Here you can read some of the more informal news, things we like to share or just food for thought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wim and music production:

Currently I’m an all software based producer, trying to compose, arrange, and mix my tracks to my best knowledge.

Every new track is basically “judged” by other people (producers) thru certain internet producer forums. Such as Club Charts. (aka, CC)  

 

  

That particular feedback is being used to include in the next track that I will be working on.

I always leave the tracks as they are, I do not try to update them after I received feedback. Perhaps later on, when I think it is time for a remix (remake) of a certain track. I use the feedback in new tracks. Always trying to go to a higher level.

It can well be that I enjoy a melody of a track, but dislike other things. Then it’s time for a remake. The track “2nd Glitch” is such a track, originally the track was called “Illuminated Glitch”, which had a very nice melody but I thought it was time for a change.

 

A recent track I made is called “Orlus”, it has a different style that you might not expect from me but overall I think it is a quite successful track. (I’m happy with it)

The feedback I got had to do with the overall (sound) mix and some volume settings.

Furthermore the structure of the track might be different, bud I get that all the time. I do not take it as “bad produced”. Other issues where that it sounds more like Eurodance then Trance. Whatever you would like to call it, it’s fine by me.

 

Over the years of making music via VSTi’s in Cubase, I discovered that “less” is indeed “more”. Normally I would place so many effects (channel inserts) on different channels to have a better sound. That in the end I ended up with a bad overall mix of sounds and noise. By just letting every channel be as it is, and only ad a minor reverb or delay is more than sufficient to have a clean sound.

Recently I learned how to use side chain compression effects, in my opinion a “must” when producing dance tracks. It gives you that really pumping sound, especially when the “Baseline” is side chained compressed on the Bass drum (kick) input. Besides the baseline I normally route all other instruments thru side chain compression. This really gives your “kick” enough space in the mix to have that pumpy feeling. (All instruments are compressed to certain levels like threshold, ratio, release.)

 

The only one thing that is constantly surprising, is that people intend to judge my music as “dated”. Meaning that my sound/composition/arrangement, could well be from the early days, or remembering to a certain dance period, like the 90’s.

Somehow I just can’t get rid of it. Although it is not considered by me as a complement, you could still see it as a compliment. I try to hold on to that….

So that is the one thing that I try to get rid of in my next track. Don’t know if I will succeed but I’ll keep on trying.

Since the last track I made “Unwrapped”, I’m currently in a producing dip……

I just can’t find the right keys or thoughts to let it all out. Let’s call it a writers block. Every now and then these periods arrive while you think you can make /create whatever you want. And just when you have the time to really have a go with it…….it turns out that all inspiration is lost. What a shame.

Don’t know where it comes from, and I do not know how to overcome such period. All I know is that it really is temporally. So, just hang in there, find something else to do. Go surf the internet or play some (party) poker online with friends. Yesterday 19-02-2008 I had a weekly session in the studio at André’s place, and what do you know…..I ended the evening with a small arrangement of a stunning baseline and some mad tweaks with filters that got me inspired. So watch out for the next track I will be uploading!