home recording

Mikaeru · Post by **Mikaeru** » 08 May 2006, 14:54

UQ100 wrote:
Mikaeru wrote:Well, here's something new for you.

Mikaeru - Don't Say Goodbye
OK, do you want pointers on how to strengthen your work? I don't want to give a ton of unsolicited advice but I'm happy to help.

(I'm not claiming to be better than you, I'm impressed that you seem to churn out tracks so fast, but I have spent a lot of time learning about songwriting, music, etc.)

Yeah, I'd love that. There's not a whole lot I can do about the vocals, since I don't really know anyone who sings, but arrangement/songwise, sure. It's why I keep posting these things. Learn, get better, that stuff.

Vadim · Post by **Vadim** » 08 May 2006, 21:53

oresama-chan wrote:
UQ100 wrote:She was a session singer or "pop star"?
BTW, are there any pictures of Karen Wainwright out there?
Neat! I am now imagining her voice belting out of D.R.'s masterpieces as blasting out of a flying helicopter as the sheep bellow are scattering.

Sadie · Post by **Sadie** » 08 May 2006, 23:24

UQ100 wrote:
Sadie wrote:
UQ100 wrote:I'm now really curious as to how Mikaeru found out about "the method she learnt under"...
I believe all of SCP's vocalists have a company e-mail on their own little pages. They're rather warm, and will most likely respond to their e-mails.
Oh, really? That's pretty cool. I've assumed that no-one replies to "public" E-mails posted on the Web for a long time now.

How about the producers?

I don't know about the Producers, but their singers will when they can. At least, I've gotten quick replys in the past. There is a general e-mail posted, so you can e-mail one of their staff with general questions/comments/concerns.
----> http://www.scp-music.com/

Mikaeru · Post by **Mikaeru** » 09 May 2006, 02:19

Yeah, they're pretty good at replying, sometimes it takes a bit, but they're busy people.

lrxevan · Post by **lrxevan** » 12 May 2006, 17:47

http://download.yousendit.com/5A73D91938615426

Another eurobeat song. Again, no vocals, as I don't know anyone very talented.

UQ100 · Post by **UQ100** » 12 May 2006, 18:47

lrxevan wrote:http://download.yousendit.com/5A73D91938615426

Another eurobeat song. Again, no vocals, as I don't know anyone very talented.

Not bad, sounds like basic arrangement so far?

Just play the melody on keyboard if you don't want to sing the vocals... then you can build the song around the lead melody.

Mikaeru · Post by **Mikaeru** » 12 May 2006, 22:27

Yeah, like UQ said, you really need a melody to hold this together.

It sounds like a really good arrangement, I like the drum roll touches.

The bass (guitar) sounds a bit too technoey for me, with it and the drums at the start, it really sounds like a different genre. But with a melody I could really see it working.

Mikaeru · Post by **Mikaeru** » 16 May 2006, 22:59

Let the Music

Something I wrote today. No vocals yet, going to be a male/female duet. Rather nice so far, so I thought I'd post it. Just piano taking the melody.

--------------

Let the Music

Memories that I forget
Melodies fly on the wind
But I hear you now
And I start to come around

I know you now (I hear them)
You (I see them)
Are (I know them)
Starting over
Let me go now

Won't you let the music come touch your body
Let the beat flow in your emotion
Let the music come let your hair down
Don't stop it, the music power
Let the music come touch your body
Let the beat flow in your emotion
Let the music come let your hair down
Don't stop it, the music power

Summertime seems so distant
Summer breeze from the ocean
But I can't go back
Still the music starts to play

----------------

Comments? Criticisms? Anythings?

UQ100 · Post by **UQ100** » 16 May 2006, 23:27

Mikaeru wrote:
UQ100 wrote:
OK, do you want pointers on how to strengthen your work? I don't want to give a ton of unsolicited advice but I'm happy to help.
Yeah, I'd love that. There's not a whole lot I can do about the vocals, since I don't really know anyone who sings, but arrangement/songwise, sure. It's why I keep posting these things. Learn, get better, that stuff.

OK, let's look at one thing at a time! The first thing I thought of is the chorus lyrics and particularly the song title. (This is for a "commercial" approach, although I think optimum techniques for commercial tracks strengthen a track even for your own listening. BTW, not all commerical tunes will follow these kind of guidelines... it's worth figuring out why they work anyway, or if not, if they have weaknesses that could be improved.)

First, a couple of Eurobeat tracks that demonstrate (what I'll explain in a sec) clearly:

"I Can Feel" -- Veronica Sales

But I CAN FEEL
Yeah I CAN FEEL
Now I just CAN FEEL your love
Calling me
But I CAN FEEL
This is my world and your love's coming in more and more

Or more recent:

"Rock n' Roll Emulation" -- Nando Feat. The Prophet:

ROCK N' ROLL EMULATION in dance tunes
ROCK N' ROLL imitation in trance tunes <---notice alliteration of "imitation" with "emulation"... and similar meaning
Everyone wanna be a ROCKER
I'm full of...

In both these cases, the point of the song and moreover the song title are quite clear. Maybe you wouldn't get the song title quite right from just listening, but you probably wouldn't confuse it for something else. And you certainly can't miss the point of the song.

Now for "Massive Destruction" -- Mikaeru:

MASSIVE! MASSIVE DESTRUCTION!
Feel the power, feel the energy
Sexual! Sexual seduction
Give in to your heart's desire
MASSIVE! MASSIVE DESTRUCTION!
Burning fire, blast me high tonight
Yaoi! Yaoi instruction
Come on give it to me harder

Immediately, you see the song title gets lost? I think lines like "sexual seduction" show nice alliteration and consistent meter, and say the same thing in a different way, but they compete with the song title for attention.

With "Don't Say Goodbye," I think the state of the relationship isn't quite clear--has the partner left altogether, or are they about to say goodbye? It seems that they haven't but there's a lot of longing in there that suggests that things are far from recoverable.

Hope this is of use to you.

Mikaeru · Post by **Mikaeru** » 17 May 2006, 01:11

I can see where you're coming from. I just don't want to be so repetitive that the lyrics in turn become boring. I'll keep it in mind for future projects, though.

UQ100 wrote: With "Don't Say Goodbye," I think the state of the relationship isn't quite clear--has the partner left altogether, or are they about to say goodbye? It seems that they haven't but there's a lot of longing in there that suggests that things are far from recoverable.

Actually, that's pretty much dead on.

Thanks for the comments.

UQ100 · Post by **UQ100** » 17 May 2006, 01:23

Mikaeru wrote:I can see where you're coming from. I just don't want to be so repetitive that the lyrics in turn become boring. I'll keep it in mind for future projects, though.

Exactly! That's the art/skill of "hit" songwriting. Of course if you're not seeking to write a "hit"-type song and you're happy with your lyrics, no need to care about this stuff.

But if there's a good bit of a song, don't you want to hear it again, and again, and again?

[Edit: You don't have to repeat the song title in the chorus over and over, the above examples were just to make the point clearly, just make sure it's not confused with something else. "Victim" (Leslie Parrish) for example, it's the high point of the song and the conclusion of everything that came before.]

Thanks for the comments.

You're welcome. If I didn't think your songs had potential, I wouldn't have bothered.

Toni · Post by **Toni** » 22 May 2006, 23:49

Oh! A new approach to lyrics for me! I have to use that in my next song...

Anyway, I've produced yet another song.

Sea Man - The Ocean

It's supposed to be the themesong for my manga (Mega NRG Team) It was made with a MIDI programme this time and not with my simple keyboard. So, it sounds a bit 'flat'.

The vocals are a lot more clear than my previous tryouts, so that's some progress...
It's only a 2:01; 2.9MB song, so why not try it?

Lyrics:
oh, you can tell me lots of stories
baby give me the meaning, what you say
oh come on, we must go for glory
far and away, only to save the day

fight like a lion
get your fever like a fire
don't you be a liar
I'm burning for you like a hot desire

drive me to the ocean
and lay your love on me
drive me to the ocean
oh baby set yourself free

*note: the song is still in process, so this is not the end-result... The sound has to gain a more 'full' sound...

Mikaeru · Post by **Mikaeru** » 23 May 2006, 00:27

Hmm... It's kind of lacking in energy.

What I really notice is the vocals. What mic are you using? The vocals just seem to have no energy to them, and like they're lacking in high and low end volume. It really does sound like you sang it through a phone. Plus, you need to sing with a lot more energy.

You also need better samples. Or at the least work with volume controls more. The drums, which are the most important part, are barely audible. The arrangement sounds like it could be better with better samples and mixing. You really need something more powerful for the main synth.

I don't know... It sounds like it could be better, it just needs a massive dose of energy to it.

oresama-chan · Post by **oresama-chan** » 23 May 2006, 02:17

Toni wrote: Sea Man - The Ocean

Wow, I like this one! Synth riff before Amelo has oppressive feeling and
impact to remind me of "Dave Hammond - Sound Of My Heart".
Also Amelo and Bmelo are pretty catchy, but unfortunately Sabi is really
lacking excitation and explosive power. I think it would be due to the way
the melody line goes. You should pick out higher sound for "drive me"
from the code. Anyway proper chorus arrangements would improve this.

I'd like this song arranged by Sergio Dall'Ora and sung by De Leo.

valiant · Post by **valiant** » 23 May 2006, 07:51

Yeah it is pretty catchy, if it had some "bang" of powerful synths (and also fix up the vocals) it would be an great shot. I liked where this is going.

Eurobeat Prime :: Forum

home recording

Who is online