17 posts / 0 new
Last post
James
James's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/21/2013 - 07:09
Automaton - new tune

Caustic Song file (optional): 

I seem to be in one of those productive phases again (although I won't vouch for the quality). A techno thumper but I tried to stray away from straight four to the floor, the kicks are a bit more rhythmic.

A lot of automation, the title is a nod to that, Aiming to be an experiment in rhythm and sound/texture more than melody. It was finished off very hastily so I may go back and tweak after I've listened back to it again a few more times indecision

8 machines;

4 Beatboxes

1 Subsynth

1 Bassline

1 Modular

1 Vocoder

The file is up there for anyone to poke around with, if anyone would like to remix it just go ahead laugh 

...oh and thanks to Bojeroo, this track is built around his Boj Mushroom Subsynth preset

InterFlex
InterFlex's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/28/2013 - 16:13
I actually thought it was

I actually thought it was pretty good. I'm not a big fan of techno, but this was definitely a high quality track. It's evident that you worked hard on it. The only comment I would have is that your high end is a little messy. But aside from that, it's really good. 

James
James's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/21/2013 - 07:09
thank you  Are there any

thank you smiley Are there any specific points where you think I could improve the mix?

 

 

bojeroo
bojeroo's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/08/2012 - 17:25
I like the rhythm on this one

I like the rhythm on this one James, makes me want to tap along! :o)

Jason
Jason's picture
Offline
Joined: 03/23/2012 - 21:32
Wow you have come a looooong

Wow you have come a looooong way with your music creativity here..... I enjoy seeing people grow with their abilites and talents just dying to get out of your brain...

Nice little groove you made here. cool

randall
Offline
Joined: 12/27/2013 - 18:44
agreed... I have yet to hear

agreed... I have yet to hear anything I haven't appreciated, but this is very cool. I like the "artifacts" on the top end of the whole thing. I'd liken it to rhythmic digital noise like popping and clicking? not sure what you used to get that. Very cool. And I hadn't had the opportunity to tell you but I like the Cthulu Kitten as well.

James
James's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/21/2013 - 07:09
Thanks everyone 

Thanks everyone smiley

@Randall - I think the artefacts are from two separate sources, there's a Beatbox with a static flanger running through most of the track and there's another Beatbox that has been Bitcrushed with very heavy reverb. It works as a rumble in the background but sounds like ambient noise more than rhythm.

The only issue with Bitcrushing is that the signal acquires ridiculous levels of sustain and can be heard for several bars after the pattern has stopped, using heavy reverb has probably compounded this. I automated volume fades in the main mixer to try and smooth these out but I probably missed a few...and if the gap was just one bar and there was plenty of other stuff going on with the other machines I didn't automate a fade.

IzMeJeremy
IzMeJeremy's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/12/2012 - 06:32
Panning automation always

Panning automation always trips me out when it's kind of fast like in your song, makes me feel like something is moving back and forth my ears inside my head blush But the song is awesome anywho, I like the "pauses" because you pull them off well, so kudos to that. The song gave off a four on the floor vibe, but with little "fills" from the kick drum, which in my opinion sounded really unique, in a good way! :D

James
James's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/21/2013 - 07:09
He he, thank you.

He he, thank you.

And yup, it's still essentially four to the floor, just a bit more syncopated. There are some techno producers like Oliver Ho, Surgeon and James Ruskin that took techno into more rhythmic and tribal territory in the 2000's - I don't always like their work but I admire the aesthetic.

I want to push myself to keep experimenting laugh

James
James's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/21/2013 - 07:09
*very cheeky but an old bump*

*very cheeky but an old bump* The last track I finished in the dying hours of 2013 and the first few hours of 2014.

Wouldn't mind some feedback 6 months down the line blush

Fred Armstrong
Fred Armstrong's picture
Offline
Joined: 12/28/2013 - 14:40
Great work James!!! Robot

Great work James!!! Robot voices cool !!

 

John DGR
John DGR's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/27/2014 - 19:06
Hi James it's me again! I

Hi James it's me again! I like your track. It has some spooky sounds inside,it has a Kraftwerk feel to it. If you wouldn't mind I would like to have a go remixing this.

James
James's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/21/2013 - 07:09
Go right ahead 

Go right ahead smiley

John DGR
John DGR's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/27/2014 - 19:06
Great! I'll let you know when

Great! I'll let you know when it's done.
Ohh and one more thing,I noticed you like cats,that's cool. :)

VagrantDandy
VagrantDandy's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/23/2013 - 20:10
This is a very interesting

This is a very interesting track, I enjoy hearing diversity. It holds attention well, wondering what sounds will pop up next.

John DGR
John DGR's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/27/2014 - 19:06
Hi James,I finished your

Hi James,I finished your remix.I opened a topic in show n tell and posted the link to Soundcloud. I will upload the caustic file when I get some free time.
Hope you'll like it.

James
James's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/21/2013 - 07:09
(No subject)

yes