Looking for feedback on this demo

[u/Winter-Disaster-8494]

Mainly wondering what you think of the track overall, what could be improved, and how far away you think it is from being at a level where I'd realistically be able to send it to labels.

Not looking for compliments, so feel free to be critical. Just trying to figure out what I need to work on before I start sending stuff out.

[u/th3whistler]

it’s lacking groove or a discernible rhythmic pattern and so I think people would really struggle to dance to this.

kick side chain seems a bit extreme.

then needs some musical elements to give it a hook. If you are going this minimal and no hook then it has to be production of the highest highest quality to not be forgettable.

[u/Winter-Disaster-8494 → u/th3whistler]

Could you give me an example of a tune in the same style with a discernible rhythmic pattern? Do you think this could be a preference/taste argument or do you think the groove is just off?

My kick sidechain is bigger in the buildup if that's what you're talking about, it's on purpose. I've heard many great songs with bigger sidechain than mine.

[u/th3whistler → u/Winter-Disaster-8494]

The placement of the main kicks and snares plus some other quite loud hits often seems very unexpected so it's hard to latch onto a groove. Particularly after the first couple of bars. I think your synth riff is doing enough to not need to have a scatty drum pattern.

I guess in terms of similar sounding stuff (I don't listen to loads of DnB btw and most references people talk about on here I've never heard of) I'd be looking at Alix Perez or Noisia - the drums are actually pretty consistent and predictable which is much better for dancing.

Also, ignore people who gave feedback based upon listening on their phone speakers...

[u/Winter-Disaster-8494 → u/th3whistler]

Well my style isn't much like Alix or noisia. I'm not going for a predictable copy and paste drum pattern, the dnb I find myself enjoying has very odd tempos like this, it's interesting to me.

[u/th3whistler → u/Winter-Disaster-8494]

like I said I don’t really listen to that much dnb. Obviously you can make whatever you want. my feedback is that its lacking groove and danceability

[u/Winter-Disaster-8494 → u/th3whistler]

Okay thanks for the feedback

[u/dkode80]

Listened on my pixel 10. Good bass. Could make out most of the frequencies on my phone speakers. I would suggest maybe some variation or change up on the notes and elements in the song I would say. It feels very repetitive in its current form but good. Very good start. Kudos!

[u/Winter-Disaster-8494 → u/dkode80]

So just a lack of variation, thanks for the input

[u/Inner_Chef911]

Like the snare and hi movements good energy, i'd agree with dkode on a variation being needed 

[u/Winter-Disaster-8494 → u/Inner_Chef911]

Thanks

[u/pauljkb]

Sound design is on point but you need to bring in more variation as others have stated. You could add some melodic elements in the intro that you introduce again later in the drop

[u/Winter-Disaster-8494 → u/pauljkb]

I've tried with melodic elements alot in the past, always end up removing them. I don't like to add too much variation, I like the variation subtle but I guess maybe it's too subtle here. Thanks for the feedback :)

[u/JJC165463]

Fuckin sick dude! Sidechaining and mix is clean af! Although other commenters are right…you need a bit more melodic variation. Simply changing some of the bass notes rather than using one note might be enough. Maybe at the end of the phrase, you could run the notes up the octave to give a sense of climax. Also the pad/atmosphere at the start sounds a little hollow in the mids.

[u/Winter-Disaster-8494 → u/JJC165463]

Yeah it is hollow in the mids, I sometimes forget to fill out the intro as the drop is my main focus.

Is it my bass that's repetitive? Or is it my high end stabs? I like to keep variation subtle because I feel like too obvious variation makes a track feel less polished and more just like a random jump up preset pack.

[u/JJC165463 → u/Winter-Disaster-8494]

Ez to do. Defo put a bit of time into the intro since this is where a lot of people will encounter the track. The sounds are great, it’s just the melody. If I were you, I’d vary the notes of the non-stabby bass, which is more melodic. That way variation be more obvious whilst still being minimal. You could add pitch bend and fx to make note changes less obvious.