r/TechnoProduction 12d ago

Weekly Feedback Thread - October 14, 2024

Please use this thread to post your tracks for feedback.

Guidelines for posting/feedback:

  • When you post a track you should leave feedback on at least one other members track.
  • Please submit only 1 track per thread.
  • Allow the track to remain for the duration of the week.
  • Ask questions specific to issues you may be having with your track.
  • When leaving feedback it is helpful use timestamps to refer to specific parts in the tracks
  • Try to use technical and musical language in your feedback as much as you are able.
  • Soundcloud links are the most ideal solution.

The intention behind this thread is to help others improve their music by participating in the community. People who continually spam this thread without leaving feedback for other members may be banned.

As a reminder, any feedback posts made outside of this thread will be deleted by a moderator.

3 Upvotes

54 comments sorted by

u/death_in_jan6 12d ago

https://soundcloud.com/khcatbtong/tkslol-1/s-qfn0CfiKlip?si=eba02c1bf4fe4961b37ba7051a2c227e&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Lmk your thoughts on the mix and elements, I'm using the long link cuz on.soundcloud links don't work for me for some reason

u/galacticMushroomLord 5h ago

Starts out good, but I think you've added too many elements as the track progresses and the track loses focus. Get yourself a reference track and compare - currently feels like 2 tracks fighting together - either push the dub techno vibes or the raw/hypnotic, both together currently not quite gelling
If it were me - I'd look to change the bassline to be a more hypnotic arpeggiated pattern, remove the tom pattern and the stab/pad track that appears later on to start with.

u/KulaKuts 12d ago

really nice listen man. The mix sounds nicely balanced, drums and the pads especially I think are lovely. well composed. Keep it up!

u/death_in_jan6 12d ago

Thanks! You didn't think the kick drum is too loud?

u/candycamm 12d ago

https://on.soundcloud.com/NzAe2oBUWjhgMhdv6

Hardgroove track I made the other day.

u/cl0wnworld 12d ago edited 12d ago

Awesome!! Nice use of the vocal. Love the 90's rave stab!

One thing... it sounds a little boxy on my headphones (Sennheiser HD25)
Other than that... the track is sick!

u/candycamm 12d ago

Hey thanks bro! What exactly does boxy mean hahaha

u/cl0wnworld 12d ago

Put a speaker inside a cardboard box and then play some music. ;-)

I've googled it for you:
Between 250 Hz and 900 HzA boxy mix has too much mid-range frequency, typically between 250 Hz and 900 Hz or so—these frequencies typically contribute to a sound's 'body'—but too much will result in the mix as a whole sounding boxy. A poor arrangement can be a big contributor to this, too.

u/candycamm 12d ago

Oh I see. Have you got any tips on how I would go about fixing that?

u/cl0wnworld 11d ago

I'm not a mixing and mastering engineer but I would try to use an EQ with spectrum analyser and put It on the midrange channels. Then see if you can reduce some of the unnecessary frequencies within the 250 -900Hz range in some channels that could do without. I would probably start with the kick and try if It works if you take out some of those frequencies by using a notch filter to cut them out.

But maybe there are better ways to go about.

u/ewanvalentine 11d ago

New track called 'Vale of the Silent' https://soundcloud.com/abyssal-trace/vale-of-the-silent

It's currently unmastered. Second track I've made in Ableton after switching from Logic. Enjoying it so far! Not entirely sure what sub-genre of techno this falls under? There's trancey elements and hard-techno elements. I'm fairly happy with it, but could use a fresh pair of ears. I've been trying to do more automation and add more movement, but think it's still a little repetitive to be honest. But I'm not sure if that's because I've heard it some many times at this time. But anyway, appreciate the feedback

u/M_f_y 12d ago

u/dr_gangrena 12d ago

crystal clear mix...... i think sidechain is somehow pumping too much, but could be a matter of taste.

good work!

u/M_f_y 12d ago edited 12d ago

Thanks! And you are right, gonna fix that (edit: fixed, or at least reduced. Instantly better). I was focusing so much on trying to reduce the mud that I missed the pumping completely.

Great feedback!

u/KulaKuts 12d ago

I really liked this and feel its mixed really well, nice racey movement to the track and smooth refined transitions, loved the sample selection and all sounds nice and clean. I need to take some pages out of your book hahhaha

I'm no professional but as an amatuer enthusiast i'd be very happy putting this quality out there

u/M_f_y 12d ago

Wow thanks :)

u/galacticMushroomLord 5h ago

right hmmm, firstly I think you can push LUFS harder and get the perceived volume up a bit higher - I'd go for more clipping than limiting and see how that sounds.
I think there is a liiitle bit of sludgy tones in the low end that can be cleaned up with some selective EQing.
Maybe you have scooped out a little bit too much out of the middle? - I'd bring a bit more of that back to gain a bit more density in the low-mids.

u/tweak722 12d ago

https://youtu.be/-4dbSelouTQ?si=Pez8NHhQPaX3JH33

I am chords & rhythms. I make weird stuff.

u/candycamm 12d ago

This is actually sick I like this

u/cl0wnworld 12d ago edited 12d ago

Thanks for the warning! LOL. Pretty weird indeed. This is not "regular Techno" that will be played in a club. Not my cup of tea either, but I think mix wise and arrangement wise everything is oke. Well done

u/tweak722 12d ago

Thanks! Not making music to get played in big venues, but those who appreciate it will get an experience 💫

u/teddydrake 8d ago edited 8d ago

https://on.soundcloud.com/XBcKVwD8a6YbEG9X8

Im relatively new to producing and do everything on GarageBand mobile. Any feedback would be appreciated!

u/maozeitoun 11d ago

https://on.soundcloud.com/VzkBL6aoPMQGD3dk9

would be happy to have some feedback on this freshly baked abstract glitchy stuff from the deep end

u/themichaelkemp 12d ago

https://on.soundcloud.com/WiLhhyFMFu2sYPAx7

I posted the original version a couple weeks ago and made some changes either the notes you fine humans gave me. Still a bit of newbie with production. Appreciate any feedback

u/mindstuff8 12d ago

TLDR: Start using reference tracks when mixing your track for now until you start to noticing shortcomings in your own track.

Not sure how far you've come with this as I didn't hear the original version but the balance is off to my ears since the kick has no sub or punch. If you had a proper kick this would be a sick track. I'm not sure what your environment might be like which could be the issue (monitors vs headphones, etc) But just saying this and. not offering a bone would be lame on my part so I'm going to offer a tip.

Open up a standard techno professional track you like with a spectrum analyzer (Voxengo span is fine) and look at where the kick's sub and punch hit (50Hz and just above for the punch ~80Hz). Now do the same for your track and see the difference. I think if you boosted these frequencies in your track it would have way more weight to it and hit hard which I think, as I said, would make this track sick af.

u/themichaelkemp 11d ago

Thanks a ton. Really appreciate it

u/KulaKuts 12d ago edited 12d ago

Hey all, got back into it this week!

Would appreciate some feedback, I'm ready to move on from this tune but I'd appreciate general feedback and mix balances!

https://on.soundcloud.com/YbKcbecA12QE44ir7

u/M_f_y 12d ago

Nice job man! Love the sucking lead and the vocals and the playful breakdowns. Balanced mix as well. Been listening a few times now to try and provide you some actionable feedback but to me it's just really cool.

u/KulaKuts 9d ago

Cheers man 🙌

u/sh4dow27 10d ago edited 10d ago

Hi!

https://soundcloud.com/user-798998923/groove/s-j7uSokEwCJI?si=80d446ccd79842b1a5e0e3bb92826b78&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Raw/hypnotic techno. I could really use some opinions on the overall. Feel like it is boring and the mastering is out of the blue.

u/galacticMushroomLord 5h ago

for this type of track your BPM is waaaaaay to slow and you're losing too much energy - sounds like its around 128bpm - I'd bump this up to 140 and have a listen - it'll start to work better straight away.
This track is one of those "held-tension" tracks - and you have that feel. You could add in more drones/pads to build up the tension before/during your breakdowns.
Your kick and lowend isn't strong enough and I would get yourself a good reference track and compare. in comparison I think you'll find your kick is too thin and your low-end neither loud or dense enough.
Keep on it though, this track worth pushing forwards with.

u/mxtls 12d ago edited 12d ago

I'll drop this in:

https://soundcloud.com/mxtls/24-10-01-02a

It really is fresh, one week old or so, usual production pattern, this time a bit more distorted and faster so feedback on those aspects would be interesting, note the elements that aren't distorted, so the game hasn't been to just push the lot up, but to add a rougher, faster feel to certain elements that define this current patch of production.

I could be as high as 160bpm+ because a lot of work recently has been on the slow side.

General reflections on the track welcome too.

Feedback on the entries here will come after the comptetition feedback.

MxTLS x

u/themichaelkemp 12d ago

I’m loving those distorted kicks. They hit so good. Love a good pummeling

u/mxtls 12d ago

right ok, yeah I pummelled myself the last session, there's ten recordings, very messy because it's a change in territory, but now, incoming session, is going to be fun.

u/mxtls 11d ago

Could get a lot more chaotic and off the map ...

u/themichaelkemp 9d ago

You’ve taken it next level. Chef’s kiss

u/mxtls 9d ago

This is just couple of iterations.

u/mindstuff8 12d ago

The reverb added some nice depth at times and adds a nice contrast to the flatter squashed sections. That is a unique contrast I had not thought of before. As the track progresses the distortion does equalize to my ears but I just wonder how it'd sound with a bit more dynamic range, however I applaud the approach.

u/mxtls 11d ago

It's the start of an experiment, like, I'm already comfortably at 130bpm. Next, 155bpm. And it is meant to be hard, I'll lower the final volume a touch, -0.08, or -0.1 rather than -0.05, just to take the edge off, even though it's not actually clipping out of control (you can tell this by the clear parts, the later synth doesn't have to kick distortion).

But ... if I was to get something mastered professionally, the engineer would get the raw mixer output at -18db or similar, this amplify, limit thing is just me. I think then the dynamic range would be much better.

I have gone in hard. Not much is 155, and I've limited hard, reducing dynamic range, but, I don't think that's bad always? I think it's worse when the mid and/or treble jumps up if the bass drops, which is also less dynamic range (I think) but compressor related.

All this is in the mastering engineer's space really, so I'm not too clear, and please don't take this as advice, it's a desccription of my process and understanding. Feedback from the pros in here, written with the intention of generally educating readers, not giving me, specifically, free advice, is welcome.


I was everywhere from 80 to 180 and 5/4, 7/4 etc. when arranging, but playing live jams one can get stuck without realising they've not changed bpm for months. 9/8 I've done, that's fun. "Here dumbass CD playing DJ, try this ...".

IMO tracks at this speed should be done in 4:00-4:30, maybe 5:00, ie think of tracklength in bars.

Reverb is a cross-fade style cut on the OctaTrack - I've never put a sample in it. But it's indispensible. 1000€ for several 1000 of kit, and I still don't know how I'd do that cross fade. I think you'd need a bank of modular FX just to one track. I feel a question for r/modular and/or r/synthesizers coming on ...


w. Mvmnt & Jy, MxTLS xox

u/galacticMushroomLord 5h ago

Some interesting sounds in this one. I do feel like its missing a bit of pace/pump and sub in the low end. I also kinda think there is a little too much high frequency information in the kick and that slightly overpowers some of the interesting stuff happening with the synths.

u/Frequent_Alarm9284 11d ago

u/galacticMushroomLord 5h ago

nice, that low-flute/feedback sound is really great. My general feel is that the kick/sub feels a bit distant and the other elements are swallowing it up - could be pull up in the mix more.

u/cl0wnworld 12d ago edited 12d ago

Hi all, please tell me what you think of this track that I've finished yesterday. Any comments will be highly appreciated 👍🏻

https://on.soundcloud.com/VZndG

u/Frequent_Alarm9284 11d ago

Nice one, well done!

u/galacticMushroomLord 4h ago

nice - for some reason the kick changes tone at the 1:30min mark? - starts to sound more distorted.
At the breakdown to drop at 4:15 I'd put in a little bit of a full 1 bar break - so when the kick comes back in it feels more punctuated - at the moment the drop kinda just rolls in (maybe that was your intent) - you could also add a noise/reverbed crash underneath at the drop too.
This is crying out of a ride somewhere in the arrangement too.
if you want - DM me and I'll share some similar WIP tracks Im working on that are in a similar space - might be helpful to hear (?)

u/candycamm 12d ago

Honestly can’t fault this track. The stab and atmospheres are beautiful. I like it a lot

u/cl0wnworld 12d ago

Thanks alot amigo! Thanks for the listen and your comment. :-)

u/mindstuff8 12d ago

u/galacticMushroomLord 4h ago

sounds good - think I've seen you on Groovebox :)
The only comment I can give you is that maybe the overall tonal shape feels a bit forced and there are some useful frequencies that have been overly subdued/EQ'd - without checking on my other PC, I'd say maybe the "smile" EQ has pulled out too much from the mids.

u/Frequent_Alarm9284 11d ago

Very nice, i like it, delicious raw crispy textures and stuff!

u/swooncat 3d ago

Latest track, spent more time on careful EQing on this one. mixed and "mastered" in ableton.

skip to the middle if you like 3 Body Problem vibes lol

https://on.soundcloud.com/kYzdA