Wrote some music tonight

[litsa2]

Today I had the evening off, so I stayed up until 3am writing a song. I can't say the song itself is very good-- somehow I can't stop writing Russian peasant music-- but I figured out a few little instrumental thingies that makes this one better than my previous ones. Also, I need to add a lot more to this to get this thing from "ditty" status to

Comments

[xiuzan]

I really like the little staccato sounding bits about 3/4 of the way through and I also like the key changes. You should definitely keep going with it. :)

[entropy_of_life]

if i had anything to add i would say take off the china cymbal, because it isnt being used as it was designed for...instead look for a dry and darker cymbal or perhaps even a woodblock or clave......

also think about maybe a harmony (maybe a 5th) to the violin, and let it skip around in a counter melody as well....

listen to alot of russian and scandinavian music.... they have a basic rythem and then everything is focused on emphasising the melody so if i have any real advise.......

set your melody (in stone) first and then use the bass, counter melodies, and percussions to emphasise it.

[litsa2]

I agree with you as far as the cymbal goes. I am totally not a drummer, so when it comes to drum tracks, I just cross my fingers and hope I'm lucky.

I have a strings sample harmonizing with the violin, but I guess they blend too well with the other stuff to notice. I guess that sample is mostly just good for making stuff sound fatter.

haha...I was just making fun of myself when I said that it sounded like Russian peasant music. :)

Thanks for your advise. I think I've learned from this ditty, so hopefully my next song will be a big improvement.

Drums are great

[entropy_of_life]

The drums are neet, the toms are very impressive.

The cymbal works well, but perhaps lessen the panning from the right, add some small room reverb(high wet mix), and lower the volume.

Just because something wasnt INTENDED to be used the way you use it, doesnt mean you can't use it that way. I really like the cymbal.

If you want to improve this mix, change the lead sample to something a little less tinny, if youre using reason use the NN-XT, Orkester, Violins Stereo Long F.

Also, change the velocities up on that electric piano or whatever that you intro with. Make it grow in volume and then fade, to add some humanism.

On the choir sample, change the global release up about 5 points (if youre using NN-XT).

Also, if you have Reason 2.5, use the Scream 4 unit distortion on the bass, to give it a way fuller sound.

Also, you could use the Unison plugin on the violin, but make sure the detune is set to zero.

Re: Drums are great

[litsa2]

Wow. super thanks for the tips. Yeah, I am a total Reason novice. I bearly apply adjustments to my sample. It's kinda like using paint right out of the tube without mixing-- doesn't make for good paintings. I should pay attention to the little details some more. You're totally right about the velocities. They're not hard to adjust, but I bet it makes a big difference.

All of my samples except for the drums, of course, are NN19. I have reason 2.0, so I'm not sure that it has the Scream 4.

So since you're a Reason person, do you have songs online I can listen to?