Chillout/soundtrack (not my usual style)

[KevHerb]

Hi this is a chillout or soundtrack tune called FTH 1 was made with logics own grand piano, sylenth, minimoogV original (free one) and lashings of valhalla room for the reverb.

this is not my usual style so it may be a bit s#!+ but all feedback welcome good or bad. (in fact bad is probably better as it tells me where im going wrong)

http://soundcloud.com/kev-herb/fth-1

[iStudio72]

This sounds like a great basis for a track, i would stick with it and try to build up some bass and drums etc. maybe vary the piano part (which sounds really good) and try to mix the levels between the synths and piano a touch....maybe use some automation - the jump from the solo synth sounds to the piano is too much.

If you could add bass, drums and maybe a vocal - vary the piano parts and find a middle eight i think you have the makings of a good un! It just needs a bit of variation.

[KevHerb]

thanks for the feedback. this is not my usual style so dont really know what to do with it but if drums were to be added it would be very minimal to keep the complete chill out feel of it. maybe some dreamy washed out vocal phrases.

i definitely agree the roots of the tune go on too long and need variation in the arpeggio piano part by maybe working some inversions in there would be simple enough and get feeling of change.

a middle eight isnt something i go for in dance music but may very well be a good idea with this style of music

Thanks alot for the feedback
Kev

[ViolaGhost]

You've got really great stuff here. I mean, really really good However, as others have mentioned - you repeat the main motif way too many times. Why not play around more harmonically? At 1:34, you break away into a really great motif. Keep that going into your B section! I come from a classical background, so I tend to think about form with my pieces. While chillout can often be minimalistic, I think you have some great melodies happening, and wouldn't be afraid to clearly outline your form with them and go from there. One idea with the arpeggios is to just break them up, or to remove notes. It gives it simple but effective variation. Here:



All in all, this track is booming with really great ideas. Keep it up, I can't wat to hear more!

[rainstick]

for me the pads are a bit trancy and the piano a bit up front and pokey.... it could be nice to maybe filter the pads down a bit, change the piano so some kind of slowly modulating synth or something... kind of feels like some kind of trance break.... im not really mad on trance though, so maybe i should say less!

[KevHerb]

You've got really great stuff here. I mean, really really good However, as others have mentioned - you repeat the main motif way too many times. Why not play around more harmonically? At 1:34, you break away into a really great motif. Keep that going into your B section! I come from a classical background, so I tend to think about form with my pieces. While chillout can often be minimalistic, I think you have some great melodies happening, and wouldn't be afraid to clearly outline your form with them and go from there. One idea with the arpeggios is to just break them up, or to remove notes. It gives it simple but effective variation. Here:



All in all, this track is booming with really great ideas. Keep it up, I can't wat to hear more!

thanks alot for the advise. im revisiting this one tomorrow ill look 1st into variation/inversions of the arp piano line. some modulation of the pads.
i think maybe my repetition of the main riff stems from the fact that i usually make dance music and Im relatively self taught musically so lack the theory side.
i'll post up the revision when its done

for me the pads are a bit trancy and the piano a bit up front and pokey.... it could be nice to maybe filter the pads down a bit, change the piano so some kind of slowly modulating synth or something... kind of feels like some kind of trance break.... im not really mad on trance though, so maybe i should say less!

Thanks for listening!
i make dance music so they probably do sound trancey (not that i make trance). will be adding some movement to the pads.
unfortunately i could not change the piano for a synth... once the piano goes in it can never be replaced by something else.

[lucid life]

I like this bro! Keep at it, and keep practicing your mixes!

[KevHerb]

I like this bro! Keep at it, and keep practicing your mixes!

Thanks alot! and i will