Dee - December 2008 - Steps

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:06 am

Hi Everyone

Here is my very first song done completely with Pro Tools

http://www.korgforums.com/mp3/Dee_Steps.mp3

All sounds are from the Triton, but I did all the recording and editing (basic stuff only!!) with the external sequencer - all midi tracks, then recorded to separate audio tracks. Effects and arpeggiator patterns are also from the triton. Next step would be to record everything dry and then have a go at
the bewildering array of effects in PT.

The song is about remembering things from the past......

Regards from
Dee

georgeinar · Post by **georgeinar** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:03 pm

First of all, many congrats on your learning curve and progress there! This was no easy feat. Your sound quality is crystal clear. And what lovely sounds you've chosen. I hear a melancholy, it's a past remembered, the good with the bad I think. There is a good tension created by these chords and melodies. Very nice variety in the moods as they develop, nearly an electronic symphony of sorts. This is a lovely piece, Dee. I'm sure everyone will really enjoy listening to this.

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:37 pm

This is fantastic! The leap was not easy I know. But the payoff is always extraordinary. And this is no exception. I love it!

Well written and mixed. Clear sound. Lots of fantastic changes. It reminds me of Suzanne Ciani, but FAR more interesting and complex. The drop outs and dynamics are perfect.

The only thing missing from this song is the rest of the album.

Great job. I DO hope you continue OSAM. Your growth in Protools will shine even more no doubt.

Jon

chordial · Post by **chordial** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:52 pm

Good for you sticking with ProTools, it's the way forward, and will offer so much more flexibility and ease of editing than using the Triton's built in sequencer or stand alone hard disk recorder.

This is a lovely composition, you've used some really evocative chords, which can be heard in the backing strings. Great choice of percussive sounds too, they seem to carry the piece along in addition to the piano. I like the mood to this too.

DrWho · Post by **DrWho** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:34 am

Wow Dee - what a spectacular first PT composition! Hold on, I've got to listen to it again - it's complex / emotional. This is a beautiful composition. It is so nice to hear how you use the instruments in their roles - nice orchestration.

Yea - it would be darn near impossible to get the Triton to do that on its own - basically just from sequencing. I've never used PT, but the EFX in the Triton are serious. It will be interesting if you switch the EFX to PT.

So for you Dee, '08 was a good year - you've taken a major step in your musical endeavors!! May '09 be jammin'

Cheers,

={> Art

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:28 pm

I can describe this in one word!

Excellent.

Congratulations on your progress with a complicated software, and for having such an interesting musical imagination.
Regards,

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 11:33 am

Hi there

Sorry for taking so long to reply! And thanks to all of you - George, Jon, Stephen, Art and Simon - for listening and saying such kind things.

As you know I am practically clueless in technical matters, and the result I got here is based entirely on effects copied straight off some combi's on the triton.

I had 2 big problems with this: first, getting the output from the triton arps to record in PT - took a while to figure out !!, and secondly, getting the main piano melody to be heard over all the other instruments. To me it sounds on the verge of distorting, especially at the beginning.

The only thing I know about recording audio is that it mustn't go into the red

in the mixer window. So....I think I need to learn about how to set all the recording levels correctly in the first place.

There seem to be 4 places where levels can be set.

1) The Triton main volume slider (which I tried to set as close to max, as advised by Jon)
2) the volume setting for the instrument track in the Triton's Seq
3) the 2 input knobs on the mbox (which I had on zero)
4) the volume slider for the audio track in PT - which I had set to 0dB.

I ended up bringing down (2) if there was clipping.

I'm sure this is all wrong, apart from what I did with (1).

Then after recording an audio track for each midi, I fiddled with all the faders and had a great time adjusting the volume levels with my favourite PT tool - the Grabber tool!! This in itself was Wowieland for me - SO much better than fiddling about with rows and rows of numbers on the Triton.

Sorry this is so long, but I would appreciate some help on those levels, so I can perhaps re-record the audio tracks.

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement,

Regards from
Dee

ellll · Post by **ellll** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:26 pm

Hi Dee,

I am truly taken aback by your artistry. I can say no more; it is touching and powerful all at once...., obtaining heights of feeling that are exquisite...

I think of it as being the best of your songs .... and look for more in the future!

Your Friend, Johnny...(ellll)

pwmccredie · Post by **pwmccredie** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 4:37 am

Dee...

So very very smooth. This song really can carry a listener.

You are an inspiration to me also...I am so very nontechnical, still far more primitive than you I'm afraid. You give hope to those of us still on the other side of the bridge.

PDubs

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:23 am

Thanks for the nice compliments, John - glad you liked this one. Of all my songs in this Osam, I like this one the most too ---

Hi PDubs....pwmcc...., not sure what to call you..?..? - Well, as for feeling less technical than me, I didn't think that was possible..!! My advice is to just keep asking whatever you need to know - don't be shy!

Regards from
Dee

botega · Post by **botega** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:19 pm

Hi Dee

such a beautiful touching song, it really shows how deep and profound you breathe and live your music, i feel the sadness and yearning coming through this song, the chord progressions among with the pulsating Synth parts and the moving piano melody are drawing a picture of remembrance and longing.

you also choose the CM scale which is always sad going to unexpected places like Abm,FM, F#... that is the whole picture and you make it smoothly and so right.

i hope to hear more of these this year here in OSAM

Beautiful

ellll · Post by **ellll** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:04 am

Well,

Another listen....this just gets better....

It seems to be grown now somehow..., and just daring you to take the next step into your gear!!

It will be remembered by me...never fear...

John (ellll - )

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