One Synth Challenge #87: Podolski by U-he (Jasinski Wins!)

[bjporter]

People expect my entries to be weird and pretty bad. And, for the most part, they are. And because of that, if I had Z ghost write my track one month, it might do better, but it wouldn't be nearly as high up in the voting as his own track. Because once people who know me see my name, that bias is going to kick in whether you want to admit it or not.

I doubt there would be any change, and in fact you might be voted up higher just because you had done such a great job. People like the under dog story. They might be extra happy for you that you were able to produce such a polished track.

You had one track do fairly well. The one where you got people to give you feedback.

[wagtunes]

Very well said, Wag. A bit extreme, perhaps. But well said, nonetheless - almost exactly what my point is, nice job. We expect certain things from people, to that end we also give them our time when we expect things that are good. The fact is, someone might make great tracks every time. But you'll give that person a lot of time to listen because you expect them to be good. Maybe they're not as good as you're expecting, and get voted down "that's not your best work". EVEN THOUGH, in all reality, this could still be the most amazing track of the competition. From experience, the best tracks really do end up on the top... but these preconceived notions we have affect us subconsciously. But ultimately for OSC, I think genre preference may end up affecting our voting the most notably, which anonymizing things wouldn't affect in the least.

That's another thing. You give yourself the best chance of doing well in this contest simply by listening to the tracks that end up at the top each month.

It isn't rocket science. Executing is a different story altogether. And I simply don't have the skills to do what you and Jas do. And there are others. You guys are masters at mixing and arranging this stuff so that it just sounds so damn cool. Plus, I can tell you layer the crap out of things, especially drum stuff, that I just don't have the patience to do.

Believe me, I am not even suggesting that I deserve to be at the top of the voting each month. That would be absurd and an insult to a lot of people. But I think I know a thing or two about music from 50 plus years of listening to it to be able to tell when something is just plain dreadful, where almost no effort (yes, even less than my own) was put into it. These are the tracks that puzzle the hell out of me how they get voted higher than mine.

Earlier I said I should come in around 45th this month based on what I heard. That's being totally objective. And that's not all that great a finish out of 65 people. But I guarantee you, as it happened almost every month except that one, I will finish 63rd otr 64th or maybe even dead last.

And you know why I finished decently that one month (around 15th)?

Because half the community helped me do the track. I kept changing things until the folks here said it was great.

Now, what would it have looked like if these same people voted me 1s and 2s like normal. It would have looked VERY bad for them. So they had no choice. They HAD to vote higher for me.

Yet, ironically, there were a significant number of voters who weren't involved in the creation process who voted me very low. And that's why I only finished 15th. There is no question that track should have made very close to the top 5 if not in it, but those few who simply detest me voted me low.

I know this. And there is nothing that anybody here can say that can convince me that's not true. Because YOU gave me a 5 that month. How can my track be THAT good to somebody who is a wiz at this and still score 1s and 2s from those who obviously dislike me because I have a big mouth?

Trust me, if anybody else had submitted that track that month, it would have scored higher. I know it. You know it. And everybody here who gave me 4s and 5s that month knows it.

That's why my "enthusiasm" for this contest is about as low as snail on a piece of burnt toast.

And that's about as blunt as I can be.

[bjporter]

That's why my "enthusiasm" for this contest is about as low as snail on a piece of burnt toast.

And that's about as blunt as I can be.

Might be somewhat true, but to be honest, you're an edge case and outlier. I would say if you feel that way, give everyone a big apology for the way you behaved, and start fresh right now: Be a little kinder in the OSC. You can still be harsh in the other subs.

I think you'll find people are very forgiving here, and will accept you like everyone else, and vote fairly.

[wagtunes]

That's why my "enthusiasm" for this contest is about as low as snail on a piece of burnt toast.

And that's about as blunt as I can be.

Might be somewhat true, but to be honest, you're an edge case and outlier. I would say if you feel that way, give everyone a big apology for the way you behaved, and start fresh right now: Be a little kinder in the OSC. You can still be harsh in the other subs.

I think you'll find people are very forgiving here, and will accept you like everyone else, and vote fairly.

BJ, if I really thought it would matter, I would. But that ship has LONG sailed. My mother, God rest her soul, use to say to me that I had the social intelligence of a bazooka. Or something like that.

I'm doing this month's OSC because I love this synth (one of the few free ones I've kept) and have an idea for a real song. But my expectations are nil. And if I go into this with that attitude, I won't be disappointed when it's all over with.

But thanks for the suggestion.

[bjporter]

But thanks for the suggestion.

Well, maybe you can put a disclaimer above your review posts.

Anyways, I think you can do quite well if you post your track here for critical feedback. Everyone has the same chance if they put in the time and do it right. I've never voted you down because of your mannerism, but I just found your tracks harsh, and dry. Anyways, the facts speak for themselves: you do a decent track, it will statistically show, even against those voting because of your manners.

[wagtunes]

But thanks for the suggestion.

Well, maybe you can put a disclaimer above your review posts.

Anyways, I think you can do quite well if you post your track here for critical feedback. Everyone has the same chance if they put in the time and do it right. I've never voted you down because of your mannerism, but I just found your tracks harsh, and dry. Anyways, the facts speak for themselves: you do a decent track, it will statistically show, even against those voting because of your manners.

Oh absolutely. My better tracks will do relatively better than my worse tracks. They'll just do significantly worse because of my rep than the same track done by somebody who doesn't make waves around here.

That's why I'd never make a good politician.

[Examigan]

Ok. 'nuff of that. Back to the memes:

[Examigan]

Voted! Good luck to all

[a-type]

Well I for one really like the fact that the OSC is not anonymous. It could work as an anonymous thing and it would be good, but just different. For me, the OSC is entirely a learning exercise amongst a very friendly set of highly skilled musicians who generously offer their time and feedback. The chance to get feedback and to learn from so many great musicians in a friendly supportive community... I mean... as a learning musician you just gotta love that.

But it's not just me learning, everyone else is learning and progressing on their own path as a creator of music... and that's why I like to know who made what. Each person has their own style, and that makes it even more interesting and educational when someone surprises you with a style that you don't expect from them. You can hear them pushing their own limitations and scope of taste... and that is incredibly inspiring and educational! I personally don't let who wrote something affect my scoring... if it's captivating and enjoyable and skilfully executed, I don't care who wrote it. But then I might be unusual... for me the rating and ranking (and prizes) are fun bonus aspects to the OSC, but not the reason I'm here.

I also think we should take a moment to say a big THANK YOU to bjporter and all those who work behind the scenes to make the OSC work. It's easy to forget just how much work must go into organising the OSC!

[ATN69]

- Musicality. Are there any catchy phrases, nice melody, chord progression, etc.
- Sounds and sound design. Did the maker of the song create any nice cool sounds and do they sit well together in the track.
- Mixing and mastering. The finished sound of the track and the quality of the mastering.

Right or wrong, but this is how I personally judge a track and it has nothing to do with who made the track. At the time of listening I could not care less who actually made the track. Even though I may not like a certain track from a pure song or genre point of view, I still think it could deserve high points if there is a good and solid work behind it, nice sound design, mastering, etc.

I realize and admit I could have made better job in my own track and especially with final mixing and mastering. I tried to follow the OSC rules 100% so I didn't even dare to use some of my native effects. I tried to find all free ones. But this was my first OSC ever and I am learning

Finally I want to say that the over all quality in this OSC#87 is high. ..so this makes me wanna try to do better next time. And that's why OSC is a great thing. It is like a kick in my lazy butt
Thanks BJporter for arranging it and fixing everything. Great job on your part!

[rghvdberg]

There's nothing wrong with the OSC as it is.

Don't create solutions for problems that aren't there.

I have spoken.

[z.prime]

There's nothing wrong with the OSC as it is.

Agree, pretty much.

Don't create solutions for problems that aren't there.

To be clear, my suggestion of the anonymous voting thing is entirely an experiment, not solving a problem. I am just very curious what it would be like for myself and the other participants in a real usage scenario.

I have spoken.

[wagtunes]

Believe it or not, with all my moaning, there are things I love about the OSC.

1) I love listening to the tracks, especially the ones that are well done. I've been listening to all kinds of music for over 50 years and this contest gives me a chance to simply do more of that. I can never get enough music to listen to.

2) I love voting to see how close I come to picking the winners. In many OSCs, I have picked as many as 3 or 4 of the top 5. I've never done a clean sweep yet, but I've come very close.

3) On synths that I really love, I love making music. Yes, it's discouraging to be near the bottom every month, but ultimately, I still love creating things. I've been doing that since I'm 20. That's almost 40 years now.

I wish I could get better free FX for those synths that have none at all, like TAL. I hate all my free reverbs. I hate my EQs because they're so hard to work with. I hate my compressors for the same reason. My delays are good. But that's it.

So it's not all bad. Otherwise, I wouldn't still be here.

[rghvdberg]

And Wag have me 5 points.

[wagtunes]

And Wag have me 5 points.

Because that was one of the best tracks I've heard since I've been here. I'd be stunned if you didn't make the top 5. You and Jack.