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I'm trying to start a tune for my A-level composition, I've been advised to do something more pop-ish however I tried that and it seems I'm just not comfortable enough with the genre, I.E I have no ideas and it just ends up sounding like some dubstep influenced piece of shit. So I've decided to stick to dub. The examiners don't want anything too dark, so my usual stuff is out of the question, I had a crack at doing something that sounds similar to subscape, but it turned out a bit shit: Soundcloud
Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on myself I dunno :L you tell me, but I know I can do something 100 times better. Anyone have any suggestions?
+I've heard kaori breathes stuff and I know he visits here, but his stuff is great but a little dark for what I'm going for, think a shitty nero tune / a matt-u or subscape tune thats the kinda vibe I'd ultimately want

i know this is a bit off topic of how to get a subscape sound.. but how would a silkie styled tune fit into your instructors expectations? a bit darker than subscape and the like but definitely packed with melody

as far as getting the subscape sound, i dont think i have a whole lot to offer as i too am really into the darker stuff. but that tune you have going doesnt sound half bad, nice depth, you've got the right assortment of sounds to give it that lighter dance-y feel. bout all i can offer for you, but id say you might be being a bit harsh on yourself cause thats not a completely shit tune. best of luck though man, hopefully someone can hop in and be of more help than i could

Earjax wrote:I've been advised to do something more pop-ish :

http://soundcloud.com/xilent/choose-me-dubstep

To me this sounds pretty pop-ish and is what I would try to draw influence from for writing melodically friendly dubstep. Good luck bro

hahahaha I'm actually a huge fan of xilent (his dnb stuff anyways) Thanks for the advice guys

The expected melodies and the mix \ drums makes it a bit 80's.
When I spot these kind of bad properties on my music, I just start over.

You know that thing that you have a bad kick sample, and you work so hard to make it pump. Then you just replace it, and its easier. and better.
I'll say - try again. It's your first, the second one will be better.

But if you want to stick to this:
bass is a bit muddy. Don't like the snare, and the drums, it makes it a different style.
Go more to the 1\4 and 1\8. The rhythm is too 16ish.
The melody is expected, and not nice enough. the melodic idea is the thing you need to sit on. Find a one that sounds good and go with it, use the artist in you.
There's no dubstepish sounds \ rhythm, anything. So no soundscape for you if popish for you is not dubstep at all - you succeeded.
Also synthesizing could be better.
Thats my honest one - good luck.

Cheers buddy some good advice

arrangement and mixdown sounds pretty good, but i agree on the using more larger value notes. I'd also beef up the percussion a bit maybe and just come up with a better melody. Writing in minor helps me do this because it's a little easier to get something pleasing to me by following the guidelines of theory.

You might want to experiment with different modes like the whole tone scale or mixolydian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_mode

Yeah I'm familiar with modes because I play guitar

for my an a level piece (i only got a c so dont listen to me that closely lol) the mixdown is NOT important in any way- i learnt this the hard way.

You want to use your 20 hours or whatever it is improving the musicality of the song, creating strong chord progressions and effective key changes, introducing counter melodies (making sure to note down in your annotation exactly what they are) and maybe experimenting with some interesting rhythmic features, you do not want to spend the time with your eq trying to get your mixdown perfect- the examiners will not mark you on this.

Obviously do a basic bit of eqing so it doesnt sound like shit but the main focus of what you are marked on is the musical content, use presets or better yet use instrument samples, the examiners will appreciate that better imo. In the song you've put up you've got some good melodies and things, though i think you need to increase the pad layers underneath by playing chords as well as trying to shoe in a key change. You also need to think structurally different- more verse verse chorus verse chorus verse chorus than intro drop breakdown drop, traditional song writing structure will get you more marks. I like the drums though, good changing around of rhythms.

tl:dr- don't worry about what it sounds like to you- make a song which fits the markign criteria

good luck!

I was afraid of that :'( Pieace of shit examiners :/

Im feeling the tune but if the examiners are anything like the ones in australia they will mark low on the intro string/pad. I'd definitely use that as a chance to show off a better chord progression then i-III-VII-VI. I'm jealous of every other aspect of the tune tho, such a good vibe

Just wanted to say that I really dig the tune.

You've got a way more interesting drop than I expected, this tune has potential I'd say.

mitchAUS wrote:Im feeling the tune but if the examiners are anything like the ones in australia they will mark low on the intro string/pad. I'd definitely use that as a chance to show off a better chord progression then i-III-VII-VI. I'm jealous of every other aspect of the tune tho, such a good vibe

you have perfect pitch? i've been failing ever last one of my ear training quizzes...

I'm good with relative pitch haha its not quite the same