|
some ideas
Hey there, I'm going to write you a long response because I know how it feels to only get one response from people when you post a song on an internet forum. Some of what I've written here will be Greek to you because it was Greek to me when I started. Just tell me to explain any term or concept that I haven't thoroughly.
I think you have some good instincts. I can tell you've listened to trance and you're trying to emulate the basic structure of a trance song. You're about where I was about a year ago. What software are you using? If you're using Reason and/or Ableton, I can help a little better.
I think what most gets in the way for me is more the tug boat type sound than the higher lead sound (I'll call that the bass). The higher lead is okay I think. I disagree with the other poster on that. If it's not okay, then my songs must suck because my supersaw leads sound somewhat like that.
As far as the bass, it needs to hit more than just one note. Perhaps a measure of one note and then a measure of another note using the same rhythm pattern, like for example C---C-C---C Eb---Eb-Eb---Eb, G---G-G---G, etc.
The other thing to address is the tone of the bass. To avoid the tug boat sound, use a low pass filter with the frequency turned low to keep the bass deep. If this makes it too quiet, turn up the resonance on the filter (if that's part of what you have with your software). If you're using Reason, put a Screamer on your bass and set it to Tube which emulates the tube amp that live bass players love to use.
I have been using stereo delay on my bass to give it an arpeggiator kind of feel. I do this by attaching the synth creating the bass to a mixer and attaching two delay modules to the mixer's return outputs with one going totally left and the other going totally right. I'll make the left echo 3 16th notes later and the right one 5 or left 4 and the right 7. You just have to experiment to create your rhythm. It creates a nice variation in the tone because the echo isn't as stressed as the actual notes you put into your sequencer.
There need to be more voices in there during the intro. Don't bring in your lead right away. It needs to be a surprise.
Someone once told me that music is all about creating anticipation. You've got to tease the listener by not giving them the voice combination you're going to have blaring when you come in full guns blazing at the beat drop.
As for other sound effects at the beginning, try using a sine wave with no attack, high decay, no sustain, and medium release to create a bell-like sound. Some echo on this could help. Also, I would put some strings in holding a single note for a measure, then going up or down to another whole note so that you have 4 or 8 measures with different notes (ex: C Eb G Ab C Eb Ab Bb).
Hope this isn't too much to digest. I just remember craving someone giving me a lot of material to consider rather than saying some crap like "Keep working on it. You've got great potential."
Peace, Agent Starchild
___________________
Agent Starchild
Durham, NC, USA
Those who share the wealth of their knowledge will end up far wealthier and more loved. Those who use their knowledge as a throne from which to sneer at others will never have a true friend.
Tracks-in-progress (Please help me make these better):
Eve of the Invasion
The Realm of Possibility
|
Please feedback new song!
What I mean is that it's a bit nasty on the ears.
