alaria
(
oneblackrose.org/songaweek)
Albino Samurai
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
PC, 4 GB RAM, Cubase Studio 4 , WaveLab Studio, MOTU 828 MKII (FireWire), Motu Midi Express, Novation K-Station, D-Station, Remote25 LE, Yamaha CS1X, MG24/14FX, HS80M, Roland XV2020 + SRX 08 & SRX 09 expansions, Akai S2000, Tannoy System 800.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
Uhr... i don't know realy... I thinks it's techno'ish
The inspirations
Ikaruga and Gradius, but more shooters in general.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
Automation within Cubase.
What have you learned while making your song?
To many things to mention.... i learned a couple of things about my Roland XV2020 wich i didn't realise were possible at first.
And that NES sounds are awesome. Bit of work sampling all of it though....
If you had more time what would do differently?
Everything... i'm a perfectionist when it comes to music and eventhough i like all sorts of music there's always a certain something i would have done differently.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The main reason i actualy publicised this track is cause i think it has a nice buildup but stays monotone all the way thru.
Starts with a techno synth, then goes to a Rave synth and then full technological madness.
alistairw
(
http://www.myspace.com/littlemaths)
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
Reason.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
8-bit.
The inspirations
The crappier 8-bit titles.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
I tried numerous new things, most of which turned out to be far too advanced for me to get my head around in the time allocated to this project.
What have you learned while making your song?
I stopped trying to make something different to what I'm capable of. That is to say, I learnt that if at first you don't succeed, go back to what's worked previously. Set your standards low, kids.
If you had more time what would do differently?
I'd probably finish the other song I started and never quite felt happy with. Then I'd record Prince style vocals for this one.
What is your favorite part of your song?
OH YEAH OH YEAH
DopeyFish
(
http://www.myspace.com/dopeyfish)
FightyF
(
http://www.myspace.com/nrxic )
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
BUZZ on a Windows XP SP2 OS PC (A64 3GHz, 2Gb RAM), and a QuickShot MIDI keyboard.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
I tried to make a Freeform track, but the melody does sound chip-tuney/videogamey, so Freeform listeners may see it as Japanese inspired Freeform.
The inspirations
I did a remix of my NES "race song" (can be found here:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...ndID=102360&co
ntent=music).
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
I tried mimicking the style of Finnish Freeform, with the use of HP filtered saw synths and stabby goa-esque basslines. I also used a guitar synth (Steinberg Virtual Guitars) for the first time. I tried making a song specifically for videogames, ideally for racing games. Listening to the final product, I think I fell short somewhat. Most of the game sound effects would take the mid-low and mid range, so I should have worked the final mix to be a bit quieter in those ranges with the highs and real lows sticking out. That way it clashes less with roaring engines in the game. So I think I fell short in that regard. With some tweaking maybe it could be used for a futuristic sh'mup?
What have you learned while making your song?
Thanks to other GAFers I learned how to use side-chain compression, and I finally figured out how to properly do the Finnish Freeform-esque filtered/gated saw synths. I also learned why you don't hear too many electric guitars in techno tracks, because it's hard to get it sitting in the mix right. You have to carefully EQ them and all the other instruments to sit properly in the mix and as you can tell, I still could have done some more tweaking. Guitars don't really suit layered techno songs, but I can see them sounding very cool in more basic songs.
If you had more time what would do differently?
Tweak that breakdown solo synth to perfection. It sounds sorty cheesy, IMO. Also, my weakest ability is song structure, and I think that with some guidance, I could have laid this track out in a better fashion, giving it better flow. Also, I did all the filter knob twisting in real time...maybe I should have automated it, while I like the idea of imperfections giving electronic music a more "human" quality, sometimes I got off my groove and it sounds somewhat random in parts.
What is your favorite part of your song?
I like how the guitars came out.
iced lightening
(
http://www.myspace.com/electricsalmon)
LiveFromKyoto
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used.
Everything was done in Garageband. I used the iDrum plugin to sequence the beats. The only hardware was my trusty MacBook Pro; everything was played using my laptop's QWERTY keyboard. Not a single note was sampled aside from the voices, and the instrument sounds are mostly custom made.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into.
No clue, really. I just file it under electronica. I don't set out to make anything that fits into a genre.
The inspirations
NHK's Furinkazan, Koei's Nobunaga's Ambition, Boards of Canada, My Bloody Valentine & the shoegazer scene in general, Ulrich Schnauss, Future Sound of London, Underworld, Samurai Shodown.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
Just about everything. There are 12 different tracks in this song and a boatload of effects & filters. I've never really worked with voices before, aside from my own. I've never put together a drum beat with that many layers (about 9) or that much progression. I've never managed to put together a song that progressed that well either.
What have you learned while making your song?
TONS, lots about positioning audio, setting levels, proper use of audio filters and production in general. And working with voice samples as well. This song was a nightmare of static and crackle for the longest time, with this much distortion and reverb and volume it was tough to get everything into its own space. I also learned a lot about using individual software instruments as well, the electric koto sound was murder to sequence properly because of the way the pluck is set off after the keystroke. It was a lot of fiddly work with that instrument, but I'm really happy with the way it ended up sounding.
If you had more time (maybe you will!) what would do differently?
More sound samples, but it's difficult to fit them where I want them, I'd have to redo a ton of things to make everything audible and not tripping over each other. But I think I can do it, and probably will down the line when I have a proper audio monitor.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The crescendo after the pause and the "Ike yo!" sample, where everything's going off at once. It might be too much at once for some people, but that's the idea. And something with that many layers should stand up to multiple listens.
Monchi-kun
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used.
All music done on the Korg Electribe EMX-1, recorded into Ableton Live 5 with a saturation filter
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into.
No clue, i would suck at classifying musical subcategories within a genre. So i guess it's electronic music.
The inspirations.
All the 8bit game musicians of my youth (whoever you may be)
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
This was my first attempt at doing something with hardware only. Used to do everything in virtual environments with Fruity Loops, Reason, and Live and i always found it daunting. I also thought that whatever i created was so small in comparison to what the software allows you to make. I think I just learned to go with the flow, plan less, and kinda let the spurr of the moment take over. BAWS BATTL was created in a few hours actually.
What have you learned while making your song?
When working with hardware take NOTES! Spur of the moment makes it near impossible to replicate what you did because you didn't jot down your dial settings for each part.
If you had more time (maybe you will!) what would do differently?
I'd like to mix in some samples into Live, have better separation for the tracks, a better mix, better levels. I was hoping to get my Kaoss Pad Mini in time to add some more funky effects
What is your favorite part of your song?
The 8-bit style arp with the grain shifting added for measure. Just feels so random against the structure of the song. I doubt i'll be able to reproduce this again...
Mr. Nash
(
http://www.myspace.com/jeffnashmusic)
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
Ableton Live, Arturia Analog Factory, Free Alpha
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
Techno-esque? House-ish? Loud?
The inspirations
Two Great Tastes that Taste Great Together: The Ridge Racer series and Omega Boost!
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
Not get bored halfway through and start something else...oh wait, I did that here and this song was the result.
What have you learned while making your song?
Having a short attention span while writing music isn't necessarily a bad thing.
If you had more time what would do differently?
Probably get tired of this song too, and want to make something else instead.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The loud blasting synth at the beginning. That'll wake you up!
m0dus
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
Reason 4.0, and Oxygen49 keyboard and Audacity.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
Trance, remix.
The inspirations
Shining Force, and forum arguments.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
A unified theme
What have you learned while making your song?
Static and noise aren't always a problem. sometimes, they fit right in.
If you had more time what would do differently?
Work on the mastering a bit more.
What is your favorite part of each song?
Every refrain.
pixelated
(
http://www.myspace.com/thebitmipsyndicatemusic)
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
BUZZ, Windows XP, Part of the reason in the delay besides BUZZ crashing and eating my song was that I was in the process of building a new system with an xfi elite pro card in it, which I didnt use for the this song
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
Drum 'n' Bass. I coined my sub genre Tronstep. Every bass and synth is from a nes or amiga emulation vst while the drums remain untouched mostly.
The inspirations
Lifeforce, Gradius
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
This was my first ever use of chords. The chord wizard in BUZZ was a big help.
What have you learned while making your song?
Make a back up copy of your progress. While this song sounds off from the original that crashed, it retains its spirit.
If you had more time what would do differently?
Work on the levels more. Also there are two sections in the song that are off beat but it doesnt sound right when i try to make them on beat so i just left it that way. I'll revist a rewrite to see if i can get it on beat and make it sound the way i want it but previous attempts were meh. Also add more drums... this is Drum 'n' Bass after all.
What is your favorite part of your song?
"Destroy the Core Now" Also how the song tells a story
Plastic Handgun (aka Mark D)
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
Cubase.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
Glitchpop.
The inspirations
Getting lost in an 8-bit forest.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
I tried mostly to stay on target. Stay on target.
What have you learned while making your song?
The way I inherently approach writing a song became a little more apparent.
If you had more time what would do differently?
Perhaps make the song longer. Or add more noise.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The hand clap percussion.
RSTEIN
(
http://www.soundclick.com/rstein)
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
Fruity Loops & Yamaha YPP-55 for MIDI control.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
I dunno, I'll just say IDM.
The inspirations
I've listened to IDM/DNB/House/Techno/Dub/Electronic my whole life. I never draw from any one artist or genre. The song is what it is at the end of the day.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
More structure, one beat, drum loop throughout the song.
What have you learned while making your song?
Attack, sustain, delay, release. They're your friends.
If you had more time what would do differently?
I'm actually pretty happy with it.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The build up after the middle break and the ending.
SD-Zeta
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used.
Fruity Loops Studio 7. That's it.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into.
Hard to say, I didn't really have a genre in mind when I made this song. Probably just electronica.
The inspirations.
To be honest I don't think I really had any special inspirations for this song. Videogame musics in general were some sort of inspiration I'd say.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
It's my first song!
What have you learned while making your song?
I basically learned everything I know right now. I started from zero, had to play around with the program and see what it could do. And I still have tons of things to learn about it. I also learned how to structure a song and well, how to compose a song since I had never done one before.
If you had more time (maybe you will!) what would do differently?
I'd play around with the options some more (EQ, plugins etc.). I'd probably also try to incorporate an additional melody somewhere near the end of the song without making it sound too muddy.
What is your favorite part of your song?
It's hard to say! I'm happy about the whole background melody (from the piano+reverb) because it really captures the feel of being inside a frozen place like an ice cavern or something. But for a specific part of the song, I'd say when the guitar comes in because I didn't expect it to blend in so well when I made that part separately.
SPOD (aka 666)
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
Software is Logic Pro 8. Been using 7 for ages, good sequencer. Used the sampler for the drums. Went through a Motu 828II to get inside the computox.
Hardware on this track is my lovely 1972 Minimoog doing the bass, leads, sound FX & steel drums and Mario Paint on the Super Nintendo doing the meows. I used a Casio SK1 to to the pitched CATS chant too. I love that thing.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
AwesomeCore
The inspirations
Mario Paint and thinking about rockabillys. True story.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
I'm usually quite lyrically heavy, so I made sure I only said one word in this song. Much easier! I kind of made sure I didn't go too 8 bit, as I do that alot and thought it was too obvious for a video game theme, but that said, I kind of wish I used my sidstation for a fantasy breakdown & included a cat fantasy monologue.
What have you learned while making your song?
That SNES emulators on the DS don't stay in time.
If you had more time what would do differently?
Mix it better, but it's fine. I'm going to do a film clip for this and put it on my EP in March too probably.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The vocal melody in the last 20 seconds and the cat sample from Mario Paint. That shit makes me laugh every time.
Teknopathic
"I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used. What genre do you know/believe your song falls into. The inspirations. What did you try new or differently from previous songs? What have you learned while making your song? If you had more time (maybe you will!) what would do differently? What is your favorite part of your song?"
My song was done in Psycle, using all VSTs. Shortcircuit for all the percussion and vocal sampling, NWBass for the bass synth, Xoxos Puru + a built in machine for the the stuttering ditty, and LazySnake for the Electric Piano. The only hardware used was a CME UF-5 Midi controller for note input/playing ideas out. As said previously, inspiration was night-time in an urban area, sorta Hip night clubby. A la Benten-cho in Jet Grind Radio. It's very traditional house, which is completely new to me, as I usually go for minimalistic Drum 'n Bass. I really like the vocal samples which was some public domain clip on archive.org. I think the whispered sound adds a little more mellow to it. I hadn't used a tracker in awhile, and I certainly hadn't used Psycle before so this got me really acquainted with it. If I had more time, I think I probably would've found some way to turn it into a DnB track.
Timedog
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used.
Software synths and drums: G Force Minimonsta, Steinberg A1, YmVST, Steinberg L7, Novation V-Station Vsti, Steinberg LM-7.
Sequencer: Cubase SX3
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into.
I have no clue. I don't even listen to electronic music.
The inspirations.
A patch I heard on minimonsta.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
nothing.
What have you learned while making your song?
That I have no idea how to mix a kick for electronic music. That it's hard to get the midrange sounding right when it's all synths.
If you had more time (maybe you will!) what would do differently?
used more video gamey sounds, and made it less repetitive i.e. more parts/different song structure.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The part that connects the 2nd chorus to the 3rd verse/ending.
Tr4nce
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used?
Not much, just Reason.
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into?
Uplifting Trance
The inspirations?
The atmosphere from FFX, the blue skies, summer nights etc. etc.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
Two basslines, instead of one.
What have you learned while making your song?
...
If you had more time what would do differently?
Synth tweaking.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The break, where the melody comes in and goes out again, near the climax. The synth, mroe specifically the filter frequency, was automated. I think it sounds awesome.
X5z
I would like to know when you guys post your songs the software/hardware used
Logic Pro 8 and a M-Audio Axiom 25 MIDI controller
What genre do you know/believe your song falls into
I don't know. Some sort of trance perhaps, but I don't know what specific style.
The inspirations
RPG battle music and platformer stage music, particularly Mega Man.
What did you try new or differently from previous songs?
Using a song key other than C, and layering sounds.
What have you learned while making your song?
This was the first song I've completed in Logic, so it was a great chance to learn more about using the program and start developing a workflow. Learning about mixing and compression was cool, as it wasn't something I've used much previously.
If you had more time what would do differently?
More mixing and make some changes to the drums. I also like how the different elements of the song sound seperately, so I'd also like to do a remix.
What is your favorite part of your song?
The drums and synth around the last half of the song, although they get somewhat obscured by the other instruments.