SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC081 May 2024 - Winners announced

[Doc Jon]

When I hear the term 'modular' I am instantly drawn towards a certain German 4 piece electronic band who have formed the inspiration for this track. I worked with the phrases 'Programmed by humans' and 'Played by robots' to sum up how I see this form of music being put together. Imagine my joy when I typed these phrases into Google Translate and found that they rhymed in German!
I have tried to use exclusively modular synth sources as far as possible but have relied very much on presets as the whole modular patch programming thing is way beyond me!
Instead I have concentrated more on feeding these sounds through a modular Fx path, courtesy of AAS Multiphonics which comes in Fx form as well as a VST. I have used it for some 'normal' track processing duties with its distortion and delay modules but also pushed myself into doing something beyond the normal by processing all the vocal tracks through this as well, and for the intro/outro and middle eight the entire master bus mix is put through a modular chain of processors for some more extravagant processing

Lyrics

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Von Menschen programmiert
Von Robotern gespielt

Four in line in crimson clothes
Standing still in robot pose
Keyboard tables at the fore
Playing their synthetic score
Back projections, neon light
Robot beat with noises white
Pushing down that special key
To play a simple melody

Von Menschen programmiert
Von Robotern gespielt

Chorus
Control the voltage, set the gate
Choose the wave then oscillate
Sine wave, square wave, pulse wave, saw
Envelope then filter more
Highpass, low pass, good to go
Modulate with LFO
Set the sequence, automate
Power up then activate

Melodies so rhythmical
Analog and digital
Attack decay sustain release
Monophonic masterpiece
Music breaking new frontiers
Resonating through the years
Playing out synthetic dreams
Four in line, those man machines

Von Menschen programmiert
Von Robotern gespielt

Chorus

Tech Specs

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Host
Cubase 13 Pro

VST
AAS Multiphonics CV2
Roland System 100 (Kontakt 7)
u-he ACE
Korg ARP Odyssey
G-Force ImpOSCAR

Fx
Cubase EQ and dynamics processors, Envelope Shaper
AAS Multiphonics
SoundToys DevilLoc Deluxe, EchoBoy, Microshift, Little AlterBoy
FabFilter Saturn, Timeless
iZotope Trash
Valhalla VintageVerb
Vocals processed with Nectar 4, IL Vocodex
Ozone 11 on master, T-RackS Stealth Limiter
T-RackS Metering and Voxengo SPAN keeping an eye on things

Vocals
Myself doing the spoken word verses
Dreamtonics Synthesizer V doing the chorus
Google Translate and ElevenLabs doing the German bits

Screenshots

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https://1drv.ms/i/s!AgKV8UWVvaVJkkZpZTq ... 6?e=3AdGzp
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AgKV8UWVvaVJkkRNwUu ... b?e=3WfQi6
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AgKV8UWVvaVJkkVU_V_ ... n?e=nyGaGG

[Mister Fox]

A friendly reminder:
We're in the final 24 hours to submit your production.



Please get your production ready and submitted (through the forum) today.

To make it easier for me to create the collection post, please update your initial post with the appropriate links (final version), or explicitly mark your entry as "final entry". Please also don't forget to make your files accessible. Thank you.

If I didn't miscount, we have 4 amazing entries so far.
We need at least 9 for a full podium, and 15 for a possible expansion.

[VCA-089]

phpBB [media]

WAV: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t9mUjC ... sp=sharing
FLAC: https://drive.google.com/file/d/116LuJl ... sp=sharing
MP3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KH_6TB ... sp=sharing

I've been quite busy this month but I can't let myself miss the modular themed round, an opportunity to make music that isn't quite appreciated. I've remastered some of my older dark space ambient tracks recently and I wanted to make something new in that aesthetic. It seems that I'm perfectly on time.

At this moment I have a quite limited setup in terms of CPU resources, so this composition is constructed of rendered tracks of running sequences and soundscaps fading in and out similar to an old tape recording. This workflow feels kinda authentic for this style of music.

Instruments and techniques:

1. The sequences created with Voltage Modular. There are three ones: the bass sequence, the "upper" sequence and acid sequence. All of them are slight variations of the same patch with sequencer, dual VCO in the style of MS-20 processed with resonant filter, sub-octave oscillator, chorus and spring reverb (for acid sequence I used TB-303 oscillator and filter). Each sequence has different clock divisions (resulting in different note lengths).
2. The soundscapes are also created with Voltage Modular:
- Low drone - eight oscillators tuned to specific notes fed into a lowpass filter with noise layers. Processed with shimmer reverb. I call this patch "room warmer" because it uses 100% of my CPU;
- Main soundscape - created with an additive oscillator module. There are several LFOs modulating its "partials" amplitude and panning through the console mixer module. It's then passed through phaser and reverb effect modules;
- Noise cloud - created with a noise source fed into a formant filter, with three LFOs modulating the peak points.
- Alien speech - created with vocoder effect using several oscillators tuned to a specific chord and a bandpass filter as a modulator signal. It also fed into the frequency shifter. Different values of a frequency shift creates different timbres;
- FM Sweep - created with FM Station module (a four operator FM synth).
3. The pads are made with Full Bucket synths (they are also modular at some point):
- Oxid for strings with that classic JMJ style phasing sound;
- Tricent for synth-brass playing the low octaves.
4. The keys are Full Bucket's Tricent processed with chorus and ring modulator (FL Studio's stock effect).

Technical details:

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Produced in FL Studio 21.2.2

Generators:

x8 Cherry Audio "Voltage Modular"
x1 Full Bucket "Oxid"
x2 Full Bucket "Tricent"

EQ & Saturation:

x7 FL Parametric EQ 2
x3 TDR & VoS "SlickEQ GE"

Dynamics:

x5 AdHd "Leveling Tool"
x5 FL Balance
x1 FL Stereo Enhancer
x1 Thomas Mundt "LoudMax"

Delay & Reverb:

x2 Audiority "Xenoverb"
x6 FL Delay 3

Modulation:

x4 FL Hyper Chorus
x3 FL Frequency Shifter
x3 FL PanOMatic

Master Chain:

TDR "Nova"
Limiter №6 GE

Total:

x11 Generators
x41 Effects
x6 MIDI Patterns
x11 Mixer Tracks
x8 Audio Clips
x26 Automation Clips

[Mister Fox]

It is the 25th May 2024, 00:15 UTC+2/CEST - this month's Songwriting Competition has official ended


STATISTICS:

• If I didn't miscount, we have 5 submissions this month (5 entries less than last month, and also 10 entries less than May 2023)
• We have 0 submissions after the deadline (as of 25-MAY-2024 00:10 UTC+2/CEST)
• We have 0 submissions that has been disqualified (production released outside of the game's timeframe)
• We have 0 submissions that has been withdrawn (therefore it can't count to the overall participation)
• The "staff balancing vote" add-on rule does not apply (special game mechanics do apply)
• "Sole Winners Podium" rule (equal or less than eight participants results in a single winner) does apply (1-position Winners Podium)

How do we go from there?

Over the course of the next (hopefully) 24-48 hours (usually up to 6-12 hours maximum after the game has ended), I'll gather all links into one post and hot-link to that from the first post of the thread. Please, no more changes to your entries, but please do check your links that these entries are accessible and downloadable. We then perform with the final feedback and "public vote" system.


We have 5 official participants. We are adapting the overhauled vote mechanic, as talked about in the following news blog:

Songwriting Competition - game mechanic changes: Voting Process (October 2022 Update)
(Info: I am aware that the Rule Book has not been properly updated yet. Time constraints, apologies for the inconvenience)


Summarized:

!

Bonus Info

Unfortunately, the "tiered mechanic" does not apply this month. Participants can (and must) vote for all entries (this is due to low participation). You're furthermore asked to please reflect on your experience this month (2-3 paragraphs max), what you have learned, what you would like to do different in the future, etc. (personal growth) You are also asked to give feedback to every entry (low participation mechanic) -- things that stood out to you, providing some final thoughts and constructive feedback for possible improvements. This adds to the learning experience of our community. The additional bonus points for more constructive feedback than the minimum (part of the tiered mechanic) does not apply this month. Please still write more than just "I enjoyed this song". The "Voting Process" mechanic is mandatory for all participants, and the only criteria to drop out of the game by not partaking. Please don't just collect feedback, and not give back to the community. The overall "Bonus Point" mechanic still applies. Please update your posts with proper production documentation, most notably regarding whom you have collaborated with (as in: proper credits -- not doing so will result in a 2pt deduction on the score sheet at the end of the game). Please also make your entries downloadable, or provide an additional download link if not existing already. You got until the voting period has ended. Please cast your vote (not the feedback) in collective form through the "spoiler text" bbcode (button on the WYSIWYG editor that features the orange triangle with an exclamation mark in it). Please use the forum username of the participant to make it easier during the score collection to address what vote belongs to whom.

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⚠	Moderation Message from Mister Fox
	For transparency: The staff (Mister Fox) will not give feedback to all entries and/or cast a vote this month. (unless there is a tie that can not be broken otherwise)

Feedback from non-participants and/or collaborators is highly encouraged (voting not needed!). The same goes for entries after the deadline, or those that sadly do not count for the current running game (even if you've exceeded the deadline, why not post your entry regardless?). Musicians and Engineers are always after constructive criticism. This is what this forum is about.





Have some general feedback? Please provide that here:
Songwriting Competition - General Gossip Thread, or on Discord.



Please make sure your files are accessible, and please have an eye on this thread!




EDIT: 25-MAY-2024 0:15 - initial post

[Mister Fox]

Let us kick off the VOTING PROCESS, which will end on Saturday, 01-JUN-2024 23:59 UTC+2/CEST latest


There is a GLOBAL COUNTDOWN to check for deadlines.
Just follow this link: Global Countdown (on homepage)


Here is the collection of productions from all participants (in hope that I didn't forget anyone). As usual, if you click on the small upwards-arrow right beside the quoted name, you can jump to the original post and read up on the documentation for this production.


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"Sonic Drift"

"Connexions"

"Quarky Groove"

phpBB [media]

(MP3 Mirror on Mix Challenge for easier playback purposes -- and here is a direct download of the MP3)

WAV: Download as ZIP

"Four In Line"

"Maneuvers In The Dark"

phpBB [media]

WAV: Google Drive playback and download
FLAC: Google Drive playback and download
MP3: Google Drive playback and download

ADMIN INFO:
I decided to showcase the "Bonus Video" this month, since all other entries also use "preview players" and we only have 5 entries overall. I might change this again with SWC082.

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WITHDRAWN (not participating - feel free to give feedback, but you sadly can not vote for these entries)


<no withdrawn entries>
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BONUS ENTRIES (submitted after the deadline - feel free to give feedback, but you sadly can not vote for these entries)


<no bonus entries>
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GAME MECHANIC SUMMARY:

► Show Spoiler

Please consult this news blog post regarding an overhaul to the voting mechanic. To make it simple for me for counting the votes - please use the forum usernames in your listing. Thank you!

Please also consult the previous post that features a summary for this month's mechanic (see "Bonus Info" in the red colored box).
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This month's SWC participants giving feedback to each other is mandatory, it is the only criteria to drop out of the game by not partaking. Please also do not just collect feedback, and give nothing in return. The concept of the Songwriting Competition is interaction and "learning by doing". If you have collaborated with somebody, then only the one doing the main entry needs to give feedback and vote. Bonus feedback is always welcome. However, please be open minded, objective and constructive.


INFORMATION: If you have submitted your entry in multiple file formats, the statistic sheet (posted alongside the results) will focus on the uncompressed material first (WAV), then FLAC, then MP3. The higher the quality (e.g. lossless format), the less possible loss on bonus points for "Loudness Specs" due to offsets introduced by a used CODEC.

Good luck to all participants!




If you have an idea for a future Songwriting Competition, please post about this in the theme/genre request page or on Discord.


Post updated: 25-MAY-2024 0:35 UTC+2/CEST -- initial post

[Doc Jon]

Things I have learned during this month’s competition:
This month I learned that modular synthesis is CPU intensive both for my PC and my brain!
I’m not sure that it is something I would be able to get into. Programming with all those swathes of wires puts me off even before I have started!
From a production point of view this month I learned a lot about transient control within the mix. The nature of some of those modular percussive patches tended to be either huge energy spikes at the start of the sound needing lots of taming, or an ill-defined start to the sound needing an initial transient boost to help make things more defined. The Envelope Shaper tool in Cubase proved to be a valuable asset to help achieve this

Feedback

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Arelem – Sonic Drift
A powerful track and equally powerful mix. Some really well chosen sounds throughout and particularly the drums which work well in combination with the bass to drive the track along. You seem to have done well with the modular aspects of the production. As I said before I admire your full use of the stereo field and ‘front to back’ elements in the mix. The track builds and flows well with new elements being introduced when needed until by 2:22 it really feels like a natural climax to the piece. I liked the little chiptune flourishes at 2:42. Not much I could recommend to change at this point apart from those LUFS!

EsteveCorbera - Connexions
A typically ambient intro with those washes of synth pads which continue throughout the track, and the lead when it appears is very much in keeping with the whole Vangelis feel. You seem to have done a good job with the modular approach in Reason. I liked the subtle rhythm change at 2:22. My only suggestion for improvement would be to apply even more sound Fx here and there, perhaps some rising or falling arps to add some interest at the start or end of some of the phrases. Overall a very nice track

Koekepan – Quarky Groove
Some very typically modular sounding patches in here, from the sterile to the organic. Kudos for using so much hardware in your production – Social Entropy Engine, wow, real oldskool style sequencingl! The pitch drift is a particular highlight for me with the sounds, and the changes which occur at 3:58 and 4:52 in the arrangement are welcome introductions. It was an interesting approach to have some of those bass sounds spread wide and some of the pad sounds in mono. The whole dub feel comes over very well but the whole track is quite long at 7:25 and I felt it could have developed a little more during this runtime with some different sections to help maintain the interest throughout

VCA-089 – Maneuvers In The Dark
I do like your tape recorder idea and your modular approach to the arrangement. I’m particularly impressed by your choice of sounds which truly encompasses all things weird and modular, definitely in keeping with the modular madness theme this month. This could easily be a soundtrack to an underground 60s sci-fi film. The dissonant melodies work well as does the introduction of different sound elements as the track progresses. The build at the end is very effective. Nothing really to recommend to change. Good work

Voting

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1) VCA-089
2) Arelem
3) EsteveCorbera
4) Koekepan

[Arelem]

Hello All,

I had some fun making the track this month. I did also figure out that patcher can be used as a sort of modular synth with basic sound waves. It also offers more flexibility in the the effects that I can use instead of being limited to the ones found inside a VST. I am now kind of curious if there is some way to do some freq modulating that way. Anyways, on to my feedback, which as always is just my (limited) opinion.

Feedback

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EsteveCorbera - A good amount of stereo separation and I like the groove created by the percussive elements. The atmospheric pads are nice. The lead is a little simple/basic but it sounds ok. At about 2:00 there's a bit where some detune or something makes things clash and it becomes quite dissonant to me. I don't know if that was intentional or not. It doesn't seem to happen anywhere else, so I'm guessing not.

Koekepan - Fun little panning effect at the start. I was expecting more of a 'drop' at 1:32 due to the drop out preceding it, but the track more or less continues as it was prior to that. I don't know if the track changes enough from one section to the other considering how long each segment is up until around the 4 minute mark. Even after that, it still feels a bit same-y. The track could work as a backing to something else, but for a song contest, there is maybe too little going on to keep the listener engaged. It might be better to do condensed version where each section is shortened a bit.

Doc Jon - Everything fits together well and the melodies are done well. Definitely has a retro esthetic to it. I really like the glitchy bits. I'm not a fan of the snare however. I think maybe it's too dry for that 80's synth sound . Might just be personal preference there.

VCA-089 - Sounds well mix/mastered with good amounts of space taken across the frequency spectrum. Good use of width and stereo panning. You did say that you set out to make an ambient track, which you did. You also said that it isn't quite appreciated which is true for me I guess. Not that there is anything wrong with what is there, it's just that there is nothing really happening for me to actively listen to. No melody/lead, no drum groove, it's just sort of background noise to me.

Vote

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1st Doc Jon
2nd EsteveCorbera
3rd Koekepan
4th VCA-089

[EsteveCorbera]

Good night,

Thank you all for participating. It is a pleasure to enjoy such a variety of music. Too bad we are very few.
But that makes the task of making reviews easier
This one I also want to highlight the opportunity we had to work with different tools and make more different connections than we normally do. The truth is that it is an exciting world but at the same time complicated. I tried many VCVRack presets and couldn't get anything to sound. This shows my absolute ignorance on this subject. Little by little I will go into it more.
I also want to highlight the use of cinematic percussion that I used, which allowed me to give emotion to my song.

I leave you comments:

Thanks.

Arelem - Sonic Drift
Interesting contribution. I really like when the more melodic part starts (1:12) and also the part that reminds me of the 80s (2:12). Good mixing job.
Perhaps as a criticism I would say that there are parts that become too long, that there is little variation and you can lose interest while listening to it. But I have to tell you that I really liked your proposal this month, you changed your style a bit.

Koekepan - Quarky_Groove
The first time I played it, it was a bit heavy for me, but in the following listenings, things have improved. In fact, I have had the memory of some of Tangerine Dream's work. I like the various effects that modulate the music and evolve throughout the track.
Only drawback, maybe too long. But I liked it a lot. good experiment

DocJon - FourInLine
Looks like a very good job. Great production. It sounds great. good mix I would almost say that everything is very good.
I also find the lyrics very funny. Kraftwerk!!!
The only drawback is the voice of the choruses. It sounds like the same old voice and sounds like the same old melody. At first when I heard you use the voice generator synth, I freaked out. But now I think I've heard it too many times.
But as I said, a very good job.

VCA-089 - ManeuversInTheDark
Great soundscapes. Great effects. Very good work.
It happened to you like me, I also rendered the Voltage Modular because at several times it was hitting 140% CPU!!!. But I see that you really know how to use it, I started from presets and tweaked them a bit.
As a critic I would say that I miss a more melodic part. But I know that wasn't the intention of this track. I like sounds that go from right to left and go up and down in frequency.


Thanks.

(translated with google, sorry for the imperfections that the translation may contain)

► Show Spoiler

01 Arelem
02 Koekepan
03 VCA-089
04 DocJon

[Mister Fox]

A friendly reminder:
We're in the final 24 hours to submit your feedback and cast your vote.


Please check post #024 regarding the feedback and voting mechanic. Giving feedback is mandatory (the only criteria to become disqualified). Please don't let yourself be put at a disadvantage by not participating (fully). The Songwriting Competition lives from the given feedback towards each other. Don't just "collect" and then move on - this is unfair to all other participants.

Outside feedback is welcome, of course.

[VCA-089]

This month was another great exercise of working with a modular environment.

My feedback:

► Show Spoiler

1. Arelem - Sonic Drift

Overall the song is very loud with very aggressive and "punchy" drums. I like the processing on bass sounds. I felt like the song could become more aggressive towards the end, waiting for the "drop" with the usual harsh screaming synths. Instead, the song is a quite moderate hyper pop/electro you can hear in the top of the Spotify charts nowadays. Good production and mix, but it's surely not my thing.

2. EsteveCorbera - Connexions

A very mellow piece that feels to me like a typical synth improvisation video on YouTube. The song starts and ends kinda abruptly, like someone is just pressing the start/stop button on the sequencer. The overall soundscape is pretty static with some improvisation on top of it. The drums felt static too, but they got a little bit varied towards the end. The production and mix is pretty good.

3. JanKoekepan - Quarky Groove

A fully outboard produced song (first time on SWC?). I think I can even hear some background noise (where it comes from?). Some of those synths in your setup are the ones I wanted to get for a long time (especially the Neutron). The song has a really nice mysterious atmosphere. It may fit for a low budget movie from the 90's. In terms of sound design it does feel like a dub-techno inspired song, but I'm not an expert in this genre. The production feels a bit rushed to me and it could be done better. For example, the kick drum and bass have a lot of clashing frequencies. But I assume that hardware setups are quite limited for a fully featured production.

4. DocJon - Four In Line

This is the type of music I imagine when people talk about synthesizers and modular setups. The instrumentation in this song is what I like the most. The sound choices and the melodic phrases fit perfectly for the style of the mentioned band. I felt like the vocals were all over the place. It's good to take advantage of modern AI technology, but I think for this kind of music the vocals need to be much more minimal and sparse. The production is excellent, as always.

Voting:

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1. JanKoekepan - Quarky Groove
2. DocJon - Four In Line
3. Arelem - Sonic Drift
4. EsteveCorbera - Connexions