StaticNomad

Greetings, my man of many toasts.

I'm not a fan of Lynch films but I think you're right that this track might suit some sort of film made by him. There's a weird and beautiful vibe to it, with the second half getting darker and weirder. The drumless intro has more beauty and no weirdness, I think.

"a highly sophisticated arrangement to all the different instruments"

Thanks. There needs to be so that nothing is interfering too much with anything else. It's quite a mad soup of sounds so careful mixing was required to stop things getting too messy. A bit messy is OK - it can add vibe and grit.

I agree with "dreamy and unnerving".

You know I tend to go for the far out and beautiful but I would like to do more very acoustic sounding stuff. Combining that earthiness with more far out sounds is a deep, powerful mix. A bit like a didgeridoo - both very earthy and far out at the same time. Slide guitar can be a lot like that too - lower notes are earthy and higher notes are ethereal.

"I could listen to this all day."

Excellent. Feel free to do so. Every day.

Thanks again.

Static ToastMad

Thanks for following my link and checking this one out. It's right up there with my best ever tracks. I'm not sure which other piece of music it sounds like. An unusual merger of various elements.

"innovative in its own right"

That's my aim with every track but I don't always manage it.

"I will now dig out my slide guitar and possibly banjo"

I can't tell if you're joking. If not, yes, why not dig them out?

Thanks again.

So sorry for my slow reply.

But you probably needed a while to get over the trippiness of this track. Have you come back down from your tranquiliser trip yet?

I have a vague idea what a candy crusher groove might be but I can't find any info on where the term is from. If I google it, I just get links to that Candy Crush game.

"3:33, is that the time stretched part?"

No, that's just detuned slide guitar. I think I took it down one octave in the computer to make it more like a bass.

Timestretched guitar is very ethereal and shimmering here and can be heard at 5:51 to the end. Strange textures that sound nothing like a guitar.

"Super tight production wise as are all of your tracks."

Thanks. I'm pretty good at it these days though it still takes a while to get everything nice and tight. Lots of mixing work and trimming of so many bits. Especially audio here - all those guitar snippets.

This is indeed a pretty heavy psychedelic cacophony. Hopefully with some clarity and not too much cacophony.

"Perfect head shop music!"

I haven't been inside one in years but, yes, they should all put this on their soundtrack.On repeat.

Thanks again.

Unlimited Static

Thanks very much.

"I really like when all those sounds came and goes like that"

Yes, there are loads of sounds constantly entering and leaving. There's always something new to pay attention to. And often there are multiple new things at the same time. So hopefully lots of things to look out for when you listen again.

"I bet it it took you some hours to finished this track"

It certainly did though that's the same with all my tracks. I find I can keep improving things by making constant small improvements. That way I make highly detailed work that hopefully flows in a pleasing way. I'm mixing and drawing automation lines all the time. I don't record stuff and then mix at the end. I don't really understand that way of doing things.

"Really cool ambiance"

I think it has quite a dark, acoustic vibe to it. No pad sounds used and not much synth. I'd like to do more acoustic-sounding stuff.

Thanks again.

Hello.

As simple as that initial piano intro sounds, I fiddled about with it for ages, trying to get the velocity and timing of the notes right and so on. Then that lone piano gets joined by another, heavily delayed piano and a cello part. Then the drums arrive and we're into the proper track.

"that slide guitar is amazing dirty and very effective"

I've used slide resonator guitar in so many different types of track. I still have quite a few on here. Try this one out:

Right Place Wrong Century

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

or this one:

Honey Mango Heaven

https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/162441

But I rarely play slide anymore. Or even just regular guitar, which I'm a bit ashamed to say. Nearly all the guitar parts in this are recycled parts from leftover bits from other tracks recorded in the last few years. I'm good at making good use of old, leftover material when I'm not sure what the hell to do or where a current track should go.

"slightly ominous vibe to it which i really dig."

I agree. It gets darker in the second half. Kind of dark trippy. A bit druggy, perhaps.

Thanks for the feedback.

Yeah, some cinematic drums could work very nicely. Perhaps just try adding some orchestral cymbals or something and build from there.

I might give it a go or just stick with what I've got - something somewhat minimal, for a change.

Yo, ill Silverman (Sillverman).

Sorry to hear about your pain and I hope the medication is helping.

Yes, this is fairly minimalist. Partly because I struggled to add other instruments to it so just let it flow with this sparser sound. It could probably still do with something else being added - another instrument and perhaps more percussion. It's mostly just one drumkit, which is very rare for me.

"it sounds quite complicated."

Yes, as per most of my tracks. Probably something to do with the layering. My instrumental music needs to be somewhat complicated to be interesting. I don't exactly make obvious genre stuff and none of it is pop music or just straight dance music.

"Every track you offer up is now a cello track"

Yes, mostly though I have done a few without cello in the last year - electro metal, mystical blues and so on.

"Probably why your guitar skills appear to be deteriorating."

I seem to have run out of ideas on the instrument, which is why I rarely even pick it up these days. And thus my fluidity of playing has deserted me. I hope the skills will return though I'll have to actually start playing the damn thing again for that to happen. They won't come back just by thinking about them and hoping I might be able to recapture my past moderate glories.

"This is a beautiful track."

Thanks very much. I try to add as much as I can to everything I do. Even if it's heavy - then I go for a certain type of dark beauty.

"long may your relationship with the cello last"

I have no idea about that. I think I should probably start another new instrument. But will I then abandon the cello? I hope not but cannot say.

Thanks for the lucid thoughts. Your vocabulary was just fine.

Haha - so am I! I don't really know what the hell I'm doing when it comes to harmony. I just about know the key I'm playing in and that's it.

I'm not sure where the major 7th chord comes in for "several seconds". Oh, actually I think I do. It's a long chord sequence and I think there's one chord I change to (towards the end) that's a bit of a surprise but very satisfying to my ears. That's probably the major 7th chord.

"I am impressed with your incorporation of cello!"

It's the main played instrument in my tracks these days. Hopefully they all sound a bit or a lot different.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Thanks.

I like it but I don't love it.

Sorry for the very slow reply - it's most unlike me but I haven't been using the site for a couple of weeks.

Yes, interesting title - just a word I made up by combining 'translucent' and 'lucid'. I started with Translucent Planet but felt I could do better, even though I like the idea.

Yes, drumless intro is decent though I wish it could be bigger, fatter and more powerful.

"Then comes the lead cello and I really notice the swell on the notes. This is done with delay? You must be using a volume pedal as well."

You and a couple of others on here have been confusing me with asking about volume pedals and stuff. I've never used one and all your're hearing is bowing - no special technique but it does make the note rise in interesting ways.

That lead cello is pretty cool and jaunty and there are a few layers, with different bits meshing together at different points.

"The bridge around 2:30 is a perfect interlude, nice heavenly pads."

A darker, more mystical change. The track is no longer jaunty but more brooding and trippy now.

"The last section features some impressive lead fills with some fancy articulation, long bowed notes, staccatos and octave exchanges."

I think you mean 3:50-4:26. There are lots of bowed harmonics in there.

I like new, darker riff at 4:26.

"This is a bitchin' track bro."

Is it? No badassery and more on the groovy, chilled side of things.

"you definitely need to do some editing."

You mean the track should be shorter? Oh, I thought it was a fair old medium length one, with no section dragging too much.

"how far you have come in your quest to master it."

I have a hell of a long way to go and I'm not sure I'm currently improving much. Maybe I will never get much better. I may be at my peak right now.

"Remove the "not a great track" comment from your description !"

I think I'll keep it as I still feel the same. It's certainly not bad or even just average but it's not great as in really, really good.

Thanks for the feedback. It was quite lucid and only a little trans (cendental/gender).

Lucid Nomad

Excellent answer. You're not struggling for words this time.

"1:20-1:40 there is a nice groove that gets your head bobbing, and the melody is sweet"

I understand. It's pleasurable and grabs you without you thinking about it whereas the riffs towards the end don't have the same effect. I actually like them but, yes, it can be really hard to maintainthe same level of enjoyment every time you make a change. Some riffs just aren't as good as others. Or aren't as good in the context of the particular track in which they feature. The end riffs are a bit darker.

"I don't know jack about music theory"

Neither do I. I also don't know what 12 tonal theory is.

"Is it that at the beginning you are doing more traditional melodies"

Yeah, probably that. More major, positive and brighter and then things go a bit darker and more mystical.

Thanks very much for clarifying. That is some lucid feedback!

Thanks. I am musically very ambitious and almost always try to make something unusual that I haven't really heard anyone else make before.

The synth pads play quite a background, atmospheric role, with the cello as the main instrument a lot of the time. Rather minimal drums for me. Not very interesting or busy but still effective.

Thanks again.

Haha - very lucid!

Good to hear you dig it. I dig you digging it.

Yeah, the drums are quite similar throughout and rather minimal and restrained for me. I've done a lot of very busy drum tracks in the past so I guess I've recently been exploring a bit more drum minimalism. You're not wrong.

I suppose I was trying to let the track breathe and be more chilled out. I've also heard far more boring and monotonous drum tracks than this one

Hi. Great to hear you liked the cello. I think it's a pretty cool sound. My cello teacher has a live performing career using just an electric cello and one loopstation and one multi effects pedal. No vocals, no backing tracks. You'd be surprised how versatile the instrument is.

"the more melodic beginning especially around 1:20-1:40"

Yes, that's where a new, jaunty lead cello part arrives. A few layers there as it builds. Same cello chord backing.

"the ending which seems more random to me"

I have no idea what you mean when you say "random". Is that some new, modern usage of the word or are you using it in its usual sense? It's all kind of the same drum groove and similar, minimal instrumentation throughout so the ending is just a new riff/chord progression. Random would be if it morphed into banjo metal or choral country.

"I wonder if it would be good to mix in other strong instruments"

You're not wrong but I decided to keep this track rather minimal, for a change. I have loads of tracks where various instruments are having conversations with each other, so to speak. It's a shame my guitar playing is so average these days as, in the recent past, I would have picked it up and knocked out some good stuff on it.

Thanks for the suggestions and don't forget to let me know about my "random" question.

Yo, Mr V.

Let us dive right in; deep and occasionally coming up for air.

I do indeed have Jesus' original delay pedal. I cleaned the sand, blood and thorns off and it works perfectly. All hail the ancient art of delay!

Intro is longish and calming. It's just two run-throughs of my chord sequence, which is quite long. It continues for about 2.5 mins, sitting behing the jaunty lead cello layers.

"It sounds like multiple players"

Well, multiple layers, not players. The only way that is likely to happen is if some Nomad cloning happens. Then I can play with myself all day.

Yeah, the drums are rather minimal for me. Mostly just one kit and only occasional or subtle fills.

"few more light fills, or rolls." Normally I have a lot more. Minimal Nomad, for a change.

"2:25 - dreamy pads, backed by strings."

Yes, that's a far out, mystical pad sound. The cello has gone and there aren't any strings behind the main pad. Just another pad.

"it didn't, send me on that permanent vacation I was promised."

Sorry about that. But if it had, wouldn't that sort of be death? That's a permanent vacation, as far as we know. Unless you believe in reincarnation. I guess going to hell is a permanent shit vacation. But the devil does have all the good tunes so that's at least some consolation.

"I don't think you've "lost it." "

I've definitely lost something, especially my guitar playing ability. Such a shame as I used to be quite decent. I'm reluctant these days to even pick it up. It's weird feeling like a guy who'd quite like to be a good guitarist. As if I'm a total beginner.

Thanks for the V-shaped thoughts. They were fairly lucid and only a little trans.

Yo.

Thanks for having a listen and I'm glad I could provide you with what you were yearning for.

"I cant' get over the sound of it in this song."

Yeah, it's nice though I have been, to some extent, a bit unadventurous and lazy with my cello sound while I've been playing and recording it for the last 15 months. I use mostly the same setting in each track though I have also come up with a few creative, unusual sounds.

"Any way I can download this somewhere?"

Sorry, not yet but eventually.

"3:08 was like entering a large expansion, I can't get over that feeling of the widening!"

I'm not sure the track got wider but that is where the glissando harp enters and is quite effective and strange.

"those dreamy ambient synths" are just synth pads. Actually, one is a piano out through a big, dreamy effect.

"I want that for my own music"

Just play around more with all sorts of ambient synth patches. I assume you must have some in whatever software you have. I use synths in almost every track I make and spend a fair amount of (boring) time auditioning patches from my fairly large library.

No, no time-stretched cello here. I still haven't really got round to doing that but should.

8:53 the main synth you hear is a lyre - a sample-based acoustic instrument that is a bit like a harp.

Thanks again for the feedback on this cello epic that has grown a lot on me since uploading it. It was a lot of work!

Thanks very much.

I don't make jazz very often but I did here. And added some other genres, as usual.

I find it a really interesting journey.

Thanks for listening.

Yo, NeoCellingBro.

No problem about being late reviewing this.

Yeah, the cello is fairly smooth in the intro section. I think it has some beauty and playfulness. The track was supposed to be begin with d'n'b but that half tempo chilled groovy intro worked too well so I kept it. You can't really guess the d'n'b is coming, I don't think.

"How are you managing the sound swells starting around 4:10, expression pedal?"

Spivkurl also mentioned a swell effect but gave no time reference. Maybe he was thinking of the same sort of section as you. I don't know what to say as I'm not really hearing any particular swell there. It's just bowed cello, no expression pedal. Perhaps the swell comes from how I'm drawing the bow plus the delay added to the cello part.

"You are so masterful with variation in your tracks."

Thanks. The variation comes from not knowing where the hell the track is going so then I have to experiment with very different elements. Then I get different sections going and have to work out how to stitch them all together. Sometimes I do it very smoothly, sometimes I don't.

Great to hear you thought it was so wonderful. I've got more into since finishing making it. I spent ages on it, tweaking so many elements. I guess I was going for a smooth, clean sound.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Take care,

Hours And Hours Of Static

Regreetings, Cromo Arigato.

I may be a total Bromad but am I really standing my ground?

Yes - the sort of Japanese section is quite cool and unusual but I don't know why it has a Japanese modal structure. I just went for whichever notes seemed to work (not many id so this is the end result). That's a plucked harp instrument used there, with synth bass playing something very similar. I think it's an odd, additional flavour.

"Moisture level -3."

You mean you're negatively moist? You're drying up? It's summer (even in Canada) so get yourself some water otherwise you may shrivel to a crusp.

"cello in the section leading up to 8:06 and the ambient change-up is complex in its build and layering and very cool."

Probably my favourite cello sections.

Wow, Let Me Love You Down is a really cheesy, wimpy song! The remix is only a little better but mostly because of the drums.

"this seriously cuts into my sitting around and doing nothing time!!"

I agree. Why waste time commenting on my tracks? And then I have to waste my time replying. We really need to remove the comment facility on this site. It'll leave us more time for making music and more important things such as having arguments and posting stupid picture memes on Facebook.

Static HoursMad, qui vous trouve ridicule.

Hi Spiv.

Thanks for the excellent review.

Damn, I wish you had given me a time reference for the "interesting "swell" sort of effect on an unidentified instrument". Then I could identify it for you. it might be the lyre, which is quite prominent in the track, in various sections.

"in an effort to slow time down. You have done just this in an excellent fashion!"

That may be completely accidental. Perhaps more to do with the synth patch used than any skill on my part.

"The breakbeats are a very nice touch"

Yes - I like them and the track was supposed to start with them as I made this track out of some leftover parts from another drum 'n' cell track a few months ago called Opposites Subtract.

"Your cello performances are, as usual, a spotlight in this tune."

They need to be as it's the only played instrument and there's a lot of it. I still haven't used my cello to make any classical music. Maybe I never will though I would like to.

"The progression... is quite interesting and non-linear."

It is and I only repeat/reintroduce sections in a track if there's a real purpose. Otherwise, I tend to keep it progressing and moving into new areas and moods. I could have made this one quite a big longer, especially if I done something like returned to the very first riff.

"Interesting at every level, sonically deep, and well performed."

That's exactly what I always go for. This works fine as background music (due to the chilled vibe) but I think it's better than that and worth paying attention to.

"hard to believe that nearly ten minutes have passed since pressing play"

Yes - the aim is for the track to be addictive in the sense that when a section is ending, you wonder what's coming next. It probably wouldn't be that way if I spent too long on any one section. I think having the drumless breakdown in the middle helps break things up and give the listener time to reflect on what's been and what is to come.

"you have made an amazing piece of art here."

Thanks. It's grown on me as I've been listening back since uploading it. I feel I have many better tracks but still enjoyed making it, even if did take ages (hours and hours).

Thanks again for the fine review.

Thanks for for your appreciation of this.

Yes, there is a lot happening though that's the case in probably all of my tracks. I like activity and detail and always keeping things interesting.

Good point about the experience being like a good sci-fi novel. I hadn't thought about that until you said it but I think the sci fi vibe probably comes from the far out synths. And the cello adds some real organic flavour.

Thanks again.

Word up, Ted Cruzer, you utter loser.

A good, hefty review from you - probably the only one I'll get on this track.

I had some problems with that ambient opening but it sounds OK. And then we're into the riff that started the whole track off. I really like it and have made it quite funky before it heads into d'n'b breakbeat territory. It returns there in three different forms (pizzicato, spiccato and regular bowing).

" that amen break for d&B we have all been waiting for."

I had planned to start with just d'n'b drums and then subtly bring the main riff in but the half tempo first section worked too well so I went with that.

"2:27 is a subtle pad that I would like to hear brought up in the mix"

Just a subtle choir voice pad that is heard more clearly at 8:06.

"nice faux harp"

Yeah - tricky to get that glissando harp right but it adds and unexpected additional flavour.

"3:30 we go into a moody hip hop beat"

I love that drum loop and failed to recreate it in programmed drums form, which I really wanted to do.

"Nice chord structure"

Yes - very satisfying to play!

"4:15 on to the break"

Gotta have a drumless break in a lengthy track like this. And then come back strong with some fast ambient chilling.

"amen is back and so is your pluck. Domo Arigato"

Yes - some layered, plucked harmonics. And bowed ones.

"Domo Arigato for 5:43 but slightly out of place ehh?!"

I had to look Domo Arigato up again. Not sure how it sounds like that 80s hit song. Is it out of place? Maybe but hopefully a fun surprise.

And then you miss out on passing comment on my favourite cello sections. Nice, layered harmonics leading into a cool bowed part.

"almost like your putting the song to bed soon"

That's just what I'm doing. 8:06 section feels like it should go on for quite a while as there's a new energy. But I didn't want the track to go over 10 mins.

"very nice ending"

Thanks. Good to end on some gentle, winding down chill.

"the cohesion is starting to remind me of your guitar based tunes."

Just as well as my guitar playing is pretty rubbish and seriously uninspired these days. I hardly even pick it up! My skills have deserted me.

"i have delved into my DAW learning how to mix and engineer better"

You have and it all sounds better than before. No lead reverse cymbal!

You may Cruvaccinate but do you Cruvaginate?

Il me plait de te faire un peu mouille.

A bientot...

Hello.

This track has grown on me as I've been listening back to it. It's odd to think that, until you said it, I hadn't realised just how smooth the track is. I guess it needs to be when it's chilled out.

No, no fretless bass here. That's all cello though when plucking it, I am playing it as if it were a bass eg at 0:15. That was the first riff I came up with and then I built the track from there.

I do like a nice chilled groove. It's very inspirational.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Wooo great glad to hear you liked it

Thanks very much. I also very much enjoy the chilled out vibe and the melodies. There are loads coming from the layered cello parts.

Good to hear that the changes kept you interested. There are quite a few and it's a fairly long track so it needs to maintain the listener's interest.

I could have made it much longer but have a general policy these days of trying not to go over 10 mins. I used to make tracks as long as 17 mins! Only a couple that length but quite a few between 11 and 15 mins.

Thanks again.