This whole Alien Genre challenge (Not competition !) has been an absolute revelation to listen to all of you guys working on something that you might not otherwise. I think it's also been pretty inspirational. Great to hear this from you Vicki, fascinating to hear you experiment. I'm sure that you would never have thought that you would be doing something like this a couple of months ago. I love the contrasting rhythms and the little bits of speech that you have dropped in. There's a kind of menacing hypnotic feel to this. Very trancy indeed
@pompeyjazz - Indeed, I never expected to do anything like this ever. Any may never again, but it's been interesting. I'm glad I still have a month to refine it.
...As such I thought the begining bass string orchestral samples were great however the high violin/synthpatch sounded a bit weak to have playing throughout the track. I also thought the initial kick drum sounded good at the begining however this seemed to quickly fade back in the mix and the drums did not really develop (snares, toms hi hats etc) I also think that you need a strong bass line in there that ties in with the kick and drives and supports the piece throughout.
I really liked the use of the vocal samples etc but again I thought they got a bit lost due to being mixed a bit too low.
I hope you dont think Im being too critical as I really admire what you have achieved with this track particularly as its probably put you out of your comfort zone. All the best and Im looking forward to MC CaliaMoko's next megamix.
@Grubstar - I *love* criticism I can get my teeth into. I was already thinking the kick drum was getting lost, and I think I've fixed that (can't remember if I've posted that update yet). I've raised the bass line, but it still doesn't sound like enough to me, so I'll probably revisit that again yet. It's hard to choose a level for the vocal samples. When they get loud enough, they immediately sound too loud to me. I'll have to play with it some more.
@CaliaMoko
Hi Vicki, hope your dramas are over....I've said before that the guys who've had a go at this genre challenge have done really well, and that includes this song too! I can only applaud, as I'm not sure I can do any genre well enough , let alone an alien one . My only comment would be that there needs to be a bass line thumping away at least some of the time.
@Jamie - I'm thinking the dramas will never be over, but they will make me strong, right??!! I plan to work on a bass line yet. Fortunately, I still have a month to work on it.
The beginning had me in mind of a spy/thriller movie. Had a MI vibe going on. Nice one, Vicki!
@Sterix - Thanks, Martin!
I thought the synth was very ear-wormy and still have it going 'round in my head.
I think a bass would be good to add.
You really hit the brief on its head - so good effort there.
I've got you tied for first with two others at this point having heard only three
BTW - it's too short!
@Paulski - Ear wormy. I like the sound of that.
Working on the bass. Well, *planning* to work on the bass.... Too short, yeah, I know. I could always grab the ends of the tracks and drag them out several inches....
@CaliaMoko Diggit, all of it...especially the vox. It would be heaven on earth for stutter edit and riser....2 useful Edm plugins.
A couple of ideas i stick a filter something like soundtoys filter freak on the main hook in places to add contrast, they add colour.
I’d be happy to help...
@cowparsleyman - Thanks! And that sounds like an offer I can't refuse. I don't even know those words, except "colour" (although I spell it color
)
Vicki, great work, you hit the nail on the head there.
Thougts, just wondered whether you could strip it back down 2/3rds the way through and build it rip again.
Did you enjoy it?
Calvin Harris watch out.
:-)
@Neil C - Things like "stripping down" and "building up" never seem to go well for me. Which means, this would be good practice. And, as I've mentioned...I still have a month. Thanks! And yes, I am enjoying this. So much that I'm going to try another genre soon (maybe rap??) I had to look up Calvin Harris....
Love how you've been inspired into doing this.
Kind of trance meets Bomb The Bass.
Perhaps needs a few more samples thrown in - or maybe just need to be in rave to full appreciate.
@digger72 - Thanks! Yeah, I never would have tried it otherwise. More samples? Uffda! I can't keep track of what I have. I don't know how people manage to organize gazillions of tracks. If I have five, I keep getting lost. Who knows what might happen, though? I still have a month.
I find the track very interesting, the rhythm maintains the tension of all the instruments and the strings sing a sweet and nostalgic melody. May be the bass chords could have more presence to balance the high of the mix?
@moraamarolaloba - Hope to have better bass by the end of June. Thanks for the nice remarks!
And thank you to everyone who has listened. This is turning out to be quite an adventure!