Hi everybody,

I've put up a new demo at my website http://home.wanadoo.nl/g....2funke.htm.

It's called "Dreams" and it's very different from the 2funkE stuff I do with my friend Ingmar. "Dreams" is my attempt to make a loungy Nu Soul track.

I'm not sure if the track makes any sense, so your feedback is much appreciated. Not only feedback on the vibe of the song but also on stuff like soundlevels, the mix etc. Be honest if you think the track is lacking any potential.

Peace and thanks for your opinions,

Geoffrey

PS: The track is heavily in need of vocals, but I don't really have the voice for that. Any black (sounding) singer who feels the track is more than welcome to give it a try. If you like, I can easily re-arrange the song to fit your lyrics.

I also think the track needs some funky wah guitar. Not chords I think, but some linear stuff. Otan (or any other funky guitarist), would you like to give it a try? I've put in some very small sucky guitar pieces (played with acoustic guitar samples) to give you an idea of what I mean. I could send you a version without these so you can give it a shot. Let me know...

Ur songs R cool, espically Funk-O-Matic!!. I have downloaded them & I write lyrics 4 them if U want!

andrewj said:

Thanks for the compliments, man! If you can sing the lyrics too, you are very welcome to give it a try. Let me know...

U FUNKY LIZARD BOY! I do love your groove and I'll buy any CD U put 2gether. U know, not everything needs lyrics...some can lay out a groove that's simply a groove - like mmm Ronny Jordan...mmm... Maxwell...mmm D'Angelo...mmm...Prince. I just received yesterday NEWS and gotta say...I'm enjoying the flavor - lyrics or no lyrics.

Red said:

Thanks, Red, I knew I could count on you!

You are probably right that not every tune needs lyrics, but I think vocals give my songs that extra touch, especially since I am no virtuoso on any instrument.

By the way, I like NEWS a lot too!

Funkaholic -

This is a sweet groove. Very ethereal and viby with those keys in the background. I like the layers and the stereo mix. How do you do this again(record)? I'm sure I've asked before, I just don't remember.

I want to hear Beau lay something down, this has his vocals and guitar all over it.

I love this! Cool drum programming as usual. Baseline is smooth. Keys are groovy. I LOVE the screechy sound that starts at 1:15. This track has such a laid back vibe. I love it. It kinda reminds me of That's the Way Love Goes. Just a little.

Slave2daGroove said:

I'm glad to get some positive responses to this one!

I've recorded this song using Reason software. This is a very complete music program with endless possibilities. With this program you can build your own setup using the built-in drumcomputer, mixer, various effect modules (reverb, delay, compression, distortion, flanger, etc), two software synthesizers, sample and loop players etc.

It comes with hundreds of samples and loops and a built-in sequencer. You can import and export almost any kind of file with Reason.

All 'n' all this is a very cool program and a perfect start for low budget producers. You can buy it for around 350 dollars I think. Or send me an orgnote...

VinaBlue:

Thanks, honey, I'm glad you like it...

I love this... a lot! I'd really like to put some subtle, funky wah guitar on this if I may? I can imagine some real simple octaved jazz style licks in there too.

Scotty2funky said:

Scotty, you're telling me exactly what I want to hear! I'm really looking forward to hear what you come up with! Check your orgnotes...

...sweet, groovy, smooth, i liked it!

I will listen to this one when I get access to a computer with sound. I NEED A COMPUTER WITH SOUND!


LOL

JD

"34% of Dreams_160.mp3" and counting...

bloody modems.

What you have is a really chill use of sound, I like it! I think you're right though, get some smo00oth vocals and you'll have something off of Maxwells Embrya! Well that's what it reminds ME of!

Cheers!

By the way, are you using a controller for Reason? If not I may need your advice for some stuff as I want to start using it - but wont have a controller for a few months yet! Hey, once I've installed it I may bug you anyways!

MaggotBrain said:

I do have a controller for Reason, but I seldom work with it. The program is easy to handle with your mouse only. If you have any questions regarding the use of Reason you are welcome to ask me.

And thanks for your kind words!

I really like "Dreams". This is the direction that Prince has been going in the last year or so. Very New Jazz. I like the drums, the funky but smooth bass and guitar, sounds good! This isn't the kind of music I listen to most of the time, but I dig it just the same.


Peace,
JD

sounds good to me

Okay. I FINALLY got a listen to this thing. I'm ready to giddyup on it.

And HELL YEAH I wanna get a copy of Reason. So you're saying this whole thing came out of your computer? No keyboards at all? SHEEHATZIL I'm'a get me this program.

I already have a lyric I've been looking for a beat to work with. I'll TRY to get something together between today and Saturday... gigs gigs gigs. And I loaned my vocal mic out but I'll be getting that crap back now.

otan said:

Whaaa? No synth, no nothing? What about for your other tracks with Ingmar?

Shheee-it. I play all my parts, m-kay?

VinaBlue said:

no you dont. you midi them frickin tunes up!

you don't got ta lie!!

otan said:

No, I play the synth and my computer records the midi information and plays it back. When I'm creating, I play. I will play the baseline, then paste it into the next measures to make an 8 bar verse or whatever. Then the computer sends midi info to the synth to play the baseline while I physically play the melody or whatever comes next. And so on and so forth. I really don't understand how people compose music without touching some kind of instrument. You may as well be playing checkers.

OK, let me get things straight: I do play my parts (basslines, chords etc.) on an external midi keyboard which is connected to Reason. All the sounds on "Dreams" are out of the program itself, it contains two versatile synthesizers (amongst many other devices). No other external synths or keyboards (containing extra sounds) were used.

It is possible to use Reason without a midi keyboard and get some good results. But, like Vina said, making music becomes then bcomes like playing chess, LOL!

When I said I seldom use a controller, I meant a hardware device with lots of knobs on it that can be set to control certain parameters within Reason (or any other music software). I have one (called "Phat-Boy"), but like I said, most of the times I prefer to work with just the mouse.

In my opinion you only (might) need an external controller if you make music that contains a lot of delicate filtering (like for example techno), because it gives you a more precise control of the slides and knobs on the various devices in Reason.

These days you can buy a midi keyboard with a built in USB midi controller and lots of assignable knobs and slides on it for around $200. Get a copy of Reason for around $350-400 (or find someone who is willing to make you a free copy of the software) and you have your own midi studio.

You will need a powerful computer to handle the software though. The faster your processor and the bigger your RAM, the more devices you can use simultaniously within the program. I only have an old Pentium III 450 processor with 128 MB RAM, but it works fine though!

Otan, if you want a copy of Reason I'd be more than happy to help you out. Send me an orgnote...

And Vina, the "2funkE" stuff I make with Ingmar is done without a computer: only "real" instruments, and a Akai MPC2000 sampler is used as a recording device and sequencer.
[This message was edited Tue Sep 23 15:18:43 PDT 2003 by funkaholic1972]

And Otan, I'm looking forward to hear your contributions!

funkaholic1972 said:

Not to mention getting "mouse-arm", that shit HURTS!!!

funkaholic1972 said:

Dreams sounds like the 4gettable midi file music playing n the background on my computer...nothing soulful or funky about it, it sounds CANNED.
it took so long 2 download it, eye couldn't spare another half hour just yet 2 hear anymore...
eye am sorry if it sounds mean, but eye doubt any BLACK singer would have much 2 sing about with THAT piece.
u wanna practice NU SOUL smooth? listen 2 Rhonda Smith's IntelliPop, that's the direction u wanna try, eye think?

peace

eye thought eye mite add,
eye don't no u personally so this is NOT a purposeful diss.
it's the truth u asked 4.

u r still n the Org where ur friends would tend 2 handle u with kid gloves, eye don't think that is what u want.

5 ppl or so begging 4 ur cuts will not place u on the charts, if u r setting ur sites that high.

peace.

surely you jest?
it does sound like midi files, not music.
sorry, that's my honest opinion too, dude.

BackStagePass said:
it does sound like midi files, not music

TayknmiAzziz said:
Dreams sounds like the 4gettable midi file music playing n the background on my computer...nothing soulful or funky about it, it sounds CANNED.





Thanks for your honesty though...

And damn you lying bastards, you so-called org musician "friends"!!!




















LOL, just kidding, folks!

You know, everyone has different taste. Just because all the sounds are coming from a synthesizer doesn't make the song any less musical. If you have a musical ear, you can hear things like melody, arrangement, etc.

For example, I don't like Bluegrass music, but I can appreciate the fact that there is some musicality to it. I don't like the sounds that are used, i.e. fiddle and banjo, but I can appreciate that there is a melody and arrangement in it. I can respect the fact that it takes time to create it and that it came from someone's soul. I wont buy it and I choose not to listen to it, but somebody will.

There is sooo much music out there made on "real" instruments that doesn't move me whatsoever. Not to mention the cliche-ridden lyrics that are regergatated over such bland music. So electronic music isn't your thing, so what? There is a market for it... And who's to say that this music made on a synth can't be converted into an acoustic instrument jam. It can. I once scored one of my pieces for big band.