New ambient electronic piece - mixing advice sought

[Diplo]

I appreciated all the constructive criticism I got for mine and Jag's cover of 'Don't Fear The Reaper' so I'd be interested to see what you make of this new track I'm working on. It's completely different in style, in that it's mostly electronic with just a few bits of guitar and bass I sampled. I haven't heard much experimental electronic music here, so this should be a change if nothing else Even though it's quite different from the norm it's quite melodic, so even if you think this "ain't your bag" give it a go!

Here's the link : http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2743&alid=-1

I'm mostly looking on advice on the mixing and how the levels are, the balance of instruments and frequencies. Of course, feel free to add any comments on anything else as I value your opinons Thanks.

 

[Chrisjob]

I like the tune quite a bit.... the beat at the beginning is sharp, and the lo-fi beat around 2:20 is a nice change... I think the open hi-hat is a bit too loud and distracting, and the snare could come up a bit.

The sweeping synth lead at 1:10 (the first one) is also too loud, and the sound is kinda grating....I'd maybe put the pan control through an LFO to make it a bit more interesting- or try a phaser

The second lead (2:15ish) is also kinda boring....I'd lower the cutoff and the Q and go for a more-flutelike sine wave sound- but that might just be a matter of preference. I think the timing might be a little tiny bit off, or the portamento is set too high.....


What equipment/samples did you use?

 

[Diplo]

Hey, thanks, that some very perceptive comments and exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. I wanted to keep the sine-wave lead pretty simple (in terms of melody) but I agree the actual sound could be made a little more interesting.

The whole track was done completely in Reason 2 (apart from some quick mastering in Soundforge afterwards). I recorded a few bits of guitar and bass and then edited them and imported them into Reason's NN-XT sampler. The only other sample I used was for the drum loop, which was taken from an old soul record, which I then passed through Recycle.

Do you think the overall structure is OK? And how about the length? Left to my own devices I'd end up making most tracks 20 minutes Thanks again!

 

[Chrisjob]

Well...I tend to think all electronic music tracks are far too long, but I grew up on 90 second punk rock songs. It's not inappropriate for the genre, but I'll admit I did lose interest after about 4 minutes.

If the arrangement were up to me, I'd do the chilled beat for however long you need to establish the theme, and then the breakloop for half that time, then the originalbeat for the same amount as the break...

Peace
Chris

 

[Jagular]

Hey Dan... I downloaded. Can't listen to 8 minutes right now . Wife is expecting me in bed in 3 .

I see you found NWR. Nice place to post tunes there.

I'll listen tomorrow night. This will serve as my reminder note .

 

[XerXes]

i agree with a lot of what chrisjob said, although i think the first synth lead sounds great. the second one though is a little boring sounding.... i think you should automate the filter's cutoff and/or resonance and have it change over the course of 8 bars or so, and have that repeat.

i also agree that the song goes on for too long. but you still do a great job of keeping it interesting. the last two minutes or so do start to drag.

but overall i think this is a cool song. very mellow indeed.
keep up the good work!

 

[Jagular]

Hey man...sounds good. The tune is very aptly named ...I'm getting very sleepy.... That's actually a compliment. This is very relaxing music. The only gripe I have has been covered already (hi-hat). This definitely sets a mood & for some reason paints a neat picture in my mind. I'm seeing a sun set for some reason...don't ask my why .

Nice work as usual

Oh yeah...I forgot to mention...another Weather Channel contender. I think some of you guys ought to put a compilation together of some of this mellow, smooth jazz stuff and send it in to some of TWC producers...that would be kind of cool to hear some of this stuff on the ole boob toob. ..

(The Weather Channel remark is a compliment in my book in case you didn't know)