"Wooden Hands"

OPI · 05-28-2016, 08:21 PM

Hello all.

I have a quick tune here> V3 https://soundcloud.com/toy-gun/wooden-hands-v3

Its just an idea so far, and am looking for some ideas as im a bit stuck on this one. Im in a hotel with Crappy headphones so the mix is going to be sub par.

I'd like to move on with this track but I cant figure out an interesting transition from the rise to the chorus, and any kind of melody. Anything i should try? I'm looking for any improvements in direction really. I see a tiny bit of potential for that track but Ive tried about a billion different things. Not my usual type of stuff here, or maybe it is. It's all just weird.

Thanks

OPI · 05-29-2016, 06:51 AM

Whoa! Ok just played this track in the car and the bass is way too loud! Sorry guys

we will be driving for a while so still open to ideas. Normal synthy stuff is not working for a lead.

mschuster · 05-29-2016, 07:25 AM

i like this! love the build. and love that Guiro? sounding instrument. cool! gives it a playful - "sci-fi frog" like sound... lol.. nice!

my only nit - ended too soon!

bass wasn't overbearing here.

OPI · 05-29-2016, 08:03 AM

Thanks man! It's no where near done.. Any synth guys could be helpful here aswell. The closest thing I liked was a dry sine wave sci fi vibrato lead. Still didn't quite fit. Perhaps I'll try to record guitar when I get home. I don't know if I can make it fit the creepy vibe going here though. I wish I had some lofi male vocals to mess around with. I think my library of weird sounds is just very limited..

Edit: The Frog sound I believe came from a dark place in my hard drive. No idea where it came from. Cool for sure though

sammydix · 05-29-2016, 08:07 AM

Groovin on Sunday morning. Not much of a synth guy, so not much to offer in that subject, but damned I liked this. Indeed too short.

OPI · 05-29-2016, 08:29 AM

Thanks Sammy. Glad you enjoyed

As for the length, I could finish the track today easily if I could figure out a direction. Perhaps the chorus already sounds chorusy enough? and maybe instead of a lead just some musical motifs? I just found an old music box vst and it's sounds pretty cool for that kind of stuff

OPI · 05-29-2016, 09:17 AM

OK, music box not working. Bad idea lol

barrymk · 05-29-2016, 01:25 PM

Is there an extra beat near the start of the quiet section? About 38 seconds or am I just nuts? Comments on a postcard please.

OPI · 05-29-2016, 09:54 PM

Hm.. You might be crazy I dunno

barrymk · 05-30-2016, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPI

Hm.. You might be crazy I dunno

Close enough to confirmation for me. Now it's time for my pill.

jason_442 · 05-30-2016, 09:34 AM

This is cool, I really like the frog sound too.

OPI · 05-30-2016, 09:40 AM

Thanks man Lol looks like I'll have to find more amphibious sounds

OPI · 05-30-2016, 02:25 PM

Worked a couple hours today and got this > https://soundcloud.com/toy-gun/wooden-hands-v2

Did i ruin the original feel of the song?

Edit: I still have the old version so just let me know If this sounds like garbage

msore · 05-30-2016, 04:47 PM

Not creepy enough.
Try more feedback.

OPI · 05-30-2016, 06:09 PM

Cool I'll try that now! I admit, today was a bit of a failure. I couldn't get anything wacky out of my guitar that worked. Ended up playing that awfully simple lead but it worked enough to hold me till tomorrow. I may go back to synthesis

Just found some old wood flute sounds that I might implement.

Edit: thought you were being sarcastic about more feedback at first but it does sound a bit stranger thanks

OPI · 05-31-2016, 05:56 PM

Alright Guys! Here's the "Final" Product > https://soundcloud.com/toy-gun/wooden-hands-v3

Does anything come off as bad sounding?

OPI · 06-01-2016, 03:37 AM

I'm thinking chorus 2-b needs more high frequency content?

Edit: Also maybe too dynamic?

msore · 06-01-2016, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPI

Alright Guys! Here's the "Final" Product > https://soundcloud.com/toy-gun/wooden-hands-v3

Does anything come off as bad sounding?

Better I think, clearer. Good contrast between sections. I like the use of odd percussion and squeaks. Good tone throughout. I was just waiting for more melody, or contrast, like what I started to hear at 2:20. Listen to Steve Tibbets. Thanks for sharing.

OPI · 06-01-2016, 07:14 AM

Thanks for the feedback msore. i hear you, something different needs to happen especially on the second chorus. I will tinker when I get home. I broke three of my strings trying to pull off some wacky stuff ( hence- the simple melody) so I'll stop by the shop and pick up some more.

Checked out Steve tibbits. Cool. Makes me want to record some ooh's and ahh's.... Hmm.. Wonder if I can embrace my feminine side for a couple takes..

msore · 06-01-2016, 09:04 AM

I thought this piece WAS your feminine side!

OPI · 06-01-2016, 09:08 AM

Huhhh! You haven't seen nothin yet!

OPI · 06-01-2016, 10:58 AM

The new strings are a bit squeaky as expected... Annoying though

OPI · 06-02-2016, 01:33 PM

Any other Advice? Comments? Even if its down right awful...

sammydix · 06-02-2016, 02:05 PM

I like the mood it creates as much as the song itself.

OPI · 06-02-2016, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammydix

I like the mood it creates as much as the song itself.

Thanks Sammydix! What mood is that if I may ask? Hopefully a good mood

Seriously though, I understand everybody just wants to be nice but you don't think anything sucks about this? Surely there must be something.. I know I didn't just make the next thriller. Sorry for being pessimistic, I just really would like to improve.

sammydix · 06-02-2016, 07:28 PM

Listening more closely on the good phones.

Things I observed:

I thought the beginning was muffly, but I couldn't tell if that was on purpose or not because it sounded better in later parts of the song. Did you purposely filter, then allow things to open up gradually?

I listened at a moderate-loud volume on the cans and when kick came in, they almost rumbled off my ears and I made a dash for the volume knob!

The bass synth has a bit or low mid resonance that could use just a touch of notching.

OPI · 06-02-2016, 07:42 PM

Hehe

awesome thanks Sammy! Yes the beginning in muffly. And yes the filter is slowly opening up on the guitar. But originally I had bells in the intro and the filtered out guitar made sense in context. Im listening to the bell sound now and am Deffinitly bringing it back. Im always making the kick way too loud idk why. I like the sound of it but it's the one thing everyone mentions. And yes, I do need to improve the tone of the bass

Thankyou!!!!!!!!!!

OPI · 06-03-2016, 07:47 AM

Here's The latest update..>>>> https://soundcloud.com/toy-gun/wooden-hands-v4-1

Did i ruin it? And kick still too loud?

OPI · 06-04-2016, 09:25 PM

Anyone else hear my limiter working, especially on the second chorus? Some of these Parts have a conga, bass, kick, and snap happening at the same time. There was points where my limiter hit three db of gr. I Could reduce the kick a bit more if anyone feels its too loud giving me the head room i need..