Perpetual Motion

[DavidK]

A work in progress. The strings are fake at the moment, they will all be real. I am struggling with clarity on this ( I think?), there's just a whole lot going on. Any mix or musical comments are welcome. I want to get it nice and purdy before I add the strings. Or maybe I am just stalling. You'll see why.

Perpetual Motion

[Notfonts]

Really nice playing and lots of good ideas going on here. Whats the story with the drums? Are they real?

[Dogman]

Seems busy, but clear....I seem to hear everything. For as busy as it is, good mix. Maybe bring the drums up a little, if that doesn't cloud things up too bad.

Cool song man....

[ido1957]

It's nice to hear your tunes, like this and Sicilienne, in the clinic again - it's been too long!

You need a Warwick bass on this track..... just kidding...

The drums and bass are great - it sounds like you have got a real handle on those. They sit in a nice spot in the mix.

The percussion on the left (I call them chimes) are good too - panned so they sit nicely.

The synths are a tough call. It's hard to really comment knowing that some of them will be completely replaced by real strings. I'm getting three "bands" of strings in my phones. One is up the center, and there is one on either side. The mix seems okay level wise, but the similarity of the patches seems, at times, to crowd the sonics. It starts to feel thick or something. I think that's the only reason - the similarity.

I know you can layer several violins and they don't seem to cloud up like this

I'm not sure, maybe you could eq these synths, although they're very broadband. I'm an eq newbie though so unfortunately not much help...

This is one amazing piece of music. It's even busier than the tracks on your last CD ( I can't remember the name of the one specific track but it was pretty speedy - it's in my truck - I'll check tomorrow ). This one is just insane! Very impressed by the keyboard playing. No wonder it's called Perpetual Motion .

PS - I can see why you're stalling......

[DavidK]

Thanks for checking it out notfonts, Dogman and Gerry.

Whats the story with the drums? Are they real?

EZDrummer.

For as busy as it is,

This is the scaled-down version. It was a lot busier, but it just wasnt working, too many notes.

The mix seems okay level wise, but the similarity of the patches seems, at times, to crowd the sonics. It starts to feel thick or something. I think that's the only reason - the similarity.

Yup, all that is coming out. The real violins should be less, errr, crappy. If I had to use the synths I would cut the bottom frequencies out.

This one is just insane!

The Jury is still out on this. It might be too much for a rock-ish crossover, I dont know yet. As you can hear, it's an extremely complex piece. I guess I will plow forward and add the real strings to see how that works. I may have guessed wrong on this, it might not have any quasi-commercial appeal.

PS - I can see why you're stalling......

I'm frightened, hold me.

[andyhix]

I gave it a quick listen and then thought - this sounds like a fun little song. So, I hope you don't mind, I arranged it for solo ukulele (with the tempo doubled just to keep it moving a bit). It's kind of embarrasing but it took me 3 tries before I got the perfect take. I'd love to share it with you, but I have no way to upload mp3s.

Anyway, in all seriousity, this sounds really cool. Every time I hear something of yours I think "I need to get over to amazon, or whereverthehellyourcdsaresold.com and buy one." I really will do so one of these days. I'll be keeping my eye out for the finished real string version.

[sikter]

This is amazing, David!
Did you draw "fake string" notes or you played them on MIDI keyboard?
What VSTi was it?

[Greg_L]

Man that was pretty wild. I don't really have any mix or arrangement ideas. I just liked listening to that. It was frantic!

[Dogman]

Originally Posted by DavidK

I'm frightened, hold me.

You're not gay enough....

[DavidK]

THanks for checkin it out Andy, Sikter and Greg.

but it took me 3 tries before I got the perfect take

3 takes?? You suck You must have stumbled when you got to that hard part. You know, the part with all those notes.

Did you draw "fake string" notes or you played them on MIDI keyboard?
What VSTi was it?

I played it on the keyboard. Err, a bit slower. I think it's a Roland synth, I did this last year and am coming back to it. Its a few synth patches mixed in.

It was frantic!

I want it to sound "manic". Hopefully it will when I add the real violins. I picked the fastest possible tempo that I can play it. I cant play it one metronome marking faster, seriously. I think of it is pure energy, just kicking ass for 2.5 minutes, and hopefully the listener will be begging for it to stop.

[chazba]

Hi David...I think that a lot of us will be begging for more.


chazba

[castlerock]

Originally Posted by DavidK

A work in progress. The strings are fake at the moment, they will all be real. I am struggling with clarity on this ( I think?), there's just a whole lot going on. Any mix or musical comments are welcome. I want to get it nice and purdy before I add the strings. Or maybe I am just stalling. You'll see why.

Perpetual Motion

yea, i do see why. you're going to work your ass off on that one. =]

this is a fine musical work david. it IS busy, but every part fits and it flows smoothly. my wife and i like this one better than the arrangements you've done and can't wait to hear what it sounds like with real strings.

[60's guy]

That's intense and awesome!

I can't even think that fast, let alone play that fast.

Impressive to say the least.

[castlerock]

david, i've been assuming that you're the composer of this pice. am i right?

[DavidK]

Thanks for checking it out Chazba, 60s guy and Castlerock.

david, i've been assuming that you're the composer of this pice. am i right?

Sorry, i should have made that more clear, I usually do. The original version of this is a violin etude by a guy named Novacek, very little is known about him except he was a violinist who died young.

If you would like to hear the original version and see how much of it is mine and how much is his, CLICK HERE The girl plays it a bit too slow. I have only heard this piece a few times. I heard it when I was 16 and was fascinated with it. I came up with the idea for my version about 25 years ago.

[rayc]

David,
It is verging on manic though it lacks a dark edge that I assume will come with the real strings. It does seem to be begging for some low cello (I am prejuidiced though).
It's quite clear - not muddy OR muddled.
As you'll be replacing the synth strings with real ones I'm certain you'll keep or enhance the clarity - you seem to get an excellent tone & clean sound when you record your strings.
Your knowledge of the darker edges is near bibliographic.

[ido1957]

Originally Posted by ido1957

This is one amazing piece of music. It's even busier than the tracks on your last CD ( I can't remember the name of the one specific track but it was pretty speedy - it's in my truck - I'll check tomorrow ). This one is just insane!

The busy piece I was referring to on your last CD was Track #2 - The Suite (Sinding)....

[castlerock]

Originally Posted by DavidK

Sorry, i should have made that more clear, I usually do. The original version of this is a violin etude by a guy named Novacek, very little is known about him except he was a violinist who died young.
:

hey, no prob. this is an excellent arrangement none the less. and thanks for the link. i'll check it out.

[DavidK]

Thanks for checkin it out Ray.

Originally Posted by rayc

David,
It is verging on manic though it lacks a dark edge Your knowledge of the darker edges is near bibliographic.

I am actually working on my 3rd album. I made one this summer that comes out Nov of 2008, its a Christmas album in a different style, more pop and original stuff. For this 3rd album, it's going to be a different style: less Tomita, more Bond. More commercial. I, DavidK, have sold out.

The busy piece I was referring to on your last CD was Track #2 - The Suite (Sinding)..

Very similiar. This one is just faster.

[ecktronic]

Nice arrangement David.
Was it you I was speaking to a while back about your record deal?
If so, hows it going?

At the moment the mix sounds pretty dang synthy, but I can hear that It will turn out nicely with acoustic instruments.
The mix seems to be lacking low end. Id bring up the bass track a good whack, and then maybe even boost the low end on the bass around 100Hz.

Nice stuff,
Eck

[Nakatira]

You need to get Greg, Carl to play theire bits, and then the show will never end.

Very nice, kinda remind me of Fanfare of a coomon man in a weird way

I allways dig your stuff man, your my hero having played with Yes and all

[RocknRollOver]

I don't have any useful mix type comments to offer , but I can tell you that it came across as very rich and full sounding with lots of energy.
Sounded Good!

[mshilarious]

The first few seconds had a nice ELP feel. After that, I really think you need to pay attention to the bass (not that I'm biased or anything). It needs more complexity, with a nice dose of counterpoint. Think of it like a continuo. Right now, with that galloping-style bass on the tonics of the chords, it sounds like you're trying to be the Yngwie of violin.

So, in summary and in conclusion, use the bass line to build tension, rather than just a programmed vamp.

[DavidK]

Thanks for listening Eck, Naka, RocknRoll, MSH.

Was it you I was speaking to a while back about your record deal?
If so, hows it going?

Going good. I managed to get another one with a big label.

The mix seems to be lacking low end. Id bring up the bass track a good whack,

Thanks. I suspected that and already corrected it. I revised this track quite a bit.

After that, I really think you need to pay attention to the bass (not that I'm biased or anything). It needs more complexity, with a nice dose of counterpoint. Think of it like a continuo. Right now, with that galloping-style bass on the tonics of the chords, it sounds like you're trying to be the Yngwie of violin.

Thanks. I will consider that. Right now, I dont think the bass is coming through enough. It's probably more complex than you might think. The revisions mean lots more stuff competing for space.

Yeah, I just listened to this posted version. The new version is way different, lots of new parts. I will be curious if you still think the bass is too simplistic with all the new stuff.

[ecktronic]

Originally Posted by DavidK

Thanks for listening Eck, Naka, RocknRoll, MSH.

Going good. I managed to get another one with a big label.

Good to hear!

Eck