EricMilligan

Thanks for the comment AF. Very sorry about the delay in responding to you. I was off Looperman for some time and didn't realize you had commented on my track.

Eric

Hi, Fidiu! Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I'm definitely getting the message that I really should work up my courage and try side-chaining elements of the track to the kicks. I used a work-around to avoid doing that with the bass line, but hadn't even thought of doing it to pads, etc. I think that's definitely something I should experiment with. I guess it would give the track the "pumping" sound?

Eric

Hi, Jynxz. Pretty much the same method in Logic Pro. I think I actually did about 4 bars of the bass and then duplicated it. Didn't attempt the side chain to the kick because I eliminated the bass notes when they coincided with the kicks. But, I know that, probably the preferable solution, is to use the side chain method so that some of the bass note is present in the track on each beat. I also didn't attempt to tune the pitch of the kicks to the key of the track. That's also something I know I should be doing, but frankly have never done. Laziness. Just pure laziness. :)

Eric

Yes. Definitely we think it can always be better.

Being "free of the rules of music" isn't necessarily a bad way to be. I read somewhere that Stevie Nicks was advised not to learn about music formally because it might ruin her innate ability to create great songs. Her talent is instinctive. Not sure if that's really the right way to express it, but I think you will understand the meaning.

Most of the time, I have no idea what chords I'm really playing when I'm working up a sequence. And, apparently in one of my older tracks posted here, I did a key change in the track, but was quite unaware that I'd done it. One of the more accomplished musicians here on Looperman commented on it! I was quite surprised. :)

Eric

Thanks, hobertni. Using all those vocal loops was actually a departure for me. I usually play all the melody lines myself on my keyboard. I tend to use midi drum loops a lot, instead of programming my own drums. That's always puzzled me because I actually played drums in rock bands (not professionally) years ago. But, I suck at programming good drum tracks from scratch.

So yes, I agree with you, using my own melodies would be a good idea. I'll definitely get back to doing that with future tracks.

Regards,

Eric

Thanks, Critical90s. Seems that LM members commenting on the track quite liked the pads. I think I found a couple of good ones for the track. :)

Regards,

Eric

Hi, Rita:

I spend a LOT of time going through all the vocal samples/loops that came with Logic Pro to find ones that I could use with the track as it was developing. I'm generally not very good working with loops, other. than midi loops. Rolling bass lines seem like they should be simple enough to make, but I really had trouble getting it so it sounded half decent. I still don't know why. Watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to do it. I thought I should be using side chain compression to "duck" 16th bass notes that coincide with kick drum hits on the first beat of each bar, but that didn't work for me at all. Ended up doing all 16th, and then erasing the midi notes for the first one at each beat in the bar. But then had to adjust the velocity of the remaining three notes to get the right feel. Plus applying a LFO filter preset to get it more locked in sync. I assume that, with practice, it would become a lot easier to accomplish! :)

Eric

Hi, dubjoka! Thanks for the comment. Yes, I managed to find pads that were really creamy. Only slight tweaks from the presets. Much more effort on the bass and drum parts. First part of the track has only one bass instrument but I layered four of them for the break section including two Moogs. I know that's not supposed to be good practice, but I think that if you use EQ to focus each instrument on the timbre that is unique to it, the whole sound can work really well. I'm not proficient enough to be able to program the sounds I want from scratch, so layering instruments is a method I use quite a bit.

Regards,

Eric

Thanks for the encouragement, pseudoble! I think I finally have come close to figuring out how to do a proper rolling bass line. Now, just need to get more creative on all the other elements! :)

Regards,

Eric

Thanks for the feedback, Michael. I think the mix was pretty good, actually. Now, I just need to work harder on getting more inventive tracks. I'm working on one now with another LM member that is going to be, I think, quite unique. Not EDM. I really want to be able to make good EDM tracks. I think I need to spend more time listening to what's being put out by the pros. I really like Bob Moses, but there's a lot more out there worth my attention I think.

Eric

Eric

This is a valid critique of the track, x stokes, and I really appreciate your input. It’s, frankly, a lot more helpful to get constructive criticism than comments that just say, “great track, man” or words to that effect.

Your observation is aiming at an issue that much more fundamental than mere technical issues with the mix, etc. it’s something that I’ve been increasingly aware of, and frustrated with in my music for some time now. Not very inventive.

I’m not sure how to remedy this. I hope it’s not because I’m just too old to be creative.:(

Maybe pot? It’s legal here in Canada! :)

Eric

Hello, Ruslan!!!!

Great to hear from you! Thanks for the encouragement.

Eric

Hey, BauBou, you are more than welcome to steal the avatar idea! I did that quite a few years ago. The mugshot number is actually my Looperman member number! :) I thought the tag line in my profile was pretty good as well. Probably the most creative thing I've ever done here on LM! :)

Congratulations on doing the concert of your songs this weekend! That's definitely a serious milestone!

Regards,

Eric

Thanks for the feedback BouBou. Good point on the intro. I've re-worked the intro over and over again. At this point, I actually don't remember if it is longer or shorter than I originally had it. :)

I think your comment on the intro is a good one, though. Not that I ever expect any of my tracks to get played outside of Looperan, but I do know that listeners want to get right into the track quickly, so long-winded intros are not favoured. I guess I forgot that.

You are right about the autotune being in the original vocal loops. Can't do anything to remove that effect, as far as I know. I did spent quite a bit of time searching the web for vocal Loops from R&B singers who had similar voices and styles, but didn't find anything that I could work with. It's interesting that almost all of what's available now is from high-pitched tenors with pretty much no "rasp" in their vocal delivery.

Eric

Thanks, Ella. Took a lot of work, but I'm reasonably pleased with the resulting track.

Went out in my car today for errands and played your "Immortal" track. Sounded really good in the car. I was, again, very impressed with your production. :)

Hi, Steve1

thanks for the comment. Yes, we are both fine. Got our booster shots a couple of days ago. Still, keeping our heads down, so to speak. I agree, COVID is not done with us yet.

thanks for the info on the YT channel. I will check it out. Sounds interesting!

Eric

Thanks, Maj. I'm glad you were able to hear the original. It's a great track. There are things going on in it that I simply couldn't figure out how to do. But, it definitely was worth trying.

I think now I will get back to working on something original. :)

Eric

Hi, Hughey. Well, the original is a lot better, but I definitely learned a lot trying to replicate what The Six did.

I've got all the tools I need to make a really great track, but it's the skill set that needs a lot more development. That said, I'm not unhappy with the result. It was a LOT of work. Nothing was meshing properly.

I don't know if The Six used some esoteric quantization factor, but I had to fine tune every note of the bass tracks by hand and I had to do it time and time again to get it working right.

And then, when I got the vocal part from Anastasia, nothing seemed to lock in properly so I had to re-do all sorts of individual tracks all over again. I think I made some fundamental errors someplace because it shouldn't have been so difficult to get a decent sounding track.

I almost gave up on it. Let it just sit for a couple of weeks, then went back and dug in. Now I'm working through a tutorial on how to make trance, which is my favourite EDM genre.

There's a lot of discipline required to practice law. And, a lot of discipline required to develop the chops necessary to produce good EDM tracks. And, creativity, of course, in both fields. I was never talented enough to make it as a professional musician, so law was a wise decision. But, I never abandoned my connection with music.

My major regret, at this stage of my life, is having sold my 1965 Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar and my Ampeg amp when I started law school I definitely miss them now. :(

Eric

Eric

Thanks, Terry. I actually like pop. Not afraid to admit it! And EDM as well.

Creating a really good track is a challenge, regardless of the genre, I think.

I've been reflecting on the significance of the people here on Looperman and the music they create. It's all over the map in terms of genres and production methods, but the great thing is that everybody is creating something and expressing themselves artistically. That's pretty wonderful when you think about it.

I don't connect with everything I hear on Looperman, but I respect every member who's made the effort and has posted something they have created.

Eric

Hi, Bruce. Chester is a fine name for a cat. Our's is called "Bailey". :)

No. I am not on Soundcloud or Amazing Radio. I decided some years ago to just keep my tracks here on Looperman, where there is more of a community and I can get constructive advice.

I have no aspirations of becoming a "real" producer. At my age (74) this is very much a hobby for me. But, I definitely am trying to produce decent stuff and to continuously improve. Never stop learning. :)

Eric