You guys are all I have so be honest please! [Electronic and Melodic]

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kalando
  • Start date Start date
Please forgive me those are my only two.. if I had more I would remove the Justin Bieber one.. thanks again!
 
There is so much space to improve. I can basically hear the idea of the first song BUT it does not work that well. (yet;)

1. Focus on the sounds you use. That voice in 0:45 almost killed me.
The sounds you used are neither working with the original vocal nor with each other.

2. When you use a vocal from different track, the music you made has to sound good even without that vocal. Than, you would realise, the track is empty and needs much more to add or just requires much more work.

3. Mastering, Mixing and Remixing.
Try to google some good mastering vids and articles on how to do it. There is a lot of those :)

Some other thoughts might be:

Click reduction - add just a little attack and release. Clicking is unacceptable!

More simple sounds you use, better your mastering needs to be. People use to think that in order to make a great tune it needs to sound full and kinda "complicated" but NO. Those biggest crowd movers can be really simple, yet they still require much work :))

Q: What DAW do you use???
 
Thank you thank you thank you..

I am currently in the process of learning how to use Ableton Live. As far as samples go, would you recommend that I edit samples from different tracks, or downloadable samples (maybe from the Ableton site or something)? You don't have to tell me where you get yours from, but just a recommendation would be very very helpful.

Thanks again!
 
I listened to the first one. It never really seems to go anywhere. It never bothers to occupy more than about two frequency ranges at a time. You either need to have a lot more "stuff" happening to keep things interesting or have the one or two things that are happening be interesting to listen to.

What's with the voice saying "Kolando" (or whatever it is)? That sounds like the kind of obnoxious noise that gets added as copy protection when you haven't paid for your DAW yet. (If so, read through one of the various "what DAW should I get" threads.)

Sorry if it seems harsh, but you've got a long way to go with this thing.
 
VomitHatSteve said:
Sorry if it seems harsh, but you've got a long way to go with this thing.
Click to expand...



Arrghhh, I find statements like this offputting, the OP doesnt have a long way to go, its all relative to how fast they learn and the time they put in. Good advice will get him or her training the ears on what to listen out for.
 
CFox said:
Arrghhh, I find statements like this offputting, the OP doesnt have a long way to go, its all relative to how fast they learn and the time they put in. Good advice will get him or her training the ears on what to listen out for.
Click to expand...

then give his some and stop criticizing others who take time out to bother to listen to music in here
 
I just listened to the first track. The concept is there, the talent is there, now you need to train yourself to keep those elements of the song that move you ideas forward and to discard those elements that distract from what you are trying to say with your music. Remember, more is not always better, although sometimes it can be. Learn to know the difference.

Doei
 
Ok, found a moment to have a good listen to Kalando and I agree with the others that you have not filled out the frequency spectrum.

In terms of musical content, you have plenty of room left for adventure. Some synth pads and some counter melodies over the bass.

Not sold on the synth string line on its own. I would use a monosynth with portamento activated, so it slides from one note to the next. That famous moog sound you hear in many hip hop tracks is a representation of that. Then whack some synth pads over the top

The bass sounds pretty old school. The kick needs oomph.

That intrusive Kalando watermark, whats that about ?
 
Kalando said:
Guys I am getting into electronic music. I have NO ONE to critic my songs so I was wondering if you guys can be very honest, that's all I ask.

#1
View attachment 73555

#2
View attachment 73556

Thank youu!
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Ok you need to correct me if Im wrong but you are using pre-cut loops or samples and trying to get them to fit together?


This is why everything has a disjointed feeling and some parts dont fit melodically


There is no harm in using samples and loops but unless its a construction kit, or youre as talented as Norman Cook then youre going to struggle to come up with anything more than sketches

I think you need to go back to basics....try using an 8 bar drum loop, set in to loop in Ableton, now add you bass and get these working together, add your melody and backing, then map these out across a song...this will give you the basic structure of a tune, intro, build up, drop etc

try not to use other peoples loops, some of the best tunes are so so simple, if you have an ear for music you can make four midi notes go a long way...what VSTi instruments do you have in your arsenal...if you have none try here for a load of freebies KVR: Audio Plug-ins, Hosts, Applications, Mobile Apps, Soundware and Hardware Search

If you have a loop or sample you really like, but it doesnt fit because its in a different key then Ableton can help you...

Double click on the sample/loop
In the bottom left corner a window will appear, there is a small circular dial there, moving left or right will change the sample/loops pitch until it sounds like it fits


But to be honest Id buy something like the Dance Music Manual or Complete Music Producer, and Id focus on learning one small part at a time...drums first, then bass etc....playing with loops will get boring fast, and you mention youve been doing this a year, you really should be at the stage where youre putting out your own self built tracks



for free drum samples try
Free Wav Samples | Free Sample Packs for Electronic Music Production
freestuff

for free synths and FX try
de la Mancha VST freeware
TAL - Togu Audio Line: Products

:thumbs up:
 
I listened to the first one. The singing and harmonies sounded great.

I think it's a bit longer than it needs to be. Lot's of repetitiveness. Lot's of delay tricks. Lot's of fade-out/fade-back tricks. Over-done IMO. Some of the volume extremes caused me to have to turn the volume up and down several times throughout the song.

I think there are some low end issues, particularly early in the song. Too boomy.
 
Kalando said:
Thank you thank you thank you..

I am currently in the process of learning how to use Ableton Live. As far as samples go, would you recommend that I edit samples from different tracks, or downloadable samples (maybe from the Ableton site or something)? You don't have to tell me where you get yours from, but just a recommendation would be very very helpful.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Do not overdo it with samples. To me, samples are good, but too much samples in a single track is gonna spoil you all the fun. You will learn much much faster if you gonna try to make your own sounds, as it is the greatest feeling when you create something that sounds awesome :)

Regarding sample editing, ... I think that depends on your own style. You can do whatever you would like with whatever you have. That is which is nice on electronic music.... no boundaries.

Anyway, I would try torrents for samples if you would like. There should be plenty I guess :)
 
Loro said:
Do not overdo it with samples. To me, samples are good, but too much samples in a single track is gonna spoil you all the fun. You will learn much much faster if you gonna try to make your own sounds, as it is the greatest feeling when you create something that sounds awesome :)

Regarding sample editing, ... I think that depends on your own style. You can do whatever you would like with whatever you have. That is which is nice on electronic music.... no boundaries.

Anyway, I would try torrents for samples if you would like. There should be plenty I guess :)
Click to expand...

advocating piracy can get you banned from here



just sayin....
 
Overwhelmed w/ Happiness With All This Advice! Thank you!

@VomitHatSteve & CFox
I respect your honesty so much guys.. The "Kalando" sound is basically like a trade mark that I use on all of my songs. I used to be a DJ and it was necessary for me to create a "trademark" so that people know it is me.

I've realized that in the production field, I don't need to abuse that sound. At the same time I wanted it to be some sort of an "effect" that I can put right before the bass drop to give it more flavor, if you will. Now I know it is not a good idea.

As for the frequency ranges, it something that I have been trying to work on for quite a while. I am currently marking my instruments with colors that represent high, mid and low frequencies.. hopefully I can "fill in gaps" wherever there are less colors. That is all I can do for that. How exactly do you ensure that all frequencies are satisfied? Could I use a spectrum to help me out?

Lastly, I feel as if I use synths all the time to fill certain frequencies. Is that a normal thing? A lot of house tracks contain synths.


@Illsidgus
This is true. I am also trying to branch away from instruments/samples that sound good but throw the whole vibe off track. I was trying to do a remix to "Outta My Head" by Kylie Minogue, and it sounded like Funk music when I tried to make it sound like House music haha. I need to find ways to stick to the script. How do you make sure you don't go off track when you make music?


@kcearl
I tend to draw away from samples/loops.. I try to create my sounds with self made MIDI notes and Ableton construction kits.

I am trying to watch tutorials on how to create simple stuff such as melodies. You're right I need to start with a good knowledge of producing, because sometimes I feel as if I am going by instinct (for example, adjusting knobs on synthesizers).

I have been producing for a year, but it has been African Tracks with FL studio.. I recently shelled out money for Ableton Live and switched to House Music last month.

@TripleM
At the time, I wasn't sure how to diversify my music. I threw out everything I knew from a couple youtube tutorials. I tried to make the first track as least repetitive as possible but I guess it didn't work out. On top of that, I was really abusing a technique where I would loop the sample, and fade it in. However, I have recently started to EQ all my samples; now my bass doesn't sound too mucky now.

@Loro
I agree. I'd rather make sounds rather than take samples. Thanks!
 
The way you take criticism leads me to believe youll go far


Im glad you dont just use loops, i was mislead in another post...i think the production of the sounds sounds good you just havent got the arrangement and melodies down

This is a great place to hone your skills and i look forward to hearing updates :thumbs up:
 
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