Hi, just found this forum yesterday when browsing for production tips, this site is a great resource with loads of knowledge so i am happy i found it.

I've been making house music for nearly 10 years now (with a stop of 4 years) but since a couple of weeks i started again: i've invested in a new studio. My current setup has the following main componentents:

Studio set:
Vista based DAW
Cubase 4
MOTU 828mkIII
SSL Duende PCI
Mackie Kig Knob
Mackie HR824 MK2 monitors
Mackie Cotrol universal Pro
Pro53
FM8
M-AUDIO Axiom25


PA Set:
Mackie D.4 Pro Mixer
Numark DMC2 controller
Mackie SRM450 MK2 monitors
Mackie SWA1501 sub

I've just finished installing and getting to know my DAW, below is a link to new project i am working on. The MP3 contains an arrangement which is far from finished (missing all the bits and bobs, progession and smashed compression) but see it as a raw sculpture of what i guess can become a potential track worth playing. My biggest challenge has always been chord progessios. I am reasonably good with engineering, filtering, percussion. But i want to move on from Tribal grooves towards something more dramatic.

I am curious what you guys think of the sound quality and the volume mix between the instruments (yes the supersaw lead is to hard :-) )

Welcome your feedback.

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Last edited by Raphie on Jun-30-2008 at 20:01

hi and welcome. sorry but rapidshare doesnt realy work here, its something about cats and letters which i dont understand so i cant listen to the sample. btw check out the "post your studiopics" thread and do an addition there too.

Will do, are there any other free hosting alternatives which don't have these nags?

usendit used to be ok but i dont think it is anymore. megashare maybe? i dont know which ones are good realy caus i dont use it myself. check what others are using in the dj promotion subforum

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Here you go:

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quote:

Originally posted by Raphie Hi, just found this forum yesterday when browsing for production tips, this site is a great resource with loads of knowledge so i am happy i found it. I've been making house music for nearly 10 years now (with a stop of 4 years) but since a couple of weeks i started again: i've invested in a new studio. My current setup has the following main componentents: Vista based DAW Cubase 4 MOTU 828mkIII SSL Duende PCI Mackie Kig Knob Mackie 828 MK2 monitors Mackie Cotrol universal Pro Pro53 FM8 M-AUDIO Axiom25 I've just finished installing and getting to know my DAW, below is a link to new project i am working on. The MP3 contains an arrangement which is far from finished (missing all the bits and bobs, progession and smashed compression) but see it as a raw sculpture of what i guess can become a potential track worth playing. My biggest challenge has always been chord progessios. I am reasonably good with engineering, filtering, percussion. But i want to move on from Tribal grooves towards something more dramatic. I am curious what you guys think of the sound quality and the volume mix between the instruments (yes the supersaw lead is to hard :-) ) Welcome your feedback. [[ LINK REMOVED ]] or [[ LINK REMOVED ]]

Pretty steep investment you've made there.

The mix is reasonable, I think the eq-ing is decent and every element has a fair amount of space. However, the levels of your instruments don't feel like they're balanced properly.

The beats are fairly static, I hear a bunch of sounds that are repeated constantly, no volume or timbre differences which makes it sound flat and less interesting. I don't think compression is the answer to this problem. A more complex arrangements with more percussion especially would do much good in my opinion.

Synths are reasonable as well, they're insufficient on the sound design front, but I think the melody lines itself will do, at least for now. I do think they're too loud compared to the beats.

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Anthony Mea - Get It On (Storyteller Remix)

quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

Production-wise, the highs sound a bit harsh to my ears and the leveling could probably use a little more work (or maybe just carve out some spectral space for the different synths via EQ). Artistically, I quite like it. It has a certain late 90's trance feel that I really enjoy. It would have fit right in on one of the early Magik mixes that Tiesto did before he became a much-maligned megastar. Nice.

I like the track, the main problem as mentioned before is the percussion and hats, and the kick is weak. But everything else sounds very nice. Chord progression is pretty simple but its effective IMO. I like this style.

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Kick too weak :-) that's good news i guess since i normally have it too loud, with too much bass on the PA system. I will turn it up a notch.

Regarding the percussion: there are actually 6 hihat layers,building up and down all with a bit of reverb and some delay, but i guess i can mix them a bit more distinct. What did you guys think of the clap? should i gate it to make shorter? (i quite like the long reverb tail myself)

It's funny that you guys say late 90'ties as i am 37 right now and the Ibiza House from that period is which i like most, as played in that time by Jean (Madhouse) Jurgen etc... If i would look at current styles i would favout the deeper tracks played by Above and Beyond in their "Trance around the world" shows, those are the kind of productions i would like to make (don't we all :-) ) but i am not there yet.

Once properly mixed and aaranged i am trying to get the track in the following direction: late 90's Ibiza with like JUNO 106 type leads with typical solo phrases. Bit of epic trance athmosphere, but then more on the "dark side". (yep sounds weird i know :-) )

quickly did a new mixdown tonight, again far from a final product, but getting closer to the atmosphere i am trying to find.

remarks:
1. no lead in, you hear the compressor kick in on the 1st kick
2. no outro, just chopped of
3. leads maybe now to soft, but total mix feels "bigger"
4. more " bite" in the percussion, not to much?!?
5. pads are louder, but potentially muddy the mix a bit, need to create more space for the leads, without loosing the "bigger" feel of the mix.
6. found a bit warmer reverb, lost some of the harshness in the 1st mix.
7. Bassline too loud?!? (not as much in mix but solo with drums?!? )

I would like to continue the thread here rather than in the other forum, since for me it's about the production learning curve / technique rather that having it judged as a final product.
So better or worse than the 1st version?

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Last edited by Raphie on Jun-30-2008 at 20:02

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie quickly did a new mixdown tonight, again far fro a final product, but getting closer to the atmosphere i am trying to find. remarks: 1. no lead in, you hear the compressor kick in on the 1st kick 2. no outro, just chopped of 3. leads maybe now to soft, but total mix feels "bigger" 4. more " bite" in the percussion, not to much?!? 5. pads are louder, but potentially muddy the mix a bit, need to create more space for the leads, without loosing the "bigger" feel of the mix. 6. found a bit warmer reverb, lost some of the harshness in the 1st mix. I would like to continue the thread here rather than in the other forum, since for me it's about the production learning curve / technique rather that having it judged as a final product. So better or worse than the 1st version? [[ LINK REMOVED ]]

Prolly better (not sure as it's louder). Clap too loud on the intro IMO. dark deep pad waaay too loud, with too much bass in it -> highpass. when it all comes together @ around 2:30, pad fits better, but still feels a bit too overpowering.
BTW, like your old school style. makes me remember the old days of trance..
Just my 2c