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Posted by djlogik on Dec-14-2005 07:35:

Need technical criticism...

So I had started making a track awhile ago and I stumbled upon it today because I reformatted 2 days ago =/. Anyways I was just looking to see what you guys think about the sample clip I'm gonna post. Can you see this going anywhere? Is the melody catchy? Things of that nature. Just drop me some advice and we'll see what's up. Only the kick, bass, and the second main synth (the pluck/arp sounding thing) have effects on them. Oh and I added a quick master compression just to down the levels a notch. Anyways...here's the link: http://s45.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=...WX0JSU78HAK92OZ

Posted by Eldritch on Dec-14-2005 09:54:

The bassline needs work.
Read this thread
Try building up the bass in layers. ("Scarab - Vagabond" is a good example.)
Mess with the hihats (bitcrusher, distortion, eq etc.), to make them sound more unique.
Also, the chord progression sounds a bit too familiar and cliche (I'm struggling with this myself in my tracks, lol).

Posted by djlogik on Dec-14-2005 18:23:

Thanks man. Yeah I'm gonna add effects to it soon, but thanks for the comments

Posted by armanivespucci on Dec-14-2005 20:09:

Yeah, you need a more rhythmic bassline. I'm not sure about the chord progression- it's a bit cliche, but I don't think that really matters (you can make a great track with a "cliche" melody.) Percs need more complexity, and you probably want to get rid of that snare roll- it's kind of plain and a bit 1999.

JW, what did you use for your saw? It sounds like software but if it's a JP I profoundly apologize.

Posted by djlogik on Dec-14-2005 23:32:

The saw is definitely Pro-53 and z3ta together. Yeah I made this track when I was pretty new to the production scene. I plan to make the track more complex obviously because the bassline is so....BOOOOORRIINNNGGG. I always thought that KBKB was the only bassline heh.

Posted by Atlantis-AR on Dec-15-2005 03:27:

Re: Need technical criticism...

quote:
Originally posted by djlogik
Oh and I added a quick master compression just to down the levels a notch.

When will people ever learn? Compressing, limiting or soft-clipping the mix changes the output, so how can you ever expect to receive accurate feedback on the mix itself? Is the bassline compressed enough? Is the bassline separated enough from the lead dynamically? Are the mix elements EQ'd well? Or is everything blurred together into an overcompressed 'master', now that you've squashed all the dynamics?

Sure, the basic idea is there, and it can give you a rough impression of what the track may sound like after mastering, but master effects should never be applied during mixing unless you don't want an accurate representation of the mix and how your adjustments sound. Say you bring the level of the kick up a few 0.1 dB's, only to have it compressed right down again at the output. Really, your mix will thank you for it, as will your mixing technique.

Posted by djlogik on Dec-15-2005 05:32:

So would you like me to post an example without the "master compression?" If so then I will do that.

Posted by Atlantis-AR on Dec-15-2005 09:11:

quote:
Originally posted by djlogik
So would you like me to post an example without the "master compression?" If so then I will do that.

Not only that, but the maximum peak volume should be around -3 dB, i.e. the master output shouldn't clip and should allow for about 3 dB of headroom. This is to ensure there is sufficient room to work with when mastering the track once the mix is done.

But, sure, if you want to post a new clip, I'll be happy to give some feedback as far as the mixing (levels, EQ, compression) is concerned, but I'll leave the production tips to those who specialise in it.

Just remember though, no effects on the master channel, and a maximum peak level of around -3 dB.

Posted by djlogik on Dec-15-2005 17:15:

Yeah I know all that. It's just back then I never knew about that stuff and I haven't made any adjustments to it.

Posted by armanivespucci on Dec-15-2005 17:19:

Don't forget, however, that after mixing and mastering, many studios across genres use something like Soundforge's Wavehammer utility to soft-clip the peaks and smash them against -0.0 db ... people like their music loud these days, and if your track rarely exceeds -0.3 db in volume it may sound quieter compared to professional CDs.

Posted by djlogik on Dec-15-2005 17:22:

Yup Thanks for the advice armanivespucci