SONGWRITING COMPETITION - SWC088 December 2024 - Winners announced

[Mister Fox]

A friendly reminder:
Including today, 06 days left to submit your production.

So far, we have 03 entries.

We need 09 participants for a regular sized podium, and more than 15 for an extended one.



To those sitting on the fence - please don't feel scared off and think "the bar is set too high, I will never make it" - set yourself a shorter private deadline. Just make music, submit your entry, join the conversation. See where this goes.

By joining, you're already a winner. The rest is bonus.



The final feedback and voting mechanic starts on 25th December.

[Ike H-mope]

When it comes to the "push and pull" and "lead and background". Do you mean making some parts less noisy to make others stand out? (I'm sorry, I'm an ignorant when it refers to music editing). Like, when the piano appears again, lower the volume of the strings? Or even sometimes make the strings and cello dissapear to make a Solo piano? Again, thanks for your feedback.

I don't mean as extreme as removing parts. I guess I mean, have each part be more dynamic even if when it's not the lead. Even if a cello player has a lead part, the piano player may still get quieter and louder behind the cellist, or even sonically "challenge" the cello at times. Or the reverse. It's really about making the parts more dynamic based on what they're playing at the moment, not just their "role". Hope that makes sense.

[Elcubano]

For the space theme, I drew inspiration from the 1970s Japanese anime Captain Future, which features adventures through space aboard the spaceship Comet.
The Japanese soundtrack of this anime, composed by Ohno Yuji, had a very jazzy and funky vibe, which I found super cool.
I aimed to recreate an instrumental track that captures a bit of that ambiance.

This is my first composition in this style.
It consists of two main parts: the first, brimming with enthusiasm for the exploration of space, and the second, focusing on the mysterious and strange side of the cosmos, before starting anew for the next adventure.

► Show Spoiler

DAW: FL Studio
Guitar used for recording: Sire Larry Carlton T7FM (used for all guitar sounds)
Bass guitar used for recording: LTD B-104

Plugins:
Drums: Addictive Drums 2
Guitar (Rhythm L+R / Solo): Neural DSP Archetype Cory Wong
Guitar (Clean): Neural DSP Archetype Plini X
Guitar (Clean Lead): Neural DSP Morgan Amps Suite
Bass Guitar: Neural DSP Archetype Cory Wong

Virtual Synths:
Arturia OB-Xa
Arturia Mellotron

Mastering: Ozone 11

[JeroenZuiderwijk]

For the space theme, I drew inspiration from the 1970s Japanese anime Captain Future, which features adventures through space aboard the spaceship Comet.
The Japanese soundtrack of this anime, composed by Ohno Yuji, had a very jazzy and funky vibe, which I found super cool.
I aimed to recreate an instrumental track that captures a bit of that ambiance.

This is my first composition in this style.
It consists of two main parts: the first, brimming with enthusiasm for the exploration of space, and the second, focusing on the mysterious and strange side of the cosmos, before starting anew for the next adventure.

► Show Spoiler

DAW: FL Studio
Guitar used for recording: Sire Larry Carlton T7FM (used for all guitar sounds)
Bass guitar used for recording: LTD B-104

Plugins:
Drums: Addictive Drums 2
Guitar (Rhythm L+R / Solo): Neural DSP Archetype Cory Wong
Guitar (Clean): Neural DSP Archetype Plini X
Guitar (Clean Lead): Neural DSP Morgan Amps Suite
Bass Guitar: Neural DSP Archetype Cory Wong

Virtual Synths:
Arturia OB-Xa
Arturia Mellotron

Mastering: Ozone 11

I like this one, i think it is a very original track. Lots of things happening to keep it interesting.

[Dasein]

When it comes to the "push and pull" and "lead and background". Do you mean making some parts less noisy to make others stand out? (I'm sorry, I'm an ignorant when it refers to music editing). Like, when the piano appears again, lower the volume of the strings? Or even sometimes make the strings and cello dissapear to make a Solo piano? Again, thanks for your feedback.

I don't mean as extreme as removing parts. I guess I mean, have each part be more dynamic even if when it's not the lead. Even if a cello player has a lead part, the piano player may still get quieter and louder behind the cellist, or even sonically "challenge" the cello at times. Or the reverse. It's really about making the parts more dynamic based on what they're playing at the moment, not just their "role". Hope that makes sense.

Yes, it does, thank you! I just discovered how to create subchannels and use Delay and Reverb Cockos. So, I'll try to make some parts more dynamic and intense, and some maybe a little quieter and calm. Right now, I'm thinking on giving Grand Piano more dynamic from the beginning and Strings from 2:50. I'll have an update soon. Thanks again for your help!

[DavidB]

Hello everyone,

I would like to add my first entry to this challenge, as the theme relates quite a lot to my latest creation The Probe. The closest genre that would fit is probably post-dubstep bassy electronica (not that it would be so important:). I had always been close to bass electronic music so that is naturally coming:)

There is heavy sidechaining going on, so different instruments giving place to others which feels to me appearing from far out space. I had found this guitar loop that inspired me to create whole track, while I was experimenting with some new instruments I purchased recently - Model 77 and great Spitfire Originals Cinematic Piano, which both are great.

I eventually wanted to create something that feels like living organism that universe is. Which is more and more being explored by us and still, we know a little about. Space was always fascinating to me...
I think it went quite well and hope you guys will like it as I do:)

Soundcloud: Junkett / Probe

Have a great x-mas time

David

[Mister Fox]

Since this is your first entry, @DavidB, I will be more lenient regarding posts.

However -- please read the Rules and Guidelines (this is the TL;DR variant) again. According to your private SoundCloud link, that entry is already from 2 months ago.

The idea of the Songwriting Competition is to create/finish something new/original/not previously released entry "in the month the game is held". However, if the song is still considered work in progress, and you might get ample feedback in the coming days to turn this into an official new release... then we're within the specs of the game.

[DavidB]

Hi @Mister Fox, Sorry I misunderstood the rules (admit that I should have read them more carefully, my fault), I guess this does not qualify then - will try next time, just not sure how can I delete my post so it does not clutter other entries?

[Mister Fox]

You're not out of the game yet.

The simplest solution is:
Ask for feedback, continue working on your song, release an updated version before the end of the deadline, submit/post it here on the forum, be part of SWC088.

And next time, you know the rules better.

[PonySho]

For the space theme, I drew inspiration from the 1970s Japanese anime Captain Future, which features adventures through space aboard the spaceship Comet.
The Japanese soundtrack of this anime, composed by Ohno Yuji, had a very jazzy and funky vibe, which I found super cool.
I aimed to recreate an instrumental track that captures a bit of that ambiance.

This is my first composition in this style.
It consists of two main parts: the first, brimming with enthusiasm for the exploration of space, and the second, focusing on the mysterious and strange side of the cosmos, before starting anew for the next adventure.

Love the track, Elcubano. Quite different to what you usually do.
The breakdown at 0.57 and then the build from there is great.
Overall, a very appealing vibe.
The Sire Larry Carlton guitar is very nice looking, especially the flamed veneer top. I checked out the website.
Nice to hear you venturing into new territory.