KVR Audio

mellotronaut · Post by **mellotronaut** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:41 pm

no, no my dear, it's called Trellomaniac

Echo Voodoo · Post by **Echo Voodoo** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:14 pm

knockman - Frogs -> #4 - This song would be perfect for Kermit to sing on Sesame Street, though I doubt he could equal your excellent vocals. Love the leisurely pace and great sounds in your music. Great stuff.

Echo Voodoo · Post by **Echo Voodoo** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:23 pm

knockman wrote:i've submitted my track, though i worry how closely it adheres to the rules as i built something around a slowed down loop and added rather alot to it - trouble is i got carried away by the wonders of spring.

The way I read the Scoops' comments from the submission thread and his FAQ, it seems your song would qualify just fine. Clipping, looping, changing the tempo, adding your own stuff on top, they're all acceptable according to the rules.

knockman wrote:is it ok or should it be tied up in a sack and tossed down a well?

Are there frogs at the bottom of that well? If so, they might appreciate the serenade.

Laguna Rising · Post by **Laguna Rising** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:57 pm

Echo Voodoo wrote:Laguna Rising - Wanton Exaggeration -> #2 - Has a jazzy feel to it, very eclectic and with lots of movement. Love the drums, the sudden tempo changes, and the pure energy.

Thanks Echo Voodoo !

MaliceX wrote: Laguna Rising - (I must've mistook you for Legion Hush on my previous review... Damned these similar letters)
Now, well, this this is an interesting take on file#2. I can see the definite take on a bit more acoustic turn of how the song was to sound, although I feel the timings are a bit too chaotic with the instruments; the drums (being acoustic), the set you used doesn't really make do since the drumlines were intentionally made for synthetic drums. Otherwise, the drunken improv with the guitars and pianos got a grin out of me. The tempo changes seem a bit weird to me. I dunno why. But otherwise great effort on trying. (The drums shoulda been edited a bit to suit acoustic playing.)

1st of all I must give you credit for making the original midifile, it was a real challenge.
I agree on your considerations on drums part. Of course it's not 100 % realistic but it was intentional, bass is also played in a wild stle (although I choosed to emphtize the low range and it's not too much upfront), piano part is sequencenced to sound at least virtuosistic, well, probably the result is a bit muddy and confused mix but my intention was to sound exaggerate so it ends up to be un-realistic...

Max el Belga wrote:LagunaRising - One ton exaggeration : Sorry for the joke with yer tittle, but I couldn't resist... A good idea adding el. guitar. This file has a great Zappa-air IMO, so the guitar is nearly a must. You're only a bit too timid on it's volume.

>One ton exaggeration

Thanks for the nice words Max... You're right on guitar : sounds like the guitar player is shy (hidden backstage)

Cheers

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:16 pm

Sorry, I said I'd do this yesterday... but hadn't the time it deserved... Here goes...

--------------------
farlukar - Remote Commander
Good little rumbly intro, then quickly jumps into full gear. I like the retro-electro feel you've created (though perhaps a bit too much lo-fi/dist effect for my taste). The mix sounds nice and wide with all the panning and ping-pong delay stuff going on. The lead synth brings me back to the days of Amiga MOD tracks. Drums sound sweet. Very easy to listen to over-and-over. I like it.

--------------------
LUBI - In The Chambers at Night
Roosters, caterpillar poetry, and cheesy polka backing music... three signs of the coming apocalypse? The acoustic bass (fret-buzz and all) sounds great... real actually. Do I hear a jug-drum in there too??? Yehaw! ... I didn't understand the inflatable bit at the end though (daft as I be).

--------------------
Patrick9 - Barrelhouse
Crazy. But the funniest thing I've heard in weeks. Old school house vs traditional polka... I need a beer. The cheesy happy-hardcore lead made me LOL. (This would have been so much funnier had you done it entirely in a happy-hardcore style, drenched in outdoorsy verb, and crowd cheers, ala Judge Jules... WOW epic!) Mix is really punchy. Highly entertaining listen.

--------------------
Hellbilly - Pollyanna
This is great! Lovely synthwork throughout (lots of layers in there!). Love the breakdown @ 1:05. This track would make even the most cantankerous grouch smile. I'm curious as to which synth layers are made from AQ's PolyAnna. I've been looking to try that one out. Anyway, cheers for the fun track.

--------------------
Echo Voodoo - A Polka List Now
Another LOL track. Love the holla-atcha greetz in there... funny stuff. I've never heard a downtempo polka acid bassline before (and if I never do again, I'll consider myself fortunate). The lyrics are funny as hell. The whip-crack snare just conjurs up frightening images of some dominating polka madame. Did I mention funny yet??? Good one!

--------------------
gag3 - 9/11 Roll Out the Barrell
Alex Jones and polka. Another combination I never thought I'd be witness too. The kalimba(?) sounds good, but the whistle is piercing (thankfully its only there momentarily). Not sure I understand the motivation behind this one though. I guess I'm all nine-elevened out...

--------------------
Max el Belga - MadMIDI
Fantastic intro... Whoa... there goes the 'G' rating. Kids cover your ears! This is actually a very lovely sounding piece (that's right... I said it... LOVELY). The chorused piano is really great. Drums are awesome. Strangely, I can't seem to get Barry White out of my head when I hear this (not entirely sure why). Love the breakdown/changeup @ 1:13. Great work this.

--------------------
mmichalski59 - They Fly To Heaven
Wow. Big change from the previous tracks. The highland flute makes me think of that low-budget movie about some unheard of ship that struck an iceberg some time ago. Very nice arrangement you've created. Most of the instruments sound live! Love the legato violin. Everything has just the right amount of volume and space (what reverb is that?)... all nicely panned too. Excellent piece.

--------------------
mellotronaut - Why Rosamunde Died
Rosa-who? Love the macabre lyrics/poetry (and the way they're sung). Holly piano break batman! Nice one! Freak-o-riffic outro. Twisted.

--------------------
MaliceX - Ambiguous Decision to Kill
So this is how that MIDI file was supposed to sound! Seriously good track.... seriously... Don't know what else to say. The intro from 0:13 to 0:40 gives me chills. Two minutes just isn't long enough! WOW... seriously.

--------------------
Emerald Tablet - Story
Pretty, in a treacly sort of way. Vocals sound nice, but I'm too much of a hardened sourpuss to appreciate the lyrics.

At first, I didn't know what to think of that detuned lead starting @ 1:16, but upon repeated listens, it has grown on me (to the point where I feel it's the most memorable element to the track now). Not meaning to downplay your singing... I've just never really been much of a vocal-appreciator.

--------------------
scotthagel - BarrelBuster
Polka for Goombas and Koopa Troopas. Sounds like you were a fan of the NES back in the day. Love the choice of sounds for the instrumentation. Especially that wow-lead @ 1:15. Good one.

---------------------
Legion Hush - Tumblin Down
Whoa... wasn't expecting that at all. Nice live feel. You've got a good voice (but the backing vox were what made me do a double-take... they sound fab). Horn section is great (wish there was more of it). Is there anything that's actually MIDI sequenced/programed in this? If there is, then FANTASTIC job at achieving that live-sound.

-------------------
Jonny Quest - MIDIFour
Interesting mish-mash of instruments contained within. Sounds like a live-band, highschool dance piece from the days of decades ago (save for that Lisa Gerrard-esque vox bit). Another track that has some really convincing live elements to it (it's so hard to tell these days).

--------------------
Hovmod - FunFair
Not sure what to say about this one. Sounds more like the soundscape track to some movie project. There's a hint of guitar playing that starts around 0:59 (stunningly good playing even) that I wish had been developed more... much more... I feel cheated, as it just kind of fades into obscurity.

--------------------
Ixox - A celle qui est trop gaie
This is fabulous. Really it is. Everything is just so perfectly executed. Vocals are OUTSTANDING. The violin break @ 0:55 is beautifully played. TALENT ALERT! Superb job mate.

--------------------
Beardedone - OnTheRoad
Nice choice of instruments for this piece. Although there's a moment where that organ almost made my ears bleed. Seems much more upbeat than all the rest of the tracks based on this midi file. The arrangement works well (especially that stacatto organ at the changeup @ 1:00). Ending sounds just a little 'forced' though.... but two minute maximums are a tough struggle.

--------------------
spirulence - On a Road with Sounds
A very uplifting take on a relatively somber piece of music. I kinda like that busy bassline you've added (makes the tempo feel twice the speed). The rest of the synthwork has this cheesy 80's appeal to it. I just wish the drums would have had that 80's epic gated-verb effect to complement the synths.

--------------------
offthewall - Along The Road
This is a tough one for me... There is some really great moments within, but it's marred with quite a few timing and pitch problems (and therein lays the conundrum). Part of me loves the James Horner 'Bravehart' quality to it. But the rest of me is too much of a perfectionist when it comes to timing and tuning. I'd love to hear this one again with some of the issues resolved. It really does have the potential of being a memorable soothing/peaceful filmesque piece.

--------------------
ianweb123 - Mike LeftField
Needs more tubular bells.

The organ sounds really atmospheric (in a good way). Could have stood a bit more verb on it though. As with that tribal percussive layer (it sounds too dry for my tastes). Quite an easy listening minimal piece as it is though. Good way to demonstrate your VSTs too. I'm now very curious about that 'Organ Thingy'...

--------------------
Laguna Rising - Wanton Exaggeration
It's funny, but I think the last time I took part in one of these compos, I was quite amazed by what you're able to fit into a two minute track. I find myself thinking the same thing yet again. Love the manic feel to the piano and drum tracks. The guitar work is very satisfying (even if a bit understated). The synthwork (errrr... organwork?) is in a league of its own. A very enjoyable listen this is.

--------------------
knockman - Frogs
Freakin hilarious this! Out of all the 'funny' in this compo, yours takes the gold (oh god, I'm now praying you meant it to be as such). On a serious note though, your singing is fantastic. Those ominous synth stabs that start up @ 0:30 are SOOOO DAMN COOL, and fit this track so perfectly... don't even get me started on the lyrical genius of the 'frogs are friends of mine, frogs are good bit'. This is really, really stellar work.

Damn... That was a great way to spend a rainy Friday morning. Some truly memorable moments there.

Laguna Rising · Post by **Laguna Rising** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:31 pm

advaya wrote:Laguna Rising - Wanton Exaggeration
It's funny, but I think the last time I took part in one of these compos, I was quite amazed by what you're able to fit into a two minute track. I find myself thinking the same thing yet again. Love the manic feel to the piano and drum tracks. The guitar work is very satisfying (even if a bit understated). The synthwork (errrr... organwork?) is in a league of its own. A very enjoyable listen this is.

Woooww !

Thanks a lot Advaya ! this is a very positive review, I'm really glad you enjoyed it

Cheers

Hovmod · Post by **Hovmod** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:44 pm

advaya wrote:--------------------
Hovmod - FunFair
Not sure what to say about this one. Sounds more like the soundscape track to some movie project. There's a hint of guitar playing that starts around 0:59 (stunningly good playing even) that I wish had been developed more... much more... I feel cheated, as it just kind of fades into obscurity.

--------------------

Hehe - yeah, you can go here: http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... c&start=94 for an explanation to that incident with the guitar, OK?
I did use two of the files, didn't I? And something of my own? There's nothing in the rules that say it has to be a SONG, is there?

Thanks for listening mate. I hope you don't feel cheated anymore.

Tormod

oh, and good reviews! Excellent effort!

advaya · Post by **advaya** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:07 pm

@ hovmod: heh... OK... It all makes sense now! I do quite like that version 1. I wish I had your axe-wielding skill. Thanks for the clarification anyway.

@ core + sttjelle: crap! sorry I forgot to include my comments about your tracks. Not sure what I was thinking. I'll add them tomorrow morning, as I'm now waaaayyy past my bedtime (nightshifts... uggg... gotta get some sleep now).

Cheers.

mellotronaut · Post by **mellotronaut** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:25 pm

Thank you very much for the review, advaya! You make me very happy....

mellohappythefrog

offthewall · Post by **offthewall** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:26 pm

advaya wrote:offthewall - Along The Road
This is a tough one for me... There is some really great moments within, but it's marred with quite a few timing and pitch problems (and therein lays the conundrum). Part of me loves the James Horner 'Bravehart' quality to it. But the rest of me is too much of a perfectionist when it comes to timing and tuning. I'd love to hear this one again with some of the issues resolved. It really does have the potential of being a memorable soothing/peaceful filmesque piece.

Thanks for these superb reviews, I only wish that I had the time (and insight) to match.
I appreciate your comments. I come here to these contests to learn from criticism like this.
My response would be that I truly am not a midi user. When I first heard of the theme for this month I thought about just staying clear of the whole thing .....but then.....if I did that I wouldn't be learning anything.....so here I am!
Your quite right about the 'timing and pitch problems'. I felt that with the synth presets that I used there were some inherent delays, where I did try to go in to the settings to adjust parameters, but got lost off round about that point and said....stuff it, that will have to do, as it was doing my 'audio' head in trying to make sense out of this midi stuff.
So there we are. Another lesson learned and slightly wiser.
If I get the time I may attempt a re-try of this one with a different set of presets and maybe extended, as I agree that there is potential for development. If I do, it will be posted in Kara-Moon forum. (It's really quite cosy over there, folks!)
Thanks for constructive criticism.

James.

Legion Hush · Post by **Legion Hush** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:30 pm

advaya wrote:Horn section is great (wish there was more of it)

Yeah me too considering there is no horn section in this song.

I suppose you are referring to the string section or???

Is there anything that's actually MIDI sequenced/programed in this?

Just my vocals.

Well alright....being serious and all, the whole basis of the song is file #4 so that's the main sequenced/programmed part of the song. I just ran it through different VST instruments. The very beginning riff that also plays during the chorus, the piano parts, the verse riff ( i think i used a rhodes plug...i'm too lazy to load up the song and check) and the very last riff is all file #4 looped at certain sections (for the last riff i think i used Syntendo).
The drums are Jamstix so that's not really sequenced stuff.

mmichalski59 · Post by **mmichalski59** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:26 pm

advaya wrote: mmichalski59 - They Fly To Heaven
Wow. Big change from the previous tracks. The highland flute makes me think of that low-budget movie about some unheard of ship that struck an iceberg some time ago. Very nice arrangement you've created. Most of the instruments sound live! Love the legato violin. Everything has just the right amount of volume and space (what reverb is that?)... all nicely panned too. Excellent piece.

I am so happy you enjoyed it!

I just realized I didn't really give any information on how I created this track so I will give the info here.

This was done entirely in Reason 3.04 (last month's entry, by comparison, was done in Sonar 5). The reverb in question is the RV-7000. The violin you mentioned is actually the viola from the Miroslav Strings. I used some other soundfonts including the Manytone Upright Bass and a Martin strummed guitar soundfont of unknown origin that I really dig. I think it has very tasty up and down strums along with mutted sounds that just worked well for this track, IMHO.

But, for me, it didn't really work until I ran a number of sounds through the Scream 4 tube emulation. The Scream unit is just so darned versatile.

I will pick up on my reviews in the next few days. We have been on vacation this week and I have enjoyed chasing a little white ball around and laying on the beach like the whale that I am.

Jonny Quest · Post by **Jonny Quest** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:25 pm

advaya wrote:Damn... That was a great way to spend a rainy Friday morning. Some truly memorable moments there.

Rather than quote the review for my particular song (though I certainly appreciate those particular thoughts,) just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make these reviews. I enjoyed reading them all.

Hellbilly · Post by **Hellbilly** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:42 am

advaya wrote: --------------------
Hellbilly - Pollyanna
This is great! Lovely synthwork throughout (lots of layers in there!). Love the breakdown @ 1:05. This track would make even the most cantankerous grouch smile. I'm curious as to which synth layers are made from AQ's PolyAnna. I've been looking to try that one out. Anyway, cheers for the fun track.

thanks for the nice comments.

The beginning line is z3ta+ and the bass is Monolouge. Poly-ana is the breakdown line run through Filterbank2 and runs through the rest of the song.

Echo Voodoo · Post by **Echo Voodoo** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:12 am

advaya wrote: Echo Voodoo - A Polka List Now
Another LOL track. Love the holla-atcha greetz in there... funny stuff. I've never heard a downtempo polka acid bassline before (and if I never do again, I'll consider myself fortunate). The lyrics are funny as hell. The whip-crack snare just conjurs up frightening images of some dominating polka madame. Did I mention funny yet??? Good one!

But... I was being serious...

That's a nice batch of reviews you posted, advaya, which is always very welcome. Thanks for your kind comments about my track. And for the record, I'm not sure why there aren't more downtempo acid polka basslines. It boggles my mind.

April Contest: Gossip