Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Dear all,

We're pleased to announce that this year's compilation of original productions by some of the talented musicians on the darktrain dirty forums, "Evidence of Autumn" is now online:

http://www.darksounds.org/2008/

13 tracks by 10 forum members. 71:15 of eclectic electro goodness.

Check out the individual artist's tracks and info,
or download the Zip file of all 13 tracks plus CD cover art:
http://www.darksounds.org/2008/music...ceofautumn.zip

Thanks again to Maus for getting everything settled online.

Hope everyone enjoys this late autumn/early Christmas gift!

Cheers,
Holden

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

wOOt! I will download this and discuss it here tonight!

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

thanks Holden & Maus for making it all happen! Thanks to all the artists for making da tunes!
Will listen tonight and comment later.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Thanks everyone for getting this together. Just in time too - I get on a plane to Romania in a few hours, so now I have some new music to listen to on the flight! Yee-haw!

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

wow, some of these tunes are long...

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Looks like you've got the same problem as me, huge quantities of silence at the end of most of the tracks in the zip. Also, a few of the ID3 tags have a slightly different album title, which means my mp3 player isn't grouping them correctly.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Yeah, something's not right with the DL for me...
i sent Maus the tracks as they were (all playable, tagged and with reasonable tracklengths). i think Maus re-encoded everything as VBR 192 kbs, which at least Windows Media Player doesn't like for me. Tracks 1-7 aren't recognized.

:confused:

i thought i'd tagged everything consistently, although Viddy's "Trance de Muerte megagmix" might have remnants from his original tag, as this was from his soundtrack album.

Any particular issues with the tags other than the long silences that i can relay to Maus?
Thanks,
Holden

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

My track appears to be 44:16 of silence....

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Yeah, dunno what's up. Maus is aware of it, so we'll get it sorted.
i think something happened in the re-encoding (tracks were of various bitrates and played fine - but perhaps the VBR encoding mesed 'em up?)

Sorry, folks - guess we got to wait a bit longer!

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

OKAY!

sorry about all the errors, everyone. i relied on the switch app converting things without a problem, which clearly was a mistake. to be fair, it was inevitable that SOMETHING would be wacky when trying to pull off the whole site in a day!

i converted to 192 VBR for both space and consistency's sake - our zip file now checks in at 107 MB including front and back artwork, but all the files have checked out (at least on my system - if others could confirm, that'd be groovy.)

i also scaled down the artwork and embedded it in the individual mp3 files, so it'll show up in the player of your choice now.

LX Nen's info has been updated, as well as his link, and i also put the artwork up on the music page.

okay now i have to go do real work.

rock on,
c

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

oh hai...

AViD just contacted me and let me know he's still seeing some issues with the files...

i encourage everyone to empty their cache and reload on the music page specifically - in fact, my safari still loads some of the files incorrectly, because it thinks it already has them - but i've confirmed in a couple of fresh browsers on a few different machines that all the files play now...

that MAY still not be right, so please let me know if you're still seeing issues - particularly with the .zip file, as the files on the server are identical to those in the .zip.

sorry for the issues all.

stupid internets.

c

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Works perfectly, now!
(You were right about clearing my cache for the updated zip :p)

Round of applause to Maus for his rapid repair and for hosting all this!

Everyone, get to downloading!
http://www.darksounds.org/2008/

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Works fine for me. Thanks everyone for making this happen. Listening now.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Can honestly say I have really enjoyed listening to this at work and think everyone has done a grand job on there tracks.

Once again thanks to Brian and Maus for the time and work put into setting this up.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Yes, it's a really good selection of stuff - all oddly similar yet different, which means it works very well as an album.

I've still got 2 minor bugs with the zip file, Maus's track doesn't have a track number in the id tags, meaning it jumps to first in the playlist, and there is half a second or so of digital noise at the end of my track, which shouldn't be there - sounds like an mp3 encoding error to me.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Currently listening :D

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

hehe... i thought you guys made a bunch of 20-30 minute tracks, but the track times are all from cue sheets. doh!

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

tunes sound very nice.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

I've listened to it all the way through while making my homework. I really like every track on there. Will give a detailed review later on, don't have time for it yet.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

okay... fixed the track numbering on my track (i swear that wasn't intentional) and removed the noise at the end of LX Nen's track, re-upped the individual tracks and a new .zip.

keep me posted on any other issues.

rock on,
c

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Again, thanks so much to everyone who took part - i can appreciate how much work you put into your tracks, and i think it shows. Below is my subjective "review" - i've no criticisms, i'd rather just lavish on the praise and enjoy them for what they are: 11 really great tracks (and 2 clunkers by AViD tossed in to make the others look even better :p;)) keep in mind also that i've heard many of these for several weeks, so i'm quite attached to them!

Holden/AViD's random thoughts -

• AViD – “Be Home by Dark” – I’ll just say this was a lot of fun to make, maybe a bit thick in the mix, but hopefully it sounds integrated.
• Bitten Turtle – “To Where the Sun Shines” – Laid-back groove, crisp and breezy, like an autumn day should be! You created a nice atmosphere with comparatively few parts – kudos!
• Easydelic – “Caught on Film” – for starters, I really like the enveloping or whatever on the piano chords, the sort of reverse reverb leading into the note. Fine bubbling bassline. The glitchy effect on the drums at ~1:55 is awesome, too!
• GRANDbrother –“Packaging Solutions for Life” – This has a fine swagger to it, thanks to the percussion and the tropical feel of the harmony and gently-strummed guitar. Very warm track, and Leary’s conceptualization of “every living thing” was a cool idea to base the track on. Groovy wah-wah guitar at the end, as well.
• LX Nen – “Diversion” – This is one of my favorites. Just so many interesting sounds and changes in atmosphere. It starts as a programmed-sounding, almost automatic MIDI sort of track, but becomes very emotional and human with the inclusion of som twinkly melody lines string pads, some extra percussion. The hard turn it takes ~3:30 with the distorted guitar is great! And some bizarre key sounds out of the latter-day Orbital playbook (at least to my ears) make this into a monster, before chilling out with lovely piano lines. I love it!
• Marshall Watson – “I l s Dry” – A gorgeous downtempo track, with lots of fun effects for headphone enjoyment. But I like playing this (and other MW tracks) on the stereo, so the mood sort of fills the house. This is another track that I feel fits the autumnal theme.
• Matt Parra – “Trance de Muerte (megamix)” - the back story on this one was, when collecting submissions, Viddy sent me his whole original score, and told me to “pick what you want”. It’s such a great piece of composition, I couldn’t choose, and also many of the themes are brief, just choosing a couple might not do them justice alongside longer tracks. So, Viddy agreed to make a mix of several tracks, and what can I say, it’s beautiful – From the energetic, pounding opener to the moody piano and string melody (which builds to orchestral heights) and another pounding guitar-based track, you get a feel for the sorts of scenes that may have inspired the music, or alternatively, how this emotional music can propel a film. Thanks, Matt, for collating your favorites from the ST, giving the rest of us a sense of the breadth of your composing talents!
• Maus – “Soldat” – Incredible skippy d-n-b beats and swelling sounds, every time I listen, I hear more wonderful effects. There is a nice contrast between the warm intonations and the barrage of drums, a contrast that holds interest and evokes a rawer sort of Fall weather!
• Sputnikk – “Gateway” – KoS’s track takes me on a journey. Great pace introducing the various loops, changing the effects added to them, and generally building an epic energy. Production’s top-notch and you definitely have a unique style – certain lead lines emerge and I think, “yeah, that’s classic Sputnikk!” (keep in mind I remember hearing your tracks in 2004 and onward –they were good, this is even better!)
• Tin Foil Hats – “But Tonight” – Wonderful synth-rock sounds to this, from the analog whirring synth lead to the arpy bassline, and especially the great vocal! You love those treated vocals, don’t you? This one is a bit goth, a bit glam, certainly somewhere between new-wave and new-romantic. Very enjoyable!
• AViD – “Chimera” –one of the creepier tracks I’ve ever made!
• Easydelic – “Mizzle” – Everything seems to have a buzzy edge in this track, which I like! So many great counter-melodies on interesting-sounding instruments. This is another track that really gets me grooving when its in my earphones and I hear the interplay of the various loops.
• Tin Foil Hats – Plaisir d’amour” – there are those spooky treated vocals again! Camiel Toe was going with “But Tonight” over this, but I suggested he keep this in, as well, as it also has that analog goodness. I can’t tell what the voice is saying, but I don’t mind! It’s a nice melody in itself.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Heh, actually, the vocals in 'But tonight' aren't really treated that much (apart from some reverb and tuning, because I can't sing well). I guess I just have a freaky voice?

Plaisir d'amour is a French poem from the 18th century:

J'ai tout quitté pour l'ingrate Sylvie
Elle me quitte et prend un autre amant

Plaisir d'amour ne dure qu'un moment
Chagrin d'amour dure toute la vie

Tant que cette eau coulera doucement
Vers-ce ruisseau qui borde la prairie
Je t'aimerai me répétait Sylvie
L'eau coule encore elle a changé pourtant.

Which translates into something like this:

I left everything for the ungrateful Sylvie
She leave me and take an other lover

Pleasure of love lasts only one moment
Sorrow of love lasts all the life

As long as this water will be running slowly
To this stream which lines the prairie
I wil love you, repeated Sylvie to me
The water is still running, she has changed yet.

Hopefully I will be able to comment on each track later on. Back to work now.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Still absorbing all of these tracks, as it usually does for all music. I'll write up soon.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

As long as it is cool with you guys, I posted a link to it on my website to try and get it some more exposure.

here's a link:

http://www.ihatepeacocks.com/WeAreListening.html

If anyone is not happy about this, please let me know and I will take it down.

-Jason

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Not at all. The more exposure the better.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Absolutely. Link it everywhere!

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

I'm going to give a good review, but expect this after the second week of January, I'm kinda busy right now.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

(bump!)
For those that missed this in the holiday rush, or just never got around to downloading it... now's the time!

http://www.darksounds.org/

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Hey. Been listening to this a good deal, and wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the awesome, free music. All great stuff! :D

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

I keep forgetting to give this a good listen. I will play it right now and give a review later

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

My thoughts:

AViD – “Be Home by Dark” – I like how this track starts a bit vague and then evolves into a progressive sound. It's good how you managed to get the slow beat nicely rolling. The piano is a very good addition.

Bitten Turtle – “To Where the Sun Shines” – While I think this track needs some work (especially the last couple of minutes need some variation) I'm quite happy with the sounds I've created. For me it's also the first time that I really had a direction, and the sounds came out quite like I wanted them.

Easydelic – “Caught on Film” – The first few seconds of this track kind of remind me of "Tobiume" by Susumu Yokota. A soothing synth with piano. When the beat kicks in, it first seems kinda off, but I like how my ears have to "adjust" to it. I really like the overall vibe of the track.

GRANDbrother –“Packaging Solutions for Life” – The arrangement of this track is very complete, it builds up nicely and flows like it should. The higher notes of the bassline sound a bit digital, which adds the needed edge to the track.

LX Nen – “Diversion” – I like how the beat is very simple but very head nod-able. I like the melodies in this track.

Marshall Watson – “I l s Dry” – If this track illustrates the direction you are going in with your music, then I think you should really continue doing so.

Matt Parra – “Trance de Muerte (megamix)” - This is an interesting piece of music. I like the composition and the arrangements. I can't really get into the part that starts at 5:08, but when it calms down again, I really like it.

Maus – “Soldat” – I love this track.

Sputnikk – “Gateway” – This is a great track. It's fit for mixing into a set. I love the speed of the track and its progression.

Tin Foil Hats – “But Tonight” – Nice oldschool electro, with italo disco influences. The vocals sound a bit off to me, but it does make this track complete.

AViD – “Chimera” – I don't really know what to say about this track, but it's nice.

Easydelic – “Mizzle” – This track has some "weird" sounds, but I like it. The really deep synth that it starts with (and continues through the track) is addictive.

Tin Foil Hats – Plaisir d’amour” – There's some crazy (awesome) sounds in this track, that really make me want to listen to this track over and over. Sweet.


So yeah, I really like all of the tracks, they each have something of their own and it makes this compilation very varied. Thanks everyone for making this happen, and count me in on any future comps. Oh and I'd really appreciate it if you guys can give some comments on my track :o

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Hello all. I've just returned from a six weeks vacation to New Zealand. I will comment on the tracks soon. Meanwhile check out my other thread.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

will check it out Camiel Toe :)

meanwhile, I made a better version of my track from this compilation:
http://www.sputnikk.nl/audio/Sputnikk-Gateway_v2.mp3

slowed it down a bit (I think the 1st version was bit too fast) and added some bits and pieces...

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

hi there king of snake! hooked on your gateway track and as we type we're downloading the living daylight out of your website's audio section. listening to 'everflow' right now, excellent stuff. :)

'gateway' has a really thrilling build-up. nicely tense!

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Indeed, KoS - nice revision of an excellent track.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

I wonder, won't it be handy if we start the 2009 compilation early this year (like now)? So that everyone has some time to work on his/hers contribution?

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Yep, it'd be nice if we could set a deadline and everyone actually meet it! But for at least 4 go-rounds of the dirty comp, it is always as such: lots of interest up front, then a beg for an extension, usually granted once or twice, then a number of folks drop out, and we sort of scramble to make up the difference in the end. Well, life gets in the way, sure. Maybe this year will be different?:o

I'm always up for contributing and hearing whatever others have worked on.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

ME too, throw me a date... and i will send ya somehting that is sprouting out of my head bout that time (and it wont be hair)

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

Suddenly at this stage of my life I've got tons of songs that I could use. Count me in for '09.

Re: Dirty Compilation 2008: "Evidence of Autumn"
 

I also have a bunch of tracks ready. What will be the title/topic this time?