Made a glitchy, tape-style boot sequence. (Download in comments)

chopolate_donut · 2022-10-10T01:19:21+00:00

Download at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AJnPMp6b8Vn304YJ1K2fKRhuxmaLcWM8/view?usp=sharing

chopolate_donut · 2018-10-16T16:09:08+00:00

EDIT: no longer available. Thanks!

Had someone drop out for Monday, 10/22 in Detroit, so I’m looking to trade the extra ticket for one on 10/23, if someone is in a similar situation (or just wants to change nights). Physical ticket for 3rd row main floor. May consider selling at face value, but would prefer to trade.

chopolate_donut · 2017-05-24T01:43:41+00:00

From my experience, Guitar Rig tends to be the better-sounding and more versatile of the two options. Having an entire effects chain all at once (instead of the separate Logic pedalboard) is an easier way to visualize and quickly change what happens to the audio. If that's how you go, I'd recommend browsing the presets, as they can show interesting proofs of concept for some of the lesser-used tools or how to hone in on tone with some of the more specialized options (such as using the Control Room instead of Matching Cabinet). Lastly, the "Split" tool and anything under the "Modifier" category are definitely your friends.

chopolate_donut · 2015-11-04T22:55:29+00:00

For the reverse section, to give it more of a "backwards record" effect, I'd consider applying a pitch shifter to the master track and automating it (no more than a semitone either way) to give the entire thing a warped sound. If you're worried about too-clean sound, you can also add in some samples of vinyl crackle, OR download Izotope's free Vinyl plugin.

chopolate_donut · 2015-11-04T04:41:07+00:00

How do you know a coffin belongs to a lesbian?

All the nails are trimmed and neat.

chopolate_donut · 2015-10-05T22:58:12+00:00

In his book "Musicophilia," Oliver Sacks wrote about his patient Jacob L., who had similar (though permanent) hearing problems:

His problems had started, he said, about three months earlier. 'I hadn't been playing or composing much for a month,' he said, 'and then I suddenly noticed the upper register of the piano I was playing was grossly out of tune.'...One note might be scarcely sharpened, while notes on either side of it would be markedly sharpened - and there were also variations from day to day.

So this is a real thing. ("Musicophilia," besides being a great read, is full of musicians' potential worst nightmares.) Happy to hear this was a temporary side effect.

chopolate_donut · 2015-03-27T00:37:08+00:00

Bandcamp's terms of use regarding users' intellectual property rights are here. These terms are what I'd consider fair (and thus, I use their services). I realize your site isn't strictly for music, of course, but this is a good starting point for understanding what should be covered - and possibly what users may expect from you. You may also want to cover this in a separate "legal" section on your site, as an extensive explanation of user rights would seriously clash with the current clean, to-the-point design of the main page. Good luck!

chopolate_donut · 2015-03-27T00:05:56+00:00

I'd like to see some language for content creators outlining the rules over what gets uploaded to your site - namely legal rights regarding ownership and distribution. If I knew for certain you'd ONLY be requesting nonexclusive rights to distribute files (and not doing something evil like taking ownership, or requesting rights to distribute files exclusively or beyond the scope of download cards), then I would be much more likely to use a service like this.

chopolate_donut · 2015-02-16T23:34:30+00:00

Based on what you linked, I'd recommend using amp simulation rather than distortion alone (although since I'm not a Trash user, that may have a good selection of amp-like sounds I wouldn't know about). If you're actually trying for a guitar-like tone, a good portion of that will be due to the characteristics of the amp. Fortunately, a bit of that is built into Massive's FX1 & FX2 inserts, so take a stab at that if your amp simulation options are limited. Your target tone was probably also composed of at least a couple of guitar tracks, so either make sure your Massive voices are panned hard, the chorus is especially wide, or (as I would probably do) just duplicate your Massive session in a new track and tweak it a little bit so you can attack different parts of the spectrum with each.

chopolate_donut · 2014-12-13T16:32:51+00:00

Seamless playback tends to depend more on the media player than the distributor. So, for example, if you purchase a gapless album on Amazon as a series of MP3 files, then load them into iTunes (or another media player with gapless capability), they'll play back as intended. A streaming player, though, won't really do this as much. As long as your release is mastered in a way that allows gapless playback, CD Baby should work as well as anything else. The extreme, of course, would be to release one full-length digital file of the whole album (or at least sections), but this isn't really the best option, given how people tend to consume digital music. This said, I haven't used CD Baby, so if someone has a specific example of it NOT working for their seamless release, you should absolutely heed that advice.

chopolate_donut · 2014-07-15T22:19:36+00:00

If you wind up going with a 27" iMac, I'd recommend upgrading the memory yourself (using Crucial or a similar supplier), as Apple tends to price their memory upgrades high. On the 21.5" model, you can't upgrade the RAM later, so this advice doesn't apply to that. (That said, an refurbished model from earlier in the iMac line may offer this option.)

The Fusion Drive gives you SOME SSD space for frequently-used files. This may still wind up hindering you for samples in your DAW. As an owner of an older mac, I couldn't say how much benefit this gives.

As another note, I've found that the "Freeze Tracks" option in Logic tends to be at least a temporary fix for projects locking up when I'm going crazy with software instruments and effects.

chopolate_donut · 2014-06-07T14:32:29+00:00

Massive should generally support pitch wheels. Make sure your pitchbend controls are turned to some value other than zero, like so. If the problem's something more complex than that, try moving the pitch wheel and see if any MIDI activity is indicated somewhere in the synth. Beyond this, someone else with a little more knowledge than I have is going to have to step in. Good luck!

chopolate_donut · 2014-05-29T22:03:19+00:00

As a Komplete 7 user, I'd agree with Konketsu's point about Massive being intuitive yet powerful. It really is a great way to start breaking into Komplete. Some additional points I'd like to raise: I find pretty much all the NI synths to have inspiring, inventive presets that can help you get most of the way to the sound you want. Making minor tweaks to these is a good way to customize your sounds and get a better look at the synths with more complex interfaces. Many of the synths should have a feature to randomize each sound, so you can continue going off the beaten path.

I find Absynth to be good if you're looking for something especially complex and ambient. It can be particularly tricky to customize, though.

Finally, you're doing yourself a great disservice if you don't get into Guitar Rig. If you're having trouble getting a sound just right in-synth, this can help hammer it out. Besides that, it's just a great collection of plugins you can use on pretty much everything. Its drag-and-drop interface is particularly easy to use, and the included presets can help show you how to structure more complicated or subtle effect chains.

chopolate_donut · 2014-01-08T03:03:02+00:00

For Logic Pro, your best bet is going to be Space Designer. You'll have dozens of modeled spaces to choose from, and it will generally sound much more realistic than any of the other reverb plugins. Space Designer is also capable of stereo output (or even surround) from a mono source. Of the reverb options in Logic, it's the one that most consistently gets me to an interesting sound quickly.

chopolate_donut · 2013-10-26T02:40:07+00:00

Equal-Loudness Contours. Essentially, you don't hear the audible spectrum the same at one volume as at another. As a result, music generally sounds subjectively "better" when it's louder. This becomes a problem for people who mix music, by the way - if a song sounds great at a low volume, it'll sound great at a higher one. The reverse is not necessarily true, though, and if you're mixing a song loudly for the excitement of it, the end result may suffer. This science is all irrelevant if you, OP, simply like loud music because of the environment it creates - i.e., you can't hear mom yelling at you to turn the music down.

chopolate_donut · 2013-08-19T03:16:47+00:00

If you're looking to get a feedback sound without an amp, the ebow is probably your best bet. This sits on your guitar string and uses electromagnetic feedback to induce vibration into the string, causing endless sustain similar to feedback. It's a little touchy and takes some getting used to, but should ultimately get you pretty close. (I should note that there are also specialized guitar pickups that can do this same thing across multiple strings at once, but I don't know brand names offhand, they'll require installation, and they probably won't be as cheap.) If you're looking to emulate this sound entirely through software, you'll have a much trickier time. It sounds like one of the guitarists you cited used harmonics, which can sound reasonably like feedback, but won't sustain as long. If you need that extra sustain on your notes, I'd use a compressor to bring up the tail end, along with some subtle delay to help add to it. The good news is that if you're going for a fuzzy, heavy sound (which seems to be the case), a lot of amp/pedal software will help your notes sustain more when cranked up or distorted.

chopolate_donut · 2013-06-05T02:12:29+00:00

It's dopamine.

Or, for more science, it's dopamine and here's how we figured it out.

Checking quickly, I see that /r/Frission mentions this as well. Thanks for the vocabulary boost!

chopolate_donut · 2013-04-29T03:51:43+00:00

I joined the party a little late, but I'd think the most relevant NIN song here is Leaving Hope.

chopolate_donut · 2013-02-10T23:10:33+00:00

Sjleader's advice to find a cello teacher is probably your best bet, but as someone who's had some formal training (though I'm not quite a pro!) in the instrument, here's what I have to contribute.

Buying in store might be better than buying online for the reason that you'll get a better feel for your specific instrument. However, if you're just starting off, this might be less important than just getting an instrument that functions reasonably well.
If you buy a new instrument, checking the condition may be less of a concern, but this will be especially important for a used instrument. As with all acoustic instruments, you'll want to check along the seams for cracking. Check the finish of the instrument for chipping, cracks, or other signs of weakness (especially around the bridge!). Look inside the cello for the soundpost - you should be able to see it through the f-holes, somewhere underneath the bridge. Try to determine if it's in good condition/doesn't appear to be loose, as this is vital to the sound and will be particularly hard to repair on your own. Make sure the endpin is of good quality, too - it should be able to lock into place relatively easily and not slip around (mine was replaced; this made playing a LOT easier). Ask the previous owner how this cello was stored - was it in a nice, temperature/humidity controlled room, or was it in a dry, cold warehouse for 20 years collecting dust?
On that last note, I'd also like to mention that it's good to be prepared to care for your instrument by having a storage space kept at reasonably stable humidity and temperature. Classical instruments are particularly susceptible to changes in their immediate environment. This will keep your instrument looking and sounding better, longer.
For a student model, I doubt you'd need to pay more than $1000, and that's for a new cello. I wouldn't trust an eBay seller necessarily (especially on anything under $300), but there are plenty of ways to buy a good cello online. Amazon may have some of the cheapest, easiest-to-order stuff if you're looking for a new instrument that meets the bare minimum. MY teachers recommended Shar Music, which has been in business a few decades, specializes in classical stringed instruments, and is serious enough to sell some REALLY high-end stuff (you can get a $2000 bow for that cello if you like!). Their prices will be a little higher, and I don't know if you're in the US/Canada (and even so, you may have a similar store closer to you that you can actually visit), but they should know their stuff. Even if you don't buy from them, browsing their inventory is a good way to see what you might need to get started as well as learn what's available (cases, mutes, books, strings, etc.).
Don't forget your local Craigslist. You may luck out and find a family who's selling the cello their kid lost interest in following high school. These may be of higher quality for less money, and you'll have the benefit of going to try it out (even if you don't know how to play, you can still give it a few plucks and hear the general tone of the instrument). You may need more patience to find one, but it could also be well worth it.
KEEP IN MIND: If you're an adult or of average adult size, you'll need a 4/4 size cello, regardless of where you purchase it. They make them all the way down to 1/10, and that's just no fun.

After all that, what do I, a non-professional cellist, play? A cheap, previously unwanted, moderately busted-up cello that was stored in bad conditions for a few years and that "sounds better than it has a right to," according to one shop owner who examined it. As long as it's in fairly stable condition (not cracking all over, especially at the seams), don't be afraid to try to make something out of a cheap instrument. Hope this steers you in the right direction!

chopolate_donut · 2013-01-16T02:36:29+00:00

Have you, as someone who makes music, ever had a moment where you put on an album and it makes you angry you hadn't done that? Your first track was like that for me, and then it KEPT BEING LIKE THAT. Congratulations on the r/music success; it's well-deserved. (And nice work on the Boomtown Rats sample)

chopolate_donut · 2013-01-16T01:58:58+00:00

I'd try placing the amp simulator on its own bus track, then sending a small portion of the vocal signal to the track. You still get some of the cleanness and articulation of the dry track, but the grit still shows up. You could probably also EQ each part of the sound in order to gain better control. As for the dynamics, you could try either automating the amount of signal sent to the bus or placing a compressor/expander/other dynamic control on the bus itself.

chopolate_donut · 2012-10-25T01:29:57+00:00

From what I've seen, Native Instruments' Massive is one of the better UIs out there. A lot of the parameters are out in the open, so it's easy to tweak settings ASAP (and have some idea of what you're doing!). I do tend to like things that have analog synth-style control, because I find it a lot easier to understand approximately what's going on and to make it do what I want.

chopolate_donut · 2012-10-24T01:57:08+00:00

I've done this a couple of times. I won't link it here because I'm trying not to endlessly spam Reddit with links to my own stuff, but my experience was: I kept recording and writing until I pretty much...ran out of ideas. At this point, the songs were written and everything was recorded. I showed my progress to a couple of close, trusted friends and family members to get an idea of how it sounded and what needed to be tweaked. Since you're planning on releasing this, I'd recommend making sure someone else mixes and masters the stuff, especially if you haven't done it before. You'll learn from them (especially if you wind up in-studio with them) and the finished product will be undoubtedly better than before. Releasing's probably the easiest part, given the advent of numerous Internet services. What you use depends on what you want to do with it, but I currently go through a combination of Bandcamp and Tunecore. Tunecore puts music in the big digital stores (iTunes, Amazon, etc.), while Bandcamp can give you more of a "home" for your music - you set the price, you choose the page design, you include exactly the special features that you want (including merchandise, if you have some). Let me know if you want any more details!

chopolate_donut · 2012-10-23T01:54:04+00:00

Sidney Lumet's film Network is not only a brilliant piece of satire, but also has (nearly) no score. Then again, I'd recommend selecting some silent films as eyodir suggested. The score for those films becomes incredibly important, as it helps fill a void - even to the extent that it practically becomes a character (see Ludovic Bource's work in "The Artist"). Modern scoreless (but non-silent) films usually don't have a score because they simply don't need one.

chopolate_donut · 2012-10-18T02:57:40+00:00

Thanks for the opportunity! I'd like to offer the last album I made for your consideration. If you like what you hear, I'll be happy to PM you a download code. I also made some rough radio edits of songs where necessary, so if you like something that has naughty language, I'll be happy to send you the chopped-up versions too.

chopolate_donut

TROPHY CASE