a climax on it, but it's not essential.

I didn't notice that you had another track here. I'll give it a listen when I get back home.

[Blank]

man 303 you rock with these criticisms...you an hollow have had the best so far...but i think its not really what you say...although the way you type gets me...because you litterally try to copy the mouth with your typing like

and i do enjoy those -dddddrrrrrr effects you use on the beat

good stuff...i think its more that i keep imagining a monkey talking!! LOL

even still you are honest and thats the most important...i really appreciate it and if and when i modify these songs ill let you have a listen...

as for the bass, i use shitty headphones to make music so the bass seems booming thats why its low...its a quick fix


peace
Blank

[3o3]

good stuff...i think its more that i keep imagining a monkey talking!

Bwahahahahaha. Yet true - I gotta be the only swedish monkey around here.

i really appreciate it and if and when i modify these songs ill let you have a listen...

That sounds good; I sure do like that intro of the techtrance-song. It's great, that you should really work on. And those crazy beats are just great aswell. I could easily see people dance to those types of drums.

as for the bass, i use shitty headphones to make music so the bass seems booming thats why its low...its a quick fix

I've got the same problem with that, i do use headphones aswell and it sounds ok but i've learnt how to correct this things even if they aren't 100%.

[Blank]

I NEED MONITORS!!!

any1 want to donate to the help Blank get the equipment to get a record deal fund :lol: :wink:


peace
BLank

[jasedee]

I NEED MONITORS!!!

any1 want to donate to the help Blank get the equipment to get a record deal fund :lol: :wink:


peace
BLank
You dont need equipment for a record deal....

1) A personal trainer - change that flabby belly to a six pack!
2) trendy clothes and a new hairstyle - preferebly something a bit riske
3) $10,000 on cheesy 80's dance remake
4) $100,000 on music video - lots of hot women and dancers etc in bikinis
5) A damn good publisher

There you have it! One record deal........good for at least 2 weeks of stardom and fame

:)

[Blank]

You dont need equipment for a record deal....

1) A personal trainer - change that flabby belly to a six pack!
2) trendy clothes and a new hairstyle - preferebly something a bit riske
3) $10,000 on cheesy 80's dance remake
4) $100,000 on music video - lots of hot women and dancers etc in bikinis
5) A damn good publisher

There you have it! One record deal........good for at least 2 weeks of stardom and fame

1) Does a three pack count? I drank the other three!!
2) Got a new hairstyle, leopard skin G-string?
3) thats alot for a cheesy 80's dance remake, im sure you could make it for a couple dollars..
4) Same with this one...have you seen those 80's videos?
5) do i have to write a book too?


peace
Blank

[jasedee]

5) do i have to write a book too?
Yes.......A life story, with lots of controversial statements on homosexuality and your childhood

[Blank]

well the childhood thing i could do...but as for homosexuality the closest i get is having gay guys try and do stupid pickup lines on me!! LOL

peace
Blank

[jasedee]

well the childhood thing i could do...but as for homosexuality the closest i get is having gay guys try and do stupid pickup lines on me!! LOL
hehehehe.... :)

[Blank]

who couldnt love this face

<-------------------------- :roll:


peace
BLank