Share your knowledge on these two classic MPCs
By csmealer Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:08 pm
Just posted my first song on Soundclick. Style is kind of electro. All sounds (except the bass scratch in the breakdown) are patches from my SH-09 sampled into my 60 (drums) and Emax (synth lines) and sequenced w/ the 60. Hopefully you have some decent headphones or monitoring so you can hear the kick drum's full low end.
This is also my first recording using a DAW, so I didn't use any editing in the program, just straight audio w/ some EQ and compression. I'm really enjoying getting into computer recording after some initial frustration, but I'm still learning the program.
I know this post should probably be in the Your Music section, but I wanted to see what 60/3K users thought of this before posting elsewhere. Any comments/criticism are welcome.
Link:
soundclick.com/dustdaddy
Thanks for listening.
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By 7 1 4 Beats Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:19 pm
It sounds like I am playing a video game. From what I can hear the kick is really weak you might want to check yo mix again.

By sequoia1232 Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:12 pm
I'm using Beyer DT770 phones plugged into my imac and I'm hearing the 808 bass fine. It doesn't have much attack, might wanna layer with another kick with more mid.

My only criticism is that you have a lot of gear linked up for such a minimal sound. Can't you do this all on the 60? I know timbre is important, I use several samplers for that reason too, but I'm not hearing the advantages here.

Thanks and props for posting, please continue to do so. I would love to hear how your sound develops with those pieces.

By sequoia1232 Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:14 pm
...and, don't get me wrong I am definitely a fan of minimalist beats.

By csmealer Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:00 pm
Thanks for the fix on the link and the replies.
The reason I used multiple pieces of gear is:
The Roland SH-09 is monophonic so I dropped individual patch sounds into the samplers. It also can only be sequenced through CV/Gate, and I don't have a MIDI-to-CV converter yet (good ones are expensive: $150-200).
I used the Emax for the lead sounds b/c I wanted the option of using the sampler's filters on the synth sounds after sampling.
As the beat stands at this point, you are right, I def. could have just used the 60.
When I revise I think I will take sequoia's suggestion to layer the kick and I think the snare would sound better resampled into the Emax at 20khz. Maybe I will use the Emax filter on the synth samples too (or run them into the SH-09's ext. in jack).
Part of the reason I made this beat the way I did (and why it sounds lilke an NES game :D ) is because I wanted to use it as an exercise to see how much of a track I could put together using patches from the Roland (almost) exclusively. I think you are right though, the track is a little too minimal and could be more interesting with the addition of some different elements here and there.
I am completely aware that if the track was good enough, I wouldn't really need to be explaining any of this--I'll try to get it there.
I really appreciate your comments. I am planning on posting some sample-based (from records) tracks that have more of an early '90s vibe soon. I'll bump this up if I revise the "Egypt" track.
Does anyone think it would be a problem to post a link in the Your Music section as well so people who don't frequent this part of the forum can check it (I'll probably revise first)? The reasons I posted here first is because I have seen other people do it, and I don't see a lot users from the 60/3K board (my favorite) posting responses in Your Music.
Thanks again.

By distantb Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:39 am
Maybe a good track for nintendo's zelda back in the day.

I would also recheck your mix because the kick is pretty low on my alesis's.

By csmealer Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:58 am
Revised...please give it another listen if you get a chance. The suggestions helped a lot especially re: the kick sound. I am much happier with it now, and I am really enjoying the feedback. I think I will post in Your Music as well.
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By Lampdog Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:46 am
Please use YOUR MUSIC section to post up YOUR MUSIC.