ValveDriver

Hey man. How's it goin?

This isn't my genre by any means. I don't know what makes hip-hop what it is. But, that aside, I really liked this for what it is. I'm sure it's meant to have a vocal track, but in my opinion, vocals get in the way. That's for EVERY genre. Except maybe Tuvan throat chant. You know...where it's nothing BUT vocals.
The only thing that seemed to be missing in my ears was a sub bass line to accent the percussion. Other than that, everything sounded great. The mix is nice and clean, everything sits right were it needs to be.
Good work. Keep it up.

Take care.
V.

This is a pretty cool tune. I'm diggin' the vocal skills.

It totally sounds like a John Lee Hooker and B.B. King hybrid!

I would say it's more mid 40's Delta blues than it is 20's Jazz, though.

Either way, excellent work. Keep it up!

Take care.
V.

This is what would have happened if Vince Guaraldi and Dave Lombardo collaborated.

The contrast between jazzy keys and metal drums was very interesting for sure. But, as someone who's been listening to heavy metal since it's infancy in the early 80's, I'm totally digging the drums. Danke was spot on in recognizing the Lombardo-esque style there.

Kudos to you and your band.

Take care.
V.

Nice. I've always enjoyed the energy of salsa and boogaloo. It's not something I listen to on the regular, but when it does come on, I usually take a break from what's going on and let it surround me instead.
I'm not familiar with Mangione enough to comment on whether or not it's his style. I've only ever heard the one that got him real famous.
As far as your track goes...I'm fully diggin' it man! I wish it were at least twice the length. Kind of makes me want to break into some Pete Rodriguez!
I love the fact that you have an eclectic mix under your hat. It shows true musicianship.

Keep it up, mister.
Take care.
V.

So, I just listened to this again. I decided to download it for listening offline. Also, I had some background music playing in my head as I listened. Would you be alright if, (at some point in the future when life settles just a touch) I used some, or all of this in one of my tracks?

Take care.
Aaron.

This definitely has your signature on it. I fully agree with Danke, it does have a strong 80s sound and feel to it. Right up until about the 2 minute mark when that other synth comes slithering in. I love how it has an almost sinister intent to it as it swallows all of the sounds that preceded it.
It's like a dream that transforms into a nightmare. At first, the drums hold it together giving it a beat and a sense of predictability. But after the synth envelopes all, the drums almost seem to be the catalyst for chaos. The element that drives the dreamer mad.

Excellent work as always, Marco. Keep it up.
Take care.
Aaron.

It's too bad Tumbleweed doesn't come around anymore. I'd love to hear what he would do with this in a collab.

As it is, I dig it, brother. Cyberflares is spot on with Chris Rea type vocals. Or even Leonard Cohen, for that matter.

Nice work, mister.
Take care
V.

I would suggest adjusting the levels. Louder doesn't necessarily mean better. Start low. You can always boost at the end. What you have here is a "brickwave" Everything is just pushed to the max.

Try layering your drums. Have two or more kicks. Each specifically set for where they hit the hardest on the frequency spectrum. Have one that hits hard in the lower end, and one with a nice snap on the top end. Equalize them together so that you get one equal sounding kick. Try layering a clap with your snare. Put a stereo separator, and a small amount of reverb so that it rings out a little.

It's been mentioned already that once the drop hits, it kind of just...keeps going. Try switching it up after a bar or so. Drop in a second "growl" or "wubwub". Right now, it's just 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. Give it a few extra steps in there. Don't forget Impacts, risers, and downlifters, too. They add a great texture and dynamic to your track.

I like the vocals. they fit well with what you have. Once you work on the levels, those should come out a little more, too. They should take the front seat in the mix, but not stand alone above everything.

Now that we have all of that out of the way, I totally dig where you're going with this. I really hope you continue to work on it. I'd like to hear it as a completed track. It's got a great energy to it. Don't let it get away.

Take care.
V.

This is good metal. There's not much of that on the ol' Looperman.

Maybe a suggestion, if I may...

In the section after the bridge there, try putting some double kicks after the snare, and maybe some toms in single stroke fills. It sounds good as it is, but I think adding that would give it a more organic flow from one end of the lick to the next.

The mixing sounds great. All the levels are good. Nothing is really buried, or jumping out. I can hear all the instruments well, and the stereo separation is good. Nothing is tripping over anything else.

Good work. I'd like to hear what you build around this.

Take care.
V.

This isn't my preferred genre, so I can't really comment on how well it's done in that regard. But, just listening to it for what it is, it's done well. The arrangement is good, the composition is good.

The only thing I hear that might need some attention is the levels in the mixing. Specifically, the drums.

I know the drums are supposed to be big and stand out, but that doesn't necessarily mean boosting the volume to the point where it almost clips. Try layering different kicks. Find two different ones. One that has strong low end, bassier punch, and one that has a higher top end that focuses the "snap". Layer them, and adjust the EQ's so that when both of them hit, it covers the entire frequency spectrum, giving it a fuller, harder hit.

Same with the snares.

Then link everything together and put a multiband compressor on them to get them to come out clear, and full.

At least, that's what I do. I'm no professional, but that works for me.

Otherwise, good work and keep it up.

Take care.
V.

Well, considering Mr. Funktastic already stopped by, there isn't much else that needs to be said. He knows what he's talking about and anyone who ignores his advice would be a fool. So, I guess all I can say is that you have improved over the last few tracks. The stereo separation on this one sounds great! Keep up the good work.

Take care.
V.

Mind if I screw around with it?

This is a decent track. I'm curious though, why did you not just finish the track this one came from? This is a short lil' number. I'd like to hear the rest of it.

Hey man, what's happnin'?
This is an interesting track. It's like Angelo Badalmenti and Richard D. James had an auditory baby and sent it to grow up in a dream.

I think I have to agree with Crucethus. It is very surreal. I like that.

Is that Jason Mantzoukas at the very end?

Nice work, man. Keep it up.
Take care.
V.

It is good to see more metal here. There's not enough. And usually, when there is, it's by people that did a one off that don't actually listen to metal. It's kind of like when Celine Dione did a cover of ACDC. Not that ACDC is metal. It's clear that you live in metal. Not just a visitor.

This sounds very Tool/Prong/Disturbed inspired. I like it.

the mixing issues have already been mentioned, so I won't say anything more about that. Randomuser13 kind of nailed it. However, one thing that I think would be a cool to play around with is putting a flanger on the vocals for an almost liquid effect. Kind of an Al Jourgensen type thing.

I look forward to hearing more.

Take care.
V.

I think this would be more fitting as dubstep, or pop. There really aren't any industrial elements in this at all.

That being said, It's still a decent piece.

Keep it up.

Take care.
V.

Do you create these melodies and basslines in piano roll with different synths, or do you use loops? Or both? I'm just curious.

You've got a pretty good grasp on what you're doing either way. Sounds good.

Take care.
V.

In just 1 minute 36 seconds, I did an 8ball, led a traveling party from one New York City night club to every other one in existence, Robbed two mini-marts and a Korean Deli, Stole a police car, and had sex with a fire hydrant. And I never even left my couch.

Dude, This is such a high energy party-down tune that it even brought out the "beautiful Girls" sex bot comments! (Lookin' at you Mariana1994), and I've NEVER seen them here before.

I think you broke Looperman with this one, Mister! Nice work.

My only complaint is that it is only 1:36. But then again, if that's all it took to break Looperman, any more would probably cause a rift in the space time continuum.

Awesome track, man. You clearly had fun with it and it shows.

Take care.
V.

Dude. This is what would happen if Tom Morello and Mike Muir started a band with Beck. I'm freakin' lovin' this, man. It's totally 90s alt rock, brother!

This is what the world needs more of these days.

Take care, man.
V.

This is pretty good as far as Composition and loop arrangement goes. It's very Excision-like, but not an obvious ripoff. It has a nice high energy without being difficult to listen to.

I think the only suggestions I have are in the mixing.

Overall, it's pretty good. Most of the levels are pretty even. Nothing jumps out too hard, or ducks away. The only obvious exception is that brassy hit at 3 seconds, and again at the outro. It's quite a bit louder than everything else. Bring it down in your mixer just a touch.

The only other thing is panning and dynamics.

There are obviously some good stereo effects that widens it out, but even so, everything still sits in the center and they kind of fight for the spotlight. Or, more technically speaking, with everything centered, all of the frequencies are layered, giving it a less clear, and almost jumbled and muddy quality. Try panning different parts to the left or right. Or even crossfade some of them for more movement. Not only would doing so give it that fluid and organic dynamics, but it would allow everything to work together (meaning give room for frequencies to do what they need to do without overlapping) and widen the whole thing out making it even bigger than it already is. And really, that's what dubstep is all about,Right? The grandiose!

This is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth. Even if you do nothing, it's still a decent track.

Keep it up, and take care.
V.

Not a bad little tune.

It's very reminiscent of the early 20teens.

I think the only thing I would suggest, really is bringing the sub bass and kicks down a little in the mix. As it is now, I can hear some clipping and unevenness.
Maybe instead of boosting the kicks to such a high level, try finding another one with some thicker mids and a snappy high. Layer it (or them) over the kick you have now. Then you wouldn't have to swing so hard to get the big punch.

Just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth. Or leave it where it sits.

Overall, though, it's a good, catchy track. Keep it up, man.

Take care.
V.

Normally, I'm not the lyrical kind of writer. On the very rare occasion that I do, it's usually about mountain witches, or the soul of the forest. Or, some other fantastical neo-pagan nature shit like that. Even if I did do lyrics, I most definitely can NOT sing them! HAHA!
But, I tell ya what, the next time I come up with some, I will send them your way and let you have fun with them.
How's that sound?

Remember when we were young, and we'd be camping with friends on the coast, or out driving through town causing hell, or riding rides at the fair, or whatever? There was always that one moment when you just caught yourself taking it all in and living in that exact moment. You kind of disconnect from everyone around you and see it from a new perspective. One that makes you realize just how good that moment really is,

This song, brother. If you could condense this song into a glimpse of reality, it would be the soundtrack to that moment.

Excellent work, man.
Take care.

Marco, hello. I hope all is well.

I'm going to take a guess and say that you are fan of Richard Wright. (I mean, really, who wouldn't be?) Every now and then, in all of your work, I can hear elements that really remind me of his mid 70s work. So I'm just assuming.

You have a knack for transitions. Your ability to change sequences, moods, and tempos have a seamless and fluid quality that a lot of people can't really grasp.

Overall, this does have an 80s sound. The main difference being the production quality. It's much clearer than that which I remember from then.

That switch at about 2:50 is very Pink Floyd sounding. So, naturally I love it.

The dynamics you have are very well used. Nothing is crowded, nothing steps on each other, the panning and movement along with the phasing give it a nice full of life sound.

Excellent work as always.
Take care.
Aaron.

It's a nice arrangement. But you should start working on your mixing, now that you've got your loop placement down. The "behind the scenes" side is every bit as important, if not more.

Take care.
V.