WIPs/unfinished tunes for feedback * no finished tunes *

[Maxxan]

@ Maxxan- Both of these are super official. No lie, you might have just converted me from my brostep love to a glitch-head. The first one has a lot of potential and the second song is just ridiculous.

Thanks a bunch man, faith somewhat restored lol. I'ma try to get some more groove into that first track and I guess it might be a keeper. (BTW if you haven't you prolly wanna check out pretty lights. I know he's like super famous, but a lot of people for some reason haven't heard of him. Imagine you'd like his stuff)

I checked your track out, although I'm at work so I've got a pair of in-ears with shitty subs. Since the style is a bit experimental it's hard to provide feedback on the composition, although the first minute or so basically had me wondering about the purpose or direction of the song. The percussion is cool and there's not really anything for me to pick on technically, I just felt like there was no musical idea in it otherwise than wonky perc sounds. Although, I imagine there's some stuff going on in the subs so it could just be that I'm missing out on the basslines. On the other hand I never really understood percussion based music, don't really listen to this kind of stuff so maybe it's just me and the style that don't get each other in which case this was a pretty retarded point to make, so I guess that depends on your audience.

At 1.40 things started to take off though. It's more relatable to me, I liked that part. The beat seems a bit underwhelming to me but I guess you got the kick hitting in the subs which would explain why I couldn't hear it. Anyway, you might wanna throw on a layer of mids or something in case anyone decides to listen to it through shitty headphones or (god forbid) laptop speakers or something like that, just so you hear that the rhythm is there. Never hurts, as long as you can fit it in the mix (which it sounds like you could). Unless you wanna keep it weird and underground, in which case keep it like that. Not like the track is aimed towards the kind of people who listen through their laptops anyway, hah

[dotcurrency]

Maxxan: I really like the glitch tune, only thing I can think of at the moment is that you should definitely raise the level of that piano.

mthrfnk: You're really good at composing your leads! Do you play an instrument, and if so, for how long? I think the 80bpm is fine, especially considering the vibe that your song gives. Good choice of spoken word, where'd you find it? Overall, really good work, can't find anything to complain about. Love it.

Houston Weather: I'm not sure what to say about the intro, but 0.45 on is definitely something to admire. And that pitchbend around 1.35, try adding a sweep/riser behind it. Unless something is wrong with my headphones (wouldn't be surprised if there was) the kick needs more punch, and the snare should be "snappy". Also add a stronger subbass, ESPECIALLY for the 1.40 section, would definitely make it sound even better.


Worked on this tune for an hour. Surprised I was able to get this much. I'm still a beginner and learning a lot.
I don't like the drums, but I constantly find myself using a basic kick-hat-snare sample with generally the same pattern layout. Any ideas how to improve that? Even though I have quite a lot of drum samples, I always find myself using ones that sound very similar and simplistic.
Soundcloud

[forbidden]

dotcurrency: try introducing different percussion (bongos, shakers, tambourine etc..). that snare sound is overused so much nowadays it's almost a cliche..try automating different levels of reverb on it to give it more movement if you really like the sample. the wob at 1:10 is way too loud, and the low end of the kick drum is being absolutely murdered by the sub/midrange bass when it comes in. look up youtube videos on sidechaining compression, or work with EQ to prevent the problem of frequencies clashing so much. for an hours work though this is really impressive, keep it up!

mthrfnk: big sounds here, only qualm i would have with it is the synths sound a little preset-ish. reminds me a little bit of kromestar. try making the delays echo out a little longer but not as loud to give it more impact. your composition is on point though, this would be a cool hip hop beat for sure

Maxxan: i really like "settle down" it's kind of taking that extremely processed skrillex type vocal sound but laying it over a beat that doesn't have those high frequency screeches that make me wanna jump out the window. compliments on the mixing of the vocal over the beat, sounds extremely clean. no real criticism here..more tracks like this will earn you some recognition for sure!

my track in my sig is a really rough WIP, really just the basic idea, have yet to add fx to give it more variation, nor any audio effects like delay/verb. really just getting the main synth/drum loop down and going from there. trying to use a more rudimentary approach to song structure. first time ever using reverse cymbals haha. c&c appreciated.

[UVOZ]

dotcurrency: defiantly a new wave vibe, im feeling the intro. not really a fan of the drop though, good modulations but i feel its application could be more creative. the mids are a little peaky as well.

difference: nice percussion sir, the guitar riff works & a pretty chill vibe all around.

Maxxan: the tune in your sig is pretty large. not much else to say, good job.

Soundcloud

[Maxxan]

Maxxan: I really like the glitch tune, only thing I can think of at the moment is that you should definitely raise the level of that piano.

Worked on this tune for an hour. Surprised I was able to get this much. I'm still a beginner and learning a lot.
I don't like the drums, but I constantly find myself using a basic kick-hat-snare sample with generally the same pattern layout. Any ideas how to improve that? Even though I have quite a lot of drum samples, I always find myself using ones that sound very similar and simplistic.
*SC*

Yeah I fixed that, noticed it was peaking at like -24 db today when I looked lol. Thanks for the input!

That's actually a pretty smooth tune. The levels are a bit off, the kick is a bit clicky for me. I don't mean the sample, I'd say bring the volume down quite a bit and scoop out the mids a little so it still has some impact in the bass. Apart from that you already got some good advice on mixing, just turn your wobbles down a bit and try to take away some unnecessary energy with the EQ so you don't have to bring them up so much for impact. Really like the arpeggio you got going, very cool.

On using the same drum samples, I'm not sure that's such a bad idea after all. It's hard to maintain one sound in EDM since you usually swap out your patches for different tracks (at least I do, I make every synth from scratch in each project), so having something identifiable is good IMO. Especially since that's more of an electro/house kick than dubstep, it helps listeners identify your tracks. It'll pop. If you desperately want to find some different samples I guess there isn't really much to it more than just testing different ones out. If you're using FL Studio i can recommend highlighting the channel for a sample and then clicking the samples with your mouse wheel in the browser. It'll replace the one you have with the one you clicked, so you can easily listen to them in your track. Makes things a lot faster when looking for the perfect kick.

@Difference: I listened to the track, but tbh I can't really say anything about it that early. I mean, of course you got your basic polishing stuff, throw in some automation when bringing in/out instruments, add som risers, pads and effects etc, some more careful mixdown and stuff but you'll have to get to that I guess. Hard to say before it takes more shape.

Thanks a bunch for the compliments by the way :$

UVOZ: I already finished that one, posted about another one earlier. Should probably take it outta my sig while posting in this thread, lol. But thanks a bunch man!

That downpitched delay-y thingy sounds mean as hell, really nice one. Overall good track, really nice groove in the drop. Only thing is it feels a bit 'empty' compared to a professional track though, might wanna add in some cymbals, incidentals, sweeps, drumfills etc. I'd turn down the volume on that melody in the drop too, but maybe that's just me. Sounds great so far though.


I already got some good feedback by now, but I figured I'll just throw in an updated version of my track here since I bounced it anyway, mostly in case anyone happens to be interested in the progress or whatever.

Soundcloud

Added some cymbals and reversed snares and stuff, changed up the basslines a bit and redid some of the levels. I think it's starting to get a bit more groove now.

[Klesherdubs]

@Dotcurrency: you really had me vibinnn at the beginning .. I was really feelin it.. till it came with that overused boring snare, kick, hh type intro and build up.. for the way the track is laid out it feels warm so the synth you used for the main line of the song doesn't really fit.. and where's the Bass ?!?! all in all it could be better,, but for a beginner its well on its way.. but stick to a style and keep it,, I feel like your attempting brostep.... don't.. the intro was real nice warm classy dub n dubstep// work with that,, learn some more perc patterns and lay downs, try mixing it up.. the simple snare kick is overplayed.. don't watch tutorials.. just sit down one day and keep it playing foward loop and change up the pattern and style and see what yu enjoy.. and use more than just a kick snare and hi hat !

@ Crimsonghost: the main synth your using feels real solid compressed and warm,, just perfect sound from it.. I don't really fuck with glitch.. but all I can say is mix up the perc more.. good track tho mate !

@mthrfnk: what can I say... Im not electro .. but if I had to listen to it, I would deff listen to your tracks famm ! Im liking the feel throughout it, deff if it was made in two our, the higher piano could be compression.. add some effects and use some stereo imagers to give it a more organic feel,, open the sound more to travel to the ears you know(; I like the track but I must ask where are all my dubsteppers ?! enjoy all the tracks I could.. Firefox is running slow atm so I couldn't check all the ones I wanted too... But anyone else Hmu I'll give good constructive criticism to help improve anything.. ! safe..

my track right here keeps changing its style and pace but right now Im keen to this in specific and really diggin it.. one of the few tracks of mine Im proud of producing thus farr.. Real Weighty ,, (no laptop speakers would feel this) any dutty dubsteppers , coki heads, or megalodon fans check this out and tell me bout it ! cheers !

[mthrfnk]

mthrfnk: You're really good at composing your leads! Do you play an instrument, and if so, for how long? I think the 80bpm is fine, especially considering the vibe that your song gives. Good choice of spoken word, where'd you find it? Overall, really good work, can't find anything to complain about. Love it.

Thanks

Nope, I have a midi keyboard but I can't play it fluently. Generally just dick around with chords and try and make topline melodies to got with them, aside from that clever arpegiation always sounds ok. I compose everything in a piano vst first, it always is much easier to find stuff that sounds good imo, then I transpose to synths. The words are from a sample pack of old speeches/tv broadcasts

As for your track: The intro is nice, I feel your drums are missing some more energy though, perhaps some clever hand drums or panned hats may liven up the stereo space or some nice reverb on a send an NY compression on the drum buss. I'd also bring in the arp from the start, but filter it in. I like the after drop part, the melody is quite nice, try and get the arp to stand out more from the mid/basses though, cut all its mid and try and get the high end fluttering on top, wide in the stereo space. If you haven't already try sidechaining your kick, automating a drop in EQ on your synths at whatever freq your snare is hitting at as the drums are being overpowered by the mid/bass atm. Ooh and another tip, again if you haven't already, try some kind of comp on your bass buss to glue your stuff together (try out Density MkIII - it's free ) Also some nice qhite noise sweeps or risers/fallers would help to keep the track flowing. For one hour you've got a solid start, try to fill everything out and improve the mix and this could have some nice weight to it.

mthrfnk: big sounds here, only qualm i would have with it is the synths sound a little preset-ish. reminds me a little bit of kromestar. try making the delays echo out a little longer but not as loud to give it more impact. your composition is on point though, this would be a cool hip hop beat for sure

Thanks
I share your qualm tbh, it's a problem I have with Vanguard - I love the synth because it's easy to get sounds you hear in everyday EDM out but I'm struggling to make anything really stand out. All the synths in the track are from Vanguard except for the glider which is Massive (going to replace this with some horns/brass anyways), I think perhaps the fact they're all from Vanguard makes the synths boring overall.

Anyways as for your track: I love the intro, and the drums. Tight bongos. Although I don't think you should drop out the guitary synth at 0:20ish. You might hate this idea but like a really sparse piano melody would sound really tight across the top of this. The composition is good, the synths sound nice and the drums are punching through. Seems like you know what you're doing. I'd like to hear it when you start layering it with delay, verb and fx.

@mthrfnk: what can I say... Im not electro .. but if I had to listen to it, I would deff listen to your tracks famm ! Im liking the feel throughout it, deff if it was made in two our, the higher piano could be compression.. add some effects and use some stereo imagers to give it a more organic feel,, open the sound more to travel to the ears you know(; I like the track but I must ask where are all my dubsteppers ?! enjoy all the tracks I could.. Firefox is running slow atm so I couldn't check all the ones I wanted too... But anyone else Hmu I'll give good constructive criticism to help improve anything.. ! safe..

Hah lol I'll try and open it up a little, glad you like the ideas though. Also, I still produce dubstep/chilled bassy music @140bpm - just not very often (my last dubstep track from 4 months ago http://snd.sc/PFIXuj)

The intro on your track is nice, perhaps a little too much verb on the sample though. Not my sort of style but stuff seems to be flowing nicely, although I'm losing the kick slightly (on headphones). Only criticism is that I feel you need a little more variation. I see what you're going for with this track though, finish it up


Also here's my track again, just so anybody posting below can listen easier than going back a page
Soundcloud

[filtersnake]

@dotcurrency. For a beginner you are in the right place! loads of stuff to learn from in this forum. the Masterthread is the place to start. I reckon you need to layer your sounds more and get some stereo width going on those spaces they seem a bit static atm when the song drops. the intro is nice and the reverb and delay on the stabs is perfect maybe 4=8 bars before it drops take out the drums and some other elements so it hits harder.

@maxxan: loving the piano chords that carry the song along. perfectly placed and those bass synths are epic. really would love to know how you made those fine reeses! good filter movement on them as well. you might want to build more of an intro into the drop though also maybe add a B section to your drop? something with a bit more melody/changeup

@ mthrfnk: haha the medieval organy sound you got going on at the start is quality! Always loved your choice of vocal samples. like the smooth drop when it hits. a bit different. mixdown is good and the song flows well. I think like you were saying bring in more orchestral parts when the song drops for the second time?

finally got an arrangement sorted. hope you like the remix! my first one i've done actually. about time!

Soundcloud

[Maxxan]

@maxxan: loving the piano chords that carry the song along. perfectly placed and those bass synths are epic. really would love to know how you made those fine reeses! good filter movement on them as well. you might want to build more of an intro into the drop though also maybe add a B section to your drop? something with a bit more melody/changeup

finally got an arrangement sorted. hope you like the remix! my first one i've done actually. about time!

Soundcloud

Oh yeah that's just a short snippet of the song, there's a real build to it and some other sections too. Just unsure if the style is working or too slow/dull. I like it but most people I've showed it too find it boring.

The reeses are actually PWM hoovers, I've got a PWM oscillator modulating the pulse width for the space alien attack kinda sound, routed through an automated bandreject filter to give it even more movement and then through an automated EQ (not really needed as I already got some nice movement at this point but why not). Not too much processing otherwise really as PWM sounds pretty good the way it is imo, some distortion and chorus and stuff to widen the sound though. Let me know and I can give you some more details if you need it. Thanks for the feedback man!

Your track is actually good, some pointers though. First off, the vocal sample in the beginning is a bit thick for my taste, sounded muddy in my headphones. Either roll off the reverb if you got any, or put EQ down the lows a bit, imho. Liking the daft punk-esque sampling before the drop and your sound designs are good too, drums sound nice and so do the synths, some slick automation etc. The drop is a bit compressed for my taste though so the drums don't really punch through and the bass is a bit too loud I think. No room for the movement. There just aren't any dynamics so you can't feel the rhythm. I'd say less is more here. Composition is good though, really nice track overall. Nice production!

Edit: Actually they're not all hoovers, I also got the talking kinda skrillex growl as well but I guess that's not the one you're referring too? Anyway, that's a different story, more stuff going on with that one but if you want I could do a little write up I s'pose.

[travis_baker]

http://soundcloud.com/travisb9/jist

bumping noone gave me feedback and i gave more than my fair share, although i have changed the tune i originally posted.... this one is basicly me copying aurthor.

[Marzz]

@travis baker : This tune was spectacular. Very well mixed and the idea is very good . Author would be very proud
Impressed

@difference : Really good mate. The percussion was nice but imo I would change that live cymbal up a bit. All around good

@klesher : Really good track! Loved that bass. Snare was really minimal Bass had some nice automation Kick could use beefing or sidechaining

@mthrfnk : Loved the rain samples That riff in the begining is funky and it was really nice for the intros vibezz Bass was nice and I see you always like to have some reverse samples before certain hits of drums - really cool effect

[skylerrivera17]

@Maxxan - I really like the groove to this tune! You have seem to strike a perfect balance between the bass and the piano and it sounds great. Its interesting concept and I think you pulled it off pretty darn well. Personally I'd add some more percussion to give it a faster feel but, it's your sound and if you like it then go with it! Could use a bit more mixing, obviously at this stage, but the bass has a nice weight and takes up the perfect amount of space. I have a preference for basses that are panned and what not haha! Great stuff overall keep it up!

@filtersnake - good choice on the remix! your drums have good punch and a nice metal feel to them! I like the flow of the bass line a lot! Your vocals need some work though bud. In the beginning of the mix it seems like they are out of sync with the rest of the track which throws of the listener! I like the track a lot though keep it up! Has a metal kind of feeling to it which I like!

@klesherdubs - damn man this is a weighty song! its got a creepy tribal feel to it that I'm digging a lot! this is a top song though man! the mix sounds fantastic! maybe ease up on the vocal verb/delay it becomes overpowering at some points in the track. great use of that creepy sample haha you have every right to be proud of that tune its a good one!

Here's a remix I did of Calling (Lose My Mind)! I could really use all the help I can get. I started out with high hopes for this track but, the closer I got to finishing it the less I liked it haha. I could use some tips of cleaning up the mix a bit because to me it sounds a bit muddy. Also the vocals I'm not to hot on either because Ableton didn't exactly sync them to 140 bpm. Not to sure on the arrangement either haha. Thanks in advance!

Soundcloud

[crunkedxup]

@Klesher - that is a banger g, all it needs is a proper mixdown and you're sorted. i know that's not really feedback but i don't see anything wrong with it, proper dubstep business keep at it.

@mthrfnk - that aint my type of music at all but it sounds sick mate, you've got that sound on lock. only thing i would suggest is the second time you bring it back you should add a pad/strings/more lead to it, just bring the whole track to massive climax.

@filtersnake - again not my type of music but i can see someone who is into that style liking it. to be fair you've got a lot of variation/sly fills in there which a lot of producers of that style tend to neglect so i respect your attention to detail, good remix overall could definitely hear this getting played.

@travis baker - feeling that a lot. the arrangement is brilliant especially that little rest in the middle and the way it comes back in very subtly. id suggest a lead melody over the top just to give it some "voice" because while it sounds really good, it could use a little something just to give it more identity. id say a vocal sample but thats pretty rinsed so maybe just a nice lead melody (something RnB influenced because the chords sound very neo-soul).

[Klesherdubs]

Thanks to all for the positive feedback ! .. subscribe to my youtube or checkout my soundcloud to keep updated ! deffo more to come n starting on a new dark tune ! (: BIG UPS everyone, cheers!

[Blenky]

Travis Baker- Cool tune man, can't think of anything that would make it better, bar maybe some vocals akin to Catch a fire by the bug

mthrfnk- Love the rain sample at the start, the intro sounded a little like an atmospheric build up to a hardstyle tune but I kinda dug that


Klesherdubs- Absolute FIRE. Back to the early days vibe on that one. Definitely subbing you on youtube. One to watch



Mine isn't really a w.i.p, just an entry to a little quick sampling contest on /mu/ (hence the title). All sounds had to come from here and it had to done within 45 minutes. Raw rough and a bit shitty but figured i'd post it here for a laff

Soundcloud

[Living_Tragedy]

@skylerrivera17 The intro sounds good to me. Maybe a pad under the arp. Sounds kinda Nero-y. Think the main drop synth needs a bit of fattening and the snare feels a little dry. Sounding really good so far man. Sorry about the level of feedback.

@filtersnake Liking the synths in the intro. That bass feels a little overpowering and messy. The drop is really well structured the bass sounds a lot cleaner as well. Nice job with the drums too, I'd personally prefer a bit more high end on my snare but that's probably just me. Vocals really well worked. Sounds really nice man.

@mthrfnk I always end up doing your feedback somehow. Heh. Love the rain sample, works brilliantly. Vocals brilliantly implemented. Holy crap, that synth has so much texture. I think the drop might need more mids. Drums are really nice. Can't find many faults in this man, lovely stuff.

I tried to be a lot simpler here. I feel like my other stuff was trying to be too clever so I tried dumbing it down a bit and focusing more on the synth work. Didn't do much with the vocal sample 'cause I was flying pretty blind so all advice on that is helpful, even the simplest stuff.

Soundcloud

[Crow Steppa]

hey guys, new tune by me. will give feedback in a bit after i get from some errands. let me know what you think!

Soundcloud

[Maxxan]

http://soundcloud.com/travisb9/jist

bumping noone gave me feedback and i gave more than my fair share, although i have changed the tune i originally posted.... this one is basicly me copying aurthor.

Dude, absolutely fantastic tune. Don't really know what to say apart from that, great work. Possibly change up your drum patterns throughout the track and add a proper outro, but overall amazing track. Made my morning man.

[skylerrivera17]

@skylerrivera17 The intro sounds good to me. Maybe a pad under the arp. Sounds kinda Nero-y. Think the main drop synth needs a bit of fattening and the snare feels a little dry. Sounding really good so far man. Sorry about the level of feedback.

The mix I posted was done sloppily and quickly haha! I took a while on the final mixdown so it should sound a bit better and more full! Thanks for the feedback!

Soundcloud

[SaveMidnight]

skylerrivera17- The piano that comes in at :39 is great. The vocals that come in around :52 sit well in the mix. I don't really like the vocal harmony thats in there, it sticks out a little bit.

travisbarker- your link doesn't exist, sorry.

Living_tragedy- I don't usually like spoken word intros, but this one was pretty damn good. Maybe less is more (as far as messing with the vocals is concerned).

dotcurrency- this is pretty good, good. (lame joke) But I really liked it. As far as the drum patterns are concerned, don't just stick w/dubstep conventions (kick on 1, snare on 3) Try other stuff. Maybe try a DnB pattern at 140 (kick on 1 and 11, snare on 5 and 13). Mix stuff up, like putting a Snare on the 1 and Kick on the 3, or replacing kicks with toms and snares with claps. just try stuff out.

This is a glitchy thing I wanted to try after listening to some glitch stuff. Sounds like something from Robocop to me, idk.
Any feedback appreciated.

Soundcloud