« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: trap id thing  (Read 6604 times)

Ross

  • Sub Bass
  • *
  • Posts: 44
  • Honor: 0
    • View Profile
trap id thing
« on: January 04, 2017, 12:17:46 am »
Don't like the first 20ish seconds, not sure what I need to change though. I think its the organ but I can't think of what to replace it with.

I don't like the mix but I'm not good enough at mixing yet to fix it.

General thoughts appreciated.

https://soundcloud.com/redbaxtermusic/id-1/s-QTypW
Logged

Mussar

  • Administrator
  • Mid
  • *****
  • Posts: 631
  • Honor: 252
    • mussarmusic
    • mussarmusic
    • View Profile
    • My Site
Re: trap id thing
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2017, 01:40:34 am »
I think there are a lot of really great ideas in this track! It's a very solid effort. :) My absolute favorite spot is the little fill at about 2:40-2:45; there are a ton of great ideas. You have a lot of good melodic ideas, and your orchestration is varied and interesting.

In the into and prechoruses, I think you're suffering from the problem of too many ideas fighting for the top spot - a great problem to have, because all you need to do is decide which of those different musical concepts you either like least or think is least necessary, and remove it/save it for another project! It's actually kind of funny; you have too many good ideas!

In addition, your bass is a bit loud in the mix, and could be brought down.

My best suggestion is to directly reference other artists and see what they're doing to get an idea of where you should go next. I think if you look for songs by artists like Djemba Djemba, Mr Carmack, AWE, or pretty much anyone else from Team Supreme or Soulection, then pull them directly into your session to listen side by side with your mix by muting and soloing them as you play back your session, you'll be able to see what they do that you don't do, what they don't do that you do do, and all the things you have in common with them!

Looking forward to the finished track!
Logged

Ross

  • Sub Bass
  • *
  • Posts: 44
  • Honor: 0
    • View Profile
Re: trap id thing
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2017, 10:54:47 am »
Thanks, I've definitely had an issue with what to focus on. The file is so big it takes over 5 minutes to open now, and it is slowly becoming corrupted with each save so I have to go back to earlier backups, I think I have 40 patterns and about 12 Kontakt instances alone haha

My biggest problem in other things I've tried is it getting repetitive, as I generally follow a 16 bar - 16 bar - 16 bar formula of intro rise chorus and I'm not sure how to get out of that, I tried here with loads of different patterns just to kind of keep it fresh and interesting I guess I just went too far. I like the 16/16/16 I've got going I think any more or less and generally there is too much or too little of a melody, I think I just need to work on focusing it down a bit more like you said.

I kind of wanted it to be a remix of Tyler the Creators "What the fuck right now" freestyle, https://youtu.be/oCd6SQ67k-Y?t=74 At least just for the chorus, I think a slowed down, isolated vocal from there would sound really cool over the chorus but I can't find the isolated vocal anyway haha. Just thought it would sound good.

Thanks a lot, really great advice.
Logged

Ross

  • Sub Bass
  • *
  • Posts: 44
  • Honor: 0
    • View Profile
Re: trap id thing
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2017, 10:32:40 pm »
Remade most of it, just kept the melodies really.

Less trap-y now, not sure if I like it more or less.

It's definitely cleaner, I think it might be a bit more whine-y though.

https://soundcloud.com/redbaxtermusic/track-1/s-TpAMN
Logged

eidolon

  • Administrator
  • Sub Bass
  • *****
  • Posts: 105
  • Honor: 49
    • View Profile
Re: trap id thing
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2017, 03:49:59 am »
listening to the newest version. i like what's going on melodically, its almost sorta dissonant but not... someone who does theory more gooder than me will probably know what i mean.

as far as the composition goes, i would introduce something new at 1:03. some new melody, or chords, or percussion element. the main idea is good, but when you repeat it in the exact same way, it can get a little bit repetitive. also, i feel like it could use more negative space and rhythm in the main synths. that little fill at 2:46 is a really nice breathe of fresh air!! making those more frequently will let the drop hit harder.

this mixing sounds better in this one. that said, a few things. the harp feels a little sterile, i would play with the velocity and maybe some reverb to give it more space. also, the hihats in the drop sound too harsh, but that could be preference. i like where this is going, and i hope you keep going with it!!
Logged
check out the chat!! you can join here.

Ross

  • Sub Bass
  • *
  • Posts: 44
  • Honor: 0
    • View Profile
Re: trap id thing
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2017, 03:19:49 pm »
Thanks.

I'm having a lot of trouble deciding what to do with the chorus specifically. I will likely just leave it for a few weeks and see if I can come up with a new idea, working on other stuff in the mean time.

Cheers
Logged

NM64

  • Sub Bass
  • *
  • Posts: 23
  • Honor: 4
    • https://soundcloud.com/nmanif
    • View Profile
Re: trap id thing
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2017, 09:35:38 pm »
I took a listen to the newer version, big improvement on the original, so congrats on that. That being said, I do see what eidolon is saying with the track being a bit dissonant. It would be ok to have that go on for a little bit, but right now by the end of the song it becomes a bit tiring on the ears. For me it sounds like you're trying to have too much happen at the same time. The little breaks with the flute solo thing at 1:01 and 2:05 give it some of the space I was looking for. Maybe try playing around with some stabs instead of a synth that is constant?

I also like the idea of the breakdown around 1:25, but I feel like that would be a good opportunity to get away from the main melody if possible, just to avoid repetition.

Again, a lot of improvement from the original to the updated version, so just keep at it!
Logged

Ross

  • Sub Bass
  • *
  • Posts: 44
  • Honor: 0
    • View Profile
Re: trap id thing
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2017, 10:19:40 pm »
Thanks a lot. I'm leaving all the stuff like arrangement until the end, I just want to nail a chorus / drop. I know it's silly and typical "bro edm" to think like that but It's just that I can't actually do it.

On none of the songs I've finished (yet alone wip) does it have the "dance" feeling I want. These are supposed to be trap songs and they sound way too.. downbeat I guess is the term. I'm not sure how to fix it.

I tried here https://soundcloud.com/redbaxtermusic/track-4/s-6Iud7

yesterday, about 3 hours put into that one, still not sure what it is lacking but it just sounds boring af.

Today I spent maybe an hour on this. Still working actually, it's just I can hear the same issue.
https://soundcloud.com/redbaxtermusic/track-5/s-6nzh0

To think that most of my tracks have the same issue, I would think it would be easier to identify. My soundcloud has over 1000 listens now (Most likely at least 900 are from requesting feedback in forums like this and Reddit) and I still don't know what the cause is, unfortunately.

I mean I really appreciate all the feedback I get and I'm still learning a lot, it's just this seems like a "don't run before you can walk" kind of situation as I get stuck at the first hurdle.

Thanks a lot.

Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »