With Juice, I’m trying to create a kind of retro funk groove complete with high brass stabs and wah wah FX on one or two of the instruments. The addition of the crowd was inspired by Gutterpump. The cheers and general mayhem is actually a recording from a volleyball match.

I wanted this track to contrast with the other three on the EP, whilst using several of the same instruments which ship with Cubase. My intention, having learned at least the fundamentals of recording and mixing with Cubase (out of the box) is to depart from this kind of music and begin on my quest to produce something much edgier. I need new sounds, FSU plug-ins and – to quote Maxi Jazz – “a fresh direction”.

Let’s see how I fare with that!

Update 26/03/09: Mastered version uploaded

02/03/09

The latest piece now has a title – “El nueve de agosto”.

As mentioned, I’m still not done with this. I don’t think there’s too much more, just a counter melody or perhaps some additional arpeggios to accompany the main melody and maybe some alternative instrumentation to lift it a little in the second half.

06/03/09 Update

I’ve made a few changes: swapped out one of the drum kits, removed some of the synth pads, added a flute (from the new HALion Symphonic Orchestra VST set, which is on 90 day trial!) and attempted to “glue” the various sections together.

Frankly, I’m pretty tired of this piece now – mixing fatigue according to @ECmaj7 (thanks for the positive words), so I may come back to remix in a few days before sending to Topfloor Music for mastering. But I’m itching to move on to something a little more interesting. I intend to create a fourth tune to complete the Disarray EP and as soon as that’s completed move in a completely different direction.

07/03/09 Update

Managed to get a couple more hours on this tonight. Changed drum pattern #1 for the fifth time. This time I altered everything, from the pattern itself, to the kit used and all FX. I also removed even more effects from synth pads and reduced the stereo panning and phaser on a couple of instruments.

Unlike our marriage – the date of which is referenced in the title – I’m still not completely convinced by this piece, though I believe it’s ready to send to Pete for mastering. Unless, of course, you can spot any howlers in the mix.

10/03/09 Update

Remixed and mastered version uploaded. Thanks, as ever to Pete @ Topfloor Music for mastering.

15/02/09 Update

Big thanks to @idoliside’s tweets and DMs and for offering really helpful pointers for the final mixdown. I was losing the bass line amongst the heavy bass drum beats which had made the whole bottom end sound very mushy. A few tips for EQing, along with some pointers on lifting the snare out and I’m pretty pleased with the pre-mastered mix. As ever, I’ll need to leave it for a few days and may well remix once I haven’t heard it for the fiftieth time the same day!

25/02/09 Update

Remixed and mastered. Final version: