short hip hop song sample... just one minute of your time

jgrif08 · 2nd May 2006, 01:34 AM

first post on GS. Just a little clip of a song that I'm workin on with a buddy. Looking for comments on production value in the beat. Also vox.. he has a rather high pitched voice. I eq'd it a bit but didn't want to totally alter its character as I think it works with his style.

any advice appreciated.. just curious to see what a variety of people think of the style. also any MC's out there PM me... we can do some collaborations if your interested.. i always need vocalists.

jgrif08 · 2nd May 2006, 06:01 PM

no input whatsoever? tell me I suck... just tell me something

GTR · 2nd May 2006, 06:26 PM

Lose the flute, you will be glad you did. I cannot comment on the rest of the track because I could not get past the flute. I would use something else-- something more interesting and original.

jgrif08 · 2nd May 2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTR

Lose the flute, you will be glad you did. I cannot comment on the rest of the track because I could not get past the flute. I would use something else-- something more interesting and original.

some sort of synth line your thinkin? maybe i'll go 'lil john' with it...

i'll try that out though. thanks man

jgrif08 · 2nd May 2006, 07:17 PM

just to get your opinion straight, are u suggesting a new instrument or a new melodic phrase (and a new instrument) ?

GTR · 2nd May 2006, 11:09 PM

I think the notes are good, but replacing the flute sound with something more interesting would be cool. Like a low bit rate sample, and muck it up a bit to make it sounds wierd.

Make it an instantly identifiable part of your song. Something that is totally unique. You should go for it. Soundscape. Sculpt it. This is a melody hook that needs some timbre.

Cheers--

GTR :)

crabtwins · 3rd May 2006, 04:56 AM

J,

i think the problem with the flute is that it sounds like a synthetic flute (not real) maybe if you processed it might sound different. The lyrical delivery was decent though. To me the song doesnt have too much energy. Maybe put that flute or whatever you replace it with back in the mix?

That rimshot or wood clap is kind of loud in the mix to me also. hope that helps?

Dor · 3rd May 2006, 05:28 AM

I'm feelin' the flow but the overall mix lacks depth and punch. I rocked it on headphones for what it's worth. What kind of rig are you working with?

D

jgrif08 · 3rd May 2006, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dor

I'm feelin' the flow but the overall mix lacks depth and punch. I rocked it on headphones for what it's worth. What kind of rig are you working with?

D

Im workin with Logic Pro 7 and Reason on a G5. I generate most all of the sounds in Reason then send 'em straight to Logic to do all the mixing. I have an RME fireface and a couple of RNC's as well. Only had the rig for a little over 6 months, so I'm finally at the point where I'm starting to make some progress on the learning curve. Depth and punch are the goal... getting there is the tricky part. Any suggestions?

jgrif08 · 3rd May 2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabtwins

J,

i think the problem with the flute is that it sounds like a synthetic flute (not real) maybe if you processed it might sound different. The lyrical delivery was decent though. To me the song doesnt have too much energy. Maybe put that flute or whatever you replace it with back in the mix?

That rimshot or wood clap is kind of loud in the mix to me also. hope that helps?

Everything helps, really appreciate it. What exactly do you mean when you say process the flute differently though? Are you saying to process the patch differently on the actual sampler? or are you suggesting using some different inserts on the track itself? or both?

jgrif08 · 4th May 2006, 03:18 AM

So I changed the flute patch to one from the ESX24 sampler in Logic. Also changed up the melody of it.
Changed a couple elements in the mix as well.
Anyone like this version better? not as much?
Thanks for the input so far... really appreciate it

SRS · 4th May 2006, 04:05 AM

The 2nd take is better for sure. I like it. The bass line needs to be... well... more bassy. Needs more bottom end for the foundation. You boosted the vox and mixed it better on round 2 for sure. You took the suggestions well. Just need more fullness and punch on the bottom end, but stay away from the overused 808. Nice job. Like the vocals.

Empire 21 Music · 5th May 2006, 06:31 AM

I dig it - Reminds me of the Roots organically - the flute is cool - I don't know why everyone else knocked it :) You and I have basically the same setup - I just don't do hip hop...

Try this on your master bus in Logic - It works great for me for all genres of production I work on -

1. Apple Multiband Comp (yeah I know, but it actually sounds really good). Get the Pre and Post up to 9.0 dB. But this may vary with your track levels, so experiment.

2. Then after that use Bitcrusher at 24bit at -.2dB output and start at 3.0 dB gain input. It's not limiting perse, but it is maximizing your levels and brickwalling at whatever you set for the output. Just watch the gain as the more you use - the dirtier it gets (more mids too). Don't get that above 6.0 dB.

My .02 - Try it and let me know - lata

Kevin

jgrif08 · 5th May 2006, 04:47 PM

thanks a lot guys

I'll try that stuff out as soon as i get the chance and let you know what I think. Really appreciate the input.

(DC) · 6th May 2006, 05:05 AM

I'm diggin it... it's got that oldschool beat... nice vibe. The energy is definitely there... it's just in a different way... a lot of guys think energy is in the loudness of the track... how much it "bumps"...

Don't kill the groove... it's what hiphop was all about, a mix of jazz, blues, and rap.

cerberus · 14th May 2006, 04:40 PM

like the vibe...

flute needs to be funked up... also perhaps duck it behind the vocal so it never competes, i think that could work.

track seems a bit short.....is that it? where's the payoff... i admit i did not catch the lyric, but i think the mc has a good flow.... maybe expound on it, needs a hooky chorus, imo. groove could be deeper too, imo.. i don't feel the kick drum is doing all it could here.

jeff dinces

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2nd May 2006, 06:01 PM	#2
jgrif08 Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mar Vista, CA Posts: 741	no input whatsoever? tell me I suck... just tell me something __________________ Composers shouldn't think too much - it interferes with their plagiarism. - Howard Dietz Art for art's sake is a philosophy of the well-fed. - Frank Lloyd Wright

2nd May 2006, 06:26 PM	#3
GTR Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 275	Lose the flute, you will be glad you did. I cannot comment on the rest of the track because I could not get past the flute. I would use something else-- something more interesting and original. __________________ --------------------------------------------------------- PLATINUM SELLING ARTIST ----------------------------------------------------------

2nd May 2006, 07:17 PM	#5
jgrif08 Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mar Vista, CA Posts: 741	just to get your opinion straight, are u suggesting a new instrument or a new melodic phrase (and a new instrument) ? __________________ Composers shouldn't think too much - it interferes with their plagiarism. - Howard Dietz Art for art's sake is a philosophy of the well-fed. - Frank Lloyd Wright

2nd May 2006, 11:09 PM	#6
GTR Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 275	I think the notes are good, but replacing the flute sound with something more interesting would be cool. Like a low bit rate sample, and muck it up a bit to make it sounds wierd. Make it an instantly identifiable part of your song. Something that is totally unique. You should go for it. Soundscape. Sculpt it. This is a melody hook that needs some timbre. Cheers-- GTR :) __________________ --------------------------------------------------------- PLATINUM SELLING ARTIST ----------------------------------------------------------

3rd May 2006, 04:56 AM	#7
crabtwins Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 101	J, i think the problem with the flute is that it sounds like a synthetic flute (not real) maybe if you processed it might sound different. The lyrical delivery was decent though. To me the song doesnt have too much energy. Maybe put that flute or whatever you replace it with back in the mix? That rimshot or wood clap is kind of loud in the mix to me also. hope that helps?

3rd May 2006, 05:28 AM	#8
Dor Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Emeryville, CA Posts: 1,278	I'm feelin' the flow but the overall mix lacks depth and punch. I rocked it on headphones for what it's worth. What kind of rig are you working with? D __________________ Dor www.boomspot.com

4th May 2006, 04:05 AM	#12
SRS Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 409	The 2nd take is better for sure. I like it. The bass line needs to be... well... more bassy. Needs more bottom end for the foundation. You boosted the vox and mixed it better on round 2 for sure. You took the suggestions well. Just need more fullness and punch on the bottom end, but stay away from the overused 808. Nice job. Like the vocals. __________________ Solution Room Studios Myspace Page

5th May 2006, 06:31 AM	#13
Empire 21 Music Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 142	I dig it - Reminds me of the Roots organically - the flute is cool - I don't know why everyone else knocked it :) You and I have basically the same setup - I just don't do hip hop... Try this on your master bus in Logic - It works great for me for all genres of production I work on - 1. Apple Multiband Comp (yeah I know, but it actually sounds really good). Get the Pre and Post up to 9.0 dB. But this may vary with your track levels, so experiment. 2. Then after that use Bitcrusher at 24bit at -.2dB output and start at 3.0 dB gain input. It's not limiting perse, but it is maximizing your levels and brickwalling at whatever you set for the output. Just watch the gain as the more you use - the dirtier it gets (more mids too). Don't get that above 6.0 dB. My .02 - Try it and let me know - lata Kevin __________________ Empire 21 Music, Nashville My Studio Dual G5 2.0, 2 Gb ram, OSX 10.4.5 Logic Pro 7.2 UAD-1 Plugs Apogee Rosetta outboard shtuff (Vintech, EL8) Presonus Central Station Mackie 624's + sub

5th May 2006, 04:47 PM	#14
jgrif08 Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mar Vista, CA Posts: 741	thanks a lot guys I'll try that stuff out as soon as i get the chance and let you know what I think. Really appreciate the input. __________________ Composers shouldn't think too much - it interferes with their plagiarism. - Howard Dietz Art for art's sake is a philosophy of the well-fed. - Frank Lloyd Wright

6th May 2006, 05:05 AM	#15
(DC) Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 374	I'm diggin it... it's got that oldschool beat... nice vibe. The energy is definitely there... it's just in a different way... a lot of guys think energy is in the loudness of the track... how much it "bumps"... Don't kill the groove... it's what hiphop was all about, a mix of jazz, blues, and rap. __________________ Dante Castro Audio Engineer / Producer

14th May 2006, 04:40 PM	#16
cerberus Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: the one after 909 Posts: 180	like the vibe... flute needs to be funked up... also perhaps duck it behind the vocal so it never competes, i think that could work. track seems a bit short.....is that it? where's the payoff... i admit i did not catch the lyric, but i think the mc has a good flow.... maybe expound on it, needs a hooky chorus, imo. groove could be deeper too, imo.. i don't feel the kick drum is doing all it could here. jeff dinces __________________ cerberus audio services

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