Does this sound "synthy"

[mewman]

In the critique for one of my last forwards, the reviewer said that some of my sounds were a bit "synthy". He liked the structure and melody, but apparently I need to upgrade my software. Here is a new tune I did today using what I think are the best instruments I have. Is it time for me to fork out the bucks? http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... tream=1Any feedback would be greatly appreciatedmewman

[mewman]

OOps...wrong link, that was one of the forwarded tunes...here is the new onehttp://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_id=99444&stream=1mewman

[hummingbird]

Hi - I'd work a bit on the levels - you have a treble piano happening that is quite a bit louder than the accompanying piano (I think it's piano). Work to soften the flute on the longer notes - I don't know why, but they seem to crescendo & that isn't natural, I've been told. I'd back the flutes off a little as well - they come across very bright & need some EQ I think. I think it's a lovely composition.

[squids]

I'm with Bird on this......I've found that downloading some music from the genre you're writing and then jes listening to it, not forcing, just letting it hang out and get into your subconscious will help you sort out what doesn't sound natural. vikki's suggestions are good and ones I'd recommend.

[ibanez468]

mewman,To my ears, they sound fine. This particular tune doesn't sound "synthy" to me. But what you might be able to get away with on this tune, you may not be able to get away with on the next one. But the sounds are O.K. to me.ibanez468

[vhee]

not too synthy, but may I add:*I would like to here the plunk of the keys a little more* Needs better "space orientation" for the instruments, they all sound like they are on top of each other.* Also they seem to share the same EQ field, each intrument needs to sit in its own frequency, and each instrument whould be slightly panned away from the other instruments.*at different intervals of the song, choose which instrument should lead an any given time, swap the instruments through the song to create greater variation.* if you haven't already, consider compression.otherwise very nice melodic tune.

[hummingbird]

mewman, I was thinking about this thread this morning and I wondered if you'd downloaded Studio Buddy from the Taxi site - it's a good primer for some of what vhee is saying.-- http://www.studiobuddy.com/txi/

[mazz]

Hi mewman!Very nice piece. I like the flute sound a lot, until the end when you do the three part harmony with the flutes, then it sounds a bit synthy. For that section, I'd suggest using a completely different flute sample for each part, or consider using vibes and piano for two of the harmony parts.A few things that I heard regarding arrangement:1. Have something (flute or piano or vibes or bells, or....) double the melody up an octave the second time through. The unison of the flute and piano is cool but I think the piece needs to build.2. Your arpeggiated part could be panned further out to help it speak a bit more. You have a lot of information in the same frequency range in your arrangement and it begins to get a bit difficult for the ear to separate the foreground from the background. If you double the part, pan the doubled part to the opposite side. This will also help the mix dance a bit.3. Have some instrument (piano maybe?) play that little three part figure that you have in the flutes at the end earlier on in the piece. It can be soft and subtle, an answer to the melody or something. I think that will have that part make more sense when it comes in in the flutes or whatever at the end. Since it's at the end and not a transition point in a longer piece, I think it comes as a bit of a surprise which IMO isn't the best for a piece of this length. Give us a teaser earlier on.Probably more info than you wanted but I think you have a beautiful piece here and I wanted to add something that may, IMO, help it become even better.Keep up the good work!Mazz

[mewman]

These are great suggestions...thanks, everyone, for the positive feedback.....Quote:mewman, I was thinking about this thread this morning and I wondered if you'd downloaded Studio Buddy from the Taxi site -Vikki, I had a copy of studio buddy on my old PC. It's a great program. Unfortunately, when I signed up with my new server, they blocked my attempts to download it onto my new computer with a warning that it contained a virus. I do have other resources at my disposal and recently acquired Dave Moulton's "Golden Ears" audio training course. I'm just beginning to understand the concept of placing things in the mix using the EQ.mewman

[dgolding]

Hi mewman,Overall it didn't sound too synthy for me. One or two elements came close though. I felt that the flute needed a litle more variation, and the nylon guitar didn't seem to sit very well in its louder moments.I agree with the others that some tweakage of the levels, panning and EQ would make a big difference.As for the tune itself, I think it's very engaging. I love the change that comes in around 1:46. To me, it's one of those tunes that could easily go in many directions, and yet retain the overall feel. I could even imagine some pedal steel in there, in the background, answering some of the melody lines.Nice work