Keep it up though
[Dubstep] I finally sent a song to some labels - Page 2
Blogs > Ancestral |
Deleted User 135096
3624 Posts
Keep it up though | ||
Siannodel
United States12 Posts
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Ancestral
United States3230 Posts
On November 25 2011 08:53 sob3k wrote: Lol, i'm pretty sure Grit is not on TL. Your track is solid, I like the extra melodicness, which I always look for in dubstep. Your bass is pretty uninteresting though, with dubstep being the hot genre it is now, every talented producer is pumping this stuff out. You really have to do something memorable to make any impression at all. Right now your bass isn't doing that, its low end is a bit weak and mostly it just doesn't sound unique or cool compared to 9million other bedroom dubstep projects. Really sit down with Massive and an effects chain and see if you can get a sound thats even a bit different and recognizable from what you've been hearing in other tracks, it is possible. Most of the real recent dubstep breakout artists have a signature bass sound that is instantly recognizable (at least until everyone else copies it). Hell you even have guys getting minor acclaim and signed like Dubsidia who literally can only do one unique bass apparently and just suck balls at actual track composition...lol The only other thing is that I think you are abusing the stereo panning a bit, it sounds ok in headphones but its always better to use stereo with restraint. Otherwise it start sounding very funky when you play the track on, for instance, a set of widely spaced PA's at a show. You're criticism is great; it's really detailed and tells me people really listen and appreciate music! In response (not defense, just response ) 1. I've been told I use too little stereo panning before. It's definitely a line you have to straddle. With this one, I thought "no one shall make that criticism again!" 2. As far as interesting bass sounds, there's a trade-off between trying to be new and unique and making something you can be pretty sure people will like. I have two sounds that I really just haven't heard anywhere, but only one is in this song, and then only minimally. If you listen to my last 6 or 7 SoundCloud tracks though, you'll at least notice a pattern. Also, my brain is more melody-oriented, so that's why my songs are always "chiptuney," because when I have a sweet melody in mind I tend to neglect the sound. Some people like that, though. Trust me, though, I spend lots of time on synthesis and will only get better. 3. There ARE a lot of people making dubstep. And I think it takes several things to "make it": musical ability, live performance, promotion, personality (S-factor), and originality. I think my melody style (which is pretty consistent) is pretty unique, actually. But some parts are only MODESTLY unique, and what producer denies that he sometimes here's something and things "I am going to try to make that same sound." It's honestly a good learning experience. Love that you took the time to write that out, I love constructive, considerate criticsm. On November 25 2011 08:55 mcJ wrote: Good tune over all, though, I would have liked to see your lead cut out at the last part of the breakdown, just before the drop, that would have the drop so much bigger. Also I miss some hats or something airy in the background, but then again im using shit headphones atm ^^ Anyway big ups, and keep it up! When you can add any instrument any where you want, it can be easy to over do it. And you only have so much "volume" for every different sound and frequency range. I think I get the right amount of air for my style, but it's all a balance and a trade-off. As far as the drop, you're right that that would have been more dramatic. I hadn't considered it, my thought process was "slow build, breakdown, and then a straight kick roll into the drop, ?????, profit." Good to know what people listen for though. And it's not always what producers hear in their own songs that they hear ad nauseum. Glad you enjoyed it for the most part. | ||
Ancestral
United States3230 Posts
On November 25 2011 09:07 wo1fwood wrote: Not too bad, I like some of the core ideas, though from a composition perspective there are just waaaaaay too many parallels going on to make me really like it. The bass and lead doubling each other is fine to a degree, but too much of it and the sound becomes one dimensional and really bland. Also regarding the lead and foreground middle ground material I felt that there needed to be more layers, or more contrasting/nuanced elements to balance out the linear shape of the piece, as it stands now, it just feels like there's a hunk of stuff that is entirely too similar (melodically or timbrally) in shape and direction to really balance out the spectrum well. Does that make sense to you? Keep it up though I think I get what you're saying. The actual parts of the song themselves are quite complicated rhythmically. The melody is also a full 16 bars long (4 bars for the chord progression, but the lead changes). It is repetitive, which is a requirement in dance music so people can get a feel for the track and, you know, dance. Too crazy = bad, too repetitive = bad, too simple = bad, not repetitive enough = bad. You don't want to say "listen, hey, you know everything that's going on and what will happen next, and it's easy to understand it all!" but you also don't want "listen, JUST TRY and figure out WTF is going on!" Just like the amount of bass and ambiance, it's a spectrum of possibilities, some of which are stylistic, and some of which are musical or production fundamentals. I prefer vast landscapes of sound, a constantly evolving melody, and jagged basslines, but even with those things I sometimes make compromises because I wouldn't even like such a song if someone else wrote it. So I think what you're saying makes sense, and I definitely consider these things! | ||
Juliette
United States6003 Posts
i have your mixtape on my itunes still and i get a song on shuffle sometimes sick shit yo! | ||
Steveling
Greece10806 Posts
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KrisElmqvist
Sweden1962 Posts
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Fission
Canada1184 Posts
I really like your track. I do have one criticism though (I hope you don't mind). It really felt like there was a serious lack of low-end in the track. Obviously I don't have the actual file so I can't give more direct feedback on the frequency range/spectrograph, but it really sounded to me like everything was squished into the midrange in terms of bass. For equipment, I was listening on a pair of Beyerdynamic 770DT pro (250ohm impedance) studio phones, an external 16bit HRT usb DAC, and a Shanling PH3000 headphone amplifier. Note: headphones are a bit too bass heavy to be considered reference class, but still fairly neutral. PS: can I get the actual file? | ||
Ancestral
United States3230 Posts
On November 25 2011 09:46 Starparty wrote: Actually, if i was sending demos i wouldnt release the track to the public first. Track gets old before its released. I'm not promoting it heavily or anything. Also, I'm not at all famous. I've DJ'ed a few times, and some people on TL recognize me from TL ( above), but this track probably won't get that many views just from my posting it a few places. The promotion effort will go way up if I get it on a label, and this isn't a one off. If the labels like this, I can write more like it! The REAL reason I'm posting, as I'm sure you understand, is because I'm excited We've talked about music a little bit on TL and I know you know more about the industry than I do, in pretty much every respect. But I don't think I'll dash my chances at fame by being giddy . | ||
Ancestral
United States3230 Posts
On November 25 2011 09:50 Fission wrote: Hi, I really like your track. I do have one criticism though (I hope you don't mind). It really felt like there was a serious lack of low-end in the track. Obviously I don't have the actual file so I can't give more direct feedback on the frequency range/spectrograph, but it really sounded to me like everything was squished into the midrange in terms of bass. For equipment, I was listening on a pair of Beyerdynamic 770DT pro (250ohm impedance) studio phones, an external 16bit HRT usb DAC, and a Shanling PH3000 headphone amplifier. Note: headphones are a bit too bass heavy to be considered reference class, but still fairly neutral. PS: can I get the actual file? I keep the bass at an average of +12dB for the peak in the key of the song over a ~10 second period. This isn't really how you should mix, and I know that. This is just a quick master. It's the same "amount" of bass in the final master as a lot of commercial songs, but judging gross spectra of an entire track is neither scientific nor musical. If it gets on a reputable label, they'll help with making sure the master is good, everything cuts through, nothing gets squashed, and it's fat. Until then, I think it gets the musical point across very well. But discerning ears such as yours can certainly tell it's not a pro master. And the file is coming your way! | ||
KrisElmqvist
Sweden1962 Posts
On November 25 2011 09:53 Ancestral wrote: I'm not promoting it heavily or anything. Also, I'm not at all famous. I've DJ'ed a few times, and some people on TL recognize me from TL ( above), but this track probably won't get that many views just from my posting it a few places. The promotion effort will go way up if I get it on a label, and this isn't a one off. If the labels like this, I can write more like it! The REAL reason I'm posting, as I'm sure you understand, is because I'm excited We've talked about music a little bit on TL and I know you know more about the industry than I do, in pretty much every respect. But I don't think I'll dash my chances at fame by being giddy . No, and you can always put different links here than the ones you send as a demo. What labels have you sent to? Big, small? | ||
Aylear
Norway3988 Posts
On November 25 2011 06:58 Ancestral wrote: http://soundcloud.com/khazedub/electrode-khaze-trip-to-the I've posted several blogs about my dubstep / electro house production. Hopefully the one AFTER this one will be about the big success I had in subjecting my music to professional critique. This track is a collaboration between me and a guy from California (Electrode, I linked his FB page on SoundCloud if you want to check him out - he does sweet electro house). The song is pretty much exactly what I try to go for. At least, it represents one of the many feelings I try to capture in my music. It's melodic with "epic" chords and an electro feel (it is not traditional old school U.K. dubstep, no, but I respect and enjoy that style very much). I'd love to hear what you guys think, Electrode and I have worked really hard on this one! For my other songs I SoundCloud I have downloads enabled. Since I sent this one to labels I don't want "unsolicited" copies out there. But, I don't really care about that, except I suppose I should in a professional capacity. If you like the song, PM me for a download link for the full version (this preview is half the song). Thanks for listening! http://soundcloud.com/khazedub/electrode-khaze-trip-to-the Edit: Every play makes the track look better to a record company, and listening is an easy way to show support if you like it! I thought this was just decent until that drop. Then, chills. This is not my favorite style of dubstep, and I doubt I'd be listening to this if you hadn't asked, but I can tell you've got skills. And the drop gave me chills. Fission mucking accomplished, I'd say. | ||
Ancestral
United States3230 Posts
On November 25 2011 09:58 Starparty wrote: No, and you can always put different links here than the ones you send as a demo. What labels have you sent to? Big, small? Medium, for the style. I'll PM you the names, just because I know nothing of business and don't want to mention a label if it gets on another one. Don't hesitate to pass a word onto them that you know this great artist, or mention it to any other labels if you've got ins On November 25 2011 10:00 Aylear wrote: I thought this was just decent until that drop. Then, chills. This is not my favorite style of dubstep, and I doubt I'd be listening to this if you hadn't asked, but I can tell you've got skills. And the drop gave me chills. Fission mucking accomplished, I'd say. Thanks man. I love your attitude to. I hate "going there," but yes, I love Kode9. I also love that other guy who is the opposite of Kode9 and who is very popular. Thanks for branching out, that's what I had to do to find the more traditional style and I loved it! Even though they really are very different musics. Given the vast number of talented bedroom producers (and talented famous ones), there's no dearth of talent. | ||
Fission
Canada1184 Posts
On November 25 2011 09:57 Ancestral wrote: I keep the bass at an average of +12dB for the peak in the key of the song over a ~10 second period. This isn't really how you should mix, and I know that. This is just a quick master. It's the same "amount" of bass in the final master as a lot of commercial songs, but judging gross spectra of an entire track is neither scientific nor musical. If it gets on a reputable label, they'll help with making sure the master is good, everything cuts through, nothing gets squashed, and it's fat. Until then, I think it gets the musical point across very well. But discerning ears such as yours can certainly tell it's not a pro master. And the file is coming your way! Hey, thanks for the reply! One thing I realized almost immediately after posting is that any lack of range I was picking up on was almost certainly a byproduct of compression for hosting on soundcloud (128kbps mp3). The 256kbps file sounds considerably better in that regard, and I'm sure an uncompressed master would be significantly better again. All things considered the mastering is good Best of luck, friend. | ||
cowsrule
United States80 Posts
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Ancestral
United States3230 Posts
On November 25 2011 10:20 Fission wrote: Hey, thanks for the reply! One thing I realized almost immediately after posting is that any lack of range I was picking up on was almost certainly a byproduct of compression for hosting on soundcloud (128kbps mp3). The 256kbps file sounds considerably better in that regard, and I'm sure an uncompressed master would be significantly better again. All things considered the mastering is good Best of luck, friend. Honestly I appreciate that. So yeah, my mastering isn't perfect, but just from mastering everything myself, since I don't have money and would rather make it to where a label pays for mastering by writing good songs than getting great masters by having deep pockets, I've gotten MUCH better since I started in August last year. I'm glad you found it to be reasonably good, because I always make the mastering disclaimer but, to show a little pride, my masters aren't THAT bad. On November 25 2011 10:21 cowsrule wrote: Just listened to everything you have uploaded, great stuff! You have some sounds like ephixa and helicopter showdown, though the songs aren't the same. Great job, I'd definitely pay money for a full release! Thanks. The SoundCould format is good for that, I'm glad you just let em play! Also you're comparing me to some established artists, so I appreciate that. And I'm glad you found my sound unique! Although I'm sure you've noticed it still varies quite a bit, but with some common themes. | ||
Benjef
United Kingdom6921 Posts
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PharaohLarry
Canada70 Posts
Here's to you - Good Luck in the future! let us know how you do | ||
Tahona
United States252 Posts
I saw on soundcloud that people could pm you for the full version? I don't have an account on soundcloud but I sure as heck would love the full version if you're giving it out. | ||
Djzapz
Canada10681 Posts
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