Trying something new. Need input.

[Cubbyk]

Lately rather than making either weird, dirty electronic music or low-fi beats and bumps, ive been trying my hand at more subtle, atmospheric ambient hiphop inspired by xxyyxx, clams casino, nosaj thing and spooky black.

Here's my latest:
https://soundcloud.com/cubbyk/cigarette-ballad

Let me know what you think and i would love some input/ suggestions. Thanks. Hope you enjoy.

[DeRobyJ]

That's an instersting sound design!
But I would suggest to use less compression to avoid any kind of distortion on the Kick. Might be a personal preference tho.

[Cubbyk]

Thanks for the feedback! I didnt use any compression on my kick, maybe its the side-chained peak controller on the kick. Out of curiosity, how would one make a sample ( drum sample) sound less compressed?

[Snarf]

Thanks for the feedback! I didnt use any compression on my kick, maybe its the side-chained peak controller on the kick. Out of curiosity, how would one make a sample ( drum sample) sound less compressed?

I think DeRobyJ meant sidechain compression, which a sidechained peak controller emulates. I would actually recommend more compression (with less gain/lower threshold) or a limiter on the kick (because yes it is clipping). Or just turn it down...idk but somewhere in the mix, the low end is clipping, which is a common problem. Maybe EQ some instruments out of the way of your kick? Or increase your ducking with the SC peak controller to evade the problem. Just some ideas. Overall the song was nice and chill though.

[brandystarbrite]

This music has a hypnotic sound and feel to it.
Interesting.

[musikbear]

very atmospheric and with a jazz wibe too -interesting, (though i think the tittle would include the harsh cough of the chemo-therapeutic patient ..)..
Cigarrettes does not have ballads, they have requiems -Lots of requiems

[Cubbyk]

Thanks everyone, you've all been a big help since i joined here and i can feel myself growing as a producer as a result. I made a new track in the same vein, i used snarfs advice and increased the ducking on my peak controller, eqed the kick out of the way a bit and, by using some eqing, i made more of a concious attempt at giving each of my samples more breathing room. Let me know if its an improvement. Thanks again.
https://soundcloud.com/cubbyk/nice-guy

[hamza]

Really nice, I like the pad composition in the back, your bass drum and the good use of samples.
The beat in your second track "Nice Guy" is really good, especially that part at 2:15

Looking for more !

[TheMikeFrequency]

I really dig it man. Definitely sets a vibe, I just wish it picked up and "became something" at some point. Some soft vocals on this with a serious tone would be sweet as hell man. I know you were going for rap/hip-hop but I just reminds me of Bring Me The Horizon or something like that. But I dig it bro

[TheMikeFrequency]

Oh I also see your soundcloud says you're in a metal band so you probably do feel me. haha. I'm also mainly metal man, just started getting into making beats. I followed you on soundcloud, I'm Form The Frequency Productions, lets collab sometime man, preferably metal but whatever works.