TEXTURES - Introduction (album development)

[BDJohnston]

Removed due to tensions; no offense intended.

[Drew]

Thoughts as I listen

• Synth at 0:30 is very Porcupine Tree
• 1:09 what IS that? More info please.
• 1:17, the timing of those initial mutes sounds... hesitant? maybe start the first two with heavier muting before upening up to that sustained chord? Idunno, somehting about them is making them jump out, particular the first note which seems to be getting more emphasis than it wants.
• Sustaniac! Would you believe I've never played one? Seems like it has the same sort of harmonic mode that my Ebow does, cool.
• 1:32 or so, you start in on what seems to be the start of a pretty cool main theme, but then just leave it hanging there. I guess this poses my bigger question, is this a moody intro peice for a more thematic album, is this just a clip from a longer song, or is this just sort of a proof of concept tone test? My thoughts listening to this are you should go harder in either direction - get anything even remotely catching your ear as a "melody" out and just build tension and mood with a bunch of sustained pitches and feedbacl/sustaniac/delay, or really take that 6-ish note DAAAAA da-da-DAAAA da-da-DAAAAA theme you start to lay out, and run with it. Or, if this is an intro tune for the album, take that and leave it as this sort of vaguelly unsettling, "wait, I just heard half a melody, where's the rest?" and then open track #2 by absolutely crushing the listener with that melody as a huge melodic hook driving track 2.

Mostly, I'm glad to see more people posting in here. \m/

Also, thinking out loud, I may be the anomaly, but I'm actually less interested in the gear than I might be in the, idunno, maybe writing process, thoughts about how a song "works" in your head, stuff like that. I think that stuff is more interesting than knowing what headphones you were using while tracking, but I'e gone so far down the gear rabbit hole that I've kinda come out the other side.

[Chris]

Yeah, not to be mr poopy pants but nobody gives a shit what headphones you use man. Focus on the music side.

[Drew]

Also, seriously, if you haven't already gottan a track order and everything locked down and written, take that theme from 1:32 and turn that into the hook of another song - maybe start off the 2nd track by sort of transforming it into a low-string riff, I can just hear it in my head and it sounds epic as all hell!

[BDJohnston]

Thoughts as I listen

• Synth at 0:30 is very Porcupine Tree
• 1:09 what IS that? More info please.
• 1:17, the timing of those initial mutes sounds... hesitant? maybe start the first two with heavier muting before upening up to that sustained chord? Idunno, somehting about them is making them jump out, particular the first note which seems to be getting more emphasis than it wants.
• Sustaniac! Would you believe I've never played one? Seems like it has the same sort of harmonic mode that my Ebow does, cool.
• 1:32 or so, you start in on what seems to be the start of a pretty cool main theme, but then just leave it hanging there. I guess this poses my bigger question, is this a moody intro peice for a more thematic album, is this just a clip from a longer song, or is this just sort of a proof of concept tone test? My thoughts listening to this are you should go harder in either direction - get anything even remotely catching your ear as a "melody" out and just build tension and mood with a bunch of sustained pitches and feedbacl/sustaniac/delay, or really take that 6-ish note DAAAAA da-da-DAAAA da-da-DAAAAA theme you start to lay out, and run with it. Or, if this is an intro tune for the album, take that and leave it as this sort of vaguelly unsettling, "wait, I just heard half a melody, where's the rest?" and then open track #2 by absolutely crushing the listener with that melody as a huge melodic hook driving track 2.

Mostly, I'm glad to see more people posting in here. \m/

Also, thinking out loud, I may be the anomaly, but I'm actually less interested in the gear than I might be in the, idunno, maybe writing process, thoughts about how a song "works" in your head, stuff like that. I think that stuff is more interesting than knowing what headphones you were using while tracking, but I'e gone so far down the gear rabbit hole that I've kinda come out the other side.

Not sure what happens at 1:09, but anything beyond the plunky guitar is the Luftrum software (triggered by the keyboard)... if we're talking the same thing, it reminds me of the X-Files theme. Hesitation = bad timing on my part (it's my gift, it's my curse). This is nothing more than a short intro (I guess similar to the intro for 'eye in the sky,' just something to set up a mood; and where I'm going with it is not where people think it will go (certainly not Metal or 'epic', lol)... I enjoy doing unexpected things, and my 'process' is unknown to myself... I may put down a riff or a few notes of something and then build it from there... more fun for myself. Thanks for the feedback. As for the gear used, what doesn't interest one person may interest another, and some do questions what monitors they should use, what headphones, etc., and so, I include everything.

[Drew]

Not sure what happens at 1:09, but anything beyond the plunky guitar is the Luftrum software (triggered by the keyboard)... if we're talking the same thing, it reminds me of the X-Files theme. Hesitation = bad timing on my part (it's my gift, it's my curse). This is nothing more than a short intro (I guess similar to the intro for 'eye in the sky,' just something to set up a mood; and where I'm going with it is not where people think it will go (certainly not Metal or 'epic', lol)... I enjoy doing unexpected things, and my 'process' is unknown to myself... I may put down a riff or a few notes of something and then build it from there... more fun for myself. Thanks for the feedback. As for the gear used, what doesn't interest one person may interest another, and some do questions what monitors they should use, what headphones, etc., and so, I include everything.

I meant whatever that guitar was at 1:09 you had a picture of.

You've really had someone listen to one of your mixes though and ask, "hey, what monitors do you use?" I've been sharing music on the internet for... um, probably more than 20 years, and that's never happened to me once. You must know some really OCD people.

[BDJohnston]

I meant whatever that guitar was at 1:09 you had a picture of.

You've really had someone listen to one of your mixes though and ask, "hey, what monitors do you use?" I've been sharing music on the internet for... um, probably more than 20 years, and that's never happened to me once. You must know some really OCD people.

I have the names of the guitars on the video... it's a travel guitar (neck comes off)... my preferred single coil. Sold a 79 Fender Strat shortly after getting this one. I never said someone would listen to a mix then ask what speakers I use, but indicated that people DO ask about monitor speakers, and so they are included for the sake of including all the gear I used. How about you do a video and put in it what you wish... and you won't hear a single complaint from my end... promise.

[Chris]

I can't enjoy this unless I know what flavor oatmeal you prefer. And it's not Maple & Brown Sugar I'm not listening anymore.

[BDJohnston]

I can't enjoy this unless I know what flavor oatmeal you prefer. And it's not Maple & Brown Sugar I'm not listening anymore.

There's no consistency if what I compose... it's what I feel like, and sometimes whatever is different. Some people can put together 10 songs and they all sound consistent (you can tell it's the same band), whereas I don't tend to do that. Consequently, stop listening, I suppose. Have a good one.

[Chris]

There's no consistency if what I compose... it's what I feel like, and sometimes whatever is different. Some people can put together 10 songs and they all sound consistent (you can tell it's the same band), whereas I don't tend to do that. Consequently, stop listening, I suppose. Have a good one.

Consequently, good luck with the youtube spam, I suppose.

[BDJohnston]

Consequently, good luck with the youtube spam, I suppose.

You're an admin; I don't have to post stuff that I created on here. I didn't think it would bring animosity or anything, and I don't make a dime from YouTube.

[Drew]

I don't want to put words into Chris's mouth, but for someone - hey, maybe I read you wrong, who knows - who posted a video looking for feedback on a project you're working on, you're being singularly disinterested in taking feedback, and the general vibe you're giving off is there's something wrong with us for having opinions that differ from your own, but you're going to be magnanimous and not let that interfere with posting more videos in exactly the same manner as this one. Which is kind of off-putting, as a listener. And I say that as someone who's doing the exact same thing, and taking feedback right now. Sometimes a second set of ears is useful.

I realize your youtube channel is called "CoolGuitarGear," but this is a music discussion forum, and maybe you don't know us all that well yet (this is the third board the core group running this board has done, most of us as well as most of the regulars have probably known each other 10-15+ years), but while we all care about guitars and amps to a degree, it's pretty secondary to the music and we're all much more interested in the songwriting and the songs than what brand cables you prefer.

[BDJohnston]

I don't want to put words into Chris's mouth, but for someone - hey, maybe I read you wrong, who knows - who posted a video looking for feedback on a project you're working on, you're being singularly disinterested in taking feedback, and the general vibe you're giving off is there's something wrong with us for having opinions that differ from your own, but you're going to be magnanimous and not let that interfere with posting more videos in exactly the same manner as this one. Which is kind of off-putting, as a listener. And I say that as someone who's doing the exact same thing, and taking feedback right now. Sometimes a second set of ears is useful.

I realize your youtube channel is called "CoolGuitarGear," but this is a music discussion forum, and maybe you don't know us all that well yet (this is the third board the core group running this board has done, most of us as well as most of the regulars have probably known each other 10-15+ years), but while we all care about guitars and amps to a degree, it's pretty secondary to the music and we're all much more interested in the songwriting and the songs than what brand cables you prefer.

Actually, I responded no problem to the first poster. Then someone thought he should tell me what to put in my video (by leaving stuff out) and that he likely would not be interested in listening anymore if I didn't have the flavor he liked (and I said that I don't have a particular flavor, and so don't bother listening); I added smiley faces (they have a purpose, right?); then it's suggested I was doing YouTube spam, whatever that is (promoting YouTube?). I do stuff for fun, but I'll keep my input to comments and not posting music. All in all, have a great week.

[Lozek]

Couldn't hear the music as it's not there anymore, but you might wanna also check https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textures_(band) Their first album, Polars, is a very overlooked classic.

[BDJohnston]

Couldn't hear the music as it's not there anymore, but you might wanna also check https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textures_(band) Their first album, Polars, is a very overlooked classic.

Hi Lozek. I did hear the band (the name Textures is a name of an album I'm compiling and not a band name, in case there was confusion). I did remove the link as some ill feelings were being produced. Also, I simply indicated I was working on it and was not looking for feedback... I put it up in case someone might be interested in what I was doing... and if not, could move on or ignore. All is good. Have a great evening!

[Chris]

Actually, I responded no problem to the first poster. Then someone thought he should tell me what to put in my video (by leaving stuff out) and that he likely would be interested in listening anymore if I didn't have the flavor he liked (and I said that I don't have a particular flavor, and so don't bother listening); I added smiley faces (they have a purpose, right?); then it's suggested I was doing YouTube spam, whatever that is (promoting YouTube?). I do stuff for fun, but I'll keep my input to comments and not posting music. All in all, have a great week.

If me jokingly busting your balls about putting your brand of headphones in a video got under your skin, this forum isn't going to be a good fit for you man. Nothing personal.

If I made a video with dramatic cuts back and forth listing off the cables I use and the monitors I mix on, I'd be ribbed for it mercilessly. I'd be more offended if people didn't bust my balls for it.

[Budda]

It's ok, this is on at least 2 other forums.

[Lozek]

Hi Lozek. I did hear the band (the name Textures is a name of an album I'm compiling and not a band name, in case there was confusion). I did remove the link as some ill feelings were being produced. Also, I simply indicated I was working on it and was not looking for feedback... I put it up in case someone might be interested in what I was doing... and if not, could move on or ignore. All is good. Have a great evening!

Ok mate. If you're releasing your art into the world then people are gonna have an opinion and it may not always been one that you want to hear (though more often than not, with a bit of clear perspective, you'll realise they had something valid to say). How you choose to react (or even choose to not react) will reflect your confidence in the product.

Sincere question, why are you releasing something that you're still working on ? If it's to get development feedback then I get it, but if you don't want feedback then comes across as 'You can't criticise this as it's not finished'. From the outside, this looks like using development status as a shield against negativity.

The only other conclusion, which is what people here a reaching, is that you're only posting here to build your YouTube following. This is most definitely not the forum to do that, as you've seen by the reaction.

[Lee]

If me jokingly busting your balls about putting your brand of headphones in a video got under your skin, this forum isn't going to be a good fit for you man. Nothing personal.

If I made a video with dramatic cuts back and forth listing off the cables I use and the monitors I mix on, I'd be ribbed for it mercilessly. I'd be more offended if people didn't bust my balls for it.

Yeah. Now, if it was a 30 minute, rambling wander around your room, listing every bit of equipment, then we'd be talking!

[BDJohnston]

If me jokingly busting your balls about putting your brand of headphones in a video got under your skin, this forum isn't going to be a good fit for you man. Nothing personal.

If I made a video with dramatic cuts back and forth listing off the cables I use and the monitors I mix on, I'd be ribbed for it mercilessly. I'd be more offended if people didn't bust my balls for it.

That's what smiley faces are for, if you want to bust someone's balls... I just took it as rude and not ribbing. Then again, that's how emails and threads can be interpreted. I already have 8 tracks, but it takes time to develop the videos (the others will include playing of instruments, etc., but I promise not to post them here). In terms of YouTube, no on has to subscribe (in fact, I have it loaded on BitChute as well, which has minimal followers/views). Heck, if anyone knows anything about YouTube, you would need 100k just to make a few bucks for many hours of work invested. Lozek, someone did provide feedback, and did you see my response? Nothing negative in the least... he made comments, I addressed them, and even poked fun at my playing/timing skills. Seriously, this is no big deal, and I don't even want to invest any more time on addressing this when I can be creating something... much more positive. Everyone have a great day... I have to go out soon and friggin' shovel snow and take my dog for a walk. FYI... I'm 56 and do this as a hobby and enjoyment, not a profession to make money or gain followers... I simply wanted to share.

[Chris]

Yeah. Now, if it was a 30 minute, rambling wander around your room, listing every bit of equipment, then we'd be talking!

I can't hear you over the sound of your guitars sitting in an attic somewhere collecting dust.

[Drew]

Actually, I responded no problem to the first poster. Then someone thought he should tell me what to put in my video (by leaving stuff out) and that he likely would not be interested in listening anymore if I didn't have the flavor he liked (and I said that I don't have a particular flavor, and so don't bother listening); I added smiley faces (they have a purpose, right?); then it's suggested I was doing YouTube spam, whatever that is (promoting YouTube?). I do stuff for fun, but I'll keep my input to comments and not posting music. All in all, have a great week.

That first poster was me, dude.

I wasn't "poking fun at your playing/timing skills," so much as - and again i'm explicitly stating this just in case I misunderstood the "album development" in the title, which I took to mean this was very much a work in progress and not a finished piece - that the first palm muted notes when you come in with the heavier guitar just felt like they were jumping out too much, and even suggested that it might not be the timing at all, and maybe just a little more muting or something with the dynamics of the performance could make it gel a little more. I also, if you'll note, had plenty of positive feedback.

If you're dead-set on using these videos to list the gear you've used... Well, if you'll consider taking another suggestion, I think you might get more interesting content here if your video wasn't the recording of the song, with a list of the different equipment used, but rather just released the songs without context, and then as a separate series did a deeper dive on some of the equipment. For example, that synth sound at 0.30 that sounds very Porcupine Tree esq (and I love PT) - it might be pretty interesting to do a video on that synth, and open with a 15-second clip of the song showcasing the sound, then go to a breakdown of that sound solo'd out of the mix, your synth settings, maybe a couple alternate synth tones you tried or just feeding something else through it, what you did to it in the mix, etc. It's not especially interesting to watch a video an see "hey, this is a marketing picture of the synth software I used." It's incredibly interesting to watch a video and see, "hey, here's what I think is a cool synth tone, and this is how I was able to generate it, and what I then did to make it sit right in the mix."

[jim777]

You do have to admire (IMHO) how often we bend over backwards to be clear, concise, and polite to new posters while at the same time telling other guys we've known for decades to 'just go fuck yourself already' in another thread at the exact same time. It ain't common!

[Chris]

You do have to admire (IMHO) how often we bend over backwards to be clear, concise, and polite to new posters while at the same time telling other guys we've known for decades to 'just go fuck yourself already' in another thread at the exact same time. It ain't common!

Go fuck yourself Jim.

[jim777]

I was going to mention the pride of ownership I had in the old "Jim777 is a Cunt" thread, but though it would be overkill