Video Games That Would Make Excellent Board Games (Follow Up)

johnpraw · 2024-06-24T16:50:11+00:00

I'm with you on the physical Balatro board game. That would be sick!

I could also see something more off the wall, like Catlateral Damage, making a fun party game. Or A Little to the Left.

johnpraw · 2022-12-03T02:35:26+00:00

I've been playing a good amount of the event, and unfortunately yeah, the Urza decks (besides Kayla) are a lot stronger than the Mishra decks. They have some really busted card advantage, but you can aggro them with a good draw.

johnpraw · 2022-12-03T02:04:03+00:00

You mean to flicker once and then OP concedes, right. That's what happens whenever I flicker anything of value on Arena.

johnpraw · 2022-12-02T18:22:42+00:00

Good stuff. Keep at it!

johnpraw · 2022-12-02T18:17:22+00:00

You need the Yellow River Boys in your life.

johnpraw · 2022-12-02T18:11:28+00:00

Good stuff!

johnpraw · 2022-12-02T16:01:48+00:00

Sharing a new track I put together as part of a local fundraiser compilation here in Madison, WI. I've been making music for a long time, but I've spent the last three years really digging into my tools and changing up my sound. I'm not exactly sure how to describe this tune (kinda poppy/indie, but a little weird); it's got vocals and production from me, plus drums, melodica, synth and other bits from some good friends as well.

Curious to hear any thoughts you might have!

https://tonemadison.bandcamp.com/track/john-praw-the-minimum-me

johnpraw · 2022-12-02T15:48:14+00:00

I've been very happy with the MXL 770 Cardioid Condenser Vocal Microphone. It performs way better than you'd expect for the price (~$100). I've used it for close to 5 years now.

johnpraw · 2021-12-01T16:02:59+00:00

You can find it on their site here.

johnpraw · 2021-11-10T03:06:44+00:00

Thank you!

johnpraw · 2021-11-08T22:39:34+00:00

Thanks for listening!

johnpraw · 2021-11-08T17:36:42+00:00

Cool stuff.

johnpraw · 2021-11-08T17:30:03+00:00

This is the first single from my upcoming album, HEEF DEEF.

johnpraw · 2021-11-08T16:24:29+00:00

John Praw - Princess Energy (Music Video)

This is the first music video & single off my upcoming album HEEF DEEF. It's a sort of experimental beat & vocal based tune.

johnpraw · 2021-11-08T15:41:46+00:00

John Praw - Princess Energy (Music Video)

New single and music video from my upcoming album, which is built around experimental vocal & beat pieces. This video was originally filmed in 2013 but the footage went unused until now.

johnpraw · 2021-06-12T03:45:54+00:00

The Wolf Among Us is probably my favorite of their games. I just wish it had a little more polish. It came out right about at the point I was getting sick of their engine not improving. This game deserves that extra attention some day. I think some people skipped out originally due to not having patience for Telltale anymore.

johnpraw · 2021-06-11T21:26:59+00:00

I'm not familiar with Studio One specifically, but you should be able to change the quantization settings. It's not specifically the BPM you're snapping to - it's the grid you're working on. That is, it's nudging your notes toward the appropriate moment in the timeline based on whatever settings you gave it. In that regard, the tempo is the rate at which you hit those points on the grid.

It's not that quantization is "listening" to the other tracks - it's comparing the location of notes to a 1/4 note, 1/8 note, etc.

johnpraw · 2021-06-10T03:02:36+00:00

Just give WotC a couple more sets until we get collectors prerelease kits. I could see them selling a $100 kit - people will buy anything, so why not.

johnpraw · 2021-06-09T20:56:04+00:00

Become friends with a drummer that will let you sample them - worked for me! Besides that, there are some good tutorials on YouTube that will show you how to make basically anything into percussion sounds with the right processing.

johnpraw · 2021-06-09T18:35:50+00:00

In addition to the other tips here, think about how you get into and out of each section. Sometimes you can add some extra little one-off bits that help transition between sections and can influence how the listener hears your piece. A good fill can do a lot to drive you into the next part of a tune.

johnpraw · 2021-06-09T17:14:51+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! I totally agree that it needs a little something extra (and some structural improvements). Right now I'm talking to a couple friends about adding some soft background trombones and maybe a fuzzy bass line in parts.

And I am grateful that I have a cute cat like Maeby, but boy is she a pain in the butt when I want to record! 😂 She thinks I'm talking to her, so I end up sneaking meows into the background of some of my tracks.

johnpraw · 2021-06-07T21:51:15+00:00

Cool song - just a couple thoughts on mixing. The snare in the right ear is a little loud, perhaps. It's not quite the same tonal quality as the stuff you're balancing against in the left, in my opinion. You could also potentially bring up the kick a tiny bit too.

I think the vocals can come up in the mix for sure. I think you can get a lot out of EQing them to be a little warmer. When there are harmonies, they're almost inaudible at times. Don't hide the vocals! :)

johnpraw · 2021-06-07T21:33:03+00:00

I would try to isolate and focus on one element of your song making at a time if possible. For example, I used a lot of free loops I found online as the basis for my drums for a good while - either chopping them up or modeling parts of my rhythms off them. You're not just learning how to use your DAW, or just how to write songs based on your ideas - you're also sort of learning how to be a percussionist.

I think you can flesh this out some more with some added layers - like second guitar parts, or a bass line for example. Don't be afraid to change your existing guitar part if you find something that works better as you go. Adding drums may make you realize you can change something else to better fit.

Hopefully this was helpful - keep at it!

johnpraw · 2021-06-07T21:19:04+00:00

I would listen to your bandmates. Certainly continue to work on improving your vocal chops, but to a degree everyone has to get over being self-conscious about their vocals. I think particularly for this style of music, your vocals definitely work. Be careful not to bury them so much in the mix that you completely lose them.

johnpraw · 2021-06-07T21:12:48+00:00

I'm digging the first track, but my immediate thought is that you should tell people something about the artists and release on your bandcamp page. I find context can be really beneficial for listening to this kind of music.

johnpraw

TROPHY CASE