EricMilligan

A really nice production. Great sound. Be sure to let us know here if this does get released commercially after you find your vocalist. I don't monitor the charts but it would be really cool to see something from a Looperman member on Beatport, or wherever.

Nice track! I particularly like the fact that you have good dynamics going on throughout the track, not just blasted up to max volume. I think you might cut back on the reverb a bit to get a cleaner sound with more definition for the various parts.

The overall sound level of the track is a bit low. I see from the forum that you are a new Logic user. Not sure what your experience is with mastering tracks, and I'm certainly no expert, but I also use Logic and here are the effects and settings I was taught to use. Insert them on the "Output" channel in your mixer window. Generally, these will give you a good starting point.

Logic Mastering Settings

Low Cut Filter: 34 Hz (eliminates ultra low frequency that isn't audible on most systems)

Compressor:
Attack: 30 ms
Release: 500 ms or more or set to "auto"
Threshold: -29 db
Ratio: 1.4:1
Knee: 0.7
to for -4 db gain reduction or up to -6 db

Linear Phase EQ: A bit of mid-range boost for warmth if the track needs it. Use sparingly.

Adaptive Limiter: 0 db max for direct output to MP3, etc. -3 db for output of stems for mastering gain aroundd 4.7 db. Don't let input or output light up the red "over" indicators.

You have done, in my opinion, a fantastic job on this remix. Totally danceable. And, I especially liked the way you used the vocal bits. I'm finding that the hardest part of developing a remix from the original. Good work!

Well, I definitely liked it! :) Very danceable. Since it is a draft, I think you might experiment with changing the synth pad which has a relatively high frequency content to something that has more content in the mid-range frequencies. I think it competes with the vocal in the track. Or, I guess you could try applying some EQ. But, I like the way it swells. Gives a real feeling of movement to the track. Beat works really well also. I'll be interested in seeing how this evolves.

Hey, John. Version 4 has some definite improvements I think. I auditioned both your new version and the original version 1 and can hear the changes you've made. I think SeriouslyJoking has a good point about the missing bass line and perhaps some pads to fill in, although I wouldn't make them too prominent in the mix. I think it has a definite latin feel to it. If I were working on the track, I'd experiment with adding some latin percussion, although I have a suspicion that I'd eventually decide not to go that way or to use them very sparingly. I'd also try adding some really thick claps on the backbeats. I'm thinking this might give it more of a traditional gospel feel. Might not be what you are wanting, but I like gospel music and I can hear this track shifting more in that direction. Keep it up.

I really enjoyed this track! Not sure where you got the vocal, but it is very good and your backing track worked really well. I would have downloaded it for my iPhone if allowed. :)

Yes, a very good cinematic track. I thought it might work well with an episode of Game of Thrones! :) I read Sohostar's comments and your response. I'm not exactly sure what he's suggesting either, but I think I partially understand. I think he's "seeing" a battle scene unfolding as he listens to your music, like a movie. What he didn't "see", apparently, was the kind of shifting from one view (e.g., a broad view of the battle), to a more focused view of only a part or the action that is going on. He's thinking cinematically, which is a high compliment for you because that's what your music has triggered in his imagination. He's essentially asking for more, shifts in the music, perhaps introduction of different themes or instruments that evoke difference scenes within the "war" theme. I don't really know if this is a reasonable request because it seems that he's wanting you to compose music to align with something he has in his head. But, I would definitely take it as a compliment.

By the way, the Voxos choir library sounds great. I was not aware of it. I can't afford it, but it really sounds excellent and you used it really well.

You are a lucky guy to get constructive comments from people who have obviously listened carefully to your work and know their stuff. I'm starting to thing that a Looperman member needs to get really at the top of their game and have created, like you, a stream of consistently high quality tracks before they get this kind of feedback.

It occurred to me that I might have passed by Steklo's acapellas not recognizing how well they could be incorporated into a track. I think I need to open my ears more in listening. Will need to check him out.

I'm not sure this is "dance", but it sure seems danceable to me.

Its time to get back to work, but I've enjoyed, been impressed by, and learned something from every track so far. That's time well spent! :)

Well, what can I say? Perhaps my favourite so far. I didn't hear version 1, but I can see that this version has been very carefully crafted. I think the transitions worked really well. Interestingly, compared with the other tracks of yours that I've listened to, I didn't feel the need to add a vocal melody line. This stands on its own just fine. I have the Rob Paper RG plugin, but you've used yours much better than I've been able to do so far. Another one for my iPhone playlist for sure!

Very laid-back and soulful, Steve! Particularly in the first third of the track I really felt like it was perfectly set up to take a r&b lead vocal part (i.e., a fully developed melody line). The problem, of course, is finding a singer who could do justice to that and who would be willing to collaborate. I, too, would be interested in hearing where you got the vocal samples which were excellent and the sax part was really well done. I can never get a realistic sounding sax line with my virtual instruments.

Steve: Just discovered you from the comment you posted on my "Craigger's Lament" track. I have a confession. I actually like pop music and pop dance music in particular and this is a great example of that. This is the kind of track that I wish I could create, but know that I'm not there yet, which is frustrating. I've downloaded it to my iPhone and it will be on my playlist for sure.

I wasn't aware of Stephanie Kay's acapellas previously, so thanks for introducing me to them! :)

Anyway, IMHO this track deserves a lot more attention on Looperman than it seems to have gathered. Perhaps you did not "feature" it?

I agree with Mark. Very catchy and elegantly simple. It is one of those tracks that I want to play around with because, somehow, the music just "connects" and the ideas start running. In my mind I'm hearing it with a fully developed somewhat laid-back melody vocal and a punk organ. This is kind of track that makes me feel better after a hard day at work. Thanks.

Ok. Will do.

No, I'm actually kind of useless making beats, unfortunately. I used to play the drums, but for some reason I suck big time at making beats. I think I'm better at melodies. I've actually fiddled around with a melody on top of your first track, just for fun.

Hey, Alex. Very nice first track! I have never heard of "melodic rap hardcore", but I'm pretty ignorant about distinguishing all the different genres. Doesn't matter, though. I liked your track a lot and I particularly liked the "melodic" aspect. What I heard, is probably not what your heard in it. In my mind, I heard an operatic voice singing a smooth melody line, in Italian. Perhaps some rap in there as well, but your sound is kind of orchestral and I like it. I will keep my eyes open for more of your tracks for sure!

Another great track. I thought the vocals worked really well. I guess it is all a matter of taste, but I think your have some of the best stuff I've heard on Looperman. Your sound is so rich and warm. I can't actually think of the right words for it. Just beautifully done.

WOW! A fantastic track! I loved the way it built up energy. I'm quite envious of your musicality. This is really great work. Looperman is such a fantastic place to find really inspiring music. Thanks for making this.

I really liked this one, Badhuman! I think you should consider re-visiting it and rebuilding it. There has clearly been a lot of progression in your tracks over the years. The foundation of this one (bass and drums) is great and worthy of an update I think. I'd certainly like to hear it. Again, I'm relative newcomer to Looperman compared to you, but I don't know how I missed your stuff until now. Very glad I found you, though.

:) Ah, so that's the secret! Thanks for the advice!!!!

VERY FUNKY!!!! This was great! Would you be willing to explain a bit about how you did this track? This definitely has a "live" feel to it, and I saw from your profile that you play a variety of instruments, so I'm assuming you played most or all of it? I've got a decent library of horns plugins, but I can't get them to sound like that.

Yeah. I kind of play by ear as well. I usually do know what key I'm in, but with complex chord progressions I just do what sounds right and I have no idea of what the chords are. Unfortunately, I'm now finding it hard to play the kind of stuff that you can do. I sold my 76 key Korg and got a little 37 key Virus Polar. The Virus sounds fantastic, but the keyboard is really too small to play good fat chords and melody lines with two hands. Your Yamaha would be much more suitable. I think I took a wrong turn, at least for some types of music.

Hey, Ronabo. I'm back, taking a break from working on my latest track. Am working through all yours and liking what I'm hearing a whole lot. I agree with many of the comments posted already on this one. First of all, this one, like your other tracks is crying out for R&B vocals. I love the chord progression in the middle section. I'd cut back on the arpeggios and keep them for the middle section, but it kind of depends on how things fit with a vocal. If I could sing, I'd be working up something on this one for sure, but I can tell from your tracks that you have a better sense than I do about how to craft a soulful melody line. I expect to learn from your examples. I think the drums need tightening, both in terms of applying some quantizing and also compression. I'm not sure if you've shifted kick and snare timing, but I'd play around with that to get the groove more locked in. Might want to drop the drums levels down in the mix, particularly the snare. Bass line is great. OK. That's my 2 cents worth. I'm off to listen to your next track!

Whoa! How did I miss this one? Great feel. This is the kind of music I love. Well, I like a lot of different kinds of music, but this kind of R&B/Jazz thing really hits home with me. I love it, but I must admit I don't know how to get that kind of sound and groove. Very jealous! :)

OK. This is a fun track for sure! Nice work!

Really nice track! Excellent bass part. The middle section sounds gorgeous. Mix is really good. I've downloaded this for my iPhone!