Quote: Original post by lack o comments
Again, I don't have any sort real education or training in this stuff so I tend to make up words as I go [grin]

No worries! I appreciate it.

Quote: Original post by lack o commentsBy "omnipresent' I was trying to convey a sense of space and direction. As I said before, I can simply close my eyes and listen to the music and by doing so, pinpoint the fact that it is being generated by the speakers in front of me. What tends to sound better is when the listener cannot associate the speakers with generating the source of sound, but rather it seems as if the music exists within the room. Does that make sense?

Yes that makes sense. Some mixes I can get that sort of feeling and some I don't. Within the parameters of this particular piece, the setting of the cello is situated Stage close which is probably why that actual instrument appears so prominent. I also equalized the hell out of it and probably added a wee bit too much reverb. Changing things like that might help with getting the mix to a more natural positioning. Thanks for the comments.

Quote: Original post by lack o commentsI listened again, more closely this time, to the melody. I really think that shortly after you start the beat that the strings should fade out a little (so you can better hear the rest) and perhaps a wind instrument of some kind should bring a more structured and faster paced version of that theme into the song. It would help the listener stay with the bass and beat and keep a sense of energy. Again, that's just my personal preference so feel free to ignore or adapt.

Hmmm...Yea! I was thinking a flute and an oboe could add a lot to various points in the piece. I think what I need to decide now is whether or not I want this piece to be orchestral or electronica oriented. I don't think the 2 are mixing well at the moment.

Thanks again for listening!

Ryan

Quote: Original post by Funkymunky
on that second one i really don't like the strings used from the beginning and throughout. They are too whiny. too much midrange.

I agree. They sounded really good in the headphones though. I think my ear is more tuned to higher frequencies...I really need to work on actually 'equalizing' things. :D I really overdo it sometimes, terrible habit of mine actually.

Quote: Original post by FunkymunkyAlso, the drums and bass should pop out much more than they do (especially the drums) and it doesn't sound right because the strings are too long and drawn out for the tempo of the drums.

I think cutting back on the cello will help those elements quite a bit. I will see how affecting the cello will help other areas of instrumentation to jump out a bit more. Nice suggestions btw.

Here's a battle track!

Battle

Howdy Rain!

I should start with a disclaimer: I was hoping to do soundtrack for Hero of Allacrost! So if I'm a bit harsh, maybe it's because I wanted your job. ;)

Okay, with that out of the way, I'm going to be totally not interesting and agree that the "empire" theme is the strongest piece here. My 2 cents is that the dissonant horns at the beginning work fine.

As for the second piece I agree that the cello sounds harsh, although it's a little easier to take once it's blending. The heavy reverb takes it out of SNES land, I think, into almost art-movie territory. I'm curious where this piece is intended to go. I could see it following the action in a cutscene, but not as backing music for a fight or action sequence. It takes a really long time for the beat to hit, and then it cuts out pretty quickly; overall it sort of feels like an afterthought. I kind of like the mix of orchestral and electronica, though, especially with the slap bass; it reminds me a bit of the music from the esper factory in FF6, where the beat is held down by a machine sort of sound.

Lastly I have to come out against the battle theme because I hate synth guitars. The theme is solid, especially when the new melody enters; I like the dueling-guitars feel and the beat. But the buzzy faux-guitar sound just ruins it for me. Maybe try to find a different patch or something? It's not your fault...

Anyway, those are a few thoughts. Keep it up, man!

Hey there Kessel.

Quote: Original post by KesselI should start with a disclaimer: I was hoping to do soundtrack for Hero of Allacrost! So if I'm a bit harsh, maybe it's because I wanted your job. ;)

If were TRYING to sound harsh, you failed miserably. ;) Hehe, the moment I think of Allacrost as a 'job', I think I'll stop. I do music for Allacrost more out of passion than 'just another gig'. ;) I am very fortunate to be where I am. Sorry it didn't work out for you but thanks for coming by!

Quote: Original post by KesselOkay, with that out of the way, I'm going to be totally not interesting and agree that the "empire" theme is the strongest piece here. My 2 cents is that the dissonant horns at the beginning work fine.

Okay cool! Nice to hear that the beginning horns are working okay. What do you think is so "strong" about it? Can you please elaborate?

Quote: Original post by KesselAs for the second piece I agree that the cello sounds harsh, although it's a little easier to take once it's blending. The heavy reverb takes it out of SNES land, I think, into almost art-movie territory.

hehe thats a very interesting thought... In a good way hopefully. :) I will work on integrating the cello a bit better. :)

Quote: Original post by KesselI'm curious where this piece is intended to go. I could see it following the action in a cutscene, but not as backing music for a fight or action sequence.

Its a secret!

Quote: Original post by KesselIt takes a really long time for the beat to hit, and then it cuts out pretty quickly; overall it sort of feels like an afterthought. I kind of like the mix of orchestral and electronica, though, especially with the slap bass; it reminds me a bit of the music from the esper factory in FF6, where the beat is held down by a machine sort of sound.

I think you're right about the 'afterthought' bit. For now, I think it might be best to stay either with some type of drumming the whole way through or just make a completely orchestral piece. The inclusion of drums where they are doesn't particularly bother me but I am easily the minority in this matter from what I have gathered so far. I need to do some major brainstorming.

Quote: Original post by KesselLastly I have to come out against the battle theme because I hate synth guitars. But the buzzy faux-guitar sound just ruins it for me. Maybe try to find a different patch or something? It's not your fault...

Haha, its totally my fault. I can choose a different patch but that would require the song to be completely different. If I change one patch, then the sound quality of the other patches is interrupted and one by one a domino effect occurs. Given that most of my electronica samples are completely crap anyways, I am not in any great hurry to go back and make necessary changes quite yet. I think when I can upgrade my sampling library a bit more, this song will really be a lot better.

Quote: Original post by Kesselthe theme is solid, especially when the new melody enters; I like the dueling-guitars feel and the beat.

Thanks!

Quote: Original post by KesselAnyway, those are a few thoughts. Keep it up, man!

Thank you very much for your kind words. :) I also appreciate the fact that you hold back on the scorn. (hehe) You leave good honest comments and I appreciate it. Come by anytime man!

<I just wanted to note that the titles of all of these themes are tentative>

Moving right along, here's a town theme!

Town Theme

I really wanted to indicate a sort of drawly, folksy melody. The chords may be a bit too jazzy later on. Also I realize that the increase in tempo is perhaps a bit awkward but I think it will work during the game. One thing I hate about typical RPG town themes is the consistency of the pacing which becomes monotonous...perhaps my pacing choice will become monotonous as well.

'Theme of Optimism'

If anyone has played any RPG, there is sometimes a quirky kind of happy piece of music that serves as a form of comic relief and empowerment/encouragement between darker moments during the course of the story...and I believe this particular piece fails miserably in displaying any of these characteristics. However, I really DO like the mix and could use some pointers on the direction of the instrumentation.

Cheers!

Ryan

I echo your assessment that the first one may be too jazzy. The melody also, in my opinion, reflects too much of the American Folk idiom and maybe not so much of the idiom you were gunning for.

Just some constructive criticism. :)

--------------------

Alex Whapham

http://alexwhapham.t35.com

Quote: Original post by Alex J Whapham
I echo your assessment that the first one may be too jazzy. The melody also, in my opinion, reflects too much of the American Folk idiom and maybe not so much of the idiom you were gunning for.
Just some constructive criticism. :)

Dually noted and much appreciated. I will point out that there will be numerous town themes so this piece won't be meant to cover all of them. :) I think we are going to have different locales in Allacrost and whereas a desert tribe might be represented by the more appropriate tribal sounding 'ethnic drum and flute piece', I am sure this piece will be able to fit some backwater village in the middle of nowhere. ;) We'll see about that I still have some things I can do with it.

ActionTheme2

Okay. I decided to do some work with the action theme. Took some of the comments I got from here and restructured the piece heavily with the strings not quite so close in the mix. This piece is a bit weird. There are varying instrumentations that go from Romantic classical, to jazz, to Primus and drum and bass. Its a bit quirky. I still have some additional filling out to do with other instruments.

Edit: My previous version of the song was unacceptably bad in mixing so I went through the liberty of replacing it with a more current version. Hopefully it goes over a bit better. ;)

[Edited by - Rain 7 on January 10, 2007 4:49:43 PM]

Quote:
ActionTheme2

Oh hell yeah! That's something I can dig. Sorry I can't give a more "critical" review. It's everything I would ever want from such a song if I made one.