This is really fun. Instant 80's video game vibes.
I love all the sound choices here and those treated Linndrum samples are great.

This is really fun. Instant 80's video game vibes. I love all the sound choices here and those treated Linndrum samples are great.

Instant 80s magic. Love the patches you have going on in here - the orchestra hits, the Numan-esque lead, the LinnDrum (I love Samples from Mars!). And your rhythmic interplay between lines is always a treat. The dirt and damage effect coming right out of the M8 is amazing. And that damaged tape ending? Perfection, no notes.

Re: physical media - I like vinyl because it turns music into an event, and requires listening with a certain degree of intention. Cassettes on the other hand? Yeah, I'll pass.

Instant 80s magic. Love the patches you have going on in here - the orchestra hits, the Numan-esque lead, the LinnDrum (I love Samples from Mars!). And your rhythmic interplay between lines is always a treat. The dirt and damage effect coming right out of the M8 is amazing. And that damaged tape ending? Perfection, no notes. Re: physical media - I like vinyl because it turns music into an event, and requires listening with a certain degree of intention. Cassettes on the other hand? Yeah, I'll pass.

This feels like the soundtrack to an arcade game inside another game. I dig it!

This feels like the soundtrack to an arcade game inside another game. I dig it!

The special sauce was the friends we made along the way

The special sauce was the friends we made along the way ;)

I know you've seen this feedback elsewhere, but I'm reposting it here mostly to wave hi. Hi!

The urgency of outrun with the brightness of Christmas music. Hi hats gallop like Dasher and Dancer, with a slightly late snare on 2 as if fighting the elements. Driving melodic bass meets a very analogue PWM lead meets ORCH hits and FM flute trills in a workout song for Santa's worldwide Iditarod. Very fitting for your '85 story, very MrdrCat. (And the chewed up second song is a fun touch)

I know you've seen this feedback elsewhere, but I'm reposting it here mostly to wave hi. Hi! The urgency of outrun with the brightness of Christmas music. Hi hats gallop like Dasher and Dancer, with a slightly late snare on 2 as if fighting the elements. Driving melodic bass meets a very analogue PWM lead meets ORCH hits and FM flute trills in a workout song for Santa's worldwide Iditarod. Very fitting for your '85 story, very MrdrCat. (And the chewed up second song is a fun touch)

This sounds perfect for a film genre i'm coining Synth Western.  nicely done monsieur doctor feline

This sounds perfect for a film genre i'm coining Synth Western. nicely done monsieur doctor feline

The tape fx instantly takes me back to my childhood of recording songs off the radio. But moreso the sounds of waiting for it to rewind and fast forward just as it hit the end.  Def not a quality thing but more a nostalgic longing for that time.  Love the pulsing bass along with the stereo arps bouncing about. Excellent energy and pacing throughout the track.  The fx of the tape chew is a cool nod imho

The tape fx instantly takes me back to my childhood of recording songs off the radio. But moreso the sounds of waiting for it to rewind and fast forward just as it hit the end. Def not a quality thing but more a nostalgic longing for that time. Love the pulsing bass along with the stereo arps bouncing about. Excellent energy and pacing throughout the track. The fx of the tape chew is a cool nod imho :)

vibes. love it, very cool and simple. it tells a story

vibes. love it, very cool and simple. it tells a story

Hey look, everyone! See that musician doing the cool stuff? That's my fren!!! Hahahahha...
Welcome back to Weekly Beats!!! This is such a cool way to start it off! I really like the explorations you have here. The orchestra hits are just golden. Trying to decide if I like that more than the bass line itself
Anyways, looking forward to more Mr. Dr. Cat goodness!!!

Hey look, everyone! See that musician doing the cool stuff? That's my fren!!! Hahahahha... Welcome back to Weekly Beats!!! This is such a cool way to start it off! I really like the explorations you have here. The orchestra hits are just golden. Trying to decide if I like that more than the bass line itself =) Anyways, looking forward to more Mr. Dr. Cat goodness!!!

From the moment the cassette was inserted I knew I was in for a ride. The stabs! The drums! The pitch dives! That outro was my favorite part, very creative. I was transported back to my childhood, wearing neon short shorts, watching Saturday morning cartoons, and recording my favorite songs off the radio with a tape deck.

From the moment the cassette was inserted I knew I was in for a ride. The stabs! The drums! The pitch dives! That outro was my favorite part, very creative. I was transported back to my childhood, wearing neon short shorts, watching Saturday morning cartoons, and recording my favorite songs off the radio with a tape deck.

Legit had a visceral response to the intro texture. Nice!

Legit had a visceral response to the intro texture. Nice!

Dang, so much sound design goodness happening here. Looks like we had a similar idea for our endings but yours is so well executed, you gotta share how you pulled off that chewed tape effect!

Dang, so much sound design goodness happening here. Looks like we had a similar idea for our endings but yours is so well executed, you gotta share how you pulled off that chewed tape effect!

Nice sounds and groove. And detuned synths! Melodies a bit square as the M8 tends to make them, I find. Kinda falling a bit too much in the grid. Def nice 80s vibe tho. Bass carries it!

I wanna hear the track this track wrote over on the cassette! (nice bueeeowwww ending)

Nice sounds and groove. And detuned synths! Melodies a bit square as the M8 tends to make them, I find. Kinda falling a bit too much in the grid. Def nice 80s vibe tho. Bass carries it! I wanna hear the track this track wrote over on the cassette! (nice bueeeowwww ending)

groovy! nailed the aesthetic perfectly! great track!

groovy! nailed the aesthetic perfectly! great track!

That driving bass line is so cool and gives this so much forward momentum.  The chewed up tape sounding ending is sweet, too.

That driving bass line is so cool and gives this so much forward momentum. The chewed up tape sounding ending is sweet, too.

That bend around ~2:30 stopped the entire room XD

(PLUCKY BASS LINES + ORCH HITS 4EVA)

That bend around ~2:30 stopped the entire [i]room[/i] XD (PLUCKY BASS LINES + ORCH HITS 4EVA)

(The ending almost did it again)

(The ending [i]almost[/i] did it again)

You must have some serious samples on that M8 of yours!  No wait - I just read you did this with manual pitch and filter commands?!!  THAT IS WILD!!!  Love the pluck bass.  Lo-fi vibe is spot on - can't believe you did this manually hahaha.  Cooooool.  Good luck in 2026!

You must have some serious samples on that M8 of yours! No wait - I just read you did this with manual pitch and filter commands?!! THAT IS WILD!!! Love the pluck bass. Lo-fi vibe is spot on - can't believe you did this manually hahaha. Cooooool. Good luck in 2026!

Great stuff, man!
Crazy that you got it sounding so tape-ish without using any tape plugins.

Lol, I have to admit though, I do love the nostalgia of degraded tapes and other physical media.
I think it's cool that we have the option to make super clean stuff, dirty, fucked up sounds and everything in between.

Regardless of whether this was tongue in cheek, you nailed the sound.
Very cool!

Great stuff, man! Crazy that you got it sounding so tape-ish without using any tape plugins. Lol, I have to admit though, I do love the nostalgia of degraded tapes and other physical media. I think it's cool that we have the option to make super clean stuff, dirty, fucked up sounds and everything in between. Regardless of whether this was tongue in cheek, you nailed the sound. Very cool!

This might be a sarcastic nod but I unironically love it! I hope you explore this sound some more.

This might be a sarcastic nod but I unironically love it! I hope you explore this sound some more.

I loooooooove LinnDrum so much
this is rad

1:11 chord change restored my faith in humanity 5%

I loooooooove LinnDrum so much this is rad 1:11 chord change restored my faith in humanity 5% [img]https://media1.tenor.com/m/Wnj0hGjhkFIAAAAC/sunset-riders-arcade.gif[/img]

No cats were murdered in the production of this track. Welcome back and great start to WB26.

No cats were murdered in the production of this track. Welcome back and great start to WB26.

Sorry not sorry - that ending is EVERYTHING. Its right back to that tongue in cheek surprise scene after a sunset outrun driving-panorama-scrolling-end-credits. This was awesome. Welcome back!

Sorry not sorry - that ending is EVERYTHING. Its right back to that tongue in cheek surprise scene after a sunset outrun driving-panorama-scrolling-end-credits. This was awesome. Welcome back!

Takes me back.. lovely retro vibes!

Takes me back.. lovely retro vibes!

I love when an idea from a dream actually turns into something, and when it super dope... bonus. Really clever sound design through out, I think your automations really did a great job of capturing many of those cassette quality based artifacts... the ending was a nice touch.

"Why would you want to go back?", super interesting question, and while for lots of folks that might actually be how their nostalgic enjoyment of things like vinyl manifests... like as a quite wish to return to "simpler" times... I personally both enjoy limited physical media (vinyl, magnetic tape, etc), and simultaneously have no desire to "go back"... like times weren't simpler, I was just younger; and things were not better, in many ways they were objectively worst... but that doesn't mean that the artifacts of that age are without value... or that because something can be done with a higher technical execution, that it is implicitly better... I think it's just a different set of constraints... Like it is objectively easier to use a DAW and soft synths to make electronic tracks, than it is to use a modular synth... and while the one might produce more "perfect" things, I'm still moved to use both... the limitations add character.  While listening to a digitally remastered copy of Electric Ladyland might have a "cleaner" more "pristine" sound... it doesn't have the same character, or emotional impact as placing the needle on a well maintained original pressing.  And listening through the limitations of the media reveals so much about the production choices made at the time because (at least for older vinyl), they were engineered with those constraints in mind.  For me at least, neither one is [i]better[\i], nor do I want to return to some imagined past... I think I enjoy both differently, and see the imperfections of older physical media as an intrinsic part of the work, not an obstacle obstructing me from it.

And sure, some of that philosophical position might breakdown when looking at a modern album that was not recorded or mastered with a vinyl pressing specifically in mind... but also...

... this looks a lot cooler than a minidisk player.  ʱªʱªʱª(ᕑᗢूᓫ∗) Like the aesthetics of the physical artifact are relevant too; it being something I can collect, and interact with, and display; while being something that requires care, and patience is also rewarding in it's own way. 

So in principle I agree with the sentiment of "why would you want to go back?"... I for sure don't want to, and it's actually probably unhealthy when folks do actually want that... but I also think there is a way to go forward, while still having a place for the imperfect things from the past.  And while it is easy to see modern media formats as replacements for older formats, I think that might miss the point a little.  Like asking "why would you want an oil painting on your wall, when you could have a photograph?"... or "why would you want a black and white photo, when you can have a color one?", etc.  I think we needn't "replace" the old with the new, simply because we can, but rather see both as different, but equally valid options for us to decorate our time and space with.

... but I don't know, I'm just some guy on the internet.  I do find the question to be a super thought provoking one though.  Thank you for presenting it this way...  Like, dope vibey track, that also inspires me to critically reflect on experiencing music philosophically, and how I interact with that experience... what more can you want from an Art...  also I might have to give the state of minidisks a look. 

I love when an idea from a dream actually turns into something, and when it super dope... bonus. Really clever sound design through out, I think your automations really did a great job of capturing many of those cassette quality based artifacts... the ending was a nice touch. "Why would you want to go back?", super interesting question, and while for lots of folks that might actually be how their nostalgic enjoyment of things like vinyl manifests... like as a quite wish to return to "simpler" times... I personally both enjoy limited physical media (vinyl, magnetic tape, etc), and simultaneously have no desire to "go back"... like times weren't simpler, I was just younger; and things were not better, in many ways they were objectively worst... but that doesn't mean that the artifacts of that age are without value... or that because something can be done with a higher [i]technical[/i] execution, that it is implicitly better... I think it's just a different set of constraints... Like it is objectively easier to use a DAW and soft synths to make electronic tracks, than it is to use a modular synth... and while the one might produce more "perfect" things, I'm still moved to use both... the limitations add character. While listening to a digitally remastered copy of Electric Ladyland might have a "cleaner" more "pristine" sound... it doesn't have the same character, or emotional impact as placing the needle on a well maintained original pressing. And listening [i]through[/i] the limitations of the media reveals so much about the production choices made at the time because (at least for older vinyl), they were engineered with those constraints in mind. For me at least, neither one is [i]better[\i], nor do I want to return to some imagined past... I think I enjoy both differently, and see the imperfections of older physical media as an intrinsic part of the work, not an obstacle obstructing me from it. And sure, some of that philosophical position might breakdown when looking at a modern album that was not recorded or mastered with a vinyl pressing specifically in mind... but also... [img]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fm.media-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F81VsgDTvvdL.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8377f5f76ed68aa84290f7990ed699ea7e62fa65ec0e5ce4520f87b35f291efb[/img] ... this looks a lot cooler than a minidisk player. ʱªʱªʱª(ᕑᗢूᓫ∗) Like the aesthetics of the physical artifact are relevant too; it being something I can collect, and interact with, and display; while being something that requires care, and patience is also rewarding in it's own way. So in principle I agree with the sentiment of "why would you want to go back?"... I for sure don't want to, and it's actually probably unhealthy when folks do actually want that... but I also think there is a way to go forward, while still having a place for the imperfect things from the past. And while it is easy to see modern media formats as replacements for older formats, I think that might miss the point a little. Like asking "why would you want an oil painting on your wall, when you could have a photograph?"... or "why would you want a black and white photo, when you can have a color one?", etc. I think we needn't "replace" the old with the new, simply because we can, but rather see both as different, but equally valid options for us to decorate our time and space with. ... but I don't know, I'm just some guy on the internet. I do find the question to be a super thought provoking one though. Thank you for presenting it this way... Like, dope vibey track, that also inspires me to critically reflect on experiencing music philosophically, and how I interact with that experience... what more can you want from an Art... also I might have to give the state of minidisks a look.

Yay detuned satisfying harmonies , a very well-structured piece that fits the genre. The outro is dope.

Yay detuned satisfying harmonies , a very well-structured piece that fits the genre. The outro is dope.

Friend you did the thing!!! Mix is clean as can be (blasting it in my car) and all the sounds and textures blend so well together — especially LOVE that filtered lead about 90-seconds in.

Friend you did the thing!!! Mix is clean as can be (blasting it in my car) and all the sounds and textures blend so well together — especially LOVE that filtered lead about 90-seconds in.

Nice nostalgia tone coloration from all the lofi adjustments Interesting to read how you achieved it by modern means, like the non-tape tape hiss

Nice nostalgia tone coloration from all the lofi adjustments :) Interesting to read how you achieved it by modern means, like the non-tape tape hiss

Well done. Start to finish, so cohesive. 4:00-4:17 is a real gem!

Well done. Start to finish, so cohesive. 4:00-4:17 is a real gem!

Oh my goodness I waited too long to reply and look at all these wonderful comments!
First, if anybody wants to pick apart the M8 project, you can grab the bundle here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mJeffkrTxaAwDeHsd6DQ1M1pK7zIjQf1/view?usp=sharing

Please understand I did use licensed (and a couple grey) samples, so please don't use those unless you purchase your own license. Educational purposes only! But the synth patches, have at. And if the weird tapy processing is something you want to use, steal it! But know that Avrilcadabra posted a "broken tape" project in the Dirtywave Discord that is WAY better. The only reason I didn't use it is because I couldn't find it.

Thank you! When I decided to do a worn tape sound, 80s was my only choice. The Linndrum would not be ignored.

Hee hee that Numan lead is one I created for WB2024 and I just keep going back to it! I knew I could imitate the worn/broken tape using effects, and the major fun was working out exactly how to make it sound authentic. And agree on the listening experience, though I still prefer Minidisc

Sweet! I grew up recording video game music off the C64 from the TV speaker, so Young Me takes this as the highest of praise!

You know it! (fist bump)

Your description makes it sound like I knew what I was doing, so thank you for that! Also, to quote Orange Drink, "Hi!"

Synth Western!! Yes! I would like to get on board at the ground floor, since I had an even closer Synth Western track on my last EP: https://mrdrcat.bandcamp.com/track/howdy-space-cowboy

We must have had similar childhoods. I remember being frustrated when DJs would talk over the ENTIRE BEGINNING of the song I waited hours to finally record. Thank you for enjoying the pacing - I am always convinced I get too hectic, but that might have worked in this track's favour!

Thank you! "Start simple and iterate" is my motto, but usually I just get the first part done.

Hullo Fren!! Welcome back yourself - I'm going to try taking it easier this year, but I'll stick it out if you will!

Hee hee hee it seems a lot of us were lucky enough to have that childhood! I did my best to throw as much 80s as I could remember into this one.

I am flattered and glad I could hit you in the viscera! (But maybe you should see a doctor just in case)

Thank you! I like how Charm Offensive ends - you took the vinyl route

Ha! I was wondering if I could push the "bonus" song into a full track. Perhaps. I did play a little bit with grooves to try introducing a little swing, but it didn't sound right. I kinda wanted this to be very drum machine, which does go against the very present human element in a lot of the original synth tracks from Back Then...

Thank you! I am a fan of creating artifacts, from distressed art to (obviously) sound design. I'm still learning but having a blast!

Thanks! When I don't have a plan, it's driving bassline time! And strangely, the chewed up tape ending was extremely last minute. I had the idea in the morning, let my brain gnaw on it all day, and when I sat down with the M8 that evening I had a plan that (mostly) worked!

YUSSSSS Thank you!! I wanted to add more bends to humanise it but...I didn't.

Thank you so much (also, slight fansquee)! Still very much learning all this stuff, but the M8 makes it super fun. Feel free to pillage the bundle (link at the top of this comment block) if you want.

I did try to use a couple tape plugins, but they sounded too digital so I decided to do it all in the M8 where I had more granular control. As someone who does share some of that nostalgia, I enjoy dirtying stuff up to add that realistic grunge from time to time! I did put a lot into this track, so I guess the only tongue in cheek part is the tape-eating ending

Thanks! I like doing stuff like this and this particular track was so much fun to create and then degrade that I might have to see what I can do with other genres.

Linndrum is the GOAT for sure. and if there was a chord change, it was a complete accident! One chord wonder, me!!

....that you know of!

Ha ha thank you! That was so much fun to create.

I am your official time machine to the 80s!

I actually agree with your observation on media defects and nostalgia. It's not the love of the medium but of the time when it was ubiquitous and how life was then. The thing I tend to forget is that as new formats and media are created, they never fully replace old media, they just exist side by side - my MDs all still play, I have many of the old mix tapes I made in high school and college (they don't play well or at all anymore, but hey), and I still have more vinyl than I probably should. These are all artifacts from the life that shaped me, and I LOVE your observation of having a place for imperfect things.

I fully encourage you to dabble in MiniDisc (the Sony MZ-N920 is my recommendation, or the MZ-N510 if you're on a budget), but holy cats that record player is glorious...

Many thanks! This project got away from me a bit, but I'm happy with how it ended up

Aw thank you! I did fudge the mix a bit with the knowledge that I would be lo-fi treating it (the cassette effect hides many transgressions) but the main goal was hitting that aesthetic!

Thanks! I think the tape hiss was literally the last element I added, since the transitions from the sound effect to the main song and the main song to the ending song were too clean.

Yay thanks! One of the big things I learned from WB 2024 was to just commit - go all in on whatever end goal you set. Once I decided "bad cassette from the 80s" the die was cast!

Oh my goodness I waited too long to reply and look at all these wonderful comments! First, if anybody wants to pick apart the M8 project, you can grab the bundle here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mJeffkrTxaAwDeHsd6DQ1M1pK7zIjQf1/view?usp=sharing Please understand I did use licensed (and a couple grey) samples, so please don't use those unless you purchase your own license. Educational purposes only! But the synth patches, have at. And if the weird tapy processing is something you want to use, steal it! But know that Avrilcadabra posted a "broken tape" project in the Dirtywave Discord that is WAY better. The only reason I didn't use it is because I couldn't find it. :p [quote=BarristerPlong]This is really fun. Instant 80's video game vibes. I love all the sound choices here and those treated Linndrum samples are great.[/quote] Thank you! When I decided to do a worn tape sound, 80s was my only choice. The Linndrum would not be ignored. [quote=Paisleyfrog]Instant 80s magic. Love the patches you have going on in here - the orchestra hits, the Numan-esque lead, the LinnDrum (I love Samples from Mars!). And your rhythmic interplay between lines is always a treat. The dirt and damage effect coming right out of the M8 is amazing. And that damaged tape ending? Perfection, no notes. Re: physical media - I like vinyl because it turns music into an event, and requires listening with a certain degree of intention. Cassettes on the other hand? Yeah, I'll pass.[/quote] Hee hee that Numan lead is one I created for WB2024 and I just keep going back to it! I knew I could imitate the worn/broken tape using effects, and the major fun was working out exactly how to make it sound authentic. And agree on the listening experience, though I still prefer Minidisc :) [quote=dadboy]This feels like the soundtrack to an arcade game inside another game. I dig it![/quote] Sweet! I grew up recording video game music off the C64 from the TV speaker, so Young Me takes this as the highest of praise! [quote=Dustsucker]The special sauce was the friends we made along the way ;)[/quote] You know it! (fist bump) [quote=sleepside]I know you've seen this feedback elsewhere, but I'm reposting it here mostly to wave hi. Hi! The urgency of outrun with the brightness of Christmas music. Hi hats gallop like Dasher and Dancer, with a slightly late snare on 2 as if fighting the elements. Driving melodic bass meets a very analogue PWM lead meets ORCH hits and FM flute trills in a workout song for Santa's worldwide Iditarod. Very fitting for your '85 story, very MrdrCat. (And the chewed up second song is a fun touch)[/quote] Your description makes it sound like I knew what I was doing, so thank you for that! Also, to quote Orange Drink, "Hi!" [quote=Perhaps Bry]This sounds perfect for a film genre i'm coining Synth Western. nicely done monsieur doctor feline[/quote] Synth Western!! Yes! I would like to get on board at the ground floor, since I had an even closer Synth Western track on my last EP: https://mrdrcat.bandcamp.com/track/howdy-space-cowboy [quote=Tone Matrix]The tape fx instantly takes me back to my childhood of recording songs off the radio. But moreso the sounds of waiting for it to rewind and fast forward just as it hit the end. Def not a quality thing but more a nostalgic longing for that time. Love the pulsing bass along with the stereo arps bouncing about. Excellent energy and pacing throughout the track. The fx of the tape chew is a cool nod imho :) [/quote] We must have had similar childhoods. I remember being frustrated when DJs would talk over the ENTIRE BEGINNING of the song I waited hours to finally record. Thank you for enjoying the pacing - I am always convinced I get too hectic, but that might have worked in this track's favour! [quote=tweidner103]vibes. love it, very cool and simple. it tells a story[/quote] Thank you! "Start simple and iterate" is my motto, but usually I just get the first part done. [quote=jegasus]Hey look, everyone! See that musician doing the cool stuff? That's my fren!!! Hahahahha... Welcome back to Weekly Beats!!! This is such a cool way to start it off! I really like the explorations you have here. The orchestra hits are just golden. Trying to decide if I like that more than the bass line itself =) Anyways, looking forward to more Mr. Dr. Cat goodness!!![/quote] Hullo Fren!! Welcome back yourself - I'm going to try taking it easier this year, but I'll stick it out if you will! [quote=carcus]From the moment the cassette was inserted I knew I was in for a ride. The stabs! The drums! The pitch dives! That outro was my favorite part, very creative. I was transported back to my childhood, wearing neon short shorts, watching Saturday morning cartoons, and recording my favorite songs off the radio with a tape deck.[/quote] Hee hee hee it seems a lot of us were lucky enough to have that childhood! I did my best to throw as much 80s as I could remember into this one. [quote=Drum Bender]Legit had a visceral response to the intro texture. Nice![/quote] I am flattered and glad I could hit you in the viscera! (But maybe you should see a doctor just in case) [quote=Water_Feature]Dang, so much sound design goodness happening here. Looks like we had a similar idea for our endings but yours is so well executed, you gotta share how you pulled off that chewed tape effect![/quote] Thank you! I like how Charm Offensive ends - you took the vinyl route :) [quote=horatiuromantic]Nice sounds and groove. And detuned synths! Melodies a bit square as the M8 tends to make them, I find. Kinda falling a bit too much in the grid. Def nice 80s vibe tho. Bass carries it! I wanna hear the track this track wrote over on the cassette! (nice bueeeowwww ending)[/quote] Ha! I was wondering if I could push the "bonus" song into a full track. Perhaps. I did play a little bit with grooves to try introducing a little swing, but it didn't sound right. I kinda wanted this to be very drum machine, which does go against the very present human element in a lot of the original synth tracks from Back Then... [quote=Synnefa]groovy! nailed the aesthetic perfectly! great track! [/quote] Thank you! I am a fan of creating artifacts, from distressed art to (obviously) sound design. I'm still learning but having a blast! [quote=Cosmic Cairns]That driving bass line is so cool and gives this so much forward momentum. The chewed up tape sounding ending is sweet, too.[/quote] Thanks! When I don't have a plan, it's driving bassline time! And strangely, the chewed up tape ending was extremely last minute. I had the idea in the morning, let my brain gnaw on it all day, and when I sat down with the M8 that evening I had a plan that (mostly) worked! [quote=ineff]That bend around ~2:30 stopped the entire [i]room[/i] XD (PLUCKY BASS LINES + ORCH HITS 4EVA)[/quote] YUSSSSS Thank you!! I wanted to add more bends to humanise it but...I didn't. [quote=cTrix]You must have some serious samples on that M8 of yours! No wait - I just read you did this with manual pitch and filter commands?!! THAT IS WILD!!! Love the pluck bass. Lo-fi vibe is spot on - can't believe you did this manually hahaha. Cooooool. Good luck in 2026![/quote] Thank you so much (also, slight fansquee)! Still very much learning all this stuff, but the M8 makes it super fun. Feel free to pillage the bundle (link at the top of this comment block) if you want. [quote=GregVK]Great stuff, man! Crazy that you got it sounding so tape-ish without using any tape plugins. Lol, I have to admit though, I do love the nostalgia of degraded tapes and other physical media. I think it's cool that we have the option to make super clean stuff, dirty, fucked up sounds and everything in between. Regardless of whether this was tongue in cheek, you nailed the sound. Very cool![/quote] I did try to use a couple tape plugins, but they sounded too digital so I decided to do it all in the M8 where I had more granular control. As someone who does share some of that nostalgia, I enjoy dirtying stuff up to add that realistic grunge from time to time! I did put a lot into this track, so I guess the only tongue in cheek part is the tape-eating ending :) [quote=hauntedshrines]This might be a sarcastic nod but I unironically love it! I hope you explore this sound some more.[/quote] Thanks! I like doing stuff like this and this particular track was so much fun to create and then degrade that I might have to see what I can do with other genres. [quote=orangedrink]I loooooooove LinnDrum so much this is rad 1:11 chord change restored my faith in humanity 5% [/quote] Linndrum is the GOAT for sure. and if there was a chord change, it was a complete accident! One chord wonder, me!! [quote=mzunguko]No cats were murdered in the production of this track. Welcome back and great start to WB26.[/quote] ....that you know of! <3 [quote=neon liminal]Sorry not sorry - that ending is EVERYTHING. Its right back to that tongue in cheek surprise scene after a sunset outrun driving-panorama-scrolling-end-credits. This was awesome. Welcome back![/quote] Ha ha thank you! That was so much fun to create. [quote=Toxoidster]Takes me back.. lovely retro vibes![/quote] I am your official time machine to the 80s! [quote=Napear]I love when an idea from a dream actually turns into something, and when it super dope... bonus. Really clever sound design through out, I think your automations really did a great job of capturing many of those cassette quality based artifacts... the ending was a nice touch. "Why would you want to go back?", super interesting question...[/quote] I actually agree with your observation on media defects and nostalgia. It's not the love of the medium but of the time when it was ubiquitous and how life was then. The thing I tend to forget is that as new formats and media are created, they never fully replace old media, they just exist side by side - my MDs all still play, I have many of the old mix tapes I made in high school and college (they don't play well or at all anymore, but hey), and I still have more vinyl than I probably should. These are all artifacts from the life that shaped me, and I LOVE your observation of having a place for imperfect things. I fully encourage you to dabble in MiniDisc (the Sony MZ-N920 is my recommendation, or the MZ-N510 if you're on a budget), but holy cats that record player is glorious... [quote=N_ronvaldez]Yay detuned satisfying harmonies , a very well-structured piece that fits the genre. The outro is dope.[/quote] Many thanks! This project got away from me a bit, but I'm happy with how it ended up :) [quote=MyloWhyTho]Friend you did the thing!!! Mix is clean as can be (blasting it in my car) and all the sounds and textures blend so well together — especially LOVE that filtered lead about 90-seconds in. [/quote] Aw thank you! I did fudge the mix a bit with the knowledge that I would be lo-fi treating it (the cassette effect hides many transgressions) but the main goal was hitting that aesthetic! [quote=Conch Girl]Nice nostalgia tone coloration from all the lofi adjustments :) Interesting to read how you achieved it by modern means, like the non-tape tape hiss[/quote] Thanks! I think the tape hiss was literally the last element I added, since the transitions from the sound effect to the main song and the main song to the ending song were too clean. [quote=Tide730]Well done. Start to finish, so cohesive. 4:00-4:17 is a real gem![/quote] Yay thanks! One of the big things I learned from WB 2024 was to just commit - go all in on whatever end goal you set. Once I decided "bad cassette from the 80s" the die was cast!

I love the retro sound you have here, it has a meta level to it and doesn't end up like a pastiche. No need being sarcy, hehe. Very nice early 80s synth pop melodies and harmonies, too.

I love the retro sound you have here, it has a meta level to it and doesn't end up like a pastiche. No need being sarcy, hehe. Very nice early 80s synth pop melodies and harmonies, too.

I feel slightly called out by your post but I own my love for degraded media and I proudly listen to signalwave/broken transmission hahaha

Anyway, loved the song and even have a slight hope that your sarcastic nods continue next week

I feel slightly called out by your post but I own my love for degraded media and I proudly listen to signalwave/broken transmission hahaha Anyway, loved the song and even have a slight hope that your sarcastic nods continue next week <3

Seconding enjoying the key change, gives the song a more expansive feel, like it could be a journey somewhere.

Seconding enjoying the key change, gives the song a more expansive feel, like it could be a journey somewhere.

Also called out by this post haha, but I really enjoyed the hauntingly beautiful far-off feeling of this. It felt enticingly dream-like. Despite the sarcasm it was knowingly crafted with, I embraced it with full pure naive enjoyment (laugh)

Also called out by this post haha, but I really enjoyed the hauntingly beautiful far-off feeling of this. It felt enticingly dream-like. Despite the sarcasm it was knowingly crafted with, I embraced it with full pure naive enjoyment (laugh)

I hear Linndrum, I like. As simple as that. And those orchestra hits and velocity-driven bass delay really brings out an Amiga game soundtrack sheen to the track. Lovely work! That tape being eaten during "the next track" is a great idea and fantastic sound design.

Nitpick: kinda wish the Linn drums were a little louder since those wide M8 synths at some point take over the mix. But that's a minor nitpick.

I hear Linndrum, I like. As simple as that. And those orchestra hits and velocity-driven bass delay really brings out an Amiga game soundtrack sheen to the track. Lovely work! That tape being eaten during "the next track" is a great idea and fantastic sound design. Nitpick: kinda wish the Linn drums were a little louder since those wide M8 synths at some point take over the mix. But that's a minor nitpick.

I really liked the cassette tape  sounds in the beginning, that was a real nice touch! This makes me really nostalgic. Feels like something straight out of an action movie from the 80's. I really like that atmospheric section around 1:50!

I really liked the cassette tape sounds in the beginning, that was a real nice touch! This makes me really nostalgic. Feels like something straight out of an action movie from the 80's. I really like that atmospheric section around 1:50!

Thank you! The trick (I believe) for something meta to work right is it has to be sincere, even as it nods to itself in passing. If I didn't go all-in and do my best on the sound, it wouldn't work.

Hee hee I'm only slightly sarcastic - I do enjoy artifacts as a way to capture a mood. I unironically enjoy found footage movies, analogue horror, and art that's deliberately distressed or treated to evoke time passed. My mini-rant is mostly about the "vinyl sounds better" snobs. Vinyl has a warm sound due to high frequency rolloff - but using "the sound" and adding surface noise, line hum, etc., you can create a mood that just isn't possible with the pristine recordings we can make now.

Thank you for this! Sometimes I try for an expansive sound and drastically miss, so it's good to know I can get it sometimes. And a key change? (I don't know music theory so I'm not sure what I did but I hope I do more!)

Trust me, I made it with pure naive enjoyment! The rant came later
I did my best to recreate The Sound of some forgotten synth-heavy bedroom production from the middle of the 80s, discovered yesterday on a half-eaten cassette with the label peeling off. I am glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for the nitpick - I struggle getting drums to sit well in a mix, so I have started reducing their levels out of an abundance of caution. The saturated treatment of these samples didn't help my perception of where they sat, either. I will see if I can notch out a better space for them so they have more room to shine!

Yay! Triggering nostalgia is the goal! The various sections (including the atmospheric part) were shuffled around so much during production - I kept feeling like this track was just a random jumble of half-connected ideas. Getting everything to feel cohesive was a struggle. It's good to know that part hit right!

[quote=Dank Receptor]I love the retro sound you have here, it has a meta level to it and doesn't end up like a pastiche. No need being sarcy, hehe. Very nice early 80s synth pop melodies and harmonies, too.[/quote] Thank you! The trick (I believe) for something meta to work right is it has to be sincere, even as it nods to itself in passing. If I didn't go all-in and do my best on the sound, it wouldn't work. [quote=florians]I feel slightly called out by your post but I own my love for degraded media and I proudly listen to signalwave/broken transmission hahaha Anyway, loved the song and even have a slight hope that your sarcastic nods continue next week <3[/quote] Hee hee I'm only slightly sarcastic - I do enjoy artifacts as a way to capture a mood. I unironically enjoy found footage movies, analogue horror, and art that's deliberately distressed or treated to evoke time passed. My mini-rant is mostly about the "vinyl sounds better" snobs. Vinyl has a warm sound due to high frequency rolloff - but using "the sound" and adding surface noise, line hum, etc., you can create a mood that just isn't possible with the pristine recordings we can make now. [quote=Jazzaria]Seconding enjoying the key change, gives the song a more expansive feel, like it could be a journey somewhere.[/quote] Thank you for this! Sometimes I try for an expansive sound and drastically miss, so it's good to know I can get it sometimes. And a key change? (I don't know music theory so I'm not sure what I did but I hope I do more!) [quote=lulub4ts]Also called out by this post haha, but I really enjoyed the hauntingly beautiful far-off feeling of this. It felt enticingly dream-like. Despite the sarcasm it was knowingly crafted with, I embraced it with full pure naive enjoyment (laugh)[/quote] Trust me, I made it with pure naive enjoyment! The rant came later :D I did my best to recreate The Sound of some forgotten synth-heavy bedroom production from the middle of the 80s, discovered yesterday on a half-eaten cassette with the label peeling off. I am glad you enjoyed it! [quote=RPLKTR]I hear Linndrum, I like. As simple as that. And those orchestra hits and velocity-driven bass delay really brings out an Amiga game soundtrack sheen to the track. Lovely work! That tape being eaten during "the next track" is a great idea and fantastic sound design. Nitpick: kinda wish the Linn drums were a little louder since those wide M8 synths at some point take over the mix. But that's a minor nitpick.[/quote] Thanks for the nitpick - I struggle getting drums to sit well in a mix, so I have started reducing their levels out of an abundance of caution. The saturated treatment of these samples didn't help my perception of where they sat, either. I will see if I can notch out a better space for them so they have more room to shine! [quote=Saguaro Gigante]I really liked the cassette tape sounds in the beginning, that was a real nice touch! This makes me really nostalgic. Feels like something straight out of an action movie from the 80's. I really like that atmospheric section around 1:50![/quote] Yay! Triggering nostalgia is the goal! The various sections (including the atmospheric part) were shuffled around so much during production - I kept feeling like this track was just a random jumble of half-connected ideas. Getting everything to feel cohesive was a struggle. It's good to know that part hit right!

[img]https://media1.tenor.com/m/fxWMniiFyxUAAAAC/himeko-himekwo.gif[/img]

Re: the key change - essentially, it sounds like you added some flats or otherwise temporarily shifted the mode (scale) being used. A common and fairly straightforward example of key changes is pop music that sometimes just kicks everything up a half step at a chorus towards the end, giving it an extra boost of energy. Your use here is a bit different, but actually IMO more enjoyable (the whole "kick it up a half step" thing is cool but overused).

[quote=MRDRCAT] [quote=Jazzaria]Seconding enjoying the key change, gives the song a more expansive feel, like it could be a journey somewhere.[/quote] [/quote] Re: the key change - essentially, it sounds like you added some flats or otherwise temporarily shifted the mode (scale) being used. A common and fairly straightforward example of key changes is pop music that sometimes just kicks everything up a half step at a chorus towards the end, giving it an extra boost of energy. Your use here is a bit different, but actually IMO more enjoyable (the whole "kick it up a half step" thing is cool but overused).

Vibe! Foley samples! Bullwhip sample (ok it might be a snare but I prefer the bullwhip explanation) and chiptune adjacent bass! This all pulled me deep into the track. That was a trip!

Vibe! Foley samples! Bullwhip sample (ok it might be a snare but I prefer the bullwhip explanation) and chiptune adjacent bass! This all pulled me deep into the track. That was a trip!

ohhh this is so nostalgic and upliftig, I feel like I'm about to have a bangin day Esp love the outro fx that was dope!

ohhh this is so nostalgic and upliftig, I feel like I'm about to have a bangin day <3 Esp love the outro fx that was dope!

i like hisses and crackles and pops but i also like really beautiful clear production when it's done well...
and there's the rub & who decides this? it is endlessly fascinating to me how certain sounds/vibes hit different ears - we have so many options now - it's wild!
happy new year - best wishes on your creative journey mrdrcat!

i like hisses and crackles and pops but i also like really beautiful clear production when it's done well... and there's the rub & who decides this? it is endlessly fascinating to me how certain sounds/vibes hit different ears - we have so many options now - it's wild! happy new year - best wishes on your creative journey mrdrcat!

the crunched up stabs and smaples are great, and that bass has so much bounce!

the crunched up stabs and smaples are great, and that bass has so much bounce!

totally digging the progression.
Here, hold my jacket, i need to fight that boss over there. *points at a dark god descending*

totally digging the progression. Here, hold my jacket, i need to fight that boss over there. *points at a dark god descending*

Shout out to MiniDiscs! Slotting a minidisc into my little sony netmd with the purple display always felt more futuristic than the ipod that followed it. Great sound selection on this track, and the melody & chord progression are real nice and familiar without feeling "typical". OUTRO GOOFIN HELL YEAH!

Shout out to MiniDiscs! Slotting a minidisc into my little sony netmd with the purple display always felt more futuristic than the ipod that followed it. Great sound selection on this track, and the melody & chord progression are real nice and familiar without feeling "typical". OUTRO GOOFIN HELL YEAH!

cool 'outrun' type vibe!

cool 'outrun' type vibe!

Love it when you can bring a piece of a dream into a creative work
Adds to an otherworldly vibe

Love it when you can bring a piece of a dream into a creative work :) Adds to an otherworldly vibe

yeah this is awesome

yeah this is awesome

i still have my minidiscs! hold up while i record this to one for the optimal listening experience 😁

i still have my minidiscs! hold up while i record this to one for the optimal listening experience 😁

I too still have a pile of minidiscs, and this is a great idea:

I too still have a pile of minidiscs, and this is a great idea: [quote=starpause]i still have my minidiscs! hold up while i record this to one for the optimal listening experience 😁[/quote]