sperra

meau tender (the account formerly known as hector sperra)

@sperra

rather tender <3

  • they/them

actor/improviser, writer & essayist, urban planner, computer scientist, amateur media scholar, Chicago lover, tupperware container for multitudes, #1 fleabag fan

it was an honor to be here, cohost <3

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sperra
@sperra

COMPOST #4 entry!

hector sperra - Pastry Place ("It's Frosting Time!")
Pastry Place ("It's Frosting Time!")
hector sperra
00:00

my first compost entry, for COMPOST #4! (i got stuck on my #3 entry halfway through and bailed on it...:eggbug-pensive:)

while writing this, i was picturing frosting a cake so large that you would have to climb a step or two up a ladder in order to frost the next layer. the music layers with the cake, getting more precarious with each step!

other thoughts:

  • took me more like 3-4(?) hours to make this? this is maybe the 5th or 6th composition i've ever made and i'm very sloooow at it still
  • this feels like video game background music to me (shocker that i would have made such a thing)
  • i feel like i'm pushing up against the limits of garageband ios (infuriating that i couldn't increase the tempo midway through) but also, ableton and logic scare me
  • big fan of the grace notes, and the clarinet line in the bridge, if i may compliment myself
  • this is cream cheese frosting. none of that nasty buttercream stuff.

feedback welcomed :)

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in reply to @sperra's post:

Glenatron
@Glenatron

This is really fun! It sounded a bit like it wanted to have something with a good glissando in parts to give more of a slippery feel, but it all holds together well.

If you wanted a step in a Logic direction but much cheaper and fundamentally very full-featured I use Reaper for writing music and it rules.

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Glenatron
@Glenatron

Very much the "Affinity Photo" of DAWs - does everything the big boys can but cheap for a personal license and will only hassle you about it if you don't buy one. Of course, if you start buying VSTs that's a slippery slope into expensive realms and one that I have had a great time sliding down.

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amelyssan
@amelyssan

head bobbing back and forth while listening, had a big smile on my face. the synth lead fit the vibe super well with the punchy drums. got super dreamy by the end, which seems to be a major theme between entries!

also i will fight you about buttercream frosting, this is now a flame war /s

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8Gigue-Bits
@8Gigue-Bits

My favorite part is definitely the middle section starting from 1:12. I love the new chord progression and the melody development there, and the fuller arrangement makes the drums feel (to me) less disruptive than they did at the start.
I can feel this song pushing against software limitations, but the concept and the composition are really strong and carry it really well nonetheless.

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composerfa
@composerfa

This is so lovely! Love the sound, and how warm the sound is.

I can recommend checking out Logic for an upgrade to your current DAW - its setup is very similar to Garageband, and I made the same jump when I started doing music more seriously. More options and power did scare me a little bit, but the interface is very familiar and there are tons of videos and guides everywhere. Good luck!!

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hvb
@hvb

heartily agree about all the grace notes - they really add a ton of character and shaping to the parts. the little details make a great difference. this is such a sweet tune, too... i love the piano intro/outro the most, but as it goes the fuller and fuller arrangement is very nice! good pacing

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