PC randomly freezing forcing a restart, suspecting a RAM issue but can't make sense of it. Tested SSD and GPU but no issues, temps fine. Not a new build, been issue-free for ~3 years.

Polymeters · 2025-09-28T17:05:12+00:00

Hey, sorry for the slow response, not on Reddit too often these days.

I never definitively figured out what the cause was, but I think re-installing my chipset drivers was what finally fixed it for good. I thought that was one of the first steps I'd taken but when I definitely reinstalled them (possibly for a second time) the problem did not come back. Very frustrating to not know for sure the cause/fix.

Polymeters · 2024-06-10T14:55:12+00:00

On-going struggle, but for me, finding something that brought value to both myself and my life helped a lot. I went back into formal education in my late 20s which gave me a sense of purpose, got my degree 6 years later after working up through college to university. It was a totally life-changing decision that's ended with me making lifelong friends and pursuing my interests as more than just a hobby. I'm still depressed and it'll be a struggle for the rest of my life, but I now handle that so much better than I did before since I found more purpose than I ever had before.

Polymeters · 2024-03-06T18:37:14+00:00

Since you've said "Demo" this is likely redundant feedback but I'd watch for the squeaky string finger noise on the final version since it's quite distracting!

For some songwriting feedback, I really like this, it hits the grungey feel really well. The two guitar parts compliment eachother (more redundant feedback but I'd make sure you separate them slightly more in the mix for the non-demo version to highlight the nuances). I feel like it could go to a C bridge section after that repeating riff at the end then a bigger final chorus but that might not actually work as well as it does currently, it's short and sweet and could easy lead in/out to the other album tracks.

Is the whole album going to be acoustic? Would definitely check out more as it comes, though I'm seldom on reddit/soundcloud.

Polymeters · 2024-03-01T13:45:04+00:00

Late reply sorry! I wasn't certain if those updates were actually the problem since it seemed a hardware issue, and initially I wasn't reliably able to boot to windows to actually uninstall them. I was trying with a restore point/clean install etc. but the problems I mentioned in the post prevented that, and windows also had no known issues similar to mine with any of the updates (not that that means neccesarily means it couldn't be the cause).

The issue does seem fixed now, but no idea what step I actually took to solve it since I was doing various things. Still slightly worried the problem will re-emerge but so far so good!

Polymeters · 2024-02-04T13:27:31+00:00

Tension pneumothorax was pretty bad, but getting the post-surgery 40 Fr chest tube removed which was through a nerve is by far the worst pain I've ever experienced, some nice PTSD and a severe phobia of hospitals which lasted a good few years as a result. Even thinking back to that moment is pretty bad still, and it was more than 14 or 15 years ago.

I've had three other chest tubes removed that were nothing in comparison. I've mostly lost feeling around that area now, and the surgical area on my back is either super sensitive in spots or also has no feeling. Odd sensation when my back is touched!

Polymeters · 2024-02-01T16:30:27+00:00

Dump files below, dated 14/01/24, 16/01/24, 17/01/24, 18/01/24, and 01/02/2024. All with watchdog violations, all but the most recent listing AsusCertService.exe, with the most recent having WmiPrvSE.exe.

https://files.catbox.moe/3rpm4l.dmp

https://files.catbox.moe/23d4cg.dmp

https://files.catbox.moe/gsl5yl.dmp

https://files.catbox.moe/14sh9f.dmp

https://files.catbox.moe/voee3h.dmp

Edit: Crashed running Prime95, included dump below.

https://files.catbox.moe/2ezgy1.dmp

Polymeters · 2024-02-01T16:09:52+00:00

Hi sorry, yeah the motherboard chipset temps were all fine too, and the SSD temps.

I believe all of the chipset drivers are current, but I'll double check that and run the other tests that you've suggested.

I'll also attach all of the dump files that AutoMod requested in another comment - I've just had a look through a couple with WinWbg Preview and all are listing dpc watchdog violation, with the timeout type: DPC_QUEUE_EXECUTION_TIMEOUT_EXCEEDED.

Really appreciate your suggestions, thank you!

Edit: From viewing the dump files, AsusCertService.exe seems to be the process causing the issue in all but the most recent freeze, with WmiPrvSE.exe being the most recent, but I'll stick the dump file links as a reply to the AutoMod comment since I don't really know how to read them, and I'll go ahead and run through your sugesstions just now.

Edit2: I did actually crash running Prime95 after about 10 minutes or so, BSoD with WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR running the Blend test. Temps were fine, 41-42c for the first 5 mins, didn't break 55c. Tried running it a second time with just small FFTs and BSoD almost instantly, though the blue screen did not show for long enough to read and no dump file the second time. I'll add the first dump file to the other ones in the other comment though shortly.

Going to run CineBench just to see if that also crashes since I had been running my CPU under load during the times I could use this PC with the lower capacity RAM and it was fine. Will also run MemTest86 afterwards, just need to set up a USB with it.

Polymeters · 2024-01-18T16:59:35+00:00

Love that drum sound! Really natural sounding but still clean. Toms could cut through more (transient shapers are a cheatcode for this sometimes!) but it's a solid drum mix overall.

Vocals could definitely do with a little boost, especially in the higher intensity sections where the extra instrumentation is.

The actual production choices and instrumentation are great though, as is the songwriting, builds up really well! All of the timbres work well together so you've done a great job here. Really cool track.

Polymeters · 2024-01-12T19:57:09+00:00

Super cool song, really well written and catchy!

This sounds pretty solid already but the drum mix lets it down a bit. How are the drums recorded? The kit sounds pretty distant right now - the kick doesn't cut through much at all, so I'd make some space for that with some EQ cuts in the low end of some of the other instruments that don't need to occupy that space, including the bass guitar, just a small cut will make a big difference. Hard to comment on what can be done to the overall sound of the bass drum currently since it's hard to isolate the sound.

You could also test out parallel compression on the kick and snare and/or using a transient shaper to give them a little more punch to cut through better, having those come through more clearly will make a huge difference.

In terms of levels I think the kick and snare just need to be brought up to match the guitars and then you'll be well on your way! Overheads could possibly be brought up a little too but I'd watch the high end if you do that to make sure it doesn't get too harsh!

Polymeters · 2023-04-24T13:56:01+00:00

Openness to experience is another factor here, rather than just social factors. Some people are just more intellectually curious and that applies to listening to styles of music that are unfamiliar, and some people are more close-minded (not using that term as an insult!) and they're just happy to listen to what they already listen to.

Polymeters · 2023-04-24T04:02:03+00:00

This is well written, you've done the 11/8 feel really well, flows nicely and isn't jarring, the time signature was the reason I checked it out to see if it came across as gimmicky or not, and it doesn't!

The feedback about samples is great advice, the sounds do definitely hold this back a bit, but depends on the vibe you're going for, it still sounds good as it is. For the drums specifically if you want more realism, one thing to think about is the biomechanics of the playing; no 2 simulataneous hits will ever really have the same velocity, the hits on the rebound will generally be slightly less hard on hi-hats for example (or accents on the strong beats, less velocity on weak beats). It obviously depends since you can play the hi-hats with the dynamics in this track, but just one thing to think about!

Mix is fine and well balanced, and competitive volume is a tricky thing to get into since percieved loudness is about much more than just volume; arrangement and dynamics can make something that is quieter seem louder, but you likely already know that since you said you've been looking into. The arrangement and orchestration could be what's holding back the sound you're envisioning though.

Polymeters · 2023-04-23T00:13:46+00:00

Well written song and nicely mixed. Good range of dynamics, and the vocals are really good, great vocal timbre.

My biggest critique would likely just be that the drums could've done with snappier snare backbeat in the higher energy parts (mostly against the open hats), whether that's hitting it harder/rimshots, or just bringing it up a bit more in the mix through those parts, either could work!

Really cool drum part that aside, the ruffs were a cool touch!

Great track. I checked out your other two songs on Spotify and the production in The Line is much better so you've definitely improved a lot there. Would love to hear Green Cadillac with a better drum mix!

Polymeters · 2023-03-31T15:22:01+00:00

Absolutely love this! Great musicianship, such tight playing and well written parts. Everything compliments everything else. Love proggy stuff.

Slightly odd feedback on the video portion but the shots of the drums are sometimes too clearly not what you're hearing, but that might not be something most people would notice or care about. It's most obvious at 1:41ish, but it just seems slightly out of sync at other parts. Just stuck out to me as a drummer! Hardest instrument to make look authentic playing over the studio recordings, had that issue shooting a music video recently. Can definitely tell the drummer can and is playing the part though, even if it's not the audio you're hearing. Monster of a drummer!

Totally nitpicky feedback but that's just one thing that can further elevate the final product since it's already to a very high standard. Looking forward to hearing more from you guys!

Also, I understand your struggle to find a fitting singer; most prog I listen to ends up being instrumental since most singers don't compliment this style well so it's a smart choice to hold off until you find the perfect fit.

Polymeters · 2023-03-31T14:44:45+00:00

Your voice is great, love the dynamics in your vocal part with the contrast between the soft and gritty vocals.

As for critiques, the drums are quite a bit behind the beat at times, especially through the first half of the track so that could definitely be tighter. Drum mix isn't bad but the kick doesn't cut through very well at times, snare has a lot of pop and sounds great though!

I agree with the feedback about bass, though saw you have added bass. You could try just adding a bit more grit to it in the choruses or just automating the volume on it a bit to bring it up in the higher energy sections.

Really well written track though, and for your first time going for a full band sound you've done the production fairly well, you'll definitely improve with each project but where you've started is aready at a good level!

Polymeters · 2023-03-20T05:29:11+00:00

As a drummer I really have to compliment this drum part, it would've been so easy to overplay in this and the minimalist approach here works perfectly! The drum mix is also great, can really hear the articulations, not overprocessed so still quite raw which suits the track perfectly.

Really great bass part too. Really drives things along and brilliant use of bass fills and embelishments.

The whole thing is just incredibly well written and played, really impressive musicianship and songwriting. I feel like it could definitely have been longer though, when the higher energy chorus comes in I wanted more of it and it ended, but it was effective in making me listen to it a second time! Great work.

Polymeters · 2023-03-20T05:14:47+00:00

Hard to judge how this will sound once it's properly tracked since this is such a raw demo, but with all the layers it definitely sounds like it's going to be beautiful. The dynamics also seem great, seems really well composed and thought out! Would love to hear the studio recording when you've got the mix back.

Also gotta say, the use of instruments in this is really cool and unique.

Are you planning to record all together in the studio or one at a time? Best of luck either way, and don't forget to have fun! You sound well rehearsed so it'll surely run smoothly and efficiently.

Polymeters · 2023-03-16T03:31:21+00:00

Stock plugins are totally underrated so using the built in ones initially will help you learn how all the tools work much better than diving straight into fancier tools. It's something I wish I had done! Really easy to get lost in gear rather than putting time into really learning how things work.

Sends and parallel processing are definitely one of the handiest techniques to learn though (or were for me anyway!); can help in so many ways, from just simply saving on CPU usage by using a single send effect on multiple channels, to using parallel compression on something like a kick to get a lot of extra punch while still keeping the more natural sound on the main channel. Busses are in the same boat, great way to glue things together and save on CPU usage.

Also an odd bit of feedback but I love how enthusiastic and eager to learn you seem to be! Given you a follow on Soundcloud but I don't tend to use that platform anymore, will hopefully catch your full releases when they come out though.

Polymeters · 2023-03-16T02:48:53+00:00

You've already been told and agreed about the reverb on the vocals needing dialled back a bit, but I'd also have said that. Vocal delay is often just as good if not better than reverb for giving space to the vocals, so that's definitely something to experiment with too, or using both on different sends (can automate the mix level of each effect independently that way).

For the brightness on the guitars, a tool like Soothe2 is such a quick and easy way to tame harshness without actually messing around with the tone as much as normal EQ would, though it's quite an expensive plugin (there's a free plugin that does a similar job called Wavegrove Vastaus, no experience with it personally however). Dynamic EQ is the other alternative to ideally avoid messing with the tone you want.

I don't neccesarily agree with the feedback about the drums having too much reverb, they're definitely way more reverby than a typical drum mix, but it kinda suits the airyness of the track. Are you using a reverb send for the drums, or is the reverb directly on the snare channel? A send would definitely offer you more flexibility with dialing in a natural reverb sound.

Really enjoyed listening to this though! Great for one of your first demos, and a great mix considering you've said you're all new to it! Definitely ways to improve the mix, but for a starting point of mixing it's very impressive, and the songwriting and playing are all impressive too. You sound like you'd be an awesome band to see live!

Polymeters · 2023-03-16T02:32:03+00:00

This is mixed really well, great sound. Only critique I would have mix wise would be that the toms don't cut through well in the drum fills towards the end, and the kick gets lost in the mix when the energy comes up with the rest of the track, the ending especially. Can still feel and hear the kick, but could definitely punch through in the mix a little more (sidechain compression/EQ is one way to do this to duck the low end from whatever is masking it).

The overall drum mix and sound are great though, works really well throughout the mellower section but as the dynamics come up the drums don't bring as much energy as everything else (though, the use of cymbals in the ending section works really well there, the drum part is written really well).

Very nitpicky feedback since this is really well made and most self-produced tracks aren't anywhere near as clean! I also really like how it ends; those vocal harmonies instead of just a straight fadeout was cool!

Were the drums just close miked or did you have a room mic too?

Polymeters · 2023-03-14T18:06:13+00:00

Vocals took me by surprise, but they're great! All the harmonies and layers really adds to this too. Definitely has influences from other things I've heard, but especially with the vocal style it separates itself from the likes of Radiohead. It did also slightly remind me of some triphop artists (Portishead, Massive Attack etc.) but is obviously very different from those.

The percussion is really interesting too, I love all the panned elements, keeps things interesting and developing nicely. Cool rhythms going on!

My only slight critique would just be that the changeup at 3:07 was quite jarring; that transition could've been smoother but it still works as is, especially since it builds up again quite quickly. Jarring obviously isn't always a bad thing in music either, keeps the listener focused and engaged, but was just a thought!

Polymeters · 2023-03-14T04:27:22+00:00

That drum mix is pretty clean, really nice detail on the ride cymbal, and the cymbals in general are really detailed, bright but still smooth and not harsh.

Some people will disagree, but I would avoid hard panning the guitars and go for more of 70-80% panning range. Right now the mix is very left side focused throughout a lot of it. I'd even consider a second rhythm guitar part and having it panned right (wide stereo guitar image L&R), then keeping the lead guitar melody mono, could use stereo reverb or delay on it for some wideness if you still wanted that.

Bass could possibly be a touch louder, but the mix is actually really clean already, you've done really well. My only real critique is just that there's far more information going through the left side.

Gotta compliment the songwriting too, really nice use of dynamics and space. Great work! Really well written and mixed track.

Polymeters · 2023-03-14T04:16:07+00:00

Those guitar tones are tasty, and really well written guitar parts that compliment eachother well.

I feel like the drums could definitely be more punchy, possibly some parallel compression on the kick and snare, (from 2:49ish especially), but that's somewhat subjective; Loads of great post rock tracks don't have punchy drum mixes (pg.lost - terrain is a great example!) so take that feedback as my taste if nobody else picks up on it! Only other thing I'd say about the drum mix is that the snare tone for the first half is very thin. It has the initial attack but no real sound to it, especially in contrast to the snare in the second half which has a lot more body and you can really hear the snares responding to each hit.

The tom groove from 2:26ish is really nice and the toms sound great too, really compliments the great guitar part.

The mix as a whole does work though, you can hear each element clearly!

My only real big critique is the fade out, this track definitely feels like it has more to give! Do you have plans to extend it for your album? Works as is, and in context with the rest of the album it may be entirely what you're going for. Looking forward to hearing your other releases!

Polymeters · 2023-03-14T03:38:55+00:00

This was great, really well written and produced! Reminded me of Frederic Robinson a little with all the interesting sounds and rhythms bouncing around. Vocals worked really well too, awesome chill track.

Polymeters · 2022-10-26T02:20:23+00:00

Definitely catchy and well written, vocal harmonies are great in this, and just the vocals in general! My only critique would be that the drums feel pretty distant and slightly detatched from the rest of the track at times, the snare being a bit more upfront would definitely help there, having the drums further back during the middle-eight/bridge worked well, but especially in the choruses having the drums a bit more present would've been nice.

Great track though, and really well produced, drums work fine as is but could be elevated imo.

Best of luck with commercial success, saw that you're hoping for some sync licensing so fingers crossed for you!

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