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WIP: Above & Beyond - Sun & Moon (Function T Remix)
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| function t |
Hey guys,
After looking around the internet for a community that could give some quality feedback on my productions, I was referred here from some other sites (sorry for you guys :P).
Anyways, I'm working on a new remix of the incredible Sun & Moon by Above & Beyond. It's currently in a "rough draft" form, but it's complete. You can listen to the current version here:
I haven't even attempted any mastering or anything...but I think the mixdown sounds pretty decent right now. If you've got ANY feedback (positive or negative), I'd appreciate it bunches!
THANK YOU!!!
-Function T-
P.S. I read the forum rules, but wasn't sure if posting a remix with vocal samples was allowed...I purchased the vocal samples from trackitdown.net a while back so I figured it was alright. I'd be happy to remove my post if necessary! |
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| sylvannas |
Pretty neat mix.
I don't get the reverse kick effect you used at 2:03 and at 5:05....kinda distracted me.Also you could have made the transition to the vocals more interesting.
Btw,loved the breakdown at 3:45. |
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| function t |
Hey Sylvannas,
Thanks for the feedback! It means a lot to me :)
1) hehe...I added that reverse kick sound at the suggestion of a DJ friend of mine. There's also one at 7:01. I originally had the kick just skip that first beat to kind of mix things up a bit, but he thought it might sound cooler to have that reverse sound. I'll be honest and say I'm not sold on it, either. One thing I'm going to look at is cutting everything except the vocals out on beat one give that little pause/skip effect some more prominence. If that seems like too much of a gimmick, I might just revert to the standard (forward) kick drum :)
2) I'm not too fond of the entire intro (everything before 1:40). I've gone through about 6 different iterations of the intro, and this is the best thing I've come up with so far. I've tried everything from vocal chops (though this song doesn't have very good vocals for a chop, IMO)to some more prominent elements. Do you have any suggestions? I definitely agree that it needs some work...I've spent the past two days looking at the intro alone and I still don't like it :(
3) Thanks for the compliment on the breakdown :) Do you like the buildup into the chorus, as well? I spent a while working on that buildup, and I think it's pretty decent. I just want to make sure that the main drop at 4:36 has enough drive and weight to be impactful.
4) How did it sound to you, quality-wise? Like I said, I haven't touched the master channel for any mastering touches, but I want to make sure that it sounds technically good. Any clashing, clipping, or audio quality issues that you noticed?
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR FEEDBACK!!!
-Function T- |
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| Dj Pyster |
| The Vocals sound nice and clear on my monitors, very nice punchy kick, but I think the basslines can be turned up just a little as well as the sustaining bass note around 3:20 could be turned up a little bit (But this is my own opinion). But overall this is very good work, great quality. |
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| function t |
Hey DJ Pyster,
Thanks for the review! I completely agree that the sub bass could be turned up. As a general rule of thumb, though, I tune the volume to where I think it should be and then I turn it down a few dB. Most producers overdo it with the bass and compression, so I always err on the conservative side. Also, I like to leave a lot of potential room for mastering if it were to ever come up...though I've yet to get anything signed ;)
Needless to say that the bass synths will be turned up a bit in the final mix.
On another note, to all potential readers, do you LIKE the track? Would you enjoy listening to it aside from my posting it on a random forum?
Thanks for the feedback guys! |
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| EddieZilker |
Holy white noise, Batman! - OR - It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a cliche'.
Not to knock you, because your ability seems rather apparent, but this sounds like it was made in 2008 and the white noise is just so... well, over-used, overly prominent, and passe'. I agree that the bass-line is a little under-played and the highs, particularly with the white noise, are a little harsh. The synths, at times, had some interesting textures but it felt like you were relying on the noise to pick up the slack when you were in a corner on the synth-work.
I'm not trying to be brutal, at all. I'll say I even respect you for this first showing. It's just not very original. It does show that you're far along on the learning curve, though. Keep at it. |
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| function t |
Hey Eddie,
Haha, you can't offend me...I came looking for feedback and you gave it! It's up to me to take that and do what I feel with it :)
Seriously, though...thanks for the feedback! I appreciate your compliments, as I haven't been producing for very long. I'll agree with you here: white noise is fairly cliche. I've been a DJ far longer than a producer, so I can tell you I'm a bit behind on the trends. I was looking for a way to build a little energy in those sections, and I know that white noise has been used for exactly that purpose. I think a cymbal crash sounds cheesy, a long filter sweep sounds too noisy, and a sidechained white noise sounds cliche. Do you have any suggestions for an alternative to create a bit more energy in tje absence of the noise? I've looked around and I can't seem to recreate a good alternative...perhaps that means I should try something new, then, right?
You also mention the noise in the lead synth...you're right. I've edited the filter in Sylenth1 to mix in a noise oscillator when it gets pretty open. That was an intentional choice to build a little grit throughout the phrasing. I'll experiment with lowering that noise a bit a see what I can come up with. |
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| EddieZilker |
| quote: | Originally posted by function t
Do you have any suggestions for an alternative to create a bit more energy in tje absence of the noise? |
A lot of that's going to come with experience as you learn how to balance stuff out and develop better keyboard skills along with improving your percussion section and progression. You're not the first person to use white noise as a crutch and you won't be the last. I'll say that being a DJ gives you a considerable advantage over a lot of producers because you can actually hear what works along with what you like and steal ideas, as needed for your own work. Working on other people's remixes doesn't hurt, either.
I will say that anytime you change a few things in the track, as it's progressing, that will build tension - unless you do something completely off the wall. My fellow Michigander, Kruma, did a really good job of making what is ostensibly a drastic change with a fairly good result. If you want an example of what I'm talking about, listen to where he moves from a chord progression into heavy solo-type work.
Don't be afraid to change multiple tracks at once. Don't just tweak a filter on a single synth-track, for instance. Change a bunch of stuff. If you're opening the filter on one synth track, draw another part down to accommodate that - just an example. There's a million different ways to go, provided what you're doing lets your listener follow. |
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| function t |
Hey Eddie,
Thanks for the comments! I agree, there is a plethora of things that could be done. I'm still trying a bunch of stuff...we'll see where it goes.
As for your comments about changing multiple tracks at once, I'm assuming you're talking about automating a variety of parameters at once. In the track I've posted, there are currently a total of 37 channels and 91 total automation curves...so I'm in complete agreement that many elements should be in motion at the same time...rarely should a track be flat at all.
Like I said, I'll play around with things and see where it goes. Either way, thanks a lot for taking the time to comment! If you've got any other suggestions or something randomly comes to mind, let me know!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!
-Function T- |
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| EddieZilker |
| quote: | Originally posted by function t
Hey Eddie,
Thanks for the comments! I agree, there is a plethora of things that could be done. I'm still trying a bunch of stuff...we'll see where it goes.
As for your comments about changing multiple tracks at once, I'm assuming you're talking about automating a variety of parameters at once. In the track I've posted, there are currently a total of 37 channels and 91 total automation curves...so I'm in complete agreement that many elements should be in motion at the same time...rarely should a track be flat at all.
Like I said, I'll play around with things and see where it goes. Either way, thanks a lot for taking the time to comment! If you've got any other suggestions or something randomly comes to mind, let me know!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!
-Function T- |
I think you've got the basic ideas, down. What I'd do is treat the white noise like a placeholder for your actual intent and see if you can't work out something else as you work that noise out of the track, entirely. Where it's almost hitting like a hi-hat, for instance, something else can go there. Where you're building up for a transition with it, erase that, listen to what's going on around it and ask yourself what you want to be hearing, instead. |
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| function t |
Sounds good...I'll post back with any updates in the next few days. Final exams start this week, so I won't have much time to play. The time away from the track may actually be for the best...sometimes a fresh pair of ears on a track gets more work accomplished!
THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP!!! |
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| rubyliping |
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