lurksalot

Oh , I thought he was the little kid from Star wars

Mine is well underway now , and I daren't listen to any of this stuff as I am sure I will have composed something that will be the same as something else , what I am doing seems so natural that it cant be unique . and if I find an obvious similarity I will have to start again , that said, I think the same thing every month and none ever seem similar in the slightest

I find a touch of chorus adds a bit of life to the tone and as long as there is a bit of top in it then some sensitive EQing can give it enough edge to let it cut through while keeping a bit of warmth at the same time .................................... Hark at me

[quote name='Old_Ben' timestamp='1422957851' post='2678729'] Waiting for my new interface to arrive before starting recording! [/quote] There's commitment , I think its going to his head guys [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1423073978' post='2680394'] [i]"Sooo.... the coal goes in here. But where the heck is the MIDI out?"[/i] [/quote] Hmmm....... finding the MIDI out would take me a while with that I suspect , but the real concern would be that I wouldn't know what to do with it when I found it .

I guess the top pros will get around to writing or have written a book , In am sure that everything we need to know , and a lot we don't , will be up for grabs when we need it , thus their knowledge is imparted without the need for real time interogation

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1423035079' post='2679721'] I think the point that is being made is that the composition is supposedly the important thing, yet a lot of the feedback you see given to peoples songs is largely talking about how it was recorded, not about the song itself. If the important thing is the compositional aspect then this can be demonstrated by nothing more than a guitar or keyboard & a vocal, it doesn't need to have loads of tracks with all manner of bells & whistles on them. In that respect the monthly challenge does seem to me to me more about the recording process & less about the song. [/quote] I kind of understand , but , here's the rub , you can make that judgement every month , based on this very criteria

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1423072789' post='2680371'] Some good points above about the difference between "composing" and "recording". I think it's an issue of semantics... and to be honest, the word "composition" probably isn't the best choice for the monthly challenge - I've often considered simplifying it to "New Music Challenge", but for tradition's sake the word composition has stuck ................. .............. So let's not get hung up on the word "composition". I've always thought it to be a little too grandiose myself. I'm certainly not a composer. But I occasionally write a catchy tune [/quote] and let us not forget Spacechick read a poem/ short story that she had written on month , so the term is well open to interpretation .

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1423065552' post='2680245'] I always roll my "compositions" in a large amount of hifi glitter in the hope that nobody will notice the many shortcomings! Still, I see the whole point is to produce something you yourself like - if other people like it and even vote for it, all the better. [/quote] Amen brother

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1422953765' post='2678678'] KingBollock's posts exactly illustrate the point I was making earlier. It's called the [b]COMPOSITION[/b] Challenge, and yet he (and probably many others) are hung up on the recording aspect. And please don't ask us to make a video. Get the audio sorted is time consuming enough. I definitely wouldn't be entering again if some sort of visual element was required as well. [/quote] chicken and egg though on that , we could all submit manuscripts , but then only a few can read them !! Video is not good with me TBH , but I only learned the recording process by persevering with challenge each month.

I wont tell you how mine is setting off because by the time it gets posted it will be something completely different, but I am really going to try and keep this one on track

Having stared at the picture for a short while , I see a big smiley face with light bulb nose on the front of the boiler , It has lessened the gravitas of the picture a touch for me , in a cartoonish way , not quite Thomas the tank , more Vlad the exhaler

Wow , I reckon its Casey Jones on the chatanooga choo choo , with Little Eva and Kylie on board, maybe on its way to Marrakech , but if it goes via Wichita I hope that guy is not still on the line Now trains are quite heavy and made of metal ....aren't they

and everyone scored brilliant voting turnout , and a great months entries well done all , congrats to old ben , where is Februarys photo I am itching to get going again

A selection of needle files will often throw the right one for the job, with added advantage that they are not massively strong and demand you approach the task with a little finesse . Some of those you tube nut filing vids I have seen seem positively brutal .

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1422727820' post='2676189'] I've entered a number of times and vote quite a lot. I've stopped entering now though.................... . i just felt a bit of an outsider. So i just stopped doing it! [/quote] That is a real shame , I know I am in the thick of it now , but I never got the feeling that there was an 'insider' , OK Skol puts a lot of work in and is almost a hub for it , but even this month , I think Old ben is a first timer and could pick up the win !! not that a win is the aim for many of us , it is the motivation that I love . You are always welcome to participate whenever you are ready , as are all . I don't listen to any entries until mine is put up , but I try to comment on other entries afterwards , not to the extent of Dads fantastic reviews , but its great if someone takes the time to comment on the track. The clique effect isn't working in Dads favour at the moment , near the death now and he hasn't scored a vote , that is a shame . On the plus side, the count is 41 votes in , that is a fantastic response , I am sure all the entrants are really thankful to those that have supported the challenge this month,

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1422647283' post='2675210'] Just cos my Mum, Wife and Plumber voted for me I won't let it go to my head [/quote] Thinks ...... Lurksalittle Lurksalittlesmum Lurksalittlesnan Lurksalotssister1 Lurksalotssister2 lurksfamily ... hmmm 11 votes should be enough ed to add ...... I'll get one of them to send a nod your way Dad

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1422647700' post='2675216'] I love it. Most meaningful thread for me. Makes me work at composition and develop my writing chops. [/quote] I think its quite incredible , and almost feel like I am living the dream , well if you bear in mind that I am writing , performing (mostly), recording , producing and publishing my own compositions and songs , I would have killed for the opportunity 30 years ago , so now it is just fantastic. The fact I get a vote or two is icing on the cake but to think that some members think my entry is worth a vote over the other choices is both exciting and humbling in the same breath. [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1422650950' post='2675299'] No the skills aren't difficult to learn, but they are difficult to master well. After years of being a dedicated home-recordist, I've pretty much given up because I've recently worked with people who are so much better than me at getting stuff sounding good in a fraction of the time it would take me to get far less satisfactory results. Also I'm a terrible singer and lyricist, so anything that wasn't purely instrumental would have to be done in collaboration with someone who is. I much prefer songs to instrumentals and I'm sure I'm not alone in this regard. To do something in the time frame allowed it's much easier if I do it all myself which means an instrumental only composition. As a voter I'm nearly always inclined to vote for a track with a decent vocal on it rather than an instrumental, so long as it meets the challenge brief. [/quote] I am with you on most of this , but I see it as a massive learning tool , when I don't get any better after a lot of effort , I may feel the same , but at the moment I keep finding things to improve on and these things are still fun , I am not producing commercially granted , but surely you having learnt what you have, gives you an insight to how you want the Terrortones to sound ?

Shared on FB aswell

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1422643676' post='2675145'] I think that is part of the problem. The challenge is billed as composition, but it's just as much a recording one, which I think puts off people who don't have the facilities or skills to make a recording they believe can compete with what has been produced before. [/quote] most people on here have access to a computer or tablet that can host a digital audio workstation, the skills are not particularly difficult, but do need the will to want to learn [quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1422643937' post='2675151'] Just had a quick look, it'd take half hour to listen to them all, I'm not sure many people would have that kind of time. [/quote] aquick scan through as you were surfing through BC with headphones on , 20 seconds each if it doesnt grab move on , you night find something you like and could throw a vote at [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1422644177' post='2675155'] [center]Poor, poor people. What [i]are[/i] they going to do?[/center] [center][/center] [/quote] not really necessary Nige , if Skol can't ask for honest opinions without getting piss taking responses then he is wasting his time . If people don't want to or can't participate or vote for ANY reason that is their perogative , if we can make the thing more inclusive all the better .

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1422480231' post='2673327'] [Shameless Plug] You can play mine to Lurksalittle..! [/Shameless Plug] (... although she [s]may not[/s] probably won't like it, either... ) [/quote] I did play her yours Douglas , it was great , half way through she ran off to go and do her homework , inspirational my friend

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1422442625' post='2672619'] [font=Helvetica][size=3][size=4]Voted![/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3][size=4]It was [i]sooo[/i] close this month for me between Lurksalot and Old_Ben… and my vote went to Old_Ben (sorry Lurks!). Both really strong compositions to my ear, which I felt captured the image nicely - or at least chimed with my interpretation of it most strongly.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3][size=4]Old_Ben just pipped it because his track was a hair’s breadth closer to my personal taste; and I really liked the ‘rawness’ of it (I’m not referring to the production itself, which is great, but more the choice of sounds that I felt worked well). Lurks’ track was also very catchy, nicely played/produced and I really like the contribution of Lurksalittle and her mate on backing vocals. A close second.[/size][/size][/font] [/quote] Cheers Paul , I still haven't chosen yet , but I particularly liked yours and old bens , yours has to be marked down because I cant play it to Lurksalittle Old Bens was how I envisaged mine going at the start , but it got a bit tuney , rather than grungey , and rather than pull it back in line I just went with the flow Thanks to everyone else for the kind words , now for a double check on my voting thoughts

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1422179212' post='2669427'] Ah, so it is! Well spotted. You've passed the test, Agent Bilbo [/quote] Maybe , but where is the voting poll

small scale suits me much better, In Chester we have a few street type music festivals which work really well , and a couple of pubs put on outdoor afternoon/evening shows with any number of local bands , all free entry, drinks at normal bar prices , they are excellent , and while you don't get mahoosive high flying band names appearing , you dont need mahoosive TV screens to see the stage , so you can go home and watch the big name DVDs to get the full effect We do have Chester Rocks though , Chester Pops is more like it , but the kids love it , a decent introduction to a proper outdoor stage type 2 day festival , no camping and the like though.

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1421851165' post='2665760'] Like a truncated version of this? I don't quite dare, yet... [MEDIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyGMI0q8o6Y[/MEDIA] [/quote] LOL , I had a good chuckle at 57s , he takes the horn from his mouth and gives it a dirty look like it wasn't working correctly and made the wrong noise

Ive had a listen through , and just as I think I have taken a step forward , everyone else appears to have taken two or three !! its a good job I am not desperate for a new polo shirt