Lamp Sessions (Monthly Challenge #004) – submissions due September 24
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shrike.
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2018-09-01 at 14:14:23 #51104,
HarryModeratorCHALLENGE #004
September’s Single Synth Submission.Pick one synth from your tool box. Use as many instances of it as you want, but no other sounds may be used for this challenge. You can use presets, or spend some time crafting some new patches; if you create anything you want to share, please upload the patches at the end of this month. Resampling & processing the audio with plug-in effects is okay, but processing in a sampler is not (that’ll be for a future challenge…). Write a one & half to three minute demo track (+/- 15 seconds). Submit it for the challenge crew to hear!
If you normally only work with audio or samplers, this is the month to grab a demo of a soft synth and explore it. Lots of options out there. You have almost three weeks to write something and upload, and then a week to listen to the other submissions & pick one demo as your favorite, other than your own submission. Feedback on final submissions is encouraged as well, but not required. Just remember “Want feedback? Give feedback.”
SUBMISSIONS DUE: September 24, 2018 at 11:59 PM UTC
Find UTC info here: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/timezone/utcVOTES DUE: September 30, 2018 at 11:59 PM UTC
Genies and Moderators are exempt from prizes, so be sure to vote for another member.SUBMIT: Upload a private track on SoundCloud and share the link in this thread any time after September 21, 2018. Please, no work in progress uploads, or “feedback on what I’ve done so far”, just post your final submission(s). Collaborations are okay, but if you post a collab, you cannot also post a solo piece or additional collaborations.
PRIZE(?!?): The submission with the most votes from fellow participants & Sample Genies, will get a free month of Sample Genie next month. GENIE HQ has final say, and will announce a winner at the conclusion of each month.
Any questions, just ask.
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Reminder: December’s challenge will be a member sourced sample pack & demo, fairly open parameters. We will need people to submit sounds for the pack in November, so keep that in mind. Will be looking for basses, breaks, individual drum hits, FX, foley, leads/mids, and pads. I will post more information as we get closer to that challenge’s start date."Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-01 at 14:39:48 #51107,
Mind ZeroParticipantAlso percussion has to be synthesized right? This could be fun
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2018-09-01 at 19:33:26 #51190,HarryModerator
Also percussion has to be synthesized right? This could be fun
Yeah, synthesized, although with effects you could make variations that have different characteristics. Giving away one of my tricks, I sometimes use this free VST/AU on drum sounds: https://www.wavesfactory.com/product/snarebuzz/
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-01 at 19:38:02 #51191,
BalronParticipantHope I will find enough time for this. Was already thinking about finally getting deeper into one of the synths I got and this could be a cool project to do it. Thanks Harry 🙂
https://soundcloud.com/balron
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2018-09-02 at 06:12:13 #51214,shrikeParticipant
I’m attempting to do mine on all on the Blofeld.
Maddening thus far, but a good point of learning.
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-02 at 22:33:42 #51270,shrikeParticipant
Anyone wanna buy a Blofeld? lol
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-06 at 17:48:37 #51626,HarryModerator
Working on a Sep. 10 deadline, and then putting some work on my demo. I think I’m going to use U-He Hive even though I’m pretty sure I’d get a lot more out of Serum, or maybe use a stock synth from Bitwig… although there is going to be a stock sounds & tools challenge early next year. Had the idea before seeing the new QZB tutorial, thought it was cool they stuck to stock for what they did, will be a good resource for the later challenge. I might even start two projects and then decide from there.
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-11 at 01:02:37 #51837,
AdamParticipantI’ve joined up and saw this challenge and thought I’d have a go, when you say we can use presets or make your own, does that mean we can use both presets and our own patches or does it mean we have to use presets only or your own patches only?
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2018-09-11 at 03:58:20 #51840,shrikeParticipant
You can mix it up. All sounds just need to originate from one single synth.
And welcome!
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-11 at 14:37:03 #51859,HarryModerator
Just like Shrike said. It’s basically an exercise in doing a deep dive on one instrument, squeezing as much out of it as you can. The aim of the exercises is to get members to explore the prompt given, spark some ideas for their own projects, and then during submission time, get some dialog and exchange of ideas between members.
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-19 at 15:56:16 #52180,BalronParticipant
Eh… although I don’t have much time (and energy) to actually do this properly, I still try to make it happen.
I already learned something… built-in Operator presets are (mostly) a pile of useless awkward-sounding crap.There are few ready-to-be-used sounds, but the majority… omg. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see how someone could make something good out of it without heavy processing and resampling. I mean.. of course there’s going to be a person that will make something crazy (like the ‘one kick song’), but that doesn’t make the presets any better :d
https://soundcloud.com/balron
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2018-09-25 at 06:16:34 #52439,shrikeParticipant
I already learned something… built-in Operator presets are (mostly) a pile of useless awkward-sounding crap.
There are few ready-to-be-used sounds, but the majority… omg. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see how someone could make something good out of it without heavy processing and resampling.
Said every single dnb artist while flipping through all presets on any synth ever…
You’ve made her sing, though LB. Wikked as usual.
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-19 at 17:15:20 #52181,HarryModerator
Eh… although I don’t have much time (and energy) to actually do this properly, I still try to make it happen.
I already learned something… built-in Operator presets are (mostly) a pile of useless awkward-sounding crap.There are few ready-to-be-used sounds, but the majority… omg. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see how someone could make something good out of it without heavy processing and resampling. I mean.. of course there’s going to be a person that will make something crazy (like the ‘one kick song’), but that doesn’t make the presets any better :d
I feel you. I’ve got a loop, a decent amount of sounds, but I’ve had to process everything, and not feeling very inspired compared to how I usually work. Still time though, and this has pushed me out of my comfort zone.
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-19 at 23:16:24 #52191,BalronParticipant
My entry.
Synth: Operator.https://soundcloud.com/balron/balron-lamp-sessions-004-demo/s-Ny8la
https://soundcloud.com/balron
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2018-09-21 at 05:02:47 #52238,
FreemanParticipantSounds good man, digging that percussive verb hit.
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2018-09-21 at 19:10:54 #52296,HarryModerator
Struggled with this month, kind of uninspired. Decided to try going a bit deeper in to U-He Hive, really wish I said it was okay to use outside drum breaks, was tough to get drum layer sounds I liked.
https://soundcloud.com/r4ns0m/r4ns0m-lamp-sessions-004-demo/s-Tdrx9
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-23 at 19:03:10 #52386,shrikeParticipant
I’ll be coming in just under the PST wire. I’ve written four different pieces for this over the last month (some you’ve heard). I’ve got a fifth going that I’m going to push until the deadline.
Reserving comment on all entries until all entries are in!
BLAU, BLAAAAU
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-24 at 23:36:04 #52430,FreemanParticipant
I used Ableton’s Operator, fun challenge always wanted to try making a tune with just one synth but was intimidated.
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2018-09-26 at 16:58:08 #52512,
FakeParticipantThis sounds great man, rolls really well and I love the dark ambience you got going! Do you tend to send everything to a buss or put reverb on stuff separately?
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2018-09-26 at 19:19:09 #52516,FreemanParticipant
Thank you! In this tune I didn’t use any verb or delay sends/busses just inserts on the track channel. I even bounced out some of the delay/verb tails so I could edit them as audio.
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2018-09-24 at 23:44:59 #52432,FakeParticipant
Been a member for quite a while but never realised this was a thing!
Didn’t get to spend as much time as I wanted, especially on the arrangement, but it was quite a refreshing change only using Operator.
https://soundcloud.com/6f7a/lamp-sessions-004-demo-
2018-09-25 at 12:48:28 #52444,FakeParticipant
My bad, forgot you had to get a secret link for private tracks on SC!
https://soundcloud.com/6f7a/lamp-sessions-004-demo/s-JAaIh -
2018-09-25 at 13:43:00 #52445,shrikeParticipant
Whoa, where’d you come from, lol. This is pro
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-25 at 06:08:37 #52437,shrikeParticipant
This is me:
https://soundcloud.com/the_shrike/all-serum-wip001/s-ziLcb
I used Serum for all things. Well, except for the vox. It was esp fun working out the high freq perc stuff. Might be my fave part of this one.
Freeman, I’m feeling yours, esp at the drop.
6F7A, link says tune has been removed…
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-25 at 14:34:03 #52446,HarryModerator
I used Ableton’s Operator, fun challenge always wanted to try making a tune with just one synth but was intimidated.
I really like how everything sounds once the bass is introduced! Lots of cool like FX noises I was hearing too. Wasn’t in to the drums in the intro, but I think that’s partly my issue with synthesized drums.
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-25 at 14:38:23 #52447,HarryModerator
Been a member for quite a while but never realised this was a thing!
Didn’t get to spend as much time as I wanted, especially on the arrangement, but it was quite a refreshing change only using Operator.Thanks for jumping on this month, it’s a new thing I started up a few months ago. Aim isn’t to have finished tracks, but to take on an exercise, get some ideas flowing, and well, your idea this month is sounding super good, lots of great elements and even some edits & fills already. I would totally push this to a full track, either stick with the ethos of the one synth, or add in some additional sounds, drums, breaks and get this arranged.
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-26 at 17:03:16 #52513,FakeParticipant
Cheers man! I’m defo gonna revisit it soon with some samples when I can stand to listen to it again. How do we vote by the way?
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2018-09-26 at 17:25:41 #52514,shrikeParticipant
Voting only requires a regular post, stating your selection.
I usually put all of my feedback and my final vote in one post. Will do soon, I want to be able to spend proper time with the tunes.
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-25 at 14:40:31 #52448,HarryModerator
I used Serum for all things. Well, except for the vox. It was esp fun working out the high freq perc stuff. Might be my fave part of this one.
I think this is you at your best, really dig what you’ve done this month. Drum beat has some funk to it that I really like, and bass & mids are sounding good to me.
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-25 at 14:42:37 #52451,HarryModerator
QUOTE
This definitely sounds like you, but a different approach. I like the eerie vibe of it, feels a bit more restrained than usual, and could see you stripping out the drums for ones that you prefer.
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-25 at 16:38:58 #52453,FreemanParticipant
Struggled with this month, kind of uninspired. Decided to try going a bit deeper in to U-He Hive, really wish I said it was okay to use outside drum breaks, was tough to get drum layer sounds I liked.
I really like the intro and outro, nice ambiance the 16th note and fx hits make it sound like a machine is assembling and then disassembling. I would shorten the kick though, nice use of u-He Hive. Also I agree with you my snare had too much tonality, I should’ve used more noise-like timbre like yours.
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2018-09-25 at 16:50:18 #52455,FreemanParticipant
Been a member for quite a while but never realised this was a thing!
Didn’t get to spend as much time as I wanted, especially on the arrangement, but it was quite a refreshing change only using Operator.Nice use of the tritone. I like the arrangement, not much to say other than finish it. I do have a question though @ :49 that mid bass, was it just a resample of your sub through distortion or a separate instance of operator? Nice job.
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2018-09-26 at 16:43:22 #52511,FakeParticipant
Thanks man! It’s just another instance of operator an octave up with a crummy FM patch being filtered internally then driven into an analogue clip saturator. The only thing I resampled was the snare to get some nice glitchy effects 🙂
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2018-09-25 at 16:58:24 #52456,FreemanParticipant
I used Serum for all things. Well, except for the vox. It was esp fun working out the high freq perc stuff. Might be my fave part of this one.
I would agree that high perc is well done, I also like the stabby bass moving fills. The snare is a bit boxy for my taste. I think you could make this into a full tune, you could juxtapose this loop against a more subdued loop (like every 4 bars) while keeping the background ping/pluck to create cohesion.
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2018-09-27 at 12:39:02 #52534,BalronParticipant
Disclaimer: I tend to point at things I “don’t like” rather than listing all the likes (usually) because that’s where I personally find most of the feedback value. I also understand that the challenges are about a specific task (e.g.: synth usage), but I will probably still comment on other aspects of the clip (e.g.: mixdown) just because it’s easier than trying to define what to judge and what not 🙂
This month challenge was quite difficult (at least for me) so I consider every entry as an achievement itself. Using just a single synth without heavy resampling and manipulation is way harder than picking a favorite drum/percussion/break samples and sticking a bass on them.
R4NSOM
– The industrial intro is missing “fullness” (maybe an OTT) but the atmosphere itself is working really well.
– The drop happens out of nowhere. Could use a stronger buildup or maybe just the overall bigger presence of the intro itself, as mentioned in the previous point.
– The kick is too loud. The “wooden”/analog sound is good but feels a little bit distorted.
– The snare could use a bit stronger transient, right now it is mostly just the white noise layer with lack of power (at least in comparison with the kick).
– The reese pieces together with that arp (is that an arp?) give a cool rave feeling. I can imagine these elements unfolding into even a faster groove (ideally with breaks/drum samples).Freeman
– Industrial intro as well (imo). With a nice atmosphere, which gets ruined by the loud filtered (I guess?) kick. I would try pulling the kick down and open the filter bit more to give it part of the transient.
– The intro snare sounds plastic. It somehow doesn’t feel right.
– The drop is cool and the snare now plays well with the kick and rolling bass.
– Hats, in general, don’t fit the overall “deep” atmosphere of track… they are too crispy/sharp for the rest of the sounds. Would like them warmer.6F7A
– The intro is good. Got nothing to comment on… maybe just those interesting “pads” (actually don’t know what to call them) starting after 0:22 could be louder. Right now, they are way in the back.
– The kick in drop feels like it could use a bit stronger bottom end. Feels like it’s more about mids than bass (which is not bad/wrong ofc).
– The rest is really well done. I just don’t hear anything that would bother me 🙂The shrike
– Short intro bit with vocal is nice but short :d
– Drums feel distorted. I guess the snare might be going through too much soft clipping?
– The occasional “vocal/growl” stab is louder than the rest.
– Drop overall has a good vibe/groove, although the drums do not fit with the rest. They are too crispy, while the rest sounds more organic. Softer (more organic .. wtf is that anyway?) drums would make this into cool dark tune. Try replacing all the drums/percussion by samples and make this into a full tune 🙂My vote goes to 6F7A.
The tune is well done and feels like it has a lot of work behind it. Should be finished, polished and released.https://soundcloud.com/balron
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2018-10-01 at 03:15:35 #53909,shrikeParticipant
The shrike
– Short intro bit with vocal is nice but short :d
– Drums feel distorted. I guess the snare might be going through too much soft clipping?
– The occasional “vocal/growl” stab is louder than the rest.
– Drop overall has a good vibe/groove, although the drums do not fit with the rest. They are too crispy, while the rest sounds more organic. Softer (more organic .. wtf is that anyway?) drums would make this into cool dark tune. Try replacing all the drums/percussion by samples and make this into a full tuneUgggh, listening to this version, after I have been refining it: you are so right Balron. Not to make excuses, but I keep turning these in after long sessions where my ears are FACKED. I need to give the next entry some breathing room…that snare is distorted as SHIT, so sorry you guys LOL.
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-09-30 at 20:40:43 #53885,HarryModerator
Forgot to post my vote this month is for 6F7A.
Waiting on final word from Sample Genie HQ.
Also, I might have #005 ready tomorrow, might not. Busy with several RL things, have one version of challenge that is very open and on participants to adhere to the one parameter, other version the conversion work is done, but a limited size sample pool.
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-09-30 at 21:23:07 #53893,FakeParticipant
Thanks for the votes guys!
My vote is for Freeman.
I’ll do a longer post with detailed feedback for everyone tomorrow.-
2018-10-02 at 20:00:46 #54126,FakeParticipant
Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back with this, pretty hectic atm.
Balron
Flows nicely, solid sound design, enjoy the basses especially, perhaps a lighter snare would have worked better? It’s a really well made snare considering it’s exclusively operator but contextually it seems pretty heavyR4NSOM
Well written, enjoy the dark vibe reese and really good arp work, especially in the outro with the little bit-crushed bits and rolling percussive hits. Would probably fiddle with the pitch envelope on the snare and cut back on the sustain on the white noise snare layer, having said that I do quite like the white noise crashes.Freeman
Again, love the dark rolly vibes on it, really enjoy the top end interaction between the bass and hats, only thing I can really think to improve is probably add a bit of distortion to the snare to get some more harmonics going on. I like using overdrive with the drive set to max and fiddling with the dry/wetshrike
Really enjoyed this one too tbh, I enjoy the distorted snare, it has that oldschool vibe! It’s just a shame we couldn’t use sampled breaks really, this could roll really hard with some more drum layers! Also, the basses are fantastic! I hope you include some of them in the December sample pack 😛Again thanks for the votes guys, I’ll try finish the tune as soon as I can bear to listen to it again!
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2018-09-30 at 21:56:55 #53895,FreemanParticipant
Very nice looking forward to #005. My vote is for 6F7A, it’s the most polished out of the bunch. Kudos to everyone though, making drums/basses/pads from one synth was quite a challenge.
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2018-10-01 at 03:12:33 #53908,shrikeParticipant
I haven’t devoted the proper amount of time to this yet. Apologies for the delay.
You guys ever seen “The Departed”…? That part where Nicholson is quoting John Lennon, and he says:
“I’m an artist…you get me a tuba and I will get you something out of it.”
That’s how I feel about the entries for this challenge. Well done, all, you guys killed it.
Balron, the gushy half time bass madness is a lot of fun. Watch out, as I’d imagine LB can kill you with just an old plastic fork.
Harry, this tune actually feels like a (gasp) song. Are you a NIN fan? I am. That could fit right in his repertoire. Maybe not the most tradtional dnb feel, but it’s fucking cool.
Freeman! Welcome to the fray, my friend. That drop is sleazy as fuck. Very strong.
6F7A (if that is your real name), also welcome! Good to see some fresh new faces here, and each pretty damned talented at that. This tune is also quite strong, coherent in all regards. Now you’re gonna have to explain that logo to me…it works with your handle, somehow, yeah?
Difficult to choose one this month, but if I must:
6F7A
Again, well done all, looking forward to the next one. Cheers to Harry for making it happen month after month.
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-10-02 at 20:08:58 #54128,FakeParticipant
Thanks for the vote man!
I’m afraid to say the logo is just the 6 out of a font I made years ago for an event or something. Or come to think of it, it might even be the b, I’m not 100%
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2018-10-02 at 02:08:58 #54049,HarryModerator
Harry, this tune actually feels like a (gasp) song. Are you a NIN fan? I am. That could fit right in his repertoire. Maybe not the most tradtional dnb feel, but it’s fucking cool.
Wow, thanks! I remember seeing the video “Head Like A Hole” when I was like 12, totally mesmerized by the song & video, and it’s been with me ever since then. Only really listened to The Downward Spiral, and then dnb happened for me a year later…
"Knowledge kept is knowledge lost." - Bobbito Garcia
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2018-10-02 at 03:48:19 #54055,shrikeParticipant
If you feel so inclined, have a listen to “The Fragile” double album. His greatest work, as far as I am concerned (fuck the critics), and that album is full of dnb vibez. Your tune could fit right in that pack. I consider that extremely high praise.
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-10-02 at 03:52:52 #54056,shrikeParticipant
Jump in here, Genie, and crown Mr. 7A! I think it’s unanimous.
And both you (6F7A) and Freeman need to come back for the next round!
Along with the rest of you grimey pirates, of course.
_-| get to work |-_
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2018-10-02 at 16:51:16 #54097,
GENIE HQKeymasterWe can’t argue with that 6F7A has won this one.
The only feedback would be the artist name… would something a little more user friendly be a positive move for you career!?
Drop us an email..
PS no feedback on this particular challenge, but cool sounds all round!
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2018-10-02 at 20:03:40 #54127,FakeParticipant
Cheers man, will do.
And lol that tickled me, this name is just a placeholder until I can come up with something I actually like, it’s just taking a while! -
2018-10-02 at 20:53:52 #54134,shrikeParticipant
Come up with a handle and I will make you a logo. Gratis.
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