Two New Tracks

[utopian]

Long awaited tracks extremely close to completion

So I finally got around to finishing off and encoding two songs I've been working on for a bit. Both are encoded using LAME at Alt-Preset-Standard. They don't have names yes, but I am open to suggestions. The tracks aren't completely mastered, only a bit of EQ and level tweaking while writing them. I'd like to compile a CD of my best music and take it to work one night to put on while we're closing.

Pads.bmx - http://members.optusnet.com.au/utopienne/pads.mp3
Pads uses syncopated chords, a Rhodes piano and a chopped up break and is probably one of my better attempts at Drum'n'Bass. Most of the song uses the same sort of structure that I use for a lot of my songs where it's got a first section, a small break and then a second section based on elements of the first. The last part is usually a combination of the two with a few new lines thrown in. This is the case here.

Watch for this track on Aphrodite's next breaks compilation.

Piano.bmx - http://members.optusnet.com.au/evertonp/piano.mp3
Piano is a slower track that uses synthesised strings and a very well emulated piano (mda piano VST if anyone's interested). I rely on sampled drums in this one a lot more than I usually do. There's only so far that an emulated 808 can go. I like to think that the bassline is a bit more interesting in this song than a lot other ones that I've done in the past. Listening to this song reminds me a little of Robert Miles or Rob D, but it's not intentional to have it sound that way. I just started with the strings and built the song from there. You could probably put this track on late at night when the party's winding down or something.

Look out for this song on the next Chillout Sessions release from Ministry of Sound.

Edit: Can those who download it give some sort of feedback please? PLEASE?!

[C0V3R]

I'm not the worlds most adept music critic, but my opinion is as follows.

The second track is considerably better than the first.
I feel this may have something to do with an overly synthetic feel to the first... Not quite sure why, but I dont really like the tone of the notes, the emulated piano in the second track is much much much better. I dont know if you were going for a synthetic feel, but given the nature of the song it doesnt really do it for me. The intro is good, but again it feels a little synthetic. As you're probably guessing I think maybe it should be done again with a different instrument/sample set.

The second track has a definite ministry feel to it, but could possibly benefit from a more significant transistion or overall change. Its still very good in itself.

[Lab_rat]

Well the naming of music is always made that bit harder when there are no words in the song.

----------Pads-----------
One's perception of music depends on one's mood.
That said the first time I listened to Pads I was rather miffed at the length of the introduction, but the second time around it didn't bother me at all.

There is something familiar about it, perhaps the organ like sound makes me feel like I'm in a church (something I haven't stepped into in years).

Actually.. it sounds very similar to your Dreamscape.. but with different instruments.

I think Pads is what you'd get if Dreamscape and Static got together and had offspring.

*listens to it a 4th time*
I'm having a listen to all of your older tracks also and I'm noticing something in common that I just can't put my finger on.
Perhaps its just the tempo and that the same thing that separates them from other music also binds them together.

As I said to Utipian before. I think his music would be most at home in the chillout tent of a rave.

I think its great music to listen to softly after a night out on the town.
Its not energetic, but it is calming.


-------------Piano----------------

Well here is the familiar Piano again.
Seems like you only use the one chord and you use it in a few of your songs.

Once you have enough tracks to fill a CD, it might be a good idea to change your samples radically otherwise you risk making different CD's that sound similar.

I like that there is little to no silence in this track, you've filled almost every frame with some sound.
In this case a soft sliding background.

I think there is definatly a market for your style of music.

Back when I was renting a place with others, a group of us would hit the clubs/raves and then come back to our place to sit on the couch.
Put the Cable TV onto something visually interesting and on mute.
Then we would play a CD on low volume and talk the night away.
This is the best situation for your music.
Soft background conversational music.

I think it would go down well in an art gallery setting too.

Your back beat.. I think it might be cymbols.. it sounds a bit static.. as if the sample is of low quality or poorly synthesised.
see if you can replace it.

Overall I am impressed with your music to the point that I am willing to promote it to my friends, on my website and most importantly.. to leave it on my playlist.

[utopian]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I know that some of the cymbals don't sound that great, but that's possibly a problem with compression. I will look into it though.

The thing with a lot of my songs is that they're probably all in the same key. I should really fix that.

With Piano, there are two main chords, but I think i'll have to change the notes in them so that there are more possible chords that fit into the slot.

[MisterBishi]

I have downloaded these two tracks and they are amazing.

I will listen to them when I get time.

[kré]

what can i say dude? you know i love pads.bmx

this track is the rock. anyone that says otherwise is a fool.

and piano...sounds like you've done a shitload of work since i last heard it. nice one bruvva. the only other thing i could have suggested in there is maybe a sub type kick drum at the start of every 4th bar or thereabouts.

and yeah the cymbals probably do sound like that due to compression, vbr is shit with that sort of sound.