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Starcade - Electric Dayz


Otto Matta

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I just finished my first track in Reason and I'd like some of your expert feedback. I started it last Friday night and just finished it tonight, so about a week and a couple days of consistent work. It's not trance. I actually don't know what to call it, but I'd like to hear what you think it is. My major influences were Casino Versus Japan, Gas, Solvent, Skanfrom, and I think a little bit of Namlook snuck in there, too.

 

Starcade - Electric Dayz (128kbps MP3)

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Guest Cosmogenesis

Nice atmospheric track, Otto! I really like it. Some effects you are using remind me old video games soundtrack like "Mario Bros" for example. Don't interpret this comparison as a criticism. On the contrary, I think it's a good idea, because this add a pinch of fantasy in your tune. Good work, man! :)

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Guest Astro Cortex

Well done Per :) . Your track has a very nice, "positive vibe" to it. What would I call that style? Dunno, but it's definitely some sort of ambient. Maybe similar to some of the stuff released on Warp records in the early 90s. And I know you don't wanna hear that, but it also reminds me a little bit of AFX - Analogue Bubblebath :D .

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Wow. Thanks for the nice responses, guys.

 

Cosmo - Yeah, I really like the video game aesthetic mixed in with the other stuff. I stole that from the Suction guys - Solvent and Skanfrom - I admit.

 

Astro - Early Warp is a very high compliment. Thank you. It was pretty much what got me into electronic music in the first place and will always be close to my heart, so I guess that's where that sound comes from. I haven't heard Analogue Bubblebath, but I guess I need to give it a listen.

 

Thanks again. Too kind, too kind. :lol:

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Good tune, Otto. After hearing the opening 30 seconds I genuinely didn't expect to like it but, no, it's really rather lovely. Gets especially good at around 4:30 and steadily builds in quality there on. Has a very hypnotic, enthralling and warm sound to it. Really nice and fuzzy.

 

Shame about the bit-rate as it consequently sounds pretty thin but that's true of any 128 kbps recording.

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In a boat in the middle of the lake, twilight falls, stars begin to appear. Spliff in the hand, watching clouds dance in the sky. It is summer and everything's warm and fine :D

 

This track has a similar effect on me as some Tripswitch tracks, evoking positive, summer vibes. Nice to have some when it's March and 10 below zero outside :angry:

 

Awesome! use of fat, analog sounds in the background. It creates great pompous sound with a sort of real emotional depth. I also love the vintageness of it :)

 

Only one technical comment - I would reduce the reverb on shakers (cabasas? :huh: ) only a little bit to avoid a cavern effect :P

 

Fine tune IMO. Sit down and make another ;)

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Thanks again for all the nice comments. I've been writing music off and on for a long time, pretty much gave up on it some years back, and now I feel I'm finally mature enough to to start writing for real, so it's comforting to feel my first effort comes across well.

 

Thanks Charlie. :) I think the thin-ness also comes partially from not trying to instill a massive bassline in there. And welcome back - hope the trip was a good one.

 

mind.breeder - Love the images. That's exactly what I was hoping to achieve. :) I might have to listen to some Tripswitch now, too; I've heard the name but not the music. And I think you might be right about the high-hat part.

 

Cosmo - :o It was actually almost a week and a half of solid work, not three days (started TWO Fridays ago).

 

Thanks again, people. You've made the effort worthwhile. :D

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Guest Cosmogenesis

Thanks again for all the nice comments. I've been writing music off and on for a long time, pretty much gave up on it some years back, and now I feel I'm finally mature enough to to start writing for real, so it's comforting to feel my first effort comes across well.

 

Thanks Charlie. :) I think the thin-ness also comes partially from not trying to instill a massive bassline in there. And welcome back - hope the trip was a good one.

 

mind.breeder - Love the images. That's exactly what I was hoping to achieve.  :) I might have to listen to some Tripswitch now, too; I've heard the name but not the music. And I think you might be right about the high-hat part.

 

Cosmo -  :o  It was actually almost a week and a half of solid work, not three days (started TWO Fridays ago).

 

Thanks again, people. You've made the effort worthwhile.  :D

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Sorry, man! :o I'm alittle embarrassed by my mistake! ;)
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Sorry, man!  :o  I'm alittle embarrassed by my mistake!  ;)

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No, man, no need to feel embarrassed. I just didn't want you to have the idea that I could turn something out in a few days. I'm much slower than that. :D

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I'm going to take a rest for a few days before I start the next one, Charlie. Need to let the juices rebuild, and meanwhile I need to clean an apartment that has suffered due to the negligence caused by complete musical obsession. Two, three weeks, I suspect. Thanks for asking. :D

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No, I know what you mean. I tried writing a few tunes years ago and it does have a habit of taking over your life for a few weeks/months. I found I smoked a lot more, ate a lot less andsaw very little sun. Worse though was that I spent so long perfecting the bloody things that by the time they were finished I hated them as I'd heard every little sound a thousand times. Soon decided it wasn't for me.

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No, I know what you mean. I tried writing a few tunes years ago and it does have a habit of taking over your life for a few weeks/months. I found I smoked a lot more, ate a lot less andsaw very little sun. Worse though was that I spent so long perfecting the bloody things that by the time they were finished I hated them as I'd heard every little sound a thousand times. Soon decided it wasn't for me.

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That's exactly right. I was smoking like two packs a day there for two weeks, was mega-tired every day at work, and managed even with my skinny frame to lose weight. It's funny, though, how one's attitude can change towards a track one's heard a billion times. When it's done all the love comes back.

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Very nice track with great melodies !!! It reminds me of those video games of my childhood when reaching the end of the game you had this happy ending where the evil was eventually defeated and the whole world was happy again, and all that with a memorable closing music ^_^

Anyway, I'm pariculary impressed by the fact that it is your first track with Reason, as the production is also very good.

Worse though was that I spent so long perfecting the bloody things that by the time they were finished I hated them as I'd heard every little sound a thousand times. Soon decided it wasn't for me.

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That's too bad if you gave up just because of that. I think every producer know this feeling, at least I know this happen to me every time.

But once you've really finished your track, you see things diferently and you can even enjoy it like it was the first time you heard it. Very satisfaying feeling :D

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Very nice track with great melodies !!! It reminds me of those video games of my childhood when reaching the end of the game you had this happy ending where the evil was eventually defeated and the whole world was happy again, and all that with a memorable closing music  ^_^

Anyway, I'm pariculary impressed by the fact that it is your first track with Reason, as the production is also very good.

 

To Charlie: That's too bad if you gave up just because of that. I think every producer know this feeling, at least I know this happen to me every time.

But once you've really finished your track, you see things diferently and you can even enjoy it like it was the first time you heard it. Very satisfaying feeling  :D

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Thanks for the nice comments, McKoy. Listening to it again on my car stereo I've noticed the production is actually a little sketchy in certain areas. Lots of mud in the mids and too much gain here and there in the highs. Something I'll definitely have to work on.

 

And yeah, it's interesting how a track blossoms after getting totally sick of it but then finishing it (sharing it with others makes it bloom that much more). But sometimes no matter how much you do a track will just not allow itself to be finished, and that's frustrating as hell, like having sex and feeling the climax coming but never getting there. And this feeling tends to carry into one's daily life, which is downright awful. But it's the occasional reward of a satisfyingly completed track that keeps some going - it's the carrot leading us forward, as it were.

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Otto, i love the build up. That's my favorite feature in music - sound getting bigger and bigger. This is great, very lush and dreamy. It picks you up and carries you over water. I'm looking forward to more.

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I lick it, I lick it. :)

 

It's good for a first track you've made, really. But as for raving review, I have to say your sound is still pretty repetitive and non-variative. The kick sound also disturbs me. :/

 

Well maybe Gimmik has made me want even too much! You're just a beginner so I shouldn't be overly harsh. Some practise could made you a serious act, who knows :)

 

keep working man!

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That's too bad if you gave up just because of that. I think every producer know this feeling, at least I know this happen to me every time.

But once you've really finished your track, you see things diferently and you can even enjoy it like it was the first time you heard it. Very satisfaying feeling  :D

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Yes, I know what you mean but if I'm honest it's not as if I gave up some great talent. They were pretty mediocre tunes really, nothing particularly inspiring or innovative.
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Hehe. It's not my first track, oopi. I've been writing on and off for close to 20 years. Yes, that's "two-oh" years. It's my first track with Reason. I'm just starting to take music-making seriously again after taking several years off. ;)

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Hehe. It's not my first track, oopi. I've been writing on and off for close to 20 years. Yes, that's "two-oh" years. It's my first track with Reason. I'm just starting to take music-making seriously again after taking several years off.  ;)

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alright then.

 

but I still stand by my words :)

 

It would be just lame if everybody would be praising you wouldn't it now?

Critisism is always a good thing, gives nice inspiration to the artist how to improve, yes?

 

:)

 

well anyways, good luck with your 'reasoning'.

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Oh, I definitely appreciate your criticism. I'm sure many would find it repetetive. I, however, call it "stylized." I was just correcting your interpretation of my original statement. That's all. Thanks for the comments. ;)

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You've done great work with melodies and harmonies there... definitely can hear that you have some experience with that field. I like how it sounds positive/happy without being cheesy.. that's very hard thing to achieve imo. My only critic is that I'm not too fond with the drum sounds... and they could use some more variation and less reverb (Reasons reverb sounds a bit cheap imo). Anyway.. where are you going to keep the album release party? :)

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Yeah, I admit I need to pay more attention to the rhythm and learn how to use Reason's reverb more wisely (I've gotten a tip from a friend to hook up an equalizer to the reverb, and I have the feeling this could be very useful). I used to pay too much attention to the rhythmic aspects. Now I need to find moderation. Thanks for your comments, shpongolioed. :)

 

The album release party? I'll let you know when I've finished another ten tracks. God help me! :D

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