Hydrogen Eyeliner

A little synthesizer track I've been working on. E-lec-tron-ic, yeah!

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posted by chasing (2 comments total)

It's the sort of thing I like, and it came together quite well -- but it's not clear that it distinguishes itself from a gazillion other tracks in this vein.

I'd particularly single out the kick and snare, and the lead synth, for this criticism. The lead synth sound is loud, and doesn't evolve with time -- it's always brassy and loud -- it needs another souce of modulation.

The kick and snare are, well, regular (though these speakers aren't that great) -- for this sort of music, they are key. This is a Hard Problem, possible solutions include introducing some sort of internal motion (yes, within the few milliseconds of the kick or snare hit), doubling, pitch shifting, a big short gate, resonant filters (also good for internal motion)...

If you think of this as dance music, there periodically needs to be a reason to dance with renewed vigour. If you think of it as reasonably energetic chill music, there periodically needs to be something to keep the user awake. More shtick, please!
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 7:40 AM on August 16, 2006

This track gets my favorite today :)

It's got a great sense of style and flow to it, in particular i liked the melodic/noise/lfo flourishes that puncuated almost 'chorus' type moments. The overall fidelity was very nice, and i could easily hear this on one of a number of labels i deal with.

However, I do agree with Lupus regarding the percussion, not so much for the rest of his criticisms. I'm a sucker for really outstanding drumwork, and both the sounds and sequencing you used for these elements was a little on the light side. What lupus mentions regarding dance music i understand, but i didnt hear it as a purely dance track personally.

Keep at it, post more!
posted by phylum sinter at 12:06 PM on August 30, 2006