My growing collection of remix / remake entries for the MetaPop / Native Instruments challenge contest. #metapop #nativeinstruments ... I am a fan of these great learning challenges. The premise being that Metapop and other recording artists challenge music producers to remake or remix their tracks / audio stems into something new. I often only use the vocal stems and re-record the instruments / arrangements myself in The Hutch. They are judged and winners awarded. check out metapop.com.

MetaPop / Native Instruments Remix Challenge

My own playlist mash-up of both covers and original tracks created by The Hutch. (me!). Some old, new, borrowed and true!! All recording production, instruments, midi and arrangements are Made In The Hutch studio. 
Vocal tracks / audio stems are from various online resources.
Covers are demos / non-commercial releases. I do not monetize these.
I am a hobby producer / guitarist, learning to make music. 
I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU HIT THE LIKE BUTTON / COMMENT.

Music Made In The Hutch

My "The Hutch" playlist of EDM Style / electronic pop tracks, remixes and covers using synthesizers. All recorded from scratch with vocal stems from various online sources.

Forgive Me, I Have Synth'd

"Cold Hard Cache" : The Android Trap. C2021
+++ Original Music by D.Cook. Part of the Android Trap E.P. : https://soundcloud.com/made-in-the-hutch/sets/the-android-trap-e-p
+++ A synth based trap instrumental recorded mainly with Ableton stock instruments / FXs / Simpler (a Sample Player).

I saw the robot image on Pexels and that sparked off a sequence of inspiration. I have two more like this in progress, so I will make a "mini EP" of this probably under "The Android Trap". 
Enjoy... FEEDBACK WELCOME !!!

Cover Art :  A.I. Adobe Firefly Beta

The Android Trap

Cold Hard Cache

The Android Trap: Cold Hard Cache

CLO – Sliding Doors Remix Contest 2021
#CLOSlidingDoorsRemixContest2021
This is my entry for the "Clo - Sliding Doors" remix contest c/o of Produce Like a Pro, Clo, iZotope and Native Instruments. I used various stems, but most of this remix uses new instruments and arrangements. 

CLO’s sound is an effortless blend of pop, soul and doo-wop – emerged organically growing up listening to Motown greats like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

This remix was a labour of love for me. I liked the melody and arrangement, but thought I could "mix-it-up" a bit with a retro pop feel. See what you think... let me know with a comment or a like!

Made in The Hutch July 2021
The original recording and content details are here : https://producelikeapro.com/blog/clo-sliding-doors-remix-contest/

More music from the Hutch  here:
https://www.facebook.com/thehutchmusic

Sliding Doors

Sliding Doors : Clo/Metapop/Hutch Remix

"Mint Choc Chip" by Derek Cook. Made in The Hutch c2022
An original instrumental / composition and recording.

This track was written, produced and submitted for a Metapop Music Challenge @metapop.com. The brief was to take a few solo 4 bar guitar loops and compose a whole track around them in celebration of the release of a new virtual guitar plugin called "Electric Mint" by Native Instruments.

I used at least 5 samples in this track, including a minor pentatonic ditty.

So my track "Mint Choc Chip" was written from scratch, in C minor and based on that Electric Mint guitar samples. Recorded and mixed with Ableton  Live 10 and using : Studio Drummer, Rickenbacker Bass, Hybrid Keys, Scarbee Mark 1 Piano, Arkhis Strings and Session Horns. Let me know what you think.

Mint Choc Chip (Funk It Up)

"Cometh the Hour" c2022. 
:::: A MetaPop.com Halloween Challenge Entry ::::
++++++ #metapop #nativeinstruments ++++++
Written, recorded and produced #madeinthehutch c2022
Tick Tock... the Day of the Dead is approaching fast .... Say your prayers as the 12 bells toll... Nooo... It's too late ... the final doom of Hell rings out. 

The task was to take a few short sound FXs and Imperial Stem loops and turn them into an original Halloween-esk theme. The tick tock and the war drum stems inspired me to write this one. I think I approached it more as a TV Drama / Thriller theme tune. Feedback welcome!

Cloak And Dagger

Cometh The Hour

Cometh The Hour (Halloween Mix)

#saiina #metapop #nativeinstruments
This is a remake/mix for the Metapop Challenge using vocal stems from Saiina's latest release called "Hypnotise". Saïna (pron. Sa-ee-na) is a North West London-based singer/songwriter/producer influenced by Neo-Soul, Rnb, Jazz & Hip Hop.

I recorded all the instrumentals, apart from the jazzy sax phrases. The original was very jazzy, so I energised this up a bit with a new drum kit, synth bass groove, pads and ePianos. I used Saiina's superb vocal stems. Recorded & Mixed In The Hutch Nov 2022. Ableton Live 10 / NI Kontakt / Ozone.

Hypnotise (Hutch Remix)

Hypnotize : Saiina/Metapop/Hutch Remix

#metapop #cyberpunk #synthpop
"March of the CyberPunks" is part of the Android Trap E.P. https://soundcloud.com/made-in-the-hutch/sets/the-android-trap-e-p
++++
A new and original synth' composition for an online competition by Metapop. The brief was to create an original piece of electronic synth based music / track... anything futuristic, computer-game, electronic, doom sounding goes.

This is my entry and actually fits well under my The Android Trap collection. Whilst I love acoustic and guitar based pop/rock music... the electronic/computer based stuff is still a fascination with endless sounds to explore. It's amazing! 

Composed / Recorded: Derek Cook / The Android Trap
Using Ableton, NI Komplete, iZotope Ozone, Guitar Rig
Cover Art :  A.I. Adobe Firefly Beta

March of The CyberPunks

My '23 version(cover) of the classic Led Zepp' guitar powerhouse that is "Black Dog" originally released way back in 1971. Led Zeppelin, one of my all time fave rock bands discovered in the glorious summer of '76 ... actually a mate had nicked the double cassette "Physical Graffiti" from a well known chain store and we listened to it so many times in the town square under the hot sun of '76. That album woke me up musically from the tamer pop glam in the charts at the time. Glory Days!

So this was a bitch to get right as it has so many weird tempo and time changes. Apparently, a deliberate ploy of the band to make it harder to copy. Still that is what the musical grid and note fractions are for. That and modern recording techniques allow for more trial and error takes. (But in the days of tape, for sure harder). I am particularly happy with my drum track here. yes, it's midi programmed but I studied the original track / drum score a lot to get the fills and grooves as close as I could. Onward.... 
++++
All Instruments Recorded : The Hutch (Guitars, Bass and Drum Midi)
Mix and Produced: The Hutch with Ableton Live 10 / Native Instruments
Vox Trax: c/o Recisio (Vocals Stems)
Original Copyright / Publishing: Led Zeppelin / Page / Plant
This Performance: Made in The Hutch c2023.

Black Dog

OMG! ...  TURN IT UP! 
+++++++
My demo cover* of Glam Metal artist Lita Ford's classic 1988 rock anthem "Kiss Me Deadly". Originally written by Mick Smiley and then produced by the 70's Glam Rock hit factory man Mike Chapman (Sweet, Mud, Pat Benetar, Suzi Quatro, Smokie, Arrows, etc).  
++++
Keys / Drum Midi, All Guitars and Bass : The Hutch
Vocal Track:  c/o Revisio (karaoke-version.com)
Sound Tech: Ableton Live 10, iZotope Ozone 9, Native Instruments
++++
*Not for sale, download or profit. Demo for learning purposes only. 
Copyright of song with original writers and publisher
This recording / performance Made In The Hutch

Kiss Me Deadly

+++ STARGAZER +++
It's BIG, loud and involved... with classical overtones using the E Harmonic Minor (unusual for a rock track). Please listen on good speakers, volume as high as you can stand it!

It was complicated to learn and record, a real challenge for a home studio. But finally, after about 4 weeks of trial and error, here is my cover of the EPIC eight-minute track from the acclaimed album 'Rainbow Rising' as made famous by Richie Blackmore's Rainbow (former guitarist of Deep Purple). Richie teamed up with an awesome rock vocalist, Ronnie James Dio, and renowned rock drummer Cozy Powell after leaving Deep Purple. What a band. This is the standout track from the album. Sadly, this line-up didn't last too long.

I remember being blown away when I first heard the original 40 + years ago. 

I deliberately took this on to improve my playing and as a study in powerhouse rock with classical overtones. Little did I know how hard it was to learn all the parts. I put some hours into this and gave up a few times trying to get the sounds and arrangements right. Thankfully, I found a great vocal stem to use... quite close to Dio's, which encouraged me to continue.

Starting with the drums... these took about 4 days on and off to study and program. Without these sounding good, there was no point in learning the rest. Epic drums for sure. Love em. 

The bass and organ were fairly straightforward... then the guitars!! 

Richie is a rock guitar god... this track has a 41 bar guitar solo !!! Ahhh. Most songs have 8 bars. This was a challenge too far for me. Over a 2 week period I practised this, but some parts were just too fast for my old fingers, rather than difficult. Many of the 16th triplets and 32th notes foxed me for ages. I decided to record it in sections, break it down. So I got it to work best I could. I never got a take all the way through without making errors. I also forsook the slide guitar part. 

Interestingly, I couldn't find any live footage of Richie B actually playing the guitar solo, note for note, off the record! Maybe it was too hard for him to play in one take?

So, like the Pros, the solo is a composite of various takes in order to get a good version.

Anyway, it's done and I'm extremely happy with the final result. 

PLEASE SHARE.

Song Credits : Rainbow, Dio and Blackmore
Recording / Performance : The Hutch c2023
Vocal Stem : Copyright Recisio KK Ltd
Tech : Ltd & Squier Guitars, Ibanez, Ableton Live 10, Guitar Rig, Kontakt VSTs, Native Instruments, A49 Keyboard, Scarbee Rickenbacker VST.

*Not for sale or profit.

Stargazer

The Cyber Warz E.P. Track #1 "The Vanguard". 
Copyright c2023 Made in The Hutch
The Android Trap presents an original cinematic / soundtrack style composition as a follow-up to "March of the Cyberpunks". The Vanguard blends electronic/synths sounds and classical influences in a track that could befit a futuristic video game soundtrack or as a TV / Film theme.

The Android Trap is working on fantasy futuristic style electronic music with EDM, rock/pop and classical overtones. The influence is robots / drones / A.I. and cyberspace fantasy. 

Composer: Derek Cook
Artist: The Android Trap
Production: Made In The Hutch
This is an Original & Copyright work. You must seek permission to use this track for commercial / braodcast purposes.

Cyber Warz E.P.

Cyber Warz. The Vanguard

Demo #1 Release c2018 / Remixed 2023. 
Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FB1kshb_Ocw 

The pure pop icon that is #KylieMinogue had a global hit with this EDM Style dance track. As much as I detested it on release (not a KM fan) I have come to realise it is pure pop genius. It's hard to ignore that infectious hook, simple loop structure & it is well produced. The title fits perfectly. Of course having Kylie do the track with that provocative video... well it just could not fail.

Thoughts: So I though I'd try something a little more modern, for me at least. As a rocker, this is not in my comfort zone but I enjoyed making the track using mainly EDM sounds. Plus, I wanted a way to try out my new NI A49 keyboard. I pretty much tried to recreate the track as the hit to learn more about midi electronic music production. Yep I learned a lot and I can already see where I need to re-work and the potential of virtual instruments. The vocal stem is courtesy of Karaoke Version, which is not far off Kylie's version I think.

Tech: Native Instruments A49 + Audio 6 interface, Ableton Live 9.7 DAW, Tele Guitar, Guitar Rig 5 FX, AKAI APC key25, Kontact Instrument Library / Synths (e.g Massive / FM8 / String Assemble).
NOTE # Demo only, not for resale or distribution. #cantgetyououtofmyhead

Can't Get You Out Of My Head

A flash-bang-wallop version of Tchaikovsky's Sugar Plum Fairy featuring the 'Trash Can Drum Kit', (percussion recorded from the street).

OK, The Sugar Plum rebelled ... she put on some DM boots, ditched her too-good-to-be-true persona and stomped around the trash cans, junk yards and street furniture making a heavy racket!

So this experimental track is based around Tchaikovsky's Sugar Plum Fairy theme. It started life as a series of street sounds recorded on my Zoom H1 digital recorder and processed in Audacity to make the Trash Can Drum Kit! 

So listen out for the "bass kick" from the trash bin and the crunched autumn leaves for the snare/clap and then keys rattling, bus stop poles, a coat zipper, wire fence scrapes, bin clanks, beach pebbles and door slams! Then all overdubbed with FXs and a heavy brass/string performance of the iconic "Sugar Plum" dance theme.... this is a demo only! LIKE IT? ... then hit the heart icon.

Digitally recorded & mixed in The Hutch Jan' 2019 using Ableton Live 9.7, Native Instruments, A49 keys, Audio 6 I/O and stock VST instruments. Played and arranged by D.Cook. :-)

Junk Yard Fairy, The Sugar Plum Rebel

Junk Yard Fairy (The Sugar Plum Rebel)

c2019 Performance & Recording The Hutch : Demo Version
++++ Not for sale, hire or mass distribution +++
This is my EDM-ish take on the classic Queen stadium rocker "We Will Rock You". There are quite a few Freddie Mercury vocal stems around... so I included his real vocal on here. What a voice!

*** Please LIKE or COMMENT - FOLLOW ME ! ***
I am a big fan of the early Queen stuff from the 70's after discovering them on "The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC TV) before they were famous. Such awesome musicians and performers. And how can you not like the simple beat and rhythmic lyrics of this party song. Hail Freddie, Hail Queen! And because of that beat it lends itself to many interpretations. 

Recorded as a demo in The Hutch. Demo only, not for sale.
Ableton Live 9.7, Native Instruments VSTs, A49 keys, LTD guitar EC1000.

We Will Rock You (Drum & Bass)

We Will Rock You (Drum & Bass Ed.)

WELCOME - SO GLAD YOU CAME.
This is my muso' home, a sanctuary, a creative cauldron of musical ideas, covers, new stuff, original and maybe sometimes off-centre. Even a few surprises as I go where my changing musical interest goes. I am a hobby producer and musician. Those 12 notes are still fascinating me.

If nothing else, this is first and foremost, for my own greater good, to ease a wary soul, shield me from the slings and arrows of modern life. So, keeping me from insanity in a broken world.

Enough rambling, I'll let the chords and the melodies do my talking.
++ Please HIT THE LIKE button, it encourages me ++

NOTE: Yes, constructive feedback is always welcome :-)