EDIT:
Updated the track based some of the feedback here. Structure’s the same, but the mix is different.
Thanks for the feedback, guys.
…
This one’s made entirely on the Octatrack and samples are my own, mainly from a Yamaha Reface CS and my own collection of drums.
(after an update, the link’s on top now)
Seeing as this forum has so much talent, I’d appreciate all the feedback you’ve got to offer.
All the best,
Andreas
Aw, come on. No one? You’re making me look bad here.
The good: The main loop is strong. sound coming from reface matched cohesively by the beat.
The could be better? It is a bit repetitive and a bit ‘safe’. I would like to see you ‘go for it’ a bit more
Great that you are posting your music. You have the talent. Keep doing it
Best
Hank
[quote=““Hank Astra””]
The good: The main loop is strong. sound coming from reface matched cohesively by the beat.
The could be better? It is a bit repetitive and a bit ‘safe’. I would like to see you ‘go for it’ a bit more
Great that you are posting your music. You have the talent. Keep doing it
Best
Hank
[/quote]
Thanks, man, appreciate the feedback. Yep, I always felt there could be more going on here, I’m a bit bound by traditional structures still and want to break out from that. I was thinking of remixing this track, take the best parts and do something less obvious with them, while keeping the catchy parts (people around me have said similar things to what you’re saying), and now I feel even more inclined to do this, when I read your feedback.
Much appreciate your thoughts,
All the best,
Andreas
I like the idea of the track, it will do good in a action movie!, First I skipt trough it because as Hank said its a bit repetative. But then I tought If I want to say something about the track I have to listen the whole track. So I did… This is what I should do, but maybe thats a taste thingy. Maybe you think of it different…
First I would make a bit longer break in it with half time drums or so. You did something without the kick (the kick is nice 
) thats oke, but maybe build something up from there to make a kickass climax
Second, the song begins and ends with the same dynamics, do something to build the song from a beginning to an end like a good story…
Third, a nice sounding melody from the reface or another synth if you have that ofcourse. There is something of a melody in it, but thats not enough in my opinion.
And last, it is a good one to do some vocals on it! Instead of a synthmelody…
Its just my opinion and what I said is maybe a taste thing, but you are on the right path, its sounds great, so keep it coming! I like the reface cs sound, its on my wishlist too!
Now we’re cooking. Thanks for the feedback, very valuable and I really appreciate it. I think what you’re saying makes a lot of sense, it’s comments I’ll bring with me for my next song.
I think what I got here, is a collection of nice ideas that I stringed together into something that doesn’t necessarily need to apologize for itself, but that ends up lesser than the sum of it parts (while you’d want the opposite, of course :).
It’s my adherence to traditional song writing, and yet my preference to more adventerous electronic explorations, that don’t quite yet meet. I enjoy the simple beauty of a fine melody and harmonics that rhyme, but the soundscape of electronic music with sounds that no one’s ever done exactly like that, attracts me to this way of doing it.
Very much appreciate you taking the time to listen and write something.
I think I’ll pick out my favourites, put them on the table and see what I can build with those pieces.
found myself speculating about just what sort of agency it was … a montage of 70s chase scenes came to mind. what sorta goods you haulin’, sonny? 
if you want to add variation, one thing you might consider adding is a live solo section, jam on the reface for a few bars. i myself didn’t find it overly repetitive but maybe that’s something you want to work on for your liveset anyway.
also: in the context of the ep you have in mind, the mix might fit perfectly. but hearing the track in isolation, one thing i’d suggest is not to filter the entire mix so much, as it came off as a bit thin to my ears. maybe sections here and there for drama.
all that said, i dig vintage vibe stuff like this, so looking forward to more.
Hah 
well, all titles imply some sort of reference to the hipster culture, which at least here in Sweden is taking on an absurd amount of attention these days. And they all have their beards, their vintage strollers, their rooftop gardens and their jobs at agencies (if they don’t start one their own). I’ve yet to meet a hipster that isn’t a template of any other hipster, and I just figured I’d make something that they could dance to.
But now that I’ve said it out loud, I guess they’ll all hate me for it.
Anyway - thanks for the feedback. Once I take this live, I’m considering bringing the Reface on stage and do all kinds of stuff with it for improv. I had this idea I’d bring only the Octatrack, but I think it’s more fun to just watch me play from time to time as well.
In regards to the filter thing, I think maybe I’m overusing the Minifoogers a bit. Not even sure they should be there at all. But they add character, for sure. Think I’ll try to tone it down a bit, though, makes the mix a bit narrow perhaps.
Thanks for your comments, all the best.
thumps up for posting your music here!
i dunno what u use for monitoring, but the track really lacks of heights and bass a lot…so all the stuff happens at midrange amd even it´s repetetive, it doesn´t have any space to breathe…maxbe you might work a bit on that too?
or is this sound-aesthetics you prefer?
I got a bit carried away with the foogers. After having listened to it for awhile, I kind of liked that broken transistor vibe. Now, I’m thinking it’s a bit canned, as you say. But there’s something there that I enjoy, just gotta tweak it more to make it richer.
i heard a post-afrobeat vibe. Like Daphni does sometimes. I don’t see a pb with the lack of progression. I wished there was more to the beat (more samples?). I like the konono synth.
Thanks. My stuff tend to get a lot funkier than I am myself. I tried to dance once. The world is still recovering.
I had some percussion going on, a few loops of vintage congas that hammered furiously in the background. It got a bit messy, but I might try something like that again in the next run.
Made a small update based on some of the feedback here. No changes in structure, need to think more about that, but made it brighter, brought out a few parts more and just gave it some oxygen.
Thanks for the feedback from you all, truly appreciate it.
//Andreas
This made me think of two things (both in a good way):
I get what others have said about repetition. To me, you’ve got 2 options - get some vocals on it (my preferred option!). The other is to practice transitions and scenes/crossfader techniques to vary things up subtly.
Im quite bad for lining up a song in the OT using patterns and not really performing with the OT but that links back to having too much gear on the go at the same time.
The mix is fine to my ears though - hangs together well!
Actually, apart from the lead, it sounds a little similar to a track my mate pulled together that he sang on. Don’t think I have a copy on Soundcloud to share at the mo, its all just my hunk, but if looking for something to I could probably dig it out.
Thanks. You know, that sounds interesting. If you got something to listen to, I’d like to hear it.
I’m all part of that video game legacy era, and eventually made a career out of it, so it’s great that you pick up on that reference. It’s funny you mention that montage thing, it wasn’t by intention, but I’ve heard several people say it now and as it happens, I work on something (not music, but in my day job) that actually has a strong reference to those kind of 70 / 80 shows. Must’ve been there subconsciously.
https://soundcloud.com/trunkcam/no-one-cares
There you go. We never did get round to mixing it properly. Just something that reminds me of your track a bit - might give an idea for yours though. All for sharing and all of that! The weird thing is, when actually A-B’ing them I can’t spot what it is that actually makes me think they sound the same 
I think it’s the sounds that are sitting a little back in your mix that remind me a little.
Won’t derail the thread but this was meant for an albums worth of songs - we got the music done but getting lyrics together and vocals never happened. We keep saying “aye, we’ll do it this year” - been saying that for about 3 years now haha!
Thanks, I see what you mean, there’s the same kind of energy, I think. I think I’m gonna experiment with some vocals, see where it leads me. Appreciate you sharing.