No Threat (Jay Z)

[InsideOutBeats]

Kept this one less crowded, felt less is more and allowed plenty of vocal space :

 

[hosie]

I've listened to this a few times now since you uploaded it. I try not to be negative and offer as much constructive feedback as I can but I'm struggling a little with this one, if I'm honest. I don't think the acapella fits with the vibe of the beat. In terms of the beat itself, the first thing that jumps out (or doesn't!) is there is no definitive snare or clap? It's like having a call with no response. Feels like there should be a soft-splashing snare hitting and echoing out. Even a heavier hi hat just to give that kick something to bounce off. A few of us mentioned playing around with drum velocities on one of your last beats but I can't really hear it here, so there's no groove to them - and if you're going with no snare/clap I feel like there's alot of emphasis on the kicks. They're very rigid and because they're heavy on the high frequencies they're unable to create any groove and I think the most off-putting part is the pattern, as it feels overly complicated. Sounds like 4 bars of very different patterns? It feels like the whole things just can't get into a rhythm because it changes up every bar. I don't think the sample / keys suit the vibe either. They sort of float over the top of the beat rather than compliment or work in sync with the drum section. So it really doesn't feel like a cohesive piece.

I hope this helps. I've tried to offer as much constructive criticism as I can :-/

 

[InsideOutBeats]

I've listened to this a few times now since you uploaded it. I try not to be negative and offer as much constructive feedback as I can but I'm struggling a little with this one, if I'm honest. I don't think the acapella fits with the vibe of the beat. In terms of the beat itself, the first thing that jumps out (or doesn't!) is there is no definitive snare or clap? It's like having a call with no response. Feels like there should be a soft-splashing snare hitting and echoing out. Even a heavier hi hat just to give that kick something to bounce off. A few of us mentioned playing around with drum velocities on one of your last beats but I can't really hear it here, so there's no groove to them - and if you're going with no snare/clap I feel like there's alot of emphasis on the kicks. They're very rigid and because they're heavy on the high frequencies they're unable to create any groove and I think the most off-putting part is the pattern, as it feels overly complicated. Sounds like 4 bars of very different patterns? It feels like the whole things just can't get into a rhythm because it changes up every bar. I don't think the sample / keys suit the vibe either. They sort of float over the top of the beat rather than compliment or work in sync with the drum section. So it really doesn't feel like a cohesive piece.

I hope this helps. I've tried to offer as much constructive criticism as I can :-/

@hosie appreciate the feedback. I deliberately chose for the vibe to go in a different direction and of course not everyone is going to vibe with it.

I quite liked the snare myself. I will be experimenting with the velocity on the drums for my next beat as this clearly needs work in that area.

The drum pattern changes were at points to highlight certain lyrics. I suppose that hasn’t come through the way I intended.

Thanks man

 

[Sole Element]

I think the beat is good overall it just doesn’t match the vocals. I do this a lot myself, i did it with a canibus acapella awhile back. It wasn’t bad but what canibus was talking about required a more dramatic or hard type beat but I ended up using a love soul sample. The mix needs a little work as well but I can definitely hear what you were aiming for. I would be a little more specific but my mixing vocabulary sucks lol.

 

[Rah.sool]

Hey @InsideOutBeats Nice job man! So I think that there is a fundamental dissonance/disagreement between the acapella and the instrumental. It's just not working for me. The vibes just don't match. And I can't get over it in order to enjoy the instrumental part. But good on you for trying something different. It's always hard to meld thematically different elements together. You definitely went for it. Also, I feel like the hi hat is way to soft, did you cutoff the high end of it? Good job brother!

 

[InsideOutBeats]

@Sole Element @Rah.sool thanks for the feedback.
Yeah I intentionally went that route and vibe experimenting and strangely enjoyed the ‘dissonance’. It was meant to make the listener think what? But then hopefully enjoy that approach.

It was almost comedic in that I knew most listeners would be expecting a vibe to fit the lyrics and intro. I guess the beat is kinda schizophrenic

Perhaps it’s just my warped approach as you have all said the same thing with not feeling it.

@Rah.sool, yeah the hi hat I felt originally too loud but feel now you point it out I put it too far back in the mix.

Once again appreciate all the feedback, I think I’ll stay away from the dissonance beats for now

 

[hosie]

@Sole Element @Rah.sool thanks for the feedback.
Yeah I intentionally went that route and vibe experimenting and strangely enjoyed the ‘dissonance’. It was meant to make the listener think what? But then hopefully enjoy that approach.

It was almost comedic in that I knew most listeners would be expecting a vibe to fit the lyrics and intro. I guess the beat is kinda schizophrenic

Perhaps it’s just my warped approach as you have all said the same thing with not feeling it.

@Rah.sool, yeah the hi hat I felt originally too loud but feel now you point it out I put it too far back in the mix.

Once again appreciate all the feedback, I think I’ll stay away from the dissonance beats for now

Don't let anyone put you off! you might be on your way to something brilliant. Keep experimenting!

 

[DPrezd Beggar]

Kept this one less crowded, felt less is more and allowed plenty of vocal space :

Violent lyrics, happy beat. Is that secret glorification of violence? DEMONETIZED!