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NEOGAF's Official Music Production Thread: calling all producers

V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
T

The Kree

Banned
I started that way. I don't miss it one bit. Too many things to plug in. Never liked the tedium of tracking from hardware. If I wanna recall something I made five years ago I double click a session file and it's all there in a few seconds exactly the way I left it. It's not nearly that easy when working analog. The sound difference is negligible and my midi controller has enough knobs and buttons to satisfy the tactile itch.

You might be insane.
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
X

Xrenity

Member
Sadsic said:
Made this album specifically for Bandcamp's ACLU donation pledge today... as well, I will donated 50% of whatever profits I make from this album (if any lol) myself afterwards.

https://sadsic.bandcamp.com/album/somewhere-else

Also its pretty good imo
Click to expand...
Your stuff always sounds good and this is no exception.

The stuff I make with my brother on the other hand, I only now feel like it's starting to sound good. This is the latest:
https://soundcloud.com/musicofairtime/sets/2017-ep

Would appreciate any feedback! Tried to use some analogue synths on this (MS20 mostly).
 
T

TheBowen

Sat alone in a boggy marsh
Really interested in getting into hip hop type production just for fun. Will go through the op tomorrow to help get a starting point

Anybody got any impressions on the AKAI MPK Mini MK2 ?
Hearing pretty good things, but wondering if there's a better starting point for a midi keyboard that has good keys and a beat pad
 
I

InaudibleWhispa

Member
TheBowen said:
Really interested in getting into hip hop type production just for fun. Will go through the op tomorrow to help get a starting point

Anybody got any impressions on the AKAI MPK Mini MK2 ?
Hearing pretty good things, but wondering if there's a better starting point for a midi keyboard that has good keys and a beat pad
Click to expand...

MPK Mini MK2 is what I chose as my first midi too and I like it. Build quality and features are good for the price.

Sadsic said:
i got really REALLY obsessive with this one track over the past few days... maybe spent a good 20 hours on it lol

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40086894/Iron.mp3
Click to expand...

Very nice. I love synths that sounds like they're on old or warped tape. Like the vocals too, sounds like post-shoegaze if such a thing existed.
 
S

subwilde

Member
InaudibleWhispa said:
MPK Mini MK2 is what I chose as my first midi too and I like it. Build quality and features are good for the price.
Click to expand...

Yeah you really can't go wrong with the MPK Mini. I loved it before getting the Push 2.


Speaking of, I've gotten back into sampling in the past few days. Been work in progress on this track: https://soundcloud.com/paxwilde/comfort


Edit:
Sadsic said:
i got really REALLY obsessive with this one track over the past few days... maybe spent a good 20 hours on it lol

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/40086894/Iron.mp3
Click to expand...

Oh snap...this is dope. Those background vocals are on point! Give a nice contrast with that synth.
 
S

subwilde

Member
Xrenity said:
This is seriously good.

Checked some of the other stuff on your channel, and to me this sounds like your best work by a margin.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude! I've been experiencing recently but I def want to get back into sampling a lot. So much more creative for me.
 
Acrylic7

Acrylic7

Member
Hi guys I did a little research and need some second opinions.

I love great sound quality and now that my tax crap has come in I think its time to upgrade from my crappy $20 speakers. I have great headphones but I have a bad ear so that's not always an option.

I'm looking for a decent audio interface with XLR outputs that's cheap as possible. Any recommendations?
Decent Studio monitor recommendations would be useful as well.
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
Acrylic7 said:
Hi guys I did a little research and need some second opinions.

I love great sound quality and now that my tax crap has come in I think its time to upgrade from my crappy $20 speakers. I have great headphones but I have a bad ear so that's not always an option.

I'm looking for a decent audio interface with XLR outputs that's cheap as possible. Any recommendations?
Decent Studio monitor recommendations would be useful as well.
Click to expand...

Do you really need XLR outs. A balanced TRS and XLR are identical in mechanical purpose for what you want it for and will produce Identical sound quality. (TRS could sometimes blow a ribbon mic through a short if phantom is on through patching and you plug it in, an XLR won't do that, but why you'd leave phantom on before connection I dunno). So if you're open to TRS, there's plenty of options and you can get a TRS > XLR balanced cable if necessary.

leaving a lot of questions too...

First, what's your budget?
I/O requirements?
Connection type, Firewire/USB/Thunderbolt?

Regardless of these if you want XLR balanced out here's a few:

RME:
Babyface Pro
Fireface UFX
Fireface UFX+
Fireface UFX II
 
Acrylic7

Acrylic7

Member
Is this pair a good deal? Fender Passport 150W Pair of Portable Studio Monitors for $220
https://www.adorama.com/fe694500000...t&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=rflaid62905

Chris Metal said:
Do you really need XLR outs. A balanced TRS and XLR are identical in mechanical purpose for what you want it for and will produce Identical sound quality. (TRS could sometimes blow a ribbon mic through a short if phantom is on through patching and you plug it in, an XLR won't do that, but why you'd leave phantom on before connection I dunno). So if you're open to TRS, there's plenty of options and you can get a TRS > XLR balanced cable if necessary.

leaving a lot of questions too...

First, what's your budget?
I/O requirements?
Connection type, Firewire/USB/Thunderbolt?

Regardless of these if you want XLR balanced out here's a few:

RME:
Babyface Pro
Fireface UFX
Fireface UFX+
Fireface UFX II
Click to expand...

I did some more research based on your info and it seems that TRS is just as good. I think I just need to find a cheap usb audio interface now.
 
T

thezerofire

Banned
Acrylic7 said:
Is this pair a good deal? Fender Passport 150W Pair of Portable Studio Monitors for $220
https://www.adorama.com/fe694500000...t&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=rflaid62905



I did some more research based on your info and it seems that TRS is just as good. I think I just need to find a cheap usb audio interface now.
Click to expand...
I'm concerned that they don't have any frequency responses listed. Hard to tell how they really perform without them, and the reviews don't say much either
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
Acrylic7 said:
Is this pair a good deal? Fender Passport 150W Pair of Portable Studio Monitors for $220
https://www.adorama.com/fe694500000...t&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=rflaid62905



I did some more research based on your info and it seems that TRS is just as good. I think I just need to find a cheap usb audio interface now.
Click to expand...

I need an idea of budget so I can look at good systems relative to price for you. How much you want to spend on monitoring, the interface etc.

Falk said:
I know someone who got the nickname "Royer Destroyer"
Click to expand...

Oh no, didn't destroy the lovely R-121 did they? Although all Royers are pretty nice.

We had a matched pair of Coles 4038's, someone managed to damage the ribbon in one of them... �� Sad times
 
S

subwilde

Member
The Kree said:
This is dope. Can I ask what's the sample source?
Click to expand...

Thanks man, think I'll actually stick with this track for once and finish it haha. It's just a sample from some free "chord pack" that I chopped up to be a bit faster with a different progression. The rest of the sounds I just used ableton instruments and serum, excluding some small audio chops.
 
Acrylic7

Acrylic7

Member
thezerofire said:
I'm concerned that they don't have any frequency responses listed. Hard to tell how they really perform without them, and the reviews don't say much either
Click to expand...

I already ordered them. I basically just need speakers that sound far better than basic speakers. After a hours of research I think these are great and especially at that price.

Chris Metal said:
I need an idea of budget so I can look at good systems relative to price for you. How much you want to spend on monitoring, the interface etc.
Click to expand...

I want to stay withing a $100-ish price range on my audio interface. I'm no music producer or anything so I can live without fancy bells and whistles. I only need one for very lite podcast recording and listening to music.
 
C

Chris Metal

Member
Acrylic7 said:
I already ordered them. I basically just need speakers that sound far better than basic speakers. After a hours of research I think these are great and especially at that price.



I want to stay withing a $100-ish price range on my audio interface. I'm no music producer or anything so I can live without fancy bells and whistles. I only need one for very lite podcast recording and listening to music.
Click to expand...

For what you want I think
Roland TriCapture is a good choice. Is has some features the others don't have in the price range like stereo Aux inputs and the track summing feature which is useful. Though it's missing MIDI, and if you want that I recommend...

Lexicon Lambda has plenty of I/O for $99

Or the Presonus Audiobox as mentioned (Also comes in black)
 
O

omg_mjd

Member
I've been having way too much fun with GarageBand on my iPhone lately. Makes me feel guilty that it's taking away from my time learning Ableton but being able to apply the music and production concepts I've learned to a DAW that fits in my pocket is kinda mind-blowing.
 
S

subwilde

Member
omg_mjd said:
I've been having way too much fun with GarageBand on my iPhone lately. Makes me feel guilty that it's taking away from my time learning Ableton but being able to apply the music and production concepts I've learned to a DAW that fits in my pocket is kinda mind-blowing.
Click to expand...

I've always been curious about "mini DAWs". Can you export individual tracks or something like that?
 
O

omg_mjd

Member
subwilde said:
I've always been curious about "mini DAWs". Can you export individual tracks or something like that?
Click to expand...

Not automatically--GB exports the entire song but you can mute the other tracks so that the resulting audio file will only contain the track(s) you want.
 
F

Falk

that puzzling face
I've switched from gates to TALfilter because having it repeat a filter sweep rather than attenuation with far more options than a binary on-off switch opens up so many possibilities.

There are far easier/more convenient methods for an actual binary gate though, obviously.
 
F

FloatingDivider

Member
I agree with Falk. I find time based filtering tools far more pleasant and easy to work with for setting up gating than most actual gating plugins. Talfilter is probably the best free one https://tal-software.com/products/tal-filter but I personally enjoy some of the paid ones more in terms of flexibility, creative workflow, and extended feature sets. I personally own and use Xfer's LFOtool, Cableguys Volumeshaper, and Soundtoys Tremolator. There's a lot of feature overlap but they'll all do volume gating really well.

I personally think Volumeshaper has the best waveform display, some really nice preset curves, and is a joy to work with but it doesn't have a filter section. Which, I think, you can remedy by getting the Filtershaper plugin and using the shaperbox thingy but I don't own that so I can't comment.

LfoTool doesn't have the most engaging interface but it has a really nice filter section which it shares with Xfer's Serum so they're super familiar to me. It's probably worth it for me so I can slap lfo automated reverb filters on everything lol. I did find myself having to reference the manual frequently initially because the interface isn't the most legible thing in the world.

I got Tremolator for free so I haven't gone super deep with it but it's probably the weirdest one out of the bunch for sure. The interface is weird, the presets are weird and it's just a strange little thing. Super cool tho. That being said, it's also by far the most expensive one at $129 and it uses the iLok anti piracy stuff, which I personally think is more obtrusive than other solutions. (you can authorize to a computer though and you don't need a dongle) so I'm not super hyped on recommending this.
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
L

lazygecko

Member
The Kree said:
Any gate with a sidechain input would do. What DAW are you using? I know Ableton and Logic have them built in.
Click to expand...

I use FLStudio. Normally I just make automation clips for this kind of thing, but I find the way FL handles its own internal envelopes for that stuff lacks the precision I want. Especially when you want to do very fast envelopes the transients just don't feel as sharp as they should be.
 
T

The Kree

Banned
vonStirlitz said:
Does anyone have any tips or recommendations for turning a non-drum based sample into a drum beat - without it sounding like an electric zap or deep fart. Ideally on ipad.

I am trying to use the same source for both melody and beat so it's important not to use a drum sample for this one.
Click to expand...
Fast attack and short decay for the basic envelope shape of the sound, and then a pitch envelope that rapidly drops the pitch from a few octaves higher to create a percussive click at the start of the sound.
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
L

lazygecko

Member
So I've had a pair of AKG 271 MkII for several years now I've been very satisfied with, and I finally got a new pair as the old ones are starting to get a bit worn (noticing a wee bit of odd resonance coming from the right speaker). But when I finally tried the new pair I immediately noticed how different they sound. The frequency cutoff below 200hz seems a lot harsher in the new pair, for instance. So there's practically no audible bass at all, which really sucks cause it was particularly the way lower frequencies were balanced that I was very satisfied with (which is so difficult to get just right on headphones). Didn't have to make any adjustments to bass at all when mixing in those phones and comparing in a studio speaker setup.

No clue if this is a sign of a defect or the fact that they outright changed the specifications of the model over the years. I really, really hope it isn't the latter. Googling the issue hasn't turned up much.
 
V

Vally

Member
Hi people, some of you might remember the G.A.M.E. 3.0 album dedicated to WipEout HD, with tracks made by fellow GAF members.

On the occasion of the release of WipEout Omega Collection for PS4 we're thinking that it would be cool to make something like that again. A couple of posters in that thread have already expressed their interest in taking part in it, so if anyone here would like to contribute a track or two let me know (or if you know of any other member who might be interested spread the word please!)

The game is planned to be released during summer 2017 (placeholder date is July 31st at the moment) so there's still plenty of time to make some fine tracks =)
 
S

subwilde

Member
lazygecko said:
So I've had a pair of AKG 271 MkII for several years now I've been very satisfied with, and I finally got a new pair as the old ones are starting to get a bit worn (noticing a wee bit of odd resonance coming from the right speaker). But when I finally tried the new pair I immediately noticed how different they sound. The frequency cutoff below 200hz seems a lot harsher in the new pair, for instance. So there's practically no audible bass at all, which really sucks cause it was particularly the way lower frequencies were balanced that I was very satisfied with (which is so difficult to get just right on headphones). Didn't have to make any adjustments to bass at all when mixing in those phones and comparing in a studio speaker setup.

No clue if this is a sign of a defect or the fact that they outright changed the specifications of the model over the years. I really, really hope it isn't the latter. Googling the issue hasn't turned up much.
Click to expand...

Maybe run them for a few days straight playing music? I've fixed some midbass in some Ultrasone cans by doing that. Different story for the HiFiMan 350 though, as an extended break in period hasn't done anything to the harshness of the highs.
 
B

btkadams

Member
Vally said:
Hi people, some of you might remember the G.A.M.E. 3.0 album dedicated to WipEout HD, with tracks made by fellow GAF members.

On the occasion of the release of WipEout Omega Collection for PS4 we're thinking that it would be cool to make something like that again. A couple of posters in that thread have already expressed their interest in taking part in it, so if anyone here would like to contribute a track or two let me know (or if you know of any other member who might be interested spread the word please!)

The game is planned to be released during summer 2017 (placeholder date is July 31st at the moment) so there's still plenty of time to make some fine tracks =)
Click to expand...
I'd be interested in this!
 
V

vonStirlitz

Unconfirmed Member
[Redacted as the member no longer wishes to be associated with this website, and the reputational damage and distress caused by association with this website. In addition, the user considers that the action of the management, and the nature of the site and members of its community, renders the original terms and conditions of this site void, and it unconscionable for either side to be bound to them. The user reasserts their IP rights in all content and does not give any authority for its continued usage on this website. Despite requesting that the user's account be deleted, in accordance with data protection rules which apply to this website over multiple jurisdictions, the admin team have failed to delete this account, requiring the user to take its own steps to ensure the valid deletion of data.]
 
T

The Kree

Banned
Vally said:
Hi people, some of you might remember the G.A.M.E. 3.0 album dedicated to WipEout HD, with tracks made by fellow GAF members.

On the occasion of the release of WipEout Omega Collection for PS4 we're thinking that it would be cool to make something like that again. A couple of posters in that thread have already expressed their interest in taking part in it, so if anyone here would like to contribute a track or two let me know (or if you know of any other member who might be interested spread the word please!)

The game is planned to be released during summer 2017 (placeholder date is July 31st at the moment) so there's still plenty of time to make some fine tracks =)
Click to expand...

I'll send you something soon.
 
S

subwilde

Member
Vally said:
Hi people, some of you might remember the G.A.M.E. 3.0 album dedicated to WipEout HD, with tracks made by fellow GAF members.

On the occasion of the release of WipEout Omega Collection for PS4 we're thinking that it would be cool to make something like that again. A couple of posters in that thread have already expressed their interest in taking part in it, so if anyone here would like to contribute a track or two let me know (or if you know of any other member who might be interested spread the word please!)

The game is planned to be released during summer 2017 (placeholder date is July 31st at the moment) so there's still plenty of time to make some fine tracks =)
Click to expand...

Interested as well! Thanks for posting in here :)
 
N

NipplesAndToes23

Member
Sorry The Kree. I tried all of last year to try and do those drums from that song you sent me. I don't know if it's me or the program, but none of those drums just sound right to me. Every day I try to go in and make a song, but the instruments just don't sound right to me. I really want to make something though. Writing ain't cutting it for the game side and I have a long ways to go with my art, but I feel maybe if I can get in music, I can rise more quickly.
 
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