Some unmixed production on a piano song I wrote GENRE: Pop/Acoustic Please Listen! ;)

[RARStudios]

Here is the into/chorus to this song I have been buffing up over the past 2 hours haha.

Its late, so bare with me! (I added a sh*T ton of reverb on the drums because I am tired...)


I just want to see if people like where its headed!


GIVE HONEST OPPINION ( Not on the mix though!!! just on production)

This is my first attempt at programming drums...WOO! (and I am by no means a drummer)

(I like putting comments in parenthesis)


Thanks!
-Ev

[RARStudios]

anyone?

[Aaron Miller]

I'm going to be brutally honest. Please note that I'm biased towards pop/rock/rnb/rap and anything that is kind of mainstream and my comments reflect this. If you are going for something more experimental, then these comments may be less appropriate.

I don't like the direction this song is going because it's going in all different directions. When the piano comes in, it sounds like it's supposed to be techno/trance-ish. The drums come in making me think it's going to be kind of Evenescence-ish but it's hard to say without some electric guitar. Then the mood changes to neo-classical-ish type rock. It sounds like a dark tune until the bells part, which seems way too happy, almost cheezy.

I don't know if you have lyrics and a vocal melody yet (or plan to), but I think starting there would help. As is, it sounds like you are just adding section after section of instrumental with no clear mood/direction/progression. In my opinion, great songs start with a great rhythm and a great lead melody (both are usually simpler than you think and must be catchy). If I don't hear those within 20-30 seconds I'm already tuning out. Once those are in place, you can start to hear how the other elements should fall into place. Is it dark and angry? If so, how is that best conveyed? Are the lyrics happy? If so, what elements would you put in place to achieve that? Is it a driving rhythm? How can you layer some guitar or piano over that rhythm to complement?

Personally, I always start with a simple rhythm and chord progression (one for verse, one for chorus) and it doesn't really matter if this is done with live drums or programmed, guitar or bass or piano. The singer and I try out different melodies and ideas and stuff starts to fall into place. ONLY when we have something that sounds absolutely interesting and catchy do we attempt to go further. If the basic elements cannot be captured on an iphone with two people and two instruments, and immediately draw someone's attention, then we keep writing and arranging. If it does, then we start writing other parts, always trying to complement those basic elements.

I often times think of a list of adjectives that can be used to describe the song's mood/theme/direction. Sometimes I even think of it as a soundtrack to a movie that hasn't been made or a music video that will be filmed. What happens in this scene? How does the song tell that story? How does it convey an emotion? This sort of thinking can help give a song direction and can be done regardless of whether you have vocals or not. Listen to "Claire de Lune" for an example from classical music. "Welcome to the Jungle" is a good example from rock. "Viva la Vida" from the newest Coldplay does a pretty good job in this regard too.

I think you have some good elements here, it's just a matter of giving the song direction.

[ohmicide]

this just makes me realize more how much i need steven slate drums :(

[jc88]

Well this is my first gearslutz reply and I am currently only just beginning to learn production and mixing so others can probably offer more helpful criticism.

However, i wanted to say that I really like the idea so far. The piano riff is very cool and I don't think necessary signals a techno-intro like Aaron but more piano pop if that is even a genre? I also like the opening drums behind the piano. They add a cool upbeat vibe which I think works well.

The next bit (chorus?) sounds a good idea though obviously needs mixing to get some clarity. I personally like the changes in the drums to keep interesting.

The intro to 2nd chorus with the bells and filtered drums is an effect i find cool and use a bit, but don't know what others think...

So anyway, I'm quite a fan musically and I'm lumping quite a bit of praise at you for the musical aspects, but I think others can offer better production tips and I'll watch out for what they say to learn myself!

JC

[RARStudios]

Aaron, although you seem to have a lot more knowledge than I do in the industry (I checked out you website), I would have to disagree with you on most of your comments.

Evanescence? I dont think it sounds like that at all.

In my personal opinion this song keeps the poppy sound that I am going for (Even including the "Cheesy" bells)

But to each his own, thank you for writing!




jc , welcome to Gearslutz!!! You will find more information than you could possibly imagine on this site and everyone...well most people...are really nice!

Just dont say anything stupid or you will get ripped apart! ( kinda kidding)


Thanks for your opinion on it,

I was more going for what you said, the pop/piano genre when i was writing this song.

I think once I add vocals people will understand more of the sound I am going for!



Thanks

-Ev

[Aaron Miller]

Hey Ev,

I'm actually not the same guy from aaronmiller.org if that's the site you went to. Strange coicidence that he's into music and art too. Actually not that strange given my name. Anyway, he probably has far more industry experience than I.

[RARStudios]

Odd ha. I was pretty much thinking, damn, music/art guru?

[ohmicide]

dis shit sux its like evanesoons all reeped off

[RARStudios]

YAYYYYYZ

[RARStudios]

bump