I was stuggling for words a bit. By melodic vs. random I mean this. If you listen to 1:20-1:40 there is a nice groove that gets your head bobbing, and the melody is sweet... it feels very pleasurable to me to listen to almost because I can sense the flow of the melodic wave and I just flow with it... If I listen to a later part I'll pick one at random (4:11-4:30) my head isn't bobbing, and I just can't sense the flow of where the melodic wave is going, in fact it sounds more random and disturbing to me, like I can't get on that wave and ride it. Listen to my track Concrete Meadow and you will get it. The melody is smooooooth and gets your head bobbing. It feels good, just like your stuff at 1:20-1:40. I don't know jack about music theory. I just know what feels good to me. So that's what I mean by smooth melodic vs. more random. There is no fancy meaning to random. Is it that at the beginning you are doing more traditional melodies and later on you are delving into 12 tonal theory? I don't know.
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!
I love the sound of the delayed electric cello. But I do prefer the more melodic beginning especially around 1:20-1:40 as opposed to the ending which seems more random to me. The cello is pretty much carrying the entire track, and I wonder if it would be good to mix in other strong instruments that could have a conversation with the cello.
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.
Yeah, see thats what I was concerned about. I think I have two different songs in here. I'll probably do exactly that and do a version without the classical touches.
I wasn't much of a disco fan, but my God, I love this track, it is super high energy with an edge. If disco from the 70's was like this, I would have listened to it every day!
I like the lyrics, good melody. Really like the synth that comes in at 1:15. The vocals are smooth. I would add backup vocals even if they were just the same singer layered to give the vocals a little more punch.
Thanks for the comment, however the lyrics aren't mine. The synth is tho. I've never tried back-up vocals, because I thought it would mess it up, but the other day I heard a track that does it and it actually worked. So I will see how it works out in other tracks. Thanks for the feedback, I will upload the synth as a loop. :D
I really enjoy listening to this track. Melody, beat, vibe are all spot on. The only thing I would suggest is to take some of the harsh edge off the saw blade sound from 1:00-1:16 or replace it altogether. This might be just my personal taste, but the harshness ruins the chill vibe for me.
Hi, neuromancer56! Making sound with only soft synth is sometimes flavorless when it comes to express live performance. So, I made this tune with piano left hand voice comping with swing mood and 1/64 cutting rhythm and so on. But you know, real warmness is coming from actual performance by players. Next time, I should try myself playing real instruments, may be. Thanks for your valuable comment. I appreciate it.
The guitars just flat out rock. Love the guitar solo that comes in at 1:38. The vocals while good should be screamed. Maybe not like Judas Priest "You've got another thing comin'" but maybe :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biXnwOMznkg
Yes the guitars are cool and really rock on. Burt did a good job and his work fits well with the vst guitars. This track is an old one for me and i done it into so much different versions that i can't count them. And i know really what you mean when you wrote they should be screamed, cause i done that in the past often and it works well. So thanks for your friendly comment and the time you take yourself to listen to this little track
Dude this is perfect. I wouldn't add any instruments if I were you. All you need is vocals and you'd have something that is radio ready. Me, I'd go a little heavier on the Bass and ruin the whole thing!
This is some amazing guitar playing! Then I had to go listen to Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues (Live), and then I was blown away again. Dude can sing too. Nice Tribute! I get what you mean by emotionality. Just wow.
Love the psychadelic synth and the raw drums. Sometimes it sounds a little like a clash in styles in vocals and music, but it is so funky and different that it just works for me. I really like the echoing backup vocalizations.
Thank you for the comment! It kind of is a clash of styles especially because the original artist doesn't really perform in this genre. As far as the echoing backup vocalizations, it wasn't my intention at first, but I do like how it came about. Thanks again for listening and commenting, it means a lot!
Beautiful. Haunting. For some reason it brings back memories of "Save a Prayer" by Duran Duran. Rocks when the hard dubstep kicks in, and the ending adds to the overall effect. Nice flow and variety.
I got what you said about the ahh's already in your track, so instead I added some pads to take the edge off. Let me know what you think. It's here: https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/186997
I love the magical sound as well. The plinks sound a little harsh. Might also want to add some ambient ahhhhh vocals or some thing too soften it. Is it ok if I remix to play around with adding vocals and stuff?
Hey Neuromancer, thanks for the checking in. Not sure how well it could be hear, but I did add very light ahh vocals in there. It was a synthesizer so it's not as great as human vocals would be. You can most certainly remix this. I would love to see what you come up with.
Wow, I'm trying to capture the vibe this gave, but there is so much going on, it's more like a journey through all kinds of experiences and emotions, kind of like reading a good sci-fi novel.
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.
Commented on Living Lightly by Indieground
This is freaking awesome! Loved it!
Commented on Translucid by StaticNomad
I was stuggling for words a bit. By melodic vs. random I mean this. If you listen to 1:20-1:40 there is a nice groove that gets your head bobbing, and the melody is sweet... it feels very pleasurable to me to listen to almost because I can sense the flow of the melodic wave and I just flow with it... If I listen to a later part I'll pick one at random (4:11-4:30) my head isn't bobbing, and I just can't sense the flow of where the melodic wave is going, in fact it sounds more random and disturbing to me, like I can't get on that wave and ride it. Listen to my track Concrete Meadow and you will get it. The melody is smooooooth and gets your head bobbing. It feels good, just like your stuff at 1:20-1:40. I don't know jack about music theory. I just know what feels good to me. So that's what I mean by smooth melodic vs. more random. There is no fancy meaning to random. Is it that at the beginning you are doing more traditional melodies and later on you are delving into 12 tonal theory? I don't know.
Commented on Peace Be with You by topvega
Nice authentic jam session sound. The drums got a little repetitive, might want to mix them up a little.
Commented on Translucid by StaticNomad
I love the sound of the delayed electric cello. But I do prefer the more melodic beginning especially around 1:20-1:40 as opposed to the ending which seems more random to me. The cello is pretty much carrying the entire track, and I wonder if it would be good to mix in other strong instruments that could have a conversation with the cello.
Commented on Drama Pudding by thelastmonte
The first 31 seconds I was in funk heaven... I'd like to see you do an all funk version of this song
Commented on Jason Derulo - The Other Side DJ GR KING Remix by grking
Nice Track. Really compliments the vocals. Solid all the way through. I like the synth parts better. Didn't like the stuff after 3:30 as much.
Commented on I know you are Insane by crucethus
I wasn't much of a disco fan, but my God, I love this track, it is super high energy with an edge. If disco from the 70's was like this, I would have listened to it every day!
Commented on The Reason featuring Sheya by MrSpookd
I like the lyrics, good melody. Really like the synth that comes in at 1:15. The vocals are smooth. I would add backup vocals even if they were just the same singer layered to give the vocals a little more punch.
Commented on Da Faq by hemant37
I really enjoy listening to this track. Melody, beat, vibe are all spot on. The only thing I would suggest is to take some of the harsh edge off the saw blade sound from 1:00-1:16 or replace it altogether. This might be just my personal taste, but the harshness ruins the chill vibe for me.
Commented on BuSt - ID - Final Mix by Spawnch0
Love the ambient vocals, the bouncy bass, and the melody is sweet.
Commented on rainy day waltz by MasanoriMurabayashi
Very nice. It feels like I just walked into a jazz club. Can't even tell you used soft synths.
Commented on Apocalypse 2016 - power version by joecramer
The guitars just flat out rock. Love the guitar solo that comes in at 1:38. The vocals while good should be screamed. Maybe not like Judas Priest "You've got another thing comin'" but maybe :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biXnwOMznkg
Commented on One Night by Enzotic
Dude this is perfect. I wouldn't add any instruments if I were you. All you need is vocals and you'd have something that is radio ready. Me, I'd go a little heavier on the Bass and ruin the whole thing!
Commented on All Night Long by sumjazz
Nice Chill Funky Jazz.
Commented on depressed by btchimdying
The emotions of this track are intense. It's painful and beautiful.
Commented on THE LONER - BILBOZO - Gary Moore Tribute by Bilbozo
This is some amazing guitar playing! Then I had to go listen to Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues (Live), and then I was blown away again. Dude can sing too. Nice Tribute! I get what you mean by emotionality. Just wow.
Commented on God of Lies by thelastmonte
This is f'ed up in the *best* way! Just throw a little of everything together, but it just works.
Commented on JUST CANT BE by Timmons2
Love the psychadelic synth and the raw drums. Sometimes it sounds a little like a clash in styles in vocals and music, but it is so funky and different that it just works for me. I really like the echoing backup vocalizations.
Commented on No name yet by VanceTrumor
Beautiful. Haunting. For some reason it brings back memories of "Save a Prayer" by Duran Duran. Rocks when the hard dubstep kicks in, and the ending adds to the overall effect. Nice flow and variety.
Commented on Modnex - The Magic Pond by Modnex
I got what you said about the ahh's already in your track, so instead I added some pads to take the edge off. Let me know what you think. It's here: https://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/186997
Commented on Modnex - The Magic Pond by Modnex
I love the magical sound as well. The plinks sound a little harsh. Might also want to add some ambient ahhhhh vocals or some thing too soften it. Is it ok if I remix to play around with adding vocals and stuff?
Commented on TRACK RUN by ceecounty
Nice chilled out vibe. I'd like to remix. Are you using any Looperman loops? Which ones?
Commented on Make Yourself A Life by MGproduct
Definitely want to hear more like this. Love your voice, would like even longer tracks.
Commented on Hours And Hours by StaticNomad
Wow, I'm trying to capture the vibe this gave, but there is so much going on, it's more like a journey through all kinds of experiences and emotions, kind of like reading a good sci-fi novel.
Commented on Atlantic drifts by Danke
Sultry, smooth, and funky. Makes me feel happy and chill.