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Messages - AnnieTP

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61
WIPs / Re: 128 & 140 BPM Progressive
« on: April 15, 2016, 11:51:24 pm »
Cons:

- The repetition in the melody is a too much. Try for at least a little variation.
- The washy-ness that comes in at around 1:22 feels out of sync with the song. Its rhythm clashes with the rhythm of the melody, which throws off the song a little.
- Perhaps you should consider adding an ending? Not a huge issue, but I feel like the song ended a little suddenly. The song was building up nicely for a great deal of time, until it just dropped off in the end. Typically, that's not a good practice to have in your music.
- Throughout most of the second half, there's a little too much going on in the high end, especially for what (if I understand correctly) is supposed to be a deep-ish song. The amount of noise itself, for a short period of time, would not be much of a problem, but it gradually became harsher on my ears.

Pros:

- I like the mood it gives off.
- Also, the way the sounds evolved overtime was really good to listen to.
- The transition from house to dubstep (At least I thought it was dubstep) was pretty good.

Well, you're off to a good start, definitely. I think it's worth finishing.

Lastly: I'm not a very experienced musician, so if anyone else gives you feedback on this song that contradicts what I've said here, it's very likely that they're right and I'm not.

-Annie

62
WIPs / wooHoo
« on: April 15, 2016, 11:56:34 am »
This is a solid trance song. I couldn't find much that I didn't like about it, still, here's some advice:

Cons:

- Try experimenting with the kick in the intro. Instead of letting it go full power right away, try taking out a little bit of the low end and reintroduce it after about 16 bars and see if you like that better. Remember, it's your song.
- I see you used someone else's melody for this song? That's alright, but in future songs try making your own. It would be good practice, and, assuming you already know at least a little about music theory, it would not be a problem considering the rest of the facets of your song are already sounding good.
- The only thing I didn't like about your song was the ending. I know it's still a WIP, but if you released it as is, the ending would not be enough. Since it's trance, most other trance songs would slowly lose energy over a period of 8-32 bars, I think. If you plan on releasing this song in the future, you need to give it an ending.

Pros:

- Your mix is really good. If I knew more about mixing, there might be something I could tell you to improve here, but I can't. So good job on that.
- The transitions are really smooth.
- It lives up to the genre name. It's really uplifting.

Generally, you have a very good WIP on your hands. Being interested in trance, you may or may not have seen this video. It would probably be helpful for future arrangements. It also goes back to what I said about the kick earlier. You probably understand the progression of trance already, but in any case, it would better explain trance structure than I could. You might find it helpful for making that ending.

Just a note: I'm less experienced than most of the other musicians here on TPC, so if anyone else gives you feedback on this song that contradicts what I've said here, it's very likely that they're right and I'm not.
I'm looking forward to the finished product. It already sounds very good.

-Annie

63
What's the link to the work ethic topic? I'd be interested to see it.

So, do I force myself to sleep? Not really. I do try to sleep sometimes. Usually what happens is after a while, I just fall asleep somehow.
I don't think I can help you though, because it sounds like you stay up late making music and I don't.

Take yesterday for example. I went to a basketball game, and I really tired myself out. So when I got home, I did my homework and fell asleep. This situation doesn't apply to every night, but I usually keep producing out of my evening schedule with after-school activities and homework. It's better (for me) that way, I think.

-Annie

64
WIPs / Re: Mat Zo & Porter Robinson Easy Bootleg
« on: April 15, 2016, 11:20:17 am »
Hey, you have a great song in the works there. Some things jumped out at me though.

Cons:

- The intro is alright...up until 0:05 when this loud lead starts to play. It actually startled me a little. It's too loud compared to the rest of the sounds of the intro. Also, maybe try taking out just a little bit of noise in the highs and see if it sounds better.
- So, this loud synth plays periodically, and then the drop just...starts playing. At least, I think it's a drop, so I'll just call it that for now. I didn't notice any transition between it and the intro.
- The first drop is a little disorganized. Not that the sounds were clashing with each other, but there was a bit too much going on in the drop. The second drop was better.
- Are there any transitions in this song? Something around 0:59 sounded like a buildup, leading to what I think is the second drop (1:05).
- The idea of musical structure isn't really present in your song. Unless that was your intention. See, your song just starts...it launches into the drop shortly after, there some kind of build leading to more dropping, and the song just...finishes. There's no dynamic range. There's no distinguishing between parts.

Pros:

- You've got the sound design and a vague idea going on here.
- The drops have a lot of potential.
- The vocal chops are good.

Also, when posting WIPs, try to keep them on one of these song uploading sites: https://instaud.io/, https://clyp.it/, or http://picosong.com/. It keeps your SoundCloud page from getting cluttered, and since you don't have a Pro account, it saves you upload time in the future.

Overall, you've got a good idea going on. I recommend getting a second opinion (try for maybe even, three) from someone who is more experienced than me. It's very likely that if they say something that contradicts what I've said here, it's very likely that they're right and I'm not.

Good luck finishing it! And make sure you get at least two more opinions on your song. I don't want to ruin your song because I said something here that wasn't clear.

-Annie

65
Inspiration/Creativity/Motivation / Re: Grit NPR article
« on: April 14, 2016, 08:47:41 pm »
I think I've noticed a big spike in music interest for myself lately...

Otherwise, it's an interesting article. The Grit scale was interesting too.

-Annie

66
If I'm understanding it correctly, it is at right angles with one of the rules. Unless there was a thread where you could say "I'm up for collaborating" with certain information and requests would still be kept private. Being rejected for collaboration would be kind of embarrassing.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about because I'm terrible at explaining

Still, a subforum would be acceptable too. I'm just not sure if it requires its own subforum.

-Annie

67
WIPs / Re: Meep
« on: April 14, 2016, 08:31:20 pm »
I agree with you on almost all counts, but if you could clarify a few things I'd be very appreciative. How is the beginning forced? I think you're
correct, but how would I rectify it? I was thinking potentially waiting a measure or two before introducing the vocals?
  Really, however you rectify the intro is up to you. You could start with just the melody, or just the beat, or the vocals, and then introduce the other elements later with some kind of brief riser. It doesn't have to be a long addition, but 2-4 bars seems like enough. Notice how I said "a little bit". I realize it's just a WIP, but right now I don't think the very beginning of the intro is suitable.

Also, which kick and snare are you referring to? Or all of them?
The kick at 1:49 after the energy drops off is virtually nonexistent compared to the snare and the rest of the elements, which is a little odd, because I thought the kick you had playing right before it was really good. You could do one of three things: 1, keep using the kick you were using before 1:49. If you don't want to kick to go full power after the break, you could try high-passing it. 2, if you want to keep using the kick at 1:49, you need to edit it. EQ would be the most obvious method (I would use this to keep it straightforward), but compression and mixing effects might also help. Just don't overdo it.
Or 3, something that someone else suggests.
As for the snare, it's more of a matter of my taste. I think it sounds a little odd, but it could be because it's disproportionate to the kick. Compared to the kick, it isn't really as much of a problem.

This is easily some of the best feedback I've received on a wip :)
Whoa, thanks. I tried my best.

-Annie

68
WIPs / Re: Ten walls/ sevendoors inspired song.
« on: April 14, 2016, 04:53:13 pm »
Hi. I know this thread is a little old, but I was going to give you some feedback on this inspired song of yours.
However, it looks like the SC url you gave isn't recognized. You don't have to fix it, I'm just letting you know.

-Annie

69
WIPs / Meep
« on: April 14, 2016, 04:48:45 pm »
Hi there. I've just listened to your song, and now I'm going list what I like about it and what I didn't.

Cons:

- The start of the song was a little bit forced.
- The strings that come in at around 0:23 are a little too sudden and overpower the other elements a little.
- The drums could use some work. I'll elaborate:
-- The kick drum is weak and could use a little more presence in the low end. Remember, the kick drum is the guiding force of the song's rhythm so it should cut through the mix.
-- The snare could use a little adjustments. This time I feel like it needs a little more in the mids and a little less in the high end, to give more of a snare feeling. It sounds somewhat like a hip-hop snare, but at the same time it's distracting from the other elements in the song.
-- The hats are just a tiny bit too loud. Not a big issue though, I wouldn't worry about it.
- I know it's still a WIP, but your ending feels slightly unfinished. When you're ending with a melody, it's best that the melody ends on the tonic note. The way you ended the song, the final note creates a lot of unnecessary tension at its close. At least that's what I heard.

Pros:

- The song has nice variation throughout, which keeps it interesting.
- It has a main "idea" that tries to go somewhere.
- The vocals are used in such a way as to hold the song together.

Overall, you're on the right track. Just make some adjustments for mixing/arrangment and make it feel more finished and less rushed.

Also, I know it's not a huge problem, but when posting WIPs, try keeping them on a separate site like https://instaud.io/, https://clyp.it/, or http://picosong.com/. Then keep your finished songs on your SoundCloud. This keeps your work in order and gives you more upload time for your finished works, since you don't have a Pro membership.

One last thing: I'm not a very experienced musician, so if anyone else gives you feedback on this song that contradicts what I've said here, it's very likely that they're right and I'm not.
Oh, and make sure you finish it. Unfinished songs that gather dust don't benefit anyone.

-Annie

70
Hallo. I'm new. heh

My question is about melodies. The way I make melodies is this; I find a chord progression, then compose a melody that compliments the chords as they play. It's worked for me a little, but I feel like there could be a "better" way to compose melodies...You could say I'm looking for way to make the melody blend with the chords so they aren't conflicting with each other. When I choose a chord, I seem to end up using mostly the tonic, mediant, and dominant. I'd like to use the other more often than I do, but without creating unnecessary tension during the song.
So how do you make your melodies? I'd like some remarks on the method I use, but I'd also like to hear how you do it.

Oh, and sorry if there's already another topic for this in the forum. I looked but I didn't find anything quite like what I was looking for.

I might add some resources to the OP for other people who are experiencing this issue. I don't know.
Anyways, thanks for your help.

-Annie


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