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Post by TheProdigy on Apr 21, 2006 22:50:15 GMT
Hi All Newbie here! Firstly, I would just like to say thanks to MrArkadin for pointing me to this place, it's fantastic! I've really enjoyed reading loads of threads re. Numan / Kraftwerk etc. Secondly, I'm not a musician but I REALLY love messing with music on my PC. I've always been into synth stuff since the late 70's (I'll be 40 this December :-0). Now at my tender age I can actually mess with soft synths which is the nearest I'll get to the real thing. Yes, I don't actually HAVE any hardware except a PC and MIDI keybard. Please don't laugh at me :-( Thirdly, Although every one here must have seen millions of cover versions, I thought I 'd offer my FIRST ever finished cover of Numan's Observer. It was more an excercise for me on music theory / song construction. I am also working on Airlane but I also see recently that this has been done to death as well - LOL I would appreciate any constructive feedback but bear in mind I've only been mucking around with Cubase SX3 and various soft synth and effects for a few months. Here you go: www.markreeman.co.uk/Observer.mp3 |
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Post by labouch on Apr 21, 2006 22:59:41 GMT
Hi All - Newbie here! I would appreciate any constructive feedback but bear in mind I've only been mucking around with Cubase SX3 and various soft synth and effects for a few months. Here you go: www.reemsoft.co.uk/Observer.mp3Nice work for a first go. Funnily enough, I was humming this track to myself whilst walking the dog earlier! The sounds you've used are a bit 'General Midi' but I can see you going from strength to strength AND having great fun in the bargain. Good luck to you ;D |
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Post by dlm21uk on Apr 21, 2006 23:07:48 GMT
Hi there & welcome. Just downloaded your track & considering you have only just started messing with soft synths that is pretty damn good ;D
Do you know it was only last night, I was mucking around and thought - oooh I quite fancy having a go at Observer ! So it was great to hear your version.
I'm sure you will get lots of feedback on here. I like your lead/bass sounds, although more phaser would be good on the string sound, & it is quite load in the mix. Good pitch bending for a soft synth. The cymbal & ride seems quite load in the mix too, but it was quite load in the original too.
Re: the phaser: most soft synths have an onboard phase effect that can be altered. You need a deeper phase on a meduim rate, and mess around with the feedback to get enough effect without it being too high pitched (if that makes sense).
Look forward to hearing any other stuff you've got/do. ;D
Are you thinking of getting any vintage synths ? or are you gonna stick with the soft synths ?
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Post by Minimoog on Apr 21, 2006 23:12:10 GMT
Nice work for a first go. Funnily enough, I was humming this track to myself whilst walking the dog earlier! The sounds you've used are a bit 'General Midi' but I can see you going from strength to strength AND having great fun in the bargain. Good luck to you What he said  The main bass riff sounds pretty good. The electric bass isn't really happening on my headphones so can't comment on that. The Polymoog needs a bit of counterpoint and more fx to give it space and interest. A very 'practice room' ambience to the whole thing - sounds like a live rehearsal, apart from the obvious limitations of the programmed drums (which aren't too bad, but are never gonna be mistaken for real drums). Overall an excellent effort, which with just a little more work could really sound good. Nice one! ;D |
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Post by TheProdigy on Apr 21, 2006 23:33:39 GMT
I can't afford any REAL gear (just divorced) and have no space for anything other than my PC and Evolution MK-449C USB keybard.
I did rush the effects / mixing side in my excitement of actually not getting too bored with a track before I finish it! I will revisit over the weekend I think.
...then perhaps I can finish my Airlane which is about 70% done but some of the Vox Humana notes are proving a little tricky thus far (can't find ANY sheet music for Pleasure Principle anywhere on the net).
Thankx for comments so far :-)
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Post by MrArkadin on Apr 21, 2006 23:58:42 GMT
Just divorced? Now's the time to blow out on gear. Most mid-lifers do boring shit like buy a motorcycle and leathers - go buy some Polymoogs, you know you need them - and now you've got the space  i told you people round here were all right even if you haven't got any hardware, although you should at least get an MXR phase100, it's part of the initiation ceremony (along with something involving a fish and lube, but we won't go into that just yet). |
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Post by secretagent on Apr 22, 2006 6:59:10 GMT
I did rush the effects / mixing side in my excitement of actually not getting too bored with a track before I finish it! That's one of my biggest weakness's,i really admire the patience of people who spend the extra hours "polishing" ...then perhaps I can finish my Airlane which is about 70% done but some of the Vox Humana notes are proving a little tricky thus far (can't find ANY sheet music for Pleasure Principle anywhere on the net). Just ask for any notes you are struggling with,you should get an answer on here ;D I never really liked the original "observer"but if you take on board all the advice from the others yours will sound great. |
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Post by Dubsounds on Apr 22, 2006 8:07:13 GMT
What is it with Numan fans and rude saws?  Well I gotta say Mark, that's a better intro to the site than moaning about the search facility #hi# The software side is out of my hands anyway as the forum is hosted by "proboards". I'm thinking of buying some proper software and migrating to my own server at some stage but right now, I'd rather spend money on vintage gear. Anyway, back to "Observer" if that's your first foray into computer music then you deserve a standing ovation mate. OK, it does sound a bit ham and clunky but Jesus... most of us have been making music for at least a decade (two in some cases). My first cassette tape demo's from 1981 are diabolical in comparison  As Jordan's favourite singer Yazz used to sing... "the only way is up" #goofy# #boozer01# |
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Post by spoonz on Apr 22, 2006 20:52:57 GMT
Like Shaun and everybody else said a very nice start.
Shout if you want help with Airlane notes or anytrhing and you could always do a noodle and post what you've done and let the site develop it for you. Can be fun to see where it goes.
good stuff anyway
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Post by nashuk on Apr 25, 2006 8:32:30 GMT
You've done a good job with this track.
It is one of Numan's easier tracks to cover, but thats probably why you picked it, nonetheless you've nailed it.
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