<non-pony><original><techno>April Fools [Feedback please!]

[FIMprov]

Yeah, yeah, late, I know. But this is my first decent electronic track (second ever) and I'm looking for some feedback.


(For the record, that's the name I use for non-pony stuff)


Software used:
Cubase 5
LMMS
Synth1
Oatmeal
FMMF

I know the mixing isn't fantastic, particularly the stereo image and some conflicting frequencies at times, but more specific stuff along those lines--and anything else, really--would be immensely helpful for a beginning producer such as myself.

[Sense A]

What really gets me in your song is the fact that your drum beats are rhythmically niceand a bit diverse, but very very bland sounding (not a very good way to put it haha ). For example, I'd add more "click" (or higher frequency) to your kick drum, as well as compressing that sucker, as this would help reinforce and drive your song, while also giving the kick its own presence. I'd might want to eq the snare a bit as well, but to me, it wasn't nearly as in need as the kick.

Heh sorry for ripping like that

As for what I really enjoyed: it's gotta be the high, funky, solo synth at 1:16, it just sounds so freakin fun to play on the keyboard haha nice work!

I am also quite new to the production aspect of music composition, so (forewarning, heeehee) I may not have been too clear or terribly accurate with my advice, but I hope it helps! Good luck bud!

[FIMprov]

So Sense A, what I get out of your critique is that while the beats were okay, the percussion itself needs work. And I get where you're coming from, especially with the kick--I already compressed it a bunch, and I couldn't figure out why the higher frequencies of the attack were getting lost, because it sounded fine solo. I suppose I just needed to bring up those higher frequencies even more than I already did so they come through even with everything else going on. And as for the snare, I actually synthesized it myself to sound like that. The idea was that I wanted the drum set to be reminiscent of Roland's drum machines like the TB-303 and the TR-808 (you know, what techno producers actually used in the 80s), so I kept it really simple.

And hey, don't feel bad, even if you feel like you're tearing me a new one. Every point you had was valid, so it's not like I'm offended. It's not like I expected my second-ever EDM song to be good (though I'm mostly happy with how this turned out), so thanks for the tips! I'll keep them in mind going forward.

[Genkar]

Okay right off the bat, I feel like the panning is too heavy. Make it more subtle. Yeah, like Sense A said, drums could use some work. Make sure you're compressing them, and EQ them all a bit better, it'll work wonders. They need to be louder to drive the feel of the song. Now, I'm also going to say, I fucking love your melodies. They're super catchy. But make your leads louder, whatever synth has the melody has to be really strong. You could probably have some heavier subs in there too or something, or a bass that's stronger in the low mids (probably around 100-200hz), to accompany the subs you have. Like, 3 minutes in, the leads that are both playing mesh really well with each other. The outro was weak though, you just kinda had everything in, and then took it out spontaneously. That can sound good sometimes, but only in some cases. What I would've recommended doing; probably take out all instruments other than the lead, and let it finish its melody. That usually makes for a pretty climactic outro, and works in most situations I've seen.

Overall, I really liked it. Loved that whole 80s vibe. Just make the drums fit a bit more, try a bunch of different samples that might fit the mood you're going for.

Hope I helped!

[S.P.P]

Overall, I really enjoyed listening to the track. Musically and structurally it's really nice, the synths all sit well with each other, and it sounds really cool. I particularly liked the structuring and layering you've done with it, where more stuff gradually comes in and changes; kept it nice and interesting.

That's what I liked, here's what I didn't think was quite so hot:
The drums do need EQing. The snare not so much, as it works fairly well in context (although I'd EQ the lower mids or do some layering for a little more presence), but the kick seems a little weak. I think if it were bought up more in the mix, and given a bit of attention in the mid region, it would give a real driving force behind the track as a whole.
I also think there is something lacking in the low end. I personally would've added a bass mimicking the sub to fill out the bottom (maybe that's just me being me though). Nothing dramatic; the bass that comes in at ~3:00 would fit the bill nicely.
Lastly, don't pan so hard! Keep the drums fairly close to central (unless for a reason/effect/ghost hits/hats), and don't spread the synths quite so hard left/right.

That's about it really. Sorry if I came off as harsh with that, I did actually really enjoy the song, haha. Keep it up!

[FIMprov]

Ok, Genkar, you said to "EQ the drums better." Please define "better" so I can understand what you mean. And I actually was told that my original mix had too much drums. Guess I over-corrected the second time around DX
Thanks for the mixing tips and especially that tip on the outro though. I didn't think of doing it that way.

And PYR3LIGHT, yeah, I didn't realize that my two basses were both stronger in the lower mid but not so much the bass itself (100-250) until much later in the process. And on top of that, I forgot to adjust for the fact that my headphones don't have a perfectly linear response: the upper bass is boosted a bit. This caused my mix to sound fine on the headphones, but then bringing it over here, I now notice that the bass is lacking quite a bit.

And for the record you guys, I synthesized all the drums myself; no samples were used. Faults in the percussion section are all my own, so as much detail as you can provide in that regard would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and I'll submit again for both you guys and anyone else who may provide a critique:

Please, by all means, tear me a new one. I'm new at this and the only way I'll get better is if you tell me what I'm doing wrong. As long as you can give me something by which to improve, I will not be offended even if you think this song sucks.

[Genkar]

Ok, Genkar, you said to "EQ the drums better." Please define "better" so I can understand what you mean.

Basically, I kinda feel like you brought out the wrong parts of the drums. Try and get an idea of what frequencies you want to stand out, and maybe play around with it a bit, to see what sounds good.

And for the record you guys, I synthesized all the drums myself; no samples were used. Faults in the percussion section are all my own, so as much detail as you can provide in that regard would be greatly appreciated.

This changes everything, for synthesizing those drums yourself, those are pretty damn good. I can't make my own drums, so nice job with that!