Weeklybeats is a 52 week long music project in which artists compose and publicly release 1 song a week for the entire year.
Starting December 29th 2025 GMT each participant will have one week to upload one finished composition. Any style of music or selection of instruments are welcomed and encouraged. Sign up or Login to get started or check our FAQ for any help or questions you may have.

Embers

By NickLong on May 28, 2026 8:33 am


Another very straightforward track for this weeks weekly beats.
Musically very simple just a 2 chord vamp from F#m7 - DM9

The idea was a late 80's / early 90's retro house track and I chose sounds to be era appropriate.

Made with Bitwig.
Drums are the excellent V8 built in 808 drum machine from Bitwig
The pad is V Collection Casio CZ through Arturia tape sim with a lot of wonk
Lead is a Roland D-50
Bass is a Lately Bass from Hive tweaked to be a bit more squishy and fuzzy
303 is Phoscyon

Vocals are Synthesizer V again although Saros 2 this time which I've been very impressed with for a more soulful type of sound.

Lyrics
We are embers in the smoke
Shine for moments then we're gone
We are bubbles in the spray
Reflecting rainbows as we fade

I always surprised the vocals are synthesized. you really nailed that 80s house feel.Feels like a lost song from a soundtrack.

Was drawn here because of Synth V.  Nice song! smile

I find it difficult to use Synth V to create what I really want.  You?

davelacorneille wrote:

Was drawn here because of Synth V.  Nice song! smile

I find it difficult to use Synth V to create what I really want.  You?

I'm learning to get better.

I find sometimes you have to hand edit the phonemes or just change the lyrics full stop. Automation help and I find the eclipsed sounds models are a cut above in realism.

Lovely blissful track. Feels like I'm in a 90s rave on NYE right before midnight

Great track, all the elements sounds good and the vocals are pristine. That might be what needs a bit more though - that vocal is gorgeous but it's screaming for some chops and dirt, especially within the spirit of classic house, just to sink the vocal into the rhythm and groove of the track. It might be a fun exercise to bounce the vocals to audio, maybe the percussion-sans-kick to one track as well, and then slice and dice the hell out of them - like basically remix your own song.

(sorry, I don't usually give feedback like this ... ever ... at all ... so grain of salt, but, all said cuz it's a good track and worth pushing!)

neon liminal wrote:

Great track, all the elements sounds good and the vocals are pristine. That might be what needs a bit more though - that vocal is gorgeous but it's screaming for some chops and dirt, especially within the spirit of classic house, just to sink the vocal into the rhythm and groove of the track. It might be a fun exercise to bounce the vocals to audio, maybe the percussion-sans-kick to one track as well, and then slice and dice the hell out of them - like basically remix your own song.

(sorry, I don't usually give feedback like this ... ever ... at all ... so grain of salt, but, all said cuz it's a good track and worth pushing!)


Thank you for this insightful comment, I think you are exactly right and I really love constructive feedback.

I did think about bouncing the vocals to audio and then putting them through Amigo for some crust, but I ran out of time. I've been trying to time box my weekly beats as a couple of them got a bit out of control and ate my week which made me end up thinking should I continue with it so I've tried to get a bit stricter on "what can I do in 2-3 hours".
I agree that when you listen back it sounds quite convincingly retro until you get to the vocals which sound like something of an Anjunadeep track (which is cool, but out of step with everything else).

I think doing an enhanced version or remix would be a really cool idea for a follow up. I almost never go back to tracks when I finish them (I don't even back up projects) so it could be fun and also something that shouldn't take too long to do.

Such a dreamy intro with those calm pads.  The bass is perfect for this style and takes me back with it's bounciness. Oooh yais feeling the 303 line too!  The bass is so addictive the more I hear it.  Excellent work!

To me this sounds like 2006ish after hour cocktail lounge music. Great for relaxing after a stressful day at a trade fair, having a drink or two with business acquaintances in the semi-improvised chill-out area.

big_smile

Love how delicate the chords on the pad are, straight-forward, but a real slick track. And really impressed by the synth v vocals, I’m going to have to get amongst it

Good stuff! I like how the vocals are more of a break than a main feature. Agree that bouncing to audio and chopping them up would sound great!

I listened to this at 11:30pm and it was absolutely perfect for this time of day (I always call this kind of music "night drive" big_smile). I loved every second of this ❤️ Favorited!

Nice chill track cool I've said it before, but those SynthV vocals are very impressive smile

Lovely looseness to that breakbeat! heart

Lounge music in the best way (non-pejorative) - great voice too, driving home a comfy and dance-y but also introspective piece.

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