Stephen Houghton

Congrats Lowdown great track and well produced, sorry not responded sooner I have been away for weekend. Lots of good entries this month, not my normal type of stuff entered from me, but thought I would get a bit more musical. Normally speed record and just ar.e about in general, got least votes I have ever got, so back to ar.ing about me thinks Thanks for feedback Skol, its always appreciated. Congrats once again Lowdown and got to say this months pic has me stumped so far

Voted, nice entries from all involved, listened to all of them, went for the one that fitted the image best, really liked Skols, Lowdowns and Urbs, hard choice!

Thanks for the information from everyone about DAWs, I am thinking of changing because I find Ableton a bit limiting and from what I have been told its more appropiate for DJing than recording live instruments? Pro tools 10 seems to be highly rated and I wont be shelling out any moneys if you get what I mean, also I do like the look and feel of it. No expert, but I am told you have more options when recording live instruments and mixing e.t.c. I want to get into a DAW and learn it deeply this is why I am considering the change now early on in my recording adventure rather than getting to involved with Ableton then deciding to change. Will check reaper out, also have a copy of Sonar as an option. Thanks for advice I will have a think about it all and wont dive in before I am sure.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1361439122' post='1985853'] Thanks Steve! Very kind of you mate. I'm always happy to give pointers on production. I'm no expert myself, I just stick to a fairly limited set of tools and have got to know them well through repetition. Maybe you should have a try at the mixing challenge one month? There's a lot of good advice being offered on the back of it. Have a read through [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/192016-mixing-competitionlearning-resource-january-poll-added/"]last month's thread[/url] for starters if you're interested - there's some useful info towards the end of it. I'd also recommend these two books: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/ZEN-Art-Mixing-Mixerman/dp/1423491505"]Zen and the Art of Mixing[/url] [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mixing-Secrets-Small-Studio-Senior/dp/0240815807"]Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio[/url] ... think of the first book as being the 'heart' (how to approach mixing and production) and the second book being the 'head' (the more technical details). I learned a lot from reading them myself and still refer to them often. And please don't ban me from the challenges! I'm too addicted to them and would end up on crack or something to fill the void. Let that play on your conscience [/quote] Cheers for the recomendations I will deffo invest in these they look good, any pointers are appreciated I really dont have any idea what I am doing, cheers mate I am just going to change DAWs from Ableton to Pro tools 10, so this will be a really good move or a really bad one, time will tell. Any thoughts on the move anyone?

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1361394995' post='1985417'] Ok, here's mine for this month: [url="https://soundcloud.com/skollob/aurora"]https://soundcloud.com/skollob/aurora[/url] I had a different idea for this track initially, but realised early on that I wouldn't have time to finish what I had in mind. So I simplified it and I think it's actually better as a result. I also turned a few corners producing this one, such as: - Experimenting with a quirky time signature (rather than the standard 4:4 I normally work with). Bonus points if you can work out what it is - Creating a DIY synth using vocal notes sung by Mrs Skol and yours truly. A more hilarious process than I'd expected. - Playing a nimble baseline, at least nimble by my clunky standards! (you'll probably hear it and think "meh"). Took me bloomin' ages to nail it and even then I only managed 12 or so bars worth using - with lots of string noise - but my dexterity has improved with all the practice. So I'm happy. Anyway, hope y'all dig it. I'll be posting feedback on everyone's entries next chance I get... [/quote] Nice track as usual and the production is top notch, I need some lessons in production from you me thinks I think you should be banned, you are getting too good at this for the rest of us Love the ideas and the vocal synths are great.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1360790195' post='1976658'] Works fine for me , I can't tell the sublte differences in the mix , but it is a day since I listened to the original , it sounds sweet though [/quote] Cheers

PLEASE LEAVE ALL FEEDBACK ON THE LINK BELOW [url="http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2796488"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2796488[/url]

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1360717028' post='1975496'] I only have headphones on my lappy at the moment , we are in a decoration/re-arrange mode at the minute , with regard your work, the don't take my word as gospel, I am new to the critique of mixing , but I am considering how much the mixing is a part of a composition competition ? if, like my entry, the composition is instrumental, then I guess the mix is fundamental. but I like it I have tried to listen again , but I get a script error ? I will go again tomorrow . [/quote] Here is the new link, [url="https://soundcloud.com/9thaspect/beyond-words-entry-for"]https://soundcloud.c...words-entry-for[/url] I have re-uploaded this to soundcloud and don't know if this is working, it works for me fine but not sure if anyone else is having problems? Can you let me know if it works OK for you?

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1360710076' post='1975363'] I really liked it , I think the overall ambience was lovely , I thought the bass could be higher and I thought the synth was a bit to far forward and 'pulsey' If you get my drift , but the same thing happened to mine on the soundcloud , my bass dropped a bit and a similar synth sound leapt out , But the composition was very appropriatte to the theme , very nice . [/quote] Thanks i will take that on board and will have a pop at a remix, did you listen through headphones, quality speakers or computer speakers/laptop? Have remixed it slightly and brought the bass up a touch, dropped the keys down very slightly, let me know if you think this is better? Here's the new link, https://soundcloud.com/9thaspect/beyond-words-entry-for

Would appreciate some feedback myself if anyone can spare the time. Cheers https://soundcloud.com/9thaspect/beyond-words-entry-for

And thanks for the direction [b]Skol[/b], I never can find where the comp is, doh. Recording was a bit obvious!

I for one have been inspired by some of the stuff i have seen on YouTube and have gained a lot of playing technique tips e.t.c. Scott Divine being a great example of this. You can be a sh.t hot bass player and not be in a band or play live, it isn't compulsory or a waste of time its a choice, one of the most amazing guitarists I have seen is on YouTube and isn't in a band at the moment, he does it for fun. My own experience is it is hard to find a group of people who, A) Get along B Aren't egotistical kn..heads C) Want to play the same style stuff D) Want to be a part of a musically tight unit working as one and not the solo kid The list goes on! If you can find the right people bands are cool and a great experience, if not they can be a nightmare and a complete waste of time and effort. Each to there own in my opinion if YouTube is your showcase fair enough, as long as you get a buzz from your playing where ever its done, bedroom, YouTube, local pub, 02 Arena. I have met a lot of session players over the years with great reading skills and can play anything put in front of them, but I have also met quite a few who have no real feel or vibe in there playing and without being told what to play, cant really jam with any real emotion. I await the mass attack for the last statement, but I have found it very common in your typical music degree type musician, not all by any means but in my experience quite a few. Each to there own, if you don't like it don't watch it

[quote][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Steve: I love the ambience of this one. In answer to your question I think it [/font][/color][i]definitely [/i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]works... it's maybe even my favourite track of yours so far, but that could just be down to my personal taste (you might think otherwise). I wouldn't worry about the mix at all - it sounds fine mate and nothing stood out to me as needing any major correction.[/font][/color][/quote] Any tips about the mix would be appreciated so I could act on them, cheers Thanks for the comment its always appreciated!

[media]http://youtu.be/zPuI7WKSnU0[/media] The wonderful John Martyn, one of my favorite albums, couldn't pick a single track check it all out, its got some great bass lines. Bliss

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1360357328' post='1969424'] Superb band. [/quote] Jethro Tull was great, mad but great!

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1360351846' post='1969255'] Dire Straits Nickleback Muse [/quote] Dire Straits made a few great albums there first three especially, Muse, Nickleback fair enough shame on you

Love the Smiths and Morrisey, love his warbling it does get addictive especially there early stuff. Also love Kate Bush, so Bobby will deffo check out your tour details, will they be on the link below? Dumb question, will try and get tickets for Manchester if I am free on night. Fave Smiths track is probably 'Panic' but love 'Some girls are bigger than others' as well.

Welcome Steve nice to have yet more Welsh among us, your getting like buses, one comes then they all come along at once

Worked on this for three days in spare time, haven't got any time to do anything in the rest of month so thought sod it I will post this early. The image is stunning and I thought beyond words so I wanted to do something totally different from my normal entries, so tried to translate the emotion of what the picture does for me into sound, so here it is 'Beyond Words', used Ableton DAW, live guitars (rythm and lead), live bass two tracks, one with heavy weird sound effect. Used some synth sounds from Reason, also strings sound and chello. No loops or samples everything is played in live. Never done anything like this before so I hope it works and apologies for my mixing skills I am still very new to this recording lark and I am learning as i go along, but I am really getting the bug. https://soundcloud.com/9thaspect/beyond-words-entry-for

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1360139821' post='1965293'] Here's mine so far, I'm going to upload as I go to keep motivated [url="https://soundcloud.com/thebrokensky/northern-lights"]https://soundcloud.c...northern-lights[/url] [/quote] Nice feel very atmospheric, sounds like its going places.

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1359636341' post='1957949'] Please tell us you didn't get talked into making a Paypal "gift" payment. If you did, frankly, I would start worrying more [/quote] Every time I have bought on here I have been asked to use the gift option in Paypal and some have refused to sell to me when I explain I am not covered by insurance, most times I have had to cover the Paypal fees myself for them to sell to me. I have only bought about three times from BC, but every time each one has wanted payment as a gift or I cover fees. Seems to be expected from most people. If its a good deal well worth covering fees yourself as at least you are covered if it hits the fan, fees aren't much either, I would rather people add them on the price in the first place then there's no awkward discussions..

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1359709369' post='1959000'] Congratulations, Skol303 [petulance](...[i]although I still think Stephen had a better track this month[/i]... Stamps foot...)[/petulance] [/quote] Thanks for the comment Dad its appreciated and remember, [spoiler]'Always question authority', in past experience it doesn't make you popular, but who wants to be popular [/spoiler] P.S. Can Charic put a link here to next competition as I can never find it, much appreciated!

Well done Skol you got my vote again, really liked the track. I am getting a bit paranoid now as you may be beginning to think I am a crazed fan you just need to get worried when you see me sat in my car outside your house, you will know its me by the t shirt with Skoll 303 on it and the strange look in my eyes . Only kidding well done mate! [spoiler]Or am I :-)[/spoiler]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1359069566' post='1949585'] Excellent work, as usual. Only 6..? OK, but 6 scorchers. Well done, all, especially in such a short time, for most. ...and, by the way... [spoiler]Always question authority...[/spoiler] [/quote]

Where is the voting, can you put a link here?