Soundtrack w/Signposts, Buttoned Ending, etc.

[MattMayfield]

Hi everyone,

Here's the first track I made specifically with Taxi / soundtrack use in mind. It's synth-heavy since that's all I have set up at the moment in my new basement room and I was just excited to get started!

Please comment if you have a moment to listen. I'd really like to get some feedback on what genre this would be considered, and also how I could improve this - I would actually prefer constructive, specific criticism; don't hold back. (i.e. I suspect the section starting at 1:19 is either too different from the rest of the track and should be spun off into its own piece, or isn't long enough to justify its existence... or that I should change up the melody some more each time it repeats)

SoundCloud link -----> Dirty Synth Grind

[PeterD]

Hey Matt!

I could be WAY off, but in my experience, you need as much variation of the main motif you can do for a 2 min piece. I definitely like it!, but you're right though about that section. It's cool in that it switches things up, but from there it should progress even further. Instead, you go back to the post-breakdown section. I think you need something that builds more. But it also depends on the listing, too.

How about layering the two different drum loops for the ending section to see what that does? Maybe add another synth line (something aggressive with a pad) in there too? Just brainstorming.

I hope others will chime in here and help.
Again, I think you're onto something!

[nick.moxsom]

Hey, Matt. I don't think we've met...

I really like this piece – sounds like a Britney song to me. Great bassline, and I love the main riff.

I think the section at 1:19 should be brought forward to replace the beat only section at 0:36 (maybe put that in later – feels too early for a breakdown). Then you've established a main motif and a supporting one, and from there on you can bring the latter in as counterpoint underneath the former. And, as Peter said, I'd mix up the instrumentation a bit more as the piece progresses – more light and dark.

As for placement, I'm not sure where it would sit. But then, I'm a Brit, and miss some of the subtle nuances of US culture. I'm sure others will offer more useful opinions.

Good work.

Nick

[MattMayfield]

Thanks very much, Peter and Nick! That's exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for. I'll play around a bit with those ideas tonight - and enjoy listening to your SoundCloud accounts while working in the office today

[mobster85]

Got à Prince feel to me. I definitely like the main motif but i think it could use some variation. Build with different sounds and change the break to later in the piece. Dont lose the energy u have started out with. Keep that flow. Very cool idea.

Peace,
Bob LoGrasso

www.taxi.com/boblograsso

[georginasaint]

Hi Matt
That's a very cool piece. I think what the other guys have said is spot on.
I don't know what listing you're going for but when I see "soundtrack" I usually assume that means the bulk of it should be orchestral. I get that you only have synth available at the moment. Are you thinking of layering any orchestral in there in the future??
Also, I'm not sure if others think "soundtrack" means it involves orchestral. And maybe the listing says heavy on synth or something??
Either way, I think you've got the start of a really good usable track there.

Georgie

[MattMayfield]

Thanks for the comments Bob and Georgie!

By "soundtrack" I mean something that hopefully could be used for film/TV/YouTube/etc., as opposed to the "soundtrack" genre referring to orchestral music. That might be something interesting to try mixing in with it, though.

I tried several of your suggestions on this new version of the piece. Also, there was a bit of a "happy accident" with some crazy room mic experimentation that caused the hi-hats to sound like 16ths:

https://soundcloud.com/mattmayfield/dir ... -version-2

Thanks,

Matt

[cassmcentee]

Hey Matt, lot of fun!
I would get heavier on the bass and I don't feel a kick?
Is there one there?

[MattMayfield]

Cass, thanks for the comment. I'll check that out - didn't have time today (day job...) but the other night before I bounced this one I noticed on an analyzer that there was a ton of energy in the extremely low range, like 35-50 Hz. It wouldn't surprise me if there's too much super-low bass and not enough of the next octave up. I'll take a listen and maybe tweak the bass patch and/or layer a punchier/brighter bass with it.