JD Torian

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• 09 Nov, 2025 *

Everyday Music Every Day #6

This week’s demo is called “Keeping Secrets.” track here

It’s a very simple combination 2 of the worlds I live in-synth wave and vocal (more actual songs/ song-like). Nothing fancy — and, once again, the vocal tone isn’t great. It’s a little lifeless and flat, but that’s just what was happening at the time.

The track itself, though, sounds good. I like the way it was processed. The vocals need to be woken up, but there are a couple of solid hooks in there — “I got to believe” being one of them. There’s another that doesn’t come to mind right now, but it repeats enough that it sticks.

Mostly, I’m just glad I finished it. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel with these instrumental synthwave tracks now that I’m starting to add vocals. The next demo should have more life in it — I can feel that happening. You kind of have to get the medium-good ones out of your system before you hit something real.

If I ever went back to this one (which I rarely do), I could fix it up easily. But as-is, I like the synthwave mess. It was made entirely on the MPC, using the Keys 37. I’ve really gotten back into the MPC lately and love it.

Yes, it has a screen — but I still call it “no screen” because I barely use the linear part, except for deleting things. I just go section by section. Like the SP-404, it’s a workflow that keeps me focused on what’s happening and out of my head.

All in all? I’d give it a solid C+. I’m glad I did it and I’m glad it’s here. Maybe a bit of a box checker but it’s done!

#creativepractice #everydaymusiceveryday #learningmusic #musicianslifelessons