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StaticNomad

StaticNomad

LONDON, United Kingdom
Joined : 22nd Apr 2011 - 14 years ago
Last Online : 1st Jun 2024 - 1 year ago
Comments on StaticNomad tracks

Other users have posted 654 comments on tracks by StaticNomad

Comments 251 - 275 of 654
Tumbleweed
Tumbleweed 18th Feb 2016 21:04 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
Yo Static...it does indeed "Rock"...I like the bass synth arp that introduces itself around 0:20...has a bit of a walking bass style that I have liked since I first listened to Chas`s bass line in the old Animals song "We Gotta Get Out of This Place".
Particularly like the extra fat distortion on the rhythm guitar (1:00)even though I don`t use it frequently..I think it was my Son`s buddies in a Canadian group called The Headstones that introduced me to it in their version of "I Smile and Wave" or some such title...
Around 1:45 I`m thinking the cool resonator guitar lines are more for effect than to relay a particular melody line, but I do love the sound of the thing...wish I owned one.
By 3:45..I`m still enjoying this in spite of the fact that I want to hear some key changes or a progression..but thats a consequence of my own playing, listening, composing habits I guess.
I wasn`t sure about it when I hit that transition around 5:00, but it ends up being an effective move from the hard rocking section to the mellower part with that cleaner sounding guitar (5:45) that I like..perhaps because it seems more melodic.
I think the louder mix suits the track..and the wav doesn`t have those flat ruler edges that symbolize death of dynamics so all is well with the world.....
Its well done Static..as is everything of yours that I have listened to..so for me its just a matter of musical taste the day I`m listening...got my rock fix for the day....Thanks
Ed
PS: have you ever used a program (free) called "Spear"...its getting really old ..its just 32 bit and only runs stand alone (so you have to render the music you use it on)...but it allows you to stretch individual frequencies on anything you load for some very wild results...I just tried it on this old PC I use on line..think I`ll load it on my music PC & give it a go.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 21st Feb 2016 - 9 years ago
Yo, Mr TWeed

Thanks for that software suggestion and it does look interesting. Only problem is that I don't have either of my two computers running Windows XP. Shame cos I'd try it out if I could run it.

"bass synth arp that introduces itself around 0:20...has a bit of a walking bass style"

Yes, it's pretty unusual in a rock track like this. I think it's quite behind the beat which is maybe why it seems like it's walking.

" extra fat distortion on the rhythm guitar (1:00)"

Yes - most of the track's guitar playing is actually recycled leftover resonator parts originally played with no distortion and then stuck through software amps. I'm quite proud of how I managed to use leftover stuff and layer it up and get it to work. So, I didn't do much actual rocking out on guitar here - it's very much a cut-up sampled job.

"1:45 I`m thinking the cool resonator guitar lines are more for effect than to relay a particular melody line"

I can hear quite a bit of melody there but maybe it takes a few listens to spot it. Again: more recycled old parts. I actually only have a cheap/mid-range resonator though have always wanted a proper ie expensive one. But they are really expensive so I just make do with a poorer tone and then put it through FX.

"3:45..I`m still enjoying this in spite of the fact that I want to hear some key changes or a progression"

There's lots of progression and changes in my music (maybe too many) but I'm sure you're talking about a key change, which I know you particularly love and do in every track. I'm still really bad at it and so don't do it too often.

"cleaner sounding guitar (5:45) that I like..perhaps because it seems more melodic."

Yeah, clean, funky little guitar part there that isn't necessarily in perfect time. Bass and drums underneath are nice too. A chillout, funky middle section before another onslaught of hard rocking returns, adding new riffs and progressions.

"the wav doesn`t have those flat ruler edges that symbolize death of dynamics"

I'm often quite happy with the look of my waveforms (I only really see them when uploading to Looperman) as I try to always have an interesting dynamic mix that is loud but not too loud. Lots of those dynamics are of course in the variations in playing and synth/drum programming. It's not just a mastering thing, as you know.

Thanks for the detailed thoughts.
PDMuzak
PDMuzak 24th Jan 2016 19:40 - 9 years ago

on Tribal Warfare by StaticNomad
It gave my woofers a workout. Love the deep sound of the ethnic drums and everything else that went with it. Thanks for the listen. PDmuzak
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 24th Jan 2016 - 9 years ago
Good to hear you liked it.

Yes, the low end is fairly good on this one though I had a lot of trouble playing synth basslines on this and felt very unmusical doing it. I have about 6 different synth basses in here.

Ethnic drums (mostly djembes) are good and something I should use more often.

Thanks.
ValveDriver
ValveDriver 22nd Jan 2016 03:06 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Hey brother. I listened to this one a while back, but didn't the chance to get back to it. I tried listening again, but my damn phone isn't letting me play any tracks. So, I'll be giving it another shot in the morning, then I can leave a proper comment. I didn't want you to think I've forgotten to show the love!
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 22nd Jan 2016 - 9 years ago
Yo, SloeBro.

I wondered if you had perhaps killed yourself again and were busy regenerating in a test tube or in darkness and copious quantities of shit (like a mushroom).

You can show the love by letting me know if the sub bass is too loud in this nice track bro. I'm concerned about it on this one and two others (Roar Stone and Zero Hours) as I got some nice new Sony headphones for Xmas and the sub really does seem too loud in those three when listening through the new cans.

No bass problems with any other tracks - it's just in those three, which all use the same synth bass patch.

I hope there's enough badassery in this one for you. I haven't played any rocking guitar for ages - at least a month or two. I'm missing it but need to come up with some decent riffage otherwise there's no point.

Later, regenerator...
toastedavalanche
toastedavalanche 15th Jan 2016 20:03 - 9 years ago

on 28 Levels Above Top Secret by StaticNomad
Dude, save some genres and chord progressions for the rest of us! The complexity of this track is amazing. It never stays static and although I know you must have put a lot of effort into the changes, 9/10 it seems effortless.
Although throughout it's chaotic length, there are some parts that are weaker than others, it really is an impressive piece of work. Exhausting and brilliant. Thanks for recommending.

TA
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 18th Jan 2016 - 9 years ago
Greetings, Toasted A.

Thanks for giving this a go. I get what you mean about saving some genres and chord progressions for everyone else. I was in some crazy, rich vein of form making this and most stuff that I threw at it seemed to find its way in.

" It never stays static"

That's because it's a nomad working it, moving it here, there and everywhere.

"I know you must have put a lot of effort into the changes, 9/10 it seems effortless."

Yes, loads of effort in carefully trimming and automating everything but good to know it all seems to fit together and, I guess, flow smoothly.

"there are some parts that are weaker than others"

That's inevitable as it's hard to make every section a highlight. Many exist just a means of getting from one existing section to another. And then they keep getting extended as the ideas flow. But feel free to point out any particular problem sections and I'll see if I can make improvements.

"Exhausting"

Yes - there's a very welcome break at 3:24. Before that, I felt it was wave after wave of intense madness.

This track has two sister tracks (this is perhaps the best) ie same project so same tempo, many shared sounds etc. I could have made them all as one 40 min track but it's much better for them to be separate. They are:

Right Place Wrong Century

http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/146210

Three Miles Late

http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/150919

Take care and happy listening...
fluury
fluury 10th Jan 2016 14:57 - 9 years ago

on Honey Mango Heaven by StaticNomad
Nice track, I LOVE the beats , keep on going :)
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 10th Jan 2016 - 9 years ago
Thanks.

I promise to keep going.
Neomorpheus
Neomorpheus 3rd Jan 2016 03:18 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Hey Mr. Static !
Man this track immediately shot straight to #1 on my Looperman Billboard 100. Far and away my favorite of yours to date. As much as it is undeniably StaticNomad there's quite a bit of uncommon things in here as your tracks go. I like how you just dove right in with the heavy distorted groove but I was totally taken by surprise with that ensuing riff. The sound reminds me of Steelpans or Jamaican steel drums. Awesome !!!! I absolutely love it man. Its such a contrast but that's what makes it cool. Where do you come up with this stuff?

Oh man that is a sweet and oh so tasteful lead with the resonator slide. Besides delay and reverb what other effect if any are you using there? Nice tempo changeup there at 2:11 with a more intense lead and then a nice chord drop before reverting back on the tempo. Some low register stuff becomes apparent around 2:53 as the bass line gets a dominant role. This is a really cool section where you run with the bass a few bars with the background swells and heavy toms. Then its onto the Psychedelic mid section. Lots of crazy buildup of tension and BAM! We drop off into the Abyss of Bass and some way "Groovy" spacial ambience. Am I hearing reverses in there? I cant believe Evan didn't rag on you about that! But it is cool and fitting. The last section takes us back into the main groove with some nice outro leadage on a more mellow side, leading up to that nice smooth and melodic fade of an ending.

Great stuff here bro, truly one of your best.
I too though question the title. I always question titles by the way. I'm guessing it's meaning has to do with the Deepness or Heavy nature of this beast. To which I would then say its appro-po.

Take care my friend, and Thanks for opportunity to sample this gem.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 3rd Jan 2016 - 9 years ago
Word up, NeoChasmicBro

A longish and good review from you - the kind I like and prefer.

I've got somewhat used to this track's title (gotta have one) after not liking it much. If you have any better suggestions let me know and I may well choose a more suitable one. The Evanator had a go but none of his offerings quite fit.

"there's quite a bit of uncommon things in here as your tracks go."

If/when I stop adding those surprises, I suspect I'll be making music that's boring to me and no interesting progression or evolution.

Yeah, straight in with the low end riffage, then the lead melodic is a nice surprise. When I tried that 'clean over heavy' idea out and it seemed to fit, I knew I could be onto something special. A fun contrast and I'm glad you pointed out the Jamaican steel drums thing as I get what you mean but hadn't thought of it in those terms. Yes, quite a metallic chimey tone to that guitar part that I wasn't initially happy with but various EQing got it to its current state. Total fluke that it sounds like that - I was just going for a decent, clean, far out (ie plus delay) sound.

Yeah, a good resonator sound here. Mine is not a good quality guitar (those seem to be a lot more expensive) so I always have to add effects and do some processing in the computer. It's just some added delay and reverb here, maybe some EQ, so very standard stuff. A fair bit of poorer quality resonator sounds in my tracks but sometimes I have to keep those parts because the playing's good.

"low register stuff becomes apparent around 2:53"

Yes - first bit of bass guitar in this. Some quite tasteful grooving.

"Am I hearing reverses in there?"

No reverses in the track. Everything that sounds like that is timestretched guitar parts, of which there are shitloads scattered all over the place. Some sound a lot like voices.

"truly one of your best"

Thanks but it'll be much better when I go back and fix the far too loud and oppressive sub bass. I got some better headphones for Christmas and now I can hear that the sub is way too loud in this (and a few other tracks). I did not enjoy listening back to this version when writing this and checking what you had written with your time references. Just because of the oppressive bass.

You'll probably also enjoy the hard rocking track this one came from. Not as good but there's still some cool stuff, including some timestretched guitar parts. And the sub is also way too heavy! Don't know why no one has pointed that out. Maybe my headphones are too bassy.

Roar Stone

http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/171907

Finally, I did reply to you on that forum post about you doing album artwork, basically saying 'yes'. Been working remixing and remastering loads of album tracks since then, freshly inspired by your offer.

Take care...
MkAli
MkAli 26th Dec 2015 11:55 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
the beat got my 2 year nephew stunting
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 26th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Cool.

I don't know what 'stunting' is but I hope it's something good.

Probably something like jumping around, I'd guess.

I hope it's nothing like stunted growth.

Get the little man to do a decent review and I'll forgive any spelling errors...
Planetjazzbass
Planetjazzbass 17th Dec 2015 23:09 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Hey man I'm liking this, that little melodic riff takes the whole production in a very cool direction indeed, a lot of heavy metal can get compartmentalised by it's own metalness sometimes(if that makes sense) not this though you have an excellent live jam continuity happening great fluidity..sort of Greatfull Deadish in so many ways (which is a big thumbs up) an excellent track!....I'm going to shift gears here and talk about the production side of things for a minute, you've obviously got a very creative head on your shoulders and your projects are orchestrated with many elements, I can hear something that I've grappled with since I started recording and still suffer from, it plagues us all...muddiness in the mix, however I finally started doing something last week that I've known for quite awhile (with a little help from buying some new drum software I might add) and it works, processing every drum element on a separate track, the trouble with having all the drums on one track is when you engage reverb or compression or anything for that matter it effects the whole kit without discrimination which isn't desirable and starts compacting a project from step one..it's amazing when the drums are opened up how this effects the whole composition for example a dry compressed kick sounds great with a reverb snare(I know, teaching grandma to suck eggs)....Just a tangential though as listening to this track I get that Spector wall of sound, there's so much good playing going on here it's pretty amazing, excellent work and a huge thumbs up!
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 21st Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Sorry for the slow reply, Mr PJB.

A real surprise to see you listening and even commenting. But a good and potentially very useful comment. Potentially cos you may be able to give me some further good advice.

Yes, the little melodic riff that arrives after the initial low end riffage sets this apart, I feel, from a lot of metal. I'm no proper metaller though I of course do listen to various heavy stuff. But my focus is always on melody and groove rather than brutality and I can't really further a heavy track if I don't have some strong melodic and grooving elements. Without them, it just seems like a load of heavy riffage for the sake of it.

I've never hear anything by The Grateful Dead that I liked though I've never really tried that hard. Guess there must be something I'd like if you think I'm inadvertently channelling them here.

"muddiness in the mix"

pisses me off probably more than anything about my music. I'm continually confused as to whether I am actually a pretty good producer and mixer or if I'm just not good enough and not doing the sounds and arrangement justice by having some things buried and the mix not being powerful and clear enough. I've definitely improved a lot in the last few years.

I'd love to try out your drum mixing/processing suggestion but I can't say I totally understand it, which is why I'd love a further bit of clarification. I use Toontrack's Superior Drummer and multiple kits in a track, some of which often play simultaneously. I've still never done a track with only one kit!

I do have some drum processing technical limitations and don't seem able to output all the separate Superior drum mixer channels in Cubase though I'm sure some people do it in their DAWs. So, I can't even automate each kit part's volume level or panning. However, that does mean that I do a lot of careful velocity trimming of lots of hits, which can have the same effect as reducing/boosting their volume (plus a change in timbre, of course).

I think what you're saying is that I could do better if I applied reverb to, say, only a snare and left the rest of the kit dry.

Perhaps the muddiness in the mix here is caused by the heavy synth sub bass. Maybe that's more the culprit than the drums.

Perhaps you could start a forum topic on your drum processing point and I'd comment there, as might someone like Mahloo.

"there's so much good playing going on here it's pretty amazing"

Thanks very much for that as it does mean something, especially coming from you.

Thanks for the extended review!
BradoSanz
BradoSanz 15th Dec 2015 02:16 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Guitar-stretched greetings, my dearest Nomad.

That intro actually brought Van Halen to mind haha. Beautiful, strong and thick intro.

The guitar that comes in at the next segment really opens up the space of the track, sits nicely in the middle, pushes away everything else and draws all attention to it, like a diva in Los Angeles.

Sick little riffs you got going on with that lead, that reverb/delay you have applied to it is gorgeous, really adds that spark to the track as a whole. No complaints at all.

That guitar work that starts at 2:31 is sweet, subtle and addicting to my ears. Everything sounds so wide! And I think I can hear some stretched guitar here too?

That resting sound at the next segment is absolutely ace!! Perfect balance of drums, guitar and bass. You're too good at this! You SERIOUSLY need to make an album of your stuff. It's that good haha.

More slowed-down guitar that always makes my ears perk up. I love how it sounds slowed-down. Has this eerie, captivating, melancholic tone that overarches the rest of the high-energy track.

The solo at 4:18 is again, subtle, sweet, blends beautifully into the background but still maintains attention. You're pulling some sick plays on this one haha. You sound like you're having too much fun on this one haha.

That chord change at 5:00 is gorgeous and in good taste. It meshes so epic-ly with that guitar solo. The bass is big, airy and juicy. I love this!

The almost-dead silence at 5:42 is SO AWESOME. It draws all the attention to the stretched guitars. This is by far my favorite part of the entire song just because it's so different.

Then the next segment fires back in, lacking that solid bass that one does not notice is there until they hear the track without it. Beautiful mixing. Lots of energy, too beautiful for my ears haha. This is one of your best works in my opinion. That timestretching takes the track to a whole new level, in my humble opinion.

Drum pattern change breathes new life into the song and gives a sense of ending. More grungy, powerhouse goodness and a gentle solo overlaying it all.

It returns to a steady beat with more timestretched guitar and then it closes down slowly, being consumed by the time-stretched guitars. AWESOME. NUFF SAID.

Brado
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 16th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Stretchy word ups, yo, equally dearest Bradobro.

You seem to have put a short, standard Looperman comment such as "Nice track bro" through that timestretch software to produce a detailed, lengthy review. You'd think you'd just get "Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrack brooooooooooooooooooo" but the settings can be tweaked to make oh so much more.

I've never really heard anything I liked by Van Halen (Jump is decent) but I know EVH is a greatguitarist. Fun, fat intro here. Maybe I'll eventually find a VH track a little like it.

When I came up with the rather nice chords of the clean lead at 0:22, I knew I had something special. Big chill over big balls, so to speak.

"like a diva in Los Angeles"

is a fun analogy.

2:31 is me trying to play fast and up the badassery. Was meant to be longer but I'm trying to cram less in tracks these days so just made it brief.

2:32 very brief stretchy g fill and then 2:42 angelic stretchy voices.

"resting sound at the next segment"

Yes, I like the chilling, laidback drum comedown there (2:52) and that contains one of only two bass g sections.

3:13 new stretchy g that's very vocal at times especially breathy female vocal oddness at 3:35. Check 3:38 for the high "woo woo" notes.

I was trying for the badass guitar at 4:18 to be more upfront but I've somehow got the sound wrong. Cool playing but sound is not right.

"chord change at 5:00"

Not sure there is one but I do add some distorted bass g riffage to thicken shit up even more (on top of the synth sub bass).

"almost-dead silence at 5:42"

is pretty damn tight and hopefully a fun surprise. I needed to make some sort of transition and that turned out to be dramatic. Then more ambient chill female stretchy g vocals and we're back to another big riff, even if the transition to it isn't good enough. Yes, a very different chill section.

" lacking that solid bass that one does not notice"

Good point - that's pretty much the only time time the sub bass ain't playing.

"a gentle solo overlaying it all"

Lead at 7:35 is a return of the idea of chill guitar over badass riffage.

"being consumed by the time-stretched guitars"

is a good way to put it.

I agree that the stretchy guits do take it to some other, unusual level.

Wish I could make a track like this every day but I can't.

Am working on a few right now (including a chillfunk remix of this very track) but they're all currently no good. I have a lot of musical limitations.

Thanks for your kind and interesting words and yes, I must release some albums. One would be a start.

You should starting stretching guitar parts as well as your vocals for mega ambient sounds. It'll work, trust me...
crucethus
crucethus 12th Dec 2015 03:34 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Nice Intro. Reminded me of In living colour for some reason. lovely string bends. 1:15 nice bring it back in. cool reverse sounds ( I am assuming these are the stretched sounds). Hard snares bring us to 2:55 and a cool bassline with some jangles. 3:19 has some time stretching creeping in to the song. Starting to get lost in the song mentally. Then 5:44 is a breakdown like I have never heard from you before. Hauntingly Ambient with those stretches. I almost wish it went on a few measures more before you gave us that hard guitar. It's like you took the Turkey out of the oven, and it's perfectly done and golden brown and were all admiring it, and then you go and fist it while cursing out grandma at what a lousy bridge player she is. Just a bit shocking for a moment. Ending was just right. I liked it. Overall I like the experimentation you are doing with time stretching.
U get 4 Shitting birds 3 french Le Pens 2 turtlenecks and a part of a pear I ate in a tree. or you can have 5 golden shower cock rings....completely your choice this X-mas.
I will now slip back into my slowly devolving insanity and bid you a good day.
cruinstitutionalised for your own good!
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 14th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
SN to tha mothafuckin' Cru G, yo.

You seem not to have liked this one quite as much as my last rocking track, Roar Stone. This was made out of leftover parts from it and is in (mostly?) the same key and same tempo. I think it's a much stronger and deeper track.

I really like the very first cymbal crash of the intro, no messing about there. I thought the string bends were somewhat subtle but you never know quite what will appeal to people (or annoy them).

My Living Colour connection is seeing some of them under a different name in a New Orleans club in 2013. I spent quite a while chatting to the girlfriend/partner of bass player Doug Wimbish, whose setup consisted of at least about 20 separate floor pedals!

"1:15 nice bring it back in"

Yes, nice emphatic stop and I'm really happy with the flow of the first few mins. It's all kind of the same idea - I just keep varying the drums and bringing in new guitar parts (eg slide) and stuff.

"cool reverse sounds"

Yeah, they really do have that feel but there's no reversing - just the extreme timestretching, with, at times, its rather interesting vowelly character.

"2:55 and a cool bassline with some jangles"

Not sure what the jangles are. Maybe from guitar? That's the first of only two appearances of bass g in this.

"3:19 has some time stretching creeping in to the song"

There are bits carefully scattered all over the place. Very female vocally around the 4 min transition section leading to the outright badassery that takes over at 4:18.

5:44 breakdown is hauntingly ambient and more like chillout dance music than metal. I totally agree that the transition back to the hard rocking guitar is not as smooth as it could/should be. That ambient breakdown only exists as a way to break up the hard rocking sections though I don't know if it has anything to do with fisting a turkey. But I appreciate your creative image. Those "vocals" in the ambient breakdown also return later atop the hard rocking guitar. Nice to also hear them in a chillout context.

"Ending was just right"

Yes, lady voices meandering away right at the end. That's a stretched slide note getting a bit discordant through its chromatic movement.

I have deep funk/ambient sections of this track that I left out and am working on as a separate remix track though it's not going very well.

Thanks for my shitting birds, Front Nationale leaders, warm clothing and half eaten fruit. I'll take them all but don't need the cock rings so you can wear all of them at the same time as you carve up the Xmas turkey, otherwise naked.

I haven't got you a present this year so will instead wish you and your Lady Cru extreme happiness and eternal health. Here's hoping they let you out of your CruInstitution at least for Xmas dinner with the wife...
MOONLYTE
MOONLYTE 10th Dec 2015 23:04 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
I do very much enjoy this one. I dont hear this kind of heavy metal much anymore. Transitions are great and increase greatly throughout the song leading into many dark tones that blend together perfectly.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 10th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Good to hear you liked it.

"I dont hear this kind of heavy metal much anymore."

I don't really know what sort of metal this is. That's why I'm interested to hear from people as to who or what it sounds like.

I'd like to listen to more metal like it. There's a big focus on things being beautiful and grooving rather than just being brutal and loud. So, it's unlike a lot of metal in that respect.

"many dark tones that blend together perfectly"

Yes - my attempt to create dark beauty that's hopefully never too brutal or unpleasant to listen to.

I like to think that some people who don't listen to metal might like at least some sections of this. But I could be wrong about that.

Thanks.
clindsay
clindsay 8th Dec 2015 22:49 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Like this - great intro pulls you right in - contretemps of the I think, slide works at about :25.

Great Drums at about 2:32. Always hear Ry in your stuff - Not sure this is heavy metal in my understanding - wait at 3:40 it gets a bit metally then goes to rockish guitar work with GREAT LICKS at 4:50. Great guitar work.

Back to metal at 6:20. Definitely badass guitar work. The vocal simulation works to the point that you could build a track off of it. Good use of pads as well.

Brilliant bits throughout.

-clindsay
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 9th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Hi.

In the last few months, I've been doing very short intros and sometimes no intro at all. This one is straight to the point and thus we're rocking within one second.

I tend not to do long intros. Probably cos I do such long tracks. So much to get to that I like to get to something cool and groovy fairly quickly.

"contretemps of the I think, slide works at about :25."

That's a very hard sentence to understand. There's no slide guitar at that point so you must mean the movement of the heavy guitar as it descends into the kick drum thump. Lots of kick drum thumping in this track.

2:32 I turn up the EQ on the drums to bring them out a bit as I was trying to launch into another exciting section.

" Not sure this is heavy metal in my understanding"

I totally agree and I always look to make something that is a crossover of at least a few genres. Perhaps if you remove all the undistored guitar parts, it would be metal. But I've sat the very melodic ones on top of the heavy ones, which is less common in metal.

3:40 lots of strange female vocal parts there, which is all timestretched slide guitar parts.

"GREAT LICKS at 4:50"

Thanks. A bit of dark lead widdling there and I do like that held note at 4:50.

"Back to metal at 6:20."

Yes, a bit of vocal chillout before then (5:50) but metal always had to come back, with me trying to save some badass drum energy for the end sections.

"The vocal simulation works to the point that you could build a track off of it"

That's kind of what I've tried to do here as there are so many of those parts scattered about.

There are almost no pads in this and I think you'd have a hard time spotting them (3:03 and 8:18) so I'm pretty sure that anything you heard as a pad was actually a timestretched guitar part.

Thanks for the thoughts and I'm glad you found some brilliance. I always try to stick it in but I'm not always successful.

Take care.
Evisma
Evisma 8th Dec 2015 05:48 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Greetings, O Deep one. Your chasm may be deep and impressive, but like all others, it's littered with pennies, gum wrappers and a few shoes at the bottom. And one old tire. Always and old tire at the bottom of a chasm. Mandatory.

Trrrack!

Intro is muffled chunkiness, followed by a lead that reminds me of Tom Petty's guitarist. Airy "Don't Come Round Here No More" sitar intro kinda feel. Nice tones.

0:55 very lyrical phrasing feel to the lead, like a vocalist's inflections, though I know it's not the vocal part you speak of in your description.

2:53 Another part from you that makes me think of a beach at sunset. Your music has given me that visual before.

The 4:00 area is different for you. Sounds polished and rather professional. Nice.

The following lead onslaught is a fine show of badassery.

Thick and deep guitar tone in the last movement. Leading to an outro lead that makes me think of slowly swirling blue and white smoke.

This one is down with the thickness. Melodic, and more upbeat than I expected.

Name is not befitting.

My suggestions:
Moonbeam Tonnage
Submissive Denominator
Piss On You -a love song
Monkey-Curse Lifted
(and my favorite)
God On God Pornography

The last one is a gem I've been waiting to break out. "Mean Motor Scooter" is a contender, as well.

I hope all is well with you. I should have Hypnoculars done before December ends. I've got a lap-steel intro, an "A" part and a "B" part. I'm repeating the "A" part with a new lead and extras, repeating only half of "B", but then I've got a whole later chunk to write. We'll see. It's at 4:20 at the moment.

Take care.

Evan, robs the grave to snow the cradle, then burns the evidence down.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 9th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Chasmic Nomad word ups, yo.

My vast chasm contains no pennies, gum wrappers or shoes but it does have one tyre, which I use as a toilet. The main detritus is trimmings of timestretched guitar parts, left over from making this epic track bro. Some are miles long. There are also some Nomad beard shavings scattered about.

Lead doesn't make me think of sitar though it's quite "chimey". I did check out the Petty song. Won't Back Down is still my favourite.

First few mins are my fave section in this, mostly cos of the lead chillout guitar (whose timestretched parts are scattered throughout). The chunky rhythm one is also great and does a lot and is sometimes pushed forward as the lead part.

0:55 lead is just some nice, expressive slide playing. Don't think I bothered trying to timestretch that part but did so with a few other bits of slide playing.

2:53 yes like a beach at sunset. My music's all about wide open spaces and far out imaginings. Places I'll never go (eg deep space, Heaven etc) but try to capture in sound.

2:53 is also first of two bass g sections.

Second is the heavy, distorted bass arriving at 5:00 to thicken shit up even more. Makes a big difference and sits on top of the sub bass.

I assume you don't think everywhere apart from "the 4:00 area" is unpolished and unprofessional. Lots of female vocal guitar sounds there.

6:47 has a vocal tune I can sing along to. No idea how timestretching creates such clear vowel sounds.

4:18 badassery was some dark, joyous fun to make. Came up with that section before the first few mins.

"an outro lead that makes me think of slowly swirling blue and white smoke"

I'm guessing that starts at 7:35.

Down With The Thickness could be a cool title. Not keen on your others (for this track) but I'm damn hard to please. You're better at coming up with title phrases when not asked ie just in your general words. Thanks for having a go.

I like the idea of gods getting it on. Poseidon beating off Jesus as Shiva observes with glee. I'd watch that.

This Mean Motor Scooter was a definite contender for this but it lacks the beauty, which is the standout element here for me. More so than the badassery.

Maybe Hypnoculars will be my Xmas present. If so, make sure to gift wrap it for me.

Nomad, pissing all over The Evanator's black kettle.
toastedavalanche
toastedavalanche 8th Dec 2015 00:36 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
I love time-stretching guitars. It creates a haunting "shimmer" that can really make a track come alive. I love the opening melodies and the feeling of sheer joy you seem to feel when just rocking out. The psychedelic doom fusion works surprisingly well and keeps the track feeling fresh. It's gonna take afew listens to capture everything that's going on here. So I shall have to favorite it and keep coming back!

TA
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 8th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Yo.

Have you got any tracks with extremely stretched guitars in them that I could hear?

You're right about the timestretch shimmer effect. It's amazing.

It seems to work particularly well with slide guitar parts. Something to do with the fact that the slide is moving through each microtone as it moves up or down a string. And then that gets seriously elongated, producing some haunting sounds. But the vocal qualities produced here I still don't understand!

"the opening melodies"

I guess you mean the lead melodic guitar starting 0:21. I used a section of that guitar playing for timestretching (and sprinkling throughout the track) as the chords are so pleasant. Strange to put that kind of melodic chill vibe over this powerful doom-like stuff. I think it actually stops it from being doom.

I'm working on a chillout ambient funk remix/continuation of this track right now though it's not going too well.

"the feeling of sheer joy you seem to feel when just rocking out."

Very pleased to hear you feel that too as my instrument playing is mostly about joy and groove and melody. Even when hard rocking or playing metal it's very rarely aggressive but about luxuriating in powerful, psychedelic sounds and fun grooves.

"It's gonna take a few listens to capture everything that's going on here"

Always the aim with every track I make. I look to make deep stuff that offers more and more and that is unlike throwaway pop music.

Thanks again.
thekunig
thekunig 7th Dec 2015 22:51 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Its like Jimmy Page recruited Jeff Beck - I really love this - love the driving drums coming to the fore later - great stuff

TheKunig
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 7th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Thanks though I'm definitely not in the league of either of those two guys.

Jeff Beck is not my favourite guitarist (not quite sure who is, actually) but I feel he has pretty much the greatest "touch" on that instrument of almost anyone I've heard ie his control of the strings is just amazing.

However, I'm not really sure either of them do anything quite this heavy but I could be wrong.

" the driving drums coming to the fore later"

I'm thinking you perhaps mean around 7:12 when they get really heavy. Lots of driving drumming before then but I had to try to save some heavy, crashing energy for the end.

Thanks for the feedback.
Burtsbluesboxes
Burtsbluesboxes 7th Dec 2015 21:29 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
I'll get that 1 bpm epic doooom track together so you can shred over it :D
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 7th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
OK. What I'd do is speed that up 100 times and then shred over it and add that playing to the original 1BPM doomgroove.

Then I'd take the 100BPM fretwank widdling and stick it through the extreme timestretch software to create haunting ambiences. A little like what I've done in this track.
Burtsbluesboxes
Burtsbluesboxes 7th Dec 2015 21:21 - 9 years ago

on Chasm by StaticNomad
Melodic metal my favorite metal \m/ especially melodic doom 3:) I like that idea of time stretching guitar parts for vocals haha!! I love how dark it gets, the vocal(guitar) is kind of creepy. I'll play this again tonight on my stereo after work, may have more thoughts. Speaking of 800x slower, have you heard the spongebob theme song slowed down 800x? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Oyo4Bcy1Sc Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Why, Cthulu of course!!
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 8th Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Yo, Mr 4.

Is melodic metal your favourite type? I'd expect you to prefer something creepier and darker.

I do wonder if the large amount of melody might put off some metallers. No doubt death, black and grindcore types but let's not worry about them.

"I like that idea of time stretching guitar parts for vocals"

No, that wasn't my idea - that was just the lovely surprise with how things turned out. I simply took a few guitar parts from within the track, timestretched them 800% and reimported them and spent ages arranging and trimming them.

" I love how dark it gets"

Yeah, that's the dark middle eg 4:18 with some crashing cymbal work. Then out of the relative darkness and back into the light for a triumphant ending.

"have you heard the spongebob theme song slowed down 800x"

No cos I'm not interested in that but I've heard loads of well known tracks slowed down 800% on Youtube. I think that's probably how I came across the Paul stretching software.

My favourite stretchy track is the Indiana Jones theme - Raiders March.

"may have more thoughts"

As always - come back if you have any. I'd rather hear about this track than Spongebob.

Take care.
Rhodesy
Rhodesy 2nd Dec 2015 12:14 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
Yes i particularly enjoyed Devil take my soul if you want it.Yowza!
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 2nd Dec 2015 - 9 years ago
Indeed - a fantastic song and a surprising collaboration. I think she is the only other singer to feature on a Son Of Dave track.

They should do a whole album together.

If you don't know who Martina Topley Bird is, she was the 15-year-old singer who featured on Tricky's breakthrough album Maxinquaye back in about 1995.

Here's an example track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm_q_JQZbBc
Rhodesy
Rhodesy 29th Nov 2015 23:10 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
Hi once again Static.
Thanks for that link there,what a great organic sound and all just from one man!its great to hear blues stripped right down like that.Great stuff.
Take care bro.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 30th Nov 2015 - 9 years ago
No problem. He's a real force of nature and I'm not sure there's anyone out there making music quite like his. He's surprisingly good live considering he has a very minimal setup. I've met him a couple of times as well though he was a bit odd and unresponsive.

He can also come up with some pretty damn cool catchy songs, such as this one, featuring the rather good Martina Topley Bird:

Son of Dave - Devil Take My Soul

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0bLlRx7b_M

In an alternative universe, that could easily be a No 1 hit.

Damn, this guy knows how to groove:

SON OF DAVE - Old Times Were Good Times

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEYm9OoOD4U&list=PLWf5KX9HxkuuiCcjBraKxS2lL7yDbPGBm

Take care as well...
Rhodesy
Rhodesy 28th Nov 2015 13:22 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
Hey Static.
Really like this one dude,guitar tone is great kind of a seasick steve street busker vibe.It loses me a bit around the 4:00 mark but the drop afterwards 4:48 brings it back nicely.Great job.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 29th Nov 2015 - 9 years ago
Yo, RoadMan.

Good to hear you grooved to this distorted beast.

Yeah, some of the slide might be a little like Seasick Steve. I actually went to a gig and hung out with him about 8 years ago before he hit the bigtime (still very surprising for an old blues artist). He was the support act but is now way more popular than the guy he was supporting, who is actually much better. A looping, beatboxing harmonica one man band called Son Of Dave. Check him out:

Son of Dave - Hellhound (Live on Later with Jools Holland)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BeTZihJTus

"It loses me a bit around the 4:00 mark"

I think it might be that you're a little bored by then as I'm continuing a vibe that's been going on for a while. Fair enough but I found things didn't feel right if I ended them 8 or so bars earlier.

"drop afterwards 4:48 brings it back nicely"

Yes, that's when I bring in the only proper bass guitar riff in the whole track. Otherwise, its all sub bass synth.

Thanks again.
ValveDriver
ValveDriver 27th Nov 2015 21:45 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
Statician, the reso-magician! What's happnin', man?

This is most definitely a rockin' track, bro!

The time-stretched apaco-tars are a nice touch. I really liked that part. Personally, I would have extended it for it's hypno-trippiness. But, that's just because I really dig the longer, chilled out, ride driven interlude. (see: Every track I've ever made.) Personal preference, not a suggestion.

Honestly, in the intro, I didn't get Zep at all. It sounded more Texas roadhouse blues. Which, granted, Zep plagiarized plenty of...

The guit-fiddle lead starting at 6:13 is very pleasing.

I'd like to leave a much more detailed review, but it's een an exhausting week and my brain is only firing on 7 cylinders. I'll have to return and give a more thorough one in the near future.

Until then, Nice track, bro! Take care.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 30th Nov 2015 - 9 years ago
Yo.

The reso-magician reporting for replying duties, sir.

Rocking is certainly the aim here though I also just can't help adding some chillout vibes to pretty much everything I do. I think that's partly because I always strip every track down to its simple, core, sparse elements (and then, clearly, build it the fuck back up) which tends to lend itself to nice chilling and beauty.

"apaco-tars"

Dunno what that is but I know you're talking about the timestretched guit fiddle, which is a wonderful sound. Here's the free software I use for that (sadly, not a plugin):

http://hypermammut.sourceforge.net/paulstretch/

Download that and have a go as you could make great use of that vibe in your music. So, take any part (eg Shreddage guitar) and try slowing it down by 4, 8 or 16 times. You'll lose the groove (cos the notes are so far apart) but what you get will definitely work in some way when you stick it back in the track as it's all the right notes.

I had leftover parts of this track which I'm currently fairly successfully chainsmoking into a new, mega heavy, beautiful epic. Might be the greatest heavy track I've ever made if I get it right. I've done the unusual thing of sticking beautiful, chillout guitar parts over the top of dirty, low, chugging guit fiddle riffage. And the timestretched guitars also add a real choir-like effect in the background. Metal Machine is the main kit, as is the case here (for the heavy parts eg starting 0:37)

I agree that the stretchy gs should perhaps be extended (stretched further?) and I'm tempted to go back and do just that.

Yes, this might be Texas Roadhouse blues in the intro, not that I'm quite sure what that is. Maybe ZZ Top? That Texan Neomporhin' Bro would surely have an opinion as I know he's a big fan of theirs.

"The guit-fiddle lead starting at 6:13 is very pleasing"

Yeah, that's total killer and works so well with the synth bass arp underneath. I'm so pleased that simply adding distortion to a guitar part that had been playing for a while completely transformed it.

"my brain is only firing on 7 cylinders"

Try applying some valve oil. It's not only useful for applying to The Evanator's Bass Hole.

As always, return and leave other thoughts if you feel like it (after lubricating your neurocylinders).

Over and temporarily out.
promenade2239
promenade2239 25th Nov 2015 08:44 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
hello again

thanks for detailed reply. Jarrett has recorded a great amount of classical keyboard music (also on harpsichord as well as some amount of church organ improvisations such as 'Spheres' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUEr4TrP14c ). As for the country influences those are characteristic examples I think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCnj1PcLgrI and of course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8FNeG6lmvE but in his solo piano performances there is a country style almost everywhere.
Hope it is relevant. I also say that because I plan to record few of his transcribed piano compositions I practised earlier this year.

Some of the slide guitar riffs you played are very characteristic and of course it a classic kind of sound which I am familiar with (ok, maybe in it's more acoustic form). By arranging distorted slide guitar riffs with heavier rock drumming and some synths you introduced some another interesting quality and it sounds really good to me. Raw slide guitar playing is usually always more airy.

Regarding to the volume I wasn't probably grammatically correct even.
Anyway I am trying to be open as possible and listen to very different styles (at least on Looperman) so sometimes it's a bit strange experience when moving from one track to another.

Best, A.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 25th Nov 2015 - 9 years ago
OK, I see what you mean about Keith Jarrett and country music. Definitely not my preferred type of music.

I understand now what you meant about the volume problem you had. I guess you always have to be prepared for totally different types of music when clicking on different tracks on Looperman and have to adjust how you listen.

Take care.
MOONLYTE
MOONLYTE 25th Nov 2015 00:59 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
Bum bum da dum bum bum da dummmmmmmm..... I dig haha. I agree with Ev, How It's Made is definitely something I feel, which not bad by any means. Quite a long song, but deserving of the length.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 25th Nov 2015 - 9 years ago
Hi.

I have no idea what "Bum bum da dum bum bum da dummmmmmmm" means. Probably something, I guess. Maybe that's you singing one of the riffs. If not, I really don't know.

"Quite a long song, but deserving of the length."

I have many longer tracks though I have had a lot of success in the last year or so of making them a bit shorter than I used to. My average track length in 2015 is just under 9 mins.

"deserving of the length"

is absolutely the most important thing. I've heard loads of short-medium tracks that were just too short.

I could have added a shitload more riffs and parts to this one but have saved some of them for a much heavier track I'm working on right now.

Glad you liked it.
promenade2239
promenade2239 23rd Nov 2015 17:56 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
hello. this is very good one. It is quite different from your others productions because the most chords here are major chords. When reading to the description I had some image in my mind of your song being an incredible combination of Purcell's Trumpet Tune https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngn77Nl9HIk with some stylish guitar blues music. Also I can hear very prominent country roots - something that always reminds me of Keith Jarrett.
I had to reduce drastically the volume when playing your track but it is not to say that it is too loud at all - it is because there are too many levels and visions on music on Looperman and I am getting easily confused sometimes.
Always good music from you and this tune is no different.
I enjoyed listening!
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 25th Nov 2015 - 9 years ago
Hi.

I know this sort of music is a bit "alien" and unfamiliar to you as you have said before that you don't really listen to hard rock music, in any of its many forms.

"most chords here are major chords"

That was not intentional. Maybe I usually go for minor chords because I like things to be deeper and a little bit sadder and darker. I'm clearly not trying to make happy, catchy pop music.

"I can hear very prominent country roots"

Good point and I wondered if anyone would notice that. I don't know why that is but the country vibe is just coming from some particular slide guitar parts. I could feel the country in that collection of notes when playing them. But I do a lot of slide playing and it rarely sounds like county - usually more like blues (which I much prefer).

I though Keith Jarrett was mostly a jazz/fusion guy. Didn't know he had anything to do with country music.

I had a listen to Purcell's Trumpet Tune and I think I know what you mean. My track also has quite a triumphant, bright sound to it.

"there are too many levels and visions on music on Looperman and I am getting easily confused sometimes."

I'm not really sure what that means but not to worry.

Thanks for the feedback.
Evisma
Evisma 23rd Nov 2015 05:16 - 9 years ago

on Roar Stone by StaticNomad
Wuddup, my N word.

See you got yourself a Roar Stone. Nice. With several hundred Roar Stones, you could build yourself a little Rorschach. Maybe the first ever Roaratorium. Just a thought.

Trrrrack!

Intro has some serious sneer to it. Zeppelin, maybe, if Page had more modern sounding stuff.

Synth takes it back to "How It's Made" show's music, like I've mentioned on other tracks. Building drums are nice in this section.

0:59 - Slight riff change, same feel. Echoville follows, and sounds pretty spacious and epic.

2:13 - Change gets a touch darker, with thicker strings and less cymbalage. Nice squalling in this part. A pleasant distortion. Grinding.

4:16 - Change of cymbalage is very nice. Whole new atmosphere.

4:48 to 5:09 - A needed transition, though seems out of place and empty.

5:09 has a very "Hot Air Balloon" feel to it. Some rather happy guitars follow, with pleasant offerings and merriment.

We leave with a very Nomadic riff, then a thing of beauty. Outro is very nice. Agreed that you should be quite proud of it. I don't use the word "lovely" very often,... so I won't. It's fuckin nice, man.

Started a new track tonight with the Lap Steel. Won't see it here for a few weeks at my new rate of speed. A working title of "Hypnoculars". We'll see.

Saw the first snow Saturday. Good and bad. Work slows down, but I have more time to write and record.

I hope all is well with you.

Evan, so surprised when he hears his own eulogy.
StaticNomad
StaticNomad replied 25th Nov 2015 - 9 years ago
Mothafuckin' word up, my Caucasian-plated N word.

You were the first commenter to not make this a favourite. For that I damn you for all eternity. No, not really - "just sayin'", as the trendy phrase goes.

I did indeed get myself a Roar Stone. A Roaratorium would be nice and I would put in it a death metal singer and a lion and let them have a roar off, see who comes out on top. Actually, I'm not happy with this title. Too much like meaningless pun-based wordplay, even if it is an anagram of the main instrument in the track.

Serious sneer intro riffage was just what seemed like a bit of a weedy riff left sitting on my Cubase timeline from another track a few years ago. Adding distortion really brought it to life and then things developed when I added the unusual bass arp underneath. I know that's not really your sort of thing. I appreciate Led Zep but have never been an actual, regular listener. However, Black Dog, Kashmir and Immigrant Song are awesome songs.

"Slight riff change, same feel"

Yes, lots of little changes and edits because I'm just stretching out old resonator parts played in very different tracks. None of the original resonator playing is balls out rocking - that vibe has all been added using plugin distortion. Very pleased to give old, unused material a new purpose.

" Nice squalling in this part"

That's the end little bit of guitar with the delay turned up loads to make that part ease us into the pretty mean distorted bass synth riff.

3:12 I thought you might love that thick distortion.

"4:16 - Change of cymbalage"

Yes, moving from open hat to closed and adding a new "trash" drum kit. Also synth bass changes.

"4:48 to 5:09 - A needed transition"

Everyone else seems to love it but I appreciate your criticism as I'm not sure I've got the transition into it quite right. Nice, timestretched guitars though. Would be interesting if you liked them at the end but not in that breakdown.

"5:09 has a very "Hot Air Balloon" feel"

No idea what that means. That section has the only proper bass g riff in this.

I expected your fave riffage to be the 6:15 riff. That's the previous happy triplet guitar of merriment, now with added HyperNomadDrive.

"It's fuckin nice, man."

A bit of fuckin' niceness is an essential ingredient in a nice track bro. Glad you felt it, though I expected you might.

Hypnoculars is a cool title, even if it is just a bit of wordplay. Should be a hypnotic track enabling the listener to see for miles.

Get on that slide and unlock your inner Sliderman. He's in all of us, if we look hard enough.

Nomad, surprised to find himself reading out a tearful eulogy at The Evanator's funeral, following a tragic brush hogging accident.

Later, monkey masturbator.
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