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?

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Last edited by Richard Butler on Dec-09-2014 at 22:37

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Originally posted by AlphaStarred deegee, I really liked your track. It reminds me of something J00f might've spun back in the day. The atmospheric synth reminds me of M.I.K.E.'s stuff. The kick drum at around 6 mins is superfluous - it sounds like 2 tracks in one. I would also consider using a fuller, more booming kick, and I would definitely like to hear a "louder," mastered version. Just beef it up and shorten it, and I think it might even work wonders on the dancefloor. Definitely something to release once it's complete. Also not really crazy about the buildup at around 7:20-7:26, might want to do without or change that loop, but it's up to you.

Thanks. So basically you're suggesting to cut out everything between 6:00 and 7:30 (roughly)? I can totally see that working as a shorter mix. The aim with the naked kick for a bit there was build-tease-nope you're not getting off yet, followed by everything coming back at 7:30, but I totally see your point there.

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

oh, Richard, check your PMs

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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):

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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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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?

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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.

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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!