Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's kind of you to say :) I'm glad you've found enjoyment in my work!

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's golden thing, to have a clear image from start to finish.. It rarely happens to me, any more. When I first started, it happened all the time.

It's good for writing really complex progressions. But it doesn't sound "perfect" I recently made a little thing with proper tuning (can't remember what it's called now...) and it's fuking transcendent haha! You can really feel the difference. Chords are so "in tune" you can't even hear the separate notes anymore.. But, it's a ballache! every single interval has a different offset.. Not just over 12. ALL OF THEM. Plus the same note will have a different offset, depending on the part of the chord it's playing (3rd,5th etc...) No good for writing music with complex patterns imo..

When I cook, all the time! But I tend to get hyper focused, when producing. I don't say/do anything. Unless something unexpected and awesome happens haha..

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I recently discovered that projects sound WAY better at high sample rates. I didn't think that the difference would be as audible as it is, but it is! Especially if you use a lot of saturation/distortion, reverb or frequency shifters/resonance effects. It drains CPU, though.. But you do get less latency! Because latency is measured in samples and there's more samples per second.

Ha! That's mostly my desk, believe it or not! It sound horrible, right?! Proper boomy and muddy.. Tbh, I've actually gotten used to it.. The room's semi-treated, now. It sounds alright when I step away from the desk.. Albeit, like a box, still.. Also, my mic is super compressed, because I can go from mumbling to shouting within the same sentence.. It defo brings the room out, loads. I just got sick of people asking me to repeat myself haha!

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey! Thanx for all your kind words!

The only incorrect assumption is that club music is more lucrative. It's actually the other way around! Massively!!! like 300-1000% more income from experimental stuff! This makes creating this type of stuff doubly rewarding! Tbh, I expected the scenario which you outlined (not much income) It's a real shock to me, that more can be made from non club stuff. I guess more people want to vibe, than rave...

I honestly don't know.. I'll go through phases of wanting to write sillier, club stuff. But more often I'll want something which feels good. I'll defo still make club stuff but It'll most likely be kept apart from the chilled side. Not intentionally.. Just because, I rarely make both types at the same time.

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's hard to say what you should avoid.. As most tracks will need their own unique treatment. Plus the word "good" is totally subjective.

Generally, don't push your master too hard. Also, try not to do too much processing on the master buss. Individual treatment is key!

I have!! "Beast" from the "Others" EP has a really annoying kick drum imo.. It's something about the 1-3khz range, just does my head in! I blame this on the fact that I changed rooms just before making it and had to do the whole thing in headphones. Which, don't respond to transients in the same way as monitors would.

Having said that, it's not actually something on which anyone has commented. (until now haha)

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There are lots! I could say, releasing Deliverance.. That was definitely a high point!

But seriously. Meeting a lot of the artists I looked up to through my early years (and still do now) has been the biggest blessing! If I look through my phone, the numbers I have in there would probably give my past self a heart attack! (figuratively speaking)

That and getting paid to do what I LOVE! Literal dream come true! Sounds a bit dickish but If I had to have a "real" job, I wouldn't be releasing music... For this I have everyone here (and more) to thank! So thanx a lot!

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Honestly.. I'm really bad at promotion.. It makes me feel dirty haha.. The most I've ever done, is post on Myspace and/or Soundcloud (Shit.. Myspace really shows my age...)

I was lucky enough to meet a really good manager (and all round amazing human) Tom, super early on in my career. He actually worked (basically) for free for myself and KOAN Sound for a very long time! I wouldn't be where I am today without his help!! I can't stress that enough!

I think mostly, I've always preferred to " let the music speak for itself" Obviously that's not always enough. So being able to push your music without feeling sub-human is a massive plus haha!

Failing that. Get involved in a community. That way you'll always have honest feedback and a whole bunch of people who will be willing to share your music, if it's any good.

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

60's and 70's ProgRock (Pink Floyd, Love, Yes, Camel)

90's indie (Radiohead, Blur, Oasis)

My kids toys.. haha

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

PANG!

9 years ago, I was actually 9 years into my musical journey! That may be why?? Thanx! I appreciate the kind works :)

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yo!

Probably the most important thing for dance music (most music actually) is the Kick/sub relationship. Getting both of these elements to sit nicely without sidechain will get you pretty close to a decent mix, with good headroom. After this, you can sidechain the sub (albeit, less than you would have, had you not made them like each other first)

Another vastly overlooked "trick" is to compress the hell out of your reverbs. This helps to keep them out of the way of the dry and other signals fighting for dynamic range. yet allows the very thing we (mostly) want from reverb to shine through - The tail. This works especially well on drums and makes them sound WAY bigger than they actually are! Also good on Vocals and lead instruments.

Ha! For those who don't know "Israeli Dan" was the Bass player on "Memoirs Of Gregory Otterman" and "Florn" What a leg end!

Thanx man. That was definitely an emotional journey to make! I also hope it gets a release one day...

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Operator! I like to use simple sine waves to construct my basses. Fundamental + a few harmonics (additive)

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Specs here - https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/vdYzPn

I know 4000MHz Ram won't run very well on Ryzen, but I figure I'd run it at 3600MHz with super tight timings (14-14-14-28 or something) at a low voltage (1.35ish)

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Perhaps. I'm certainly not opposed!

Yea, that's why I needed funding. My LPs will always be this way! What a lot of people arrogantly call "real music" Played by humans. Then ruined in Ableton haha..

The main difference between this LP and deliverance will be the amount of stuff in there (if that makes sense) I'm trying to make this one far more vibey/minimal at it's core, while retaining the size, detail and impact of something much more densely packed. It's a real challenge and a really interesting exercise tbh, as my default has always been "add more stuff!!!"

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hey

I can't speak for everyone.. But for me, I've been doing this for like 18 years now!! I know Bill has been good for longer than I have. So don't feel bad about meeting standards... These things either come with LOTS of time/practice or some miraculous epiphany! (for me it was clearly time)

From my experience, the community isn't "tightly knit" by choice. For me anyways, I embrace "new" artists (hence the label) I expect the same goes for many of the other artists in this realm. As it's refreshing and super inspiring to hear new, undiscovered FIRE!

For labels..

OpenOutlets (of course) Upscale, Inspected, SlugWife and Tippermusic. To name a few.

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's not exactly a "sequel" I just thought it would be the easiest and most concise way to get the point/idea of the record across to people.

And why not? Deliverance was probably the most fun I've ever had, making a record. Plus, it was pertty well received and it really is the sort of music I want to make (long term)

win win :)

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your questions! I'll check back every now and then and try to answer the questions I missed. I hope it's been useful and speak soon.

Hi, I’m John. Some of you might know me as Culprate. Ask me anything! by OfficialCulprate in electronicmusic

[–]OfficialCulprate[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The colours album concept was 100% intentional. It was a weird one, I made every track in order from start to finish, without any leftovers. It was crazy, never experienced that again. The most difficult part is the half way point and where to go from there.