Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with music and electronic

Recommendations for DJ samples/songs ala Fatboy Slim?

heatherfl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:30:56 -0800

My husband mixes dance music using Fruity Loops. I want to get him some CDs for Christmas for samples -- particularly stuff that sounds like Fatboy Slim. Help? I can buy loops already sampled or I can buy songs for that he can sample himself, it doesn't matter.

This song is a good overview of what FBS sounds like and what I'm looking for:
Mad Flava

There's a lot of retro sounding piano and brass, some funky bass/guitar, syncopated percussion, a bit of synth/electronica, and non-rap but rhythmically interesting vocals. If you're familiar with Fatboy Slim, you know what I mean!

FYI, I already got him "The Ultimate DJ Sample Box" which has actual Fatboy Slim samples. Just looking for supplemental goodies now.

So what should I get for him, music experts?

Thanks so much!

the difference it makes

four panels — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:29:22 -0800

Sort of looking for an Internet Radio Stream that plays kompakt pop/ambient kind of stuff. Thank you!

Live bass guitar looping - how DID he do it?

monster max — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:01:33 -0800

A little while back I heard a bass guitar player with some kind of amazing live looping set-up - what on earth was it? I keep wondering what he was doing. All I could see was that he was grabbing (sampling) things he was playing, as he was playing them (ie while he was continuing to play), using foot pedals of some sort, and then incorporating those loops into the rest of the track. Amazing. But how?

We were never mnml

azarbayejani — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:30:35 -0800

IdentifyThisElectronicMusicFilter: Does anybody know the name/artist/album of this minimal electronic track I found in a liveset (big mp3)? Or anything similar? I've been obsessed with this track (and liveset) for months and I really hope it's not an unreleased track from Move D and Benjamin Brunn because I hope it just points me in the direction of a new artist.

Anyway, if you don't know, but do know something you think I would like if I liked this track, that would be great too.

It's all "electro" to me.

256 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 10:24:47 -0800

Can anyone identify the artist, album, or even subgenre of this electronic music track? I'm terrible at the whole trance vs. ambient vs. trip hop thing. I don't even know where to begin. But I know I love this album that somehow got onto my hard drive with absolutely no identifying information.

Here is another track from the same album.

I really want to know what this album is and who made it, but even more than that, I want to know what this kind of music is called so that I can find more of it.

Strange Voices

phrontist — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:02:16 -0800

Recommend some music like Bon Iver's Woods, Imogen Heap's Hide and Seek, Beardyman, and some of Jamie Lidell - which feature nothing (or very little) but the human voice modified by electronics. Augmented acapellas, if you will.

That boy needs therapy

benzenedream — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:34:19 -0800

What are some of your favorite obscure electronic music singles? I'm looking for the kind of stuff where an otherwise unremarkable or unrecognized artist managed to release one perfect song. I am not interested in one-hit wonders as Wikipedia defines it -- I don't care if the song was ever popular or a club hit, just that it's good and interesting. Songs that creep onto your playlists despite not knowing or liking anything else by the same band are what I'm looking for, perhaps an excellent remix that managed to redeem a weak song. I tend towards artists such as Negativland, Lionrock, Aphex Twin, Prefuse 73, Amon Tobin, Girl Talk, DNTEL, Autechre, Avalanches, Jason Forrest, etc. but am looking for stuff far off the Pandora similarity radar.

♪ How Hard Can This Be . . .

@troy — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:36:38 -0800

Licensing music for Guitar Hero-like app I'm interested in developing a Guitar Hero-like app that allows you to "play along" with an animated score and I'd like to license real music for this.

Preliminary searching is rather unclear as to whether a compulsory mechanical license is sufficient, or whether due to the AV nature a full synch license will need to be negotiated (thus killing the idea dead).

(It's my understanding that the majors went for synch licensing, but they are also going for sound-alike, while my idea is rather similar to basic ring-tone quality, which falls under mechanical licensing, and not a full repro of the song as recorded).

Bonus points for knowledge of licensing JASRAC-controlled IP for similar use here in the states and in Asia . . .

Where do you dance if you missed the Electric Daisy Carnival?

theiconoclast31 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:03:18 -0800

Is there a rave subculture, and how can I get in on it? When I was in Holland, I met some people at my youth hostel who took me to some fantastic parties. Specifically, I remember a party held in a boat and each floor would have DJ's spinning a different kind of music. (So like, top floor was house, middle was drum n' bass, etc.) It was fantastic, and I've since become interested in everything electronic music.

Also bonus points for folks who know details of the rave scene in the bay area, because that's where I am for the summer. More general anecdotes and advice also welcome.

I want to make the bleepy bloppy wheezy sounds

speicus — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:06:21 -0800

Are there any stores that sell cheap toy musical instruments in Los Angeles? I'm looking for a few specific kinds of toy instruments:

-toy accordion (preferably one with piano keys like this one, though one with buttons would be fine too)
-voice changers
-toy fake guitars (you know, the ones that pump out a few canned riffs, like the inimitable One Man Jam)

Though other toy instruments are good too (especially electronic ones that can be bent). I tried going to Mega Toys but they seem to only be open during Xmas season, and my cursory stroll through Chinatown looking for shops was not so fruitful. Does anyone know of any stores around town that might have this kind of stuff for cheap?

Thanks in advance folks!

"I don't wanna work/I just wanna bang on the drums all day."

po822000 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:05:57 -0800

What are the best electronic drum kits on the market not named "V-drums"? After playing lots of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, I'm pining to get a drum kit again. I used to have on through the first year of college, but ended up selling it because it became cumbersome in frequent moves and, frankly, didn't endear me to neighbors.

I used to be really deep into drumming culture - I used to have all 40 rudiments memorized, used to read my copies of Modern Drummer religiously...but life got in the way, and I'm simply not as "in the know" about gear as I used to be.

I'd love to buy some electronic drums, because they tend to take up a smaller footprint than an acoustic set, and because most have headphone jacks, they're suburban-friendly. I would obviously love to have a set a V-Drums, but alas - the economy is down, and so are my coffers.

What are some of the more budget-friendly electronic drum kits out there that won't sound like I'm trying out for an '80s New Wave band when I play them?

How was Merriweather Post Pavilion made?

invitapriore — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:30:32 -0800

Electronic music production. How, for example, were the sounds on Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion made? This is a pretty short question, but I'm wondering what sorts of programs, instruments, techniques, etc. are used to make sounds like one can hear on that album. Is it possible with a MIDI controller and a program like Natural Instrument's Reaktor to do similar things?

Intense breaks + soft music = ???

azarbayejani — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:02:13 -0800

Breakfilter: Help me find songs that have similar drum breaks to You Got Me by The Roots. I've kind of been obsessed with this song for a few days. I'm talking about the drums that come in at around 3:30. To be more specific, it's not just the drums that attract me, but the drums set in such a laid back, jazzy background.

So basically I'm looking for some chill, jazzy hip-hop or trip-hop music that has some intense breaks in it. I like that contrast.

Side Question: What other hip hop groups use live instrumentals?

Unce unce bleep - "say what again"

rocco — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:34:35 -0800

Which movies have an electronic music soundtrack? I get the impression that electronic music doesn't sit too well in movies. With the exception of actual club scenes (Babel, IAG Pete Tong) techno, breaks, drum & bass don't often get a look in.

So, which movies use electronic music extensively or appropriately?

THANKS for any suggestions....

Yes No Maybe is all I need to hear from you

clearly — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:04:11 -0800

MusicFilter: I recently discovered Cut Copy and think that their new album is fantastic. Do you have any suggestions for similar upbeat feel-good electronic music?

How to network with other musicians and get feedback on my music?

wastelands — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:33:42 -0800

Advice for a beginning musician in terms of networking and promotion? Thanks to all of you for recommending software in my earlier Ask Mefi post (Getting started producing electronic music?), I gave it a shot and I started cranking out tracks.

Now I'm wondering if any of you had ideas in terms of getting my music out there? I'm not asking because I expect to or even want to make money or get famous. Mostly I want to network with like-minded experimental musicians and fans of such music to get their feedback, tips and tricks, etc. It would be nice to know a few people who actually know what VST is or who love tweaking synthesizer settings into the wee hours. Right now I feel pretty isolated.

I will be putting up my own website this weekend to make my tracks more accessible, but it takes a while to build traffic on any new site. I've sent MP3s to friends and family, and all but a couple of them had comments limited to something like, "That's cool."

Of course, I posted to music.mefi. :-) But it seems a dead in there for some reason.

Bonus points if you can tell me how to avoid using MySpace to do this. That site scares me. But, ya know, I will use it if I have to.

Getting started producing electronic music?

wastelands — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:54:55 -0800

How does an absolute beginner get started making electronic music? I've listened to electronic music for 13 years. I'm partial to ambient, noise, and anything abstract and experimental. I have always wanted to try my hand at creating music, but something like Reason 4 appears intimidating (not to mention expensive).

Does anyone have a recommendation for messing around and getting started with electronic music... without spending a bunch of money first? I'd like to see if I have a knack for it before I commit to major hardware and software purchases.

I've got an old school Dell computer at home running Windows XP, so compatibility with that platform would be nice.

Thanks!

Teach me how to unce unce

nitsuj — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:13:51 -0800

I want to learn, from a teacher face-to-face, to use the various tools in an electronic (as in "dance," including hip-hop) music producer's arsenal. Do classes/lessons exist? How about in Chicago? Drum machines, synthesizers, sequencers, samplers, etc -- you know the drill. I want to learn how to learn how to use these tools properly to create music.

I've used a number of different pieces of software that mimic popular pieces of hardware (Reason, for instance), but I really want to work hands-on with hardware, from a musician who knows how to use these instruments.

Do classes or lessons exist, like they do for guitar and other instruments? How about in the Chicago area? The Google isn't being very helpful in this department.

ID song from "iPhone in the enterprise" video?

Asymptote — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:16:16 -0800

What is the song used in the background of Apple's iPhone in the enterprise video? It's intensely familiar which is why I'm especially bugged about not being able to figure out what it is.

My first thought was that it was Digital Droo. I can't find any of his songs that match. Maybe I heard on Groove Salad.

If the direct link to the video above stops working, you can click on "Watch the video" on the left of side of this page.

Thanks!

Dance Music By People Who Hate Dance Music

murphy slaw — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:02:14 -0800

I recently rediscovered the song "Man, It's So Loud In Here" by They Might Be Giants, and the delicious juxtaposition of the New Order/Pet Shop Boys pastiche of the music and the sardonic treatment of club culture in the lyrics leads me to my question: What are some other songs that sound like typical dance music but which have lyrics that are critical of dance music or club culture in general?

Please Rock My Boat

cashman — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:00:57 -0800

Trying to find similar songs like these: electronic-ish with math-like beats. I love electronic or other genre songs with beats that seem almost mathematical. They often have numerous sequences and parts weaving in and out.

I put songs that exhibit this stuff like Dntel's Rock My Boat and Erin Lang's Happy to See You on this muxtape. Listen for a few seconds and see if any similar songs come to mind. I'm looking for specific songs rather than artist recommendations or instrumental stuff.

Got any songs for me?

Identify this sample?

aqhong — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:05:00 -0800

Calling all electro fans: can anyone identify the track sampled at 1:39 in this Justice concert clip?

Honestly, I would be thrilled with an artist, or even a GENRE.

tehloki — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:11:11 -0800

Can anyone identify the repeated clip of music in this flash movie? Warning: this is more difficult than these things usually are. WARNING: STROBING LIGHTS, ALSO SORT OF OFFENSIVE TOWARDS PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY.

Help me find more electronic covers of old punk songs.

23skidoo — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:37:07 -0800

I have recently found Of Montreal's cover of Where Eagles Dare, and I love it. Can you recommend me some more electronic(kish) covers of old punk songs? I am not looking for anything that is not an electronic(kish) cover of an old punk song. Please no "Not exactly what you asked for, but..." answers. What I asked for is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks.

Helio Sequence Sympathizers?

Texasjake987 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:49:38 -0800

Helio Sequence sympathizers? Help me find more! So for years now I've been exclusively listening to music that is long gone in terms of relative currency. I'm a huge fan of the beatles, most blues guitarists and lots of classic rock. The past year however, I've been more and more impressed by Portland Oregon's electronic/folk music scene.
One band in particular is phenomenal...The Helio Sequence.
They have several albums which develop in style and accessibility over the years, but essentially they remain (to me) an endlessly unique band. Check them out at www.myspace.com/theheliosequence
Ok that being said...
Does anyone know of any bands popular or not that sound really similar?