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Want professional advice for your music?
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Kim Lajoie
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
5
Posted : Oct 30, 2010 14:14:22
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Hi!
My name's Kim Lajoie - author of http://kimlajoie.wordpress.com. Some of you are readers and subscribers. Glad you find it useful!
I'm just dropping in to let you know that I also provide specialised one-on-one advice. I have a private forum called 'The Kitchen' where I provide specific detailed advice to members.
If you:
- sometimes get confused about issues relating to songwriting or engineering (recording/mixing/mastering)
- can't seem to break through to the next level
- are frustrated with conflicting (or vague) tips and tricks that don't have the effect you're after
... you should join the Kitchen. In the Kitchen you get my professional advice and guidance for your songs and musical goals.
The Kitchen costs money. Professional one-on-one advice doesn't come free. If you want free advice, this is not for you. On the other hand, if you believe you get what you pay for, and you're serious about your music, send me an email to:
kitchen at kimlajoie dot com
As always, my blog will always remain free - so if you want some general advice on a particular topic, I can't think of a better place to go:
http://kimlajoie.wordpress.com
I'll be hanging around here, so reply in this thread if you have any questions.
-Kim.
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Oct 30, 2010 14:30
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Hello mate, posting some links to some of your music is a good way to get an idea of the level of advice, you have to offer.
Peace out.
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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Kim Lajoie
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
5
Posted : Oct 30, 2010 14:38
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Hey man, no probs.
My latest release isn't trance, but it can give you an idea of my chops: http://kimlajoie.bandcamp.com/
It was released in May this year. I've got a few projects that are more electronic, but they won't be released until next year. You can get a bit of an overview of what I'm working on here: http://obsessive-music.com
I'm also helping a few people in the Kitchen who are working on electronic music. They've found my advice valuable.
Of course, you can also get a sense of how well I can explain concepts and techniques by reading my blog: http://kimlajoie.wordpress.com/
-Kim.
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davinski
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
119
Posted : Oct 30, 2010 16:17
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why pay for info when you have it for free.
Just do the effort to search for it.
It goes against my principes of music and creation + information.
in my eyes it's all a big ripoff |
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TimeTraveller
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
80
Posts :
3207
Posted : Oct 30, 2010 17:57
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vipal
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
123
Posts :
1397
Posted : Oct 30, 2010 18:27
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Your music does not sound like you are really into the styles we practice here, one post, hmm. i would say; SPAM |
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aciduss
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
112
Posts :
1490
Posted : Oct 30, 2010 19:17
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Give the guy a break he offers a lot for free in his blog. Although certainly psytrance is a whole different story... i wouldn't pay this guy for the task.
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Kim Lajoie
Started Topics :
1
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5
Posted : Oct 31, 2010 03:32
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I realise not everyone will be interested in this - that's cool. Forums are great too - I've contributed to online forums for years. The Kitchen is just one option (of many) for people who want to take their music to the next level.
I realise my recent releases aren't electronic - let alone psytrance. But the reason I'm here is because *other people* on this forum have been linking to my blog. Seems to me there are people here who'd like my help.
Like I said, it's not for everyone. If you don't dig it, no sweat. I respect you.
-Kim.
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Medea
Aedem/Medea
Started Topics :
127
Posts :
1132
Posted : Oct 31, 2010 03:38
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Kim Lajoie
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
5
Posted : Oct 31, 2010 04:14
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Quote:
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On 2010-10-31 03:38, Medea wrote:
Any examples of that paid advices?
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Ok, here are some examples of the advice I've given to someone working on electronic music:
--==--
1) You seem to have a good grasp of structure. I like the structural ideas you have in the song. However, they could do with some development. Aside from the big build up, the rest of the song is mainly 'plateaus' - each section just sits at the same energy level. This verbatim repetition without development robs your song of energy and momentum. To address this, I suggest you think about ways to add development and momentum within each section. You can do this by adding additional sounds partway through the section, extending the harmonic or rhythmic language (introducing new harmonies or rhythms), or even reducing the mix - taking out elements. Adding parts can have an effect of adding energy and momentum. Taking parts out (especially coming into a section change) can increase suspense and anticipation. If you like, I can do some work on your song to show you what I mean.
2) The main theme (at 0:29 and 3:33) would probably work well as a backing track. I don't think it stands well on its own, because the main foreground element (the pumping synth chords) are very simple and repetitive. Would you consider adding vocals or a synth melody?
3) The drop to silence at 2:20 feels like the end of the song. Maybe you intend this to be a 'Part 1' / 'Part 2' - two distinct songs that are related? Or maybe you intend that it's just a dip within a single song. At the moment it's a bit ambiguous. If you intend it to be a dip within a single song, perhaps don't reduce all the way to silence - maybe keep one or two background parts going, or some delay/reverb effects to smooth the transition.
4) The end doesn't feel like the end! It just suddenly stops! You need to have some kind of satisfying finish to the song to signal to the listener that it is the end and the listening experience has completed.
--==--
I agree that the first part is quite muddy, and that it opens up in the second half. To be honest, I wasn't sure if the second half would be too uplifting for you taste, so I included the first half (which is much darker). Fitting in with the chords is an interesting issue. I think the chords you used were C, Am, G, Em, but it was a bit ambiguous - I might have misinterpreted your intentions (let me know if you meant it to be something else).
Making a composite (funk+saw) bass like this work in a mix is very difficult because it's such a complex sound. It's certainly a dirtier sound than a synth on its own would be. I think the notes themselves are making it a bit muddy too. More emphasis on 4ths, 5hs and octaves (with the occasional 7th) would open it up a lot more.
--==--
I wouldn't have thought a regular amateur bassist would be able to produce something satisfactory for this song. That style of funk playing is not easy, and takes a fair amount of skill and experience to pull off.
About leaving the bass part out... You're in a difficult position if you can't quite pull off the sound you're imagining. Don't beat yourself up about it. Do your best to create it now, and if it's not good enough, leave it. Move on, try doing it later in another song - maybe the next song, or a a few songs after that.
You might need to do something for bass in this song though - it sounds too empty without a bass part. I keep expecting it to come in, but it never does. Even something simple would work - I'm imagining a syncopated thick dark dance bass playing only tonic and dominant of each chord. I can do a mockup if you want. Let me know.
The sample of the man talking works well, but you might want to drop the level a bit. It'll be more exciting if the beat kicks in louder than the talking.
I think the structure still needs some work - the contour is not as clear as it could be. The synth bells that come in at 1:42 seem a little too sudden. It might be too late in the song to be be bringing in totally new material like that. Especially if you kill it off as soon as you do. The ending of the song is also very unsatisfying because it doesn't recapitulate the main theme(s). See the text about exposition, development and recapitulation in this document for a good explanation: [link to another post in the Kitchen]. I use classical terminology, but the concept applies just as equally to electronic music.
The bit on the end sounds cool, but that doesn't mean you should fit it in! I have a saying that I remind myself of - "Have the courage to throw away good ideas". You should do what's right for the song, even if it means throwing away a cool bit of music if it doesn't naturally fit anywhere.
If you're getting sick of the song, that's probably a good sign that you've spent too much time working on it. If you still feel this way, I strongly recommend finishing the song as quickly as possible. Don't leave it unfinished. Better to finish it (and if you've got the guts, publish it!). Give it the best you've got, then walk away from it for good. Move on and start something new.
--==--
I think what you have here is a good skeleton for a song. I have a couple of thoughts:
Composition
There isn't a main foreground part. The bass almost fulfils that role, except it's too repetitive, and it's missing in the middle section (without another foreground part to take the lead). This song could really benefit from a lead vocal or other melodic lead instrument.
There's also very little background texture - just a couple of soft pads. The texture of the song would really benefit from some additional background parts to give the sound more depth. I'd suggest taking the approach I describe here:
http://kimlajoie.wordpress.com/2010/03/01/the-secret-to-full-sounding-mixes/
I think some percussive background parts would work especially well to balance the soft pads you already have there.
Mix
The overall mix isn't bad. The biggest issue that needs fixing, however, is the bassline. It sorely needs a dip at around 250Hz - the character is too overpowering. Simply turning the bassline down wouldn't fix it because you'd still have the strong 250Hz bump and you'd also lose the great solid body in the lower bass (around 80Hz).
The other aspect of the mix you should look at is ambience (which is also related to depth). There's no real sense of space. Some deep reverb would work really well here. Not to make it sound like it's in a room or hall, but to give it an expansiveness and air.
Do you have a time limit for this song (like the other one)? Or are you working at your own pace for this one?
--==--
Hope that gives you a better idea of what to expect. As you can see, it's detailed and specific.
-Kim.
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davinski
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
119
Posted : Oct 31, 2010 16:12
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How do you call advice from disco hooligans or collin oood or rosengren then???
Why pay for you? |
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Inner Demon
Started Topics :
6
Posts :
321
Posted : Nov 1, 2010 00:22
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@Kim:
Sorry to say this, but regardless of your level of musical knowledge what you're proposing isn't a particularly viable business model _anywhere_, and even less so on a community such as this one.
You're trying to charge money for an asset that is available for free to anyone all over the internet. Furthermore this is a forum that is built on sharing. 'Clinics' may be a fun section in the music mags but it doesn't make any money bro...and I don't see any ad banners in your advice above 
That said, you certainly seem to know your stuff but it doesn't really matter unfortunately.
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davinski
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
119
Posted : Nov 1, 2010 00:28
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+1 |
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Kryten
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
11
Posts :
333
Posted : Nov 1, 2010 09:43
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hey guys,
its okay if you dont want to pay money for such advice, but please stop bashing around here.
Hes offering a service for those who are willing to pay for it, and these posts are far from being spam IMHO.
@Kim: I read your blog for quite a while now: Great stuff(and stuff I never cared to think about before)
Im pretty sure Ill run into problems again in my next track, Ill give the kitchen a try then!
Cheers,
Kryten |
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bukboy
Hyperboreans
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
803
Posted : Nov 1, 2010 10:29
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@Inner Demon - I would agree that what he was offering did not have value, if 95% of trance wasn't dwaf dwaf.
Clearly producers need some input, as opposed to patting on the back for churning out the same swill.
Perspective and values shift long overdue. |
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