December the X factory Composition Challenge

[lurksalot]

Its Showcase time ... or at least copy someone else time.

 

Maybe, maybe not though, as December is traditionally the challenge of presenting a cover, it could be a new one or any that you have recorded this year.

It can be a faithful attempt at the original, a minimalist approach or a radical re-imagining but based on another song or tune .

 

 

 

 

 

This marks the spot for the start of the challenge , dive in and have some fun.

 

✅ Entries must be <5 minutes and recorded between now and the deadline.

❌ No illegal samples, copyright infringements or other snide goings-on

❌ Bagpipes, only if they are absolutely essential, but must be recorded live from Edinburgh castle at -65db

❌ No voting for your own entry. We'll know. And we'll shame you..

 

Deadline-wise, we will go for Midnight on Chrimbo day  ... Which really means you can still get cracking after Charlies speech 

 

A line or two of blurb as usual for the vote thread will be super duper smashing lovely.

 

catch you later 

 

PS we can sort a photo out for the January challenge after Chrimbo 

 

 

[Baloney Balderdash]

I strongly consider covering Wolfpack with Syd Barrett, one of my absolute favorite songs, but is quite difficult to get right as it has a very free flowing structure. 

 

I ponder on playing along with bass to the original tune, of course only record my own bass, and then record the vocals after. 

 

Just 2 tracks, tenor bass, and vocals, which doesn't exactly make it any easier to do it justice.

 

I am quite likely not to be one of the first to post my contribution, as is otherwise custom. 

 

I basically never did any serious covers before.

 

Edited December 2 by Baloney Balderdash

[Leonard Smalls]

On 02/12/2025 at 17:17, Baloney Balderdash said:

serious covers

Have you been on Basschat for long?

😁

I'm doing an early 80s classic. In a furrin' language, just to make it exciting. And I'm taking it all very seriously indeed.

Oh yes.

[Al Nico]

Presenting: A pop/disco track transformed into a future rave disco remix, starring special guest the Spector EMG-SSD.

 

Song: Break My Heart.
Artist: Dua Lipa
Vocal track from: acapellas4u.co.uk

 

Rewrote the chords and arrangement, then using the bit I know about future rave production teqniques, I played a 16 beat bass guitar pattern, like a mandolin. I split the bass guitar into three chanels then grouped them and gave that some Saturator > Compression/Expander > Compressor (kick side chain ducking)

 

Bass guitar channels:
CH1: Using fuzz and a leslie cabinet to make a 'saw wave' synth for mid range.
Stereo. 100khz high pass into POD amps - post: Compression/Expansion > EQ > stereo expander > 16 beat volume chopper

 

CH2: Using a small peak of frequencies to catch the 'snort' of the plectrum (how else?)
Stereo. Fed post FX from Ch1 - 1.4khz EQ peak > Compression > stereo expander > Compression/expander.

Ch3: The Sub channel. Key of F 55hz. Very low :]
Mono. Fed pre FX from CH1 - 44hz low pass > compression > 16 beat volume chopper

 

The channels are mixed in and out as needed for the sections. All flat out in the breaks.

 

I DM'd Dua to ask if we should add it to the world tour set and if I'd need to wear a costume and do 'The Zip'.
She said it would be a good one to end on but, she was still planning the tour and was having difficulties getting the promoters details from the receptionists at most stadiums these days.