Hi, I named this the TechnoHarp Thread because I know some of the "old school" harpists don't like this sort of thing.
However some of us have been discussing harp in a slightly more modern context on other threads and I mentioned I was creating a backing track. Well I have made some progress today and submit it here for you to listen to if you want to.
Click here for the mp3 file. It's 120 BPM in the key of G. I'm not sure it's finished yet. I'll let it sit for a couple of days and play it again with a fresh perspective. Then I'll need to see how I can fit harp over it. It's just over three minutes duration.
For the technically curious I used Fruity Loops 3. A bit old but loads of features which I still haven't used or even found yet.
Any comments or criticisms are more than welcome. Don't hold back, give it to me straight. I won't learn or improve otherwise. Thanks.
Should anyone be up for the challenge of recording themselves playing along to this, I'd love to hear how you handle it so post any recordings in this thread.
Last Edited by on Sep 21, 2010 2:05 PM
Man I love this type of idea! I use to compose some techno a few years ago but I was never technologically savy enough to keep going. I am definitely up for trying to jam on it though. I will record myself tomorrow. It'll be a one take kind of deal. This should be fun...hope I won't be the only one.
Are your drums made up of individual sounds? If so, try panning them away from the center. Leave the kick down the middle, snare a little left or right, and cymbals and other drum sounds further to the sides. This will give thebeat overall a broader, more expansive sound.
Last Edited by on Sep 21, 2010 11:55 PM
I'm going to give this a shot if I get the time. I like the overall sound--but it seems to me that the foreground is a little too pronounced (loud). I think the rhythm suggestions by Sammy are very good too.
Until I get a chance to really sit down with it, I won't really know though--just have to see if it works for me--I usually like pretty much a bare-bones bass & drums for back-tracks. . . ----------
I've taken on board sammyharps suggestions and remixed in the way I think he meant. I've also cut the foreground back as you suggested oldwailer. Thanks for the input guys. Click here for the remix mp3 file
Last Edited by on Sep 22, 2010 12:55 PM
That sounds MUCH better! It's got a lot more body and bass now. One more little tip; if you pan the phased out plucky harp sound a little to the right, it'll balance out the snare and sound even fuller.
I think I'll have to lay down a track to this and try it on for size!
Last Edited by on Sep 22, 2010 1:11 PM
Thanks sammyharp, I'll do that in the next iteration. You seem to know what you are talking about. I assume you've experience of Fruity loops etc?
Last Edited by on Sep 22, 2010 1:18 PM
I've produced and mixed a lot of stuff, including a few full length albums, using various multitracking programs. I've never tried fruity loops, but they're all pretty much the same idea. If you want, you can send me the track once your done with it, and I'll master it for you.
Thanks for the offer sammyharp but I only threw it together as an experiment. I don't think it justifies spending a great deal of time on it. Now, if I should come up with something a good deal better I may take you up on your generous offer.
tooka Add more dynamic. I get tired of track at the middle, as almost nothing changes. Maybe less sounds in the beginning and more toward the end instead of strange short keyboard pause in the middle. If you prefer this pause make more drammatic changes before or after pause. Nice contrast in the ending, BTW. It's a matter of taste, but try more electronic-like snare drum sound or maybe make snaredrum part not so tight, more spaces. It sounds like marching drum, do you really want it to sounds this way?
---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
@Heart2Harp. My, you're a brave man to take that on. Sounds good to me although listening to the backing beat it could be a lot less intrusive. That cymbal bleeds through much too loud. However what you did is ace. @Boris. Yes, Yes, Yes and yes. I understand what you are saying. I'm relatively new to all this and just feeling my way. Hopefully the next version will be better. Thanks for your ideas and input.
Right. That's it Michael. I quit! Just how old are you if you don't mind me asking? That was a gallant performance you put on there and you didn't even break sweat. I can foresee big things coming for you young man. You handled that ProMaster like a pro. Another couple of years and you'll be up there with the big boys.
Watch out Adam and Buddha you've got Michael on your tail.
OK I've got all my harps lined up. Now, where did I put that hammer......
