Master EQing fail... (UPDATE: example song + mastering walkthrough)

[selig]

Speaking only for myself, I never heard much of the song on that video, for example I don't think it was ever played in full IIRC.
There are probably better ways to get feedback on a song, if that's what you're looking for.
Did you ever post it here (in the music forum)?

Actually, back on youtube (on a past account, that I deleted), this song had a small 400 views in 2015, with an average view time at ~75%. So, for what it was, it did pretty well.

I rather looked for an excuse to quit because of AI, when I haven't even started, or tried yet.

Today, I'd say this song is 25% finished.

I have only this to add, a quote from a Kurt Vonnegut letter to students, the part I try to embrace in my life:

What I had to say to you, moreover, would not take long, to wit:
Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing,
painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction,
essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly,
not to get money and fame,
but to experience becoming,
to find out what’s inside you,
to make your soul grow.

[RobC]

Actually, back on youtube (on a past account, that I deleted), this song had a small 400 views in 2015, with an average view time at ~75%. So, for what it was, it did pretty well.

I rather looked for an excuse to quit because of AI, when I haven't even started, or tried yet.

Today, I'd say this song is 25% finished.

I have only this to add, a quote from a Kurt Vonnegut letter to students, the part I try to embrace in my life:

What I had to say to you, moreover, would not take long, to wit:
Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing,
painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction,
essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly,
not to get money and fame,
but to experience becoming,
to find out what’s inside you,
to make your soul grow.

Oh I always did art for the sake of creating in the first place. People may only see me as a greedy bastard right now; but thinking that it will be consumed, and puts food on my table one day, was my motivation. What inspired me to improve, to get better than others, to beat my own capabilities, and even to be able to invent.

I both have the artist's passion, and the greedy bastard's motivation.

[selig]

I have only this to add, a quote from a Kurt Vonnegut letter to students, the part I try to embrace in my life:

What I had to say to you, moreover, would not take long, to wit:
Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing,
painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction,
essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly,
not to get money and fame,
but to experience becoming,
to find out what’s inside you,
to make your soul grow.

Oh I always did art for the sake of creating in the first place. People may only see me as a greedy bastard right now; but thinking that it will be consumed, and puts food on my table one day, was my motivation. What inspired me to improve, to get better than others, to beat my own capabilities, and even to be able to invent.

I both have the artist's passion, and the greedy bastard's motivation.

Great, I challenge you to post a song by the end of the month. No worries if you don’t, but I would then ask what is stopping you?

[PhillipOrdonez]

Oh I always did art for the sake of creating in the first place. People may only see me as a greedy bastard right now; but thinking that it will be consumed, and puts food on my table one day, was my motivation. What inspired me to improve, to get better than others, to beat my own capabilities, and even to be able to invent.

I both have the artist's passion, and the greedy bastard's motivation.

Great, I challenge you to post a song by the end of the month. No worries if you don’t, but I would then ask what is stopping you?

Fear is a hell of a crutch

[Benedict]

Do what you do, put it on Bandcamp (not Spotifry) and see if you can find a tribe.

Is Bandcamp a good place to sell songs? I was curious about that. Have you made any money there?
I like your work.

Thanks

I was going to post pics of my BC Stats but it is a lot of effort here. So here are the numbers.

All Time Plays: (April 2010 - today)
40,649
9,641 were "skips" less than 10% of the track
highest single tracks play is 534 (for a 90s synth Metal track which is odd seeing while I do that time to time it is not my main vibe)

All Time Sales: (rounded - less fees from BC and Pay Pal)
$1,482 from 252 albums
highest seller was Space Case: 10 units for $106 Space Case included a VST package which helped.
The next highest sellers were both: 7 units for $58 & $48

That's approx $98 per annum - about enough to cover Reason updates but no more.

All sales were for albums, I don't ever remember selling a single song. BC buyers (the only people who matter) seem to be Album/EP or go home. Makes sense as Single Buyers are off listening to Trailer Swift and Ed Sheepman on Spotifry.

Sales did improve a bit a few years ago but are now relaxing again which is not lovely.

So to answer your Q: Yes - one of the only places actually - so long as you don't expect to afford cocaine and hookers (at least more than once every 20 years).
You need to work out how to drive your own traffic which is actually a good thing about BC.
Tag well to put yourself in sight of real buyers looking for what you do.
Don't assume that all people are buyers so focus very pointedly on what the kind of person who will like your thing will need to choose you. The best way to do that is to be unique. If you are not sure what that should be then a) think about what you dig in bands you commit $ to, and/or b) talk to a Record Producer (not a Beetz Maka) about how they see your material and what you could do (assuming you are willing) to make it more attractive to the special few (everyone else is irrelevant remember).

[PhillipOrdonez]

Dayuuum 252 albums, that is crazy!

[moneykube]

So to answer your Q: Yes - one of the only places actually - so long as you don't expect to afford cocaine and hookers (at least more than once every 20 years).

No hookers or cocaine ?
What a deal breaker for an old man that does neither LOL
Thanks for your reply, That is indeed a lot of songs you have made > not mention the other artists you have assisted with your remixing skills
> like me.
Thanks again Benedict. I will look into BC.

[PhillipOrdonez]

If each album has at least 5 tracks that means you made more than 1500 tracks in 15 years. At least 150 x year. Minimum 12.5 x month

[Billy+]

If each album has at least 5 tracks that means you made more than 1500 tracks in 15 years. At least 150 x year. Minimum 12.5 x month

It's not about the music any more, it's about the fake live performance

[Benedict]

It's not about the music any more, it's about the fake live performance

I was going to say - rather huffily - that I don't do fake live performances but we just made a "live action" (read poorly mimed) video for my partner's Synth Pop EP so perhaps I have a limited leg to stand on. I know what you mean tho with all those titty totties pretending they can play AccaDacca when it is mimed or worse AI with rubber bend-back fingers. All very sad.

My music the numbers look like this:
since 1990 Albums & EPs: 123
Each album has 4-13 tracks as an average so if we called that 8 x 123 we are somewhere around 1,000 pieces & songs published. Most are on Bandcamp, some are not, some have evaporated in digital evolutions.
Official Discography: https://benedictroffmarsh.com/discography/
Bandcamp: https://benedictroff-marsh.bandcamp.com/

In 2024 I published five of my own albums (49 + a few remixes), two EPs with think+sync (11 + extra mixes & videos), and Mastered the second Easy Peasy album (17). I also did a Mix for Pacific Deep's "Who To Trust" single (1).
Not out till this year: Jane Is Not Afraid Ep (4 + alt mix & videos)
2024 = 64 unique pieces of music + extras

I like to do things.

[PhillipOrdonez]

Busy bee!

[RobC]

Oh I always did art for the sake of creating in the first place. People may only see me as a greedy bastard right now; but thinking that it will be consumed, and puts food on my table one day, was my motivation. What inspired me to improve, to get better than others, to beat my own capabilities, and even to be able to invent.

I both have the artist's passion, and the greedy bastard's motivation.

Great, I challenge you to post a song by the end of the month. No worries if you don’t, but I would then ask what is stopping you?

I've been thinking about this, and I could probably nail something in a day; but I'd rather write a song where I push my limits.
Nothing is stopping me, but certain things might delay me. A bit more renovation work to go, as well as organizing this room. Then, I gotta see if the PC can come to life, or I need a new, stronger power supply. Or there's a few years old Dell laptop, but that's weaker. I gotta set up the system, software, etc.
Meanwhile, I once again changed my mind about buying a new TV as monitor - meaning that after the planned 55", then 65" upgrade thought, I started looking into 75". Cause if I downscale Reason to 75%, then a 75" 4k screen can be like 9, 25", "1080p" monitors. Though 65" would do, too. Prices are dropping for the models I'm looking at. Maybe tomorrow I'll finally place an order.
Last, but not least, as I mentioned 180+ notes are waiting to be tested out.

That said, not everything has to be perfectly 100% prepared and ready, so it might be possible to finish a proper song in 20-something days (including finishing this music workspace).

[RobC]

Fear is a hell of a crutch

Read above; it's rather a ton of work to do; but with each step, I get closer to be finished with my workspace. THEN, I can get to work. x D

[PhillipOrdonez]

[RobC]

It's not January 32. yet! We'll see then.

[PhillipOrdonez]

It's not January 32. yet! We'll see then.

[RobC]

It's not January 32. yet! We'll see then.

65" LG NanoCell (hopefully IPS) order placed! So that's step 1.

Now, I read people saying that this is a bad idea, because you have to move your head around. I mean... since when is it healthier to sit in one place, being all stiff?

The "pixelation" is not a problem for me, since I come from the era of classic GameBoy, 640x480 CRT, 320x200 Wolf3D, Doom; the 128x128, then 132x180, then 320x240 phone screens. So I very much know what seeing pixels is like (yes, I know that large CRT TVs and monitors weren't exactly "pixelated"), and weirdly enough, I like that, and even missed it. Kind of like how game developers put on interlaced effect on retro style games.

For Reason and GoldWave, IPS won't be a problem with its "blue"-black or dark gray contrast. Though NanoCell is said to handle that better, and that view angles are improved further than conventional IPS screens.

I'm excited for this. Hopefully the tradeoff against the current 50" VA panel LG TV with its edge light will be worth it. Nano should be direct lit. Hopefully it won't be a disappointment. : ] It is a bit scary. Not to mention what the multinational store will send out via delivery. I had a few disappointments before in that regard.
To think, one day, drones will deliver these large things... : )

STEP 2 will be installing... well, both the TV, and the floating shelf for the speakers next to it. Things WILL get tight, so it was better to wait until I get the TV.

Hmm, maybe I should record some footage for this process? "The challenge of finishing a song by January 32." That should include a mastering "final exam". Given this topic.

[PhillipOrdonez]

Do it! Document it! That sounds like a great idea! I can’t wait to see your boomer face! 🤭

[PhillipOrdonez]

Regarding the head moving: yeah I think if you end up doing the same movements over and over it will start to hurt at some point unless you do it differently every single time. Take lots of breaks is the only advice I can give if you’re definitely not going to do anything unless you get your huge TV which idk. A single 24 in monitor works great for me ‍♂️

[RobC]

Do it! Document it! That sounds like a great idea! I can’t wait to see your boomer face! 🤭

Yep, I probably should drop this challenge. Obnoxious remarks are all I ever get on here anyway, so f*ck it.

[selig]

Do it! Document it! That sounds like a great idea! I can’t wait to see your boomer face! 🤭

Yep, I probably should drop this challenge. Obnoxious remarks are all I ever get on here anyway, so f*ck it.

You can take the Kurt Vonnegut approach and do the assignment then delete it. Do it for YOURSELF, not for me or any other boomer here!

[PhillipOrdonez]

Do it! Document it! That sounds like a great idea! I can’t wait to see your boomer face! 🤭

Yep, I probably should drop this challenge. Obnoxious remarks are all I ever get on here anyway, so f*ck it.

You got no sense of humour do you?

Cheesus ‍♂️ I’m trying to be encouraging and friendly. The boomer joke is a running gag between us. Come on Robbie mate

[motuscott]

Hate me a frickin boomer.
70 this year.