Hey guys,
I just recently found this forum and I'm stoked to be here among people who are fans of Max and company as much as I am and having this great info.
I wanted to post a couple of my tracks here for you guys. They're not that good but it is a pleasure for me to share them with other people. If anyone is crazy enough to want to write lyrics to them just hit me up.
Track 1: https://soundcloud.com/borislav_tonev/taylor-swift-instrumental
Track 2:
https://soundcloud.com/borislav_tonev/on-my-way-instrumental
Track 2:
https://soundcloud.com/borislav_tonev/u-and-me-40
Track 3:
https://soundcloud.com/borislav_tonev/electropop-trainwreck-13-3
That'll do for now.
I like them !!!
U and Me 40 sounds like something Pink would do :)
Thanks man, I just edited another, new track into my original post.
there are two "Track 2"s :P
ok, Taylor Swift is really amazing! I can hear that you had a vision while creating it. also, it would indeed fit (the early) Taylor Swift! well done!
U And Me 40 - the guitars are out of tune in spots :-\ (when you count 1-2-3-4, 5-6-7-8, 9-10-11-12, 13-14-15-16 in quarter notes, then the guitar is out of tune from 9 to 16). I really like it when the chorus comes in, but the lead synth is annoying (me), could work with vocals though. but it seems that it's a detuned synth, what makes the tuning problem of the guitars even worse.
On My Way is Till The World Ends inspired? I can hear heavy influences. It sounds not finished to me. I like everything I can hear but there's still a lot missing.
Trainwreck is nice to hear as I can hear your progress you made since then!
Overall I like what you're doing but the compositions could be more interesting. they're very monotonous. I don't know if that's intended or if you're not really able to come up with more interesting chord progressions and changes. anyway, keep up the good work!
Thank you, great and detailed criticism, I love it. I couldn't really hear what was wrong with the guitars on U & Me and now that I know I will work on it. Thank you for taking the time to write this! Oh and yes, On My Way is Till the world ends inspired, I was obsessed with that song when I started it (btw I have the stems from TTWE if anyone wants to check them out). I have heard people talk about making chord progressions more "interesting" and I never know what they mean. Could you elaborate on that? Maybe adding seventh to some chords or changing the progression in the bridge?
Thanks again for your post.
Really liked you ideas mate!
In my opinion, your weakness is on production side of things at the moment, as to mixing, mastering and recording.
While I loved the production ideas, the execution wasn't great (and that's what it has to be these days to make the cut, good is not enough). As already pointed out, the guitar in U and Me 40 is out of tune. It has probably to do with an intonation problem of your guitar (If I'd get a dollar every time I see guitarists having these issues). I mean, your open strings might be in tune, but as soon as you travel the fretboard the notes are not in pitch.
Also, in some songs I had the feeling that the kick/snare is too snappy or even harsh. It works for some moments, but drums is an important element of dynamics of the song, lots of people shift the focus to melodies and completely neglect the drums. It seems like you are using the same drumkit for all songs?
And my final point, I don't think there's any issue with your chord progressions. At the end of the day it all comes down to how it plays with vocals. I mean, seriously, Moves Like Jagger (which I consider genial) has 2 chords repeated throughout the whole song. More interesting progression you say? :D
But that's just my humble opinion, it is a bit hard to judge this type of music without having vocals in mind. Even worldwide hits sometimes sound boring if you cut off the vocal part.
Cheers
Thanks for your comments! I'm still working on trying to improve and I appreciate you taking the time to write this. The guitars on U&Me is actually a buddy of mine who is a guitar player. I don't really play guitar, I'm just used to relying on plugins and having things in tune is not something I usually think about so I guess it got away from me. And no, I'm not using the same drumkit obviously but I do use some of the sam samples from time to time :D :D Also I have a bunch of older stuff on my soundcloud that I'm not happy or just older mixes of tracks I've improved since then at least mix-wise with and should take down because when people give me these general comments they are probably referring to these older tracks.
Quote from: Romb on June 04, 2015, 02:22:33 AM
And my final point, I don't think there's any issue with your chord progressions. At the end of the day it all comes down to how it plays with vocals. I mean, seriously, Moves Like Jagger (which I consider genial) has 2 chords repeated throughout the whole song. More interesting progression you say? :D
I wasn't talking about how progressions work, I was talking about the aspiration you should have as a composer. because once you're successful in the music business you are representing music. of course simple chord structures work the best to sell music but from an ambitious composer's point of view two different chords in one song are just not enough.
Quote from: B Steady on June 04, 2015, 12:01:58 PM
...but from an ambitious composer's point of view two different chords in one song are just not enough.
Well, it's a personal preference and can't be debated ;).
Can be gazillion chords and song would still suck, or 1 chord and the song will hook you like a muthaf*ker, haha. And the other way around.
If it works the rest doesn't matter. I'm sure you are familiar with the general point that there's only 12 notes.
But yeah, I get your opinion, and mine perception of music as ambitions composer is just probably different. That's why a lot of people hate one type of music and love another.
I'm not talking about feelings, just about REAL art. but there's no room for this in mainstream pop music.
I'm Luvin the https://soundcloud.com/borislav_tonev/electropop-trainwreck-13-3 track !!!
Quote from: ShockdioN on June 04, 2015, 06:50:26 PM
I'm Luvin the https://soundcloud.com/borislav_tonev/electropop-trainwreck-13-3 track !!!
by far the worst imho
Quote from: B Steady on June 04, 2015, 06:55:53 PM
by far the worst imho
The Synth prechorus part is great but the rest of it I'm not happy with
btw haven't you seen my pm?
Me? No, I haven't, resend it or message me on soundcloud or get my facebook from soundcloud.
Quote from: ShockdioN on June 04, 2015, 06:50:26 PM
I'm Luvin the https://soundcloud.com/borislav_tonev/electropop-trainwreck-13-3 track !!!
I don't know if you got the reply to your PM, you and BSteady just email me at borislav_tonev@yahoo.com
Quote from: Romb on June 04, 2015, 05:45:14 PM
Well, it's a personal preference and can't be debated ;).
Can be gazillion chords and song would still suck, or 1 chord and the song will hook you like a muthaf*ker, haha. And the other way around.
If it works the rest doesn't matter. I'm sure you are familiar with the general point that there's only 12 notes.
Theres only 7 notes!!
I agree 100%, I see it as solving an equation -the simplest solution is the most beautiful! Two chords is hard, but three should be enough.
Quote from: Romb on June 04, 2015, 02:22:33 AM
While I loved the production ideas, the execution wasn't great (and that's what it has to be these days to make the cut, good is not enough). As already pointed out, the guitar in U and Me 40 is out of tune. It has probably to do with an intonation problem of your guitar (If I'd get a dollar every time I see guitarists having these issues). I mean, your open strings might be in tune, but as soon as you travel the fretboard the notes are not in pitch.
A general tip; theres autotune for guitars available http://www.autotuneforguitar.com/ Perfect for getting those Ds sounding like they should!
Quote from: Adam B on June 06, 2015, 12:10:41 AM
Theres only 7 notes!!
Well, I counted semi-tones as well. A# is a note too, isn't it? ;)
But these are just technicalities. There are millions of SOUNDS in-between these standard notes, listen to some of indian music with all these sitar or who-knows-what-with-strings-on-it instruments.
Quote from: Adam B on June 06, 2015, 12:24:05 AM
A general tip; theres autotune for guitars available http://www.autotuneforguitar.com/ Perfect for getting those Ds sounding like they should!
Haha, oh no, I'm too lazy/dumb to tune my guitar, I'll just throw some bucks and buy a circuit that will do it for me. And it's not a new thing, Line 6 Variax guitars have had that feature for years.
No offence, but I hate how technology kills the soul of the music. And music is never perfect, it's all about these little imperfections that add human factor to it and make you feel alive. I know it depends on the style as well, technology does help, but this is going too far.....pieces of gear like this just make me think that in 10 years everyone who can fart will auto tune their farts in a nice symphony with a click of a BUTTon. What's next? People probably gonna install circuits in their vocal chords to sound like Michael Jackson? :)
Anyway, I'm sorry for the off-topic. I think Borislav just needs to ask his guitar fella to check the guitar intonation.
I actually tried Melodyne on them, I think it did the trick and it would probably be even better if I still had the unprocessed guitars.
Quote from: badpoetry on June 06, 2015, 08:49:34 AM
I actually tried Melodyne on them, I think it did the trick and it would probably be even better if I still had the unprocessed guitars.
Hm...maybe that's the problem. You can't really melodyne the chords, only separate notes. That's why the method Adam B suggested actually requires to install a special circuit in a guitar so it can read each string individually and auto tune it separately.
I mean I went back and melodyned them yesterday after reading these comments, and newer versions of Melodyne can manipulate chords.
Quote from: Romb on June 06, 2015, 08:08:26 AM
Well, I counted semi-tones as well. A# is a note too, isn't it? ;)
But these are just technicalities. There are millions of SOUNDS in-between these standard notes, listen to some of indian music with all these sitar or who-knows-what-with-strings-on-it instruments.
I meant in the 7 notes in a scale, or why not just use pentatonic scales -narrows it down even more. :D
I think we just got carried away with the debates. Sorry Borislav :)
Please post your updates on the track, I guess you kind of activated some people with your music, hehe.
If you need guitar parts properly recorded - hit me up ::)
Quote from: Romb on June 06, 2015, 06:04:20 PM
I think we just got carried away with the debates. Sorry Borislav :)
Please post your updates on the track, I guess you kind of activated some people with your music, hehe.
If you need guitar parts properly recorded - hit me up ::)
Hell yeah I need people to play guitar I would kill for someone to play guitars for me. Can you give me your contact?
I need some guitars actually! hahaha
Quote from: badpoetry on June 06, 2015, 06:51:07 PM
Hell yeah I need people to play guitar I would kill for someone to play guitars for me. Can you give me your contact?
Check your email ;)
Quote from: j.fco.morales on June 06, 2015, 07:44:50 PM
I need some guitars actually! hahaha
Check your PM :)
Thank you Romb for being so considered, check your email as well :)
Hey man
These are really nice tracks, great for demos. Loving 'Taylor Swift'.
I'm a top liner if your down for a collab on a few of the tracks? I can see what I can do on them?
C