North Atlantic

Kicbal

Get Flash to see this player.

Description

Inspired by the Atlantic Ocean (no kidding!), and growing up near the New England coast. To me this has a slightly ominous feel to it, but the overall groove prevents things from sinking down too deep. This song is the feeling of being a mere spec in an endless and and vast environment, but you still have the means to survive and even thrive.

This is also my 1st complete song that I've written with my (long time coming) home studio setup, so it's as much me getting my hands dirty and experimenting with stuff as anything else. No loops, all original programming and melodies. Hope you enjoy it. I should have some other material posted soon. Thanks

Leave a Comment

You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Song Stats

Hits: 1289
Comments: 40
Fans: 16
Plays: 139
Downloads: 46
Votes: 3
Uploaded: May 07, 2008 - 09:16:41 AM
Last Updated: Jan 08, 2009 - 04:17:52 PM Last Played: Oct 10, 2009 - 09:18:36 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Keywords:

groove (86), dark (363), lush (5), ambient (613), rock (1437), ominous (3), piano (715), ocean (52), elements (4), electronic (372)

Hardware:

Oxygen 8 keyboard controller

Software:

Garageband and various soft synths and effects

Comments

drakonis

drakonis said 565 days ago (May 7th, 2008)

Definitely NOT Pacific!
Does have a bit of the stormy splashy feel to it. This does NOT feel like ambient though, as it grabs my attention, and although the BPM is way up there and the drums are artificially fast, it is to well-written and not numbingly repetitive enough to be "trance" (oops, did that sound biased?) I dunno, just "cool electronica" I guess. Welcome to Macjams! Nice graphic, looks like an IFS image.
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

Kicbal	Kicbal said 565 days ago (May 8th, 2008)
	Thanks for being the first comment You and Aerojet are on the same line of thinking, and I agree too. Hopefully I can be more accurate at defining what genre my stuff links to in the future. Why doesn't MacJams just have a simple 'Electronic' listing, or did I miss it? Thanks again for you comments and support. -Kicbal Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

tokai	tokai said 565 days ago (May 7th, 2008)
	Very well played, there is a lot of stuff going on. You done a great production of this, sounds amazing with cans on. You constantly have changing patterns, impressive stuff. Check out my latest song called maizuru/Bud/Char

Kicbal	Kicbal said 565 days ago (May 8th, 2008)
	Big Thanks You have some great, inventive music too. Love all the cool spoken word samples. Thanks for your comments Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

gail60	gail60 said 565 days ago (May 7th, 2008)
	cool music I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. You are very creative and I look forward to sharing more of your music. Thanks for sharing this with us. Very nice! Welcome to MacJams. Check out my latest song called Sweet September

Kicbal

Kicbal said 565 days ago (May 8th, 2008)

Props from a real pianist
Thanks for your comments, especially coming from a skilled piano player like yourself. The piano melody on this song is something I threw together with what little skill I have. My main instrument is the sax, so it's a challenge to come up with compelling chords and textures when most of my musical life has been spent creating one note at a time.

Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

AEROjet

AEROjet said 565 days ago (May 7th, 2008)

Kicbal
First of all, welcome to Macjams. I'm always glad to see new electronic artists join the community. Congrats on your first post. You have a good sense of arrangement. You keep the piece interesting by frequently bringing in new musical ideas. Drakonis is correct however, this wouldn't necessarily be considered ambient music. Usually, ambient music falls below 90 bpm, which your piece easily exceeds. In general, I'm not really concerned with labels because the music speaks for itself, and yours has a fresh, unique style. The only criticism I have, and perhaps it's a personal bias, but the instruments you've used are unmistakably Garageband. That doesn't affect the quality of your song from a compositional standpoint, but I really think you would benefit from a program like logic express or reason because you'll have more tools to compose with. If you're not looking to move out of garageband just yet, investigate adding AUs (audio units) to use with garageband giving you more instrument options. Just do a google search on AU or VST for mac OS X and you'll find a few free plug-ins and instructions on how to install them.

-AEROJET

Check out my latest song called You Got Me (remix)

Kicbal

Kicbal said 565 days ago (May 8th, 2008)

Thanks for the insights
Aerojet, much appreciated comments. I too agree with the incorrect genre listing. I don't think this song fits into any one genre except maybe a general electronic tune but I couldn't find that as an option. Also agree on the sounds, though some of them are new to me, they have probably been overused on this site particularly. I have found a few AU plugins. The gurgling synth sound is from the Crystal synth plugin. Anyway, I do plan on upgrading to Logic Express and possibly in the future will update this song with some different sounds. Cheers!

Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

DJbliss	DJbliss said 564 days ago (May 8th, 2008)
	Wow Very nice! Unmistakably GarageBand, but extremely well done to say the least! When I hear it I don't have visions of the ocean or a storm, but to me it feels more like a theme to a level of an adventure/story line video game of sorts... Traveling across time or something like that. :) Very nice, added to favorites! Check out my latest song called LIOLI - First Attempt

Kicbal	Kicbal said 564 days ago (May 9th, 2008)
	Game Music Would probably fit in well with that old school game "Outrun". Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

gregd

gregd said 563 days ago (May 10th, 2008)

Kicbal
I can hear the North Atlantic in this piece, but you keep the music from getting too murky. I like it. Nice first post. My two cents: I thought that the distorted guitar/synth instrument was a bit harsh, but you moved in and out of instruments regularly which kept any one element from getting dull or irritating. In fact, you kept the tune lively and interesting---like others have said.

At some points in the song I felt like some instruments were almost on different planets as far as they fit together in the song. Were you using very different amounts of reverb or echo on some tracks compared to others? Sometimes, I've found that really separates the voices of a song when I'm mixing. Maybe it's me though.

There are buckets full of great (and free) Audio Units out there for Garage Band and Logic. Check out some of Michael2's tracks to get the skinny on their names. He's always turning me on to new programs out there.

There used to be an electronica category I think, but it's gone the way of the Dodo. I Hope you stick around though. I like your music.
-g

Check out my latest song called 08nov08

Kicbal

Kicbal said 563 days ago (May 10th, 2008)

Thanks
Yes I'm actually just stoked that I was able to complete a song that is reasonably listenable. I am looking forward to getting more adept at mixing and expanding my sounds and effects as time goes on. I do have a few AUs that I have found, but I'm also trying to temper how much I do with each song. I don't want to use a sound or effect just because I can. Anyway, got some other material in the hopper that I hope expands and improves on 'North Atlantic'

Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

craft	craft said 561 days ago (May 11th, 2008)
	cool song nice blend of sounds going on here... Well done Check out my latest song called Blue Lights (feat. Spleenveil)

Kicbal	Kicbal said 561 days ago (May 12th, 2008)
	Yer Welcome Glad you liked it. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

	said 549 days ago (May 23rd, 2008)
	Cool! Very nice piece of work, great choice of sounds and well placed. Welcome to MJ my friend, I'm looking forward to hear more from your stuff... Cool work! Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

Kicbal	Kicbal said 549 days ago (May 24th, 2008)
	Likewise Thanks for listening to my stuff, because it allowed me to make a great new discovery, which is your inspired and also "Very Cool" music. I hope to have some new material posted soon and am looking forward to hearing more from you too. Take Care -Kicbal Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 411 days ago (October 9th, 2008)
	Good Feel Not my usual musical cup of tea, but I can always appreciate a good sense of musicality and fine musicianship when I hear it. This tune evokes the feel you were after and that's always something to be proud of. Nicely done... welcome to MacJams. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

Kicbal	Kicbal said 410 days ago (October 9th, 2008)
	Thanks again Appreciate the comments. Nice to know that the song has an effect on people even if it isn't what they usually gravitate towards. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

poodyglitz	poodyglitz said 376 days ago (November 12th, 2008)
	Takes Me To Some Nice Places But definitely not ominous. Very up. Electropop fits as a description. very clean and bright. Oh yeah, it's got the loudness factor as well. :-) A great first effort. Check out my latest song called Media Man Update

Kicbal	Kicbal said 366 days ago (November 23rd, 2008)
	10 thank yous Thank You X 10. Always nice to have people stop by for a listen. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

awigze	awigze said 360 days ago (November 28th, 2008)
	transition nice transition into the Rock sound.... are you going to throw on some of that saxamophone???? Check out my latest song called We got to Jive in Blues by (Feter)

Kicbal	Kicbal said 360 days ago (November 28th, 2008)
	transition Not on this particualar tune. I have a new song that is almost done that has quite a bit of sax in it. Will post as soon as its presentable. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

mackellar	mackellar said 355 days ago (December 3rd, 2008)
	Nice production. I particularly like the sound and texture of your drums. I am feeling the mere spec bit, having experienced a few hurricanes myself. Welcome my friend. Check out my latest song called The Bramul

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	Definitely NOT Gulf of Mexico Nice composition. I really like your instrument choices, especially the beefy blasts from that one fat synth. I use an Oxygen 8 as well. Bob Check out my latest song called Michael Pool

Kicbal	Kicbal said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	Appreciate Thanks Mackeller and Five_Extra_Arms, appreciate both your comments and both of your excellent music posts. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

1rwhite1	1rwhite1 said 351 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	Awesome! Hey, man, this is great stuff! Congratulations on the new studio equipment. Looking forward to hearing more of your work. You have some nice changes going on here; there's not a boring moment in this piece. Keep up the good work and welcome to Macjams. Check out my latest song called Who We Are

Kicbal	Kicbal said 351 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	Thanks for the props. Glad that the tune ket your interest. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

Kicbal	Kicbal said 351 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	Revision . . .kept your interest, duh. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

Bubowski	Bubowski said 350 days ago (December 8th, 2008)
	Nice first post I like this, it moves right a long, production quality is great. Music and groove are good. Like the guitar sounds...played on the keyboard? I'm not a fade-out guy, so I like to hear definitive endings, but other than that, very nice. Graham My Latest: Galaxy Band 8 - http://www.macjams.com/song/48043 Check out my latest song called Galaxy Band 8

Kicbal

Kicbal said 350 days ago (December 8th, 2008)

Thanks
Yes the guitar sound is a tweaked synth with some distortion added. I have grand schemes that one day I'll have enough material for a whole album. Kinda figured that my first real solo attempt at a song would be a nice closer for the album. Figured that the fade out might be a nice way to end things. But since I'm such a prolific artist, it may take a while.

Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

awigze	awigze said 348 days ago (December 10th, 2008)
	dropped in again dropped by to listen to this again. Hey, I saw the pic of the Cannonball you are holding on your profile page. That's the Stone Series BS Finish, isnt it? I ended up with the HS HotSpur. Check out my latest song called We got to Jive in Blues by (Feter)

RadioChuck	RadioChuck said 348 days ago (December 11th, 2008)
	right then this track works for me .... genre busting indeed ... just MY cup of tea ... very cool. Check out my latest song called (7)Good... Bye... Chicks

Kicbal	Kicbal said 347 days ago (December 11th, 2008)
	Thank You Thanks for the listen. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

PrototypeEightyOne	PrototypeEightyOne said 344 days ago (December 14th, 2008)
	cool cool stuff dude, well done and sounded nice and clear. Check out my latest song called Confusion

Kicbal	Kicbal said 344 days ago (December 14th, 2008)
	Hey Proto Thanks a ton. Looking forward to your final result of THE TUNE. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

Diviner	Diviner said 339 days ago (December 19th, 2008)
	Very impressed Well done this has been very well composed. Very good music and esp impressed that its all original with no loops. Cool track. Blown away actually because the production is really good and clean, must be those Atlantic Gales. Check out my latest song called Space Program (Space Race 2009)

Kicbal	Kicbal said 339 days ago (December 19th, 2008)
	Thanks Really impressed by your stuff too. Check back soon because I should FINALLY have a couple more songs that I am finishing up over the holidays. Thanks again for the positive comments. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

TracyVosh	TracyVosh said 338 days ago (December 20th, 2008)
	Great This is great stuff Kicbal! Cool, interesting sounds throughout...can't wait to hear your new posts! Check out my latest song called Octopus

Kicbal	Kicbal said 322 days ago (January 5th, 2009)
	Thanks Appreciate you stopping by to listen. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

DeathArrow

DeathArrow said 322 days ago (January 6th, 2009)

lalalla
hej if this is garageband i'm impressed !! this is well-done..i could never do this in garageband...maybe in logic but i'm too lazy to programm all the synth and maybe it's a bit too complicated...(i should read the manual for the synths again ^^)
so to come back to your song there are terrific sounds in it...but this is not my style i would never listen to this is my spare time don't take it personal...but i'm a very objective criticiser...so as others said an upgrade to logic (express or pro) would be fine because in garageband you have limited possibilieties..in logic you can do what you want to...this is a very original piece could imagine it in a dance club at night ... or in an undercover-agent-film ... haha keep the good songs coming...good to you have a studio !!! i would like one too... :'(
cheers, luke

Check out my latest song called Summer Day

Kicbal	Kicbal said 321 days ago (January 6th, 2009)
	Thanks for the listen Well, I should clarify, that the home studio is also the guest bedroom and office, but its in the basement away from the upstairs bedrooms, so I can play loud music late at night and not wake the kids. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

Char	Char said 252 days ago (March 17th, 2009)
	You grabbed me from the first note. This is just great. I really enjoyed everything you did here. It feels good to let someone know how much they entertained you. Loved it. Thanks. Check out my latest song called Break Away (Mark Holbrook & Awigze)

Kicbal	Kicbal said 245 days ago (March 23rd, 2009)
	As always Thanks for listening. Love your kind comments. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

Day-Dreamer	Day-Dreamer said 245 days ago (March 24th, 2009)
	Enjoyed a cooll tune. off to listen to a few more of your's now I found you. Thanks. Check out my latest song called IT'S OVER (V2)

Kicbal	Kicbal said 244 days ago (March 24th, 2009)
	Cool Thanks for listening. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

shavingronaldscar	shavingronaldscar said 231 days ago (April 7th, 2009)
	nice! man, you gotta get past garage band and into logic, or cubase, or ableton or something. you're too good to restrict yourself like that! Check out my latest song called Way Down FIlth

Kicbal	Kicbal said 231 days ago (April 7th, 2009)
	Ha Thanks again. Gotta get a new house and studio setup again before I make the leap to some new software. Actually wanting to upgrade to Logic Express sometime soon. Check out my latest song called Falling Stars Forgotten

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: Chroma Specter

My name is Christopher Watson. My musical entity is called "Chroma Specter", but I'm sticking with "Kicbal" for my MJ handle. I listen to and am influenced by a wide range of music, from Electronic to Jazz to Funk/R&B to Metal and places in-betwee... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

Electropop (also called Technopop) is a subgenre of synth pop music which flourished during the early 1980s, although the first recordings were made in the late 1970s. Numerous bands have carried on the electropop tradition into the 1990s and 2000s.

More songs in Electropop:

Chat

bud	53
Ed Hannifin	54
Feter	41
GreenChilliMusic	51
jiguma	55
kassia	19
rac927	33
scaustrita	12
tonestones	4
Trooper7	15