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Topics - J-MACHine

#101
Video Game/Film Soundtracks / Cobweb Theme Song
August 21, 2009, 01:40:36 AM
One of the world's in the project i'm working on with a couple of people called for a level set inside a Haunted House Ride.
You can only imagine my glee.

I'm a horror fan, pure and simple. From the occasional slasher to a deep, psychological horror, right the way down to Disney's Haunted Mansion level of cheese. And seeing as the enviroment in question is drawing insperation from the last of the 3 examples, i got to really have a little fun.

The Organ pecies and the Choir are mean't to set the scene as a bassline/ acompanying chord combination, with the real 'star' of the peice being the string melody, which is the real 'theme' the title is refering too. Add in a simple beat, and a touch of the Scifi sample mixed with another Synth sample here and there, and there we are; What i hope is a fine example of pure, cheesy, "halloween" music.

Enjoy!
#102
Drum & Bass / Dreamfunk
August 21, 2009, 01:30:24 AM
Before i carry on, this is something of a mix of Funk elements with a 'broken beat', which combines both library riff elements and custom ones (if i remember right; this is another oldie i beefed up). I stuck it in here purely because there isn't a 'Funk' section, and the broken beat is where i experimented more.

My take on "Menu Screen" music, and, as said above, something of an experiment. I wanted to try out a broken beat with a slower tempo, as well as slightly "relaxing" melody and bass combo. I think it came out ok.

Enjoy!
#103
Rock/Metal/Pop / Revolution: In SPACE
August 21, 2009, 01:21:27 AM
Another old track that's been beefed up slightly. Mostly mucked around with the beat, fixed a few things here and there, and cut down the length. If you can believe it.

I originally counted this as electronica with rock elements, but i decided it was better the other way around. I'd say it could be passed off as "prog rock", but i think the guitars are a might to heavy for it. Unsuprisingly, the song was somewhat inspired by space, and is indeed being used in a space-themed level in something i'm working on.

I don't very often work with Guitars on M2K. Because it's a pain to get them right. But when i do occasionally work with them, i won't lie and say i do hundreads of different riffs or anything. I try to create basic patterns that will loop without driving you TOO mad.

And yes, there are two sections in there where i attempted drum-solo's. I have no idea weather or not they're appealing to anyone else, but they're far better then the completely random and otherwise terrible solo's i created originally.

Enjoy!
#104
Techno/Trance / Pain and Loathing
August 21, 2009, 01:10:22 AM
Bit of an experiment, this one... It was an old track that i spiffed up, mucked around with. Originally, it was very dull and boring, and the looping wasn't doing it any favours. I tried to spice it up by making a custom 'Tremblo String' riff (An edited Arco String mixed with Rich Strings C4), Messing with some of the samples in the beat, and speeding up slightly.

Really, this song is more about the beat then it is the strings and the synth. They're still there, and they're mean't to be catchy, but i wanted to focus this song on the blending of Orchestral and Techno drumloops. And seeing as it's, of course, supposed to be a peice for a game, it'd probebly take something of a backseat to conentration.

Regardless, i hope you enjoy it for what it is.
#105
House/disco / Thames
August 21, 2009, 01:05:09 AM
Yes, i do still do a ton of 'game' music for little idea's of mine, and projects i have been hired for. But i sahn't go into to much detail unless people specificlly ask me to.

In spite of the name Thames, and the fact that the song did indeed come from a mental picture of the river Thames at night (One of the few things about London i DON'T dislike), this is acctually something that's being used for one of the levels in an idustrial-themed world. The general composition idea i wanted for this world was funk/acid jazz with a Disco vibe. Weather or not i pulled it off well or not i can't tell.

This acctually originally came about as nothing more then mucking around with a song a mate of mine had started. It was more or less just Softy Loop with an echo effect applied to the track (which i kept). I just messed about with the samples, built upon it, and added in a bass and a melody. Think it only took me about a day or two at the most.
My favorite element is the Long Horn sample used in one of the Horn sections. Because i'd mixed in a Synth Sample which blended with it icnredibly well. I just wish i could remember what it was.

Enjoy!
#106
Rap/Hip Hop / MindMeld
August 08, 2009, 09:52:45 AM
Well, after the postal strike subsided, my adapter finally arived and, after much deliberation and messing with recording imputs and what have you, i finally got the first 5 tracks of my album, "This is Who i Am" recorded! As you can guess from the name, it more-or-less is a musical document to ideologies, opinions, and little quirks that i have.
(Note that i will update these threads when i have Album Art to post; I haven't had any time to get some proper drawing done the last couple of days.)

MindMeld is more or less a case of "Exaclty What it Says on the Tin" in terms of theme; My mind is a clusterfuck of various things that you will require an instruction manual to navigate. And that doubles as a posetive or a negative, depending on who you ask. Thus, i tried to keep it somewhat 'unusual'. Hence some of the background effects, and the bassline used in the chorus and one of the verses. I think this is also one of the few times i used "Full Monty", too. Damn things such a pain to use, for me.

Normally, i tend to do Trip Hop, rather then Hip Hop, but i felt like taking a stab at Hip Hop. It... sort of turned out as more Progressive/ Alternative Hip Hop, but, hey, it works regardless.

Enjoy!

EDIT: I really must remember to keep attatching files. Either that, or stop posting when i'm half asleep and doubley as forgetful...
#107
Downtempo / Napsbury
August 08, 2009, 09:51:38 AM
Well, after the postal strike subsided, my adapter finally arived and, after much deliberation and messing with recording imputs and what have you, i finally got the first 5 tracks of my album, "This is Who i Am" recorded! As you can guess from the name, it more-or-less is a musical document to ideologies, opinions, and little quirks that i have.
(Note that i will update these threads when i have Album Art to post; I haven't had any time to get some proper drawing done the last couple of days.)

Napsbury is the shortened name of a housing estate built on the remains of a mental assylum (Which had the very same name) located in London Colney. The road i acctualy live on acctually turns off into the place. As you can imagine, many a bullshit 'Ghost Stories' where spun in playgrounds, including the ghosts of Axe-Wielding Psychopaths. Knowing someone who did work then before it was shut down, i can assure you they never treated any psychotic criminals. Just you're run-of-the-mill mentally handicapped people (barring in mind i don't mean that as insensetive as that might have come off). It was more or less shut down for money purposes. At least, i think that's the case. I'm not entirely sure.

In spite of this, the few remaining relics that remind the residents of the time it did serve as a Mental Assylum are hauntingly (*snerk*) beautiful. And inspired me to create this quick, mood-based peice. I tried mixing up various samples to give them odd, unnerving sounds, to reflect decrepid, run-down ruins that have long since been out of commision, but continue to leave a lasting impression;' even if but one of slight sorrow. I think the only 'natural' melody sample is the Piano loop.
#108
House/disco / Grey Men Road Trip
August 08, 2009, 09:39:26 AM
Well, after the postal strike subsided, my adapter finally arived and, after much deliberation and messing with recording imputs and what have you, i finally got the first 5 tracks of my album, "This is Who i Am" recorded! As you can guess from the name, it more-or-less is a musical document to ideologies, opinions, and little quirks that i have.
(Note that i will update these threads when i have Album Art to post; I haven't had any time to get some proper drawing done the last couple of days.)

Grey Men Road Trip must be a confusing title. So let me explain; I do plan on eventually writing Lyrics for this song (and hopefully finding someone to sing them), and the general idea for a music video i have is this; A family of your typiclly designed Aliens (Small body with tiny arms and legs, yet large, 3 fingered/toed hands/feet and large, bulbous heads with slanted, black eyes) take a road trip across space, stopping on various planets whilst trying out different things; visiting Zoo's, resteraunts, theme parks, and falling into the same issue; odd customs, and barely any communication as the result of different languages; accents, with the alines trying to force the planets occupents to understand them and their veiws, and, when failing, moving along, until they happen on Earth. When the same problems arise, their frustration boils over and they result to blowing everything up. (Hence the 'explosions' towards the end of the song).
If you're thinking "Gee, that seems pointless; whats THAT got to do with this guy's opinions and the way he thinks?", you're probebly not reading between the lines. But, hey, that's ok. It's not like i'm going to complain, if you still enjoy the song!
It might just be me, but i can sense a very Daft-Punk-ish vibe comming from this, which wasn't intentional. It's more that i felt i wented to try out something with a slight House vibe to it. And even that was just after only mucking around with the Sci-Fi sample for a laugh.

Enjoy!

EDIT: I know. Might help to attatch the file, right? </semi-sarcasm>
#109
Techno/Trance / New Age Retro Rave War
August 08, 2009, 09:32:09 AM
Well, after the postal strike subsided, my adapter finally arived and, after much deliberation and messing with recording imputs and what have you, i finally got the first 5 tracks of my album, "This is Who i Am" recorded! As you can guess from the name, it more-or-less is a musical document to ideologies, opinions, and little quirks that i have.
(Note that i will update these threads when i have Album Art to post; I haven't had any time to get some proper drawing done the last couple of days.)

Theres not much to New Age Techno Rave War beyond the following; "I rather like Techno/Rave". I felt it was only right to do at least one song like this for the album; It's where i got started making music, after all. And an occasionaly visit to ones routes is never a bad thing!

I tried to keep it as basic as possible, without it becoming monotonus, whilst still remaining catchy. Weather or not i succseded i don't know; you tell me!
#110
Experimental/Other / Now Loading
August 08, 2009, 09:16:15 AM
Well, after the postal strike subsided, my adapter finally arived and, after much deliberation and messing with recording imputs and what have you, i finally got the first 5 tracks of my album, "This is Who i Am" recorded! As you can guess from the name, it more-or-less is a musical document to ideologies, opinions, and little quirks that i have.
(Note that i will update these threads when i have Album Art to post; I haven't had any time to get some proper drawing done the last couple of days.)

'Now Loading' is the introductory track of the album; a quick song based around various loops fading in and out, to ease you into the album. It's also the first clue on the album that i'm a fan of videogames. The title, for one thing, should help. You might notice that the two different basslines, and the drumloop at the begining especially, where designed to sound like something you would hear in an old videogame.
As mentioned, the song is nothing more then loops fading in and out. A couple of basslines, two drumloops (the first forming half of the second drumloop, if you get what i mean), and 3 light-synth riffs. It also contains two vocal samples. As said, to ease you into the album to follow. You'll notice it cuts off suddenly at the end; The next track is supposed to start playing immedietly after that.
I decided to stick it in this section because of that reason more then anything else.

With that said, enjoy!
#111
Whilst i wait for my adapter to arrive, i figure i'll give you a taste of the 4 most recent recordings i've made. All of them are Last.fm Links, that allow you to preview the track on the site, and they're up for a free download.

And, last but not least: Liquid Iron [PLATINUM REMIX]

http://www.last.fm/music/J-MACHine/Paradise+Line+OST/Liquid+Iron+%5BPLATINUM+REMIX%5D+(Boss+Battle+%5BProf.+Goddart%5D)

I have to admit, i like this a lot more over the original. If mostly because of the way i made it switch between "styles", in terms of the beat if nothing else. The beat goes from a basic Trance beat with a little Ride Cymbal flair, to a Trip Hop loop (Some of which, i will not lie, is a pre-made loop. Can't remember which off the top of my head), eventually merging both together later on down the line. The chords have, yet again, distinct Ambient/Low Key touches to them, as is the little melody loop. Which, for the record, yes, is supposed to sound a little "broken". The songs 'theme' revolved around rotting, aging metal. Henceforth the Ironic use of "Platinum" in the title.

I have to admit, my favorite element of this is the bassline. Both the quirkier, jumpier bassline, and the smoother one. 'Moogy' is a great little sample to use in that respect, so don't be suprised if it shows up in my work every now and again!

And now, with all four songs out of the way, hope you enjoy, and look foward to what comes from here on out!
#112
Lost songs (MUSIC/MTVMG) / Liquid Iron
August 05, 2009, 03:11:19 AM
Whilst i wait for my adapter to arrive, i figure i'll give you a taste of the 4 most recent recordings i've made. All of them are Last.fm Links, that allow you to preview the track on the site, and they're up for a free download.

Next: Liquid Iron

http://www.last.fm/music/J-MACHine/Paradise+Line+OST/Liquid+Iron+(Regular+Battle+I)

... Yeeeeeeah, bit of a hit-n-miss this one.

A major edit of and old song some of you may remember named "Digital Disaster", i cut it short and made it into a quick, looped "Battle Theme" with some... Not quite perfect results (This explains why, unlike my usual work, it has a sudden "cut-off" at the end; it's meant to be looped endlessly). The recording quality isn't the only problem- This song, to me, just doesn't feel like a finished work. It feels incomplete. And it needs some better arrangement.

Regardless, i don't mind the samples used. Mostly the main Chords, if nothing else. Bloody hard to use, too, seeing as i used the dreaded "Blue" Chord effect on the 4th block of the loop. I can't remember if it was "Blue A" or "Blue B" off the top of my head, but it was one of them, no doubt. And i'd go as far as to say they are the biggest pain in the arse out of that bloody list to use, considering how much they can screw a song up at times. I don't mind the beat either, a mix of your usual Trance beat with a little flair of Techno.

Thankfully, i haven't lost this song, so i can go back and fix the mistakes.

In spite of it's shortcommings, hopefully it's not TOO "eeeh" to enjoy, if even a little.
#113
Lost songs (MUSIC/MTVMG) / I'm Sorry
August 05, 2009, 03:04:52 AM
Whilst i wait for my adapter to arrive, i figure i'll give you a taste of the 4 most recent recordings i've made. All of them are Last.fm Links, that allow you to preview the track on the site, and they're up for a free download.

And next on the list, we have: I'm Sorry.

http://www.last.fm/music/J-MACHine/Paradise+Line+OST/I%27m+Sorry+(Credits+Roll+%5BBad+Ending%5D)

The other song lost in the Memory Card Formatting Incidentâ„¢, and possibly the second-worst in terms of recording quality on this list, the lyrics are almost completely lost in translation. Thankfully, i've got a fairly solid memory (for once):

Give me space to realise I'm Sorry,
Just when i need it;
Whenever i'm near you,
You're always to far away.


Make of that what you will. It wasn't suppose to have a clear meaning. You can think up the implications yourselves. If you ask me, it's more fun that way!

Pretty much a straight up Techno/Trance song this time around, nothing to remarkable or out-there is really explored. I used to do a fair bit of work like this in the past, so i felt like reliving my roots. Only being significantly better at it then i used to be.

In hindsight, it's something of a good thing this song was lost in cyberspace. Whilst i could probebly have used it elsewhere, or stuck it on my currently in-the-works Album, it didn't really feel apropriete for the use that it was intended to be used for, genre wise. In any case, i plan on re-constructing the chorus and using it again at some point. I can roughly remember how i structured the vocal samples, and how i cut them together.

Hopefully you can enjoy it, in spite of the quality.
#114
Lost songs (MUSIC/MTVMG) / They Crossed the Line
August 05, 2009, 02:53:37 AM
Whilst i wait for my adapter to arrive, i figure i'll give you a taste of the 4 most recent recordings i've made. All of them are Last.fm Links, that allow you to preview the track on the site, and they're up for a free download.

First up, possibly my finest work to date; They Crossed the Line.

http://www.last.fm/music/J-MACHine/Paradise+Line+OST/They+Crossed+the+Line+(Final+Boss+Battle+B+%5BEVE%5D)

And, sadly, one of two tracks from this 4 to be lost in a Memory Card Crash. To cut a long story short; I'd ordered a 8MB memory card, expecting it to be one with a button that allows you to change the 'levels' at will. I got shafted and was sent one without any button on it, nor any concivable way to change the 'levels', so i just rolled with it, saving what files i could on it and trying to work out just how to get the thing working. After some toying around, i hit a snag; the thing wouldn't work unless i formatted it. Meaning i lost everything. This was one of those songs.

Anyway, i'm side tracking. I tried to make this song sound sad, yet tense. Something that would tug at your emotions, yet pump you full of adrenaline at the same time. If you understood the context behind which i wanted to use this song, it would make sense, but for now, you're just going to have to trust me, Hahaha!

I tried mixing a few styles i'm good at working with. A Trip-Hop/Rock drumloop made to sound sampled, along with a flavour of some Alternative-Techno Melody/ Basslines, with a good old 4-on-the-floor kickdrum and some hi-hat licks. Some elements of the melody are also somewhat Ambient inspired.

Unfortunetely, some elements didn't record very well. Namely, the 'sampled' loop was a bit unclear as the result of applying Reverb, and i believe setting the volume to about 75. Both the Theramin Noise ('Scifi') and the Synth effect (A reversed "Sweet Square" mixed with a sample which has a name i've all but forgotten. It was a harsh synth noise) also came out quite bad. Shame, really.

Something i feel i should point out is that, these days, there isn't a song i work on that doesn't have at least one sample mixed with another. I enjoy giving my songs a slightly different feel as the result of mixing samples together.

All that's left to say is: Enjoy!
#115
Assuming there are people reading this that remember the user J-Vibe. The reason for the new account/ name change? Quite a while back, a good friend of mine informed me the name J-Vibe had already been taken.
... By a Jewish Magazine.

Although it must now be a long time since i've come here, i haven't stopped making music. Quite the opposite, acctually; I've been doing a heck of a lot of it! I've become a hell of a lot better since the last time i was seen over here. I'll be able to provide you with a few songs in the next couple of days, when the Adapter i've ordered arrives.

All i can say otherwise is; It feels good to be back.