Beat Fight #378

[dmh2deep]

Check out the fight: https://www.illmuzik.com/beat-fights/fight/378/

 

[BiggChev]

@dmh2deep

Really like the drums! Nice variations and fills. Bass line is cool, but really over-powering. A cleaner mix would help this out a lot, but good fundamentals. Similar to what I said about the other Beat Fight, you have a lot of interesting elements here, but they're stepping on each other's toes. Keep grinding and good luck!

 

[dmh2deep]

Wheww @BiggChev I knew you'd come swinging! The brass coming in every once in a while is super nice it really pulls it all together. Dope beat overall, thanks for the challenge!

 

[BiggChev]

@dmh2deep - I'm starting to realize my old stuff is leaps and bounds better than my new stuff lol. Thanks for being a good sport and the challenge. Getting active in the community right away is a good look, and at least from my experience, getting involved with battles can help to elevate our game quickly!

 

[dmh2deep]

@dmh2deep

Really like the drums! Nice variations and fills. Bass line is cool, but really over-powering. A cleaner mix would help this out a lot, but good fundamentals. Similar to what I said about the other Beat Fight, you have a lot of interesting elements here, but they're stepping on each other's toes. Keep grinding and good luck!

Precciate it! I think when I made this beat a while back I wanted to rap on it, so I didn't take as much creative action as I definitely should have for a battle. Figured I'd throw it out there though cause I knew you'd hit me with some solid advice. I might keep working on this beat in particular and use your suggestions cause I feel like the vibe is there atleast Thanks again bro!

 

[dmh2deep]

@dmh2deep - I'm starting to realize my old stuff is leaps and bounds better than my new stuff lol. Thanks for being a good sport and the challenge. Getting active in the community right away is a good look, and at least from my experience, getting involved with battles can help to elevate our game quickly!

Anytime brother! I feel the same way I've learned alot about my hip hop stuff that I didn't know I was doing wrong until you and some of the other homies pointed it out. Always good to have fresh ears take a listen!

 

[BiggChev]

Precciate it! I think when I made this beat a while back I wanted to rap on it, so I didn't take as much creative action as I definitely should have for a battle. Figured I'd throw it out there though cause I knew you'd hit me with some solid advice. I might keep working on this beat in particular and use your suggestions cause I feel like the vibe is there atleast Thanks again bro!

Definitely a good vibe. You have a good ear for "cool" elements and what sounds good. Sounds like you're just trying to do it all at once. Think, about letting each 'cool' element get their time to shine. Mix will come with practice and having learned your gear/DAW. I'm guilty of it too, where I really like a bassline and so I have it pushed way up in the mix, when it would better serve the beat or melody sitting a little further back. I like your beats, and I'm excited to see your growth!

 

[dmh2deep]

Definitely a good vibe. You have a good ear for "cool" elements and what sounds good. Sounds like you're just trying to do it all at once. Think, about letting each 'cool' element get their time to shine. Mix will come with practice and having learned your gear/DAW. I'm guilty of it too, where I really like a bassline and so I have it pushed way up in the mix, when it would better serve the beat or melody sitting a little further back. I like your beats, and I'm excited to see your growth!

Good points for sure. I honestly think I was better about letting the beat breathe when I first started a couple years ago, cause I wasn't so worried about my beats standing out. I do for sure have a tendency of letting too much go on at once. I've only really dug in to producing more on the boom bap side recently but I fell in love with it more than anything. I'm hyped to show yall what other styles I got in the arsenal now that I know some stuff to work on with my dusty hip hop stuff Plus now that I'm on ill I have a ton of talented people to learn from! Either way, good fight brother and good advice!

 

[attila]

Hey @dmh2deep, this beat kicks ass! Even better than the previous one. The drums and that bass, man! In terms of composition, I don't feel like you should change a comma, but the sound quality is bad. I don't know why you ended up with all that distortion. Lo-fi is cool, but here it seems unintentional. I don't know what the problem is—levels too high, lack of limiting, or whatever. Anyway, my advice is to focus more on sound quality. @BiggChev s beat is just as good as dopenss but is masterfully delivered in mixing and mastering. Just one thing: I would have liked to hear the upbeat rhythms; it's practically a reggae song, isn't It? Even here, the bass line is no joke.

 

[Tomblr]

@dmh2deep: cool bassline & drums on this one, i'm missing some extra vocals on there, that would make the beat give something else
But that's a personal opininion/taste
Not a bad beat

@BiggChev
That way the track start with this drums is dope!
I love the right sound and left sound after your melody drops
Your one funky brother!

Both good work!

 

[Iron Keys]

@dmh2deep I like the quality of the sounds, very rich and gritty. Mixed beautifully. Love it, love this kinda messy, but tightly messy work.

@BiggChev nice composition - very 2G type beat. Can sound a bit 'midi' tho the orchestral parts. The main parts are a solid rhythm and melody, really carries the listener along. Mix balances are good. Personal preference the drums would be a little more solid and rich in character. But musically and emotionally the core part of this beat is good. The more I listen the more i like it, catchy hook.

Overall, really difficult to choose between the two as they are completely contrasting styles. Both of these deserve a W and their respect.

Love

 

[Iron Keys]

Interesting how people can have completely different views --- my views vs some others here regarding dmh's beat

 

[dmh2deep]

Hey @dmh2deep, this beat kicks ass! Even better than the previous one. The drums and that bass, man! In terms of composition, I don't feel like you should change a comma, but the sound quality is bad. I don't know why you ended up with all that distortion. Lo-fi is cool, but here it seems unintentional. I don't know what the problem is—levels too high, lack of limiting, or whatever. Anyway, my advice is to focus more on sound quality. @BiggChev s beat is just as good as dopenss but is masterfully delivered in mixing and mastering. Just one thing: I would have liked to hear the upbeat rhythms; it's practically a reggae song, isn't It? Even here, the bass line is no joke.

Thanks homie! I might’ve done a little too much clipping on this one I had to compromise on some of the stuff that I wanted tucked back in the mix but i figured the vibe carried it through (like most of my beats lol) this one was pretty fun to make for sure I appreciate the listen!

 

[dmh2deep]

Interesting how people can have completely different views --- my views vs some others here regarding dmh's beat

I appreciate the kind words bro! I know some of my beats can be a lot to listen to at once sometimes lol. I like the tightly messy style a lot but I’ll admit I do get carried away sometimes though which is why I definitely understand some people not caring for the weird swing and syncopation. And I do sometimes mix according to the feeling of the track and do a lot of clipping when I’m trying to get that gritty sound instead of just focusing on a good mix which can be my downfall in some beats but “gritty” is the best compliment I feel like I could get on a hip hop beat cause the grit is usually what I’m going for so thanks homie I’m just happy to duke it out with some dope producers!

 

[attila]

I appreciate the kind words bro! I know some of my beats can be a lot to listen to at once sometimes lol. I like the tightly messy style a lot but I’ll admit I do get carried away sometimes though which is why I definitely understand some people not caring for the weird swing and syncopation. And I do sometimes mix according to the feeling of the track and do a lot of clipping when I’m trying to get that gritty sound instead of just focusing on a good mix which can be my downfall in some beats but “gritty” is the best compliment I feel like I could get on a hip hop beat cause the grit is usually what I’m going for so thanks homie I’m just happy to duke it out with some dope producers!

Wait, don't get me wrong: distortions, crackles, dissonances, extreme compressions, saturations, mess, (even off-time) sample and chops with a gritty, lo-fi sound are all things I really like and that I often try to achieve (with results that often do not meet my expectations). I even have nostalgia for the old mixers and tapes that imprinted their 'flaws' and character on the recordings. For example, I don't find @Stan1 choices that bad as others here (even though I agree there's room for improvement). From what I understand, @Iron Keys listens to beats on a quality system with neutral speakers, and I’m not sure if he even does sound engineering. Meanwhile, I'm using a pair of Beats headphones that I got for 50 euros on sale and my ear isn't even perfect, it's a bit weak in the mid frequencies, after decades of volumes Motörhead-style. So when it comes to sound quality, his opinion carries much more weight than mine, if he says it's good, we can trust him.

 

[attila]

Wait, don't get me wrong: distortions, crackles, dissonances, extreme compressions, saturations, mess, (even off-time) sample and chops with a gritty, lo-fi sound are all things I really like and that I often try to achieve (with results that often do not meet my expectations). I even have nostalgia for the old mixers and tapes that imprinted their 'flaws' and character on the recordings. For example, I don't find @Stan1 choices that bad as others here (even though I agree there's room for improvement). From what I understand, @Iron Keys listens to beats on a quality system with neutral speakers, and I’m not sure if he even does sound engineering. Meanwhile, I'm using a pair of Beats headphones that I got for 50 euros on sale and my ear isn't even perfect, it's a bit weak in the mid frequencies, after decades of volumes at Motörhead. So when it comes to sound quality, his opinion carries much more weight than mine, if he says it's good, we can trust him.

Lesson learned: I shouldn't pass judgment on things I'm not very knowledgeable about, because then someone skilled comes along and I end up looking foolish.

 

[Iron Keys]

@Iron Keys listens to beats on a quality system with neutral speakers, and I’m not sure if he even does sound engineering. Meanwhile, I'm using a pair of Beats headphones that I got for 50 euros on sale and my ear isn't even perfect, it's a bit weak in the mid frequencies, after decades of volumes Motörhead-style. So when it comes to sound quality, his opinion carries much more weight than mine, if he says it's good, we can trust him.

Love that!

Lesson learned: I shouldn't pass judgment on things I'm not very knowledgeable about, because then someone skilled comes along and I end up looking foolish.

Every opinion's valid!

In a session with my mentor he was leaning option B so everyone agreeing option B, I said I think option A... he shortly after changed his mind and went option A.

I think Jaycen Joshua said it... (something like) "if you're in a room and people aren't listening to your ideas, get out of that room"

Doesn't mean your idea will be right or used, but should at least be heard or tried.

In capacity of like forum feedback, guess it just means you're validated to give your thoughts, up to the poster if he takes it.


I love how involved you and other new guys here are, proper jumped right on in to the culture of the ill. Big up

 

[2GooD Productions]

Lesson learned: I shouldn't pass judgment on things I'm not very knowledgeable about, because then someone skilled comes along and I end up looking foolish.

When it comes to mixing your stuff sounds like you know what you are doing to me.

 

[Iron Keys]

When it comes to mixing your stuff sounds like you know what you are doing to me.

Meant to say that, I swear I remember his stuff sounding well done.


But yeah, in regards to critical listening, I detest the phrase but "you can't mix what you can't hear", and there is the whole "if you know your room/monitors", but I will say, after listening to stuff on my consumer headphones, I really do understand what happens to a mix in them, however, even when you know a device you might be able to mix certain things right in it, but sometimes you'll be getting lucky as certain things you literally just won't know what's going on.

That happened for me both when mixing in and/or analysing beats on the ill, despite understanding those headphones and knowing that "If abc doesn't like this then it's going to be bad" there was plenty of stuff that sounded fine that was actually really problematic when I heard on proper monitoring - and that means on another imperfect device your mix could sound really bad.

 

[2GooD Productions]

Meant to say that, I swear I remember his stuff sounding well done.


But yeah, in regards to critical listening, I detest the phrase but "you can't mix what you can't hear", and there is the whole "if you know your room/monitors", but I will say, after listening to stuff on my consumer headphones, I really do understand what happens to a mix in them, however, even when you know a device you might be able to mix certain things right in it, but sometimes you'll be getting lucky as certain things you literally just won't know what's going on.

That happened for me both when mixing in and/or analysing beats on the ill, despite understanding those headphones and knowing that "If abc doesn't like this then it's going to be bad" there was plenty of stuff that sounded fine that was actually really problematic when I heard on proper monitoring - and that means on another imperfect device your mix could sound really bad.

As much as you dislike the phrase "you cant mix what you cant hear" its true. Took me years to truly realise it. Otherwise its hit and miss and luck getting it right, or you end up relying on visual aids instead of using your ears. That's why its best practice to test a mix on headphones, hifi speakers, in a car etc to see how it translates across different mediums. Whether we actually do it or not is another thing entirely. I never do tbh. I should at the very least test a mix on headphones but tbh, I very rarely ever do.
Before I had decent monitoring and a sub my mixes would fall down on any system with a sub, the bass would be way too overpowered.