theHumps

Interesting drums that lead into the part about 30 seconds. Just a bit different to make me go back and listen to it a few times. The drums fading out during many parts of the song was certainly a nice touch. A couple of those growl-ly sounds caught me by surprise. Percussion and the varied electronic sounds, in the forefront and those set back in the mix, made it fun to listen to and listen closely for something else to pop out from nowhere.

For a first draft it felt like you put quite a bit into making it. No loss of pumpitude happening here, nonstop energy. I must admit I'm a little pooped after listening to this! lol

Wayne

Real nice job mixing the guitars with the electronic sounds. It works well in this track giving the track a very modern almost NIN feel to it. Lost of energy here plus there are some parts that bring the dynamics and make the arrangement more interesting.

Will we hear you sing, maybe throw some vocals on it?

Wayne

Alright, this rocks! Reminds me a bit of a few different punk bands, all the energy is there. The guitars are thick, nice job actually doubling the rhythm gits, makes a difference. Two minutes, perfect! Really reminds me a lot of West End Riot by the Living End, who are great so nice job!

Wayne

Pretty amazing song Dan! Ed's guitar seasons an already tasty dish. The modulation at about 3 min was unexpected, cool change. Very well mixed and set a great start to my day.

Take care, Wayne

I know this is your production but when I hear something like this it's no wonder you and Ed work together so well. Two Peas in a pod, great production and great compositions always. Danke seems to feel something along that line too. The piano work is fantastic, nice layering of the piano and effects are nice too. I like the title. Can't say I hear anything I would change, it's pretty darn awesome! Takes me on a wondrous journey, it's been a tough day so I needed to hear something like this!

Always a pleasure!

Wayne

Certainly worth a listen. I would say this falls more into experimental but I'm not sure we have that genre here at looperman. If you smashed Frank Zappa into Fat Boy Slim, this is what you would get, something musically different and out of the norm. ;) Like I said, worth a listen!

Wayne

This is pretty cool, acid jazz feel to it. I played it a couple times and decided to dl it, thanks! Can't say enough about the sax, outstanding! Uplifting and smooth!

Wayne

What can I say that hasn't already been said. Great mix, big sound filling the entire stereo field. Guitars are ripping and thick, good overall tone too. Some singing/vocals on this track and you have a hit on your hands! Seems you've wrapped your head around those Superior drums, they sound great.

Well done man, your best mix so far!

Wayne

Has that '70's feel to me, i like it. Simple, effective production, not overproduced and that allows all the goodness to shine through. Percussion adds a lot but that too is just the right amount. There's some nice playing in there as well, nice job!

Wayne

Yeah, this works for a great cinematic piece. The part that starts about 3 minutes in reminded me of Star Wars/John Williams sounding music. Dramatic composition, hi's and lows, great dynamics throughout!

I liked the subtle intro, mysterious and positive feeling. Then there is a cool transition to a more ominous/darker feeling. The song builds really well and ends as it should with a more peaceful respite. Well done!

Wayne

Nice job expressing and opening yourself up in a track. The dramatic music and background vox are effective in setting a dark and ominous mood. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel and making compositions like this can be a great stress reliever and some form of mental healing. It's heartfelt, honest and so you. To me, that's what music is all about.

Overall I found life isn't easy and we all go through tough times and how we deal with it dictates our happiness. It's a good time to learn about oneself and to grow as a person. It doesn't seem to feel that way when it is happening but after you make it through your tough time, you can look back and be proud of yourself and pat yourself on the back for doing it. Just lost a band mate from my first band from depression because life got him down and he drank himself to death. What a waste, so talented and he gave up.

Take care!

Wayne

Pretty creative track, simple, interesting and fun as it put a smile on my face! Try to get the local school chorus to do some real live vocals, bet it would sound more awesome! I could definitely hear this in a christmas or children's movie.

Wayne

This has a very raw, live and organic sound and feel. I love acoustic guitar songs, good decision to team up with your friend. I was really enjoying it but when the drums kicked it gave the song such an uplifting feeling to a rather sullen song. Strangely your vocals reminded me of Jim Morrison of the Doors and the song in some ways reminds me of some of their songs so well done on mixing the vox and the how they transition into the more upbeat part.

Well done!

Wayne

I'm not an accomplished singer I can tell you that I do put scratch vocal tracks down to rough out melody lines, similar to what you did here. The track you put down has some cool parts and ideas. Although it's a little low in the mix, you seem to be hitting the right notes and I think if you write some simple words and sing them within a range you are comfortable with I do believe you could sing this track.

Singing comes down to confidence, attitude and effort. My brother came in to sing his christmas song and he had never sang into a mic before. After the first take I told him to relax and to sing it like he meant every word with passion and to put on a performance in front of the mic. Basically I told him to grow a set and just go for it, he could sing the notes but I wanted to hear him belt it out with feeling. We did 3 more takes, each time was better and I could see him getting into it more and more.

From what I hear and I know it's just a scratch track, I think if you wrote some basic lyrics that you could pull the vocal part off.

Btw, cool track, wide open for those vocals. I do like the piano and the interesting bits set back in the mix, effects and sounds.

Wayne

First the mix sounds pretty good and so do the sounds of the plugins you chose. And to be honest, it doesn't sound like it was produced in FL. Lot's of cool changes, breaks and interesting sounds. Sounds like you used plenty!

I have Logic Pro 9 and although it's not my main daw it's plugin sounds and effects are top notch and I'm not hesitant to go to it if Ableton doesn't have what I'm looking for. I think you did a great job for a first track with a new daw!

Wayne

Catchy track, by the end I was all in! Cool effects on the vocals. Classic sounding keys. Plenty of space in the track, nothing is cluttered and everything shines through. Well done Bleep!

Wayne

Very cool track, totally dig the horn, sounds like a real horn. Reminded me a bit of the Specials. My only criticism would be the snare, to me there is not enough snap and clarity to it. Like mindheist said, it a fun upbeat track that makes you want to move your feet.

Cheers!

Wayne

First off, it's very generous to post the stems for mixing practice. Thanks! Cool track, rock is such an awesomely diverse genre that a cool slower paced song can still have balls.

The song doesn't sound over processed or too loud, I'm impressed for sure. Interesting how you processed the vocals. I use only stock compressors in Ableton and I notice how my songs compare to more professional mixes by not having more quality compressors. Or it could be mixing with my old ears, lol.

I'll check out the tut for sure. Appreciate you posting them as they help put new ideas in my head.

Cheers

I know now why you changed your avatar, you have dreadlocks and they haven't quite grown out yet!! Well done Dave, has the feel of some authentic roots reggae. Mix is tight, as usual and I did like the creative intro. Mixed down to an album? ;)

The corporate machine can't stop musicians from writing about their unscrupulous practices and not giving the worker a fair shake. I always liked the Clash for writing songs like Clampdown as it is about the corporations and their control over workers. It seems like it keeps getting worse and now in my country we have the same type of businessman as president elect. Say goodbye to more of my rights and benefits as a citizen. Bastards!! Now I'm wound up,lol.

Always a pleasure, take care!

Wayne

Dig the title! Piano and acoustic guitar always works so I must say the intro really was a cool way to start the track. The song transitions nicely into the harder more loud part of the song. I do like the timing changes as the song progresses.

I read your response to Steve about the vocal/percussive part you did and it's pretty effective and interesting. Curious as to how you tune normally if not in standard tuning?

Wayne

Nice composition, interesting as it builds throughout the song. I'm not a big fan of long songs but this cinematic piece had my attention all the way. I wish it had some compression put on it as it would bring out more intensity and power as it builds but the idea is there and it's a good one.

Cheers!

Wayne

Great job on the vocals! The music is wide open for vocals and you created a great track to match up with it. Well done!!

Wayne

Cool groove! I like the Barry White reference Mykael mentioned as it feels like rnb to me. Lisa Stansfield also comes to mind when listening. Funky sounding bass line as well that I like. Always love me some percussion so I dig the bongos a lot. Well done all round, mix sounds great!

Wayne

Cool, dark, brooding style of rock. Sets an ominous tone right from the beginning with southern/swamp blues style guitars. The lyrics fit the music well and tell a great story, well done Joe!

Wayne

You guys always seem to have the formula to make great music when you work together. The piano is perfect for the piece, like a singing melody line it takes the listener deeper into the song. Nice and easy on the ears, peaceful and intimate, soulful and uplifting! Always a pleasure!

Wayne