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Songwriter Forum => Feedback on Works in Progress => Topic started by: Jenna on November 20, 2018, 09:22:24 PM

Title: Crystal Rain
Post by: Jenna on November 20, 2018, 09:22:24 PM
Hi all. I've been away from the forum while diving into the nuts and bolts of Studio One. I'm about 3/4 of the way finished with my first track. It's a chillout tune and I would recommend listening in your best sound space, as I've been working on adding movement in the mix. My goal with this was to make the sound hit like fireworks in the sky. I realize that it's a bit long, and I plan to chop it after the second drop rather than take it into a third peak where it starts to wear out its welcome. Some changes I'd like to make:

1. slowing the pan on the contrabass and bringing it more toward the center
2. adding some slower harmonies to the violins using a flute
3. automating the volumes of various elements here and there to briefly make them stand out more

I'd also like to find a way to sharpen the peaks and maybe add some pumping with sidechains, but that's all a ways off for me yet.

Please let me know if you hear any instances where the instruments could use of EQ cuts or have any other helpful advice for pulling it all together.

Crystal Rain (https://soundcloud.com/lollypop-guild/crystal-rain?fbclid=IwAR2ouU04iZIv4vHxx3wz4qIvTwdp86Hf8dxxirxEUf4_N4Sv6ALuM7jvVV0)
Title: Re: Crystal Rain
Post by: mikek on November 21, 2018, 01:34:20 AM
Listening on headphones... Sorry...its what's handy.

On headphones the panning is a little intense.  I'm sure it sounds cool on speakers.

It is a bit long, but I dig it. I love looping, and this has a nice groove.

Excellent
Title: Re: Crystal Rain
Post by: Jenna on November 21, 2018, 03:06:29 AM
Hey Mike, thanks for the listen. I've been using headphones to write it, and the panning is a little intense. I've not yet heard it on speakers. I had intended to go back in to tweak the panning and add some more musical elements, but managed to lose all of my midi tracks by bouncing them to new tracks instead of rendering to audio, which I'm hearing isn't a recoverable process. This project has occupied the better part of the last two days for me and I likely just added another day of work trying to recreate what I've already done. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get the hang of this. Oy. The learning curve is steep, but enjoyable when things go right once in awhile. Better days are coming. I know they are. I've probably just had too long of a DAW marathon.  :P
Title: Re: Crystal Rain
Post by: RealKevM on November 21, 2018, 02:37:39 PM
I'm not sure about EQ and panning and all that stuff but I really liked your song.
It's a bit lengthy I guess but at no point did I think i'd had enough and want to turn it off. Proper chill out music, nice job.
Title: Re: Crystal Rain
Post by: Jenna on November 21, 2018, 08:16:34 PM
I'm not sure about EQ and panning and all that stuff but I really liked your song.
It's a bit lengthy I guess but at no point did I think i'd had enough and want to turn it off. Proper chill out music, nice job.

Thanks for the listen and feedback, Kevs. I'm glad you liked it. :)
Title: Re: Crystal Rain
Post by: mahircankucuk on November 22, 2018, 12:40:00 PM
I'm a professional arranger/producer. Songwriting is a hobby but I love the art.

In general the bass frequencies are a little weak. At around 00;58, the comping element comes a little loud (later it becomes to feel like the previous stuff was quiet, and the levels pretty much makes sense), the monophonic melody element that follows could be more static in terms of panning, and wetter in terms of space. The next element that is more treble driven just fights with that melodic element.After that every new element is just fighting with each other.
Remember, a music listener can only follow 3 rhythmic/harmonic/melodic motives. Different things that accent each other count as 1, please remember this. Around 3:15 is really wonderful. I think all your ideas match with each other as pairs, but overall it's a little crowded.

Please don't take what I said as the ultimate thing, just process it and see what you would like to care about from everything I say. The vibe is really uplifting and this could go somewhere.

Keep up that great work.
Title: Re: Crystal Rain
Post by: Jenna on November 23, 2018, 09:49:59 PM
I'm a professional arranger/producer. Songwriting is a hobby but I love the art.

In general the bass frequencies are a little weak. At around 00;58, the comping element comes a little loud (later it becomes to feel like the previous stuff was quiet, and the levels pretty much makes sense), the monophonic melody element that follows could be more static in terms of panning, and wetter in terms of space. The next element that is more treble driven just fights with that melodic element.After that every new element is just fighting with each other.
Remember, a music listener can only follow 3 rhythmic/harmonic/melodic motives. Different things that accent each other count as 1, please remember this. Around 3:15 is really wonderful. I think all your ideas match with each other as pairs, but overall it's a little crowded.

Please don't take what I said as the ultimate thing, just process it and see what you would like to care about from everything I say. The vibe is really uplifting and this could go somewhere.

Keep up that great work.

Thank your for the listen and detailed feedback. Now I know where to go next in the mixing process.