ShortBusMusic

Well, I'm finally back on the Loop and have a bit of time to look around and I stumbled upon your terrific acoustic guitar work. This gem has some serious potential. It could work as background for a commercial (it has that nice feel to it) or you could expand it into something more. Anyway, nothing to critique here, just mad props for your skill sets. Well done! I hope all is well.

Bear

Man, I really like the vocal work on this one (I assume that is you and if so you have a real commercial appeal to your vocals). I hear a lot of "stuff" on the radio and that's all it is. This one actually should be on the radio because it has substance. I understand the feeling that you want to add more, but I do believe in this case less really is more. Seriously, this is a damn good song. Keep doing what you are doing. You have skills, and the world needs more music like this. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

Great bass line through this one, it really is the glue that holds it together in spots. I really enjoyed the dynamics (love that piano arpeggio at the 1:36 mark and the use of the minor chords through that section...gives the piece a feeling of suspense and sadness. Nothing to critique here, just enjoyed the ride. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

So, first let me say I really like the vibe on this one. I do think the fact that the brass part is pitched in a different key gives the piece some dissonance that I'm not sure goes with the happy feel of the song (just my two bit opinion and it doesn't mean much, haha). Not sure you have the ability to raise the pitch on different parts, but if you do, see about raising the pitch on the brass section (can't tell for sure, but it sounds like it could go up either one or one and one half steps). I think you will like the result. Other than that it is really nicely done. I especially enjoyed the pads at the 4:50 mark and that killer bass and drums driving things nicely home.

Mix is really nice too, with all of the instruments having plenty of room to breathe. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

I think you are probably one of the most talented story tellers on this site. I've no idea how you can take all of these different loops/genres and add your own ingredients to the mix, and end up with these wonderful cohesive productions. It takes real skill, and real vision to assemble all of this. Love that feedback at 3:30. Bro, this is stellar work, but I expect nothing less from you. Really, really well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

So, there is so much magic going on in this one, which is no surprise when you combine the talents of Ed and you, Leon. I loved the intro, but when that bass kicks in at 0:36, I knew I was in for something special. Beautiful chord progressions and those buttery guitar tones of Ed's, along with the elegant piano work...truly a thing of beauty. And then you throw in that masterful engineering, and you have created something truly special. I did see someone offered to sing on this, so I'm going to give it a listen next.

A tip of the hat to both of you, and definitely added to favorites. Well done gents. I hope all is well.

Bear

The bass adds some really nice dissonance to this one, giving a feeling of suspense and intrigue. It should sound great if you can put some vox over it. Well done.

Bear

So, I'm no expert on this genre, but I can tell you when I like something, and I like this one. First thing that grabs me is the mix is really crisp, with all the instruments sitting really nicely in the mix. Vocals are blended in really, really well. As far as the criticism with the drop, I think the dissonance is actually pretty cool, a little change of pace from the use of happier sounding major chords. As usual, you never disappoint my friend. Really well done, and a lot of fun to listen to. By the way, her voice is really nice. I hope all is well.

Bear

Brother, I am literally speechless as I listen to this one. There are times when I wonder why certain people are famous and churning out garbage, and others remain nameless and churn out pure works of art. God, this is gorgeous work. Everything from the concept, the lyrics, melody, vocals, instrumentation, dynamics...every last thing is special. You should be really proud of this one. It should be charting on Billboard instead of sitting quietly on Looperman. Keep the dream alive bro because you have mad skills. Thanks for sharing this one. It made my day. I hope all is well.

Bear

Hey Pat, not sure how I missed this one (looks like someone decided to stir up some stuff using this as an example, haha. Glad I missed that drama as well and feel bad he decided to target you in the process).

Anyway, I always enjoy music that is recorded live, in all of its unadulterated glory. I think its the small nuances that live performance allows that gives this one a special feel. As Alex said so astutely, the organ plays against the happy feeling of the track, yet gives it such a great foundation to play off of....kind of a yin and yang type of approach that really works well.

I put you in the same category as a Steve Winwood, not that your music is like his, but you are a performer and it is difficult to play everything and do it as well as you do. Winwood didn't tour for many years because he was literally a one man band. I think you are not only a talented one man band, but also one guy who really knows what he is doing around a mixing console. Impressive work my friend, and definitely adding this to my favorites. By the way, the song went really well with the artwork over at Dan's place. Congrats. I hope all is well.

Bear

I think the sign of a great musician is to be able to step outside one's normal realm, and move seamlessly into other genres. This one illustrates your talent, and proves that a musician can play anything. Terrific work by all involved and like Ed said, this one belongs on the radio. Here's to a musical 2015, James. I hope all is well.

Bear

Hey Pat, I'm glad I stumbled on this one, especially since today is the solstice, haha.

Mix is just so crispy and nice, but your mixes are always the best. I enjoy it when you add vox to a song, and you always have a great message to deliver (the lyrics are terrific). That little bit of synth work at the 3:30 mark was really special. I thoroughly enjoyed this one from start to finish. You are this wonderfully talented, mad musical scientist working in his lab cranking out the hits. Well done my friend. Here's to a happy holiday season and a musical 2016. I hope all is well.

Bear

Great bass guitar work on this one, it really anchors things nicely. It's easy to tell that you have paid your dues over the years. This one has a really nice driving beat, with some outstanding transitions. Well thought out and a great delivery. Solid track from start to finish. Happy holidays. I hope all is well.

Bear

That was the best 2:39 I will spend today. Beautiful vocals, beautiful piano work, and a beautiful sentiment. He's a lucky guy to get such a great birthday gift.

Thanks for sharing this one with us. It is a special song performed flawlessly. Well done. Happy holidays to you and your family. I hope all is well.

Bear

Mark, brother, I am so stoked you did a cover of this track. It's one of my all time favorites of PF. This is really, really well done, but that is nothing new. Great instrumentation, and the mix is just solid as it gets. Had to grab a download (thanks for that), and added it to my MWR collection.

Outstanding! Happy holidays to you and the family Mark. Stay warm dude. Hope all is well.

Bear

Well, you definitely know how to make an entrance, haha. Wow, great tasty synth work on this one. It does have that club vibe as Ed referred to. I've always been a fan of that big phat synth sounding lead, and this one has plenty of that. Really nice work. You had from the start and kept me all the way to the end. A great way to start my day, bobbing my head and having some synth jam with my toast and coffee, haha. Well done! Happy holidays. I hope all is well.

Bear

Enzotic, it is always a master's class in sound design and engineering when I stop by and listen to your tracks. This mix is absolutely flawless, seriously, I cannot believe how crisp and clean it is. Jamid stated nobody can top this one, and I happen to agree.

Outstanding from start to finish. I wish I had something constructive to add, but all I can do is give you massive amounts of respect. Stellar work. Happy holidays. I hope all is well.

Bear

Very nice work Stacy. Glad to see that all of the rains in your area haven't slowed down your creativity. Very good chilled beat that will really be something when you get a rapper to lay down some vox. The appearance of the pads is a magical moment, especially with the string accompaniment. Effective, yet subtle all at the same time.

A beautiful piece of work with solid dynamics and phrasing. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

Nicely done...love the way the sustained piano note carries the beat along. Very nice moment when the strings come in. I think the mix sounds really nice. This one is definitely ready for someone to lay some rhymes over. It has a real suspenseful feel, and could work in a movie or video game.

Nicely chilled beat that should serve any rapper well. Excellent work. I hope all is well.

Bear

Well, I'm a little late to the party, so most everything has been said, but I will give you my two cents worth. I've had the opportunity to work with some really talented guitarists over the years, and I can honestly say it would be an honor and a privilege to work with someone with your skills. I'm not sure if you do any session work, but if you don't, you really should check it out. Great acoustic guitarists are hard to come by in this day and age. I love your technique, your clarity, your timing, your control, and the bond you have with your guitar. It's a beautiful thing to listen to.

Wonderful work, and a beautiful interlude for me tonight as I wind down after a busy day. Thanks for posting my friend. I hope all is well.

Bear

This is a wonderful composition, and is really musically solid in every aspect. The mix is pretty good, and the panning on the sound effects at the end are especially effective.

One thing that may help with mixing of an orchestral work - try to envision where the different instruments are set in an orchestra. Visualize the seating chart of an orchestra and then try to place your different instrument tracks in those positions in your mix by using panning and volume. For example, normally you would find violins on the left side of the conductor as you face the stage. First chair forward and more to the left, second chair a little behind them and a little more toward center. Use panning to place the first chair further to the left, then less panning to place the second chair. Adjust the volumes just a bit (always add some reverb for depth) and you will get a 3 dimensional effect on your strings. Do this for the harp, piano, and timpani as well (all of these instruments are on the conductors left). Then place the tuba, trombone, trumpet, clarinet, bassoon, oboe and flute directly in front of the conductor (so very little panning, and the horns will be in the "back" of your mix). The right side of the conductor will see viola, cello, bass, french horns, and percussion. Again, pan the bass all the way to the right, cello closer to center and the other instruments behind in the mix. When you get done, I think you will find that your track will sound exactly like being there in person. I hope this makes sense and isn't too confusing.

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy review, but it really is a terrific piece and one you should be very proud of. I hope all is well.

Bear

Wonderfully chilled tune GO. You grab the listeners attention from the start and this just keeps getting better - from the intro all the way to the end, a really great piece of art. Bass line is really genius in the way you timed it, nicely done. There is nothing to critique here. You set the bar really high with this one, and I'll agree that it is some of your best work. Well done. Thanks for sharing. I hope all is well.

Bear

Nicely done. It's not easy to figure out a song in two hours. I love acoustic music, so this one was a pleasure to listen to this morning. Keep at it, practicing your craft will only make you better. I hope all is well.

Bear

Just when I think I've heard all of the great guitar players on Looperman, I blindly stumble upon another. God, this is really good. You have mad skills that translate beautifully into real, honest to goodness, music. That guitar solo is just about as tasty as it gets.

WONDERFUL!!!! From start to finish this one is a hit. Definitely added to favorites and man, I am glad I found your work. I hope all is well.

Bear

Nice work Steve, this one is so chilled it cooled off my morning coffee, haha. Seriously, it really is a nice mix of some really good loops. You really have grown as a composer and arranger over the past 4 years or so, and have now set yourself apart from the pack (in a good way). Really well done. I hope all is well.

Bear