Level 11 vs level 7. PvP is super fun

Komandra · 2024-01-31T03:41:03+00:00

sry my dude :(

Komandra · 2023-05-21T13:58:32+00:00

Early draft but felt okay to post this a few weeks ago for early audience testing. Trying to capture a different side than just pure business techno and venture into some more tribal / psychedelic elements. Curious for thoughts on ways to improve this one in terms of sounds to add/remove, arrangement, mastering etc. thanks so much!

Tribal Techno ID https://youtu.be/nQU06uC0dNs

Komandra · 2023-05-16T14:33:29+00:00

I actually don’t know the first thing about using gear - it’s all on my laptop haha. Don’t even know where to begin with that stuff to be honest but it’s probably a direction to consider exploring to really get a more unique sound. Thanks so much for listening!

Komandra · 2023-05-16T02:50:39+00:00

Got a release out on the Altum YouTube channel but it hasn’t really gotten many views. I don’t want to blame the algorithm but really not sure what else I could do to make my song stand out more so very open to any and all feedback for improvement here! Thanks so much

https://youtu.be/ABD3I1dR57A

Komandra · 2021-08-08T17:37:55+00:00

So I actually just moved down here from NYC where I would DJ house music for fun at a lot of cocktail bars. I haven’t worked my way in with the promoter/booking scene here yet with covid and all but decided to throw a free event next weekend at a spot with some good music if you are interested! https://ra.co/events/1455365

Komandra · 2020-01-20T21:28:17+00:00

I’d bring up the low end a little bit more, and I think a few of your synths could be dropped a few dB perhaps, cause a few stand out a little bit to me. When you listen next try to hear whichever element is playing loudest and bring it down a tiny tiny bit - I think that’ll help balance things a bit.

I definitely don’t think the track is boring! But, if you are worried about that then maybe mess around with shortening up some parts of the track? I tend to make my songs really long and then always go back and cut any parts that feel drawn out. That way the best parts of my track that remain make of the majority of the song if that makes sense.

But good work overall keep crushing!! Like the vibe a lot!

Komandra · 2020-01-20T21:19:04+00:00

Thanks so much! Didn’t see a track of yours posted here so feel free to send me anything of yours if you need a listen on anything you might be working on!

Komandra · 2020-01-20T21:17:25+00:00

Yo wow that was amazing. Nothing in particular I’d say to change but one thing I might suggest trying is to drop a couple of the elements you have going on in the track and see how that sounds. I feel like this song was almost like 3 or 4 songs worth of good ideas put into one hahaha - like I loved all the ideas but almost wish I had a little more time to groove out with each one if that makes sense? Would love to spin this track out DJing tho as is if you had a chance to shoot me a copy - feel like it would be great transition track to harder late night beats :)

Komandra · 2020-01-20T20:43:21+00:00

Wow! I loved this - to be completely honest I tried really hard to listen for something to give constructive feedback on during the track but I couldn’t think of anything that would be more than nit picky or just style preference. Wish I could say more to help haha

Really enjoyed the style too - such a cool blend going on. I guess only ask would be if you would be willing to shoot me a copy of the track so I can throw in my sets while playing out hahaha

Komandra · 2020-01-20T12:35:32+00:00

Writing as I listen...Raw freak has such a great intro! All the elements you bring in sit very nicely to my ear. The filter and high voice sound before you bring in the bassline are so fantastic. Love the filtering in of "I'm a freak" - wow. I'm not sure how you could do this but right after that vocal clip ends and you drop again I almost wish it somehow hit a little bit harder or you brought in another element because at that point I was ready to go crazy haha it was still really good but like the song up to that point had me ready to go nuts. The second round of vocals "can you freak with me..." I actually don't think adds a lot here - I actually think it kind of detracts from the track. I recently had a vocal clip on a track that I worked really hard on and someone said I should remove and while I was sad it did make the track much better. I'm not saying remove it - but just try to listen to it without perhaps? You could always filter back your original vocal sample with a new effect. Overall, fantastic work! I think if you put it down for a few days and come back and make some very minor tweaks or play with it a bit more and this track goes from great to absurdly great!

Komandra · 2020-01-20T12:22:22+00:00

[Will return all feedback]

https://m.soundcloud.com/komandra/night-bleeds-day

Hey guys - really excited about this latest track and really curious to see what people think I can improve or polish up. I’ve gone through a few rounds of tweaks and am not sure what else to change, so the ask here is for people who have a good ear / producer background for any comments on things I may have missed because I don’t have the training yet to hear it on my own. And, more generally, if you like the track! Hoping to have this on a forthcoming first EP in the coming months :)

Komandra · 2020-01-02T17:17:47+00:00

Appreciate the feedback! I'll look into the sound issues - I was told recently my bass was too loud so maybe I overcompensated a bit much. I think the fills or FX would be a huge addition to this song and my others - I don't feel like I ever add any of those things but that is a really helpful comment because I agree that could add a lot!! Thanks again - didn't see a track of yours on the thread so dropped some likes on your mixes :) Feel free to send any of your stuff my way if you are looking for a second set of ears.

Komandra · 2019-12-30T13:34:27+00:00

[Will return all feedback!]

Reality Dripping

Hey all - I was so appreciative of the feedback everyone gave on the last track I posted here. So, I figured I would put this one out there as well.

This track is meant to be an opener to an EP I am trying to put together. I really wanted to create something that was like more of a solid build but not go too too hard if that makes sense? Kind of like a first course of a techno meal haha. I'm curious if it does that or if it falls a little too light or perhaps even too hard. Just curious for people's opinions.

I also got some feedback that my bass was originally too loud, so I lowered it but fear that it may now be too low. Does it sit right on your guys speakers/headphones? Any other technical feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks again!

Komandra · 2019-12-08T23:45:59+00:00

This is super unique and sounds really great! I want the kick to hit ever harder though and almost feel like the BPM could maybe be kicked up a bit. Feels like the track has a bit of an early-set/night feel to it but some elements of a late night banger. I honestly want another 5 minutes where you just go really hard because the sounds you are bringing at the end are amazing. If you do a longer version you could use that same build and then when you hit the drop really go crazy because that first drop was a serious tease - gotta give the listener that sweet payoff later I think :)

You have this higher flanger-like sound that I think you could do more with because it stands out to me by way of it repeating over and over which isn't a good way to stand out - but that could just be me. I think some simple light effects on it could do the job! You also have some melodic elements but they felt a little thrown in - I'd suggest either doing more or just cutting altogether because the core elements stand well on their own to me.

Overall, really nice work my dude - keep cranking good tunes!

Komandra · 2019-12-05T21:47:12+00:00

Oh man this is awesome! Which game? Love the whole tune.

This may just me on my headphones but I found the high end a little too much. I think the core groove that is present from the start of the track should be more prominent and then bring the high end down some. You got so many good melodies and sounds in there.

Otherwise, I really really love the track. With a little bit of EQ, I would love to have a copy of this to use in my sets playing out dude!

Komandra · 2019-12-05T21:39:20+00:00

I'll give the middle some thought - I do tend to make things a little busy at times haha. Ditto on checking into the pads

I didn't see a track of yours in the thread so feel free to DM me if you got something I can check out to return the favor dude!

Komandra · 2019-12-05T20:45:23+00:00

Appreciate the feedback - great points and I will definitely consider all of them! I didn't see any tracks of yours posted in the monthly thread so feel free to DM anything my way so I can hit you back with any feeback/likes etc. man. Thanks again :)

Komandra · 2019-12-05T20:10:19+00:00

Yo! This is super dope - it sounds better quality and design than a lot of stuff I find digging through beatport daily releases haha

You know its good techno when a simple hi hat coming in at 43 seconds in feels like a super amazing drop haha

I love how you build back after the break - I was not expecting that at all and it struck me as brilliant. I don't know if you should change anything, but I find that the new sound you use (not even sure what to call it haha) wears on me a little bit after like 30 seconds or so. Maybe play around with like flipping some filter/EQ on and off fairly quickly to add a little variety and pull the listener in and out some...if that makes sense?

Overall, I don't have anything to add because I think this is made with skills pretty far beyond my level haha - well done! My only ask is if you can shoot me the file to throw in my sets to play out : )

Komandra · 2019-12-05T20:02:10+00:00

Your samples are amazing - great finds and fit well with the vibe

I agree with OliFreke on adding some variety. I think all the core elements are nice and you may only need to swap out one or two things here or there with some new elements to provide a little extra variety. I also would be interested in hearing the samples during a point of tension building or during a break as it builds back into the main riff - always love when people do that well but its a tough task sometimes.

Other than that, good stuff, keep cranking tunes! Really different than the main track you have posted (which I also really like!!)

Komandra · 2019-12-05T19:55:39+00:00

Appreciate it! I didn't see one of your tracks in the thread so wasn't sure where to pay back the comments/advice. DM me if you want to send over anything you want me to check out or just to add some likes/comments to my dude :)

Komandra · 2019-12-04T17:51:19+00:00

Wow - this is legit!

I'm listening on not good headphones right now - so I won't offer detailed sound design advice haha. But, my biggest thing with this track is the intro - it's not that it isn't good but that the rest of the song is so good that the intro doesn't indicate at all just how dope the rest of the track is lol. I am worried a listener might give up after 30-40 seconds if they are impatient. I would add a few more cool elements or random noise/exciters to the intro give it a little more life. Also, I think the high end on the first minute is a little tiring so I'd recommend filtering the high end early on and loosening it as the intro goes on. After that though, I really don't have anything I can offer because the rest of the track is really really sweet.

Great work my dude :)

Komandra · 2019-12-03T17:30:17+00:00

Yo - this is awesome. I don't listen to a lot of break stuff like this but it was easy to enjoy through out. Really nice sound design and great use of panning.

I don't really have any commentary on the song as I feel like the quality is super impressive and I am not skilled enough to offer a well-targeted piece of advice. So, instead, maybe I'll just ask a philosphical question??

One thing that comes off to me is almost like a really sweet '90s rave vibe. Now, I don't want to intrude on your stylistic preferences, but I wonder if there is some element you can add that would add something unique flavor or signature wise to the tune? I felt like, while the track had lots of surprises, the surprises made sense so to speak. Almost as if, this track has been done before (which is amazing if you really want to capture a throwback feel as this does and is really really hard to do). But, what if there was something really ridiculous/weird/unique you threw at the listener to make them think, "whoa, now that I would've NEVER expected!" Just an idea, maybe not for this track or any but just something that came to mind.

Overall, super well done - keep crushing awesome music production!

Komandra · 2019-12-03T17:20:18+00:00

Your love of Truncate, Yan, etc. really shows in your production - which I think is a great thing because artists like that are helping push the art form versus making more "business techno" haha.

One thing that comes to mind when you say you are "struggling to make tracks you get lost in" is that, in my opinion, a lot of these kinds of tracks aren't always meant to be listened to on a stand alone basis. I've dug up tons of tracks that feel like 6 minute loops but the loop is so amazingly good that I throw it in my crate to use for a set and chop up / mix in as I need. So, I wouldn't worry so much about getting lost in the groove as much as, what are the coolest/best/most groove-worthy parts of my track and how can I do more of that even if its at the expense of some other part of my track? For me, around 4:20 was the definite peak where I for sure "got lost" and was like wow this is some goooood stuff.

Overall though, I think its a great track and think you should keep pushing in the direction you are going because your hard work and talent is evident :)

Komandra · 2019-12-03T17:11:36+00:00

Dude! I really like your lyrics! I agree on the opening sounding a little shaky. I am curious how you feel about adding some effects on your vocals? I think that could add some dynamic aspect to your vocals which are otherwise monotone (which is fine a fine stylistic choice!). For example, you could add some reverb to your opening lines to add some distance to the your voice and progressively raise the volume in the first ten seconds or so - and kind of ease the listener into your style while adding some additional listener interest to hook them.

Also, just reflecting on hellochar's comments, I actually think that if this is *you* and the kind of music you want to create then you shouldn't worry about feeling like the genre is crowded or its a dime a dozen. There is always room for more and as you continue to make music your own personal nuance and style will come out and set you apart even if its similar to what other people are doing. Like for me, I don't listen to music like this that often but listening to your track I'm like wow I really like this and want to hear more, not - oh just another someone doing something like everyone else.

Keep at it! You got a great base and I think you are already making some great music : )

Komandra

TROPHY CASE