When I first joined ILL , the "vets" back then were so mean to me in the showcase lol. BUT I really needed that reality check in order to improve.
So no Iron Keys you shouldn't give up. You should continue to experiment and try new things until you get it right.
Iron Keys:
-Do It big : I agree with LDB and dox ... drums are too stiff for the west coast style , not feeling the piano-strings sounds either (they sound very Casio-like).
-Bouncybuzzy: very basic sounds, they're in desperate need of FX's ....
I disagree, it's an important part of production but an amateur beatmaker can mess up the best loops ... (bad mix, picking wrong drums, etc ...)
Dope vid by the way.
A good summary of DAW's in 2011. I don't really understand how Mixcraft can place higher than Acid ...lol
http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/the-15-best-daw-software-apps-in-the-world-today-238905
This is a 12" comprised of three unreleased tracks (only 300 units were pressed).
http://www.discogs.com/Rakim-The-Cellar-EP/release/1346947
Rakim - Show Me Love (Rugged Version 1996) - YouTube
Just like LDB said, it depends on sub-genres. Most "east coast" producers work with very high values.
If swing bothers you, perhaps you shouldn't force it.