New Years Post & Custom Jungle Samples
Added 2025-01-04 14:03:42 +0000 UTCHappy New Years everyone :)
I hope your all brimming with the same enthusiasm and fervour I am. It's time to take on the new year and make the absolute best of it we possibly can. π
The Christmas break is always a great time for reflection on the past year, both on your achievements and where change and growth is needed.
2024 saw my YouTube Channel grow by 5,709 subscribers to nearly 14k with around 400,000 views. That's a lot of people dipping their toe into the niche world of old school jungle production techniques! π₯·
The growth of this Patreon channel is also something that has really surprised me and I can't tell you how grateful I am for everyone who's suck with me over here.
I've also finally had a couple of tape releases in planetary drift 1 & 2 with arcologies!
Releasing music in general is probably the weakest aspect in my journey as a music producer. The most honest I can be about this is that I actually don't love my tracks enough yet to really push them all out there. My understanding and ability to teach music and techniques is something i'm really proud of and I do think my music is good. But having listening to and loved so much jungle and DnB I know exactly how dope tracks sound and mine are just not quite there yet.
My favourite all time jungle tune. Chameleon - Close your eyes and listen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1iKxEY7i7Y
What is hugely important and is something I have focused on a lot this year is finishing music. Almost every project i've started i've pushed to completion, even if I didn't love the track or idea. I recognised at the start of last year that it was something I desperately needed to change and i'm happy to have taken on that challenge.
It's actually a hugely powerful learning tool, to sit back and truly ask yourself what you struggle with the most in your own production. Maybe it's mixing & mastering, bass, arranging or sound effects. As hard as it can be to tackle some of these topics, it's the only real way to get over these hurdles.
""It would be great if people could put what they struggle with the most down in the comments! Then I'll have some great topics to base the patreon vids on this year.""
For me this coming year, bass is something I really want to work on more. From synthesis to patterns and groove. It's a hard beast to tackle and can certaily make the ears sore at times but it's drum and bass at the end of the day! π₯π
I focused heavily on drums in 2024 and if anyone missed it I wrapped up last year with a summery style video into all the breaks techniques i've covered over the last 3 years on YouTube.
Ultimate Jungle Breaks Tutorial: From Beginner to Pro - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTskqRQPOug&t=1357s
On a slightly different note, something that i've very recently become fascinated by is analog audio/visuals like circuit bending, video synthesis & video feedback. I've barely dipped by toe down this rabbit hole but it's something i think would combine really well with my channels aesthetic and is definitely something I look forwards to exploring more this year.
How I Started Making Analog Video Visuals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgT_xNV_ju4&t=937s
Finally, just a big thank you from me in the form of a custom Jungle sample pack! This features loads of my favourite little chops and elements from all over my sample library with tonnes of classic sounds to dip into! π
Cheers everyone and big ups for the start of the year.
George π€
Comments
Cheers Alex. Yea it feels good to get a few tracks out. There is another Planetary Drift in the works also which might be in CD this time. I was talking to Alex (Human Synthetics) about us potentially doing a record compilation release at some point later this year which would be super cool also. Get everyone involved. It's a good point about trying to hard to perfect your music. Defininly something were all guilty off is holding onto tracks too long and then them never seeing the light of day. Thanks for sticking with me last year, glad you've been enjoying the channel :) If you want some good vids to brush up your drums This one - Ultimate Jungle Breaks Tutorial: From Beginner to Pro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTskqRQPOug
George CS
2025-01-13 09:09:36 +0000 UTCWell done on getting tracks on those two Planetary Drift compilations. Such a shame that they're only available as tapes. I wouldn't get to hung up on achieving your own view of perfection before submitting tracks for release. While you might feel a track isn't perfect other people might love it. I wonder how many of the producers of seminal tracks actually thought they'd nailed it. The videos last year were great and I'm planning on rewatching a few to refresh my drum production skills. Thanks for all the effort you put into your content.
Alex Wilson
2025-01-12 10:47:18 +0000 UTCYea it's definitly hard to do especially if you know the tracks are never going to see the light of day. It's been something I've struggle with a lot in the past so finishing tracks more consistently is what i really went for last year. The good thing is we're not alone as its the n1 thing I get asked :) Just gotta practise the art and skill of finishing music is mostly whats its about I think.
George CS
2025-01-06 12:29:03 +0000 UTCIts a great idea to finish all projects started. But hard to do. Guess we all sit on tons of wips. I steady try to perfect my tone, and forget iβll have to arrange before i mix. And get stuck thousands of times.
Marco
2025-01-05 07:32:53 +0000 UTC
