[Melodic Dubstep] Clear The Sky

[Luminn 110]

Taken down for improvments, Will update here

 

So, after about 8-10hrs, I finished this...

 

I would call this "melodic dubstep", however it is a rather broad term and some will disagree, but

 

Anyway, take a listen and let me know what you think

(I really need to improve on the mixing in vocals...)

 

There is a free download at both sites if you reaaaally want it, I don't really think its that great though. 

Edited May 15, 2016 by Luminn

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,825]

Ok. 

 

It's an ok listen. 

 

However, your ideas are underdeveloped. This is due to the fact that you kept your chords in the same progression all throughout the piece. 

 

i-VI-VII-iv

 

Knowing that this piece is in the key of b minor, you had many other choices of progressions like these there

 

i-VI-VII-V

 

i-III-VI-iv

 

III-i-VII-VI

 

iv-VII-VI-V

 

There are many more progressions you can make. You have seven different scale degrees you can work with.

 

If you don't know what these symbols mean, you can visit this thread to learn more: https://mlpforums.com/topic/136619-chords-progressions-modulations-a-guide-to-composing-music/

 

I like the saws in the beginning. I see you started them out in a low-pass filter and then swept them out. There seemed to be a gate or something with those saws. It may been a slightly increased attack time. Those saws could use less attack time. 

 

That semi-plucked lead you had for your main melody was sort of drowned out by your sawtooths. Either lower the sawtooth volume or increase the volume of that semi-plucked lead. The lead in terms of sound could use a little bit more sharpness. It seemed like you were using an altered sine wave running through a filter. A sawtooth/pulse fusion wave would work best. A solo square or solo pulse wave would work as well. The wave seemed a bit dry as well. Dial in a subtle chorus to fix that. 

 

Your quotes I believe where what put a damper on this piece. Some of them were misplaced and some really didn't match the song's mood, especially "Oh you wanna do this the hard way?...". That particular quote is more aimed at rock/metal songs or, very harsh dubstep. Also, the "20% cooler" quote could've only been used once. Repeating quotes lowers the effect of them. However, I must say that the "10 seconds flat" quote was well placed.

 

The ending quote though...really did not go well with the piece. The modulations and bending were unnecessary and kinda killed the ending, especially since there was a cut. If you wanted to keep that ending, have the pitch of the quote just continue to descend and fade out. I suggest you make a more melodic ending. And maybe end with the quote "What'd I say, 10 seconds flat.", which is the perfect quote to end this piece. 

 

In terms of the dubstep breakdown, it could use a little more wubs. I know for a fact melodic dubstep doesn't have as much wubs as standard dubstep, but for your piece, it could benefit from some, since your drop seemed a little weak. 

 

All in all, it's a good start, but it could use a lot of work in terms of development, wave tone, quote usage and chord progressions. I'm here if you need any help in understanding what I said in my critique. 

Edited May 15, 2016 by C. Thunder Dash

[Luminn 110]

Ok. 

 

It's an ok listen. 

 

However, your ideas are underdeveloped. This is due to the fact that you kept your chords in the same progression all throughout the piece. 

 

i-VI-VII-iv

 

Knowing that this piece is in the key of b minor, you had many other choices of progressions like these there

 

i-VI-VII-V

 

i-III-VI-iv

 

III-i-VII-VI

 

iv-VII-VI-V

 

There are many more progressions you can make. You have seven different scale degrees you can work with.

 

I like the saws in the beginning. I see you started them out in a low-pass filter and then swept them out. There seemed to be a gate or something with those saws. It may been a slightly increased attack time. Those saws could use less attack time. 

 

That semi-plucked lead you had for your main melody was sort of drowned out by your sawtooths. Either lower the sawtooth volume or increase the volume of that semi-plucked lead. The lead in terms of sound could use a little bit more sharpness. It seemed like you were using an altered sine wave running through a filter. A sawtooth/pulse fusion wave would work best. A solo square or solo pulse wave would work as well. The wave seemed a bit dry as well. Dial in a subtle chorus to fix that. 

 

Your quotes I believe where what put a damper on this piece. Some of them were misplaced and some really didn't match the song's mood, especially "Oh you wanna do this the hard way?...". That particular quote is more aimed at rock/metal songs or, very harsh dubstep. Also, the "20% cooler" quote could've only been used once. Repeating quotes lowers the effect of them. However, I must say that the "10 seconds flat" quote was well placed.

 

The ending quote though...really did not go well with the piece. The modulations and bending were unnecessary and kinda killed the ending, especially since there was a cut. If you wanted to keep that ending, have the pitch of the quote just continue to descend and fade out. I suggest you make a more melodic ending. And maybe end with the quote "What'd I say, 10 seconds flat.", which is the perfect quote to end this piece. 

 

In terms of the dubstep breakdown, it could use a little more wubs. I know for a fact melodic dubstep doesn't have as much wubs as standard dubstep, but for your piece, it could benefit from some, since your drop seemed a little weak. 

 

All in all, it's a good start, but it could use a lot of work in terms of development, wave tone, quote usage and chord progressions. I'm here if you need any help in understanding what I said in my critique. 

First of all, thanks for your feedback, its great to hear from someone who has alot more experience than me.

I also knew that it definitely was not a finished piece, but I was struggling to figure out what was wrong with it, However listening back to it as I'm writing, I've noticed some stuff.

Progression being the main offender, along with mixing, quotes and the drop (Most of the stuff you pointed out).

 

I already knew how boring and repetitive the song sounded, so I will improve on that for sure. You've already said everything that needed to be said about progression, no further comment there.

 

Mixing is a bit of an odd one for me, I can never seem to get it right. Something always sounds so "off".

Generally speaking, I normally mix my Kick/Snare at around -6Db, Perc will vary, Low end basses will vary from -6Db to -12Db, depending on the sound I was designing, Mid range sounds will depend once again and synths etc. will normally range from -3Db to -6Db. All of this of course varies depending on lots of different variables, but that's just a general idea for that track. Definitely need some serious improvement there. 

 

As for quotes; I'll be honest, I just threw in stuff I already had lying around on my PC, Almost all of them didn't make sense and i was definitely planning on grabbing better ones nearer completion, or maybe even hiring a singer if I deemed it worthy of one. However the mixing & effects (Like glitching) wasn't done right. I can't quite remember why I used dBlue Glitch in this project so much (I started this a long time ago), but I must of thought I was doing something right I guess? Haha I don't know what I was thinking.

 

And the drop, oh man, I can never get these right. I guess this drop was kinda "OK-ish" for someone who hasn't made Melodic Dubstep before, but then again, I even used the same sawtooths the play for literally the entire song, I just sliced it up a bit. Wubs are a must, However I rushed this and was purely too lazy to add them in. (Shh)

 

Overall, lots and lots of improvement needed, I didn't actually realize some of the stuff you pointed out, but now you have, they are obvious. I will continue to work on this over time and HOPEFULLY share something a lot better!

 

Thanks for you critique, It has helped me a bunch!

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,825]

First of all, thanks for your feedback, its great to hear from someone who has alot more experience than me.

I also knew that it definitely was not a finished piece, but I was struggling to figure out what was wrong with it, However listening back to it as I'm writing, I've noticed some stuff.

Progression being the main offender, along with mixing, quotes and the drop (Most of the stuff you pointed out).

 

I already knew how boring and repetitive the song sounded, so I will improve on that for sure. You've already said everything that needed to be said about progression, no further comment there.

 

Mixing is a bit of an odd one for me, I can never seem to get it right. Something always sounds so "off".

Generally speaking, I normally mix my Kick/Snare at around -6Db, Perc will vary, Low end basses will vary from -6Db to -12Db, depending on the sound I was designing, Mid range sounds will depend once again and synths etc. will normally range from -3Db to -6Db. All of this of course varies depending on lots of different variables, but that's just a general idea for that track. Definitely need some serious improvement there. 

 

As for quotes; I'll be honest, I just threw in stuff I already had lying around on my PC, Almost all of them didn't make sense and i was definitely planning on grabbing better ones nearer completion, or maybe even hiring a singer if I deemed it worthy of one. However the mixing & effects (Like glitching) wasn't done right. I can't quite remember why I used dBlue Glitch in this project so much (I started this a long time ago), but I must of thought I was doing something right I guess? Haha I don't know what I was thinking.

 

And the drop, oh man, I can never get these right. I guess this drop was kinda "OK-ish" for someone who hasn't made Melodic Dubstep before, but then again, I even used the same sawtooths the play for literally the entire song, I just sliced it up a bit. Wubs are a must, However I rushed this and was purely too lazy to add them in. (Shh)

 

Overall, lots and lots of improvement needed, I didn't actually realize some of the stuff you pointed out, but now you have, they are obvious. I will continue to work on this over time and HOPEFULLY share something a lot better!

 

Thanks for you critique, It has helped me a bunch!

No prob! For the drop, what you will need is a descending low end square wave with bass almost at max. You don't want to clip it, because it would add unecessary noise that will take some of that signature bass away. You also need a very hard kick. Make sure the low end is cranked up. But again, make sure you don't over do the clipping. I forgot to mention the song could use more depth, as it seems shallow. And again, no problem. I always look forward to critiquing people's work. 

 

Again, I can help you with chord development, wave tuning, mixing and quote placement anytime you need it.

[Luminn 110]

No prob! For the drop, what you will need is a descending low end square wave with bass almost at max. You don't want to clip it, because it would add unecessary noise that will take some of that signature bass away. You also need a very hard kick. Make sure the low end is cranked up. But again, make sure you don't over do the clipping. I forgot to mention the song could use more depth, as it seems shallow. And again, no problem. I always look forward to critiquing people's work. 

 

Again, I can help you with chord development, wave tuning, mixing and quote placement anytime you need it.

I may drop you a few PMs in the near future, I could use the help 

 

One thing I Always make sure of is not letting things clip, I absolutely hate clipping sounds.

 

I'm gonna work on some sound design for the drop in a while and I'll see what I come up with.

Forgot to mention I'm pretty new to FL Studio too, I'm used to Logic

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,825]

I may drop you a few PMs in the near future, I could use the help 

 

One thing I Always make sure of is not letting things clip, I absolutely hate clipping sounds.

 

I'm gonna work on some sound design for the drop in a while and I'll see what I come up with.

Forgot to mention I'm pretty new to FL Studio too, I'm used to Logic

Ah. I heard that FL Studio is pretty hard to use, and ok.