Reply To: Lamp Sessions (Monthly Challenge #004) – submissions due September 24

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.