Recently we posted about our new weekly feature, Workshops. This is how it works: you upload your tracks, and each week we publish one here and step away from the podium. The floor is yours to talk about the track and how the artist can fix problems in and improve upon the mix and the song. Here's our fifth, Chillout Music by Rundstyk.
There are a couple of rules:
- Friendly, constructive criticism. We’re talking about people’s creative work, and anyone who is destructive and offensive will find their comments deleted — if they slip through moderation, let’s just hope we can catch them before the artist comes around to see your feedback. Negative constructive criticism is welcome. Since we’re only weeding out the offensive stuff, you only get one shot — if you use the comment box to insult people, you’ll find yourself unable to comment at AUDIOTUTS again.
- These comment threads can get pretty darn long. Have a quick read-through of the feedback that’s already been given, and try not to double-up too much.
Easy rules for civilized people to follow. 
Without further ado…
Chillout Music by Rundstyk
Rundstyk writes: “This is chillout music with influence from nature."
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Have a listen to the track and offer your constructive criticism for this Workshop in the comments section.
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )Connor Bevans March 8th
Nice work! The song really picked up though when the percussion was added, and I’d make that just a bit earlier, and (of course) having real drums would make it way better, especially during the pattern at about 4:00. Overall there’s not much I can tell you, it was a great piece.
( )VicDiesel March 9th
Nice piece.
But I’m missing the low frequencies. There’s almost nothing happening there.
When the drums come in, they have a half-time feel. That actually takes away from the energy of the song. You’d expect the addition of drums to make the music more intense, but instead it becomes more laidback. And that goes on for quite a while before it finally picks up again in the end. Maybe some good bass part would compensate for this lack.
( )kev on music March 10th
the track character does necessarily require low frequency
beautiful piano!
( )Renzo March 11th
this is a really nice piece, is there an album or any compilation that includes this track?
( )Ben Robinson March 11th
I agree how can someone get a hold of this track??
( )Andrew Turner March 12th
Yeah, I’d love to use this as background music for some presentations i have to give in a few weeks. Very subdued and calming, good for the mind.
Rundstyk April 24th
My Myspace is http://www.myspace.com/rundstyk, there can you hear my music. if you give me a place where i can upload my album, so you can download it, i would love to share it with you.
Adrian Lo March 13th
Hi Joel, I like the part where it picks up with the percussion about 3.5 minutes in. It gives the song that much needed contrast and movement. Although the unnaturalness of the drums, overall, is a bit hard to swallow, even for such an electronic driven genre like chillout.
The delayed piano does fit the sound of the piece but I feel that the melodic phrase at the beginning was just repeated way too much. Some more music and less production is in order, I feel.
In terms of mix, I think it’s a soothing mix other than the apparent lack of low end like others have mentioned. Drums are kind of soft even for chill out. Pads and arrangements at the back could rise out a bit more from time to time. Also, lack of highs due to the relative low levels of high hats.
Those are my comments. Good luck on your music.
( )Joel Falconer March 19th
Hi Adrian — thanks for your feedback, though I might point out that the piece is Rundstyk’s, not mine, I’m just the editor here.
( )Roy March 14th
Nice work!
your piece sets a nice mood, great job.. wouldn’t change a thing
Best
( )Tanner March 18th
how in the heck are you supposed to critique art?!? i can’t believe no one has even questioned that in here!
personally, i very much enjoy this piece. i think it was put together very well and the repetition is necessary.
but i can’t begin to think of why someone would change someone elses art. i believe that if you can’t relate to the piece, don’t listen to it. and if you think something should be changed and you could do it better, no one’s stopping you. create your own art. for yourself.
( )Joel Falconer March 19th
The composer asked for a critique of the piece. Criticism is helpful, it helps you to hone your creations and pick up on mistakes or imperfections you were to close to hear. People who think that art is something high and lofty and above criticism no matter how flawed the piece is (not to suggest this piece is very flawed) are probably not thinking logically.
( )Rundstyk April 24th
like Joel said, the criticism is helpful. I am not a perfect artist, and will always could learn more, so all these comments are very helpful, and i have much to learn.
IvorB March 22nd
I thought that the piece lacked groove. A nice slow and comfortable bass line would have done wonders. I also felt that the first melody was repeated a little to much. Maybe some variation in the sound would have been in order. Otherwise I think it sounded nice and fit the bill for an ambient piece.
( )John Mansfield July 3rd
Overall, this has a nice feel. I agree with others on adding some low end. I think the kick could also be a ’softer’, fatter kick, there is a lot of high end click to it. The repetition of the intro line did feel like it went on a little too long. Much like orchestral music, the theme should be introduced and then move through variations. Those tweaks should make this a really enjoyable piece!
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