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frozt
Senior Member
United States
372 posts
Joined: May, 2009
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 Posted - 2009/07/26 : 06:10:43
Just "finished" this and it hasn't really been mixed or mastered at all. I don't really have a good set of speakers. Besides the headphones I have so if anyone could tell me how everything sounds and what I could change that'd be great.
My bass and leads are going to change when I find a better synth. Right now I'm not liking them too much.
I hope the song isn't jumbled either. I tried to follow a hardcore format ha
http://files.getdropbox.com/u/1038955/A%20Dream.mp3
You can stream or download. Most of the "spaces" in the song will be filled with vocals but I want to make sure everything sounds as good as possible.
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acidfluxxbass
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 06:20:09
okay, just woke up, so this could be a poor reviwe.
the track itself sounds well produced, and even without mastering, sounds fairly nicely levelled.
however, the track loops over and over again, and there fore sounds very repetitive.
now, imnot sure about other guys, but requiem for a dream is one of the songs i hate since its on like 50% of all youtube video's, but i think you've done a nice job. the track just needs some more variety, better sounds used (that saw really does bug me) and a better outtro section :)
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frozt
Senior Member
United States
372 posts
Joined: May, 2009
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 06:59:25
It wasn't as poor of a review as I thought I was going to get at first.
I looked on other threads here about mixing and stuff which led me to (http://www.hardcoreproducer.org/) and I signed up for the forum and looked at the production threads they had and I learned some things from there. I'm glad it doesn't sound half bad as you say.
When I was listening to it as it mixed down I noticed I got really bored of it fast, I thought it mite have been from working on it all day, but I get bored of most of the recordings I have.
The saw bugs me too, I tried to get that stereotypical lead that has a saw with some strings behind it. I rushed the outro section and I realized it was terrible because I was trying to put it in a mix and it was more difficult than ever so I will definitely work on that.
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Project-Industrial
Advanced Member
Netherlands
2,481 posts
Joined: Nov, 2005
33 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 10:34:02
melody is a midi?
soundsl like lacrima mosa est from GFB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ0QdN_Ux8s <--
either way overall the track sounds alright.. but repetive as acid said.. nd i wudda spiced it up a little.. its not really blasting out
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acidfluxxbass
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 10:48:58
quote:
Originally posted by Project-Industrial:
melody is a midi?
soundsl like lacrima mosa est from GFB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ0QdN_Ux8s <--
either way overall the track sounds alright.. but repetive as acid said.. nd i wudda spiced it up a little.. its not really blasting out
your idea of spicing up is:
chhshhhshhh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-dodo-dooo
wup-wup-doo doo dooo dooo
*distortion*
:P
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Project-Industrial
Advanced Member
Netherlands
2,481 posts
Joined: Nov, 2005
33 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 11:00:16
quote:
Originally posted by acidfluxxbass:
quote:
Originally posted by Project-Industrial:
melody is a midi?
soundsl like lacrima mosa est from GFB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ0QdN_Ux8s <--
either way overall the track sounds alright.. but repetive as acid said.. nd i wudda spiced it up a little.. its not really blasting out
your idea of spicing up is:
chhshhhshhh doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-dodo-dooo
wup-wup-doo doo dooo dooo
*distortion*
:P
not always sometimes its just clapclapclapclapclapclapclap <curses go here> *distortion* :P
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- Disease
http://www.project-industrial.com
http://www.discogs.com/label/Furious+Monkey+Records
http://www.furiousmonkeyrecords.com/
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Mortis
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
7,493 posts
Joined: May, 2004
341 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 11:15:41
Listening on my headphones at the moment so bear with me.
I think the OHH is too high, it overpowers the rest of the tune. The bass seems a bit dull, maybe add a layer or two to fatten it up. Same with the lead. I think you need a better piano too and the volume needs to come up on that.
Over all it seems to sound a bit lazy (I don't mean your production is lazy I mean the sounds don't seem to do much, probably the patch's you've used). I think you need to add a few more elements to make it more energetic.
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Meathead
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
4,217 posts
Joined: Sep, 2006
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 11:33:47
quote:
Originally posted by acidfluxxbass:
okay, just woke up, so this could be a poor reviwe.
the track itself sounds well produced, and even without mastering, sounds fairly nicely levelled.
however, the track loops over and over again, and there fore sounds very repetitive.
now, imnot sure about other guys, but requiem for a dream is one of the songs i hate since its on like 50% of all youtube video's, but i think you've done a nice job. the track just needs some more variety, better sounds used (that saw really does bug me) and a better outtro section :)
It's sunday why the hell you waking up at 6 o clock? Weirdo :p
@OP: "Hardcore format" you say? But not Hardcore speed. It does get very repetitive. It never changes flow if you know what i mean. Even during the breakdowns and build ups it still sounds as though it's just bopping along without ever really changing. You need a big breakdown (maybe two) where the momentum changes and slows down, then a build up before the track comes back in full flow and blows people away. Also the melody could do with some changing up, apparently it's "Requim For A Dream"? Whatever it is it's boring as is the synth used. Because of the style of track i think it could work well as a Freeform tune, if i was you i'd do a bit of research into Freeform and see what i could come up. As it stands the track isn't terrible, but it isn't great, can i ask how long you have been producing?
Oh and the breakbeat at the beginning is too loud and not filtered/EQd enough imo, also i'd like to see it being used to more effect throughout the track. What i mean is, it's used for all of 8 bars of the track and then that's it? Perhaps it could be put to use at the beginning of a breakdown, filtering out gradually before some strings or whatever are introduced.
At the moment this track sounds no more than a MIDI put to a Hardcore-ish drum pattern and with a tiny bit of Hardcore structure. You need to do something about that, make it your own.
Btw, i've also just work up so that may be a little harsh....although i'm always quite brutally honest when it comes to reviewing other people's (aswell as my own) production attempts. Hopefully you can take on board what myself and others have said and make use of it. Good luck mate.
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"Music creates order out of chaos; for rhythm imposes unanimity upon the divergent, melody imposes continuity upon the disjointed, and harmony imposes compatibility upon the incongruous." -Sir Yehudi Menuhin
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frozt
Senior Member
United States
372 posts
Joined: May, 2009
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 17:51:31
quote:
Originally posted by Meathead:quote:
@OP: "Hardcore format" you say? But not Hardcore speed. It does get very repetitive. It never changes flow if you know what i mean. Even during the breakdowns and build ups it still sounds as though it's just bopping along without ever really changing. You need a big breakdown (maybe two) where the momentum changes and slows down, then a build up before the track comes back in full flow and blows people away. Also the melody could do with some changing up, apparently it's "Requim For A Dream"? Whatever it is it's boring as is the synth used. Because of the style of track i think it could work well as a Freeform tune, if i was you i'd do a bit of research into Freeform and see what i could come up. As it stands the track isn't terrible, but it isn't great, can i ask how long you have been producing?
I felt the same about how nothing really sticks out in the mix when I was listening to it over and over and when I woke up this morning it didn't really change anything. I still felt it was sorta boring and repetitive. I think if i get some better synths it could sound a lot better. This is my first time really mixing/producing, so I don't know any tips or tricks.
quote:
Originally posted by Meathead:quote:
Oh and the breakbeat at the beginning is too loud and not filtered/EQd enough imo, also i'd like to see it At the being used to more effect throughout the track. What i mean is, it's used for all of 8 bars of the track and then that's it? Perhaps it could be put to use at the beginning of a breakdown, filtering out gradually before some strings or whatever are introduced.
Sounds like a good idea, I'll try that.
[quote]Originally posted by Meathead:[quote]
Btw, i've also just work up so that may be a little harsh....although i'm always quite brutally honest when it comes to reviewing other people's (aswell as my own) production attempts. Hopefully you can take on board what myself and others have said and make use of it. Good luck mate.
It's better than nothing, and you're telling me what to work on so I think it's great and not harsh at all. It's better than people telling me to just quit or just putting a post saying "HA".
[quote]Originally posted by Mortis:
Listening on my headphones at the moment so bear with me.
I think the OHH is too high, it overpowers the rest of the tune. The bass seems a bit dull, maybe add a layer or two to fatten it up. Same with the lead. I think you need a better piano too and the volume needs to come up on that.
Over all it seems to sound a bit lazy (I don't mean your production is lazy I mean the sounds don't seem to do much, probably the patch's you've used). I think you need to add a few more elements to make it more energetic.
I'll try lowering the OHH more and changing up the piano and bass.
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Edited by - frozt on 2009/07/26 17:52:32 |
Meathead
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
4,217 posts
Joined: Sep, 2006
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 18:15:59
Well, good to see you're taking the criticisms the way they were intended. nice one.
As for the synths, basses, pianos etc what are you currently using?
A good all around, and fairly easy to use, synth that i'm fond of is Sylenth1. Good for pretty much everything really, give the demo a whirl and see how you get on. Also, for the piano, i'd recommend Cubic Audio's S1 Piano (it's free). Modelled on the Korg M1 so tis a bit ravey, but with the right FX it should still sound quite good. Alternatively, as i'm sure Mortis will agree, Luxonix Purity is worth a go for Pianos.
HardcoreProducer is a great site and will no doubt improve your production knowledge (i wish this site had a bit more production discussion tbh), so keep checking back there.
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"Music creates order out of chaos; for rhythm imposes unanimity upon the divergent, melody imposes continuity upon the disjointed, and harmony imposes compatibility upon the incongruous." -Sir Yehudi Menuhin
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Edited by - Meathead on 2009/07/26 18:19:50 |
frozt
Senior Member
United States
372 posts
Joined: May, 2009
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 18:21:07
quote:
Originally posted by Meathead:
Well, good to see you're taking the criticisms the way they were intended. nice one.
As for the synths, basses, pianos etc what are you currently using?
A good all around, and fairly easy to use, synth that i'm fond of is Sylenth1. Good for pretty much everything really, give the demo a whirl and see how you get on. Also, for the piano, i'd recommend Cubic Audio's S1 Piano. Modelled on the Korg M1 so tis a bit ravey, but with the right FX it should still sound quite good.
HardcoreProducer is a great site and will no doubt improve your production knowledge (i wish this site had a bit more production discussion tbh), so keep checking back there.
Well I want to get good at my craft and the only way is to expose myself (HA) and have people tell me how it could be better.
Right now I'm doing all my tracks on Pro Tools 8 so the vsts i'm using are standard from that but I just got Nexus for bass and leads and anything else I can get out of that. I've looked at the Sylenth1 before and it looked and sounded really nice, I just never went through with it.
Have you heard anything about the program Alchemy?
I just posted my track on HP and even asked if the site gets a lot of traffic because I want as much criticism as possible.
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Meathead
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
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Joined: Sep, 2006
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Posted - 2009/07/26 : 20:45:43
quote:
Originally posted by frozt:
quote:
Originally posted by Meathead:
Well, good to see you're taking the criticisms the way they were intended. nice one.
As for the synths, basses, pianos etc what are you currently using?
A good all around, and fairly easy to use, synth that i'm fond of is Sylenth1. Good for pretty much everything really, give the demo a whirl and see how you get on. Also, for the piano, i'd recommend Cubic Audio's S1 Piano. Modelled on the Korg M1 so tis a bit ravey, but with the right FX it should still sound quite good.
HardcoreProducer is a great site and will no doubt improve your production knowledge (i wish this site had a bit more production discussion tbh), so keep checking back there.
Well I want to get good at my craft and the only way is to expose myself (HA) and have people tell me how it could be better.
Right now I'm doing all my tracks on Pro Tools 8 so the vsts i'm using are standard from that but I just got Nexus for bass and leads and anything else I can get out of that. I've looked at the Sylenth1 before and it looked and sounded really nice, I just never went through with it.
Have you heard anything about the program Alchemy?
I just posted my track on HP and even asked if the site gets a lot of traffic because I want as much criticism as possible.
I'll try and keep on topic here and let my hatred for Nexus slide (for now). I'd definitely recommend you purchase Sylenth or another popular VST. I don't know anything about Pro Tools so can't really comment, although i've never heard of anyone else using it, that's not to say they don't or that it's not up to standards. I'm sure lots of people do, and whatever you feel comfortable using is what you should use. I personally use Cubase 5. Though i don't know much about the DAW you are using i think it's safe to say additional VSTs would be your best bet. The inbuilt ones may well be ok, but as we have heard from your track they - or maybe your knowledge of synthesis (probably both tbh) - are not up to standards imo.
I've had a go on Alchemy. Couldn't figure out what the hell i was supposed to do with it if i'm honest, although i only gave it a go for all of 10 minutes, before i gave up.
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"Music creates order out of chaos; for rhythm imposes unanimity upon the divergent, melody imposes continuity upon the disjointed, and harmony imposes compatibility upon the incongruous." -Sir Yehudi Menuhin
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Dain-Ja
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Canada
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Posted - 2009/07/27 : 02:05:57
Pro Tools is super expensive and it's the #1 sequencer for bands and such
However, for EDM nobody uses it for a bunch of reasons I'm too lazy to name. Try Cubase 5.
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frozt
Senior Member
United States
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Posted - 2009/07/27 : 02:10:24
quote:
Originally posted by Meathead:
I'll try and keep on topic here and let my hatred for Nexus slide (for now). I'd definitely recommend you purchase Sylenth or another popular VST. I don't know anything about Pro Tools so can't really comment, although i've never heard of anyone else using it, that's not to say they don't or that it's not up to standards. I'm sure lots of people do, and whatever you feel comfortable using is what you should use. I personally use Cubase 5. Though i don't know much about the DAW you are using i think it's safe to say additional VSTs would be your best bet. The inbuilt ones may well be ok, but as we have heard from your track they - or maybe your knowledge of synthesis (probably both tbh) - are not up to standards imo.
I've had a go on Alchemy. Couldn't figure out what the hell i was supposed to do with it if i'm honest, although i only gave it a go for all of 10 minutes, before i gave up.
Why the hate for Nexus? I don't want this to effect my tracks but I'm just curious.
I'll look into Sylenth.
As for Pro Tools, I can't use some VSTs because of the Vista/Updated 8 version so that leaves me hanging for VSTs. I have a copy of Cubase on my computer but I have never really used it before so I guess I'll start.
I have no knowledge of synths or anything. This is the first time I've really used anything like it. Before I was in a rock band so this is a big switch for me.
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Meathead
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Posted - 2009/07/27 : 12:22:35
quote:
Originally posted by frozt:
Why the hate for Nexus? I don't want this to effect my tracks but I'm just curious.
I'll look into Sylenth.
As for Pro Tools, I can't use some VSTs because of the Vista/Updated 8 version so that leaves me hanging for VSTs. I have a copy of Cubase on my computer but I have never really used it before so I guess I'll start.
I have no knowledge of synths or anything. This is the first time I've really used anything like it. Before I was in a rock band so this is a big switch for me.
The Nexus thing is entirely personal. Many, many, many people use it (that's why i hate it). Using Nexus will not have a detrimentol effect on your tracks, if anything it could serve to make your tracks better. That's why people use it. IMO it's a lazy alternative to synthesis, nothing wrong with that of course. However you choose to put your tracks together is entirely your choice, as is it mine to never, ever touch Nexus (same goes for Vengeance).
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"Music creates order out of chaos; for rhythm imposes unanimity upon the divergent, melody imposes continuity upon the disjointed, and harmony imposes compatibility upon the incongruous." -Sir Yehudi Menuhin
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frozt
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Posted - 2009/07/27 : 18:57:27
Alright well anyways I'm going to try my hand at using Ableton and see if it's any better. I can't use a lot of VSTs in Pro Tools so.
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