Looking for comments on my work... good, bad, suggested read

[MikeJRiso]

Hi all,

My last post did not make it and I think it was because it was in the wrong category.
Just started writing a few months ago, found and joined Taxi and put a few submissions in.

Basically I am looking for comments on what is good, what is not and how to improve as an artist/composer.

I think (but could be wrong) mixing is my current weakness, so that is what I am most interested in hearing about and
maybe some tips or book suggestions... but all comments are asked for. I have NO ego and NO feelings. Rip me a new one hahahah

http://www.mikejriso.com/Music_tracks.html

Thanks in advance! Mike

[davewalton]

Hi Mike,

I listened to bits and pieces of a handful of songs. My main comment would not be about composing or you as a composer but simply about the quality of the music samples that you're using. For example, Starboard Sunrise. As a solo piano piece it first has to be convincing that you're using a real piano. The piano I'm hearing has a very "midi" quality to it. Run that same piece through something like Ivory or East/West Pianos or Sampletekk Seven Seas Grand and it's a whole different song. Same song obviously... but the end result would be much different.

Brindabella here on the forum had a number of very good pieces but the quality of her piano sounds was lacking. And of course she wasn't getting much traction. She bought one good piano library and if I remember correctly, re-rendered a few existing pieces through her new piano virtual instrument and ended up signing with a library. Pretty cool! Then she got EastWest Orchestral Gold (a very good orchestral package) and added that to her equipment list. It doesn't take a lot of stuff, just that everything you use really has to count... and sound realistic.

Hope that helps or at least give you a start (or confirms what you've already suspected).

Dave

[MikeJRiso]

hey Dave,

Thanks for taking the time.
Although, I am surprised you think my piano does not sound real. I was expecting other comments, but not that one.

However, I will look into other pianos.

Where did you get the one you used in "Sad Reflection" ?

[andygabrys]

Hi Mike,

i would agree with Dave. If you are doing sample-based music, the sounds have got to be pretty good - and then your programming has to be pretty deft.

East West Gold Pianos and Orchestra is a good buy - you can get the bundle with a bunch of other instruments like RA and StormDrum in the Complete Composers Collection which is always on sale - http://www.soundsonline.com/Complete-Co ... Collection

[MikeJRiso]

Thanks Andy,

I am using Reason 6.

If I buy these samples I will need another recording program. I wish I would have know about this before I went out and bought a program that is basically useless for the style of music I am making.

What recording program would you recommend I use with East West Samples?

[cardell]

Hi & Welcome Mike,

I have NO ego and NO feelings.

Wow, you must have reached Budahood...are you in Nirvana?

I listened to bits and pieces of a handful of songs. My main comment would not be about composing or you as a composer but simply about the quality of the music samples that you're using.

Yes, I concur. I actually thought that you were going for a kitchy trip at first listen. Also, to my ear, it sounds like you've quantized the life out of your work.

The great news is: all of this is quite easy to fix.

I am using Reason 6.

If I buy these samples I will need another recording program. I wish I would have know about this before I went out and bought a program that is basically useless for the style of music I am making.

Reason is amazing...I love it...for Dance & R'n'B. I just wish they'd [Propellarhead] allow the use of 3rd party VST & VSTi's.

What recording program would you recommend I use with East West Samples?

You'll get as many opinions as there are DAW's, but I love Studio One by Presonus. It's criminally easy to use, yet very powerful.

Stuart

[andygabrys]

What recording program would you recommend I use with East West Samples?

I prefer Logic for virtual instrument stuff. It has

1. really good MIDI input / editing functions
2. runs in 64 bit mode so you don't have a RAM limitation on the number of virtual instruments you can load

I use plugins based on Kontakt, Vienna Instruments, or East West PLAY which all run in 64 bit mode - between those three that is just about any orchestral package out there today.

Cubase is a good one for the same reasons I think. and its cross platform.

I am sure there are others that I don't know much about - Reaper, studio one, etc.

[MikeJRiso]

Thank you Stuart and Andy for the feedback!

I will be re-mixing ALL the songs I have and will make a new link done. But maybe I will just put up one or two
for another comment session to see if I am "getting it".

Thanks again!

I am not in Nirvana but understand that being a new composer I am going to get some dirt kicked in my face hahah

[cardell]

I will be re-mixing ALL the songs I have and will make a new link done. But maybe I will just put up one or two for another comment session to see if I am "getting it".

Awesome...I know you will get it right because you already have the important things covered...
...these are only technical issues.

I am not in Nirvana but understand that being a new composer I am going to get some dirt kicked in my face hahah

It's honestly not like that here. I've only been able to grow musically here (on this forum) because of so much honest & accurate feedback I've received. I can't get that anywhere else...I mean, I trust the people here, they know what there doing (well...not so much me... ).

Stuart