Alright guys! This is really starting to look interesting 
Can't believe all these awesome tracks coming out of this particular challenge actually.
Strongest lineup since I joined, and still a few days left! Rob's gonna sweat choosing a winner for this I think ... 
Yeah, that's what you get when amateurs respond - something completely different 
I see what you mean, my suggestions are production related obviously, not to the mix ... apologies!
May I extrapolate a bit on that though? I think my instinct here was that something is a bit missing in the 1-3k area, and the clap and strings would sit nicely in that pocket. Perhaps you could look at some EQ moves on chords/lead to remedy that? I believe this is the 'presence' area of frequencies, so probably quite important to carry the song.
Also, might it be that you have overcooked the levels on the hats slightly to compensate?
As for compression, that's for more experienced ears than mine atm ...
Anyways, hope you get it sorted - sounds like a good tune that!
That's some groove you've got going there Sam! I like it a lot!
My humble opinion:
Definitely needs some high strings.
Probably some claps?
I would like some soft electric keys to bounce off and support that lovely lead too.
Perhaps a subtle lush pad might be good as well ... very very subtle.
Something like this:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1No43P9wFu5w2iTRsuEiVYNiFL4ffLsGS/view?usp=sharing
(apologies if I didn't get the chords right - I used Bbm Eb Fm Ab - but hope you get what I mean)
@Paddy That's a killer track!
@Sam Thanks! :D Sometimes the music takes me in strange directions - but I like how it turned out, even if it's not really a dance track ... I'm hearing a lot of stuff now I would like to fix though ... will see if I have time and can manage to sort it!
Yeah, really cool how much you can actually do with only a few tracks, but then limitations always fuels creativity. Cool challenge!
Thanks Sam!
Yeah, I wish that was me playing - and honestly I did try actually, but turns out I'm not an organ player :D So the organ part is a collection of samples, tuned, layered, chopped and processed.
First attempt at this challenge, and honestly not sure what genre this ended up as … I started out with the intent of a melodic dubstep track, but then those vocals happened and it all turned rather sinister … now feels more like it ended up as some kind of dark alt indie pop electronica rather than ‘electronic dance music of some kind’ … At least it isn’t David Essex … :D
https://community.producertech.com/petter/uploaded_audio/433/stay-away-from-me
Interesting challenge though, really makes you think about your sound selection!
My 8 tracks;
1 Kick; sample, used a separate AUX track for some parallel processing on this one (since I'm on Logic and can't do racks).
2 Snare; sample, also used some instances in reverse for FX and doubled on kicks for impact.
3 Hats; loop, so hope this one is approved as ‘one sound’, chopped and filtered throughout.
4 Bass; layered sub and midrange into one, filtered and also uses an AUX track for parallel processing and extra width.
5 Vocals; pieced together and layered a collection of adlibs, lead vox, bgv and doubles all from same kit/vocalist on Loopcloud and bounced into one final accapella track. Hope this is within rules.
6 Acoustic guitar; one finger picked clean part, and one strummed with added distortion pedal
7 Synth keys; sustained bass line, chord stabs and a little topline melody on top - all in one MIDI track (using velocity and EQ for volume balance).
8 Synth strings pad; base chords + occasional high note in drops.
I’m pretty happy with the composition part, but I’m sure there are plenty to be improved when it comes to the production …
Speaking of which, I’m quite liking the ‘warm’ tone of this current mix (and it looks decent in the analyzer/reference too) but I’m not sure if my ears fool me and it’s just still a bit muddy …. Anyone care to chip in?
@simon-unsigned : My understanding is that different states of a sound/instruments should be within the rules (open/closed hat, various pitch of conga etc), so a pure hi hat loop should be fine. A top loop with several percussive instruments would probably not be though.
Vocals is an interesting one ... really think there's a lot of leeway there ... no idea how to restrict it tbh, except when obviously stacking them up on several tracks of course.
Thanks a lot!!
Yeah, I tried to keep it rather close to the reference, which is a pretty odd cool tune tbh, so structure and arrangement is rather more static than I usually prefer.
Anyway, implemented a few of your suggestions, some very subtle synths and a few reverse organ reverbs. Think it works, but not sure I want to add anything more, as it kind of detracts to the minimalist feel imo ...
