God I'm struggling with this...need help!!! (UPDATED)

Gtrance · Post by **Gtrance** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:40 pm

Hello all.

For some reason, I'm really struggling with my latest track. My main problems are the mixing, the levels, and aspects of the arrangement and overall feel (not much then )

I'm getting to a stage where I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall. I really don't want to abandon this project so I hope that some of you with fresh ears can give it a listen and tell me any obvious improvements that can be made. Or if its even worth finishing??

The track is 130bpm, probably under the prog trance umbrella.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to your comments...

Updated link further down

Snurker · Post by **Snurker** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:31 pm

Gtrance

Rather like this style, though my own efforts ialong this line never get beyond 16 bars. Dunno if you like this idea but I thought a little pruning would be good discipline.. keep it longer than 16 bars tho... 4.5 mins max?

BBScience · Post by **BBScience** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:09 pm

Couple things I noticed after one listen...

I'm not a fan of the lead patch that comes in right before the first break. Its not even so bad, its just that the song starts out with a nice clean trancey vibe, but then the lead sound just doesn't give me what i'm expecting to hear, or carry the song like you would expect in trance. Also the pad that comes up in the first break is kind of distorted and muffled? Not something I would expect to hear in this style either.

I do like the drums and that bassline though. The kick sounds solid and doesn't mess with the bassline.

Not sure how specific of answers you wanted.

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:44 am

i agree with everything bbscience said

ill say instead of the pad

make a good chord sound that follows the main basslead sound. in terms of groove (XxxX xxXx xxxx xxXx) on the big X's

Gtrance · Post by **Gtrance** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:45 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Some good suggestions here. I have had a few days break from it to help "freshen" my ears. I can't wait to try some of your suggestions and make this the global platinum hit that it will be

Thanks again

snakedogman · Post by **snakedogman** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:39 am

it sounds pretty decent so far (although a bit more trance than progressive I'd say). The basic structure is there, but it misses some things going on. I think the flow of this kind of track is often augmented with filtersweeps, wooshes, reversed cymbals and whatnot in the background to lead from one section in the next. Use a large amount of delay and some reverb on this so your sweep peaks on a transition than dies off slowly in the background. It could also do with some more percussion sounds being added as the mix progresses. Just an extra hihat here and there or a ride (keep it subtle) to make the "chorus" more driving. You could also try firing off a couple of percussive sounds with loads of reverb here and there, again just to add a bit of interest and accents on certain key points. Think tension and release: a transition to a break is more intense and more rewarding when you use some kind of accent on the last beat or bar before it to "announce" it.

Gtrance · Post by **Gtrance** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:41 pm

Hello everyone.

After posting the initial thread about 10 days ago, where I was desperately stuggling with my latest track, I have took on board the comments I got, had a few days break and I now have an updated version available. I've beefed up the percussion, completely rebuilt the main leads, added FX plus a few minor changes here and there. I'd love to know what you think. Especially if you heard the old version but any feedback would be great.

Is it any good..?

Thanks for reading...

www.gregnicot.com/tracks/9.9_192.mp3

snakedogman · Post by **snakedogman** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:44 pm

even though I don't have the original version to compare side by side I'd say this version does seem to flow better and feels a bit more finished that the other one. I think some of the background stuff could be bit more pronounced still and the mix, although pretty well balanced, seems to be quite light on the bass (which you really need to drive a track like this forward). It's also a bit long and I'd maybe eliminate the break near the end and build the track a bit shorter.
Keep it up