Jaaz

Last week I finished up one of my most simplistic tracks to date for the beardstep compilation. This by contrast is one of the most complicated things I've done, probably close to 10,000 edits between effects automation and chopping shit up. Hopefully it's enjoyable for others to listen to as well.

Gotta run!

i listened to this last night but wasnt paying full attention. it didnt really grab me at the time. but with a second listen ive changed my mind. the drum edits and drills are tight and well placed. the rhodes builds up well and seems to open out in the middle section.

personally i thought the shifts in the chords were too subtle (as in the dynamics not the notation). each time it raised up and spread more it was only very slight. so it didnt give the lift that it could have..... i hope that makes sense.

from the structure of the track id be inclined to keep building from an even gentler rhodes part at the start. all the way up to a cacophonous peak at the end. so it transitions from what sounds like very simplistic and mild beginnings into a huge wall of sound.

thats my 2cents anyway.

good track!

  splagawaga said:

personally i thought the shifts in the chords were too subtle (as in the dynamics not the notation). each time it raised up and spread more it was only very slight. so it didnt give the lift that it could have..... i hope that makes sense.

 

from the structure of the track id be inclined to keep building from an even gentler rhodes part at the start. all the way up to a cacophonous peak at the end. so it transitions from what sounds like very simplistic and mild beginnings into a huge wall of sound.

 

thats my 2cents anyway.

 

good track!

I see what you're saying about the dynamics. Indeed it could build quite a bit more. I think I'd have to ease up a bit on the percussion part at the beginning as well for that to work, so it doesn't totally crush the lighter melodies. But on the other hand, I do really like how the percussion enters with a real punch after the light intro. Hmmm. The dynamic shifts are quite slight though as you say. I may do something about this.

Also I just listened to one of your tracks and really dug it.

  Jonas said:

Melodic dopeness, nice beatchoppage aswell, maybe I'd add some other beatelements to the different melody sections for variation., but I like! Good tune

You know, I was thinking about adding some other percussive elements too, but thought it might be a bit much due to how busy it is already. But even just for accents on the kick/snare it may be effective.

Good suggestions. Thanks!

super squarepusher-ish melodies. i dig it

  beneboi said:

super squarepusher-ish melodies. i dig it

Thanks! Glad it was dug. I think it's the modulations that might give it that squarepusher-ish sound, but I was into the modulations before I was into the squarepusher.

The "hat" workings in this song are very nicely done. A nice tone...actually a fucking nice tone to them. If I may ask what you used...what did you use for the hats? Anyway, your chords were very interesting, as usual, a breath of fresh air for my ears. I don't know how you pull it off.

I realize it's quite old, but I still love Everything Ephemeral. What do you think of your new material compared to that song? A direction forward? Sideways???

  Helper ET said:

The "hat" workings in this song are very nicely done. A nice tone...actually a fucking nice tone to them. If I may ask what you used...what did you use for the hats? Anyway, your chords were very interesting, as usual, a breath of fresh air for my ears. I don't know how you pull it off.

 

I realize it's quite old, but I still love Everything Ephemeral. What do you think of your new material compared to that song? A direction forward? Sideways???

Thanks a lot!

I used the hi-hats from my drum kit which I sampled with a TLM 104 condensor mic about a year ago.

I think my newer stuff is a lot more melody-guided than my older stuff. Back in the day I often started tracks out with some beat programming and then worked the melody around that, or I'd be inspired by a particular sound and explore that. But I'm finding these days I just want a really solid melody and some good hooks, not rely on the programming wizardry so much. There's more focus on the dynamics these days too. I still think a lot of my best stuff I did over a year ago. Like I wouldn't say what I'm doing now is better than Everything Ephemeral or Day Breaks. Not worse either, just something different. I also took a break from creating electronic music for a little while, so right now I'm just sort of getting back into the rhythm of it, finishing one track and getting right into the next. The one I'm working on now is more beat driven... not sure I like it though. But who knows, it could turn out to be kick-ass.

Ha! I like this a whole helluva lot dude. The dynamics are good to me. I like the way the drums come in... A little too much reliance on DSP effects to keep things interesting, but well... they ARE interesting... I especially like when the drums stutter.

  sneaksta303 said:

Ha! I like this a whole helluva lot dude. The dynamics are good to me. I like the way the drums come in... A little too much reliance on DSP effects to keep things interesting, but well... they ARE interesting... I especially like when the drums stutter.

Thanks man. I just used filter/resonance automation, but a lot of it. I just really love the way that sounds. Also, I wasn't too keen on the rhodes piano sound, so I had to fuck with it.

lovely. the beat programming is top notch. saving to drive. production is great too. some really beautiful moments in the chord progression. the beat really enhanced the melodies. very good work, sir.

  yan_g said:

lovely. the beat programming is top notch. saving to drive. production is great too. some really beautiful moments in the chord progression. the beat really enhanced the melodies. very good work, sir.

Thanks!

lovely, not amazing though. i think it almost sounds too safe. i'm used to you going "balls out" you know?

but yeah, this song sounds like it could be spun with plaid if you follow me.. that's the feeling the track puts me in.

great production again, nothing wrong there, just it didn't really grab me by the esophagus and shout ZEPHYR!... nothing wrong with it though. solid track

kicks man, the kicks got to me

you've got quite a beefy sound going on. a bit too chopped up for my taste. the melody is rather sweet and mournful. good work!

I really liked this a lot. Especially the crisp digital melody to start with,reminded me a bit of "Melve" by Autechre. There is a lot of cutting going on, I always worry that too much chopping can take the soul of of a track but actually here, it does add to it, the development is very good, it starts to get quite sad sounding by the end and it's a very interesting direction and feel you've got going. It plays with you, the beats start very in your face and well produced, by the end, the whole thing smooths out a bit more, had to listen twice. Nice work.

The stalling drums really work with the floatiness of the song...like it could all just drift away in the wind at any moment...very delicate. I love it!

Thanks for a ll the feedback guys! Much appreciated.

Damn... I missed it. I'd love to hear this sometime. Update your MySpace tracks!

looks like ive missed the train to stiff twatsville

  Jac Y Jymper said:

looks like ive missed the train to stiff twatsville

me too

my twats all stiff just from reading this

oh christ i just did th most offensive fart i have ever smelt ever

*runs out of thread*