Writer's Block - HELP!

[TheProdigy]

Hi Dubbies!

As the regulars know, I'm a complete newb, learning as I go along. I'm working on a new track which I think is OK but after 46 seconds (yes, I got stuck already ) it's kinda pooh 'cos I just can't think of how to progress it.

Apart from sonic improvement, can any of you guys offer any suggestions?

Work-in-Progress track is here.

Cheers

Mark

[vortex]

Well the simple answer would be a vocal track. But I'm guessing thats not an option.

[kev]

Can i say something without overstepping the mark as a noob here?

No offense but that sounds like really old stuff. I likes the whistley melody sound because its a bit kraftwerk but some of it sounded out of tune. Don't ask me how, it just didnt sound right. I think some of the sounds are nice but to appeal to people like me, you need to modernise your beat.

Hope you wont be mad at me for saying so. just thought you might apreciate an honest opinion ;D

[vortex]

Thats the ticket Kev!

[Dubsounds]

Kev, you gave an honest and positive critique. There's really no need to tread on eggshells around here. You have exactly the right attitude for this place so crack on mate.

The out of tuneness you described is because some of the notes are off key. Mark really needs to get to grips with scales. I'm all for breaking musical rules but playing off key is one you can't break (unless you're a very clever Jazz muso or do an Are Friends Electric and hit the wrong note).

The style is a matter of taste and Mark has deliberately tried to emulate his heroes with this but i take your point about it not appealing to everyone but a minority of retro electro heads.

[vortex]

Never tried this. But whether or not you have a vocalist why dont you write some lyrics for your track. It might light your imagination and suggestion a lead synth line

[TheProdigy]

Hey Kev! No problem at all, don't be afraid to voice your opinion. I'm big enough and ugly enough to take it on the chin if I need to

I wanted retro'ish Kraftwerk tune and was inspired by the Theremin type sound in Spacelab and in Bartos' Electronic Apeman.

I've had the main Theremin bars going for a while now but I guess I have been listening to it for so long now that I can't hear when it goes off key Can anyone tell me when it does this? and suggest a suitable note?

I stuck to white keys for all notes except for the kling-kling-kling of the harpsichord type thing which was a Major then Minor chord.

Not sure about vocal but will have a think ;D

Thanks for opinions so far guys

[TheProdigy]

[glow=red,2,300]

I just realised my text under my avatar is right!!!

#redface# #noooo# #confused01#

[/glow]

[secretagent]

If you feel it falters at 46 sec.then that's when to alter things,change tempo,add new sounds etc.even if it's only for a couple of bars,the variation will make the repetitive parts stand out more.

[Gavin]

Two things.
First of all,who says it has to be longer than 46 seconds?
Secondly,if i get stuck on a track i leave it and work on something else,come back to it in a months time when you can listen with new ears.

[rpb1966]

gavin said:

Secondly,if i get stuck on a track i leave it and work on something else,come back to it in a months time when you can listen with new ears.

Hmmmm I know someone else who does that.......ME!!

[TheProdigy]

Hi Guys!

I've had a fiddle ( ) some more and uploaded it to the same link here.

Am I still off tune somewhere?

Is it getting any better?

Your comments are welcome as always.

[Gavin]

Veeeeery Kraftwerk sounding.

[Dubsounds]

Mix is a bit harsh and clumpy. I think more subtlety is required and the reverb is too much (especially on the robot) but that's just my point of view.

Musically, it just doesn't seem to flow well. Are you actually playing these sounds or just painting notes on a piano roll with a mouse?

On an emotional level, I'm afraid I don't connect with this at all, sorry. All this guff about electronic music being emotionless is bollocks. Kraftwerk tunes have lots of feeling in them and are very evocative. This track however has no humanity for me at all. It just sounds like random notes that aren't painting any picture.

I think when it comes to melodies, you really can't throw down a few notes and see what happens. They have to come from the soul (or whatever else you would use to describe it). It takes a lot of practise to be able to throw down a melody you have in your head and this doesn't sound like something you could whistle on the way to work I'm afraid. Melodies with soul are the ones you can.

[TheProdigy]

Thanks for comments Shaun #thumbsup#

I've created it by clicking notes and actually playing which is really hard for me but I guess I should practice more.

I take your point on melodies but a few of my muso friends like to whistle the main bit in this tune. The whole song was built from the main whistling bit, I do confess I found it hard to build upon it and perhaps should re-think it altogether.

On a similar note (excuse the pun), I listened to the new Nine Inch Nails CD this morning and I find it's all well produced noise / percussion with little or no melody at all (a bit like Numan's latest stuff). How does that sit with your theory?

[Dubsounds]

I disagree with you about this album Mark. I hear a hell of a lot of melody and tunefulness in Year Zero.

NIN albums have always used heavy percussion and distortion as an artifice but Reznor's vocal has always carried a powerful and memorable melody. You can quite easily sing "bow down before the one you serve" but you probably can't hum the bassline.


If you have a good vocal or solo instrument, your backing can be someone banging on baked bean tins for all I care.


I think that’s where Numan seems to be going wrong with his faux NIN albums. He can still write a catchy chorus hook but his verses are just mumbling rubbish. Also, to my ears they all sound the bloody same, whereas each song on Year Zero is totally different and full of twists and surprises. I really feel like I’m being taken on a journey through Reznor’s vision of Armageddon… but apart from “God’s a bit of a bastard” I really haven’t a clue what Numan’s last effort was about. Do you?

Oh! and a final thing. Reznor has the funk. Numan wouldn’t know anything smaller than an 8th note if it slapped him in the fretless

[dlm21uk]

I like what you are trying to do Mark, but it does seem a work in progress.

The main whistley tune is good, but the rest has less feel to it. Also the timing is a little late on the whistle: With the glide and slowish attack it needs to come in a fraction early (off beat) so that what you end up hearing is the main sound "on time". (hope this makes sense)

The vocal bit gets lost. It sounds like you are using the "SayIt" program. What I do with that is to split some words up, so that you can more accurately trigger the different phrases or syllables, rather than having one word that you can;t get to fit right. i.e. Destination would be made up of 3 sound files - Dest Tin & Nation. You can then play around with the placing of these 3 sound files to get the word to sound how you want it.

It's all a learning curve and thanks for sharing your ideas. The best advice has already been given though - learn and practice how to play the keyboard and scales better. You should then find it easier to find the next note etc. Although sometimes the best next note comes from an unexpected place so I also agree with the advice of playing something from the heart. ;D