This is really good. You define the rules right off the bat and stay within them the entire time, even as things evolve by the end.

I love the contrast between the drum and the lead, clear, defined with a veneer of complexity. Arrangement is compelling. Just really well crafted all around.

This is really good. You define the rules right off the bat and stay within them the entire time, even as things evolve by the end. I love the contrast between the drum and the lead, clear, defined with a veneer of complexity. Arrangement is compelling. Just really well crafted all around.

This is awesome. I love the composition and the instrumentation but wow - the space! Both in a sense of stereo space and also the discreet frequency domains, this is really impressive, it's something I struggle with allllllll the time on the M8 and this really makes me feel like I'm doing it wrong lol. Awesome track!

This is awesome. I love the composition and the instrumentation but wow - the space! Both in a sense of stereo space and also the discreet frequency domains, this is really impressive, it's something I struggle with allllllll the time on the M8 and this really makes me feel like I'm doing it wrong lol. Awesome track!

Thank you! I'm trying to give my stuff a stronger backbone, like a consistent element that stays steady when everything else changes around it, and a more logical progression (instead of just going "well this sounds neat - THIS is the song now!!")

Woo thanks! My stuff used to be super muddy so I've been trying to make things clearer and I'm so happy that comes across! I tend to start everything in the same couple octaves, and halfway through I'll bump different instruments up or down (usually up if it's leads) and spread pan things out so it's not all sitting the same. I wanted that first bass-adjacent sound to ring out longer, but it messed with everything else, so I used an instrument table to increase the reverb right as the envelope releases. Most of the beepy/bell-y sounds have some extra delay. Otherwise I just use the HP/LP filter to cut high & low frequencies per instrument so they're all in a different space.

This time around I also used the M8's new EQ settings a LOT to bump & cut uppers and lowers, then a bit of a V-shaped master EQ. If that helps, then yay! But really I don't think there's a wrong way to make music!

[quote=perman00b]This is really good. You define the rules right off the bat and stay within them the entire time, even as things evolve by the end. I love the contrast between the drum and the lead, clear, defined with a veneer of complexity. Arrangement is compelling. Just really well crafted all around. [/quote] Thank you! <3 I'm trying to give my stuff a stronger backbone, like a consistent element that stays steady when everything else changes around it, and a more logical progression (instead of just going "well this sounds neat - THIS is the song now!!") [quote=neon liminal]This is awesome. I love the composition and the instrumentation but wow - the space! Both in a sense of stereo space and also the discreet frequency domains, this is really impressive, it's something I struggle with allllllll the time on the M8 and this really makes me feel like I'm doing it wrong lol. Awesome track![/quote] Woo thanks! My stuff used to be super muddy so I've been trying to make things clearer and I'm so happy that comes across! I tend to start everything in the same couple octaves, and halfway through I'll bump different instruments up or down (usually up if it's leads) and spread pan things out so it's not all sitting the same. I wanted that first bass-adjacent sound to ring out longer, but it messed with everything else, so I used an instrument table to increase the reverb right as the envelope releases. Most of the beepy/bell-y sounds have some extra delay. Otherwise I just use the HP/LP filter to cut high & low frequencies per instrument so they're all in a different space. This time around I also used the M8's new EQ settings a LOT to bump & cut uppers and lowers, then a bit of a V-shaped master EQ. If that helps, then yay! But really I don't think there's a wrong way to make music!

heck yeah, this sounds and grooves so nicely

heck yeah, this sounds and grooves so nicely

That is a very nice track. I am digging the different sounds you used (especially the high synth, that has a crystal like texture). This is a trip, and nicely mixed. I like how it opens around 1:10.

That is a very nice track. I am digging the different sounds you used (especially the high synth, that has a crystal like texture). This is a trip, and nicely mixed. I like how it opens around 1:10.

Totally agree, this mix is so spacious - get the feel of awesome 80s synth wave stuff that makes you feel like you're in a castle. Really tasty reverb and delay, but it NEVER gets away from you and feels muddy. Just lush. Breakdown and rise at the end is PERFECT, gave me chills. You definitely elevated your mix game with this one!!

Totally agree, this mix is so spacious - get the feel of awesome 80s synth wave stuff that makes you feel like you're in a castle. Really tasty reverb and delay, but it NEVER gets away from you and feels muddy. Just lush. Breakdown and rise at the end is PERFECT, gave me chills. You definitely elevated your mix game with this one!!

some really catchy melodies, great transitions and variety of sounds, well done!!

some really catchy melodies, great transitions and variety of sounds, well done!!

This is great! Lots going on, but never sounds muddy, everything feels clean - and, as others have said, spacious! Nice breakdown around 2 mins, really sets you up for everything coming in for an epic finale! Great work!

This is great! Lots going on, but never sounds muddy, everything feels clean - and, as others have said, spacious! Nice breakdown around 2 mins, really sets you up for everything coming in for an epic finale! Great work!

Great track! Nice arrangement with a strong ending Really nice sound design as well. Well done!

Great track! Nice arrangement with a strong ending :) Really nice sound design as well. Well done!

Thank you!

I'm so happy it worked - adding space to let tracks breathe is something I'm constantly working on!

I am constantly at war with my love of reverb & delay and the need to not add it to every single thing and crank the FX up to 11. If I ever move on to something that allows me more than 8 tracks I'm going to have to start all over.

Thanks! I'm trying to take to heart the concept that, if you're going for a melodic composition (which I usually am) you need to include something strong enough that a person can hum it in the shower.

Most of the time I forget that songs need to build, then step back, then build a little more - that tension and release. When I start out it's ALL THE SOUNDS ALL THE TIME and I need to reign myself in. I'm so happy this track was able to build appropriately!

Thank you! Cranking out a track a week (especially this late in the year) means they can't all be winners, but I was very happy with how this one turned out.

[quote=jwh]heck yeah, this sounds and grooves so nicely[/quote] Thank you! [quote=Kedbreak136]That is a very nice track. I am digging the different sounds you used (especially the high synth, that has a crystal like texture). This is a trip, and nicely mixed. I like how it opens around 1:10. [/quote] I'm so happy it worked - adding space to let tracks breathe is something I'm constantly working on! [quote=Paisleyfrog]Totally agree, this mix is so spacious - get the feel of awesome 80s synth wave stuff that makes you feel like you're in a castle. Really tasty reverb and delay, but it NEVER gets away from you and feels muddy. Just lush. Breakdown and rise at the end is PERFECT, gave me chills. You definitely elevated your mix game with this one!![/quote] I am constantly at war with my love of reverb & delay and the need to not add it to every single thing and crank the FX up to 11. If I ever move on to something that allows me more than 8 tracks I'm going to have to start all over. [quote=SQF]some really catchy melodies, great transitions and variety of sounds, well done!! [/quote] Thanks! I'm trying to take to heart the concept that, if you're going for a melodic composition (which I usually am) you need to include something strong enough that a person can hum it in the shower. [quote=dancramp]This is great! Lots going on, but never sounds muddy, everything feels clean - and, as others have said, spacious! Nice breakdown around 2 mins, really sets you up for everything coming in for an epic finale! Great work![/quote] Most of the time I forget that songs need to build, then step back, then build a little more - that tension and release. When I start out it's ALL THE SOUNDS ALL THE TIME and I need to reign myself in. I'm so happy this track was able to build appropriately! [quote=cortx]Great track! Nice arrangement with a strong ending :) Really nice sound design as well. Well done![/quote] Thank you! Cranking out a track a week (especially this late in the year) means they can't all be winners, but I was very happy with how this one turned out.