Define Cynical Fan Forums

Yes, that's right, I do make music...my style is mostly chillout and ambient. At this point, it's mostly mixing and sequencing since I don't have a USB keyboard or a decent mic. However, I finally came up with a mix I think good enough to post.

http://media.putfile.com/Taylor-G---The-Deep-of-Winter

Feedback is appreciated! I'll be posting more stuff in here when the time comes.

Putfile always fails to load for me.

Sounds like one of those cd displays at Linen and things with the buttons that preview the album.

Listened to the whole thing, had a few initial feelings on arrangement. This is just what I'm hearing, and if you implement my suggestions, they may very well sound sucky, but here goes anyway...


-When the drums come in at :48 seconds, put a gong in for a more powerful drum intro.

-From 1:03 to 1:10, have the drum beat cut out entirely, then at 1:06, cut out the string track, so it's just the bongos, then add some chimes and have everything come back in at 1:10.

-At 2:34, have the drums cut out for a count of three, then come back in as normal, (example, the snare drum on 2 and 4, mute the track so the beat comes back in on snare hit 4) maybe mute the track for that duration so the beat stays in sync.

-At 4:10 to 4:31, put a lot of reverb or delay on the floor tom shots, also when the drums come back in at 4:31, try adding some chimes.

-In the overall drum track, I hear some sporadic syncopated clavi shots, maybe some tambourine, something to break up the loop somewhat. Don't know exactly where, maybe just try experimenting with different forms of percussion and see what sounds cool.

My two cents. Maybe you can squeeze a quarter out of it. If so, could you buy me a gumball?

I'll do a G-Force remix. Unfortunately, I can't do your 3rd idea because the drum line is a complete sample, ie bass and snare in one track. I'll try your other ideas though.

Wow, very good for it's genre, but theres some rift in the background from a flute or electric piano or something that I'd either amplify or get rid of compleatly. Other than that, great job. I think you deserve a smiley face

Wow, very good for it's genre, but theres some rift in the background from a flute or electric piano or something that I'd either amplify or get rid of compleatly. Other than that, great job. I think you deserve a smiley face

When you say flute or electric piano, are you meaning the repeating riff that comes in with the drums? It's a modelled Moog synth, and I was thinking of amplifying it a bit as well recently.

I'll be going back over the track again, I'm adding another little part, and I plan to experiment with some of the ideas you've told me. If you have any more suggestions, please don't hesitate to let me know!

Get a better file host. :/

I'll do a G-Force remix. Unfortunately, I can't do your 3rd idea because the drum line is a complete sample, ie bass and snare in one track. I'll try your other ideas though.

Actually, my bad. I meant just muting the whole track for a count of three, then unmuting it just in time for the snare hit on 4. G-force remix lol. Actually did a remix of a song (love addict by family force 5)and called it that.

Resurrecting for new track! Recently finished this new one, called Morning Glories (and yes Bacon, it is Linens 'n Things music). This is the "pilot mix" so to speak, meaning I've finished the arrangement, but there is a bit of mixing and the mastering yet to do. As always, comments and suggestions welcome. I have yet to do any tweaking to The Deep Of Winter I'm afraid, but it'll get done.

I put both Morning Glories and the original Deep Of Winter on Last.fm for listening and downloading:
http://www.last.fm/music/Taylor+G/The+Firefly+Mixes

Last.fm - awful interface. Use Soundclick.

Anyway, I listened.

It was very dramatic, in a boring sort of way. By that, I mean that it moved too slowly without having something to support it. It would've worked wonderfully as a piece of film soundtrack, with wide sweeping landscapes and the main character flicking a cigarette against a dusty, dusty pavement and the like. The mixing is good, the sound quality is well delivered and the melody itself is spiffing. But I wouldn't listen to it again without something more.

Last.fm - awful interface. Use Soundclick.

Anyway, I listened.

It was very dramatic, in a boring sort of way. By that, I mean that it moved too slowly without having something to support it. It would've worked wonderfully as a piece of film soundtrack, with wide sweeping landscapes and the main character flicking a cigarette against a dusty, dusty pavement and the like. The mixing is good, the sound quality is well delivered and the melody itself is spiffing. But I wouldn't listen to it again without something more.

Have you got any ideas as to what I should add? Increase the tempo maybe, or add a new instrument?

It needs a hook. It's background music right now, only one midi-transformation away from muzak. Which is so unfair, because it could be ace. I think you need something to cut across the main melody in a complementary key, but a different tempo.

Well, if anyone's interested, I've got a new track up for listening. It's got quite a different feel than the other two.

http://www.last.fm/music/Taylor+G/The+F ... es/Drought

I like it. Quite a bit. The only thing I didn't like is the ending, which seemed a tad bit too abrupt. I'll listen to it again tomorrow, maybe then I'll have a little bit more to add.
Out of general curiosity, what are you getting your samples from? The sound quality is great, and I could probably have some fun with those.