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Messages - Cosmic Fugue

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31
Samples/Plugins/Software/Gear / Re: how do you get your kicks?
« on: February 04, 2016, 12:49:36 pm »
Layering is easier if you start with a kick that is *almost* what you want. Then you bring in a layer to add a bit more sub-bass to it, and maybe another one to add a transient or click. I used to try to layer 5 kicks and make a frankenstein kick, but now that I treat it more like "find a good kick and then beef it up a little bit" it works way better.

I use a couple of the Freshly Squeezed Samples packs and some kicks from Splice sounds. I usually end up with a single kick and some careful processing lately, but I do layer sometimes.

32
Very cool! This was one of the few plug-ins I had about 15 years ago when it came out--I think I was using an ancient version of Cubase at the time, and I thought Vinyl was amazing. Now that I have way better software I can find lots of subtle uses for this instead of going crazy like I used to...

33
R&A Graveyard / Re: Track analysis board
« on: January 30, 2016, 12:26:07 pm »
This could be really cool if it's done right. I think the moderators would have to pay attention to weed out the inevitable "THIS TRACK SUCKS" comments.

34
Finished Tracks / Re: Cosmic Fugue - Resolution | Progressive House
« on: January 21, 2016, 10:16:28 pm »
Thanks Lighght and alanisnotcool!

I'll post my new mixdown/master tonight.

35
Finished Tracks / Re: Progressive House (Finished i Think)
« on: January 19, 2016, 12:53:21 pm »
I like the weird rhythm in the intro. The breakdown is really nice, and I like the buildup. The hats are a bit harsh when they come in at 2:20. The claps could maybe use a bit more high-end emphasis. I really like the other percussion and stabs that come in at 2:52. I like the slowdown and ending -- love it when dance songs have a real ending rather than a fade or sudden stop.

The mix is pretty clean - maybe a bit weak in the low end?

The melody/progression is really simple, but that works fine for me in a 4-minute track.

Overall very good!

36
What is your "Q" value set to on the EQ? Some values can create a boost at the point where it's high-passing.

37
Finished Tracks / Re: Aliasane - Fernway | Deep House
« on: January 19, 2016, 03:51:10 am »
I wouldn't call it "failing miserably" -- it's not bad at all. But you asked for feedback so:

- The low end seems weak. The kick in particular has a nice "click" but really needs a low-end thump. You could layer a sub bass over the bass, and maybe distort or saturate the bass a bit to give it more presence.

- Some of the mixing seems off, the little 3-note melody gets too loud sometimes and overwhelms the mix (like at 3:30).

- The vocal samples sound grating and too loud sometimes. (2:10, 3:05)

- The whole thing needs more reverb, and I think mixing with some reverb and frequency cuts would help the issue with the high melody and the vocals.

- Arrangement: I like the slow buildup although it needs some subtle things going on at the beginning. I like the break at 2:25 although it's really simple. Since the track continues with the same melodies for 3 minutes after that, I think it needs a change or another break.

I'll answer specific questions if you have an idea of what's wrong... I like the basic groove and melody, though. It's kind of a chilled deep house vibe, like something for the end of a DJ set. With some minor mixing work it could be great.

38
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: Producers that defy aging
« on: January 19, 2016, 03:38:24 am »
I'm with you there... I wish all of this technology (and the budget to buy it) had existed when I was 17 and had tons of time. The good news is that I can get some serious progress done on a track in 2-3 hours, and back then I would have spent most of that time trying to troubleshoot which MIDI or audio cable was unplugged.

39
R&A Graveyard / Re: "Finished Tracks" Section Sucks rn
« on: January 19, 2016, 03:32:54 am »
I'm actually pretty happy with the feedback forum as it is. Most tracks get a comment or two. That's not terrible.

Personally I actually like giving feedback, so I've done so where I can. I don't give feedback on genres I don't really listen to or on remixes (because often I haven't heard the original track). I also try to find tracks by anyone who has left me feedback and reciprocate.

I think the only change it needs is "must have x posts before posting a track". I'd put x at somewhere between 20 and 50, and I realize this would mean I can't post tracks for a while. Maybe there should be a "must be a member for x weeks before posting tracks" rule too. Both of those are reasonable and easy to implement.

If members of the community (rather than drive-by promoters or spammers) are the main people posting tracks, I think the community will make it work. If we see someone being spammy or trying to game the system, we don't give them good feedback.

40
I do listen to this style of music, sounds like some of those "chillout" compilations from about 10 years ago. I really like the subtle kick and the breath noises, and the synths are melodic without emerging as a catchy "hook" -- that's a good thing, this style doesn't have catchy hooks.

Love the break at 3:20.

The highs sound good to me, except for the scraping/cymbal noise that starts at 1:30. That one is a bit harsh and could be EQ'd better (or volume reduced) I think.

Overall the mix is very good, lots of subtle parts for my ears to pick out with headphones and lots of stereo separation. Well done!

41
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: Producers that defy aging
« on: January 18, 2016, 12:34:08 pm »
BT is 45... about my age.

Giorgio Moroder is 74 and still going strong.  (He worked with Daft Punk and has been doing a live tour.)

As an older aspiring producer it's discouraging to hear how young everyone is sometimes... But I can whine about that, or just make music and hope somebody likes it.

42
Finished Tracks / Re: Devotion (Original Mix)
« on: January 18, 2016, 12:17:34 pm »
I like it, it sounds like classic trance or progressive. I really like the melodic sounds and the break at 3:00.

I feel like the kicks could hit a little bit harder, and the bass could be a bit louder, but that might be the style you're going for.

I'd like to hear more variation in the melody (or another melody) -- it gets a bit repetitive at 7 minutes long. But then again it really has that classic trance sound and lots of those tracks were very repetitive. At the least the main lead (the one that comes in at 3:32 during the break) could be varied a bit -- automate a filter, play it at a lower octave, etc... Or, I like how it plays a different note at 4:03 -- more little musical variations like that would help.

Overall very nice, though, it has kind of a relaxing Ibiza type vibe. Really fits in with the trance I listened to in the 90s and early 2000s.

43
Finished Tracks / Re: Cosmic Fugue - Resolution | Progressive House
« on: January 18, 2016, 12:01:24 pm »
Thanks mandator and zacktaylor for the feedback!

I'm glad the mixing worked, this track was really one I made to learn mixing better.

Zach: agreed on that reverby saw lead, it's the weak point for sure.

I'm doing one more mixdown, I've added some subtle FX and improved the sub bass a bit. I'll see if I can do anything for that lead sound while I'm at it...

44
Nice track! I can definitely hear a classic Detroit techno influence. Love the 303. Wouldn't mind hearing a bit more distortion on it.

I hear lots of high-end on my system. I like the hat sounds a lot, actually. I think if anything is missing it's in the mids  -- maybe the 1K to 6K range. I like the pad that comes in on the break at 2:25 and would like to hear a bit more volume/presence on that. There's also a higher acid synth noise that comes in at about 6:00 and really helps the track.

Then again minimal isn't my thing and my instinct would be to tell you to make it non-minimal, so ignore me. :)

45
R&A Graveyard / Re: Different sub forums for DAWs?
« on: January 17, 2016, 09:00:44 am »
I think a DAW subform would be a good idea at some point. Right now we have "Samples/Plugins/Software/Gear", and when that one becomes super busy, I can see splitting it into DAWS, Plugins and Samples, and Hardware forums or something like that.

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