Newbie would love some input..

[jasonehleben]

Hello all. I've got a track that I'm working on for this listing:

CHILLOUT/AMBIENT ELECTRONICA INSTRUMENTALS a la the variety of Aphex Twin, Air, Moby, Enigma, etc., needed by the President/CEO of a Sports Training Music Website. Tracks can range in tempo from 60 to 145 bpm. He specifically stated that all tracks "must be recorded with a steady beat" (to a metronome or click). Be sure your track has current, modern sound and a consistent rhythm to help the person who's training work-out in time. Recording and instrumental demo presentation must be top-notch! The compensation for usage of your music is 15 cents per download and an artist profile/link on their site. Broadcast quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine). Please submit one to three instrumentals online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Wednesday, May 11, 2011. TAXI #Y110511EL

The track is "Silas"
http://soundcloud.com/user4540388/thrmt

I'm just really trying to learn as much as I can and get a feel for things so that I might be able to squeeze one past the screeners! Thanks everyone.

Jason

[pboss]

This is a super-cool and beautiful track. I am not a total newbie, but new enough to still be thinking about recent stuff I have learned like, when they give the sample artists in the listings, that they really are looking for the similar components of said artists, especially the first named ones. So, if you can analyze and come close to those components of feeling, tempo, instruments used, mixing sensibilities, song structure and form, then you're on the right track.

[nick.moxsom]

Really nice piece, Jason. I enjoyed it a lot. It has s nice, chill groove to it, but still has pace. Are they live strings? They sound fantastic.

Nick

[thokus]

Welcome new guy Jason... Nice tune .. I caught a hint of Moby in this .. The strings do sound pretty awesome... Nice job there.
Tom

[sedge]

Hi Jason, Newish here too and not sure on the etiquite for feedback but here goes.

loved the build up!!
Great sounds man, strings are fab!

Personal opinion most likely,
but I wouldn't have the pause break before the drums.
They could have just slid right in for me, perhaps faded over a bar or 2 up into the sound, that would flow truer to Moby imo too
and after they have done that the sweet piano could arrive.

Reason for me was the build made me anticipate the skippy beat, which was always going to come, only you told me - HERE IT IS- with the pause break, and I didn't want that, if that makes sense.

Just my thoughts I am no expert of course, but an idea for a diff mix maybe.

On to a second listen

hope I did good,
Sedge

[jasonehleben]

Thanks everyone! Yes, they are live strings (three layered cello parts).

pboss - That's the biggest adjustment I'm having to make here is trying to match the style of the ref tracks. It's tough to go against how I naturally write things, but obviously that's the name of the game.

sedge - I tend to agree with you on the break before percussion.. it's a little cliche. Glad to have someone else thinking the same thing!

Sorry for the delay - thanks again everyone.

[pboss]

...That's the biggest adjustment I'm having to make here is trying to match the style of the ref tracks. It's tough to go against how I naturally write things...

Jason, yes, I am totally with you on the whole adjustment thing. I am in the middle of a paradigm shift where I am almost totally abandoning my previous music creation process, and have not quite firmed up the 'new way'. It's driving me slightly crazy, because I like method and process, but it's also a personal thing because you have to figure out how to marry architecting something and then letting the muse flow. I'm excited, though, because I feel like once I nail down a new process, it will be faster to produce. Or so we hope. Horizontal and vertical. Where to begin?