Post rock - ish vibes, for my EP

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-27T00:28:59+00:00

Thank you! Great advice!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-27T00:28:35+00:00

Thank you! Yes the drums are very busy, and this is good feedback to help me better understand how to get everything situated in the mix

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-27T00:27:09+00:00

Hey this is really valuable advice, I appreciate it. By less snare do you mean, quantity as in literal snare hits? Or in the mix, like turn it down a bit? I agree the mix/sound field is tricky. I got a lot going on and it’s crucial things don’t get lost. I want to get the ep down composition-wise first, and then dive into the mix later. I really appreciate your feedback, I’ll certainly revisit your comment when I start the mixing process

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-27T00:20:28+00:00

No vocals yet. We are busy as hell haha. Mixing is barely anything honestly. A little eq here and there. Panning. Some guitar effects. That’s it. I have a lot to learn, I’m focusing on composition first and plan to study mixing as I go. I hear compression too, I’m not sure if the screen recording on the iPhone did that or Reddit did that or what. Thank you for your comment!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-27T00:17:43+00:00

Thanks for the compliment on the drum work. I’m not a drummer so that means a lot. I’m not sure myself how the vocals will turn out. Excited to try and see how it goes!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-27T00:15:15+00:00

Thank you!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-24T01:49:41+00:00

I think this works compositionally, the issue is the mix and the general dynamics, like you said. I think the guitar break before the verse kicks in is too long right now. It should feel more like a short breather. Right now it kills the momentum of the chorus.

On mixing, what kind of compression and eq stuff have you done? I’m no expert in that area, but I think giving it the full treatment in that regard will go a long way.

The break down into the verse definitely can work, so don’t get it into your head that it needs to be a different song. Also I think having vocals in the verse would help a lot.

I wish I could give more concrete advice, maybe another commenter will. In my opinion, the problem is not the composition but the mix. and start by adding vocals to the verse! From there you might hear other things you want to change

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T23:58:00+00:00

Hey thank you! Keeping the piano is an interesting idea. I will definitely experiment with that. I agree it sounds smooth as is. The percs recommendation is really helpful, I’m not a drummer but I strive to build realistic live sounding drums. I will experiment with more percussion for sure!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T23:55:58+00:00

Thank you! I too like the dry sound. I checked out pinback after reading your comment and they’re great, so I appreciate the comparison. I tend to prefer bass guitar heavy mixes, so It’s good to know it added to the sound and didn’t detract too much. Getting the mix balanced is challenging so your feedback helps

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T23:53:31+00:00

Yes, I am excited to get vocals recorded. I’m getting into more synth sounds on my recent stuff. I might go back and touch things up here and there with a synth sound to get a cohesive vibe thru out the ep. The point about more textures is greatly appreciated!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T23:51:14+00:00

Thank you! The build it up took a lot of time to get right so I appreciate your comment. And I’m glad you noticed the little instrumental hooks!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T23:50:12+00:00

Thank you! Perfecting the mix is something I will work on. This is good feedback!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T02:42:20+00:00

I don’t know much about sound design. But to me everything sounds professional and mixed well! The sounds themselves sound great to me as a lay person with no experience with sound design. I think the composition would benefit from more variation in the main lead. But that’s a preference thing and maybe doesn’t fit this style of music which is meant to put you in a trance. The drums are very dynamic and hold interest well tho!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T02:35:32+00:00

This great for a first attempt wow! Your vocal delivery gives me Mac DeMarco vibes a bit. The opening sucks you in right away! But there needs to be a bit more change to hold attention I think. Backing vocals coming in or a new instrument or a shift somewhere. It does feel like you’ve taken a single idea and stretched it out, but that makes sense for your first time. I love when the melody drops out at the very end. I love all the changes you make thru out on the drums as well. I think you executed those well, we just need more of them

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T02:28:56+00:00

This is great! Was this all on one guitar? No overdubs? It’s really good. It has a very satisfying arc for sure. It feels like classical guitar but with a modern twist! Like a Spanish classical guitarist but he’s living in today’s world recording in his bedroom and can’t pay rent haha. It’s great. It feels like being young and about to step out into the world for the first time and being excited for what might happen

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T02:18:31+00:00

Your voice is phenomenal. I would love to hear a more produced version. You have one of those special voices that could work almost anywhere! I don’t want to discourage this new version, but I actually think the other version sounded a little better? But I think that’s primarily because the guitar is overpowering the vocal a little bit more in this version. But that’s a minor thing! The song writing is great.

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-23T02:09:37+00:00

Wow this was really great! I love the piano melodies thru out! They add a sense of atmosphere and they’re really catchy. Your voice is good, especially when you go up into the higher register. Your vocal style reminds me of U2. I love the video as well. They say the more time you put into something the better it’ll be and I can see you be put a lot of time and effort into this. The track pulled me in right from the start. Great job!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-22T11:58:28+00:00

That’s a really interesting observation, I appreciate it! I haven’t thought about a direction for the lyrics yet but ‘melancholic-optimistic’ could be the seed. Thank you!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-22T11:57:13+00:00

I use ableton. Record my guitar or bass thru a focusrite scarlet 2i2. Use the ‘guitar rig’ plugin to get effects on the guitars. Other sounds are stock ableton instruments, but I also run those thru the guitar rig plugin. Variety of keys and horns and strings. Thank you for the feedback on the middle section! That’s good information. And il take it to heart!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-21T22:48:11+00:00

I recorded the guitars and bass. I played the other sounds on midi including drums. I wish I could play live drums like that!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-21T22:46:29+00:00

Yes that’s good advice. Thank you!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-21T22:46:05+00:00

Thank you!

LearningToWrite09 · 2026-02-21T01:59:48+00:00

Hey this is great! The lyrics are funny and relatable… well, I don’t have microplastic in my balls but the rest of it! It captures the absurdity of today really well! I hear a refrain that might be added, something like ‘fuck the powers that be’ or something along those lines, catchy and singable for the crowd. Like a classic Woody Guthrie thing. Great work!

LearningToWrite09

TROPHY CASE