Hi Friends,

Yet another 80s inspired music attempt from me.

Thanks for listening and I hope you guys like it

 

Something sounds out of tune.

Could just be my white ears being prejudiced though.

It has a nice vibe though things cut a bit too much in certain places and it need a bit of flair and flourishes it is a bit repetitive.

 

Thanks for the valuable feedback, will check the mix again

 

First: Great Song Idea. The Out of Tune thing is one tone in the synth melo.

Ive created a midi/wav file with a synth melo that works in the key.
Check it out. I don't know the original BPM so I made it 100.

http://ul.to/j7ph6vhi

 

Last edited: May 26, 2017

About the starting lead/synth, doesn't it sound horrible and completely out of place to you?

I mean I have little to none music theory, just started delving into it but even i can tell when something is totally off.

I recommend getting to know the circle of fifths for a basic understanding of tones.

 

Yep, the last note of the melody is wrong, for Western ears anyway; it may be that for Indian ears using Indian scales (since he is Indian) it sounds OK.

Apart from that, the background pad is slowing it down and we're not feeling that 80s style excitement, if that's what you're after. And finally the drums sound good but you need more, particularly at the beginning and power drum breaks at the ends of bars, if you want a more authentic 80s sound. 80s Pop music was aimed at the dancefloor and hot Top 40 radio.

 

Thanks you so much for going an extra mile in helping me out, sir! I just downloaded your file, will look into it and if possible try to use it in this track

Thanks friend, me too have not much (or let's say I may have much lower level) of music theory knowledge (than you). More often than not, I just go by the riffs that seems to sound ok to my ears (and many a times they aren't musically perfect and could be downright wrong like you have found in this one). I will sure check on the circle of fifth's concept that you've suggested and try to improve this track, if possible (or at least use it in my future attempts)

Sure sir, will try incorporate the elements (better use of pads and arrangement of melodies) that you have suggested.

I am still a noob who is trying to get some grip on music making (albeit at an amateurish way atm). Hopefully, my future attempts will address some of the flaws that you guys have identified and pointed. Thanks again for all your valuable inputs.

Cheers!

 

Yikes yes sounds completely off tone, my ears almost hurt from it. Lol , but I am serious too.

 

Noooooo! You all are wrong! The synth melody is great, but the chords are major and need to be adjusted. Please don't destroy a melody just because it doesn't sound right. Radio is full of this white key (major tune) stupity.

To test it: disable the chords and just let the melody play with the bass. In moste cases you just fall in the same nice scheme. But don't lose the fight. Look at the notes of your melody and adjust the chords with those notes. It will sound absolutely different. But at least not so seewt-honey-sugar-like as those actual chords.

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 26, 2017

Extremely sorry for the inconvenience, mate. I am working on the arp modification provided by @Quakeaudio, will upload the modified version soon which i hope (sincerely) won't be as harmful to the ears as my earlier one

Thanks for the kind words, friend. I will try to utilize your suggestion as well (will try to make two tracks, one based on arp modification and other with chords modification)

 

Friends, here is the revised version of my track (my humble thanks to everyone who gave their valuable inputs in this thread)

Very eager to hear your feedback on this revised version.



TIA!

 

Drum-roll at 19 secs in, to introduce the new thing that starts. Here's why: Now, this is very important to anyone attempting retro or a style from the past, you have to listen to music from that era and study why they do this or that in parts of songs. Research is important. But some of us were actually there and remember the reasons for the arrangements. It's the 1980s and synths are new. Let me say that again, synths are new. Yes the first electronic, synth hits first appeared in the 70s, but there were only a few. Electronic music in the 1980s is still a new sound for most people. They are hearing strange new sounds for the first time. The early elecrtronic hits were hits, not because of their meolodies but because listeners were entranced by the amazing, futuristic new sounds. At 20 secs in, that synth-line would have been an opportuity to introduce a really amazing, new, electronic sound. Your synth sound is .. phah .. you know, it's not really making a statement. That sound has to hit you. You have a weak, little flute sounding thing going on. Know what I mean? In a real 80s song that sound needs to be a screaming synth, or it needs to be a sound that turns heads. Bold. Saying, 'Listen to this amazing new sound!' Go from there and your track will start to get the right vibe.

 

Thanks again for the detailed feedback, sir. I will sure work on the area(s) that you have suggested (another iteration of this track is to come soon)

 

This Is It!

 

Much better!

 

Love this piece of advice / history lesson.

 

Nice try man, I liked it.
Only thing to say is, I would add more reverb (in general) and make it sound old. Maybe that's why I don't dig much synthwave, because it sounds modern despite the 80s sound, but is just all personal taste.

 

Yep, now I can see those white Lamborghinis driving in the Miami night in neon lights