Six Feet Under The Underground: Track 4 - The Dance

 

"The Dance" ended up much different than my original song sketches for it. As I was listening to the album in progress I realized "The Dance" sounded a lot like the song that was originally in the track 3 position. I modified "The Dance" (for the better) but still decided to save the original track 3 for another day.

In addition to the organ and electric piano I used the TAL-Noisemaker  for the first time which gives the opening groove a dreamy quality. This track is also a great showcase for the SYNARE From Mars which is responsible for any crazy sound you hear on the track.

Next time I'll explore "We Have The Machine".

Six Feet Under The Underground: Track 3 - One Way Any Way

 

"One Way Any Way" was the last song written for Six Feet Under The Underground replacing the song that was originally in the track 3 slot. That song sounded too much like track 4 so I ditched it and came up with this,

There are several new sounds used in this song. The rhythm track features tambourine and bongos. The tambourine track was built using samples provided by the Subtersonic Music Blog and the bongos are from the Varazuvi Bongos VST. You'll also hear the Ample Sound Cloud Drum during the break. The Spitfire Audio Peel Guitar from their excellent LABS VST can also be heard.

I'm proud of the production on this one and think it might be the best sounding drums I've had on a track yet. Like most of my drums the track was built in the LMMS sequencer using hits from Drum Werks. 

Next time I'll cover track 4 "The Dance".

Six Feet Under The Underground: Track 2 - Welcome to The Underground

"Welcome to The Underground" is a fun track built off a basic groove. The bass riff is supported with electric guitar, the TAL U-NO-62 synth and the Topaz Productions Clav 1. The cherry on top is the cowbell which I found via Sweetwater's Ultimate Cowbell Shootout. 

Next time I'll explore track 3 "One Way Any Way".

Six Feet Under The Underground: Track 1 - Carpenter's Gate

Just like I did for Catalina Rush I thought it would be fun to once again do a track by track breakdown for my new release Six Feet Under The Underground. Like Catalina Rush this one is also a concept album and although I don't think it really impacts the listening experience from a creative standpoint the concept is very important. It helps me come up with song titles and more importantly dictates the track order.

 

The first track "Carpenter's Gate" was written early in the songwriting process and was always the opening track. From an instrument standpoint I switched to a different electric piano on on the project. I wasn't entirely happy with the Sweetcase that I used on Catalina Rush and was thrilled to discover the Mr. Ray from GSI. It had been discontinued and replaced with an update by the time I found it but I really enjoyed the tones from the original. With some adjustments I was able to get some killer sounds out of it and it was fun discovering just the right sound settings to get the most impact for each song. The usual suspects show up on the rest of the track. I used Drum Werks samples in the sequencer for the drums and the excellent Ample Bass P Lite for bass. Of course the HaNon B70 is back and it continues to be one of my favorite VSTs.

I built the song around a riff I developed that has a Led Zeppelin feel to it and I'm pretty happy with the overall groove of the track. The melody line is the Mr. Ray with a wah effect which gives it a cool tone. It kind of reminded me of something you might hear in a John Carpenter movie and that's where the title comes from.

Next time I'll run through track 2 "Welcome to The Underground".