So, I've decided to get a bit more organized, and in doing so I decided that I'd like to start a fresh project with someone else. These Community Jams are an awesome display of talent across the board, and while it's awesome hearing what each member contributes, I sometimes feel that 14 people on one song isn't quite necessary. I could see it becoming a hindrance eventually, with one or more warriors running into dead ends, then finally doodling out a filler part... That's just my speculation.
That being said, I think that there is plenty of talent in our community, and it does seem that we're seeing new faces more and more often. I guess I'm drafting a second member of what I would like to consider a stable duo. I'm open to ideas, though.
Any takers?
I think you're right, I've avoided the Community Jams quite simply because I don't like a lot of stuff people do, it's not an insult, it's simply a matter of taste (I do find much of it interesting however), and too many cooks as they say.
In a real band situation generally speaking a member of the band will have the beginnings of a song or maybe just a riff or bass line and the rest of the band add to it, if music is happening, it develops further.
I think the Caustic equivalent way of doing, is to do similar to what James does, post up a track, even if it's an embryonic one and ask people to remix it.
Use this remix competition as a sort of audition, if you like where someone is taking your track then either publicly collaborate or do it over email, sending the caustic file backwards and forwards. You might want to work on a brand new track or continue to work on the one you posted up.
For me, just asking for a collab isn't appealing, I'd want to hear what you're doing before I considered getting involved, otherwise you're starting in a vacuum. From the response you get it will indicate if you're on the right tracks and you'll also get someone who's into the same style as you, or indeed has been inspired to take your song in a new direction.
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I don't know if I can do "stable" but I am very much open to doing collab work with people. My first collaboration was community jam 4, and I am most of the way done a song using andybones 1998 beat, and both have been VERY big for me, both for inspiration and learning. Your contribution to the community jam was awesome, and I am planning to check out more of your work once my 3g speed goes back up (hit my datacap early this month, streaming is impossible) but all that being said, I guess what I am getting at is, heck yes, I am down to collaborate, but I am not the fastest or most knowledgeable producer of tunage you will find. So, if you are okay with the idea of an unstable stable duo, I would be honored,
I've been kinda thinking about that too. 14 people is cool, but it's getting harder to fill the board, and like you said, maybe not totally necessary.
I like your idea, and the part about starting with something rather than scratch does give players and idea ahead of time if they want to participate.
I think with the next Community Jam, I might use a sign-up deadline, and however many people we get is what we'll work with.
I certainly want to see the Community Jams continue, but it's probably time to play around with the scope and the rules to keep it more interesting.
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Even cutting down the number to 8 or something like that may help. I do like the large collaboration idea in theory as it reminds me of the old industrial group Pigface. However in practice15 may be overkill. ZeroProject I'm open to mixing or mastering. I do tend to do off the wall stuff though. You can check me out on SoundCloud if you like (Lost In Anomie).
DF
The Jams are fun, and it lets people get their feet wet, when they otherwise might be a bit nervous. Having several others involved as well sort of creates a "buffer" for the shy ones. At least, for me that was indeed the case.
I've posted a lot of my recent Caustic works openly, and anyone can contribute. I'm not huge on the idea of "asking" for a collaboration, yet I enjoy the mind merge. While I agree with the idea that you'd want to audition someone else, I also see there being an opportunity to learn from others and maybe even get some ideas that you might never have considered.
Another reason I'm looking for a stable member/members is that when I started making music 12 years ago, none of my friends stuck with it. I had a lot of free time in those days, and I spent so much time getting acquainted with DAWs... And barely scratched the surface. Anyhow, this is a ramble ramble in shambles.
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
Ah, I see what you're looking for now...I didn't read it that way the first time. You want somebody who you can work with on multiple tracks over time.
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Yeah, I've done a few collaborations with Beyond The Limit... Nobody else really. An old friend of mine would tinker with FL (in the days it was known as FruityLoops)... The Caustic Jams are great, but sometimes the wait is so long, and honestly, composer's block completely unmotivates me. When that happens, I feel I'm more listing after a sound in ffutility, and that's not exactly awesome. A large portion of what I consider my better tracks came from nothing, and shaped themselves before my eyes. That's probably one of my favorite things about Caustic - - intuitive workflow. It's also really nice to have all the necessary resources available in the Caustic files so you can jump right into a collab without sorting out the administrative/technical details.
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
I hear ya. I talk with a few locals in an electronic musician group on Facebook. They're all hardware guys though so they have no clue what I'm talking about when I say something like "I just got the new EIP Expansion for Caustic and does it ever kick ass" or "The SBS expansion has a bunch of Padsynths that are getting me pretty excited to make a new track."
DF
LOL... So did you pick a winner?
Who, me?
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
By the way, all of Jason's expansions do indeed kick ass. The man had taught me a thing or two when I've checked out the parameters on each preset. Give that man a cookie!
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
Here, let's see what happens.
Caustic Song file (optional):
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
I'm working on this through out the day. Should have something to show later tonight. Busy day gotta register the son for preschool summer soccer and put up bedroom curtains. So far what I've heard is great. I did notice some notes sounded off so I'm making subtle changes to help the melody stick out more. I'll probably add in some Padsynth for texture.
DF
Had a couple minutes. Adjusted volume levels while listening to the track to make sure no instrument is blocking out the others. Also upped the Bass, reduced the mid and upped the High in the master sound section. Plus I tweaked the Distortion on the KS to make it less muddy.
DF
That's good... Mixing isn't exactly a strong point for me. I tend to adjust volumes and frequencies while constructing, which seems to normally do more bad than good.
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
Didn't get the Padsynth in but probably wont have much more time today so you can check out the changes and continue working on the track.
Caustic Song file (optional):
DF
Tonight's going to be a Caustic night (like usual), as I'm having a look at one of CR's tracks as well. I'm anxious to see what you did with this one!
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
I got caught up in this one instead. As usual, the mix isn't really balanced, but this is more or less the final version... Mangle it, tangle it, jangle it, and wrangle it however you like.
Caustic Song file (optional):
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
... and the end result (has been) a little weird, imo, although the process and structure makes it worthwhile for everyone that takes part.
BUT I'm just as in favour of collabs with a much more limited remit (for example http://www.singlecellsoftware.com/node/4241)
I posted a bunch of stems a while back and Mindfool (http://www.singlecellsoftware.com/user/4629) did some amazing things with them.
I've included the SC for the one that I think is particularly awesome.
I know that I'm a pretty rubbish collab artist too - I;ve done stuff with Wardini, Danjdob and Rob but some of the best 'collab' works of mine have been when gajoga and Rob have just remixed some of my 'almost but not quite' tracks.
https://soundcloud.com/james-muir
https://www.facebook.com/james.muir.77
'I think the Caustic equivalent way of doing, is to do similar to what James does, post up a track, even if it's an embryonic one and ask people to remix it.'
Oops, I missed that, but yup, that's exactly what I mean
https://soundcloud.com/james-muir
https://www.facebook.com/james.muir.77
my last word for tonight, working as a duo could be a big commitment - me and Danjdob started a collab tune and probably thought it would be the beginning of several but we just got the one tune out there...it rocks (and I got another awesome remix from Dan too) but I don't think either of us felt comfortable trying to repeat this....too little time, too many commitments
https://soundcloud.com/james-muir
https://www.facebook.com/james.muir.77
Just an idea for you: try leaving initial mixer volumes at their default, and instead work on the note velocities, and then the machine output volume. I try to get the strongest signal out of the machine before I mess with the mixer volume settings. Not always, but usually.
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Ah, thanks. I'll try that out.
VIOLENT NEUROSIS (YouTube) ...https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolentNeurosis
I wont be able to do much this week. Preparing for family road trip this long weekend (Victoria Day in Canada) to see relatives out of town. Plus I have a job interview after work tomorrow. As well it may be my turn in the big collaboration in the next few days. I'm hoping my relatives have good wifi if its my turn next week end.
DF
Did someone ask for a creepy clown to add filthy noise to their track?
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