ValveDriver
Not every song requires vocals
Portland, United States
Joined : 25th Sep 2012 - 14 years ago
Last Online : 7th Aug 2026 - 1 month ago
ValveDriver comments on tracks
ValveDriver has posted 461 comments on other peoples tracks.
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on Finding You - Version 2 by steve010101
Dreams move laterally and have transfinite perimeters. Which means they're all over the place and seemingly infinite in size.
Keeping that in mind, the little vocal thing you have going through this is on a linear track. It doesn't move anywhere but front to back. Try some panning and volume automation. Maybe a little delay. Give it freedom to roam. Same with the gated chorus. It's effective, but some creative panning would really bring it to life. The only other suggestion I have is maybe add a little more variation to the drums. Maybe some hats and a couple rides to help fill in some of the spaces.
The use of Allan Watts was an excellent choice. You just can't go wrong with that. The whole atmosphere of the track is a good one and I can see, or hear, rather, how it's a dreamy one. I really like the concept and, honestly, it's good as it is, I just think it could be better with some super easy adjustments.
Take care.
V.
To be honest, the drums also bugged me a bit, as I knew something new could be thrown in there. I went wild with reverb in this track though, but I couldn't find much place for delay. As for panning, thats really something I need to add to my tracks (unfortunately, I only have one operational speaker at the moment and I cant find my headphones :( , so I kind of just abandoned panning on this track, as I cant hear it).
But I agree with everything you said. I'll definitely have to make some minor adjustments.
Thanks for the feedback!
on Feel The Rhythm by RenzWilde
Everything about this is 80's. Right down to the title. I've always felt that in order to capture the essence of a particular musical era, you either had to have been there, or you have to have an intimate understanding of the mindset of the general mentality through lot's of observation or a brushing up on your historical knowledge. I'm not sure which it is for you, but either way, You've nailed this one spot on.
Excellent work. Or, in 80's speak, "Totally rad, dude!"
Take care.
V.
As for me being around in the 80's or not, I'm gonna leave that one open cause I don't want it to sway anyone's opinion on my sound ;)
on Concrete Wings demo by Killumineye
Take care.
V.
on Reminded by FreeRadical
The break starting at 1:50 was nice. I like the way you didn't completely drop out the, well....drum and bass. It was like a floating leap across the gap.
I can't exactly pinpoint it, but there's something about it that takes me back to the 90's. I think it's the Phasing. The 90's used a lot of Phasing for that darker, dreamier effect. That's a good thing in my eye. Or, ear, I guess.
Anyhow, like I said, you've got the D's and the B's all figured out, man. And we're all just a little bit luckier for it.
Take care.
V.
on Peace On Earth by Mosaic
It's quite fluid within itself. The production quality is very clean. Nothing drowns out anything else.
I think the only suggestion I would have is to do some dynamic panning / automation on the vocals. With that sample being the only one, it's kind of the star of the show. Give it a bigger role. Maybe play with the tail of the delay. Move it around within the track a little. Weave it in and out of the pads. As it is, it's alright, but it gets to be a little repetitive, and has potential to be much more.
Check out FreeRadical's "Bad Boy Sound." It's a completely different beast than this, but the vocals in it are a perfect example of vocal automation within the track.
That aside, I dig the mellow nature of this, and could listen to a complete album full of tracks just like it.
Keep up the D&B trials, man. They're sounding good.
Take care.
V.
Thank you for the in-depth review, much appreciated matey, agree with you about vocals, but not using vocals often in tracks don't have much of an idea how to work them like you said, so maybe will sit down and fiddle around and see if can make better in near future, trying to use vocals more into my tracks now, so will be a benefit doing so, thank for your kind words and that you enjoyed the track...Peace Respect...Mosaic...
on Stargazer by MegaTone
Take care.
V.
on Sweetheart Runner by TinyFinger
Second, I love that driving rhythm. It keeps you under it's wheel the whole time without ever running you over. The vocals are great. Again, adding to that whole early 70's thing. If this is the style you wanted to do, not only can I see why, but I'm glad you finally got to do it!
Take care.
V.
on Move Your Body Ft ThaSuspect1 by SeriouslyJoking
As far as this track goes, I really like the contrast between the soft and almost caressing piano, and the hard and aggressive percussion.
Nice work!
Take care.
V.
Thanks for commenting although it's not to your taste, appreciate it a lot.
I've just been extremely lazy and decided to use a lot of loops in this one, mainly because I could not make Sylenth to work in the DAW...stupid, stupid FL (yeah I know who the stupid one really is).
But other than that, agreed on it been really interesting to hear what others create in the same DAW.
Thanks for stopping by and take care!
/SJ =)
on Bad Boy Sound by FreeRadical
I agree with Spivkurl. You do good work with the Reese and the Hoovers. They're such powerful synths and can easily be misused, or out of place. Not the case here.
As far as the length goes...the longer the better, man. Especially in something so rhythm driven. I mean, when it's time to fire one up and kick back to some tunes, you want to be able to enjoy the ride, right?
Anyhow, "cool track bro!"
Take care.
V.
Cheers.
FR
on Launchpad Test Aiming For The Sun by BigPete
Good work.
Take care.
V.
on Seplicate V2 by Spivkurl
The organ. Yes! I've often said there isn't enough organ work anymore. As an organ enthusiast, I love it! You did get a sweet sound on it too. It's got a very rich distortion without drowning out that signature organ sound. I've heard some distorted to the point where they just sounded like another guitar. This one toes the line, but still retains that sweet, sweet organ love! (That sounded a lot dirtier than I meant for it to.)
I really like the spoken word style vocals. It's definitely a more subdued approach than we're used to from you. I think your vocal endeavors are panning out. To be honest, I'd love to hear your take on a cover of something by The Cramps.
Nice work, man.
Take care.
Aaron
on Modern India by RealProblemShuckers
This is a good track. It's got some good energy and moves along nicely. I'm not going to say anything about the intro, because it's already been covered. BUT...I will mention the outro. It's pretty abrupt, my friend. With the way this track moves so nicely along, it's kind of like it fell from a cliff when we least expected it. Like you didn't know where to go with it, so you just killed it off. Personally, I would double the length of the section between 2:23 and the end, where it drops into another section like 1:22-1:36 with the sitar layered over the top of that, and continue from there. But, that's just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
Other than that, a nice mix of genres and a pretty good groove you got!
Take care.
V.
on Lazy featuring Rachel Clark by FreeRadical
Take care.
V.
Thanks for tuning in.
FR
on Nightr8 by Spivkurl
I don't think it's just the new equipment that's aided in your work. These last few tracks have been far and above. I think you've hit a re-invented creative streak, my friend. Not to take away from your previous work, but the last couple tracks have had a far more "professional" level. While, granted, the equipment does help with that, it's not what creates, composes, and arranges the song. That's all you, brother.
This track is a hard hitter for sure. It does have a sort of retro-80's-new wave-synth pop thing happening. But, only on the surface. When you dig into it a little harder, it's a pretty powerful and aggressive beast. I really like that filtered rise on the bass. It helps add to the intensity. With as busy as this song is, it's never crowded, or cluttered. You've done a killer job at arranging everything so it sits just right. But, you always do.
If I were to paint a picture to this, (Because that's my first love), it would be someone stuck in a spider's web while the spider closes in.
Take care, Spiv.
Aaron
on AZZYKO - GAME OVER by AZZYKO
Take care.
V.
on The Overcasters by Evisma
on Random Acts Of Human Kindness by StaticNomad
on Session by Diskonnect
But, as for what we have here, I really dig it. That beat is nice and heavy, but relaxed as hell, and the bassline you have rolling with it is nice and dark without killing the vibe. I like the way this track stumbles into so many different genres and eras without ever leaving it's course.
Your transitions between synths are near seamless, and timed well.
Overall, I could see this being used as a theme song to a 90's style "Cyber-flick." A sound, that in my opinion, is all too rare.
Take care.
V.
It's a bummer for sure, it's happened to me before also! Never a good feeling :(
on Dancing To The War Drums by crucethus
on Dancing To The War Drums by crucethus
on Exitium by johnnyproducing
This track doesn't do that. This is a good track, man. It retains the melodic factor. Which is kind of the whole point of music. I completely agree with Neomorpheus in regards to the restraint. You obviously had a feel for the flow of the drop, and didn't just put in a bunch of random cuts, like I hear a lot of "producers" do. All of the different patches and synths blend together well and keep the flow nice and smooth.
My hat's off to you and your partner, there. Good work!
Take care.
V.
I am to say the least really glad you could enjoy this track though, it's great to hear that this track could bring you some joy in the particular genre again ;)
My friend has more like this I believe so if you want to hear more like this just check out his soundcloud ;)
Appreciate your comments so thanks for it ;)
and take care too
on skullthrasher- 1 by razerzone515
on Skim by Spivkurl by Spivkurl
I've never really delved into the chiptune genre. I've always thought that what I had heard was intriguing, though. I may have to look a little further into it. This one is going in my fave file for sure, man. Nice work.
Take care.
Aaron.
on Weapons Of Mastication by Evisma
on Spivkurl vs DeciBel - Hidden Locked Tight by Spivkurl
I love the use of Massive in this. Especially how unapologetically the "Modern Talking" patch is just thrown in your face. Not many people can pull that one off.
There is a lot of distortion in this track. That, combined with the rapid synth movement and uneasiness in your vocals that the auto-tune provides, brings out a feeling of needing to lash out from a frustrated aggression, but a total reluctance to do so. In other words...keeping it locked tight.
As always, man. Awesome work.
Take care.
Aaron.