The Four-Track November Music Challenge

Fruitbat1919

@myapologies said:

4 tracks, 4 minutes, 4/4

Scaler2, Twin3, Future Drummer, Mariana, TAL-U-NO-LX in AUM

Happy November everybody. I enjoyed your track, @jwmmakerofmusic. Your uptempo music was an inspiration for this. I’m gonna listen to the others. Thank you!

Reminded me of the 12inch mix of Japans Life in Tokyo and the Donna Summer hits - forgot the name of the guy that produced them, but it has a similar style. Like it

Fruitbat1919

@raimundoarriagada said:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rVyg2rc8H7t6UuAyQYhS1of5uREMzLTZ/view

1.- Jazz Drummer
2.- 808 Bass
3.- Sunrizer (Bladerunner titles preset) + AUv3 Dub Delay
4.- Yamaha CP with Rh1 sound
via AUM

This is a very improvised attempt. I will do a 2nd take more arranged, and maybe 2 more tracks because I fucking love this idea of 4 track challenge. I was obsessed with this idea but not recording anything because comments as "Oh, too raw.... u need more production, better sounds, more structure", etc...

So thanks for this idea. Can we do it monthly or something? haha

I could listen to that style of music all day

echoopera

@jwmmakerofmusic said:

@AudioGus said:
Hmmmm, 4 Koalas? moohoohawhaw!

Nice try. 😂 It doesn't work quite like that.

Sooooo the Ableton Move is technically 4 Tracks but it has drum tracks which actually gives me 64 Tracks. Can i still use it in the 4 Track Challenge since it’s 4 Tracks on Paper?

Track 1 : Drum Rack
Track 2 : Drum Rack
Track 3 : Drum Rack
Track 4 : Drum Rack

AudioGus

@echoopera said:

@jwmmakerofmusic said:

@AudioGus said:
Hmmmm, 4 Koalas? moohoohawhaw!

Nice try. 😂 It doesn't work quite like that.

Sooooo the Ableton Move is technically 4 Tracks but it has drum tracks which actually gives me 64 Tracks. Can i still use it in the 4 Track Challenge since it’s 4 Tracks on Paper?

Track 1 : Drum Rack
Track 2 : Drum Rack
Track 3 : Drum Rack
Track 4 : Drum Rack

Using BM3 for this I have to tell myself not to resample bits back onto pads.... I think... hah! I think maybe a definition of a 'track' may be useful.

I assume it is something like a single AUV3 instrument (don't use preset switching), that can have a ton of AUV3 effects on it that are automated. For a drum track (one allowed) you get up to 16 hits and keep them perc/drums/fx without strong melodic elements (?). But yah the hacker in me wants to bend the rulz

echoopera

You gotta know the rules in order to break them 😂

senhorlampada

You guys beat me to my plan:
Track 1: Op-Z
Track 2: MC-101
Track 3: EMX
Track 4: Cycles

Result: Just planning, no recording

NTKK

Can we bounce tracks down? I am using one synth right now - i’ll only do it on the drum track 😃

offbrands

@KirbyMumbo said:
Everyone did such intricate submissions with great arrangement and standout leads. Definitely giving me some GAS with these apps I’m seeing what everyone is capable of making. I went with a pretty simple loop and practiced my writing since I’ve been listening to Lupe Fiasco recently and wanting to get back into rapping again. So technically just three instrumental tracks lol.

4 track challenge

Dope synths. Appreciate you deviating from the norm I’ve seen here and putting this up. It’s dope. Keep going!

Seeing a Lupe Fiasco mention is always a nostalgic feeling for me. His lyricism is so damn intricate with double entendres and innuendos that take many listens to fully grasp, while also being probably the best story teller in rap that’s somehow never mentioned anymore.

I was huge into his Food & Liquor album, I think his follow up album “The Cool” has a multiple tracks on there that are my top 100 rap songs of all time but “Put You on Game” is probably in my top 10 ever and if I’m strictly talking about story telling/painting a picture type of tracks, it’s in the top 2 and it ain’t 2.

Also “Tetsuo & Youth” record is CRAZY. The interludes were probably my first real introduction to ambient palette cleansers within a project. “Prisoners 1 & 2” is mind blowing and “Chopper” is the dopest track Lupe has ever been a part of. The verses everyone shows up with are crazy, hilarious while also being introspective, but even with that high praise, Lupe comes in and shuts it down with probably his best string of bars he’s put on wax, I’d be reminded to not mention “Deliver” is firmly a top to listened to track ever by me lol.

Alright geek out done lol.

offbrands

Listening to everyone’s tracks now! People are killing this challenge. Good looking on making this thread @jwmmakerofmusic 🤘🏽🙏🏽

Dav

Listening to all the submissions now. Lots of Good stuff!

Edward_Alexander

Same, and agreed! Really good stuff by everyone. I might even upload a track myself tonight if I have time.

raimundoarriagada

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@raimundoarriagada said:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rVyg2rc8H7t6UuAyQYhS1of5uREMzLTZ/view

1.- Jazz Drummer
2.- 808 Bass
3.- Sunrizer (Bladerunner titles preset) + AUv3 Dub Delay
4.- Yamaha CP with Rh1 sound
via AUM

This is a very improvised attempt. I will do a 2nd take more arranged, and maybe 2 more tracks because I fucking love this idea of 4 track challenge. I was obsessed with this idea but not recording anything because comments as "Oh, too raw.... u need more production, better sounds, more structure", etc...

So thanks for this idea. Can we do it monthly or something? haha

I could listen to that style of music all day

Hey, thanks a lot!! I will upload a new version for sure )))

KirbyMumbo

@offbrands said:

@KirbyMumbo said:
Everyone did such intricate submissions with great arrangement and standout leads. Definitely giving me some GAS with these apps I’m seeing what everyone is capable of making. I went with a pretty simple loop and practiced my writing since I’ve been listening to Lupe Fiasco recently and wanting to get back into rapping again. So technically just three instrumental tracks lol.

4 track challenge

Dope synths. Appreciate you deviating from the norm I’ve seen here and putting this up. It’s dope. Keep going!

Seeing a Lupe Fiasco mention is always a nostalgic feeling for me. His lyricism is so damn intricate with double entendres and innuendos that take many listens to fully grasp, while also being probably the best story teller in rap that’s somehow never mentioned anymore.

Alright geek out done lol.

I loved his tapes more than anything and rediscovering his catalog through his recent interviews has been fun!

ecamburn

@raimundoarriagada. I dig the contrast between the fast synth arp in the background, the rhodes, and the pads. I also dig the gloomy, trippy, chord progression. Love the track title - Receive from Bus C - 152 BPM. :-)

@myapologies. 4! Some nice dirty, smeared tones here. Oh wow, wasn't expecting the rhythms that come in around 1:11 given the intro. To my ears, the bass synth was maybe a little low in the mix.

peanut_gallery

@jwmmakerofmusic Thank you for starting this thread! There’s nothing like adding some constraints to fuel the creative process. Here’s my 4-Track Creation. Done in Cubasis 3 with Hammerhead, ButterSynth, and audio tracks using a Cobalt8M and a Korg Wavestate.

NeuM

@NTKK said:
Can we bounce tracks down? I am using one synth right now - i’ll only do it on the drum track 😃

No bouncing tracks. The idea is to maximize your sound potential while minimizing the number of tracks.

AlexY

@jwmmakerofmusic said:
My entry is complete.

That sounded great 👍 nice variation on the melody, something that I would like to improve on my own jams.

@Fruitbat1919 said:

Here is my entry.

Very nice sounds and great groove. There were some nice touches with the fox and with the tempo track. If you ever go back to add that sax lead, post it!

Edit: I see you did later! It was worth finishing it the way you wanted!

@Dav said:
Here's my entry. It's kind of a Funky/RnB/Soul/Jazz groove.

Because I listened to the attachment before reading the post, I was wondering as I listened whether this was played live, and was also going to say something about it brought to mind a really nice RNB track I heard not too long ago. Great performance.

@yellow_eyez said:
This was just a quick little jam I made for this challenge and because it is Halloween.

Really like the main motif and the bass tying everything together. Nice atmosphere for Halloween 🎃

@GeoTony said:
Here is my attempt, it’s very much how I work anyway and I just used some of my favourite apps, Piano Motifs, Ravenscroft, ThumbJam and of course GeoShred.

You’re a master. Nice use of all those tools. The track is kinda melancholy and simultaneously sweet. Also seems apt for that Holiday spirit. 🎅

@pedro said:
Just made a little 4 track thing in Drambo.

Hmm wasn’t able to play this one…do you have an audio mixdown?

@KirbyMumbo said:

I went with a pretty simple loop and practiced my writing since I’ve been listening to Lupe Fiasco recently and wanting to get back into rapping again. So technically just three instrumental tracks lol.

4 track challenge

I like the offbeat kind of vibe in this with how you used the chords. I wasn’t quite sure where it was going until your voice and flow came in. Suddenly it all fell into place. Very nice track 👍

@ecamburn said:
Here's another one. I'll be back to listen to others' entries.

Nice movement throughout the track. Really ear catching arpeggios.

@raimundoarriagada said:

This is a very improvised attempt.

Nice! Has a kind of driving at night feel. Jazzy and cinematic.

@myapologies said:

4 tracks, 4 minutes, 4/4

Scaler2, Twin3, Future Drummer, Mariana, TAL-U-NO-LX in AUM

Really enjoyed this one. 80s vibe is up my alley and it has a nice selection of sounds and chord pads.

@peanut_gallery said:
Here’s my 4-Track Creation. Done in Cubasis 3 with Hammerhead, ButterSynth, and audio tracks using a Cobalt8M and a Korg Wavestate.

Excellent track. Nice sounds and great arrangement!

AlexY

Here’s my own go at the challenge using Nanostudio. Lead and rhythm guitars are Korg’s Santa Ana gadget, bass is Aparillo, and drums is the built in Slate.

I have been reading up on rhythm guitar and have been alternating between Korg and Riffler to practice composing rhythms. I tried to use that approach here for a blues hard rock track.

Hope you enjoy!

Fruitbat1919

@AlexY said:
Here’s my own go at the challenge using Nanostudio. Lead and rhythm guitars are Korg’s Santa Ana gadget, bass is Aparillo, and drums is the built in Slate.

I have been reading up on rhythm guitar and have been alternating between Korg and Riffler to practice composing rhythms. I tried to use that approach here for a blues hard rock track.

Hope you enjoy!

So used to hearing tracks build throughout the track, where this track almost seems to go the other way - I found this approach interesting and engaging for a change. I like the sounds, but found myself wishing for a little more rounding of the guitar sound with fx - probably personal taste or remembering the eighties too much with the high reverb washes lol. Another track that fulfills the mandate with aplomb, yet begs to be part of a full track. Thanks for sharing.

This 4 track challenge has sure made me glad we have more tracks these days 😆

raimundoarriagada

@ecamburn said:
@raimundoarriagada. I dig the contrast between the fast synth arp in the background, the rhodes, and the pads. I also dig the gloomy, trippy, chord progression. Love the track title - Receive from Bus C - 152 BPM. :-)

@myapologies. 4! Some nice dirty, smeared tones here. Oh wow, wasn't expecting the rhythms that come in around 1:11 given the intro. To my ears, the bass synth was maybe a little low in the mix.

thanks for listening... and yes hahaha was a fast attempt to do it and I feel that sounded good enough to upload

AlexY

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@AlexY said:
Here’s my own go at the challenge using Nanostudio. Lead and rhythm guitars are Korg’s Santa Ana gadget, bass is Aparillo, and drums is the built in Slate.

I have been reading up on rhythm guitar and have been alternating between Korg and Riffler to practice composing rhythms. I tried to use that approach here for a blues hard rock track.

Hope you enjoy!

So used to hearing tracks build throughout the track, where this track almost seems to go the other way - I found this approach interesting and engaging for a change. I like the sounds, but found myself wishing for a little more rounding of the guitar sound with fx - probably personal taste or remembering the eighties too much with the high reverb washes lol. Another track that fulfills the mandate with aplomb, yet begs to be part of a full track. Thanks for sharing.

This 4 track challenge has sure made me glad we have more tracks these days 😆

Thanks for listening and thanks for the feedback!

yellow_eyez

Sorry haven’t been around as much , and I took a while to reply

@ecamburn thank you…yeah I totally went bass heavy on this one just for fun since it’s outside of my usual zone

@AlexY thanks - it was Halloween and I didn’t have much melody in my head so I doubled down on bass and hoped my trick would treat

Fruitbat1919

@AlexY said:

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@AlexY said:
Here’s my own go at the challenge using Nanostudio. Lead and rhythm guitars are Korg’s Santa Ana gadget, bass is Aparillo, and drums is the built in Slate.

I have been reading up on rhythm guitar and have been alternating between Korg and Riffler to practice composing rhythms. I tried to use that approach here for a blues hard rock track.

Hope you enjoy!

So used to hearing tracks build throughout the track, where this track almost seems to go the other way - I found this approach interesting and engaging for a change. I like the sounds, but found myself wishing for a little more rounding of the guitar sound with fx - probably personal taste or remembering the eighties too much with the high reverb washes lol. Another track that fulfills the mandate with aplomb, yet begs to be part of a full track. Thanks for sharing.

This 4 track challenge has sure made me glad we have more tracks these days 😆

Thanks for listening and thanks for the feedback!

I tend to do further listens these days, and I imagined your track with a simple synth line similar to early Xmal Deutchland. Nice and raw. If you get bored with it, throw the stems my way and let me have a play !

AlexY

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@AlexY said:

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@AlexY said:
Here’s my own go at the challenge using Nanostudio. Lead and rhythm guitars are Korg’s Santa Ana gadget, bass is Aparillo, and drums is the built in Slate.

I have been reading up on rhythm guitar and have been alternating between Korg and Riffler to practice composing rhythms. I tried to use that approach here for a blues hard rock track.

Hope you enjoy!

So used to hearing tracks build throughout the track, where this track almost seems to go the other way - I found this approach interesting and engaging for a change. I like the sounds, but found myself wishing for a little more rounding of the guitar sound with fx - probably personal taste or remembering the eighties too much with the high reverb washes lol. Another track that fulfills the mandate with aplomb, yet begs to be part of a full track. Thanks for sharing.

This 4 track challenge has sure made me glad we have more tracks these days 😆

Thanks for listening and thanks for the feedback!

I tend to do further listens these days, and I imagined your track with a simple synth line similar to early Xmal Deutchland. Nice and raw. If you get bored with it, throw the stems my way and let me have a play !

Here you go! Pls share what you build with them!

Edit: I tried attaching the audio, but the zip was too large. Let me know if you want that instead and I will upload elsewhere 👍

Fruitbat1919

@AlexY said:

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@AlexY said:

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@AlexY said:
Here’s my own go at the challenge using Nanostudio. Lead and rhythm guitars are Korg’s Santa Ana gadget, bass is Aparillo, and drums is the built in Slate.

I have been reading up on rhythm guitar and have been alternating between Korg and Riffler to practice composing rhythms. I tried to use that approach here for a blues hard rock track.

Hope you enjoy!

So used to hearing tracks build throughout the track, where this track almost seems to go the other way - I found this approach interesting and engaging for a change. I like the sounds, but found myself wishing for a little more rounding of the guitar sound with fx - probably personal taste or remembering the eighties too much with the high reverb washes lol. Another track that fulfills the mandate with aplomb, yet begs to be part of a full track. Thanks for sharing.

This 4 track challenge has sure made me glad we have more tracks these days 😆

Thanks for listening and thanks for the feedback!

I tend to do further listens these days, and I imagined your track with a simple synth line similar to early Xmal Deutchland. Nice and raw. If you get bored with it, throw the stems my way and let me have a play !

Here you go! Pls share what you build with them!

Edit: I tried attaching the audio, but the zip was too large. Let me know if you want that instead and I will upload elsewhere 👍

Thanks will post if the music gods are kind to me!

jwmmakerofmusic

Alrighty, I finally had some time to listen to everybody's entries. I apologise for the delay. Everything's been so busy as of late.

@Fruitbat1919 I listened to your track already, but it was worth relistening to. Especially to compare it to your updated "That Dang Loophole" version. That was brilliant.

@Dav This was definitely a clever usage of the iM1 , and oh my god what a great piece of Jazz. I'm interested to learn more about your Jazz upbringing, especially after that sublime "Tiki" track.

@yellow_eyez I really like the dark minimalist approach to your piece. I wouldn't call it "basic". Sounds like the soundtrack to walking carefully in a graveyard at night. Very well done.

@GeoTony That thumbnail image had me fooled. Thought I was going to listen to something annoyingly cheerful, and instead I got something melancholy and soulful. I'm so happy it was the latter. Very beautiful and well done.

@cuscolima I don't know how the hell I missed your compliment, but thank you so kindly mate. I appreciate it.

@KirbyMumbo Are you rapping over that beat? I love it. Quite a different-sounding beat, but all in all a great end result. (I may feature you someday on one of my HipHop productions, lol.)

@ecamburn I really love what you did here! I love the minimal electronic aesthetics and the vocals. Really cool mate!

@raimundoarriagada Your track was very relaxing and smooth to listen to. I'm a sucker for Jazz recordings if you haven't already guessed by my reply to Dav, lol.

@myapologies I really loved your take on EDM. Actually sounded more like Synthwave, which I absolutely love. Very well done.

@peanut_gallery Another amazing Synthwave piece. Absolutely incredible! You and myapologies honestly should collaborate if you haven't done so already.

@AlexY I really love that you went the Rock route. Not sure if anyone else attempted or will attempt the Rock route yet, but that was a great listen! This actually got me inspired to start work on my own Rock-ish track.

Thank you all who have participated so far! Looking forward to hearing more entries! Cheers.

Fruitbat1919

@AlexY said:

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@AlexY said:

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@AlexY said:
Here’s my own go at the challenge using Nanostudio. Lead and rhythm guitars are Korg’s Santa Ana gadget, bass is Aparillo, and drums is the built in Slate.

I have been reading up on rhythm guitar and have been alternating between Korg and Riffler to practice composing rhythms. I tried to use that approach here for a blues hard rock track.

Hope you enjoy!

So used to hearing tracks build throughout the track, where this track almost seems to go the other way - I found this approach interesting and engaging for a change. I like the sounds, but found myself wishing for a little more rounding of the guitar sound with fx - probably personal taste or remembering the eighties too much with the high reverb washes lol. Another track that fulfills the mandate with aplomb, yet begs to be part of a full track. Thanks for sharing.

This 4 track challenge has sure made me glad we have more tracks these days 😆

Thanks for listening and thanks for the feedback!

I tend to do further listens these days, and I imagined your track with a simple synth line similar to early Xmal Deutchland. Nice and raw. If you get bored with it, throw the stems my way and let me have a play !

Here you go! Pls share what you build with them!

Edit: I tried attaching the audio, but the zip was too large. Let me know if you want that instead and I will upload elsewhere 👍

Its quite handy having the midi, as I can alter tempo easier. Did you use preset sounds from the apps? I have Santa Ana, Aparillo and Slate.

No worries, I’ve altered the sounds on this now somewhat quite different 16 track so far mix lol

senhorlampada

Sorry I'm barely had time around here lately. But this thread is the one i'm revisiting. Awesome submissions everyone.
I have fond memories of the old 4-track days. One of the toughest decisions what to commit to bounce if you would do so (remember - not allowed on this challenge lol)

I think the mix of possibilities they allowed and also the limitations made really creative endeavors, and this really shows on everything I heard so far here. Love y'all

Fruitbat1919

@jwmmakerofmusic said:
Alrighty, I finally had some time to listen to everybody's entries. I apologise for the delay. Everything's been so busy as of late.

@Fruitbat1919 I listened to your track already, but it was worth relistening to. Especially to compare it to your updated "That Dang Loophole" version. That was brilliant.

@Dav This was definitely a clever usage of the iM1 , and oh my god what a great piece of Jazz. I'm interested to learn more about your Jazz upbringing, especially after that sublime "Tiki" track.

@yellow_eyez I really like the dark minimalist approach to your piece. I wouldn't call it "basic". Sounds like the soundtrack to walking carefully in a graveyard at night. Very well done.

@GeoTony That thumbnail image had me fooled. Thought I was going to listen to something annoyingly cheerful, and instead I got something melancholy and soulful. I'm so happy it was the latter. Very beautiful and well done.

@cuscolima I don't know how the hell I missed your compliment, but thank you so kindly mate. I appreciate it.

@KirbyMumbo Are you rapping over that beat? I love it. Quite a different-sounding beat, but all in all a great end result. (I may feature you someday on one of my HipHop productions, lol.)

@ecamburn I really love what you did here! I love the minimal electronic aesthetics and the vocals. Really cool mate!

@raimundoarriagada Your track was very relaxing and smooth to listen to. I'm a sucker for Jazz recordings if you haven't already guessed by my reply to Dav, lol.

@myapologies I really loved your take on EDM. Actually sounded more like Synthwave, which I absolutely love. Very well done.

@peanut_gallery Another amazing Synthwave piece. Absolutely incredible! You and myapologies honestly should collaborate if you haven't done so already.

@AlexY I really love that you went the Rock route. Not sure if anyone else attempted or will attempt the Rock route yet, but that was a great listen! This actually got me inspired to start work on my own Rock-ish track.

Thank you all who have participated so far! Looking forward to hearing more entries! Cheers.

I’ve definitely missed some….will go back and find them, thanks for this handy guide!

jwmmakerofmusic

@Fruitbat1919 said:

@jwmmakerofmusic said:
Alrighty, I finally had some time to listen to everybody's entries. I apologise for the delay. Everything's been so busy as of late.

@Fruitbat1919 I listened to your track already, but it was worth relistening to. Especially to compare it to your updated "That Dang Loophole" version. That was brilliant.

@Dav This was definitely a clever usage of the iM1 , and oh my god what a great piece of Jazz. I'm interested to learn more about your Jazz upbringing, especially after that sublime "Tiki" track.

@yellow_eyez I really like the dark minimalist approach to your piece. I wouldn't call it "basic". Sounds like the soundtrack to walking carefully in a graveyard at night. Very well done.

@GeoTony That thumbnail image had me fooled. Thought I was going to listen to something annoyingly cheerful, and instead I got something melancholy and soulful. I'm so happy it was the latter. Very beautiful and well done.

@cuscolima I don't know how the hell I missed your compliment, but thank you so kindly mate. I appreciate it.

@KirbyMumbo Are you rapping over that beat? I love it. Quite a different-sounding beat, but all in all a great end result. (I may feature you someday on one of my HipHop productions, lol.)

@ecamburn I really love what you did here! I love the minimal electronic aesthetics and the vocals. Really cool mate!

@raimundoarriagada Your track was very relaxing and smooth to listen to. I'm a sucker for Jazz recordings if you haven't already guessed by my reply to Dav, lol.

@myapologies I really loved your take on EDM. Actually sounded more like Synthwave, which I absolutely love. Very well done.

@peanut_gallery Another amazing Synthwave piece. Absolutely incredible! You and myapologies honestly should collaborate if you haven't done so already.

@AlexY I really love that you went the Rock route. Not sure if anyone else attempted or will attempt the Rock route yet, but that was a great listen! This actually got me inspired to start work on my own Rock-ish track.

Thank you all who have participated so far! Looking forward to hearing more entries! Cheers.

I’ve definitely missed some….will go back and find them, thanks for this handy guide!

Lol cheers. 🍻 Hope I myself didn't miss any. 😅