| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SmashingTheSirens |
I have made a couple of Hardcore tracks and posted them on Soundcloud (Link Beneath) - I've used a couple of acapellas & just wanted your honest opinions on how I did, and if you think there's something that can be improved on. Any comments and no matter how good or bad are welcome!
Just a little bit of info for you. I've been in Hardcore since 1995/96 and loved it and followed it from there, been to numerous raves and always had decks/CDJ's etc. But this is my first proper go at producing some hardcore tracks. I'm using Cuabse as that is what I've used for years when I've been in bands and know quite a bit about it, but I'm no pro, all pretty much self tort!
I mixed and mastered these myself too, so again if you think I have something to high, to low or to wide then again, be happy to hear from you on where I'm going right or wrong!
Cheers Guys & Girls
https://soundcloud.com/smashingthesirens-1
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| Beeferchiefer |
As someone who doesn't produce at all, I think they sound great! I really like "Stay". I'm sure others will have more technical comments, but from a listener's point of view it's a thumbs up! |
| _Jay_ |
I can't give you much feedback on the technical side of things, but for a first effort - these are fantastic mate. Sounds like they're fairly well mastered as well. Musically pretty nice too. Nice strong kicks. Like it.
Excellent work mate. :-) |
| djchexmixer |
quote:
Originally posted by _Jay_:
Sounds like they're fairly well mastered as well. Musically pretty nice too. Nice strong kicks. Like it.
Excellent work mate. :-)
Agreed. Sounds clear and nice and loud. Good stuff indeed! +1 follower |
| SmashingTheSirens |
Thanks for all the positive comments :-) I think I'm doing the right things, hopefully my tracks will improve as I do more and more. But cheers again, right back to the PC to make some more tunes then! |
| nantk |
As they have said, it sounds awesome to be your first try, and it sounds pretty clean, which is important, keep tryin
I?d want to make a collab but i?m on fl  |
| Warnman |
Falling (STS Remix) sounded really strong to me...! Keep posting your tracks and I am sure you'll receive enough feedback. |
| Elliott |
Both tracks are extremely well mixed for someone with so little experience in hardcore. It seems like you've got the whole hardcore drum programming and bassline thing down solidly as well.
I would work on getting more powerful leads. I also prefer my leads more forward in the mix than they are in your tracks but at least a little of that is just personal preference. |
| SmashingTheSirens |
Cheers again guys. Thanks Elliot for your comments, as I said I'm used to mixing bands/guitar based music and sort of applied similar things, just tweaked it a little. But yeah, obviously Hardcore focuses lots on strong leads and the top guys know how to write a winner and get that phat sounding leads, I'm just getting used to tweaking the VST's, like the nexus and Sylenth etc by watching tutorials on line and having a tweak myself, trying to get that unique sound, but I guess that takes time so I'll plug on!
Thanks Guys |
| Elliott |
quote:
Originally posted by SmashingTheSirens:
Cheers again guys. Thanks Elliot for your comments, as I said I'm used to mixing bands/guitar based music and sort of applied similar things, just tweaked it a little. But yeah, obviously Hardcore focuses lots on strong leads and the top guys know how to write a winner and get that phat sounding leads, I'm just getting used to tweaking the VST's, like the nexus and Sylenth etc by watching tutorials on line and having a tweak myself, trying to get that unique sound, but I guess that takes time so I'll plug on!
Thanks Guys
*Elliott
Yeah, I think the lead is definitely one of the hardest things to get right but you seem to have most of the other sounds and the composition process nailed already so it's definitely the area where you can make the greatest gains. |
| masterbucks |
Wicked mate, I enjoyed.. **followed** for future uploads! :)
Im in the same boat, new'ish to 'final production stages', getting more serious lately. been dabbling on and off for years, got into hardcore 95/96 also.
Keep it up |
| SmashingTheSirens |
Cheers man, I think the more you do the better you become. I'm learning with every track I do and getting more confident and knowing the do's and don't. I think my best work is the work for the remix comp going on. But yeah I'm trying to dedicate more time to this and pushing myself as much as I can :-) |
| masterbucks |
Can you link me to the remix comp that you mentioned?
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| SmashingTheSirens |
Its in the main forum. Can't link from phone. But it closses today/tomorrow so I'd be quick! :-) |
| maddkid53 |
Stay sounds great, I wish I could get my tracks sounding that nice! Keep up the good work~ |
| SmashingTheSirens |
Well I'm no professional, you just have to keep plugging away and it'll come good with commitment. That is all I can say, the more you try the better it will get, I've only made 3-4 songs, but I can hear a marked improvement in every new song I make, it's down to confidence too, the more you try you then know what works and what doesn't and don't be affraid to ask for help or seeking advise, doesn't hurt to ask etc, so just keep on it dude :-) |
| Karthy |
As others have said, very decent considering you have little experience! Mostly though it's down to you. Do you like the tracks the way they are? I could tell you what I would change about them (fatter leads, cymbals too high on Stay, bassier kick drum, making the bass sit much better in the mix) but I mean that's just me. Definately a good start though! My first tracks sounded like shit! hahaha
If you have any questions or anything feel free to drop me a message, I'll help out more where I can! :) |
| SmashingTheSirens |
Yeah I do do like them, but the more I listen to them the more I would change if I did the tracks again. But you've got to look forward so it's all about trying to get the next track sounding better.
One of the things that I am working on is trying to get fatter leads, that seems to be the thing I struggle with the most, but I'm plugging away. And I think I've conquered the bass and symbols. I was using pants speakers and headphones but I've recently upgraded them.
And the kick drum I'm split on. When I listen to hardcore on some tracks the kicks are barely recognisable and have very little bass, but on the other hand some have booming kicks. So I guess it's personal preference.
Cheers for the comments :-) |
| Karthy |
quote:
Originally posted by SmashingTheSirens:
Yeah I do do like them, but the more I listen to them the more I would change if I did the tracks again. But you've got to look forward so it's all about trying to get the next track sounding better.
One of the things that I am working on is trying to get fatter leads, that seems to be the thing I struggle with the most, but I'm plugging away. And I think I've conquered the bass and symbols. I was using pants speakers and headphones but I've recently upgraded them.
And the kick drum I'm split on. When I listen to hardcore on some tracks the kicks are barely recognisable and have very little bass, but on the other hand some have booming kicks. So I guess it's personal preference.
Cheers for the comments :-)
Yeah I think that's just the way it is though, it's exactly the same for me... I could constantly improve a track if I didn't release it and I'd always find improvements over time but it's exactly like you said. Release and make sure you're next tracks even better. If it isn't, you're probably doing something wrong hahaha
As for my leads I just layer them up until it sounds fat enough then start hacking away at it to make sure it doesn't overpower the mix but I don't think I follow any set rules when I mix my leads in, it's different for any sound I use.
As for the kick drum yeah I know what you mean. It is completely down to preference and also down to the song. I like a bassy kick, and it's usually the way I want to do it in all the tracks I make but some just don't suit it. |
| AceofSpades_Lorenzo |
multiband distortion to bring out the mid-highs
then a similar sound underneath it. ;) that'll give you a "phatter lead" |
| Pure Mad Mental oriental raver |
ive been attempting to produce for the past 6 months and I cannot make music like this mine just sounds empty and thin most of the time, so nice work man. |
| Gisbo |
loving that stay track :) |
| Brooky90 |
I think your tracks are wicked, wish mine were that good lol |
