Dark techno is your favourite genre? Even though I don't listen to much electronic music compared to before, I have a heart for those high reverb/echoes and deep bass sounds heard in deep trance/house or minimal techno. Instruments sound clear and the crisp percussion on top is what you would hear in well made songs. Voice adds to the creepiness. This one may be too dark for me, but still enjoyed it. Glad your experimenting with music. Have fun
Bye for now
Hi Khrossfire,
Didn't know you live in fremont CA. I'm actually studying in Hayward CA. I'm a international student though. Anyway, here are my thoughts about your song.
67 channels used. Sounds about what diverse and complex music should have. I'm not going to comment much on the content variation, but I am a bit surprised that the song is not as diverse as I thought it would be.
0:00-0:45 I like the saw like bass and the background harmonies. I think it would have been better to use that lead instrument building up to something rather than use the same pattern. You did well using the fx as a buildup. Good choice with the percussion. I see that you did that instant drop of the percussion at 0:44. You heard me. However, what could exaggerate this quick drop is to have the snare have more reverb in the snare roll and then do the cut.
0:45 - 1:29
Its been a while since I heard the demo so not exactly sure what differences you made. I can say that with the amount of instruments going on, you mixed well. Just those little details like certain instruments panned shows lots of thought was put in here. 1:14 transition flowed well. Same with 1:29 into the piano section. The only concern I have here is that maybe you could have used a different drum pattern. For a climax to use the same drum pattern kinda takes away the energy. Perhaps using hi hats accompanying the cymbal clashes may have brought the energy one more level up.
1:29 - 2:28
Piano is my favorite instrument so this looks promising. For some reason, I feel like this part is lounge like music. Gentle phasing fx and drums give a slightly dreamy feel. I have no concerns with the piano chords, but the melody with the R hand didn't do it for me particular at 1:44 when the bass is stripped. During this quiet moment of the song, I think more reverb on the piano would have helped maintain that dreamy/chill feel. Fortunately it didn't take that long (1:59) to get right back into the chilled feeling.
2:28 transition could have been better. I notice some variation to the chorus so big kudos for that. Wait....this is actually like a bridge. That caught me by surprise. Smart move.
The rest of the song is similar as prior sections so extrapolate my earlier comments to these latter portions of the song. 3:44 to the end felt somewhat redundant. I know you wanted to end in a relaxed way. A good idea, but change up the melodies. Nice finish with the percussion.
Overall, your definitely getting more technical. It looks like people are noticing it from your previous reviewers so your on the right track. Good songs typically take time to make and you proved hard work pays off. The good thing (or you may see it as bad) is that the work only gets harder from here. There were concerns I brought up, but remember these are only a opinion. Do what you feel is best. Something tells me you don't like to be content with something always striving to become better. With that said, I am confident your going to be producing even high quality projects in the future. Good luck and have fun making music.
5/5 vote and review
Hey Music-story!
I'd just like you to know that I truly appreciate your reviews. Definitely gives me some insight on problems I have with producing, and I respect your opinion greatly! So thank you very much, good sir. :) And that's cool, interesting that you are an international student - I hope you are enjoying this area, despite the studying.
I'll admit that I got sick of listening to this track over and over again - might have contributed to me releasing this a bit early. There was still work I could have done to improve it as always - I hit my limit on this one though. Hope the lack of diversity didn't detract from your listening though.
0:00-0:45 I didn't think about using reverb that way... now that you mentioned it, it sounds like a great idea. The lead instrument you're talking about was actually the clean happy synth you mentioned in your last review - I agree I should have maybe varied the melody a bit, but it didn't occur to me when I constructed the build up.
0:45-1:29 The biggest difference between the demo and this piece in this section was the kick and the mixing of the synths. I changed bass sidechaining to bass volume ducking so it would come out along with the saw. Also, doubled the length of the chorus. The last change was the kick - has more presence now, and also removed the annoying subbass tail that the kick sample had, it was only audible with headphones, but it improved bass clarity a lot. The drum patterns were something I didn't work on too much, which showed huh. Probably should have spent more time on that. Did think about hi hats, but didn't feel right, or at least not the way I used the hats.
1:29-2:28 Piano is my favorite as well! Lounge music sounds accurate... I'll admit (again) that I skimped on that melody, but with the intent of keeping it a simple and gentle ambient section. Definitely should have increased reverb here. 1:59 was actually the part I was most satisfied with... dunno, but it clicked with me more than any other part of the track.
2:28 was honestly (I'm telling you everything here LOL) an almost copy paste of the first build up, minus one or two synths/fx. So... definitely I should have worked on this part more. And yes, I had hoped to surprise one or two people with that little bonus section! Thanks :)
3:44 I understand what you're saying - I'm not satisfied with the ending either... but ending on a similar theme as the chilled section earlier worked better than other countless arrangements I made. And yes, should have changed up the melodies... you're just calling all my laziness out now, aren't you!? xD
I thank you for the compliments, and I'm looking forward to putting out higher quality projects if I can! You can always count on my having fun making music, and I hope you will continue to make music as well - I enjoy listening to your tracks a lot! Good luck in your studies, and take care!
Hi Pillow,
I'm a fan of the whole spacy like music. I know this is a work in progress so somethings I'm about to say are probably obvious to you.
Mastering issue...no surprise. The kicks have some clipping going on.
I feel like you should make the pad/choir have more presence. This doesn't mean louder, but maybe have less reverb particularly on the lower frequencies of that instrument.
You may want to add in more fx in the first theme before 0:45 just to make it more interesting. The lead instrument should be more powerful. Emphasize those high frequencies and perhaps slight delay to it.
0:45 I like the chordal bass. Perhaps sidechaining could help. If you do have sidechaining already, put some more.
1:15 the song kinda takes a turn down. It doesn't feel catchy and there really isn't much new melodies going on. 1:30 you can't have your lead playing the same 16th notes as the bass. It doesn't feel like your building up to anything if you do that.
Change up the drums a bit. Just a kick and clap is somewhat generic especially for the climax of your demo. Hi hats perhaps add?
You need more fx like that sound at 1:26 (guitarish fade out sound)
Overall, the song needs more melodies and harmonies. By that I also mean a different set of melodies and harmonies...not layering. I'm sure you will fix up the mastering concerns but I'm more concerned about the mixing All your instruments can't have high cuts to them....or at least it sounds like all your instruments are subby except that new instrument at 1:30. Good luck on the finishing product.
5/5 review and vote
bye for now
Oh my. I love reviews like this. Constructive criticism helps so much. I will work on....basically all of this haha. Thanks for the help!
PS: I know this is a STUPID question....but how can I remove clipping from the kicks.
Hey Sirdangolot5,
I thought you did quite well at this song. The bass beat is catchy and it almost seems like the loss of tone in the first chord of four made it more unique. I like the automation, pads, layering of instruments and fx done. Good job with getting the right amount of sidechaining. I appreciate those subtle details with the drums on the transitions.
My only concerns are how you brought in the bass around 0:03. Not much of a explosion there.
1:30 I think you could have added a new melody over top. However the atmosphere this song brings actually kept my interest.
Ending is a bit weak.
Definitely one of the better trance songs here. Great choice with the instruments. Compositional weaknesses here and there take away the originality, but the emotion in this song makes up for it.
Keep it up.
5/5 review and vote
Hey,
I'm liking this song because it tells a story. Been a while since I heard something this diverse on NG or anywhere for that matter. I'm short on time for reviewing and do much more detailed reviews than this so advanced apologies. All I will say is that your knowledge of theory is already better than most people who can't do anymore than that keyboard mashing. I can sense the melodies, though simple are well thought of. Keep making this style of music. More stories, the better. I know first hand how difficult it is to make songs like this.
Just work on the mixing a bit more and keep making them happy songs :)
5/5 vote and review
Bye for now
Hey,
Thanks for taking the time to write the great review. Its always a pleasure to receive feedback as useful and informative as this!
I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Thanks again!
Male
None
Joined on 1/12/07
Claset - The Pleasure (Dark Techno) 
Sequence 
Corrective Lenses 
Sunset Bridge