What do you think is wrong with my music?

[MagnusPierre]

I love my music. I find it relaxing and quite good but no one else seems to like what I'm doing so, fire away! I need to get some good tips of how to improve.

Regards,
Magnus

www.myspace.com/magnuspierre

[amigo]

Firstly, your music is a personal thing and something that you should enjoy doing. It's a bonus if somebody else like it.

Your music is a bit too experimental for my tastes. I found while listening that some of the arrangements are ver erratic and while this can work it does not seem to be working for you and as a listener I lose interest quickly. Also, variation is a good thing but you seem to have too much of it going on at times.

Keep at it and don't lose faith.

[MagnusPierre]

I love doing music that's for sure! And just to make things clear; I am not trying to make a living out of it, but it would be good if someone found it interesting! Artists (independent if you are good or not) would like to have an audience.

I understand what you are saying about my tracks even though many thinks opposite. I tend to hear that it sounds like elevator music (pale) or as my wife puts it (boring nothing happens)

The part of erratic arrangements I would like to hear more about.
I think I'm damaged of listening to much on early heavy electronic music in my youth (SP, FLA, The Klinik and so on)

Thanks for the feedback! Guys and gals don't be shy! Give it to me!

[amigo]

The part of erratic arrangements I would like to hear more about.

I guess what I mean is that is no real flow some of your tracks due to the arrangement. Sometimes I felt like I was listening to a different song because of it.

[MagnusPierre]

This is true. I get a lot of musical ideas while doing a track that most probably would be put into a totally different track. (and probably could spend some more time with those that I decide to build the tune around) Good observation. I have always had problems doing bridges. How should a good bridge between different sounding parts of a tune be constructed?
it is terribly complex making a bridge not to stand out itself.

Anything else?

/Magnus

[ashtonron]

In untrue .... I think one of the main problems is with the mix itself... often the main theme / area of interest is lost drowned by a pad sound or a backing synth line.. try lowering them to give some more space for the other elements..

also your breakdowns are very sudden... maybe try evolving the breakdown over a few more bars.. the same goes for bringing back the main element...

The drum sound changes dramatically in the different sections so it loses some flow... try and get a similar level / feel in terms of punch and loudness... Maybe try bussing the different drum parts through the same processing chain...

you have some problems with muddyness in the lower mids especially relating how some of the synth parts interact with the bass/kick drums.. try equing some space into the synths

The last thing I noticed is a lot of compression and not very much dynamics ... do some volume automation to bring in elements, emphasis different parts of the melody etc...

hope i made some sense

[elxicano]

Yo magnus,

I've just been checking out Untrue...

I like experimental, so I can get into it... With this song, I only thought the intro was a bit lacking, but the rest I can I like. I should point out that what I mean about the intro, is that as a new listener, picking this track for the first time didn't really give my short attention span an interest (but only at first)... I think you might be able to create the same effect with the intro by shortening (just a bit), but of course you are the artist and that's all that matters.

Doing the style you're doing, I wouldn't get put off by others not being interested because, most people long for hearing those melodic harmonies that all fall in the Key of C, and sometime when they don't, it can be hard for them to enjoy, but it doesn't mean something is wrong with what you do... instead it just means you have to be comfortable with your own skin (as if your music is your skin).

If you're looking to get more interest in your music, I would suggest varying the experimental stuff with some more standard stuff, so others see you've mastered the standards and have moved on to Avant Guard status, which means you can become the guru of your own domain .

Okay while writing this, heard things aren't the same, which is very jazzy... and I like this as well.

Bottom line bro, do what you feel is right, and shrug of the dislikers, unless you're trying to get them into what you do... but that's a whole other issue.

[ashtonron]

I have some mates that do very long winded breakdowns if you want some inspiration hehe ...

http://www.ofnorway.no/

Check out Essenvee - head down - of norway version

[MagnusPierre]

It will take some time to melt all the good info.

One thing though:
Untrue is a tune that just happened (personally I love the tune). I connected my K-station that had been in the closet for a few years due to space problems on my desk and fiddled with it just to show what it is capable of. Instead of hitting record midi I recorded an audio clip and just flipped program and tweaking knobs at the same time. When finished I listened to it all and found 3-4 segments that was really good but not perfect. Tried to find what programs they were based on with no luck. I recorded the melody once more using midi but the original program and what settings I was using is gone...

Ever happened to you?

Anyone that knows K-station factory programs by heart and can pick out which one it is?

Regards,
Magnus

[amigo]

It will take some time to melt all the good info.

One thing though:
Untrue is a tune that just happened (personally I love the tune).

I think that all of the best tracks write themselves.

[MagnusPierre]

Ok, I tried to play around with levels and eq as you mentioned ashtonron and I have trouble getting it right. I guess this will take some time to learn. Any good resources to read?

I found this:
Which seems to be quite good:
http://audiotuts.com/category/mixing-mastering/

Any others? (More tuned towards Ableton?)

With regards to my own confidence level:
I believe I am confident enough to stand up for my music. The only thing is that there are so much good music around and I can't say that my music is that original or even good for the most part. I can get seriously lucky (as with Untrue) but I guess that's it. (I'm just being very aware of my own limitations)

Avant garde for me is someone trying to make it harder than it is just to be complicated. I hope I'm not like that but I wouldn't be totally surprised!
I have also tried making ordinary tracks but it feels like lying. I loose interest and the end result is far from good.


Regarding amazing music:

http://www.myspace.com/adenturekidmusic for instance. He is just amazing. (I don't know him and I don't get any money for putting his name out)

Burial http://www.myspace.com/burialuk
His one track one myspace can measure up against just about anything.


Mindblowingly good music.

Thanks to everyone commenting. (Keep it up!) I will try to improve and I really like the encouraging words from everyone. I hear amazing tracks all day long due to all the new friends on myspace.

Regards,
Magnus

[MagnusPierre]

Oh bad link: I meant:
http://www.myspace.com/adventurekidmusic
Cheers!

/Magnus

[MagnusPierre]

I have realized that the stuff I have published is not that good and since there are so much good music around there's no need for the bad stuff clogging the internet. i have also realized over the last weeks that I need to learn the basic principles of making a tune (structure, mixing, mastering) before trying to do anything in public again. I will keep on making music for the pleasure of making music instead of hoping to make someone else happy.

Ableton Live is a wonderful tool and all u'r stuff is great.
I'm the yealous guy!

Magnus

PS/This is not a please give me nice feedback so I change my mind kind a note. I realized that it is crap that's all.

[vlantis]

I previewed your stuff, but never got the chance to give it a good listen. What I heard didn't sound bad at all. And believe me, I've heard a lot of shit on myspace since I've joined.

I'd say keep posting your music and forget about being as good as somebody else or what other people think. I have serious doubts about the music I make when comparing it to other people's work, but I still put it up for people to hear.

Of course, I can't change your mind for you, and I don't want you to think I'm pressuring you to put your music back up. But people have stated that they like your stuff, so you must be doing something right.

If your not happy with what you have, instead of trying to rework those tracks to death, why don't you start from scratch?

Whatever you do, I hope you become happy with your work!

[MagnusPierre]

Well the purpose of the thread was to learn how to improve.
This I believe I have succeeded to do. So much in fact that I no longer want to be associated with the old garbage. Hence the removal.

Don't make this a big deal. Only reason I wrote about it was not to get all the (link is not working anymore messages)

I'm really greatful for all the great tips.

Regards,
Magnus