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Welcome to 2017, now let's get Dancing!

We've got two groups this month : Beginner/Intermediate : Doomsower, Stoffeltoo, Exsanguinator Advanced : Studmissile, Pirate, Meron Rigas

Impressed, thank you all for the entries!

You've got two votes to cast before voting closes on February 26rd, 2017, 07:15am.

[b]Beginner/Intermediate[/b] [b]Stoffeltoo - African Joy[/b]http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/stoffeltoo.mp3 [i]This song African Joy is dedicated to a colleague, Douglas Mokoena, who has taught me the meaning of Ubuntu.

A simple chord progression done in Band in a Box with some sound clips added for that "Authentic" rural feel. I am not yet confident with the picking style and repetitive nature of the melody but decided to enter nevertheless

Drums BIAB Afro style Bass BIAB held Kalimba done with BIAB Midi Rhythm done with fender acoustic Lead riffs done with a SX tele[/i]

[b]Doomsower - Doef doef thingy[/b]http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/doomsower.mp3[i] I did this at the last second (again). Not the type of stuff I usually do....[/i]

[b]exsanguinator - Techno Demo 1[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/exsanguinator.mp3 [i]A demo mix of a techno loop Recorded at home direct on a Digitech GNX4. Guitars used are an Ibanez RG505 on the distorted rhythm and a clean guitar patch with a ping pong delay for the harmony. Although i recorded bass and lead,I decided to not include bass guitar or the lead overduds, as it seemed to take away from the techno overall feel. Loop created on an Korg Kaosillator2 and recorded onto the GNX4 Everything was mostly done in one take in under an hour, I couldve spent a few hours and perfected or improved on it,but seemed pointless as its not something to get too involved in. [/i]

[b]Advanced[/b] [b]Studmissile (feat Pirate on Bass) - The Woman Wants To Dance[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/studmissile.mp3 [i]To any would be lovers who don’t quite understand? The age old mystery, between a woman and man. There’s an art to seducing, it takes some skill to entice. But if you wanting to woo her , well here’s a word to the wise. Don’t pull up a chair and give her the eye or spend the night playing the cool quiet type. The only sure way, to get her to bite. Well buddy here’s your shot , here’s your chance. The woman wants to dance...[/i]

[b]Pirate - 9inety 9ine[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/pirate.mp3 [i]Collaboration with a "retired" DJ in the electronic scene (who is also the Rhytm guitarist and lead vocals of our band). I played every instrument, from the electric guitar to bass to the midi-track on keyboard, everything except drums. My buddy produced it on Cubase with input from me. Basically kinda produced by both of us... Oh, and "The Lick" has a minor appearance as well, I thought it would be funny... Happy dancing![/i]

[b]Meron Rigas (feat V8) - Take Over[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/V8.mp3 [i]Collaborated with the inner metalhead...:)[/i]

(old forum) Poll Results: [VOTE] February 2017 Challenge - Dance!

  • Stoffeltoo: 6
  • Doomsower: 1
  • Exsanguinator: 2
  • Studmissile: 4
  • Pirate: 2
  • Meron Rigas: 2
    Nice work guys! My votes are in.

    A few notes:

    Stoffeltoo- I like the groove, you've really nailed the right lead tone for this. You mentioned variety of the melody- I've been listening to Graceland way too often lately and something Ray Phiri does to get some variety into lines lick this is vary the timing while playing the same melody- so tremelo picking over the same left hand shapes

    Doomsower- I like the bass on this, nice groove and a bit of drive and fret noise etc. really add to the groove. In contrast, I thought the guitar was maybe too clean- a bit of light drive/compression would have helped it.

    Ezsanguinator- I liek the layering and depth/development over the course of this. Would be cool to hear the bass and lead too

    Studmissile- Nicely done, all round quality recording! All the instruments and vocals sound cool, something like a keyboard or lap steel would have really been a cool addition

    Pirate- This is the sort of sound I was imagining fore this challenge- I like the layering and development over the course of the track, and the use of heavy guitars along with the doef doef stuff

    Meron- That bass groove is awesome- nice,tubby tone and cool fret/finger noise. I like the vocal samples too.
    Thanks everyone fora cool start to my Monday morning!
      @peterleroux, thanks for the comments. You've mentioned some things I liked as well on the others, and I take what you mentioned on my submission as a compliment.

      Vote (singular) is in. Since I am participating in the intermediate category, on 2/3 of the submissions, I decided the easiest would be to abstain from voting there. My comments as well (on the ones I didn't participate in) (also, bear in mind I am EXTREMELY biased to personal taste in music, but try to be balanced... :-[):

      Stoffeltoo: I like the build up and the "ambient" sounds. The groove really has that "African" feel to it. Had my head bobbing. For repetitive melodies I find it helps if you play it confidently. I think you nailed it, and served the song.

      Doomsower: Your "doef-doef-thingy" really is doef-doef. I liked the build-up and tone you used on the lead guitar, as well as how you used the lead guitar, it really served the song. When you started your "busier" bars on the guitar, the delay did make it sound a bit "squashed". If you could do the same thing over, but remove the delay just in those parts (maybe just downtune the "feedback" bit?), it would be awesome. A "dirtier" sound could add some dynamic, but I don't think it's necessary.

      exsanguinator: Yup. That's techno, I think. Reminds me of old Mobi. Very well done. Good use of the various frequencies. Busy, energetic. It could be the headphones I used (I honestly think it is), but I would have liked a bit more of the lower frequencies in the mix.

      Meron/V8: You just wanted to make me look bad. ? ? Well done, Sir. I like.
        All entries are brilliant guys. I will listen with more focus tonight and try and comment with my limited knowledge.

        Pirate and PeterleRoux. Thank you for the kind and motivating feedback.

        Speak later
          Disclaimer: The comments are not intended to positively or negatively bias any participant. Comments are based on my audible perception and imagination the song creates. All the songs are of high standard and has again raised the bar for the next competition.

          Doomsower
          Lekker Township Doef Doef, typically what I would expect in a Taxi rank. All the passengers nodding in unison.
          I hear very little panning buuuut... the mix is very balanced with every instrument clearly audible,especially the strung instruments.
          Is it my imagination or did you add a Uke to the mix? If so cudos.

          Exsanguinator
          Metal and techno, it’s a first for me. Lekker vibe which had my head wishing for long hair.
          Was it my imagination or was the techno leaning to the higher frequencies sometimes drowning out the guitar licks about ¾ of the song length. Great mix and I would like to be able to mix songs to this standard

          Stud!
          Plucksim, this was an awesome country and western song! Great mix, every instrument clearly audible in the mix and not complicated with keys or misery guitar. My own preference for rhythm got me all juiced up hearing the electric on rhythm for that sparkling Texas country groove. The lead was sharp, crisp and in my mind flawless. Mmm Pirate pity you are in the east rand. We could use a bassist of your calibre. Lekker collab gents and well done

          Pirate
          Seems like we can come and learn something on club techno from you. Most amazing was the interplay of the bass and lead. Joh Joh che’s good! The kick drum low frequency really put sparkle and energy into the groove. The mix totally underlined the high energy of the song. Smashtabulous!

          V8
          Quote “Collaborated with the inner metalhead..”
          I think Kwaito won this round spiced up with a bit of metal. The bass jumped at me as the listener with the vocals spicing up the bass and rhythm line. The end got me.... Kwaito definitely. Great mix. In the first part my speakers indicated to high volume on the lower frequencies almost making it sort of “muddy”. Intentional? Then you still pulled it off and produced a great mix (I actually liked it very much)

          My votes will follow shortly after consultation with the stick man and the teddy bear (my alter ego’s)
            Thanks for the comments, Stoffeltoo. I just had an idea, and knew what I wanted it to sound like. And that is why I partnered the with a retired semi-pro DJ who knows his stuff in the electronic/house scene. And I agree, the competition is tough in this one...

            V8's track gave me a bit more "the Matrix trilogy" than Kwaito...
              Surprisingly good turn out!

              Stoffeltoo - African Joy, loved the kwaito vibe, deserved to be louder! A fitting tribute to ubuntu.

              Doomsower - Doef doef thingy - loved the bass and beat intro, wasn't convinced by that high pitched midi/keyboard? in the beginning (also bit at the end)? But as soon as the African strings/ almost mandolin kicked in I fell in love with it again.

              Exsanguinator- Great mix, got me googling the Digitech GNX4. Cool metal twist and brilliant sfx! Nicely done.

              Pirate - 9inety 9ine - Techno to the T! Spot on. BTW thanks again, loved what you did on bass!

              Meron Rigas (feat V8) - Take Over - Great dance mix with metal guitar! Very, very impressed!

              Wow everyone! Now the hard part, off to vote.....
                Nice entries all round!

                Thanks for the good feedback all. I do agree that more time for mixing and attention to the lead would have helped.

                PS: I only had bass, midi drums and mandolin on the track (well spotted studmissile and Stoffeltoo).
                  hell's bells folks is all i have to say. that's quite a crop of entries! and a different interpretation of 'dance' in every one. which is why we're here, not so?

                  i'll have a proper listen tonight, then vote and feed back in my limited capacity
                  dh|
                    I dug all the different interpretations of dance/electronica - for me, that's the creative part of the challenges that I enjoy the most.

                    Doomsower : Dug the mandolin bit, added a super happy feel to the tune, if you didn't say anything I would have thought it was a very bright uke ?. Interesting bass line, odd timing?

                    Exsanguinator : It started ambient and I was digging that vibe - the sound fx were a tad loud in the mix - I know you didn't spend much time, so it's all good. The ambient track with the added metal riffage iworked for me , liked the contrast of those two guitar pieces.

                    Stoffeltoo : The dance-able tune fo the three group 1 entries - a traditional take, I can see a floor full of people swaying about. Made me think of a shadows tune (instrumental) and I reckon you carried the melody through the song nicely (and well played!).

                    Pirate : Syyyynnnthhhss for Africa (I like the one @ 1:16) and the snare is soo 80's - needs a hihat pattern somewhere? Glad someone else tried a guitar & electro dance track.

                    Studmissile. My man, you have blown my mind with this tune. The chorus is about as good as it gets. It's damn near perfect! Really liked the touch of strings/sythns in the background, gave a boost to the dance-ability of the tune.

                    I've not yet said this about a challenge entry - This deserves a go in pro studio. I'm convinced you'll get some local radio airplay with tune. The verse needs a touch of work before you head into the pro studio -not much - just a tweak to the vocals, a tweak to the drums and turn pirate up a little. Oh...the best competition blurb ever!

                    On mine : Thanks for the comments guys - it's a bass line I experimented with (notes, drums/feel, instruments). Initially aiming at house/electro (127bpm), rock drums mixed with a four on the floor kickdrum with a fat bass sound that was almost synthy. But I ran outta idea's and things got loud. Did give me an idea that the riff/groove will sound good djentrified...we'll find out at band practice next week.

                    My 0.002c, the two most danceable were the most traditionally guitar flavoured tracks - who'd thunk that ???

                    Damn fine job everyone!
                      Honored and humbled, thank you Meron for such an inspiring compliment. And from someone who I so respect and admire, you've made my year!

                      BTW those weren't supposed to be strings, but a free accordion plugin I used.

                      Thank you stoffeltoo and peterleroux, so glad you guys enjoyed it!
                        Best positive critique on competitors yet.
                        I cannot wait for the final vote outcome so that we can move on and get another competition going.


                          Kind of in shock. Did'nt think it would even be in the top three.

                          Thanks to the voters ?
                            Take a bow Stoffeltoo, Studmissile (and Pirate) for two grand tracks.

                            Now the tricky bit, what's next?
                            Stoffeltoo wrote: Kind of in shock. Did'nt think it would even be in the top three.

                            Thanks to the voters ?
                            Haha, it happens!

                            +1 to thanking voters for listening and all the feedback - it helps - trust me!
                              Stoffeltoo wrote: Kind of in shock. Did'nt think it would even be in the top three.
                              congratulations!
                                I will post some ideas later on. The idea is to get as many as possible entrants with basic recording gear to enter as well. The clock is thinking.
                                  Nicely played Stoffeltoo! Thank you Pirate! Well done All!
                                    Stoffeltoo wrote: Kind of in shock. Did'nt think it would even be in the top three.

                                    Thanks to the voters ?
                                    It is difficult to hide talent ?.
                                    Congrats my friend.
                                      studmissile wrote: Nicely played Stoffeltoo! Thank you Pirate! Well done All!
                                      Dude, I'm not surprised. When I heard it the first time, I thought this would be very tough to beat! Congratuwelldone!

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