Nick Cenik - Don't Want (Original Mix) [driving minimal]

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-- Nick Cenik - Don't Want (Original Mix) [driving minimal]

Posted by Nicolas Oliver on Apr-02-2010 20:04:

Nick Cenik - Don't Want (Original Mix) [driving minimal]

UPDATE!

I am very pleased to report that this track has been signed by legendary DJ/producer and the man behind the last year's massive hit In Miami, Ricky Stone!!! The track will be released on one of Ricky's labels (either MiniTech or Flat Belly Recordings I'm guessing) summer 2010!

Here's the final version of the tune:

Thank you for the support

Posted by EddieZilker on Apr-02-2010 21:30:

I like it.

Very much an updated version of Plastic Man - meant as a compliment. Thought the highs were a little bright and that some of the elements could do some more interactive evolution but, as is, totally enjoyable.

Posted by Artois on Apr-04-2010 01:09:

I'm digging this track. Great work so far.

Posted by DJ Robby Rox on Apr-04-2010 03:39:

I'm sorry bro but I can't compliment something I really just don't like.
I've been hearing a lot of tracks lately on this forum from people who have labels or are trying to get such and such track signed and it makes me realize how far better off I am compared to a lot of people.
I always use to think I sucked at producing but hearing a lot of these tracks lately (in the promotion forum) I am actually realizing I'm light years ahead of a lot of artist who are already signed.

So I'll give you an honest review.

The begining is extremely simple, theres no groove or drive at all, it honestly sounds like something I could have mixed blind (no offense). But theres not a shred of originality to it.
The whole track sounds like the same loop over and over and over and you randomly adding swooshes and percussion, then randomly dropping out stuff when what you REALLY need to drop is that stupid freakn beep melody.
I'm sorry but I hate it the melody, and I'm not fond of the overall mixing. It IS also not my style but even saying that, I don't see a whole lot of skill.
I like hearing tracks where I think "holy shit how did he do that or make this sound etc" and I didn't get that feeling once. All your patterns are extremely basic, like you just clicked random notes and started throwing stuff together with no real trial and error.

Like "does this sound work? maybe I should take it out?" I don't feel like you did enough second guessing yourself. The SKILLS are there, its undeniable, but its needs more energy, less of the cheesy beeping melody, and some more dramatic builds and releases.

I just think it could use a lot of work. But good job actually finishing something (which is more I can say for myself)

Posted by Artois on Apr-04-2010 03:42:

way to have a ego. mate

Posted by novastorm on Apr-04-2010 04:45:

Hey man I thought this was ace! It is in no way "random", it feels like everything happens when it should and your shuffley perc patterns sound deliberate and very danceable.

The track just needs some tweaks to make it stand out a little more. I think the clap could be funkier and more unique, the straight snare sounds a bit basic. Also I really think the breakdown from 4:05 is a potentially climactic point in the track and you gotta go further with it than you did with the first mini-breakdown - your sweeps are nice but I was really wanting to hear some increasing delay and distortion on the lead synth as it comes back in, perhaps play with some attack/decay automation to really give that part some trippy atmosphere before slamming it back to its clean form on the drop. It's a simple melody that's been heard before so I think you can really go nuts with it to add some originality!

I also thought you could use a different clap sample in the breakdowns, maybe something shorter, sharper and glitchier to create a different texture before bringing the smoother snare back for the kickdrum-driven sections.

If any of my suggestions would make it sound less "minimal" then ignore by all means as I wouldn't know the minimal genre as well as you do but these are just some techniques one might use in prog or tech trance to add some interest. Good work so far though.

Posted by Nicolas Oliver on Apr-06-2010 13:15:

Hey guys

I truly appreciate you taking the time to listen and leave such detailed feedback. This tune has generated some intense critiquing, with people either really liking it or really hating it - I love seeing such strong reactions.

I do realize that the tune is rather simple. However, the arrangement in this track is deliberate: I tried to emulate the sounds of an Ahmet Sendil-like tune. Obviously this production is no where near the quality of Ahmet's tunes but his arrangement style was my inspiration. And, for what it's worth, I worked on this track for three weeks and probably put in over 45hrs of time producing it. I auditioned thousands of samples and actually put some serious effort into getting sounds to fit together. I have no doubt that many other artists could whip up something like this in one day. But it's certainly not the case that I threw together a bunch of random samples without caring about how they interact together.

I expect the track to be released in a couple of months (perhaps along with a couple of remixes).

Cheers!

Posted by david.michael on Apr-06-2010 15:49:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox
I don't see a whole lot of skill.

quote:
Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox
The SKILLS are there, its undeniable

Posted by MSZ on Apr-06-2010 23:11:

you can accept my critique for what its worth. i really do like tech house / tecno and i think this track has a lot of potential. i could seriously throw in a sick bassline in there and have fun, let me know if i could remix it in the future.

Posted by parafrNalia on Apr-07-2010 04:18:

quote:
Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox
I'm sorry bro but I can't compliment something I really just don't like.
I've been hearing a lot of tracks lately on this forum from people who have labels or are trying to get such and such track signed and it makes me realize how far better off I am compared to a lot of people.
I always use to think I sucked at producing but hearing a lot of these tracks lately (in the promotion forum) I am actually realizing I'm light years ahead of a lot of artist who are already signed.

So I'll give you an honest review.

The begining is extremely simple, theres no groove or drive at all, it honestly sounds like something I could have mixed blind (no offense). But theres not a shred of originality to it.
The whole track sounds like the same loop over and over and over and you randomly adding swooshes and percussion, then randomly dropping out stuff when what you REALLY need to drop is that stupid freakn beep melody.
I'm sorry but I hate it the melody, and I'm not fond of the overall mixing. It IS also not my style but even saying that, I don't see a whole lot of skill.
I like hearing tracks where I think "holy shit how did he do that or make this sound etc" and I didn't get that feeling once. All your patterns are extremely basic, like you just clicked random notes and started throwing stuff together with no real trial and error.

Like "does this sound work? maybe I should take it out?" I don't feel like you did enough second guessing yourself. The SKILLS are there, its undeniable, but its needs more energy, less of the cheesy beeping melody, and some more dramatic builds and releases.

I just think it could use a lot of work. But good job actually finishing something (which is more I can say for myself)

...

That being said, I like it.

Posted by Nicolas Oliver on May-04-2010 17:25:

Posted by TranceLover007 on May-04-2010 18:39:

Posted by music2dance2 on May-04-2010 22:16:

I can understand what you was aiming for with this track. The problem with people that dont like tech house or techno etc and are more into style of the trance nature will quickly find it hard to understand how although simple this sounds its hard to do and the fact that in clubs it works.

Saying that its a cool track and congrats on the siging. How long you been producing now dude? Ableton isnt it?

Posted by Ravist on May-05-2010 12:54:

loving how clean your sound is! The drums and the bass i like a lot, but i gotta admit with robby, the bleepy sound is a bit excessive after a few minutes, i thought there could be more variations with the bleep sound. Overall the drums are tight, i like the mixing a lot!

Posted by Nicolas Oliver on May-09-2010 18:14:

Thanks very much for the support and the constructive feedback guys

quote:
Originally posted by music2dance2
How long you been producing now dude? Ableton isnt it?

For a little over three years now. Yep, Ableton Live 8. I find Live very easy and intuitive to use.

quote:
Originally posted by Ravist
the bleepy sound is a bit excessive after a few minutes, i thought there could be more variations with the bleep sound

You're right: a bit of variation would sound nice. But I struggled to come up with something more complex than what's currently there.

quote:
Originally posted by Ravist
loving how clean your sound is! The drums and the bass i like a lot...i like the mixing a lot!

Awesome! Thank you. I spend a LOT of time EQing my instruments, setting proper levels, and getting everything as clean sounding as possible. And, of course, some compression and the use of a limiter helps to get the low-end booming.