DrvanLansberg

Thanks for all the feedback. You are absolutely right. Looperman’s greatest value in my view is that we can get constructive input from other members on what works and what doesn’t work so well in our tracks.

It has been a while since I developed the Box Room track, but I’m pretty sure I was aware (or at least I suspected) that I might have a key change going on in the track. I remember thinking of the Daft Punk track, “Within”, where Montreal Pianist Chilly Gonzales had to come up with a way to bridge sections from A minor to Bb minor. He had to find a chord that played a role in both keys. He chose F. (There’s a really interesting VICE interview with him as one of the collaborators on Random Access Memories where he explains this.). He’s like Jacob Collier in his focus on the role of harmony in music.

Muted trumpet is from Native Instrument’s Session Horns Pro. I think it’s a really good VST. I do tend to layer different VST instruments for strings and horns, but on this one I just used the Session Horns patch on its own.

I’m not sure I agree with you about the vocal processing. I think, on reflection, that I over-did it. It sounds kind of harsh to me in some areas now. Some level of effects I think was OK throughout, but I think I should have been more selective.

I’m not exactly sure what you meant by the chords at 0:32 sounding “too easy”. Definitely agree that playing them on the first count makes thinks sound kind of “wooden” in the track. I think that was just laziness on my part. I struggled to find a chord progression that worked. Once I had that I didn’t make the effort to play a more nuanced piano track. It isn’t quantized, but the timing is pretty close to being exactly on the beats, which gets boring. I think I usually do better.

But, I also think you are suggesting either that the chord inversion was “too easy” or that the chord itself was not as interesting as it could have been. That’s a more substantive issue and I’d really appreciate hearing more explanation from you on that, if possible. The first chord is a Bb7 major, second inversion. Second chord is Eb major with the fifth (Bb) doubled in the bass. Keeps Bb as the common foundation for both chords. (I’m trying to avoid always using the root of the chord in the left hand). Anyway, I’m definitely interested in your advice on what I might do with those chords.

Regards,

Eric

Thanks, maybe we can remake it.

Hello.

It’s a shame I can’t read your extensive reply but not to worry. It’s best to type your replies in a separate document and then copy and paste to Looperman.

I’m glad to hear I took you on an amazing trip to a whole different dimension. That’s my aim. I’m really not much of a composer. I just loop riffs and parts up and then jam over the top and extensively edit and see what comes out. I’m not really sure that’s composition in the proper sense. I only have a vague idea where I’m going when I start a track and fully expect interesting and unexpected things to happen along the way as I try out all sorts of sounds and moods.

Maybe I’ll try adding a bit of reverb to the drums though I quite like how clear and present they are. Not dry, as that wouldn’t suit the spacey vibe, but not overly booming and reverb heavy.

“I am curious for what you have used to make this composition. Expecially as for these reversed sounds.”

Since 2001, I’ve used Reason and Cubase in conjunction ie each track is made up of a Reason and Cubase file that run as one. Synths are mostly from Reason and audio recordings are all in Cubase though my drum VSTs (Superior Drummer) also run in Cubase. The only recorded audio here is electric cello. Everything else is programmed synths and drums, plus a couple of samples.

The reversed sounds (they’re not actually that obvious to me) are simply a reverse reverb setting on the reverb units on a few synths in Reason. No reversed cello parts though I do sometimes do that.

The only bass sound in this is a sample-based orchestral string sound that I really like. It’s quite noisy, which is effective a lot of the time. When I don’t want it to be so noisy, I just add a filter that takes the edge off it. Plus EQing the top end.

Any other setup questions, just ask and I will tell.

I’m now working on another track based on leftover parts from this one though it will probably take a while to finish. I’m aiming for it to be just chilled out and beautiful rather than dark, ominous and sometimes heavy.

Thanks for the appreciation.

Hello DrvanLansberg,

thanks for your friendly words, i quote your advice about the solo lines into key with the bass or rhodes :) however, i don't understand the meaning of "to fill some empty frequency spectrums", english is not my natural language and the translator didn't help me lol

thanks again for your feedback,
Bleep

the track evolved a bit since you were kind enough to have a listen. added a few sounds. tried to develop a "line" It was a fun project. learned a lot about modeling sounds and mixing with this one. I ended up nevertheless with a little bit of crackle here and there in my effort to get a louder result. thanks again for checking this out.

Thanks! I do actually have some recording equipment (AKG C214 and Behringer B1 vocal mics, TubePre V2 vocal pre-amp, Audiotechnica ATH-M50x headphones, Martin and Guild acoustic guitars, Yamaha MOX8 performance keyboard, PRS customs each worth 3000 and 5000 USD respectively and some pretty decent amps :33)! Im just missing the software to put it all together :P Soon, I will re-record this and hopefully make a little album of just acoustic songs. Who knows, I probably will make it into an all-out album. I'll hit you up when it comes to full fruition!

Brado

Thank you! I agree, can't wait to do it live.

hey. glad you found this piece bizarre. of course there's no plugins for timing-fixing used and honestly any plugins at all here. just very raw take on the acapella without even restoring and manipulating the given audio. all the rest was real time played. delayed piano notes are intentional. in fact everything is intentional on here.

thanks a lot for the fav and some nice words.

Best to you, Alex

thanks for your insights DrvanLansberg!
those suggestions were spot on. i tend to have too much stuff going on in the 1k and up region when i do those kind of build-up arrangements like here. looking back this was no exception. it's still not perfect but there has definitely been an improvement mix-wise.
thanks again for your input!

Hey there, thank you for our kind and constructive comment! The drums really drove the inspiration for this track, so much thanks go to MrFunk and Proecliptix for that. As a bit of inspiration from staticnomad, I did a bit of layering with my own drum sounds to enhance the rhythm. Happy with how the snare ended up. I'm glad you hear a mid 80's vibe in there too. I think that era is all but forgotten, and with good reason I suppose. I appreciate it more all the time though. I guess I wanted a pretty thin guitar presence in this, since it's mostly going on when the chorus vocals are there. Didn't want to take away the focus you know. As far as reverb goes, I didn't know if you meant on the guitar or as a whole. I've been going for a pretty dry sound lately, so it was pretty intentional. I really appreciate the feedback!

thanks again. the idea of adding some more elements to this song is nice. I think there's much space for it but actually I am too busy at the moment with other things than revisiting or editing my older tracks. These last months since joining this site was an extremely creative time for me. I didn't expect that music like this will come up anyway but I think I will give the looperman a rest for some time.

Here are my last chillout productions:
http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/162752
http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/162313
'Orbit Retro Trancer' and 'Zen Motion'.

Actually I do not make so called 'stylistic music', more let us say 'experimental'. The tracks are definitely worth listening. I think this is very close to your style. You might check them out if you have some time and simply want to.

For sure we can create some really good music together in the near future - I will write you a message. I think we have something in common regarding to the music and listening preferences. I am simply open-minded to any eventual collaboration with you.

Thank you again for some nice thoughts and I am happy you enjoyed this song. Best, Alex

hi. thank you for such a nice comment.

actually I am in love in whatever music I am listening currently (at the moment lol) so I do not really understand you point. basically I do not understand at all. nothing is missing there. I can't play jazz. there's no even II V I progression here lol. I played dorian mode throughout. maybe some trumpeter or female vocalist could provide a bebop stuff and interesting variations. for sure. and maybe some day I will be abe to play jazz also.

I do not know what 'mixing' actually means - I am only trying to make some corresponding sounds. It is safe to say.

thanks again for nice words. I appreciate that, alex

Thanks man!

Was thinking of continuing this project, but I haven't really gotten around to it. Will make an effort some time for sure. Just not yet!

hi again and thanks for your time and listening. Glad you enjoyed this one as well!
I love Rhodes and using them a lot. Here it's MrRay22 free plugin. Really nice to hear you liked the groove eventhough it's a bit odd meter here as well.
There's some nice ehnic percussion loop from ferryterry and some congas also jazz drums. The fill loop are probably 2x faster played here but I do not remember the source.

Thanks again for your interest in my music and comments on production and mixing - much appreciated! and I am glad that I can somehow inspire you.
Greetings, Alex

hi and many thanks for checking out some of my songs! I am here about 2 months, most of my tracks I made using the loops from this site although there are a couple of a bit older songs without loops as well. I can work quite fast.
This track is a bit experimental but it's basically 4/4. There's some 5/8 patterns and other odd things that probably can feel like 5/4 at times ...
The bass was made using 'MinimoogueVA' plugin but I layered it many times and added EQ and stuff. Also some bass-chorus.
It's just an improvisation - trying to stick to the groove. I agree: it is not quite an 'easy listening'.
Thanks for kind words and really glad you liked the original track. Alex

Thanks Doc, I'll have your advice on mind in future :)

Thank you so much DrvanLansberg12

As to the answer to your question
Quote; but I always feel good affter watching a movie that in the end brings the lovers together after all. I would like to hear a similar thing happening here to be very honest. Now it is an open end, but I need an answer or a solution. I know, it's not the track, it's just me :-).

the end brings the lovers together after all is correct!

bless lol

big thanks man

***bb***

I appreciate you taking the time to listen. Thanks for the review. Did this in like 45 minutes so, didn't put much effort into the entire mixdown.

Thanks Doc, Great feedback... I've only just started experimenting with loops and samples uploaded to this site so your feedback is much appreciated. its certainly good to know that what sounds like a well balanced and level mix in my system (albeit not mastered) hasn't translated as well on 3rd party listening devices or speakers. I will certainly look to address that on future studio projects.

Thanks again for taking the time to listen to my work, your feedback has been valuable.

GC