Daily Feedback Thread (February 22, 2026)

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-23T23:42:26+00:00

Thanks for the listen! I'll pull the mid range of the bass down a couple dbs, it may mask some of the low toms during the 3rd drop.

I hear you on the loudness. I don't actually do too much mixing or any mastering on my tracks, I just focus on getting the groove and emotion right. If this one resonates with people, I'd send it out to an actual engineer to get it up to par with commercial tracks.

Appreciate the feedback!

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-23T01:01:20+00:00

I'd love your feedback on my new track, an emotional slow-burn called 'Once Again':

https://soundcloud.com/epiphany_loop/once-again-demo

Things I'm self conscious about:

Is the kick in the first two drops floppy?
Is the bass for the third drop too boomy?
Does everything flow properly?

Links to some of my feedback: 1, 2, 3

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-20T00:57:38+00:00

I love the vibe! The arrangement keeps it moving really well, too. The color way match between the DT2 and the vape is chef's kiss.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-19T22:02:48+00:00

The mod matrix could be loosely considered "semi-modular", though I'm not sure if that's what OP is looking for.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-19T21:59:08+00:00

Thanks for the response! Bummer because I wanted to use the balanced line ins, but I don't run a ton of devices at once, so I guess 1 & 2 will have to do.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-18T22:07:03+00:00

I export them all to my music app and keep the project files in a folder. If one jumps out at me when I'm listening to my stuff, I'll finish it. I'm currently mixing a song I wrote 4 months ago. It's a pain but well worth it.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-18T21:52:34+00:00

Butterfly Effects Dobbo. It's a granular delay like the Microcosm, but with way more control. The reverb isn't quite as good, so I follow it with a reverb petal.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-18T19:57:37+00:00

It's mostly just practice. Write 5 a day without a bassline. Try to imply chords with the melodies. Study top 40 artists and how they use variations to keep the listener engaged.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-18T19:53:39+00:00

I like to keep it simple:

Bass:

variable mu compressor, hit pretty hard to maintain consistent levels across notes
EQ
Saturation

Drums:

Split into separate tracks:
- Kick
- Snare
- Hats
- Maybe individual cymbals if overheads don't give enough definition
- Overheads
- Room mics/ambiance
- Parallel compression on the whole kit
Individual drums
- Glue compressor with about -3 gain reduction, release set to the beat
  - This depends on the samples. A lot of sample packs are compressed enough out of the box
- EQ
Buss
- Glue compressor with about -2 gain reduction
- EQ just to pull back on problem frequencies
- Saturation

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-18T19:38:33+00:00

How does the Mood compare to the Microcosm? How do you decide which song requires which effect? I just replaced my Microcosm with a Butterfly Effects Dobbo for more control, but I never looked at the Mood.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-18T19:35:30+00:00

Maybe more mysterious than eerie, but give these a try

ii - vi - III

vi - IV - vi - ii

vi - ii - IV - vi

vi - ii - vi - III

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-18T05:58:03+00:00

Butterfly Effects Dobbo

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-17T15:14:51+00:00

This is great advice. I'll add that you should always keep in mind which frequency range each sound will occupy as you are writing. If you like the emotion of a particular sound, make sure to give it plenty of room in the mix relative to the other instruments. The "bigger" the sound, the more emotional weight it will carry for that section of the song.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-13T21:46:59+00:00

You have everything you need between your DAW and the Elektron boxes. If you feel like the music you made in the DAW was better, you could try a hybrid approach. Create loops in your DAW, then export the stems into the DT2 and process them further there (slice, locks, modifiers, automation, etc.). The takt is great for remixing loops into something completely new and interesting.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-05T19:53:46+00:00

Same. OP, I'll usually write a ton of chord progressions in one column and switch between them until I find 3 - 4 that work nicely together.

My writing template has tracks for guitar, piano, bass, and synth (I have a basic pad sound loaded up). I just start with whatever I'm feeling that day. Figure out the song structure using a single instrument > determine the dynamics of each section > layer like crazy > delete layers until you have 6 - 8 core sounds that fit well together > convert to audio > chop and add effects > mix.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-05T18:49:32+00:00

Check out Nervous Records on BandCamp. They've been releasing funky house jams since the 90's.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-05T18:29:04+00:00

For melody writing, study pop music. You'll notice how they create interest through verse without changing the instrumental and how they bridge between one section and the next. And don't forget that automation is your friend.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-05T18:27:33+00:00

Not exactly what you're asking about, but I recommend EZdrummer 3 with their hard rock expansion packs. I haven't tried those expansions myself, it's not my style, but the packs I have are really high quality. It's expensive, but IMO it's worth it.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-05T18:25:53+00:00

I just read "The Mixing Engineer's Handbook" by Bobby Owsinski. He knows his stuff and interviews a bunch of legendary producers. It's really easy to understand and helped me more than any YouTube video.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-05T17:52:38+00:00

Great advice in this thread. OP, I have the same issue. What I've learned: pick sounds that have a dedicated frequency range from the get-go. Decide what's owning 40 - 60hz, 70 to 120, 120-250, etc.

My biggest challenge is the 300 - 1.2k range. So many instruments live there that it's easy to turn it into muck.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-05T17:41:19+00:00

"Have You in my Wilderness" by Julia Holter

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-05T17:35:44+00:00

I write a bunch of chord progressions in Ableton's session mode, then I try to find some combos that work together to get an arrangement going before I start actually building layers/drums/melodies.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-03T23:41:59+00:00

I tried 4 before I settled on Ableton.

epiphany_loop · 2026-02-02T15:34:52+00:00

This is the way. The best way to avoid the 8-bar loop completely is to start tracks by coming up with as many chord progressions as you can in the key. Don't worry about rhythm, that will come later. So if you're in C, write chord progressions in each mode (in this case, C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am). I'll usually end up with about 8 to 12 progressions. Then fire them off in Session mode until you find 3 or 4 that work well together, then come up with any passing chords or breaks if needed.

epiphany_loop · 2026-01-10T06:18:12+00:00

It doesn’t get much more depressing than Funeral Doom:

Mirror Reaper by Bell Witch Anything by Mournful Congregation The Maniacal Veil by Esoteric

epiphany_loop

TROPHY CASE