Leonard Smalls Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 [quote name='the boy' timestamp='1460388808' post='3025251'] I know what you mean.... There isn't a lot in either to inspire. The "Jono" pic is quite a personal thing and the video is a bit stop start to provide any rhythm. I'm gonna persevere as well. There is something about the "Jono" pic that's making me feel rueful. Rueful is the exchange student intern here at work. He doesn't mind. He knows it's in the interest of Art, dammit man......, [/quote] I've done something about the spirit of the adventure - basically in praise of the crazy fools! However, it's 56 seconds longer than the video, so I've downloaded ShotCut (good piece of kit, btw - open source and free...) - the question is do I have time to learn how to use it and edit more footage in? Either way, it's funky and only needs minor tweaks (some would say my dad rap could be tweaked out altogether!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 [quote name='the boy' timestamp='1460388808' post='3025251']I know what you mean.... There isn't a lot in either to inspire. The "Jono" pic is quite a personal thing and the video is a bit stop start to provide any rhythm.[/quote] [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1460398719' post='3025421']I listened to my track with the video running and kept wanting the snowboarders to do a big huge fast run all the way through.[/quote] Don't worry guys, it never has to be a literal interpretation... the photo (and in this case video) are always just a starting point and not necessarily a final destination. Personally, I never have the image in view when actually writing my compositions for the challenge. I just look at it at the start and think "ok, that sounds something like this in my head" and then off I go... what happens after that is just about having fun with the writing process. But of course everyone approaches it in their own way. Short story: don't over-think it, unless you want to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1460444698' post='3025674']... (some would say my dad rap could be tweaked out altogether!). [/quote] What's all this 'ere 'some' nonsense..? I have a name, y'know..! Harrumph..! ... (I use 'VideoPad' for simple video editing; it's free for home use...) [url="http://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/"]VideoPad ...[/url] Edited April 12, 2016 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki1984 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1460456375' post='3025812'] Don't worry guys, it never has to be a literal interpretation... the photo (and in this case video) are always just a starting point and not necessarily a final destination. Personally, I never have the image in view when actually writing my compositions for the challenge. I just look at it at the start and think "ok, that sounds something like this in my head" and then off I go... what happens after that is just about having fun with the writing process. But of course everyone approaches it in their own way. Short story: don't over-think it, unless you want to! [/quote] For what's it's worth, this is essentially my approach too. If I have lyrics I try to use the picture as inspiration, even if it's only from an allegorical perspective, but it's not my main focus. Edited April 12, 2016 by Rikki1984 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingers211 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 +1 for the above.... I've stuck only with picture, and the first thoughts I had when seeing it !! Got nowt with the video , so stuck with the original idea.... T'is a basic ditty ,but I've just realised there's a bit of a "Pictures of Lily" theme in there !! nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 How different we all are (a Good Thing...)..! I took the video as a starting point, and could 'hear' the rhythm (on drums, basically...) as I watched, so I started there. I often get my kick-start from the percu in my head. From there I took a chord sequence, popped it into EZKeys; that brought out the bass line, transferred to analogue synth. Once those 'bare bones' were in place, the rest was 'fleshing out', with a 'bone theme for my recurring 'Jono' incrustations, and a rather wild shred guitar to ensure a 'modern' sound. A bit of solo work from BIAB saxes, and the rest is just a case of mixing the whole soup into something approaching palatability. Often overdone; I should obey my own 'minimalist' principles more, but it seems like a good idea at the time. I'd have had more difficulty, I'd say, from the still photo alone; it was the two together that brought on the notion. Just lucky, I guess (but is it 'art'..? ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1460463641' post='3025908'] (I use 'VideoPad' for simple video editing; it's free for home use...) [url="http://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/"]VideoPad ...[/url] [/quote] So, what's the difference between free/home/master editions? Commercial use? https://secure.nch.com.au/cgi-bin/register.exe?software=videopad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1460473017' post='3026016'] So, what's the difference between free/home/master editions? Commercial use? [url="https://secure.nch.com.au/cgi-bin/register.exe?software=videopad"]https://secure.nch.c...ftware=videopad[/url] [/quote] Free/home: 2 audio track maximum Master: unlimited audio tracks. I don't need, for the dummy that I am, more than 2 audio tracks; if I did, I'd pre-mix (with Reaper or the like...). For what I do, the free edition is fine. It's not expensive if more is required, but then one has to start comparing with other software. I had tried other free (or low cost...) stuff; only VideoPad has stayed on my PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Smalls Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 ShotCut seems to be very powerful for freeware - as it's open source there is no master/pro version, it's all there for free. It takes some working out, but then they all do. Basically it seems to do much of the same stuff as Avid, in a slightly more convoluted way, but with no cost unless you choose to donate. There's no upgrades, no "in-app" purchases, just freeware! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 [quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1460480087' post='3026096'] ShotCut... [/quote] I'm downloading it now to try it out; thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 I have my mix sounding just how I want it on headphones* but now need to translate that to speakers. What sounds right in the sound space on cans never sounds like it's in the same space on my monitors. Reverb and the pseudo-physical placement of the instruments is just so different. On the plus side I get to research how to fix this and play around a bit. Once that's done I just need to go pro on Soundcloud for the extra minutes then it's all done. Oh, and I managed to knock out a track in between last month's and this month's challenge too! * I always record and do the initial mixes on headphones due to living in an old Victorian terrace with paper thin walls. I don't mind my neighbours and don't want to subject them to hearing the same track played over and over again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingers211 Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 In for another go this month... https://soundcloud.com/nigel-jewell/does-paloma-matta I couldn't shake that first thought when I saw the photo, and that's that !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurksalot Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 I am hoping for some inspiration tommorrow , the lad is popping round to give me a lift with some heavy stuff , but if he comes early enough he can grunt a vocal for me , lurksalittle likes the tune and the basics are laid down , but it properly needs a vocal. on a technical note , I have found a reverb that I like after 2 years of looking , probably because it sounds totally like I am listening to the sound in the room , even though I have my headphones on . this in itself probably says more about the acoustics of my room than it does about my ability to mix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christofloffer Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 ok, the sad song didnt quite come together properly. so i have gone for the slightly more lively (for me anyway) one as it felt more complete. it is rather in need of a lift in the second part but i just couldnt get a lead line to sound right and i still refuse to sing. i might still get one in before the deadline but i am not that hopeful. i tried to create something i bit more balanced this time. so i gave each track its own EQ (only realised i could do that this month) to set each track apart. i also made use of the automated panning to add a bit of texture. the idea was to capture the feeling of standing on top of a ramp on my skateboard, which i always found terrifying. i could only assume its akin to the feeling those snowboarders must have at the top of a mountain. so the first part uses two tracks with alternating panning to try and get the queasy feeling, and the second part is supposed to be how i felt when i actually went for it. though i did use some poetic license and didnt include the crunch into the floor that usually followed after trying to ride a ramp. i am not all that sure that it sounds like all that, but its what i was going for. https://soundcloud.com/christofloffer/a-short-fall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Smalls Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 I've finally finished faffing around, have uploaded a cut-to-length vid: [MEDIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0povnDhVa4&feature=youtu.be[/MEDIA] and a Soundcloud with a slightly different mix [url="http://soundcloud.com/dredd-and-the-badass-weed/kamikaze-girl"]http://soundcloud.co...d/kamikaze-girl[/url] Inspiration was the vid, song started as an improvisation over a disco beat while watching vid, the 2nd take of that became the song. Lyrics were written after all the music had been finished. Bass is the trusty Wal, drums by me and Mr EZ Drummer, keys by me, vox and lyrics by me, guitars are edited samples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 Finished mine! Here's the result: https://soundcloud.com/mornats/downhill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurksalot Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 OK I'm in , a bit rushed this month as I am in the middle of a new kitchen extension and I can only get music time when the sun goes down so here it is , it was supposed to be skate punk but it is what it is , I hope you enjoy https://soundcloud.com/lurksalot/downhill-fast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted April 19, 2016 Author Share Posted April 19, 2016 Well done guys! I had a quick 'skim listen' to the latest entries last night and they're all good. Mine's written and recorded - bass, guitars, vocals (plus MIDI drums) - I just need to get it mixed and made palatable. Well... I'll settle for mixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bastav Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 https://soundcloud.com/organicpulseensemble/the-dog-in-me There it is. Couldn't quite get the mix to sound right but it might just be the sloppyness in the timing in some parts that makes me feel that way... or the fact that Im singin on it... or maybe it's just the dog in me Anyway it was a fun track to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 I'm really struggling to get something from the pics. I might give this month's a miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirchTree Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 It's been a while since I tried my hand at the monthly competition ! Here's my entry, done in the absolute nick of time, which unfortunately, may show . https://soundcloud.com/jaedry/snow-race Love the other entries so far, Its going to be an interesting month .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted April 22, 2016 Author Share Posted April 22, 2016 (edited) Ok I'm done: [url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/boned-out"]http://soundcloud.co...ollob/boned-out[/url] Aiming for an early '90s grunge vibe this month, borrowing heavily from the likes of Nirvana (my sister snowboards and loves this sort of music). The title is allegedly a snowboarding term that refers to "straightening ones legs so as to emphasise a trick", known as boning out. So there you go. And I hear that dogs like bones too. So that's all points of reference well and truly covered. Guitars, bass and vocal by yours truly. The lyrics, hastily penned, are about seeking highs by taking risks. Or some such. The drums are all MIDI-triggered samples, layered with electronic equivalents to give them a bit more oomph. The drum track itself is a direct copy of a well known Nirvana tune; the middle vocal section about haemorrhoids is a tribute to the song in question (I'm sure you can work it out!). The most difficult part of this production? Trying to record a shouty, grunge vocal late at night whilst the rest of the family are in bed. It ended up as a sort of raspy half-shout, half-whisper, the result of which was a pain in the ass to EQ and fit within the mix (either too loud or too quiet). Lesson learned: if you want a shouty vocal, you really do need to shout. [b]I'll be posting up the voting thread sometime on Sunday morning.[/b] In the meantime, here's a Nirvana smiley... Edited April 22, 2016 by Skol303 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Not got to it this month, guys. Sorry. Blame Tony Kofi and Ornette Coleman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 [color=#800000][b]VOTING THREAD IS UP![/b][/color] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/283725-april-composition-challenge-voting/"][size=6][b]Head yonder...[/b][/size][/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1461488812' post='3034965'] Not got to it this month, guys. Sorry. Blame Tony Kofi and Ornette Coleman! [/quote] Bastards! Jazz East gigs? Hope they go/went well Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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