Personally I don't think this forum comes close to being a production type forum. Thos guys get way nerdier than we ever do.
Everyone on this forum is on their own personal journey. Some are at a more advanced stage than others, whether that be in their
songwriting or their ability to present that song in the way they would want it to be heard.
It doesn't take long to feel where different people are at and what feedback could be of use to them. Just like James said.
If someone only has a tape recorder and an accoustic, they can still benefit from a little technical advice like where to place the recorder or
try recording it in the bathroom, if what they present sound like it was recorded inside a coke can in a wind tunnel.
There are instances where some advice about chord structure, or lyrics will be useful and those things also get said.
I think when you present a song, you should present it the best you can to your ability, even if you do only have a tape recorder and guitar.
There's a lot of talk about "Well the rough production doesn't matter, makes it sound more genuine or makes it sound more [fill in your own words]"
No it doesn't. It makes it sound crap. At least most of the time. There are occassions where the opposite is indeed true but generally speaking and for
the most part it makes it sound amateur and takes away most of the colour what the track could have had. I think people like to have that as their excuse for being lazy
and not trying.
Having said that , of course you have to appreciate that some people do indeed have limited equipment. But then your technical advice should reflect that.
Don't ask someone who only has his phone and his accoustic to add strings. I think it is fine to suggest that it would sound great with strings or drums or bass or whatever. It may
open the ears of someone who thought their music was accoustic only. It may not.
I dissagree also that people comment on arrangement or mixing because they don't really like the song and don't know how to say it. If I can find nothing
I like about a song then I will very rarely comment. Most songs have at least something though.
I usually comment on mixing or arrangement when I like something. There have been some fantastic songs on here lately. Many talented songwriters. Sometimes
there really isn't any advice to give on the songwriting. Some songs are just great as they are APART from the mix. I always pay these lots of attention because I think the quality of
the songwriting deserves it. Especially when the mixing is great and maybe there is just one instrument sticking out or just a couple of tweaks that could get it sounding perfect.
Of course that is all subjective
A lot of people grow on these forums. You can hear it all the time. And that's because of the way we do things. The way we give feedback. I think some people need to stick to their own
posts and not worry so much about what others are writing. Unless it is a post on THEIR thread. I read what everyone esle says about a track, but I don't care what anyone else writes
or whether they review in the same way I do or in a way that I think they should. I would never be so arrogant. I review the way I want to. I say what I say. I try to be possitive.
I never only give technical/mixing advice. I always comment on the songwriting ( even if it is only to say how much I enjoyed or liked it ).
People also need to respect that people are different.
Nooms reviews will be different from Estreets. Mine are different from Dutchbeats, and so on. Some people do lots of patting on the back. Some people do a bit.
Some people barely do any patting on the back and assume that you realise that the fact they are posting a reply on your song already shows that they like it enough to want
to add some constructive critisism. Sorry to drop your name again mate hahaha but Ramshackles would be a very good example of the latter.
He is one of the nicest guys on these forums. He has a lot of great knowledge and advice. He will spend a lot of his valuable time giving you a novels worth of help.
That he doesn't first tell you how good you are and how great you should be feeling about yourself ( because he feels the ten paragraphs he's written should be testament enough )
shouldn't bother anyone at all. But he has in the past (as have I.) But if you spend enough time here you just know and accept that that's the way people are. People have different characters.
The more accomplished the piece and the more accomplished the person is at getting the mix dsounding good, the more technical you know you can get with that person because you can hear where they are at and what they are capable of.
So I will say honestly, that seeing what Chef wrote really pissed me off, because I could feel the irritation in the words. I'm sure I'm not the only on which is why this thread is up.
This is the second time recently that words directed at other peoples reviews have been voiced on here.
Which is why I will say again. How someone reviews someone else's song... Why should that bother you Chef? Do we all have to review the same as you? Can you not just be satisfied that you are able to have your opinion? And that the person may value your opinion above all others that he/she reads?
Keep your snipes to yourself. Like I say when you spend a lot of time here, it is very easy to get used to peoples idiosynchrasies and accept them. If you are accepting of nature.
That's the last time I am going to defend mine or anyone else's right to review however they feel appropriate. If you don't like a review, because you don't agree with it, then tough.
