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Hemophiliac   Judges ⚖️

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Posts posted by Hemophiliac

  1. Evaluation:

    The very first thing I'm noticing is a lot of attenuation by a limiter/compressor on the peaks, as well as distortion.  I think you should reduce the volume of everything and slowly bring them back up until the loudest point of the track isn't getting reduced by the limiter/compressor.  The the low end has a lot of presence and (I think) the kick and/or bass could probably reduce some of the 150-200Hz range to make more space for the rest of the parts with an EQ.

    I really like the Vangelis-esque vibe you have going on, very cool.  Shinra could play an analog to the Tyrell Corporation from Blade Runner. I'm just a sucker for 80s styled anything.  Aside from the arp, I'm not hearing any reference to Memories of Green.  Unless it's in the muted sax that starts at 3:24, I'm not catching any.

    2:14 Trumpet works well for me as a nice transition, would be cool to hear more of the trumpet after that in a quieter section.

    I do like the sound of the sax (3:24), and it's usage; but it's buried in the mix and difficult to really hear what it's doing.  You'll want to bring that out more and reduce the stuff around it so it has space to be present.  That's even if it's supposed to be a background element.

    While not the worst as is, the drums could use more variation in their patterns.

  2. [This is an automatically generated message]

    I've reviewed your remix and have returned it to Work-in-Progress status, indicating that I think there are some things you still need to work on. After you work on your track and feel that it's ready for submission to OCR, please change the prefix back to Ready for Review and someone will review it again. Good luck!

  3. Evaluation:

    So I'm assuming the export error also cut something off at the beginning because it feels like it comes in halfway through a note of something.

    1:00-1:38 really needs a melodic variation to separate it from being a direct repeat of 0:12-0:41.

    1:39 Transition is abrupt and feels like it needs another two beats before transition made to the bridge.  If i'm counting right, this is a measure of 2/4 and the rest of the piece is 4/4.  I suggest just keeping the time as 4/4 and add two beats to that measure and it should help make the transition less awkward and sudden.   It is the right time to bridge to the next section, but it's just cut short.

    I do like the 1:58 transition back to the head.

    In terms of production, I'm barely hearing the kick in much of the mix and sometimes not at all.  Also feeling an imbalance in the stereo field, more on the right then the left.  Double tracked guitars should be left and write more then the other stuff.  Other stuff should be much closer to center.

    Reverb on the sax feels like a lot more then the rest of the parts in the track, definitely want to get closer to the other parts so it doesn't stand out with so much verb. 2:29-2:32 a couple notes in that phrase (on sax) not gelling with me.

  4. Really enjoy the textures created on this one.

    Each time you return to the beginning of the loop, I like that you are making it feel like you're increasing the fullness or intensity in some way.  Just be careful that it doesn't get too big on each return, I kept thinking you might get some artifacts of compression or clipping in those spots because it gets much louder and fuller.

    Consider adding some modulation to the pads ie automating a filter sweep or using an LFO to control some of the parameters of the synth to add more movement to the instrument.

    As far as the arrangement goes, it's structurally very close to the source tune.  Next time, consider adding a bit more of yourself to the track.  Maybe it could be a new original countermelody or new original section of the song.  Maybe it could be a variation in the rhythm of the melody?  Try something and see what happens, something magical could come from it!

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  6. Evaluation:

    Non-music related comment:  Nice video used for the track, very cool.
    Very cool take on the track and I hear a lot of potential.

    Percussion and bass could use compression to bring them up in the mix.  They feel like they should be the driving focus of the track and right now they are pushed back.  Also on the percussion, definitely could benefit for a lot of variation in the patterns; especially the high hats.  The need for variation should be overemphasized because it's such a repetitive source.  I strongly recommend that.

    2:10 is the kind of stuff I expect to hear from your work lately.  Nice transistion into this new B section.  Great way to add your own flavor to the track here.

    4:40 is the big build up you mentioned, the upper parts of the track work IMO.  My suggestion there would be to look at how the percussion could also help build it up.  A long drum fill? Maybe more unison hits, triplets, or syncopation?

    Bass attack is soft and could use some bite to it to help it punch, again; compression would help in this situation.

    Now, a question for you that we can definitely work on in the workshop on discord if you would like:  Are you uncertain as to what needs compression or how to apply compression?  Let me know, and i'll be happy to elaborate further.

  7. Welcome to the forums!

    Atmosphere on this is very nice.  I can see why you're happy with that.

    The reason why you're saying it feels static is because your backing doesn't change through the whole piece.  Variation in the drums and bass would do wonders for this.  Adding a B section for a changeup in feel would take this to the next level.  Adding 15 seconds of vinyl crackle at the end doesn't feel as satisfying as you think it might.

    How you handled the variation on the melody in the guitar is quite lovely and fits the vibe nicely.  I suggest to give some variation in the drums and bass, and maybe consider a more definitive ending (pre-crackle) for a more solid ending.  Great start, lots of potential here.

  8. [This is an automatically generated message]

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  9. Welcome to the forums!

    Evaluation:

    This has a nice mellow texture that I could put on and enjoy as a background track.  The hang drum in the track is very nice choice for this.  1:44-1:57 is GREAT expansion on the melody.  I usually don't hear people doing even this much interpretation at only 1 year into making music.  Good job!

    Guitar is a nice choice to play the lead, and have it strum out some backing chords.  The problem here is the realism of the guitar.  The velocities and performance of the rhythm aren't varied and give a unrealistic feeling.  Change up the velocities so they aren't identical to each other, and maybe move some of the notes around so they don't fall perfectly on each beat.  Also it sounds like a few of the notes might be cut-off sooner than they were expecting to.

    The balance (volume/mixing on parts) could use some adjustment as some parts are louder than others.  Drums could use more presence in the mix.  

    Quick fade-out ending is weak and leaves something to be desired.

    In summary: Production and realism needs work, arrangement is promising (but could go further still), and ending is not ideal.

     

  10. Gear does help some, but the skills and experience are more important.  It takes time to experiment and improve.  These skills don't happen overnight.

    Another key skill is using your ears critically.  Knowing what works and what doesn't takes time to develop.

    Try things...if they don't work, oh well; move on and try something else.

    With all that being said, don't neglect the arrangement side of things either.  Both are equally important when it comes to putting together a track.

    We all have potential, and again; it just takes time to get there.

  11. Evaluation:

    Yeah, this is muddy and imbalanced.

    The bass is much too big and takes up most of the space, covering up the other parts too much.  Balance amongst the parts should be worked on to bring more parity between them, let them work together and not fight with each other.

    After the introduction, the source melody should be brought out more too so that the listener does have a better grasp on what they are hearing.

    I'm not sure how I feel about the high synth that's noodling about on top of everything.  It's definitely occupying the right space for it, the part just feels random and not adding much to propel the track forward.  As a listener you definitely notice it going away at 2:42.  Helped with fatigue.

    Structurally, there could be a break in the middle with a contrasting feel to help separate the track and give it more momentum to keep it moving forward.  Book-ending the beginning and endings can work, and this could work better if the ending doesn't happen so suddenly.  That's also aside the fade-out, it doesn't work very well.  I suggest ending at 3:22 instead, that spot actually feels like it could be a more natural ending.

    What I like is the mellow feeling the interpretation has compared to the original.  Slowing the tempo really helped to bring out more ideas and gives space for you to explore your own take.

  12. [This is an automatically generated message]

    I've reviewed your remix and have returned it to Work-in-Progress status, indicating that I think there are some things you still need to work on. After you work on your track and feel that it's ready for submission to OCR, please change the prefix back to Ready for Review and someone will review it again. Good luck!

  13. Evaluation:

    Arrangement is not super exciting with very little interpretation of the source melody.  The changes are mostly with the background bass and arp. The structure is solid with an ABA form.  The ending doesn't fly because it sounds incomplete.  A cut at 2:28 would probably better serve the end instead of having a few hi-hat hits after that beat.  It's an incomplete measure and feels awkward.

    I recommend adding more/further variation to the repeated section (1:24-2:07).  That way you can take this arrangement to the next level and it is a more fulfilling recapitulation.

    I appreciate that you have some filter modulation on your synths to keep them moving and interesting.

    0:40 cymbal hit lands on a beat ahead of where it feels it should be.  This also represents other transitions in the track that are covered up by a loud kick/bass drum or cymbal crash, they could be changed to be more interesting. 
    0:41 guitar/pluck is not realistic sounding, possibly because of the delay and the higher "string-noise" it has.

    The biggest issue is the production and instrument selection.  Like your previous track this also feels very much like it was produced in the early 2000s.  I don't know if you're using presets or creating your own synths, but updating these will help because they feel generic.  The two biggest offenders are the background arp that starts at 0:08 (filter modulation on this is good, it's just a generic synth), and the 2:13 plucked synth (with this one in particular it's strange to introduce a new instrument right at the end right before ending).

    The low frequencies are muddy and have a lot going on, definitely need to be cleaned up.  Make sure you're adding EQ to cut high frequencies on bassy instruments and cut low frequencies on high instruments or leads so that they make room for each other.  During the repeat section 1:24-2:07 I'm noticing the kick has a lot of top-end clickiness, that should be cleaned up.  I don't hear this as much during the initial statement (0:00-0:40)

    Sounds like there is a limiter on the main channel for the mix and it's attenuating the peaks often.  Turn down everything and you won't need to have the peaks get clipped and the sound won't be smashed as much.

  14. Where's the jamspace boys?  Tsori says, "It's gonna be in the forest at the Green Glade"

    There's so much to like here.  The groove while simple is very infectious.  Trumpet is pristine and so elegant.  You really nailed the Herb Alpert feel here.  I'm glad you tightened up the track after the initial sub, the improvements make it flow nicely and don't distract from enjoyment.

    Such a fun arrangement, and I can't stop looping this!

  15. [This is an automatically generated message]

    I've reviewed your remix and have returned it to Work-in-Progress status, indicating that I think there are some things you still need to work on. After you work on your track and feel that it's ready for submission to OCR, please change the prefix back to Ready for Review and someone will review it again. Good luck!

  16. Evaluation:

    I'm getting early 2000s trance vibes as well as some semi-synthwave vibes as well.  1:55 the half-time is cool for a brief moment before getting back to the same vibe.  Good way to break up the rhythm.  Countermelodies are good throughout.  Usage of the source is clear and I see how it translates to a synthwave vibe well.

    From 0:00 to 0:22 it does feel like a synthwave bass.  After 0:23 when the percussion comes in, it feels more like trance with a sorta analog-fm-esque bass instrument.  Consider using a different bass synth or changing the drum pattern to be more trance-like or more synthwave-like.

    Background synth pad could be fuller.  Sounds like a filter automating swells on it, but the frequency of the high pass is very high making it sound paper thin.  Also around 1:49 it's a bit weird to filter automate the melody, you momentarily lose a note here and it feels awkward.

    Structurally we are taken on a journey from start to end.  Melodically we are given more continuous flow and very little break in the phrasing at all.  Even trading off the melody to another instrument can help break that up as well.   Production on the bass and percussion needs improvement as well (clarity/compression/eq).  They should work together and not fight each other.  For now, I'm returning this to WIP.  Let me know if you have any questions.

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